Cobaltchat.com

Spending Aug thru Nov in FL and want to get a membership.... just in case.. I’ve read up on both and appears overal coverage is the same but Towboat seems to be slightly cheaper, but only slightly. I subscribe to the “you get what you pay for” theory but since coverage is equal, thought I would get opinions here. Also read you should go with the one that services the area where you boat but both show local coverage.... So, anyone with good or bad experiences with either?

I have had tow boat us for years and have used them twice with my old boat and saved me lots of money. I have no complaints on there service or cost. I did check prior to signing on who had the best coverage area where I was boating and that was the determining factor. Good luck !

Whichever you go with, when it comes time to use it make sure they rig your boat the way YOU want it. There was a member on the Facebook page that lost their Cobalt because Sea Tow rigged to the bow eye and pulled them into oncoming seas and sunk the boat.

When I was in a coastal area in TX, I believe Towboat US was a little more common, but it may very well be a regional thing. Be certain that whoever you choose does not have any undisclosed "salvage rights" to the boat buried in the language. I don't know all the details, but there were some cases where the boat was claimed under salvage because it was "abandoned". If memory serves, the owner had jumped off the boat to dive under it to see what it was caught on and boom, the tow company "salvaged" it because it was unmanned. This is probably a 1 in a million, but it did happen. Also, as mentioned, be careful how they rig it. Here's a great example---the boat that was in Captain Ron (Formosa 54--actually in my home marina at the time) ran aground in Galveston bay and a tow company was called. Somehow it ended up being classified as a salvage operation and the tow company rigged the tow wrong around the masts and destroyed the wood masts...the boat now has metal masts painted to match....such a shame on such a beautiful boat.

Just be careful with whoever you choose.

I have towing with towboat US. Haven't had to use them on TRL yet but use to use them on the Mississippi river a few times. Fast response and great guys.

akorcovelos wrote: Mon Dec 09, 2019 11:36 am Whichever you go with, when it comes time to use it make sure they rig your boat the way YOU want it. There was a member on the Facebook page that lost their Cobalt because Sea Tow rigged to the bow eye and pulled them into oncoming seas and sunk the boat.

If we're thinking of the same one that guy turned out to be full of s@#t. I believe he was trying to claim that's what happened for insurance purposes.

liquid wrote: Mon Dec 09, 2019 2:30 pm

akorcovelos wrote: Mon Dec 09, 2019 11:36 am Whichever you go with, when it comes time to use it make sure they rig your boat the way YOU want it. There was a member on the Facebook page that lost their Cobalt because Sea Tow rigged to the bow eye and pulled them into oncoming seas and sunk the boat.

If we're thinking of the same one that guy turned out to be full of s@#t. I believe he was trying to claim that's what happened for insurance purposes.

I saw that video. He's a good actor. He had me fooled. I have Towboat US. It came with my Geico insurance policy. They partnered with Boat U.S.

Thanks for all the feedback. After some research in my area, SeaTow seems to be the bigger contractor with the most boats/ area coverage.

liquid wrote: Mon Dec 09, 2019 2:30 pm

akorcovelos wrote: Mon Dec 09, 2019 11:36 am Whichever you go with, when it comes time to use it make sure they rig your boat the way YOU want it. There was a member on the Facebook page that lost their Cobalt because Sea Tow rigged to the bow eye and pulled them into oncoming seas and sunk the boat.

If we're thinking of the same one that guy turned out to be full of s@#t. I believe he was trying to claim that's what happened for insurance purposes.

This is as the one I saw, same as you’re talking about?

That's not the same guy (I don't think) I'm thinking of. I'll dig if I get a chance.

liquid wrote: Tue Dec 10, 2019 9:19 am That's not the same guy (I don't think) I'm thinking of. I'll dig if I get a chance.

Right that's a diff one then I'm thinking of too. Liquid you have more time on your hands then I do I'll let you look for it.

Big Block Power wrote: Tue Dec 10, 2019 6:01 pm

liquid wrote: Tue Dec 10, 2019 9:19 am That's not the same guy (I don't think) I'm thinking of. I'll dig if I get a chance.

Right that's a diff one then I'm thinking of too. Liquid you have more time on your hands then I do I'll let you look for it.

I have Boat US. Was an add-on with Geico insurance. Before heading to Lake Powell in September, I looked at the details on the policy and the wallet cards and realized the policy I had only covered 25 miles, then $$$. That would be almost worthless at Lake Powell, so I upgraded to the 'unlimited' plan, which was very inexpensive to do.

At Lake Powell, I believe the actual towing is handled by Aramark, then you just turn in your claim to Boat US.

I can't find the post.

I had Sea Tow years ago, different boat. Used it once, saved lots of money on tow. Now I have Geico insurance, comes with Tow Boat US. No presence on local lake so I imagine I'd have to pay the Sea Tow guy and get reimbursed by Geico/Tow Boat US. My experience with Sea Tow was good. Time will tell with the other.