Looking to get either Sea Tow or BoatUS.
What are you happy with?
Why?
Does one or both cover you and whatever boat you are in, or do they just cover one boat?
Coverage area–Interested in Charleston inshore and out to about 26 miles. Also might be interested in Edisto area.
Boat is 23’.
Never had Sea Tow so can’t really speak on it. Have had BoatUS and it’s paid for itself many times over in to the past 4 years. It covers you while trailering as well. Would never boat without it. Had two inshore water tows and a flatbed tow and never had any problem with them covering the charges.
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282 GW Sailfish
All dependent on the franchise owner. Have had both and currently with BoatUS because of issues with SeaTow locally years ago. That franchise changed hands and from what I understand has become a very good service.
Mark
Southport 28TE
2X Yamaha F250
Yeah, but do you consider a dog to be a filthy animal? I wouldn’t go so far as to call a dog filthy but they’re definitely dirty. But, a dog’s got personality. Personality goes a long way.
“Life’s tough…It’s even tougher if you’re stupid” John Wayne
I did a lot of research on this question a while back and what I came up with is the better one of the two is almost totally related to the local operator. Not a lot of price difference between the two.
I predominately fish in the Georgetown area and felt like Towboat U.S. had better coverage for when I want to go up the waterway occasionally, fortunately I can’t say that I have tested it out.
Boat US insurance was bought out by GEICO (Warren Buffet) a few years ago and IMHO that was a big negative and things might change. I suggest reassessing the choice at renewal time every year.
I have TowboatUS nad haven’t used it myself but have asked the questions of both them and Sea Tow. I went with Towboat because they weren’t as vague with answers. One being, they cover the entire Eastern seaboard and will come up to 100 miles off shore to tow you, Seatow wouldn’t give me a straight answer. Another question that comes to mind is about roadside towing, they cover the trailer and tow truck if hooked to the boat, the difference I found is Seatow says they will tow your trailer to the nearest repair facility. I live in Summerville and work on my own equipment so I called and asked, Seatow would not give me a straight answer. Towboat stated they will tow your rig wherever you want up to 100 miles. I’ve had TowboatUS five years now, unlimited including roadside assistance runs $169 per year all included. If you purchase it this weekend at the boat show they give a big discount, I believe maybe $60 off, not positive.
2005 Sea Hunt 212 Triton
“Head East”
Thanks…
I sent questions to both… BoatUS immediately gave me answers…
Sea Tow sent one sentence- Call our office…which I think is up North…?
DRMajor
Go BoatUS , I can say nothing but good about them, get the gold package, was towed 48.5 miles offshore and cost me 0… if I had not had insurance, 3600 bucks of their time at 360 an hour to come out and tow back, ur crazy if u can’t pay for a gold membership and collect it all back on one tow, get boat us, it’s worth it plus some
Thanks
DRMajor
You are lucky to have a great Towboat franchise there in Charleston. I picked them years ago based on recommendations from others AND I liked the fact that they have ports all over the place. I have had to avail myself of their service twice over the years in Charleston and they were very quick to respond and very professional. I have also used one out of Islamorada when my fuel gauge went bonkers and we ran out of fuel. Every experience has been a positive one. I can’t say anything bad about SeaTow because I’ve no experience with them but, BoutUS is great.
“Apathy is the Glove into Which Evil Slips It’s Hand”, but really, who cares?
The obvious answer is to get one of them! I’ve had a pretty stressful year on the water this year… A lower unit went on me when exiting a major cut in Miami during heavy tide swing on 4th of July and my motor threw a rod back in November 30+ miles offshore here. I have Sea Tow and in both situations, I was taken care of in a reasonable amount of time. I did not have to pay for either tow and the tow from offshore here would have cost me $2800.
I did have a buddy whose bilge pump hose disconnected and had some funny stuff going on with a new baitwell that was recently installed - anyways, he was taken on water slowly but noticed a little late - he called sea tow for help and they wanted to charge him to pump water from his boat. But I guess their name is sea tow, not sea pump… so maybe this is the area where one provider may be better than the other.
I had a very interesting experience with sea tow a couple of years ago but last time I shared my post was deleted by ADMIN.
I won’t comment further than that. Use your judgement and get one or the other. Costco sometimes has the Seatow membership for like $130 or so
“mr keys”