TowBoatUS San Diego Continues Service Into Mexican Waters

Recently we at TowBoatUS San Diego have heard people saying that we don’t cover Mexican waters, nothing is further from the truth. TowBoatUS San Diego service into Mexican waters covers 100 miles south of San Diego and will tow a Gold card member in for free.
This poses the bigger question “what do I get with my Boat U.S. /TowBoatUS membership?”

The answer is simple “A lot!”

I have decided to breakdown how the membership works in San Diego. Be advised that other parts of the country may have different limits.

Let’s start with the Basic Membership

For $24.00 a year you get. 

A Voice in Government. This is the hidden giant that Boat US is. The goal of Boat US is to be the eyes, ears, and when needed, the Voice of the boater. Boat US is constantly monitoring rule changes and laws in the private boating sector. Boat US has fought government and won on unfair Boating taxes for pleasure boaters. Just two examples are, the federal diesel fuel tax and the FCC radio license fees. Boat US fought and won on both of these issues saving boaters money.

Consumer Advocate. Boat US is a watchdog for consumers and has a history of pressuring the manufactures to build boats that are safe and reliable.

Discounts at West Marine Stores. Not only do you get a discount at any West Marine Store, you get cash back coupons to use for future purchases.

These are just three of dozens of services Boat US provides. With over half a million members and over 40 years, Boat US is the oldest and largest association of boaters for boaters.

There is really no limit to what Boat US offers their members, and you get a really cool magazine.
Boat US has a 24 hour VHF Radio dispatch with radios that rival the Coast Guard to monitoring channel 16 for your call, aside from the telephone dispatch number of 619-235-8273 (local) or 800-391-4869 (national)
Your Boat US membership gives you $50.00 off the total price of an assist/tow at the rate TowBoatUS San Diego chargers Boat US to service members. Here is how just $24 can save you money.

A Non Member breaks down under the Coronado Bay Bridge and needs to be towed to Shelter Island Launch Ramp. This job takes 1.5 hours @225/hr for a total of $337.50

Now same case with a basic membership 1.5 hours @ $160.00 = $240.00 Minus $50.00= $190.00

Right off the bat you save $147.50. Add your benefits you have through the Association and this is a great deal.

Perhaps you need more towing for your boat? High Option Towing:

High Option Towing has 3 levels $150.00, Unlimited Captains, and Unlimited Gold.

$150 option gives you $150.00 of towing per incident. This is fine if you boat only within San Diego or Mission Bay in a small boat, basically you get one hour of service.
this cost only $42.00 $24 + $18

Unlimited Captains Card. This where the real value of High Option Towing comes into play. You get free soft un-groundings and assistance/towing up to 40 miles offshore. Let’s say you are 20 miles south of Point Loma, based on the TowBoatUS Boat running at 17 knots and towing at 6 knots including a 1 hour customs stop and towing your boat to a slip or placing it on a trailer in Shelter Island.

This job takes about 6 hours.

Non Member 6 hours at $225.00/hr= $1350.00 Cash or Credit Card at time of service.

Unlimited Captains Card “FREE” one tow from 20 miles off shore and you paid for your membership for 9 years.
Let’s say your 30′ boat is soft aground in South Bay near Chula Vista, your boat is overheating and you need to be towed back to Shelter Island.

This job will take 4 hours plus un-grounding fee to pull you off the shoal and tow you to your slip.
Non Member 4hours at $225.00 = $900.00 plus $15.00/foot un grounding fee times 30′ =$450.00 for a total of $1350.00 Cash or Credit Card at time of service.
Unlimited Captains Card “FREE”

You also get 50% off your Dock to Dock towing. Tow to a boat yard

All this for $149.00 $24 + 125 high option towing

Finally we have the Unlimited Gold Card. This card gives you the same benefits as the Captains Card, but, out to 100 miles and free Dock to Dock towing anywhere in San Diego or Mission Bay.
So let’s say your 80 miles south of Point Loma. based off my TowBoatUS Boat running at 15 knots and towing at 6 knots including a 1 hour stop at customs and then putting you on a trailer or towing you to a slip in shelter island. This job would take 20 hours.

Non Member 20 hours @ $265.00/hr (add $40/hr for second Captain) $5300.00 Cash or Credit Card at time of service.

Unlimited Gold Card “FREE”
All this for only $181.00/year $24 + $157

With this information it is amazing that 30% of the towing TowBoatUS San Diego conducts is Non Member.
more amazing is how many Non-Members sign up as they are paying for their first tow.

With any of these memberships you are covered for free service within the limits of the card you hold on any boat you Own, Borrow, or Charter. Borrow meaning the owner of the vessel is not on board. If the Owner is on board he/she must have their own membership.

I have added a Basic chart of the San Diego area and where each unlimited card covers
The Blue is Captains Card and Red is Gold Card.

How do you sign up? Easy just click on the sign up button on this the right side of this page, it only takes a few minutes. you will be covered from 11:59 the night you sign up. for Dock to dock benefits you must me a member for 30 days.

You can also call 619-235-8273 to sign up over the phone or if you have any question.

Once a member I urge you to get an insurance quote from Boat US Insurance. They have good rates and some of the best coverage available today. more importantly they have a 24hour claims service capable of making decisions on the spot in most cases. This is virtually unheard of in the marine industry.

So whatever type of boating you do in make sure you join Boat US/TowBoatUS before you go out on the water.