Boat U.S. is a great organization that offers a lot of benefits to boaters nationwide. From education to representation, and insurance to assistance, this organization is absolutely essential. That being said, is it worth it?
MEMBERSHIP
Joining Boat U.S. can take a few forms and the costs vary depending on which level you join. The basic membership only costs $25/yr but only offers up to $50 towards on the water towing. Upgraded towing plans include “Unlimited Gold” and “Unlimited” with each offering 100% payment for offshore and restricted dock towing but the “Gold” version also includes towing from a home dock. All membership levels also include discounts on various partner products as well as optional membership to West Marine’s “West Advantage” program for cash back savings.
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ON THE WATER TOWING
This is where the value of a membership to Boat U.S. can really shine. Because they have the largest fleet of tow boats in the U.S., on the water towing is often very efficient and painless. I’ve had to use them once when my motor wouldn’t start. They tried to fix the problem initially, but once we realized that it was something more, they provided me with a tow to my home dock (a 1hr tow) at no charge. I didn’t have to pay because I had coverage through my Boat U.S. insurance policy. More on that later.
TRAILER ASSIST
Not all assistance happens on the water. Those who trailer their boats will attest that roadside trailer service is vital. Boat U.S. calls their roadside trailer service, “Trailer Assist”. I’ve had to use it as well. Basic membership includes up to $50 to trailer assistance coverage however, for only $15/yr you get “Unlimited Trailer Assist”. Unlimited Trailer Assist covers trailer/vehicle towing up to 100 miles, flat tire service, jumpstarts, fuel delivery, lockout and trailering news.
EDUCATION
Another nice feature of joining Boat U.S. is the access you’ll receive to numerous educational articles and videos that will make your day on the water more enjoyable. With so many people choosing the boating lifestyle nowadays, education is of the highest importance!
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INSURANCE
Another big advantage of joining Boat U.S. is the availability of boat insurance. The insurance offered is underwritten by Geico and I have found that the policy coverage and service is excellent. You’ll definitely want to consider adding towing and trailer assist endorsements to your policy for comprehensive overall coverage. Blending the cost into the premium is a nice bonus.
INDUSTRY REPRESENTATION
A big part of what Boat U.S. does is something that’s not so apparent. They act as advocates and represent the voice of recreational boat owners on a number of issues. Some of these issues include unfair taxes, fees, regulations and other initiatives that benefit the recreational boater.
CONCLUSION
There’s a reason that Boat U.S. has a membership base that’s over 500,000 people. They do many things well and provide recreational boaters with additional services and benefits that make our boating life better. I’m onboard with that!
Consider Boat U.S. for your boating needs. They are a great organization that provides numerous resources to improve your life on the water AND trailering your boat. Click HERE for more information.
