Freshwater Anglers Can Get Help On The Road

Or On The Water With New Boat U.S. Program

The nation's largest organization of recreational boaters has launched a new fishing membership program, BoatU.S. Angler, that takes the worry out of being stuck either on the side of a lonely stretch of road, out on the open water, or at a slippery launch ramp.

BoatU.S. Angler is a customized program of services for anyone with a freshwater fishing boat (up to 26 feet) that provides 24/7 assistance with just one phone call as well as other valuable benefits to anglers. Starting at with introductory pricing of only $12.50 a year, BoatU.S. Angler pays up to $150 per roadside incident or breakdown including flat tire assistance, fuel delivery, lock-out service, jump starts and ramp-winching service as well as on-the-water tows, jump starts and fuel delivery.

"With our new BoatU.S. Angler membership, the only thing anglers have to worry about is finding fish," said Mike Pellerin, director of the new program. "This is the first comprehensive 24/7 assistance program that covers both the tow vehicle and boat trailer when they're broken down on the side of the road as well as your boat on the water.

“Most auto clubs only cover tow vehicles, potentially forcing anglers to leave an expensive fishing rig on the side of the road unattended."

Other member benefits include up to $40 a year in launch-ramp rebates, a full year of BoatU.S. Trailering magazine as well as a BoatU.S. Angler newsletter chock full of tips and safety information, money-saving reward certificates at West Marine stores, and discounts on fuel and repairs at over 850 marinas across the United States. A special Web site, http://www.BoatUSAngler.com offers fishing tips from experts, safety and fishing boat maintenance tips and much more.

For $29 annually, fishermen can upgrade to BoatU.S. Angler Plus, which offers all of the BoatU.S. Angler benefits but includes up to 100 miles of on-the-road towing to the closest repair facility and up to 30 miles of on-the-water towing.

The BoatU.S. Angler membership program also offers access to low-cost fishing boat insurance that includes $5,000 in fishing gear coverage and generous "cruising areas" for those who frequently trailer their boat from state to state. If you're headed up the tournament ladder, the insurance also includes liability coverage — a requirement for most tournaments — and entry-fee reimbursement in case an insurance claim prevents you from making it to the event.