they seam very similar. Any advice or opinions would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance!
Tow boat us. Steve has better customer service. Just look what he did for sellsfish in the boat forum. Sea tow has more dead spots in our area and charge extra for the fine print you never read. Been with tow boat for 10 years and they came and got me twice with no extra charges.
Chad
Cobia 256 Express
Pulled by a Dodge Ram 3500
Can’t say anything bad about Seatow as I have never used them. Can say plenty good about Towboat US as I have (unfortunately) used them twice and both times they were fast, professional and courteous. Look at all the areas where you boat and see who has the best coverage. I take my boat down to the Keys a couple times a year and you can’t swing a dead cat without hitting one of Boat US’s red boats. It is teh best $149 you will ever spend.
“Apathy is the Glove in Which Evil Slips It’s Hand”.
Another vote for Tow Boat… I have fortunately not had to use them, but been a member for a few years now. I’ve called them with questions about response times to area reefs etc. and the customer service has been very helpful. The discount to West Marine you get with your membership is always useful, but I do not know if you get that from Seatow also so not sure if it’s a differentiation.
Don’t know bout Seatow, but I know Tow Boat US rocks.
Got to throw in a good word for SeaTow. They have towed me twice…once from 42 miles out, and once 300 yards from the landing. Never charged nothing extra, and a nice bunch of guys. I’m staying with them. Feel I owe them that much.
Key West 196;150 Yammie
Life Is Good…Gotta Love It!!!
I am no longer a member because I have a much smaller boat and lots of friends that boat, but I was a SeaTow member for years and nothing but positives to say about them. I needed a tow several times, one time in the middle of the night while night fishing and they came with no problems.
quote:
Originally posted by bwulmerGot to throw in a good word for SeaTow. They have towed me twice…once from 42 miles out, and once 300 yards from the landing. Never charged nothing extra, and a nice bunch of guys. I’m staying with them. Feel I owe them that much.
Key West 196;150 Yammie
Life Is Good…Gotta Love It!!!
Did you have any trouble raising them on the radio from out there?
Mayhem
Pioneer 197
Both I have heard nothing but good about. In S.C. I think it depends more on where you are and where you normally go. Not sure on where but, overheard there was some gaps along the coast in relation to how close the nearest station was for a fast response.
J Ford
I’ve been that far out and talked to SeaTow clear as day… sometimes I can even talk to SeaTow NC Or Jax… Their radio towers are all networked… if you can’t talk to them I would think maybe there’s something wrong with your radio/antenna setup
“The Wet Dream”
20’ Pioneer 197
150hp Suzuki 4-Stroke
I’m with tow boat. No complaints, been towed twice. One in the icw one in the harbor. Was supprised the talent they can even put your boat on the trailer. Always wondered if I could talk to them when I’m at the ledge. Never hear them.
Mayhem
Pioneer 197
I use sea tow charleston. Anthony is the man.
big dog
I have always had great service from Sea Tow.
I will say that both services are top shelf! Make sure that you get one or the other. All it takes is one time, and you will never be with out it again. I will say that I do have a preference for Tow boat, as Steve is a friend of mine. I have talked to him and Marissa (his wife ) many times while out at the ledge and they have relayed messages to my wife for me. Do not head offshore with out being covered!
.
Oyster Baron
NMFS = No More Fishing Season
“Back home we got a taxidermy man. He gonna have a heart attack when he see what I brung him”
Had SeaTow, never used it. Got Boat US since they keep a tow docked in our creek. My experience with Boat US: Brand-new boat this summer, splurged on first trolling motor. Big motor failed a couple hours after proper break-in several miles down the creek as the tide turned out. I think it was late evening on a Sunday or Monday. Glad for the trolling motor and thought I’d try to make it home rather then call for a tow. Fought into the tide for several hours netting about one knot, almost tied up at next door neighbor?s to save 15 minutes. Got home but couldn’t get on floater without big motor, so tied up with bumpers outside. Called the dealer the next morning for outboard Service and they offered to meet me at the nearest ramp. Then called Boat US?s toll-free National number thinking I’d be a well-received customer since I didn’t bother them the night before -even told her that, since the boat was at my dock and I was in no hurry, they could schedule the tow for their own greatest convenience. Was told that since I was at my own dock, it would be a port-to-port tow for an exorbitant charge. She said she would have the local pilot call me back with an exact price, availability, or something. I forget exactly what but it doesn’t matter since I never heard from them again. Based on the good things I’ve heard about the local guys, I’m guessing the national girl never passed along the message. Just like banks or any other business, you’re better off dealing locally. Things work better when you can deal with neighbors that have decision-making authority rather than far-off, unconcerned, policy manual customer relations. Unless I can deal directly with a local captain, I’m not renewing tow service with them, or the underlying property/liability policies for two boats.
You can and should call the local number. Even though I have used both (and got great service both times), you are probably better off on the long run calling the local number. I would almost guarantee they never got the info locally as they are always johnny on the spot. I have local numbers saved in my cell for Towboat in every place I boat.
“Apathy is the Glove in Which Evil Slips It’s Hand”.
quote:
Originally posted by TTKarlquote:
Originally posted by bwulmerGot to throw in a good word for SeaTow. They have towed me twice…once from 42 miles out, and once 300 yards from the landing. Never charged nothing extra, and a nice bunch of guys. I’m staying with them. Feel I owe them that much.
Key West 196;150 Yammie
Life Is Good…Gotta Love It!!!
Did you have any trouble raising them on the radio from out there?
Mayhem
Pioneer 197
Actually I wasn’t able to get SeaTow on the radio out there. I had to get the Coast Gaurd to relay my position to them. Thank goodness the USCG has a tall antenna. Could have gotten scary. Especially in a 20’ boat.
Key West 196;150 Yammie
Life Is Good…Gotta Love It!!!
For those who stay relatively close to home, what’s the downside of adding a tow service to your boat insurance? For my insurance, it only increased my premium by about $50 to add up to $1,000 in towing per year. If I need a tow, I’ll be able to call whoever is able to get to me first. I fish inshore so I’m hoping $1,000 would cover at least a tow or two a year, worst case scenario. If I need more than a couple tows a year, I need a new boat. Am I missing something? Seemed like a good deal…
TowBoat out of Bohicket. Johnnie is very visible. As a previous poster said, much more about coverage areas
Sea Hunt Ultra 211
We have had. Seatow for years…been towed twice…once in big boat from offshore…once in little boat from wadamalaw sound…great service always. Anthony is a great guy to deal with. I like Steve with tow boat also…but sea tow is who we use. I don’t think you could go wrong with either…and getting a tow package is the right thing to do!
miss’n fish’n
212 SEAHUNT CC
Sea Squirt 16