BoatUS or Sea Tow ?

[StringBimini]

I am considering getting a policy this year, and I was wondering the pros and cons of these two providers. I am in galveston bay area.

Any comments on which might be better?

[s/v Moondancer]

While I found Sea Tow in Puerto Rico to be excellent. In South Florida I have witnessed some dubious actions by Sea Tow, I much prefer BoatUS.

[DWT]

They are locally owner and operated so, what might be good where I live, may not be so for you.
Ask around your area and get a feel for both companies then make your choice.

Good luck to you

[aquarian]

Sea Tow did me right. They even sent Captain Ron (not joking) to give me a tow the one time I've needed it. He was great.
BoatUS never returned my calls.
This was in the Florida pan handle area of the gulf.

[nknowland]

Get both!

[Tempest245]

Like lots of things, it depends.

If you stay local, I would find out who offers the best coverage ( area ).
Based on your question, I have to assume they are both there. In that case I'd get local references from other boaters. You can get a feel for the owners by talking to them.

If you travel far afield, you might consider getting both, or at least researching who has the most coverage in your cruising area.

[StringBimini]

Good advice about getting both. Maybe that is best. But I will ask around locally first, for Galveston Bay.

[S/V Illusion]

Get neither! Simply add an endorsement on your existing boat policy which costs a trivial amount and it covers any tow in my experience. Underwriters won't automatically increase your rate simply for a tow unless it becomes a routine and periodic claim. My question is why limit yourself to just one tow company?

The only prior answer I ever got from that question is that the tow company will give you priority over a non-contract call which, in my experience, is BS - they want the higher tow fee and they don't want the "other guy" to get your tow so they tend to race to the scene.

[bstreep]

Ask around. You will find that since they are franchises, their will be a difference of opinion. Also look where you are likely to go. For instance, we are in Corpus Christi, and Sea Tow is here. In Port Aransas, it's Tow Boat US.