Tow Boat US question

[dragfish]

Used to hear praises of these guys all the time, not much lately. Iwas a member and had to call on them once on Guntersville. We were right across from the marina they are based out of (near Goose Pond campground) and it took about 30 minutes for them to find us,we were looking at the marina!
The service guy came over in a pontoon boat, because their main tow boat was on a lift and all we needed was a jump, as it turns out-their booster pack didn't have enough power to jump my Opti-Max and he said he couldn't tow us from Goose Pond back to Rosebury till they got the tow boat off the lift.
He did personally drive me back to the park, (because he had to go that way)so I could get my truck and drive back to Goose Pond and get my boat (and partner) I was pleased with that.
Then I read a post where a regular (extremely well knon CFF member) was stranded, called and got an answering machine, and had to get help from another angler.
I know their TX payouts are good, but I don't plan to fish any this year, it's still a deal-but would most of you re-up? And I'd like to hear of some good experiences.
Because, I'm thinking of renewing my membership.

 

[Fishin Fool]

Interesting. I hope the part about the answering machine isn't true. I look at having membership as a plus, plus, plus, because I fish some out of the way places. Makes me feel better to know help is just a call away. I'll be interested to see what they say.

 

[kingcab]

Just joined at the Boat Show,hope they will be their if needed which I hope never happens.

 

[Jmax]

They just opened an office right near Island Cove on the Chick. We may have a little unfair advantage on the response time since they are locals that cover this area. I have not heard anything bad until this post. I just hope that is just an exception. Keep us posted. I will keep my membership for sure since I have not heard anything but praise around here. Jmax

 

[river rat]

We have 2 boats on Chickamauga at all times and we now have 1 on Watts Bar If you have any questions call Shane We also have a 24/7 dispatch

 

[dragfish]

Yeah,I'm just fishing for a bunch of good stories. Like I said-their rep did take care of me (using his own vehicle) and it is a good deal, especially their trailer/road service.
Hopefully the other answering machine post I read was the only other problem-and that was about 2 yrs ago.
The tourny payout is great-didn't help me-they have this goofy stipulation-YOU HAVE TO WIN!

 

[steve187]

I have that type of coverage on my boat insurance policy. If I need to use it I just call the number and they send someone out. They locate the service tech but it doesn't mean you will get rescued immediately. I have never had to use it. I hope I never do.

 

[Brandon Gaylor]

I've got it but I've never had to use it. I hope I don't have to, but I've never heard anything bad about them.

 

[drumking]

I have that coverage and only had to call one time. I too, got the answering service and it was getting late in the afternoon. Fortunately for me, I was only about 4 to 500 yards from the Wolftever ramp and so I made it there on my trolling motor. But, I had launched my boat at Tyner lane. A phone call to my wife and she took our car down to the Tyner lane ramp, picked up my truck and trailer and brought it to me at Wolftever. After loading, I just had to drive her back to the Tyner lane ramp to pick up our car. I'm glad that I wasn't several miles away from a ramp.

I might have had to use our CFF emergency list and call someone. Only did that one time, but couldn't get anyone to help me then either. I still have the coverage with TowBoats USA. Maybe they will answer my call if I ever need them again. emoBigsmile emoGeezer

 

[fischnrod]

It takes a long time to troll from Soddy to Opossum creek, that's all I got to say about that

 

[dragfish]

Actually Dickie-yours was the post I was referring to getting the answering machine.
Didn't want to say so unless you offered it up-so that's the only case of that happening.

 

[churly]

If you got an answering machine, I would say that you may have called the wrong number. Or there may not have been a rep available. There is an 800 number on your member card and key tag that they give you. Also, towboat has an app that can be downloaded on your droid or I phone. You just hit the button and wait for them to come get you. I have had to use their services 3 times. The most memorable was last year on dale hollow in january. It was after dark when ram jack ran out of gas about 5 miles from the ramp. If you have ever been to dale hollow in the dead of winter, you know that there are no open marinas. Yet miraculously, a man, contacted by towboat was on us in less than 15 minutes with a can of gas. All we had to do was pay for the gas. Their call center called every marina/dock on the lake until they found someone and made arrangements to get us taken care of. One other instance, during a CBA, I was sitting on a 20lb bag and 30 minutes left to get to the ramp. My crankin battery was dead. I called the 1800 number and they were on me in minutes. The boat captain towed me to the ramp with 2 minutes left, and me and Glenn were able to earn a check in the event. The Local Towboat folks are run by a working class family. They do a lot for the community and especially the fishermen. If I had a service issue, I would contact their local office and speak to them about it. They are very down to earth people who are trying to make a living and I am sure they would be very interested in hearing about any issues that anyone has had.

 

[Sniperchoke]

2 Years ago my compressor went out on the motor stranding me across from Soddy Creek. Tow Boat was there to pick me up within an hour. Excellent Service! The tow Captain was professional and accommodating.

 

[buzz]

Was it for money or not...IT REALLY DOESN'T MATTER...........they were at Island Cove for MANY DAYS during the clean up efforts. My hat is off to them.

 

[dragfish]

Good enough for me-I just re-upped. With trailer towing.

 

[TKbigbass]

What's the easiest way to get signed up with Tow Boat?

 

[churly]

423.326.9768

 

[skinny water]

SHANE AND HIS CREW FIRST CLASS IN MY BOOK. THEY CAME PULLED MY BUTT IN LAST OCT. VERY QUICK RESPONSE. ALSO BUSTED A TIRE ON THE RAMP IN SODDY THEY HAD ME BACK ON THE ROAD LESS THAN 1 HOUR. ONLY THING THAT NEEDS IMPROVING THEY BROUGHT NO BEER OR PIZZA

 

[MagicMan72]

I have never used it and I hope not to, but Ive got it just in case. When you are talking that much coverage for the cost of a few gallons of oil I dont see how you can beat it. I feel better everytime I put my boat in the water, you never know when something is gonna happen. I put my boat in a month ago and I had no fire whatsoever, my power pack was bad. It was working fine two days before that, so it could have just as easily went out 10 miles up river. Luckily it happened at the ramp.