TowboatUS

SAMIAM · 07-23-2007, 08:23 AM

Back in May I burned up the water pump on my Merc/pontoon boat on Winnisquam.I have unlimited towing with BoatUS ,so I called Dan at Silver Sands,who does towing for them and is also a good outboard mechanic.
Knowing that people are all scrambling to get their boats in and having another boat to use,I told him it was not an emergency.Big mistake.After repeated calls,he finally picked the boat up a month later.He has relocated to River Edge Marina in Ashland and that is where they took the boat for repairs and that is where it is as of today.I've called 6 or 8 times and have been told that they are short of help,waiting for parts......and finally that the boat is done and waiting to work out a drop off with me.....but his promises to call never happen.I haven't ranted and raved at him because I'm trying to be understanding of his situation....but isn't 10 weeks a little long? Might as well have him winterize it now...geeez

jrc · 07-23-2007, 10:40 AM

Just to be clear, last time I checked, TowBoatUS and Mobile Marine Services are near Meadowbrook in Gilford. They use the Silver Sands launch facilities.

Did they move to Ashland? Or is it just Dan?

To answer your question, ten weeks is way to long. You started out trying to be the reasonable guy, but somebody else was probably in there constantly pushing. The squeaky wheel...

jeffk · 07-24-2007, 10:41 AM

When I run across service like this I also worry about the quality of the repair. Is it the right part? Was it installed properly? When one part of a business is not working right, i.e. slow to pick up, slow to fix, you have to be worried about the rest of the business. While I agree with the squeaky wheel allegory, go you really want to be doing business with someone who you have to have a tantrum with just to get the service you are paying for?

This is why I don't belong to AAA. I don't want to be towed to some podunk garage and serviced by some mechanic who could care less whether or not I'm happy with his work because I probably won't see him again. I may pay more for a tow directly but I'm the "Paying customer" and I'm in control of where I end up for service.

AC2717 · 07-24-2007, 11:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jeffk

This is why I don't belong to AAA. I don't want to be towed to some podunk garage and serviced by some mechanic who could care less whether or not I'm happy with his work because I probably won't see him again. I may pay more for a tow directly but I'm the "Paying customer" and I'm in control of where I end up for service.

I am a part of AAA and as a plus member i can be towed up to 100 miles a day to anywhere I want it to with no questions asked. I have been a member for years so I did not have to start as a standard member at only 3 miles of tow coverage. I have used AAA many times for other cars that I have been in as well, not just my own. They are a great service to the member but they pay horrible to the tow companies

Irrigation Guy · 07-24-2007, 11:17 AM

I belong to AAA, and the couple times I got towed over the years, I was able to specify where I was towed. It was never a question at all.

Weirs guy · 07-24-2007, 12:28 PM

I ditched AAA and now have towing insurance through my car insurance. They tow what I want (except boats) where I want when I want for less than $5 per year!

AC2717 · 07-24-2007, 01:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Weirs guy

I ditched AAA and now have towing insurance through my car insurance. They tow what I want (except boats) where I want when I want for less than $5 per year!

Not saying you in general, but for others, it depends on the carrier and the type of towing involved, working for a carrier I see different levels of towing coverage all the time. For example in RI there is towing coverage for a personal auto but it does not cover the hook up to the truck and only covers you for a certain amount of miles. And of course you pay it up front and then they reimburse you later.

Just a lot to consider in comparing the two, if someone is deciding on which way to go I would ask their insurance agent. I personally have AAA because of this situation and I removed the towing on the insurance because triple AAA costs me $40 a year for any car that I am in and the towing on my car and my wife's car was over that on the insurance with less coverage

Dave R · 07-24-2007, 01:19 PM

Sorry to hear of your woes. Hope you can get it sorted. Those pumps are usually very easy to fix, it just seems scary to pull the lower unit off until you've done it once.

Not sure why TowboatUS is the title of this thread though. I can't imagine they are responsible for repairs and only contract your mechanic for towing service. Correct me if I'm wrong.

SAMIAM · 07-25-2007, 10:12 AM

Actually,I called Dan to use his Mobile Marine Service......never intended to take the boat out of the water.He said he preferred to do the work in the shop.....it was only then that I learned that he was also the ToeboatUS guy....which was cool,because I have unlimited towing with them.
I have friends in the marine biz and have heard many stories of rude and demanding customers screaming for their boats on July 4th week and I didn't want to be like them so I tried to be patient.I called Riveredge Marina yesterday and they said it was done and PROMISED to call me this morning to arrange delivery today.I told him I'd leave work any time and meet him so he won't have to deliver it.....I'll drive it right off the trailer.You can bet I'll take a test run before I write the check.

