Boating is supposed to be fun and relaxing, but sometimes things don’t go as planned. Engine troubles, running out of fuel, or running aground can quickly turn a day of boating into a stressful situation. But there’s no need to panic if you have TowBoatUS on your side!
TowBoatUS, better known as Tow Boat USA, is a 24/7 towing service dedicated to getting boaters back on the water quickly and affordably. With over 300 locations nationwide and over 600 red towboats ready to be dispatched, Tow Boat USA can provide fast assistance whenever and wherever you need it. Whether your boat breaks down at the sandbar, or you have an engine issue several miles offshore, Tow Boat USA has you covered.
In this article, we’ll cover everything you need to know about Tow Boat USA. You’ll learn about the variety of services they offer boaters and motorists, their pricing and membership options, and ultimately why Tow Boat USA is the go-to choice for towing and roadside assistance.
What is Tow Boat USA?
Tow Boat USA is a 24/7 on-the-water towing service and roadside assistance provider serving recreational boaters and motorists across the United States. The company was originally founded in 1982 under the name Vessel Assist and rebranded to TowBoatUS in 2012.
Today, TowBoatUS does business as Tow Boat USA and consists of over 300 locally owned and operated towing locations nationwide. With over 1.2 million members, Tow Boat USA is the nation’s largest on-the-water towing fleet. They have a network of over 600 red towboats ready to provide assistance when boaters need it most.
Tow Boat USA is part of the BoatUS suite of services. BoatUS is the nation’s largest recreational boating association, providing services for boat owners including insurance, loans, and education. Members can take advantage of the full range of BoatUS benefits while getting 24/7 roadside and on-water towing with Tow Boat USA.
Services Offered by Tow Boat USA
One of the key benefits of Tow Boat USA is the variety of services they offer recreational boaters and motorists alike. Below are some of the main services provided:
Boat Towing
The core service Tow Boat USA provides is boat towing. If your boat breaks down on the water, Tow Boat USA will send one of their red towboats to tow you back to the marina or dock. This can be a major relief if your boat won’t start or you run out of fuel miles offshore.
Tow Boat USA can tow all types of recreational boats including runabouts, fishing boats, pontoons, jet boats, sailboats, and personal watercraft like Jet Skis. Their experienced captains have the knowledge and equipment to provide safe towing in all kinds of situations and water conditions.
Roadside Assistance
In addition to on-water towing, Tow Boat USA also provides roadside assistance for recreational vehicle (RV) owners and motorists. If your car, truck, or RV breaks down while traveling, you can call Tow Boat USA 24/7 for help.
They offer services including towing, jump starts, fuel delivery, flat tire changes, and lockout service. So even when you’re far from the boat, Tow Boat USA has your back.
Emergency Assistance
Tow Boat USA can also provide emergency assistance in the event of an accident, sinking, capsizing, or medical emergency on the water. Their captains are trained and certified in first aid, CPR, and medical response.
If you ever find yourself in a dangerous situation on the water, calling Tow Boat USA on VHF channel 16 or by phone will dispatch the closest response boat to your location. This emergency assistance can literally be a life-saver.
On-the-Spot Repairs
Many Tow Boat USA locations have onboard mechanics that can provide on-the-spot repairs when feasible. This allows you to get back on your way quickly without having to be towed in.
Repairs they commonly provide include:
- Battery jump starts
- Minor engine repairs
- Clearing fouled propellers
- Refueling when you run out of gas
Having these repair services available on-site is a huge benefit compared to waiting for a tow.
Free Towing for Members
One of the best aspects of Tow Boat USA is free towing for members! As soon as you sign up for a membership, any routine towing up to your membership limits is completely free.
This means you pay nothing out of pocket for a standard tow, giving you peace of mind on the water. Non-members can still call for assistance but will pay out-of-pocket per tow.
Tow Boat USA Pricing and Membership Options
Tow Boat USA offers several membership packages to suit different boating needs and budgets. Getting a membership provides the best value, but they will still assist non-members for a fee.
