Best towing service on east coast?

[killarney_sailor]

Is one of the towing services (SeaTow, Towboat US, Vessel Assist) better for someone on the east coast (Long Island Sound to Chesapeake)? I have no experience with these services but think it might be a good idea.

[camaraderie]

It is a very good idea expecially if you start travelling outside of home waters which you know well. A guy last week near here paid $1400 bucks when he ran his sailboat aground following the line on his chartplotter. The cost would have been zero if he had tow insurance.
I think that both TowboatUS and SeaTow have excellent coverage on the East Coast and would suggest that you go with the one that has a local guy closest to you since that will influence how long you will need to wait for help should you need some in your local waters. Where I am...that is SeaTow...20 miles to the West it is BoatUS. Many of these competing operators help each other out when it gets busy and they are all local franchises so I wouldn't worry too much about the choice. Just get one!

[WouldaShoulda]

If the recovery vessel nearest you is Yellow, get Sea Tow.

If it is Red, Get TowBoat/US.

If you are cruising, TowBoat/US has the larger number of towers up and down the coast.

TowBoat-Boat/US is a member organization like AAA, Sea Tow isn't.

[k1vsk]

You should check your insurance policy to see if you are covered for towing already before replicating that coverage at additional expense. Many policies include towing for little to no add'l expense which allows you the flexibility to call anyone available. Alternatively, if you prefer to have one tow company, it makes little sense to pay for duplicate coverage within your existing liability policy.

[Joesaila]

I use Sea Tow on the East Coast, Cape Cod bay and Hingham area and they have helped several times. BoatUS is closer but I've had such good assistance from Sea Tow I feel obligated. I mean once they delivered some diesel fuel in the early evening when I was learning how to never, ever run out of diesel. Well worth the money.
For an extra $25 I get trailer coverage in case I'm traveling w my center console dive/fish boat. Never had to use it but its nice knowing they'll get me home.