Tow Boat US???

matt4704

matt4704

New Member
Jun 18, 2010
103
St. Petersburg, FL
Boat Info
Sundancer 270
Engines
7.4 Mercruiser w/Bravo III Drive
I am looking to get a tow service for my boat in the St. Pete area. Tow Boat US is a pretty big service here and has a couple boats stationed in my marina.

Anybody know of any promo deals with them, or any other services in the area...Looks like $125 a year is what I am looking at for unlimited salt water tow..

Any good or bad experiences with them?
 
My experience with them was very positive. Ran aground in/on my friends boat and used my policy to be towed off and home.
 
125.00? Huh mine is 70ish. But I am freshwater. Maybe that's the difference. But in an answer to your question. All good with towboat US
 
I've got SeaTow (about the same price) and I always see their boats where I'm at South of the bay.
I had to use them once earlier this year and it took about 2hrs for them to get to me on a Sunday just off Anna Marie. No problems with them after they arrived and towed me back 20 miles to our ramp.
 
Ya, they are showing $34 for rivers and lakes, and $125 for salt water....50 miles out is a long way to go in rough seas...I can understand the difference..
 
Tow Boat US has done fine by me. I had to be towed twice the 1st year I owned my 26 footer, no problems, very professional. Well worth the cost od joining.
 
Just renewed mine today, fortunately I haven’t needed it. Just check to see who has a larger presence in your area, Tow Boat US or SeaTow.
 
I am not in Florida, but am up north in the Chesapeake Bay and used TowboatUS for the first time ever a few weeks ago. They towed me for a little over 11 hours, about 70 miles, back to my marina and slid me right into my slip. They could not have been better. I did however learn that their "unlimited" tow coverage is actually limited to a $2500 max. My tow bill came in at $2800 and I had an out of pocket expense of $300. No complaints however. I have since learned that their next higher tow policy, I think it is called the gold or something similar, has a $3000 limit on it. Also, on the "unlimited" policy it does not cover you if you are broken down at a safe port. If you wat the boat moved to a repair place, you must foot the bill for it. Once again, their gold policy does seem to cover this situation and allows you to have the boat towed 25 miles to a repair place even if you are already at a safe port or at your home location. Overall, they were great to deal with and arrived for the tow within an hour after we made the request. I have since increased my policy and hope that I will never need it again.
 
Matt, I have been boating since the 80's and it is the first time I have had a problem and could not fix it, so I guess that I have been very lucky. I am not sure how many years I have had towing coverage, but I fugure that that I got back all that I have paid them since whenever in that one tow. Well worth it!

Scott
 
I used Tow Boat US on the very fisrt day on my old 1980 SA 8 years ago. I wasn't at the helm. The guy who delivered the boat from the dealership was and he ran us aground and against the rocks in the jeti not paying attention to what HE was teaching ME. Search for the story on the Boat US forumn if you really want the details. Needless to say the advice I was given before I actually purchased my firsrt boat was the best advice I have ever been given. Saved the dealership about 600 dollars as well.
 
Must be nice to live in an area where tow service is available. Nobody around here to call except Ghostbusters.
 
I needed them on memorial day they where 2 mins away and pulled me out. signed the receipt and that was that theey made sure the boat was ok and left. for $125 yr i wouldnt leave the dock without it. If you had to pay the bill it was like $770
 
I also have a pretty good "rider" on my policy that covers towing, etc. Just check your policies so you aren't double dipping!
 
I think BOAT/US members get a break on towing insurance. I forget. I haven't needed a tow since 1998.

Best regards,
Frank

P.S.
I bought Just Ducky which has inboards, in 1999. Co-incidence? Don't think so!
 
On our AC trip this year, I am going to "break down" off Ocean City and demand a tow to AC... I'll be 20 miles off shore... This is my new "green boating" idea.
 
Forget the advertising and any price breaks. The important factor is to choose a towing company that serves your area. It does little good to save $50 on an unlimited towing policy if the company you chose stations his nearest boat 50 miles away.........you'll be waiting a real long time for him to get to you.
 
Tow Boat drove 70 miles to pick up a friend of ours recently - in a single engine gas boat. He was also in a single engine gas boat (2 engines, 1 failed). Ironic, don't you think?
 
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