Boat U.S. or SEA TOW

Imrich... you basically explained what I said but in more detail. SeaTow dollars are dispersed with a certain chunk going to the local franchise up front. Of course they are motivated to serve their members and having been a member my first year with this boat (free membership thrown in by Cruisers) they were/ are very friendly. But motivation to serve vs. compensation for each tow pushed me to Boat US. And yes, it is important to note that both "real" fees are compatible.

It was not a negative dig at SeaTow. Just, given the pricing structure, I believe more in the Boat US model and am able to take advantage of the discounts for fuel and trans slips. Personal opinion. Did not intend to slight SeaTow or you. Every boater seems to have an emotional allegiance to one or the other, unless you are Abalmuth and have both which I admire!

We are lucky enough to have both readily available. Personal choice is always a good thing to have.
 
Hey Rich, Hope all is going well with you and the family!

I also might add that SeaTow offers dock to dock tows as part of its membership as well as $5000.00 towing reimbursement if there is no SeaTow provider in that area. You may want to see if Towboat US offers those benefits with their membership.

As far as responding on the Great South Bay, Both SeaTow and Towboat US have boats pre-staged or patrolling during Peak times...And that can be from 0800 to 0000 during the spring, summer and fall seven days a week. During off peak times usually there will be a captain standing by at their base (or on call during winter hours).

The average response time is 15 to 45 minutes if you call and a boat can be dispatched right away. Now factor in wind, sea conditions, visibility, location on the bay or ocean and other customers requiring assistance at the same time, and that response time could go up.

As far as comparing the two companies on the South Shore / Great South Bay, Pretty equal with number of vessels, response times and quality of captains.
 
Adam, the family and I are doing well. Anna is 2 1/2 and so looking forward to Santa Claus coming. Alex and Evan just turned 6 months on the 30th and are starting to sleep a bit more regularly. I'm looking forward to this summer and should be able to pull a few shifts for Sea Tow. I just renewed my license this past April. I hope you're having a good hanukkah and your family and yourself is doing well.
Holy Grail, just wanted to set the record straight. You know how rumors start and I didn't want Sea Tow captains to get a bad rap. Nothing could be further from the truth.
To all, have a safe and happy holiday season and I look forward to seeing all of you out on the water when warmer days arrive. And remember, if you get into trouble, Capt. Adam, myself and the other Sea Tow captains will be there to help you out. Motivated and all.
 
quote:
Originally posted by imrich

Walter, sounds like Capt. John. A great guy and one hell of a tow boat operator. Thanks for the endorsement.

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After I was free, he radioed to me to see if I checked my sea strainers, he told me to clear them of sand, if I did not know how, he would walk me through it, or if I wanted, he will do it for me. When I told him all was good, he told me to keep a close eye out at my temperature gauge and if it rose above xxx then drop anchor and shut the motors down.

I think that Sea Tow or Boat US service depends on the captains that service your area, I can tell you that Sea Tow guys that service the Great South Bay, are awesome.

Walter
 
OK, one of my favorite on the water photo's...I'm partial to yellow as well!

Who can guess the location of this photo and the structure on the right side shore line?

Seatow_14194.jpg
 
It looks like Andy's boat just outside of the channel!

I can barely see Dave a couple of miles ahead of him.
 
I have Boat US and didn't know that Sea Tow provides dock to dock towing coverage. If this is the case, I might have to re-consider my membership when the time comes.
I know that Boat US does not cover dock to dock tows. In other words; if you break down at Watch Hill and need a tow back to your marina or other repair facility they will not cover the tow because you are tied up in a safe harbor.
Can anyone advise what Sea Tow's policy would be in a situation like that?
 
I believe........that no matter where you might break down.....they ( Sea Tow ) will tow you to your home port......no charge.
 
You're entitled to at least 1 free dock to dock per year. Yes if you broke down and were tied at a dock that is not your homeport Sea Tow would tow you for free. That's the advantage of being a member. If it's the weekend or busy holiday, you might have to wait a day or 2 because it's a non emergency, but it is part of your membership and you would be towed for free.
 
Let me ask you this:
If I was up the Hudson, let's say Kingston, and my motors would not start, are you saying they would tow me back to Lindenhurst for free?

Walter
 
I believe.......the first operator would tow you to the end of his territory....and hand you off to the next franchisee....he tows to the end of his territory....on and on and on. Before you know it......your home.

Great way to save gas on the ride home.........just tell them you broke down .... :)
 
Yes Walter. Just like Don said. Might take a while at 7 kts.
 
"Great way to save gas on the ride home.........just tell them you broke down .... :)"

Was the question that obvious ?

Sounds like Seatow is the way to go.....

Ok hear is another wild question:

I am down in Florida, and need to be towed back to Lndenhurst, stiil the same gig, and free?

Imrich,
No disrespect, but I still find it hard to believe, they would tow me from Kingston to Lindenhurst, any back up to that? Also, would I need to be there, in other words, could I say my boat is here, bring it back to here?

Walter
 
Walter...........Sit back and enjoy the ride.......you'll be home in a month :) :)
 
You've now got me thinking.............does BOAT US have the same dock to dock service?
 
Barb.......This is from their ( Boat U.S.) site:

Towing at Sea*
" Complete service (100%) from a breakdown at sea to your port of choice, up to the towing service level you've selected "

So.......I guess it depends on your membership level ?
 
quote:
I know that Boat US does not cover dock to dock tows. In other words; if you break down at Watch Hill and need a tow back to your marina or other repair facility they will not cover the tow because you are tied up in a safe harbor.

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JVM, Since Watch Hill is not your homeport, I believe TowBoat US would cover your tow up to your service level.

Dock to dock tows are ment for customers whos vessel is disabled at their home port and they need to get towed to their mechanic or to a boat ramp. The customer needs to be on board their vessel and the service needs to be scheduled in advance for monday thru thursday.

one problem we see alot during the season is that a customer will break down on the bay during the weekend and request to be towed back to their homeport. Then on monday the customer will call to schedule a dock to dock tow to their maintenance facility.

Technically, the dock to dock is not covered because its still the same incident. In other words, your entitled to one tow per incident, you shold request to be towed to your maintenance facility when you first became disabled on the water.

With that said, the Seatow franchise owner realizes that if you breakdown on a sunday afternoon, your maintenance facilty is most likely closed and you have no choice then to be towed back to your homeport. So when you call on monday to schedule that dock to dock tow, they will usually not charge for the tow.

quote:
No disrespect, but I still find it hard to believe, they would tow me from Kingston to Lindenhurst, any back up to that? Also, would I need to be there, in other words, could I say my boat is here, bring it back to here?

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Walter, The furthest I have seen a boat towed is a vessel became that became disabled in the Moriches area and was towed by SeaTow Moriches and handed off to SeaTow Great South Bay which in turn handed off to SeaTow Freeport to be towed to her homeport near Rockaway inlet. Most customers who breakdown from out of our area will usually request us to tow them to a service facilty in our area that can service their vessel. We can reccomend a repair facility if requested and will call to arange a repair while the SeaTow boat is underway to the customers location.
 
I have Sea Tow.
Used them once for a flat tire on my trailer on my first boat.
They sent AAA to fix it.

Have not used them since. With twins, I am always able to get back to the dock. They should charge single engine boats more, they probably need more tows.
 
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