Boat U.S. or SEA TOW

P

Party_of_five

Member
Joined
Jun 14, 2007
RO Number
26795
Messages
40
I need help. Im contemplating buying a membership that includes unlimited on ther water towing with Boat U.S.

The question is how do Boat U.S. & Sea Tow compare mostly do most of my boating on south shore.

Thanks

2001 Four Winns
285 Sundowner
 
I have Boat US and am pleased with them. They've always responded in a reasonable amount of time (thankfully not often!). I do see both Boat US and Sea Tow in our area.........seems to be an equal amount of them around here on the south shore.
 
Sea Tow for the past 9 years............. never used it.
 
I have both. Seatow is all over,boat us does not go up the hudson.
 
quote:
Originally posted by abalmuth

We have both

Click to expand...


The way you navigate I understand why you need both, I bet you know all the captains on a first name basis. :)

Mel(Duck) told me you have a card they punch and after the 10th tow you get a free tow, way too cool you are the man. :)

Don
Double D
 
I have to admit there was a year that Boat US knew my name and where I lived! Once I called at night after I ran aground and as they pulled closer I heard on the radio "BJ, is that you???".
 
Walter wrote :
The way you navigate I understand why you need both, I bet you know all the captains on a first name basis. :)

Mel(Duck) told me you have a card they punch and after the 10th tow you get a free tow, way too cool you are the man. :)

Thats low....................but funny
 
quote:
Originally posted by walterv

quote:
Originally posted by abalmuth

We have both

Click to expand...

The way you navigate I understand why you need both, I bet you know all the captains on a first name basis. :)
Mel(Duck) told me you have a card they punch and after the 10th tow you get a free tow, way too cool you are the man. :)

Don
Double D

Click to expand...
Walter
I navigate just fine as long as I don’t follow anyone :D-
years ago we did know most of the Sea Tow captains near us– some used to raft up with us for some shrimps on the barbie – back then most of the captains were ‘on the job‘ or retired

I added BoatUS about 4 years ago when I pick up my 41PC from SS3 in early march and had Reynolds Tow Boat US lead me to the FI Inlet –not many channel markers out at that time – I guess as long as I pay its safe to follow[:-smile_green]
I make back the cost of the BoatUS membership with fuel and trans slip discounts and since we travel so much it’s just piece of mind to have both
It’s funny that ever since we moved to diesel powered boats we have never needed a tow service
 
quote:
Originally posted by walterv

quote:
Originally posted by abalmuth

We have both

Click to expand...


The way you navigate I understand why you need both, I bet you know all the captains on a first name basis. :)

Mel(Duck) told me you have a card they punch and after the 10th tow you get a free tow, way too cool you are the man. :)

Click to expand...

Walter,
I told you it was either the 11th tow free, OR dinner at White Castle. The sliders were great!
 
quote:
Originally posted by ga48

I have both. Seatow is all over,boat us does not go up the hudson.

Click to expand...



yes they do, they have a boat in Tarrytown
 
quote:
Originally posted by duck

quote:
Originally posted by walterv

quote:
Originally posted by abalmuth

We have both

Click to expand...


The way you navigate I understand why you need both, I bet you know all the captains on a first name basis. :)

Mel(Duck) told me you have a card they punch and after the 10th tow you get a free tow, way too cool you are the man. :)

Click to expand...

Walter,
I told you it was either the 11th tow free, OR dinner at White Castle. The sliders were great!

Click to expand...


:)

Andy,
I know your a good captain
 
I did my research on this one. The difference between the two isn't in the coverage on the South Shore. Hey both have good coverage. The difference is in the approach. To simplify the explanation as I understand it... Imagine they both have 100 members in a given area. Seatow more or less divides the membership dues from those 100 members up amongst the Seatow operators in that area at the start of the season and that is how they get paid. The Boat US guys get paid per tow, so they are more motivated to out there and help you on a more timely basis. Needless to say, I use Boat US and boat mostly on the South Shore. Been very happy with them, the two times I've needed them over the past 10+ years. Once for the boat... once for the waverunner.
 
Holy Grail you know not what you speak of. The 2 companies are built from the ground up very differently. First off, the major difference between the 2 companies is that Sea Tow is a franchise and Tow Boat US are made up of private companies that are licensed by Boat US to service a particular area. Reynolds Tow and Salvage of Bay Shore is the company licensed to service the Great South Bay and areas west for Boat US. Sea Tow's memberships are not divided up among all the operators. All the members in a franchisees territory are that franchisees members. A portion of each membership goes to the International Sea Tow for franchise fees, advertising and others. A small amount goes into an escrow fund, for lack of a better description, that a local Sea Tow can be reimbursed for towing a member of another Sea Tow franchise. The remainder of the membership fee belongs to the local Sea Tow franchise who services the home area of the member. So it is in the best interest of the local Sea Tow to service it's members because the larger the membership, the better for the local Sea Tow owner. Lose your members and you lose money. Sea Tow also doesn't have a tiered membership program. One price and you're covered completely. With, Boat US if you don't have the top tiered membership, you're responsible to the local licensee for the balance not covered by your membership. So it's in his best interest if you don't have that. Now in all fairness, the cost of a Sea Tow membership and a Boat US unlimited membership is about the same. And both have a great, competent group of captains. But I can tell you first hand that Sea Tow captains are motivated and really do care about providing the highest level of service in a timely manner to all. I can tell you this because I am a part time captain for Sea Tow Great South Bay and took it a little personally when you said we weren't as motivated as Boat US. Just wanted to set the record straight. And if you'd like me to explain why it sometimes takes longer for us to respond than you like. I'll gladly explain it in another thread.
 
"But I can tell you first hand that Sea Tow captains are motivated and really do care about providing the highest level of service in a timely manner to all."

You bet your ass they are.

In 2003, I took delivery of new Amber Jack; I took my maiden voyage on March 25th and ran aground. Well this is not the time of year that these guys are hanging out in the bay, as a matter of fact they are now where around the bay at that time.

To make a long story short, this Sea Tow captain came out to help me, I got the boat free about 10 minutes before his arrival, he kept in radio touch to make sure I arrived at my port safely. He never got a dime for his service and was a gentleman when I wanted to send him thanks.

Sea Tow in the Great South Bay Area is Great….. Real Cool Guys…..

Walter
 
Walter, sounds like Capt. John. A great guy and one hell of a tow boat operator. Thanks for the endorsement.
 
The few times I've needed Sea Tow they have provided excellent service. I highly recommend them.
 
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