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Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums

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Towing Insurance

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John Russell
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3444 Posts

Initially Posted - 01/15/2008 : 20:15:22

I ws at the Cleveland Boat Show a couple of days ago. I stopped at the BoatUS booth when I saw the sign that said UNLIMITED TOWING -- $34.00/year. I couldn't believe it either.

They apparently have split their prices between fresh and salt water. The $34 price tag is for fresh water towing.

John Russell
1999 C250 SR/WK #410
Bay Village, Ohio
Sailing Lake Erie
Don't Postpone Joy!

Edited by - on

Dave Bristle
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
10005 Posts

Response Posted - 01/15/2008 : 23:09:13

Edited by - on

OLarryR
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3464 Posts

Response Posted - 01/16/2008 : 05:16:19

Hmmm ! I am not aware of that differential split for freshwater. next time my membership comes up for removal, I have to see if they offer that in my area and then consider it. I forget the rates but i remember that the other year my friend who hs a motorboat got me all concerned about not having enough towing insurance and so I increased it. But then I backed off higher towing coverage this past year considering that in most instances it would be to get off a grounding versus towing because of a motor malfunction considering we have sail power whereas motorboats would have to paddle as only alternative except for possibly a fellow boater assisting.

Edited by - on

DaveR
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
2015 Posts

Response Posted - 01/16/2008 : 07:30:04

For a $140.00 or so a year I'd rather just not worry about it. You know, reduce the recipe for disaster!

Edited by - on

piseas
Former Treasurer

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USA
2017 Posts

Response Posted - 01/16/2008 : 20:38:46

I have BoatUS for insurance and towing. There are different levels for towing. Review the coverages. I have the one below the best one.
Steve A

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John Russell
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3444 Posts

Response Posted - 01/16/2008 : 21:48:41

I went back to the boat show tonight (free tickets from my marina). Renewed my membership in BoatUS, got a great canvas shoulder tote bag (wouold cost more than the price of membership at retail) and signed up for the unlimited freshwater towing insurance all for the grand price of $53.00 US. $19 for membership and $34 for towing. Can't beat that with a stick.

For you salt water sailors, the prices are $116 or $143 depending how far off-shore you want to go.

Edited by - on

piseas
Former Treasurer

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USA
2017 Posts

Response Posted - 01/18/2008 : 12:50:06

You dog, I never got any tote bag and any free stuff from them!

Steve A

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Champipple
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
6855 Posts

Response Posted - 01/18/2008 : 14:06:09

What do you need towing for John - up at that end of the lake you can just get out and walk.

Edited by - Champipple on 01/18/2008 14:06:44

John Russell
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3444 Posts

Response Posted - 01/18/2008 : 15:50:05

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Champipple
 What do you need towing for John - up at that end of the lake you can just get out and walk.

Seriously though, 34 bucks is a steal for unlimited towing on Lake Erie. They don't have TOWBOAT US in every port - you could realistically be 20 miles from the nearest tow. I'd hate to see what the bill would be without the insurance.
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

I could walk away, but get run over by a go-fast. The real good news is that there is a TowboatUS in Sandusky Bay. I think it's at Battery Park.

Sorry, Steve, maybe it's just cuz I'm so darn good looking!

Edited by - on

Dave5041
Former Mainsheet Editor

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USA
3758 Posts

Response Posted - 01/25/2008 : 23:24:59

I am primarily a Lake Erie sailor, but my unlimited towing still applies during my winter sojourn to Pensacola. Last sumer I ran out of gas off Catawba Point with a three knot breeze blowing directly out of Port Clinton (1/3 of my fuel covered the first half of the trip, so I didn't top off at South Bass). Facing 6 or 7 hours tacking with an irate admiral was less appealing than getting a tow to the far side of Catawba to the nearest gas dock. I didn't have unlimited towing then, so the the fuel ended up being about $50 a gallon after my deductible. It is cheap insurance.

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OLarryR
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3464 Posts

Response Posted - 01/26/2008 : 07:46:48

Okay - Here is a stupid question !

Say there is no wind and you do not want to run your motor all the way back to your marina...which say is about 20 miles away. With that unlimited towing card, could you ask them for a tow back to the marina ? How hard do you have to demonstrate you really need a tow ?

(I am really kidding - I would never do this....but ...so what is the answer to it anyway ? Would they really give you a free tow back when you just did not want to use gas in your gas tank ?)

Edited by - on

Steve Milby
Past Commodore

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USA
5902 Posts

Response Posted - 01/26/2008 : 09:36:25

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by OLarryR
 Okay - Here is a stupid question !

Say there is no wind and you do not want to run your motor all the way back to your marina...which say is about 20 miles away. With that unlimited towing card, could you ask them for a tow back to the marina ? How hard do you have to demonstrate you really need a tow ?

(I am really kidding - I would never do this....but ...so what is the answer to it anyway ? Would they really give you a free tow back when you just did not want to use gas in your gas tank ?)
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">
If they think you're over-using it, or using it capriciously, they'll cancel you, or not allow you to renew it. One of the features where I sail is that the insurance covers not only your own boat, but any boat that you're on. You have to be careful not to use it too often on other peoples' boats, or it won't be available when you need it on your own boat. I've never used it on my boat, but used it once on a friend's boat.

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dlucier
Master Marine Consultant

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Virgin Islands (United Kingdom)
7583 Posts

Response Posted - 01/26/2008 : 10:08:15

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Dave Bristle
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
10005 Posts

Response Posted - 01/26/2008 : 10:29:45

I've heard warnings that "unlimited" really turns out to be "limited" in the fine print, although I haven't read it yet. I think you'd find that if they could start your engine, you'd then be on your own. If low on fuel, they might give you some--I dunno.

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Dave5041
Former Mainsheet Editor

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USA
3758 Posts

Response Posted - 01/26/2008 : 11:50:49

On larger tow vessels they can bring you fuel, but not on the smaller ones that we will usually see. Safety regs and the EPA require a fixed installation to transport fuel, and that is not possible on a small boat. The cost of fuel and additional crew for the larger boats means the service would prefer to tow you to a fuel dock.

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Dave Bristle
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
10005 Posts

Response Posted - 01/26/2008 : 12:38:30

Speaking of towing, and for the situations where you need a Good Samaritan tow...

http://www.boatingsafety.com/tow.htm

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