BoatUS - Boat Weather & Tides Reviews

I realize this forum is primarily for App feedback which I feel is solid. I would like to also use it as a forum to provide service feedback.

Having been a member since 2016 I recently used this app for the first time. Thankfully not in an emergency situation. It went smoothly from end to end across several logistical variables.

Due to water ingestion in my port transmission I reached out to this app for a dock to dock tow. It was a 24NM tow.

I contacted this app via BoatUS . Received human contact within 3 rings. (Gold Star). Phone agent was well trained and with just a few questions had me scheduled with my local this app POC Captain Norm. Captain Norm contacted me with 20 mins of my initial call to confirm time/date and boat info. (Gold Star).

Capt Norm arrived exactly on time as scheduled. (Gold Star). As the total distance crossed two Ops Areas we were passed to another TowBoatUS Captain (Terry?) with local repor and contact with my destination ship yard. He put us right on the Haul Out dock.

Well done to all this app!

Sean Hatten
Captain “BigGasFun”
Palm Coast, FL

We’ve had them since 2016. They helped us once with a tow when we had an electrical issue, and a battery charge when I did something stupid (aka learning experience). Those two calls more than made up for the premiums. Even if we hadn’t used them, we save more than the premiums on fuel and marina discounts.
This is a great app that tracks weather, tides, small craft advisories and hurricanes. If you hit the “request a tow” button your gps pops up on the dispatcher’s screen. Every captain we’ve dealt with has been great - this service is a must for every boater.

Everyone who has a boat and trailer needs a towing service if they travel more than a few miles from home or dock - just like having AAA for your car - being stranded or dead in the water can be hazardous in a boat and needing an on road tow for a boat trailer is not good either - trailers can break down and trucks towing them can too - don’t leave your boat on the side of the road, have it towed - good insurance when things go wrong

My family left New Bern, NC on a Friday to Oriental NC stay the night and had a blast then Beaufort NC and stayed the night and back at New Bern on Monday. Awesome trip and recommend you do it.

BoatUS was right on in regards to the swells - which were 3-5 ft. Tide was accurate and allowed me to time our trip.

Reliable app and not to mention when you need their assistant while on the water.... I have not need them - but glad to know they are there!

This was my first time requiring an emergency tow, but I required a tow after my 42’ sailboat becoming grounded on the weekend. Between calling for assistance and having the this app turn up was only 15 minutes. They conducted the tow, made sure I was good afterwards. Obviously timing depends on other situations happening outside of my little dilemma, but overall impressions of how it was conducted simply re-emphasised to me the benefits of having membership.

I called this app for a tow when my boat wouldn’t start. It was the first time I ran since I purchased it. It was late, so I made arrangements to tow it the following day. this app was outstanding. Captain Doug was early, fortunately my boat started up in the morning. It vapor locks in the Florida heat. I canceled the tow. this app was very helpful and just said that if I needed assistance returning to my marina to just call. Highly recommend them. I will be a gold member for as long as I own a boat.
Thanks again,
Joe T

We have been using Boat US since 2004, it’s a great service to have in case of a emergency unfortunately Allana passed away in October 2017. So even though she is now looking from above she would be happy that I continue to use Boat US knowing I am safe on the water & trailering . The team makes our boating season more enjoyable knowing Boat US will help with a trailering or water breakdown . She loved the water & boating It’s great to have a service like Boat US Thank you.

Had to get a tow in today from Capt Chuck in the Hudson Beach Area, our initial contact w/ customer service was excellent & then we were told our tow would be 45 minutes away. Then Capt Chuck called told us the same, he arrived early. Capt Chuck was super friendly and explained exactly what he was going to do & what he needed us to do. He towed us in w/ zero issues & brought us back to dock & put us on the dock w/out even the slightest bump. Thank You this app & Thank You Capt Chuck!

I ran out of gas on Logan Martin and called Chad. He was very responsive and sent the rescue boat. Turns out I learned a lesson or two. One; have some gas on board and some oil. The rescue boat had gas but no oil. I was towed to my place since we didn’t want to risk running my 2 stroke w no oil. The captain was extraordinary, friendly and most helpful. My membership is well worth the price and I can’t figure out how any boater doesn’t have it.
David Carboni

This is very sad story about the tragic loss of the sailing vessel the “Morning Dew”. These are not fun stories to read, but they serve a great purpose for us all.

I grieve for the families that have lost loved ones so I’ll read and heed these stories so that the loss of those precious lives will not have been in vain.

Thanks this app for contributing toward my education.

