I'm thinking about getting SeaTow Coverage...
 

And i was wondering who/where are the best deals/coverages? I boat mainly in the ICW, and the Atlantic Ocean, and I'm wondering what coverage to get? I heard awhile back that BoatUS offers a similiar deal, but it's is or is not SeaTow and their rates were pretty good? The best I've seen for SeaTow is the basic coverage for $95/yr.
Thanks for the input,
MD

I have Sea Two coverage and have been very happy with them, Actually had to use there service once (late night) and they came through like champs, HOWEVER,
A few months back while there was discussion about the STM folks and which organizations were defending boaters rights, Sea Tow came up a zero. I e-mailed them personally and got no respons (twice). Boat US on the other hand has info right on there website and openly discuss the issues as well as finance council to protect our rights.
I am one hundred percent for preserving our environment, I do believe there are some extreme views out there that will do whatever necessary to achieve their narrow minded goals. I will do whatever I can to support the organizations that atleast make an attempt to keep these types honest.
Just something to consider, Im going to when its time to re-sign

Dean.....I just signed up with BoatUS...unlimited coverage for 99.00 and you then get discounts on everything in the store...even discounted boat show tickets.....hope I never need the coverage but in the event you do....one tow pays for itself......Rich :cool:

Tamtrum,
I too, will follow that lead, thanks for the heads up about Sea Tow NON-Position of Boaters rights! :mad: I WILL NOT patronize boating related organizations that don't have us boater's best interests @ heart!
Do you know any speicifics on the BoatUS Tow assistance programs?
Thanks again,
MD

It is the best value in boating. I'm a member 4 years now. I blew my engine at the PowerBoat Brunch up in Manhatten on the EAst River. They responded in 45 minutes and the tow how to my house dock was 4.5 ours.

They are the best.

SF1,
Did you join @ a store or @ the website or what? Is there a mileage from your dock/trailer limitations in the BoatUS policy? I boat up to 40-50 miles away from the lift sometimes, and I don't want coverage milage limitations, (Like you I hope NEVER to use it, just piece of mind)
Is your coverage good for the Keys and the Bahama's?
Thanks for the info, how's the Cig's. Hydraulic Steering project coming?
MD

Coasties didn't charge me anything. :rolleyes: :D

Shooter,
I'm confused, do you have BoatUS or SeaTow Coverage?
Thanks for your input,
MD

Regarding tow policies in general, you Florida types would be wise to ensure your policy covers you outside US waters (read: Bermuda, etc). I've heard that some do not.

MD, for the straight scoop on Seatow, you might try posting over at www.boatered.com; the guy that started the site, Les Hall, is a VP with Seatow, and I can guarantee that Les is no friend of the STM types! Boatered is focused on more "general" boating than OSO, but it is the only other boating site I visit on a regular basis.

Be interested to see what Les has to say...

Cord,
I hope not too have a "MAJOR BREAKDOWN/GROUNDING" as bad as you did bud! :eek: Just looking for a tow home from a spun prop, etc.
Congrats. on the Firehawk deal! Have you bought all your accessories yet? I can get you in touch with my bud who gets deals on EVERYTHING that's Hi-Perf.
Let me know,
MD

Sorry, my spelling sucks too... It's Sea Tow. Boat US just changed to match them. My friend had them and switched - he was on my boat for that fun - 8mph all the way. It was Oct. and it got chilly. I had to call on the cell because I was tucked in at the 23rd ST. Marina and they relayed it immediately. Smoked all our cigars and drank all the beer by the time we arrived at 2:30AM. I don't know about support for this or that, but I'm paying for a service. I might point out that I do support the sponsors of OSO!

Hey - none of that spun-prop stuff, I think I bought your Bravo 1 prop last year, didn't I?

[ 02-08-2002: Message edited by: Shooter ]

What's up Dean?
I've got Boat-U.S. "Unlimited" Tow coverage for $99.00 per year. It includes coverage for any and all tows up to 25 miles offshore and 50 miles in any other direction from your home port. You also get Dock-to-dock coverage if your boat is not operational and you need to get it to a launch ramp or repair facility. It's great service and at that rate you really cen't beat it. Additional benefits are all the discounts you can get through them.