Kamper · 07-25-2007, 01:42 PM

Re: AAA towing anywhere you want.

They wont do "staging" tows. For instance, if you asked to have you car taken to your home they will not give you a free tow from your home to the shop. I had them do this once 12 years ago when I nearly totalled a car, and a couple years ago when I had a problem with my truck. Both times i was reminded of that policy by their phone operator.

I'd expect if I had a problem a reasonable period later they would help. If you are towing a trailer AAA still does not offer coverage for that but the one time it was an issue I negotiated a break with the towing company. Now I have Gold towing coverage through SeaTow.

Good luck!

AC2717 · 07-25-2007, 02:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kamper

Re: AAA towing anywhere you want.

They wont do "staging" tows. For instance, if you asked to have you car taken to your home they will not give you a free tow from your home to the shop. I had them do this once 12 years ago when I nearly totalled a car, and a couple years ago when I had a problem with my truck. Both times i was reminded of that policy by their phone operator.

I'd expect if I had a problem a reasonable period later they would help. If you are towing a trailer AAA still does not offer coverage for that but the one time it was an issue I negotiated a break with the towing company. Now I have Gold towing coverage through SeaTow.

Good luck!

where are you located?
I have multiple times have my car or a friends car towed from a house to a shop or vice/versa without a problem. Maybe in yoru area the towing companies they work with really try to enforce the rules where I have been told by the companies they use in my area that a tow is a tow no matter what. In fact I had a small Home depot trailer ont he back of teh truck on time and the truck broke down, I told AAA I had the trailer they sent out a flat bed the truck went up on the bed and the trailer was put on the ball hitch at the back of the flat bed and that was it. It must be just preference or rule enforcement, I have never read the AAA manual about this subject to be hoenst I have been a member for over 11 years and cannot remeber ever looking at it, but I have never had any problem at all.

SAMIAM · 07-26-2007, 05:50 AM

Got the boat back yesterday.........over 12 weeks but at least it's running great.Haven't got the bill yet...(gulp)

Dave R · 07-26-2007, 08:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SAMIAM

Got the boat back yesterday.........over 12 weeks but at least it's running great.Haven't got the bill yet...(gulp)

I can see it now:

"Storage fees? STORAGE FEES?!!!!, $840 in storage fess! Arggggghhh!"

Weirs guy · 07-26-2007, 07:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dave R

I can see it now:

"Storage fees? STORAGE FEES?!!!!, $840 in storage fess! Arggggghhh!"

Thats just mean.

SAMIAM · 07-26-2007, 09:48 PM

He's just Joshing......Dave isn't mean,he likes to rag people for fun.

Weirs guy · 07-27-2007, 11:56 AM

I'm just jealous he beat me too it.

Alton Bay Bob · 07-27-2007, 08:44 PM

Dave is my hero. He has a great knowledge of boats and a great sense of humour. And he beat me to the same punchline!

esp as I had my old boat in storage all summer waiting for it to be picked up by the people I had sold it to..was waiting for a storage bill

Kamper · 07-29-2007, 02:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AC2717

where are you located? ...

Southern NH. This was for tows to my residential address after breaking down on the road. The phone operator was quite clear. If you have had a vehicle dropped then retrived at the same place, that suggests they dont track it too closely but I wouldnt rely on that.

The tow truck company was not the issue with the trailer it was AAA. They told me the trailer was at the tow company's discretion. Perhaps the company that was dispatched to you was more service oriented.

Good luck!

07-23-2007, 08:23 AM	#1
SAMIAM Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Moultonborough Posts: 2,937 Thanks: 349 Thanked 1,708 Times in 602 Posts	TowboatUS Back in May I burned up the water pump on my Merc/pontoon boat on Winnisquam.I have unlimited towing with BoatUS ,so I called Dan at Silver Sands,who does towing for them and is also a good outboard mechanic. Knowing that people are all scrambling to get their boats in and having another boat to use,I told him it was not an emergency.Big mistake.After repeated calls,he finally picked the boat up a month later.He has relocated to River Edge Marina in Ashland and that is where they took the boat for repairs and that is where it is as of today.I've called 6 or 8 times and have been told that they are short of help,waiting for parts......and finally that the boat is done and waiting to work out a drop off with me.....but his promises to call never happen.I haven't ranted and raved at him because I'm trying to be understanding of his situation....but isn't 10 weeks a little long? Might as well have him winterize it now...geeez

07-24-2007, 10:41 AM	#3
jeffk Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Center Harbor Posts: 1,247 Thanks: 216 Thanked 484 Times in 278 Posts	Check the repairs When I run across service like this I also worry about the quality of the repair. Is it the right part? Was it installed properly? When one part of a business is not working right, i.e. slow to pick up, slow to fix, you have to be worried about the rest of the business. While I agree with the squeaky wheel allegory, go you really want to be doing business with someone who you have to have a tantrum with just to get the service you are paying for? This is why I don't belong to AAA. I don't want to be towed to some podunk garage and serviced by some mechanic who could care less whether or not I'm happy with his work because I probably won't see him again. I may pay more for a tow directly but I'm the "Paying customer" and I'm in control of where I end up for service.