Well, this app developers couldn’t decide what exactly should their app was for, insurance sales or useful mariner info, so it came a weak sprinkling of both. The weather portion is the weakest; for example, the link will notify you that there’s a small craft advisory within a large area (like somewhere on Chesapeake Bay) with NOAA zone labels appearing on the map, but no links to those zone forecasts. You can lookup your policy number if you get the urge, but cannot read any details of your coverage.

Sailing and fishing on the San Francisco Bay and coastline north to Fort Ross can go from beautiful to dangerous in the same day..... having this app reduces stress especially when it comes to needing non emergency assistance ..... very thankful for the late night town out of the Napa River .... got stuck in the mud just outside the chanel and then killed the battery and couldn’t motor. Great service from a very professional captain out of San Francisco who came across a very rough bay to assist. I tell all my friends to purchase this app towing ..... even my kayak buddies that fish off shore!

Member for five or so years.... one tow and lots of use from BoatUS and magazine.

Matthew
1974 Boston Whaler
Columbia 28 sailboat
Windrider 16
Kayaks!!!

I never worry when I am on the water because I know even though I obey the Florida/ Federal laws there is always a chance that something physical, mechanical, or an act of God will happen sooner or later. I know you are a radio call away even though I have never needed you in the six years I have been a member!

More often than not app indicates poor network connection and is of no use. Never had this issue on prior app. When it does work, it is an improvement though.

12/30 a updated to 4.5.1. Tide data no longer available. Have to manually add location now for some reason. Unable to delete it or add others without App requesting a user account. Regret updating at this point. I am a member but really don’t want another app account to manage. Also haven’t had much luck with the associated west marine cards. Gave up after a couple of tries.

Last night we went dead in the water 1200 yards offshore near Everett, WA. No power, no electricity. I immediately called this app for assistance and was told they could be there in “about 3 hours”. They had to come from Tacoma, 55 miles to the South. There was a tow boat in Seattle, 25 miles away but that boat “didn’t have enough fuel to get to us”. A breeze from NW was pushing us towards the U S Navy base so I dropped anchor. USN came out to tell us we were close enough. We managed to find a friend who came out in the dark to tow us in. Better to cultivate friends with boats than to pay for this service.

My first use of the tow service- called in at 5:40 pm and was told it would be a 45-min response. After an hour called back to ask for the estimated arrival time. Put on hold and then hung up on- waited 5 minutes for a call back- none. Called again- this time the dispatcher put me in direct contact with the Captain. Captain stated he’d be on site in 10-min and arrived as stated. That was at 7:40pm Upon completing the tow I asked what time he had been dispatched. Dispatch didn’t notify him until 7:20. An hour and 40 minutes after I called. Unacceptable.

Excellent service. Came out right away and towed my son and his friends back to our dock. First time was bad alternator. Still checking this time on why it won't start.
But Robert was very professional and personable and took care of the situation.

Needed to make some policy changes and ask some questions. Called on a Sunday on a holiday weekend. Got a real person that took care of everything I needed. Knowledgeable staff, friendly and the best customer service. Thank you this app!

this app is an amazing organization with a wonderful app. My boat Broke down on the 4th of July while I was in the middle of San Diego Bay. With a few easy taps on my this app app I started to receive texts that help was on the way. Within an hour this app had my boat safety on my trailer. Thank you this app.

Terrible! Had to update my email, did so on app and had these issues. Called boat us, told me to delete app and reinstall- did so-no change. When I login my membership card is not there but insurance info is? Have to add membership ID, then often get message of session restarted or action requires authorization. BoatUS is now useless to this long time customer

Before an update it was great. Now, Even WITH updates, BoatUS says network unavailable. No other apps have an issue and I can web surf without problems. Unable to delete it from iCloud and reinstall.

A great app with a rather glaring issue. As you focus on a specific stretch of water, the depth numbers remain tiny to the point you can’t read them. Would seem a simple fix to enlarge the depth numerals as you drill down into a more specific section of water. Otherwise, a super tool with that one major issue.

Great app , finally fixed the bug that wouldn’t let me create app ID with my boat US membership number. But now doing the same thing when I try to link my insurance info. Says “oops there’s a problem try again. Same thing it did until they fixed the membership issue.

My family and I had a mechanical issue on the water last night. We called for a tow and after a short wait, SeaTow showed up. The level of professionalism by our tower, Joseph Rogers, was outstanding! Thanks so much for all the help on the water!

I was pleased with the old app without issue I updated to the new app update with weather etc and it was very helpful until BoatUS FROZE UP 3 days ago ! I have rebooted my phone to no avail Any suggestions would be appreciated

Thank you

I had to get towed last night and the service was great from start to finish. The operator got me the service tow needed and the tow service was friendly and accommodating. Got my 20 ft pontoon right in my dock. I will never be without this service. Excellent job.