A true and happy ending story.
I went down to my marina this Fall and saw a 30ish power boat from across other dock in our marina. It was manned by 4 people, two on the bow and two on the stern, paddling out to the creek. I asked if they needed help.
They said the engine quit headed out to go around the bend to a local boat ramp where their trailer was waiting to be pulled for the winter.
They had tow insurance but only if they were disabled in the creek otherwise tow boat US wanted a $1000,00 to tow from the slip!
I guess the “happy” ending is that they got far enough away from the slip to be able to qualify for free towing?
BOATUS offers a basic membership that is, as advertised, basic. Their real value comes from the three levels of towing insurance they offer as add-ons:
- Unlimited Freshwater: pays 50% for dock-to-dock tows for repairs for all inland lakes, rivers and waterways (excluding Florida)
- Unlimited Saltwater: pays 50% for dock-to-dock tows for repairs for all waterways, coastal and inland (including all of Florida)
- Unlimited Gold: pays 100% for dock-to-dock tows for repairs everywhere
Unless they change their deal for 2024, INA members get a 10% discount on any of these three add-ons.Their website says most people go for “Unlimited Saltwater”.
Their website says most people go for “Unlimited Saltwater”.
I had that for a long time and never needed it. Then at the beginning of 2023, I wasn’t able to finish engine work on my boat at the boatyard because of back problems. To cut yard bills, I relaunched it and had it towed to my slip on the other side of the harbor. $250 (at BOAT/US’ half price). When my back got better, I had to have it towed back to the yard to haul out again and finish the work. Another $250. Total cost: $500. Had I paid $30-40 more for Unlimited Gold, I would’ve had free towing.
Ya pays youse money and ya takes youse chances. I haven’t done the math to figure out if all the years I didn’t pay for Gold add up to enough saved to cover the $500. But having some towing insurance is a good thing.
If you think towing’s bad, try to get space at a Marina del Rey boatyard to do your own work. If I hadn’t forked out that $500 for towing, I would’ve burned it up in a mere two additional days out of the water in the yard.
– Bob
Me Gusta
Nonsuch e26U #233
I’ve had the Boat US coverage for many years - Unlimited Gold. For the peace of mind - it works for me to know it is there on the rare (hopefully) occasion I may need it. In practice, it has worked very well… Once having to be towed several miles into New London, CT, right into the slip where we had a reservation for several nights.
On the 2nd occasion, 1st towed from a mooring ball (to which we limped back after hitting submerged pilings) at Atlantic Highlands Yacht Club to their travel lift, and then several weeks later after the damage survey was completed and a yard to do the repairs was approved, Boat US towed me all the way down the Raritan River to Sea Bright to the yard.
No additional costs on any of these tows. Just the annual membership.
I occasionally consider adding SeaTow as well, as sometimes the BoatUS station can be pretty far away… but haven’t done that yet.
Peter Grabow
S/V CAKE WALK III
1987 30U 430
Jersey City, NJ
There’s a lot to be said for coverage.
We all tend to think things aren’t going to happen to us, just someone else.
But, there’s inspiration to be found in the famous last words of a British general during the Boer War who was warned to keep his head down because of snipers: "Nonsense! They couldn’t hit a bull elephant at this dist-- "
– Bob
Me Gusta
Nonsuch e26U #233