07-24-2007, 11:17 AM	#5
Irrigation Guy Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Moultonborough, NH Posts: 484 Thanks: 89 Thanked 138 Times in 72 Posts	Aaa I belong to AAA, and the couple times I got towed over the years, I was able to specify where I was towed. It was never a question at all.

07-24-2007, 12:28 PM	#6
Weirs guy Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Weirs Beach, NH Posts: 1,067 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	I ditched AAA and now have towing insurance through my car insurance. They tow what I want (except boats) where I want when I want for less than $5 per year! __________________ Is it bikeweek yet? Now?

07-27-2007, 11:56 AM	#16
Weirs guy Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Weirs Beach, NH Posts: 1,067 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	I'm just jealous he beat me too it. __________________ Is it bikeweek yet? Now?

07-23-2007, 10:40 AM	#2
jrc Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: NH Posts: 2,689 Thanks: 33 Thanked 439 Times in 249 Posts	Just to be clear, last time I checked, TowBoatUS and Mobile Marine Services are near Meadowbrook in Gilford. They use the Silver Sands launch facilities. Did they move to Ashland? Or is it just Dan? To answer your question, ten weeks is way to long. You started out trying to be the reasonable guy, but somebody else was probably in there constantly pushing. The squeaky wheel...

07-24-2007, 01:19 PM	#8
Dave R Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Posts: 2,985 Thanks: 246 Thanked 744 Times in 444 Posts	Sorry to hear of your woes. Hope you can get it sorted. Those pumps are usually very easy to fix, it just seems scary to pull the lower unit off until you've done it once. Not sure why TowboatUS is the title of this thread though. I can't imagine they are responsible for repairs and only contract your mechanic for towing service. Correct me if I'm wrong.

07-25-2007, 10:12 AM	#9
SAMIAM Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Moultonborough Posts: 2,937 Thanks: 349 Thanked 1,708 Times in 602 Posts	Actually,I called Dan to use his Mobile Marine Service......never intended to take the boat out of the water.He said he preferred to do the work in the shop.....it was only then that I learned that he was also the ToeboatUS guy....which was cool,because I have unlimited towing with them. I have friends in the marine biz and have heard many stories of rude and demanding customers screaming for their boats on July 4th week and I didn't want to be like them so I tried to be patient.I called Riveredge Marina yesterday and they said it was done and PROMISED to call me this morning to arrange delivery today.I told him I'd leave work any time and meet him so he won't have to deliver it.....I'll drive it right off the trailer.You can bet I'll take a test run before I write the check.

07-25-2007, 01:42 PM	#10
Kamper Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Thornton's Ferry Posts: 1,314 Thanks: 67 Thanked 172 Times in 128 Posts	Re: AAA towing anywhere you want. They wont do "staging" tows. For instance, if you asked to have you car taken to your home they will not give you a free tow from your home to the shop. I had them do this once 12 years ago when I nearly totalled a car, and a couple years ago when I had a problem with my truck. Both times i was reminded of that policy by their phone operator. I'd expect if I had a problem a reasonable period later they would help. If you are towing a trailer AAA still does not offer coverage for that but the one time it was an issue I negotiated a break with the towing company. Now I have Gold towing coverage through SeaTow. Good luck!

07-26-2007, 05:50 AM	#12
SAMIAM Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Moultonborough Posts: 2,937 Thanks: 349 Thanked 1,708 Times in 602 Posts	Got the boat back yesterday.........over 12 weeks but at least it's running great.Haven't got the bill yet...(gulp)

07-26-2007, 09:48 PM	#15
SAMIAM Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Moultonborough Posts: 2,937 Thanks: 349 Thanked 1,708 Times in 602 Posts	He's just Joshing......Dave isn't mean,he likes to rag people for fun.

07-27-2007, 08:44 PM	#17
Alton Bay Bob Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Posts: 46 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Dave R Dave is my hero. He has a great knowledge of boats and a great sense of humour. And he beat me to the same punchline! esp as I had my old boat in storage all summer waiting for it to be picked up by the people I had sold it to..was waiting for a storage bill