BigBendFishing.Net

I am new to the Big Bend area, and Boating for that matter. I was wondering if one of the towing services was any better than the other for this area? I primarily will be fishing out of the Lanark Village area and occasionally near St. Marks. Thanks for you input...

It's a personal preference. TowBoat US claims to have quicker response time because they have a boat in the water in each location 24/7.



Here's Captain John waiting at the Bird Rack at St. Marks. He will generally station himself out there just about every weekend.... He just got a new pair of 4-stroke Honda 150's about two weeks ago....

Tow Boat all the way. They have a boat in Carrabelle as well.

Boat US states they will only tow up to 25 miles out with their unlimited package. Has anyone used this service more than the 25 mile mark? If so do you have to pay out of pocket, or will they cover the tow plus or minus the 25 mile mark? I probabaly will never venture past 35 miles, but would like to know that i was covered just in case.

I just sent your question to them and will post the answer when I get a response...

I use Vessel Assist....Gold card has 50 mile tow limit (each way). So if you're 45 miles out the entire tow is covered. They use Tow Boat US for their tows. Cost $ 125 per year. I don't know how/if this is any different from the Tow Boat US plan. Good luck......

I can tell you that Sea Tow out of Panama City worked for me. My battery and bilge pump conked out at the same time and the boat started taking on water. They came out twice in an hour and ended up bailing me out and towing me home.
I'm not sure about their coverage in the Big Bend. Seems I remember they were just getting established in St. Joe and Carrabelle when I signed up with them a couple of years ago.

QUESTION/COMMENT

directed to our NFGFC speaker aquisition folks..... IMO it would really be interesting to have some one from US TOW or ??? come and speak to us. SUBJECT(s) Their procedures...how to contact them when you need them. What to expect. What kind of trouble do they see the most, What can we do as boat owners to prevent "needing a tow", ETC!

I like Sir Reels idea of having a representative of one of the companys come to the NFGFC meeting as a speaker. I would like a representative define the whole tow verses salvage definition. I have read alot of articles and posts on this lately and am curious what the companies have to say.

sbra27 wrote:Boat US states they will only tow up to 25 miles out with their unlimited package. Has anyone used this service more than the 25 mile mark? If so do you have to pay out of pocket, or will they cover the tow plus or minus the 25 mile mark? I probabaly will never venture past 35 miles, but would like to know that i was covered just in case.

I met John today at West Marine during lunch. He seems to be a very
friendly person. He told me that he is currently insured to tow out to 40 miles, but that would be changing to 60 in the near future. He said that if you have the unlimited package not to worry he would come get you.

BTW First post after lurking a long long time.

Welcome aboard BH and ya came with good tidings ta boot

Thanks for all the help. It sounds like Boat US is the way to go for me. I appreciate all of your input.

Dear Mike,



We have TowBoatU.S. home ports at both St. Marks and Carrabelle. They each have 75 mile service areas. That means if you have Unlimited per-incident towing service there is no out-of-pocket expense up to 75 miles offshore from their locations.



Thanks again for your question.



Steve Buswell

BoatU.S. Towing Services

(800) 888-4869, Ext 3029

I had no idea it was 75 miles !!!!!!!!

For those of you that fish in the Keaton Beach area SeaTow operates out of Keaton Beach marina.

Had a chance to meet Capt John and his new Hondas recently. All I can say is very good things. We were off St. Marks and he had to spend an hour or so hunting us. This he did with good cheer and got us home. Thanks Capt. You get my vote every time.