Getting a new insurance policy. The updated plan comes with the offer of $5000 in commercial towing at the cost of an additional $100 a year. Sea tow is looking at about $170 for the year plus another $14 for the trailer. The commercial towing in my insurance would include towing of trailer in the $100
Anybody know what the going rate for towing service is out of Charleston? If i got stranded 60m out would that $5000 suffice (i dont plan on getting stranded more than once a year ) or is it wiser to bump up to sea-tow.
IMO. as sea tow member you will get priority towing over and “insurance” tower. And it will cost you nothing but a membership. If you only have insurance, YOU have to pay seatow and file a claim to your insurance company to get paid back.
no brainer, in my opinion
its not a very stout arguing point- but id think the 200/hr “insurance” guy would get priority over the 200/yr guy. I believe these are independently operated businesses no? Either way if i REALLY needed to be home asap, like a storm or something CG would be coming and not a tow. I’d wait and fish. Ill end up getting the sea-tow, anybody use there insurance coverage too?
Tow boat has service leaving the Edisto and the harbor. I use them because they are always close by. My insurance pays the first 500 for towing and ungrounding, but I dont trust them to actually pay me back.
Take it from someone who works with adjusters alot. There are many insurance compaines that wont pay for a proper repair, or wont reimberse their clients. Even the name brand insurance doesnt like to pay.
Besides, who has thousands to spend on a tow at any given moment while fishing?
You can also call the local companies for piece of mind when running back in at night or in inclement weather. I have called Steve at Towboat US from 60 miles out and had him relay messages to my wife. It is nice to have them check up to make sure you made it in.
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PROUD YANKEE
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”
quote: Either way if i REALLY needed to be home asap, like a storm or something CG would be coming and not a tow.
The Coast Guard will not come and tow you except for an extreme emergency. A storm and you really needing to be home is not one.
Sea Tow, or Boat US is worth every penny.
Capt. Larry Teuton
Cracker Built Custom Boats
“Ships are the nearest things to dreams that hands have ever made.” -Robert N. Rose
That’s exactly what i said… if it were a storm and a life threatening emergency. “like a storm and needed to be home” IE- off the water because its dangerous. Not because ill miss the football game. Read what i wrote.
When people assume others are blatantly ignorant- such as concluding the coast guard is obligated to get me because i might miss tee time,(which i dont know how that was even fabricated from what i said) is a little ignorant in itself.
I also thought you were off base with that comment in thinking USCG was on call to come get you if you wanted to be home faster than what a towing company could do.
Guys, sorry but you’re off base. I’ve read my post a dozen times now and seriously cannot see how you came to that conclusion, why you’d even bother telling me, or question the competency of my craft. Perhaps its your perception. I’ve been on the water once or twice. My join date/posts may not reflect that but trust me, i didn’t start this topic to be told “the coast guard is not at my disposal”.
Others, thanks for the help. I’ve decided sea tow membership trumps the insurance company’s offer. I didn’t know it could be utilized on others boats, that alone sold me. I’ve never had to be towed, and dont plan on it but its cheap insurance.
Only if you have the Professional Mariner Card($365/year), and if you are operating that boat. The Gold Card(which most people buy)gets you coverage on any boat you own, borrow, or rent/charter).
To the OP, don’t just depend on your insurance to cover towing charges. Most companies(Sea Tow, TowBoat US)also offer $5000 for towing in areas they don’t cover. You also have other perks-like discounts, fuel/battery/oil delivery, etc. Your insurance won’t pay for that, and you’ll probably have a deductible to deal with too.
It’s only $169.00 a year for a ST Gold Card. You’ll get that back in one incident.
“Never argue with an idiot…he will drag you down to his level and beat you with experience.”
Only if you have the Professional Mariner Card($365/year), and if you are operating that boat. The Gold Card(which most people buy)gets you coverage on any boat you own, borrow, or rent/charter).
Hah…I’m a member and never noticed that. How do they differentiate between a boat you’re on vs one you’re borrowing?
After looking into it- it’s basically applicable to any vessel which I “hire”. most the people I fish with have a 6 pack. They also have their own coverage, but in the event of something unforeseen happening it’s covered on all grounds.
The way I read Towboat, they cover you on any boat you are on. And, the 2 times I have had to use them in Charleston, they have been Johnny-on-the-spot. If you boat in other areas, you may also want to look into who has the most ports. I boat in the Keys and the red boats everywhere down there.
“Apathy is the Glove into Which Evil Slips It’s Hand”.
You can also call the local companies for piece of mind when running back in at night or in inclement weather. I have called Steve at Towboat US from 60 miles out and had him relay messages to my wife. It is nice to have them check up to make sure you made it in.
.
PROUD YANKEE
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”
Agree, Boat US customer service is incredible.
We also file our float plans with Capt Steve and if we don’t call in by the time we say we’re going to be back…he calls us personally.
) or is it wiser to bump up to sea-tow.