boat towing insurance?

[dfg4240]

Hi
Well I am a paid member now and feel better about getting information from the forum.
When the seller brought the boat up from Buffalo he said a smart thing to do was to get towing insurance.
are there many here who had to be towed?
anyone get towed back who didn't have insurance and is it worth it?
I want to get to my boat soon and scrub her decks but just can't get out there right now.

[Hart]

Haven't needed it yet, but bought it last year. Seemed to me at the time that the overwhelming opinion was that it was well worth the money for the peace of mind.

[The Dog House]

When I bought a 41 year old boat, I thought it would be a good thing to buy towing insurance. SeaTow is what operates on the Delaware River so that's what I bought. I used it once so far. They told me if I was not a member it would have cost $516. I paid $169 for my yearly membership. Hopefully as I get the boat sorted out it will be less likely that I need to be towed. However, as long as I'm driving a boat manufactured when Richard Nixon was president, I'm going to keep the towing insurance just in case.

[stoutner]

I just signed up with TowboatUS unlimited for $67.00 a year. How could I not sign up for it? You going to be on fingerlakes or Lake O?

[Diverted Income]

When I bought a 41 year old boat, I thought it would be a good thing to buy towing insurance. SeaTow is what operates on the Delaware River so that's what I bought. I used it once so far. They told me if I was not a member it would have cost $516. I paid $169 for my yearly membership. Hopefully as I get the boat sorted out it will be less likely that I need to be towed. However, as long as I'm driving a boat manufactured when Richard Nixon was president, I'm going to keep the towing insurance just in case.

Well put!

[Commissionpoint]

I have towing as a part of my regular boat policy.

[kevinz]

We have both towing services here in North West Florida. (TowBoatU/S and SeaTow) Both are great companies. I used to be a tow captain for TowBoatU/S so that is who I have. I have been towed in three times. (not the Trojan) The jet boat. For the yearly cost of unlimited towing, if you own a boat you need towing. Without being a member, the hourly rate is now around $220.00 per hour. (more at night and when weather advisories are out) The clock starts from when the tow boat leaves it slip to when it returns.

[Landlocked]

We were on my brother's 20 foot Four Winns boat off St Petersburg, Fl. last year when it broke down and he didn't have usable tools on board (or a paddle). I've had Boat US insurance for 20 years and have never used the free towing that comes with that - until then. We were in cell range, gave them a call and were safely back at the dock within 30 minutes.

Otherwise we would have been sitting, waiting for a good samaritan. Not such a big issue with good weather and a small boat. But that's not always the case. Don't think I'd want to be without it if I had my Trojan in the salt.

[lawyerdave71]

Come on WE are Trojan Owners.

My 35 year old Trojan has never been towed!!! Knock on wood!!

[kevinz]

Landlocked mentioned waiting for a good samaritan. You gotta be careful. Most, if not all, pleasure boats are not rigged for towing and most boat owners (captains) don't have a clue how to tow. It is a lot different than taking the kids sking. Cleats, towing bridle and hawser must be heavy duty. What if your cleat gets torn off while he is towing you? or if his little "tow" line breaks and snaps back to your boat and some one gets hurt?? Get tow insurance. It is cheap and safe!!