Sea Tow or Tow Boat US

[pigbike]

Which tow company is the better choice for the west coast of Florida. I am concerned with the areas from south of Hernando County, Pasco and  south through Pinellas County and all of Tampa bay.

Is one superior to the other.

[wingtime]

So far I have never been towed ...  I have had both companies...  the last time I had Sea Tow you had to pick a home port and they would tow you a max distance from or to that point for free.  I have Boat US Gold now with the trailer road side service.  I think the only limit is 50 miles offshore in Florida.   Of course Sea Tow could be different now.  I have also heard that the sea tow boats are independently operated and may not be the best to work with.  But like I said I  have never had the need to be towed but it does give you a nice fuzzy feeling having the coverage.

[flounderpounder225]

Tow boat US.  I think better coverage, they don't care how far you are out... I used them twice last year when I was having fuel problems, awesome service.

[RickK]

I just used Sea Tow and it seemed fine, the guy was nice and I think you're right, they are independently owned.  You do have to pick your home port.  Not sure that it matters though if you need a tow if you're out of town.  I tow to all the different gathering sites and wouldn't expect to be towed back to my home port, just my launching site.  Might be something I should check though.  I'm glad my 170 engine died in it's home port a few weeks ago instead of when I cruised 30miles south.

[sealion2288]

I've been a member of both at one time or another. Boat US has better coverage here- there's an operator out of Oriental, NC as well as Morehead City. Plus, the Boat US guys here are much more personable and helpful. I've needed them 4 times over the past 6 years. I'm sure it's like any franchise-it's only as good as the people who work at that specific location.

[wingtime]

One thing I like about the boat US is the West marine points.  Gotta love those reward points "checks" that come in the mail every few months.

I just cut and pasted the following from Sea Tows web site..  It seems it is like I said you are assigned a home area of coverage.  How far they go is not listed though.

Understanding Home Service areas

We are organized differently than other on-water assistance networks out there. We are a franchise-based organization where each Sea Tow franchisee is the independent owner of a large geographic area of responsibility (AOR). When you join Sea Tow, you are generally assigned to a specific franchisee's AOR. The AOR serviced by that franchise is your Home Area. Each franchisee may employ multiple captains and have multiple tow boats operating out of multiple ports within that AOR. If you would like to know specific boundaries of your home area just contact your assigned local franchise or call us at 800-4-SEATOW (473-2869)

[81walkaround]

I also switched towing coverage to Boat U.S. and I also use their insurance to cover my AS.

better operation/coverage/benefits all-around, imho.

great prices too

[seagate]

I have had sea tow for years never had a problem.I had a problem when I was down in the Long Key they can from marathon to get me towed me back in without a problem all the people I have met were great.

[RickK]

I didn't think there would be a problem being out of your home port - I think the "Home Port" is a commission thing for the franchise owner.
Now if you wanted to be towed back to your home port from 400 miles away.....

[RickK]

As an update, I am due for renewal and posted a question to both SeaTow and TowBoat US:

There has been some discussion about this question among friends with different providers and I need to find out the answer.
I live in Sarasota, Fl and I like to tow to other areas.  If I tow to Boca grande (for example), launch and breakdown on the water will I be covered and towed back to my launch place?
If I launch in Venice, Fl (still Sarasota) and cruise to Boca (which I do often) and then break down in Boca what coverage scenario am I in then?

This is the response I got back from SeaTow:

The Sea Tow Captain in Sarasota can give you a detailed answer to your questions.  Please give him a call at 941-756-6422.   I'm sure he'll be able to explain the towing benefit clearly to you.  Usually when someone trailers their boat they can easily be taken to the ramp they left from if it is in the same franchise area.  If you left from Boca Grande and broke down in that area you could be brought back to the ramp in Boca Grande.  The same thing applies when you are in the Sarasota area.   But if you left from a ramp in Venice and broke down in Boca Grande I believe Sea Tow will take you to the closest place to get the boat repaired.  Every franchise is individually owned and since you are a Sarasota member, I suggest you speak directly with that Captain.  I'm sure he'll be happy to help you.   Best Regards,   Anna Grant  Customer Service
 

TowBoat US has not replied yet.

Seems they are both franchise based and it becomes "foggy" if you cruise into another franchise area. The SeaTow response about them covering you in another area back to where you launched seems appropriate. The question about cruising into some other franchise area, breaking down and being towed into the nearest repair facility is ok I guess, unless you just wanted to get home and deal with the problem later.  Now you're stuck without a way home.
I guess the answer is don't cruise to an area, trailer and then launch in the area.

[pigbike]

I would think nowadays it would be more cost effective to tow your boat to a ramp closest to where you want to be. That way you are also safer if you do have a problem.  This kind of takes the fun out of it, but boats can burn a bunch of fuel, so you win both ways.

Might be different for someone who doesn't trailer the boat. The way I look at it if I have to trailer it, I might as well go where I want to boat.

Let us know what Tow Boat has to say if they respond back to you.

[JoseGaspar]

I am in Dunedin, FL and used SeaTow for the first time yesterday when my 250CCP had an electrical fire while at the Offshore Powerboat races.  Very responsive (there in 20 minutes), no issues, professional, etc.  Never had a BoatUS membership but in their defense, they had a guy patrolling the area and did stop to check on me.

JG

[pigbike]

Did Sea Tow come out of Tarpon Springs? If so i saw him heading out of the river to you.

[wingtime]

Speaking of trailering Boat US has a roadside trailer coverage ad on that costs under $20 more per year.

[JoseGaspar]

Did Sea Tow come out of Tarpon Springs? If so i saw him heading out of the river to you.

Cat with dual 300s.  Gray and black dog on board.  I was told he was coming from Three Rooker Key while I was on with the dispatcher