Here are the highlights of their membership pricing options:
Unlimited Gold Membership
The top-tier Unlimited Gold membership provides truly unlimited towing, up to your boat size/length. This means there are no caps on the number of tows.
- Cost: $200/year
- Boat length: Up to 26 feet
- Unlimited towing mileage
For boats 27 feet and over, there is an additional fee based on length. This membership is ideal for frequent boaters who want complete peace of mind.
Unlimited Saltwater Membership
The Unlimited Saltwater tier also provides unlimited basic tows:
- Cost: $165/year
- Boat length: Up to 26 feet
- Towing mileage limited to 40 miles per incident
So with Silver, you can be towed an unlimited number of times, but mileage per individual tow is capped at 40 miles. Boats over 26 feet incur additional fees.
Basic Membership
The basic membership provides more limited towing:
- Cost: $25/year
- Boat length: Up to 21 feet
- Allows 4 routine tows up to 25 miles each
The basic plan is a good choice for less frequent boaters who want coverage just in case. Additional tows can be purchased a la carte as needed.
On top of the set fees, members get access to a range of discounts on other services including fuel, repairs, and BoatUS benefits. So the membership quickly pays for itself.
Non-members can call Tow Boat USA for on-the-spot assistance at any time for a per-incident fee, starting around $100 per standard tow.
Why Choose Tow Boat USA?
When you’re in a bind on the water, waiting around for help is not an option. That’s why Tow Boat USA is the top choice among boaters who value timely, professional assistance.
Here are some of the biggest reasons to choose Tow Boat USA:
24/7 Availability
With Tow Boat USA, you can call for help around the clock, any day of the year. Their nationwide network of over 300 ports and 600 towboats means help is always within range.
Speedy Response
Tow Boat USA aims for response times within 20-30 minutes on average. Waiting hours for a tow is a thing of the past.
Highly Trained Captains
Their captains are expertly trained and experienced in towing all vessel types in tricky conditions. You can trust them to get the job done right.
Affordable Rates
With free towing for members and reasonable non-member rates, Tow Boat USA offers an invaluable service at a fair price.
Peace of Mind On the Water
Knowing quick, reliable assistance is available gives boaters ultimate peace of mind on the water. Breakdowns go from being a disaster to just a minor inconvenience.
Excellent Track Record
With nearly 40 years of experience and over 1.2 million members, Tow Boat USA has an outstanding reputation for quality service.
Part of the BoatUS Family
As part of BoatUS, the nation’s largest boat owners association, Tow Boat USA members can access a full suite of services.
When you tally up the benefits, Tow Boat USA is simply the best choice out there for towing and emergency assistance on the water. Their unmatched experience combined with excellent customer service is why they have been the leader in the towing industry for decades.
How to Become a Tow Boat USA Member
After learning about the services, pricing, and benefits, you probably want to sign up for Tow Boat USA right away! Here is a quick step-by-step guide to purchasing your membership:
- Go to the TowBoatUS website and select your desired membership plan – Unlimited, Basic, etc. Choose a plan that matches how large your boat is and how frequently you boat.
- Provide information about your boat including length, beam, and type of propulsion. This ensures you get the appropriate level of coverage.
- Enter your contact and payment information. Membership plans can be paid in full or through affordable monthly installments.
- Receive your new membership number and proof of insurance documents. Carry these onboard so they are handy in the event you need to call for a tow.
- Add the Tow Boat USA phone number (800-391-4869) to your cell phone and boat VHF radio so it’s on hand in an emergency. Also program the number into any boat GPS device.
- Boat with peace of mind knowing reliable 24/7 assistance is just a phone call away if anything goes wrong on the water!
Don’t waste another boating season worrying about what might go wrong on the water. Get Tow Boat USA membership today so you can fully relax and enjoy time on your boat. With Tow Boat USA’s towboat angels looking out for you, every day on the water will be smooth sailing.