I would also strongly recommend them against that other tow company, simply because I know your beliefs and Boat-U.S. is strongly committed to and aligned with Boater's rights. You can read all about what they stand for and what they do on their site.
www.boatus.com

:cool:

I have Boat U.S. for $99.00 per year. That covers unlimited towing.

Use it once and it will pay for itself for a decade. Without such coverage the towing/salvage charge could be beyond your wildest imaginination!!! :D The horror stories are staggering. Some people have lost their boats to tow companies as payment for services rendered.

Sean :)

[ 02-08-2002: Message edited by: seanclong ]

Great points, Sean!

BTW, I used to only be covered for I think $350.00 per tow and I believe that was $49.00 per year. Well, the one time I was stranded by bad fuel and vapor-locking in my old boat, I called Boat-U.S. to get towed in. The tow was only about 1 mile and took all of about 10 minutes. That short little tow came out to be $180.00. I realized immediately how these tow-in's can surmount incredible charges very quickly. Needless to say, had I been anywhere near my typical favorite watering holes, I could have been charged upwards of a couple thousand dollars. For $99.00 a year, I won't be caught dead without my Boat-U.S. card out on the water!

:cool:

I don't have a choice in that Sea Tow isn't active in my area. But from what I've read, I'd most likely take Sea Tow if I could. I know that Boat/us had a restriction on how far they would go for you, like 25 miles, and Sea Tow would tow you 60 miles from Bimini if you needed it. You can still be a member of Boat/US, supporting them for thier boating initiatives, yet use Sea Tow for towing service.

BD,
What's happening? Well if BoatUS is good enough for you, then it's good enough for me! :D I just got off the phone with BoatUs and I'm now a member! :D BTW, they do have towing coverage for the Bahamas! Is that making you think about a "ROAD TRIP!!"
Shooter,
Did you buy that prop from Too Old? If you did, then yes it's a prop that I sold to Too Old! Gotta Love OSO, POWER TO POWERBOATERS everywhere!!! :D
MD

I had to use Sea Tow once 5 or so years ago. I was my first boat and I was stranded only a mile or so from my boat launch. The Sea Tow guy saw me dead in the water and came over to see if I needed help. I didn't have much cash on me and told him that. He asked how much I had and I told him 20 bucks. He said "I can do that" and towed me back to the launch.
I haven't seen them around the last couple of years though so I'm not sure if it would help to get coverage where I'm at. I've never seen Boat/US on the water.

Yeah, that's right I did get it from Too Old... now if we can work out the wife/girlfriend swapping thing. Hey I got a new idea for the clasified section!

Dean-your bud only deals in Merc stuff right? I havn't gotten around to buying much other than some misc. hardware stuff. The dealer will be handling the hardcore rigging and procuring. You know the deal, if you want him to stand behind it, you have to buy it from him.

I suppose your buddy is the fellow that's building the engines that we're not going to talk about. ;)

Just check the coverage maps before you buy. If I recall correctly, you're pretty well covered down there, but up here the coverage is spotty at best.

Whatever happened to the boaters creed? You know where one boater is supposed to tow another boater and turn down any compensation?

That's great, Dean! Good to hear it!
Now you can rest...uhh...Boat assured! It's good peace of mind. :D :D

...Road Trip,,,Did someone say Road Trip?...
:D ;) :cool:

Cord,
No, this is my other bud @ Marine Performance, You know that Guy, (John Cosker) that designed and built the Callen 55 Twin T55 Turbine Boat. Didn't I show you and Dee those pictures of the turbine boat when you guys were down here?
Anyway, he can get Merc. KE, Chief Engines, Stainless Marine, GIL, etc. a EXTREMELY good deals.
Let me know if you need soemthing,
MD
PS Say "Hey" to Dee for us! :D

I have Sea Tow. For $130/year, it will cover you on any boat that you are running. Since I have 7 boats (if you count jet skis), that was the policy for me. I had to use it once last year, and just the peace of mind it brings is worth the money. Before I had towing insurance, if the boat wouldn't start ont he first touch when I was offshore, I could feel my heart headed up to my throat.

BOATUS had a booth last year at Miami and I renewed there for less than the normal charge. I don't remember{RUM} exactly what I paid for the year but I'm thinking it was like $85.00. Some special they were running.