After 10 years in technology sales and a foot in the door in broadcast journalism for Cox Radio, Joshua Curttright decided that it was time for a career change.
In February 2010, the entrepreneur opened Boat Tow—a membership-based program providing 24-hour towing, fuel delivery and salvage services to stranded boaters.
“Basically, we’re Triple A on the lake—Triple A for boats,” he said.
Curttright’s idea for Boat Tow came after college, where he studied marketing management. He spent summers on the lake dreaming of a marine service, water taxi or rental company.
“I always knew that I wanted to open my own business, either parttime or fulltime,” Curttright said.
Eight years of following business plans that did not pan out, he incorporated Boat Tow with the Texas Secretary of State in 2010. A business model sprouted from researching previous companies providing nonemergency services to boaters.
“A 24/7, 365 day-a-year dispatch job grinds on you, but that’s just everything behind the scenes. When I actually get down to the lake, I’m just always thinking to myself, ‘I love this job,’” Curttright said.
Blue waters surround boats docked in the Sail & Ski Harbor, home of the Sea Cat, one of seven boats Boat Tow operates on lakes Travis, Austin, Lyndon B. Johnson, Texoma and Lewisville. Waves rippled around the Sea Cat as Curttright started the engine, discussing his company’s structure.
Calls made for assistance are directed to one of three dispatchers who work 24-hour shifts from home and forward information to area “captains.” Captains arrive to assess boaters’ needs and provide aid. Curttright oversees business operations and also steps in to provide dispatching and boating assistance.
When boaters call for help due to exhausted gas, an underlying problem, such as a blown starter, is usually found, Curttright said. Bad fuel is also an issue, as marine gas vendors often dispense fuel containing 10 percent ethanol, an ingredient that wreaks havoc on fuel lines and boat motors, he said.
In cases in which law enforcement is contacted and damage to a boat exceeds $1,000, Boat Tow may be called to salvage it. The company contacts the boater’s insurance company and hauls the boat to land.
“If someone runs over a rock and damages their propeller shaft, they could possibly break a seal, start taking in water, and they could be in the situation where their boat would sink and it would be a total loss,” Curttright said. “If they call us immediately, we can go out there with pumps and air bags and make sure the boat doesn’t sink.”
Curttright recommends safety precautions for boat owners, such as signing up for the Texas Boater Education certification and signing up for Boat Tow services before leaving the dock.
“You could run out of gas and it might not be the boat’s fault, but you’re going to need help at some point in time; everyone does.”
Boat Tow
Lake Travis & Lake Austin • 328-5252
Lake LBJ • 830-798-1555
www.boattow.net
