1,000 Mile Voyage on the ICW Without Towing Coverage?

[endoftheroad]

Would you feel comfortable with a 1,000 mile voyage on the ICW without towing coverage?

Opinions?

[s/v 'Faith']

I would not recommend it with a big boat, (pound foolish IMHO).

If money is that tight, I might forego it with your 26' Paceship.

[GeoPowers]

It all depends on the number and quality of deck ornaments you have!

Do you have a dinghy w/ motor?

[James S]

I suppose it depends on how much it costs...on another recent thread someone suggested its around 150 a month....I'd pay twice that...if you could get it month by month……1000 miles = 15 days max if you take it easy and in the day light.

[sailvayu]

It is cheap insurance, can't see why you would want to go without it. if you need a tow without it it will cost you big time. You just have to need it once to pay for it.

Fair Winds

[captain465]

I have Just compleated the trip from NY to Ft Lauderdale........have both Towboat US and Sea//Tow coverage......don't leave home without it!!!!!!! Sea//Tow is $149/per YEAR and Tow Boat US is about $135/per Year.

[James S]

Damn that is so cheap....seems an excellent value!

[sv_makai]

We ran around HARD at the Ponce Inlet in FL. After trying to get off ourselves we called for Towboat US. First time ever calling for a tow. They very safely and professionally got us off then guided us to the main channel. Price $650 paid 0 with my full cover towing insurance. Worth every penny and then some.

It really is cheap protection. Our cat draws 3'3" and we grazed the bottom in several places. Towing could have cost a bunch more.

[S/V_Surya]

I am a total cheap skate and in 30 years never needed a tow or assistance but I am going to get towing insurance when I do the ICW next year.

[endoftheroad]

Originally Posted by GeoPowers

It all depends on the number and quality of deck ornaments you have!

Do you have a dinghy w/ motor?

Yes,
I have a 10' Caribe RIB w/ 15hp Johnson that will be towed with the sailboat.

[sv_makai]

Before heading to the Caribe, we sailed only the Chesapeake Bay with lots of shallow areas and never needed a tow. We did ground, or in the case of the Bay plow mud. We were always able to get out of trouble without a call for a tow.

It is a good skill to get and reminder of why you need to watch the water. We have seen people call for a tow when a dinghy was able to get them back to water. They will never learn to save themselves.

But dealing with tide differences and unfamilarity with the ICW Towing coverage really saved us money and trouble.

There was also discounts to be had with the membership in some marinas and fuel stops that helped offset the cost of buying the membership. Those savings alone paid a good portion if not all of the annual cost.

[endoftheroad]

Originally Posted by S/V_Surya

I am a total cheap skate and in 30 years never needed a tow or assistance but I am going to get towing insurance when I do the ICW next year.

yes,
I am an insurance cheapskate also but I was wondering just how many good skippers can run aground on the ICW regardless of current charts as the ICW is notorious for being inaquately maintained in areas.

[endoftheroad]

Originally Posted by captain465

I have Just compleated the trip from NY to Ft Lauderdale........have both Towboat US and Sea//Tow coverage......don't leave home without it!!!!!!! Sea//Tow is $149/per YEAR and Tow Boat US is about $135/per Year.

Does Towboat US cover from NY to Key West for that price?

[stevensc]

Tow boat US or Sea Tow have about the same policy so cheap About 150.00 or less per year you can get both, I do. They are stronger( more presence) in different areas
I made the trip from Annapolis to Stuart on the ICW last fall and touched bottom several times, 4' draft. Never had to get towed but did wait for tide once, the rest was able to back off.
As far as I know the cover the entire coast.
Steve

[Tempest245]

To my knowledge Boat U.S. Covers you everywhere they serve. As has been mentioned it's a good value...considering a tow could cost you big $$ without it.
The one tow that I had to call for would have cost me $800. with unlimited insurance it cost me zero.....so it's paid for the 5 years of coverage in my mind..

Sea Tow sometimes has better coverage in an area than Boat U.S. and visa versa..
So considering having both is something I would do for a long trip...

I would also get the " unlimited" version...not the super one that tows you back to your home port...but the level just below.

Running aground is not the only reason, you might need a tow...having an engine fail outside a tricky inlet, or in a narrow channel....taking on water..etc....etc....running aground is something we all do, and can often extract ourselves from.... but other stuff happens...too..

The other question I would ask, is does your regular insurance cover you in Key West, and if so, do you have to get out by a certain date?