Sea Tow
- Thread starter Gregory S
- Start date
They are great in our area Greg. I can't speak for your area. They actually assist the USCG with marker placement and will even sit near the constantly moving shoals and warn boaters if they see someone heading for a grounding. I have both US Boats and SeaTow because I figure when I need them I want the closest available boat. Last year was the 1st time I ever used their SVC in 5 seasons. The captain was great he got us off the bar before the tide could have left us high and dry then once we realized we had major problems towed us right back to our dock. While the experiance was embarssing the overall assistance was great with SeaTow.
Bill
Bill
I spoke with the Captain after the tow which took about 2 hours after he ungrounded us. He said if we did not have the full membership the total bill would have been about a bit over $1k. So the 5 years worth of membership/insurance was well worth it Greg.
Bill
Bill
Greg,
Both SeaTow and TowBoatUS are operated by local franchisees so the customer service realized in one location may not be the same in another. I would suggest you inquire locally about tow services and see if there is, in fact, a prefered oservice in the Norfolk waters due to location or service history. When we stared boating in the Upper Chesapeake TowBoatUS was the only service available and our single experience with them was great and, like Billy, a huge money saver. When we experienced problems offshore in Northern Jersey the TowBoatUS Captain was a huge help both on the radio and when we finally reached a marina, all without charge. I have no reason to think experience with SeaTow would have been any different but we had a TowBoatUS membership at the time so that's who we called.
BTW, isn't towing by a Navy tug included as part of your commission?
Both SeaTow and TowBoatUS are operated by local franchisees so the customer service realized in one location may not be the same in another. I would suggest you inquire locally about tow services and see if there is, in fact, a prefered oservice in the Norfolk waters due to location or service history. When we stared boating in the Upper Chesapeake TowBoatUS was the only service available and our single experience with them was great and, like Billy, a huge money saver. When we experienced problems offshore in Northern Jersey the TowBoatUS Captain was a huge help both on the radio and when we finally reached a marina, all without charge. I have no reason to think experience with SeaTow would have been any different but we had a TowBoatUS membership at the time so that's who we called.
BTW, isn't towing by a Navy tug included as part of your commission?
Greg I have both because of the reasons mention above but we also originally planned on doing lots of cruising. I plan on it in the future but with my Mom's ongoing issues, the price of fuel and the way I have to reengage at work I don't have the time or the money I once did so extended cruising is out of the immediate future for my wife and I.
Bill
Bill
Agree on checking which is in the NAVSTA area. I am not that far west of you (6 NM north of the James and Chickahominy River junction) and only TowBoatUS is in my area. A freind had an issue just north of the James River Bridge and only SeaTow was available. That's only a 15 statute mile distance.
You may want to check if they have reciprocity as well.
You may want to check if they have reciprocity as well.
- Joined
- Mar 6, 2009
- RO Number
- 31123
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I'm just north of the
york river on the mobjack bay seatow is the fastest to us around yr. And service was great when I used it 2 yrs ago.Down where your at both are good.
york river on the mobjack bay seatow is the fastest to us around yr. And service was great when I used it 2 yrs ago.Down where your at both are good.
I go in there daily in unuform as it is right next to the hospial. didn't ork. we are making progress though, props went on today and bridge was lited in to place. wonder if the marina owner reads Boatered!!!!!!!?????
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- Jan 1, 2000
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Each area is a bit different. Before "Katy stole the door", I had Sea Tow as well as BoatUS. Reason: their "home territories" were somewhat different, even though there was an about 50% overlap. In the overlap zone, it meant that if I had a problem on a busy day, I might not need to "wait my turn". The non-overlap zones were important, as those areas were the distant areas from my dock. A non-covered tow would have been pricey.
A moderate bit of research on the territories, and how they handle it might be valuable.
Note that "down heah", we have never had an overabundance of tow services. I suspect that in VA, you have adjoining franchises for each of the company providing a more consistent coverage of your area. Be sure to check out the degree of "farther out coverage" if you tend to take excursions out into the deep briny.
A moderate bit of research on the territories, and how they handle it might be valuable.
Note that "down heah", we have never had an overabundance of tow services. I suspect that in VA, you have adjoining franchises for each of the company providing a more consistent coverage of your area. Be sure to check out the degree of "farther out coverage" if you tend to take excursions out into the deep briny.