On August 11, 2026, our 24-foot walkabout boat sank at the dock where we keep it. The boat was lying on its side and filling with water. Fortunately, because it was low tide, the boat had hit bottom and the engine was not completely submerged. But the boat was full of water, and water was continuing to come in. There was absolutely no way for us to get the water out, right the boat, and get it towed without professional assistance.
My husband called Sea Tow because we are paying members. When Captain Donald, from Sea Tow, showed up we understood that there could be charges associated with getting the boat into a condition where it could be safely towed. What we did NOT expect was to be charged $2,610 for what amounted to less than 20 minutes of work to get our boat upright and the water out so it could be towed.
The actual tow was approximately a mile across the river to the ramp and was covered under our Sea Tow membership.
We were shocked by the $2,610 charge. This was already an incredibly stressful and devastating situation. We were dealing with a sunken boat, potential damage to our engine, and the overwhelming reality of losing a boat we worked hard for. Instead of feeling that our membership was providing us with assistance when we desperately needed it, we felt that Sea Tow saw an emergency and an opportunity to charge an outrageous amount.
When my husband called Sea Tow Great South Bay, and spoke to Ryan Bayley, to question why we were charged such an astronomical amount for such a short and straightforward job, the response we received was essentially, “Because we can.”
If that is how Sea Tow treats its paying members when they are at their most vulnerable, that is extremely disappointing.
We weren't asking for free service. We expected to pay a fair and reasonable amount for the additional work required. What we did not expect was to be charged $2,610 for less than 20 minutes of work, particularly when we were already paying members and the subsequent tow was covered by our membership.
Emergencies happen. Boats sink. That's exactly why people pay for services like Sea Tow and maintain memberships. You should be able to trust the company you've paid to help you—not worry that they'll take advantage of you when you have no other choice.
Our experience has left us extremely disappointed and feeling taken advantage of at a time when we were already devastated.
Sea Tow should be ashamed of how this situation was handled.
My husband called Sea Tow because we are paying members. When Captain Donald, from Sea Tow, showed up we understood that there could be charges associated with getting the boat into a condition where it could be safely towed. What we did NOT expect was to be charged $2,610 for what amounted to less than 20 minutes of work to get our boat upright and the water out so it could be towed.
The actual tow was approximately a mile across the river to the ramp and was covered under our Sea Tow membership.
We were shocked by the $2,610 charge. This was already an incredibly stressful and devastating situation. We were dealing with a sunken boat, potential damage to our engine, and the overwhelming reality of losing a boat we worked hard for. Instead of feeling that our membership was providing us with assistance when we desperately needed it, we felt that Sea Tow saw an emergency and an opportunity to charge an outrageous amount.
When my husband called Sea Tow Great South Bay, and spoke to Ryan Bayley, to question why we were charged such an astronomical amount for such a short and straightforward job, the response we received was essentially, “Because we can.”
If that is how Sea Tow treats its paying members when they are at their most vulnerable, that is extremely disappointing.
We weren't asking for free service. We expected to pay a fair and reasonable amount for the additional work required. What we did not expect was to be charged $2,610 for less than 20 minutes of work, particularly when we were already paying members and the subsequent tow was covered by our membership.
Emergencies happen. Boats sink. That's exactly why people pay for services like Sea Tow and maintain memberships. You should be able to trust the company you've paid to help you—not worry that they'll take advantage of you when you have no other choice.
Our experience has left us extremely disappointed and feeling taken advantage of at a time when we were already devastated.
Sea Tow should be ashamed of how this situation was handled.
