So yesterday the wife and I headed to Miller's to look at a 1986 Century Cardel they have for sale…read more I spoke with Dave a few times, and decided to go take a look. I grew up with Century's and would love to own my own now. Got to Millers, and Dave came out. We started talking, (Dave can talk), and when we finally got around to talking about the boat he told me that he's been dealing with the family that owned it for 20 years (he didn't say 20 years, he said their kids now have kids in college) and they traded the boat in for a pontoon. Told me that he replaced the engine a few years ago, and that it's a remanned 454. We took the cover off the boat, the whole time talking about this and that, but not the boat. I went around to the swim platform to climb up, and he said let him grab a ladder, he doesn't use swim ladders anymore since something or another happened. I climbed up, he came back with a ladder to climb in, didn't think anything of it. Looked it over it needed help, but nothing I wasn't prepared for looked at the stringers they were encased in fiberglass, I asked if they were solid, he said yes and asked if I wanted a hammer to tap them with. I declined. We were looking at spending 6500 on this boat. I say that to say, when I wanted to start it, he hee'd and haw'd avout how it hasn't even been summerized yet, and doesn't know if the batteries are charged, can't claim this or that because it's not his boat, and he's just selling it. After he just finished telling us he's been dealing with this family forever, and has put an engine in this boat, and has been in his care for years. Finally tell him, I'm not spending anything if I can't water test the boat. He finally agreed to back it down the ramp and try to start it for us. You'd swear we were more like Jehovah's Witnesses than customers the way he was treating us. Anyway, got the boat in the water on the trailer, and got him to start it. It did fire up, it had fogging oil still in it, but ran smoothly after it warmed up. As it's sitting on the trailer, we noticed water pouring in from the transom (back wall of the boat), like pouring in. We pointed it out and he tried to tell us it was because the swim platform was submerged. Asked him to pull it out so we could look at the hull, we also noted it was leaking below the waterline, not above it. He pulled it out and started saying it was the speedo mount, and the swim platform is loose, and the exhaust outlets need new gaskets, and that they would tighten all the hardware before they let it leave their shop. I asked if it needed a transom and he said no he didn't think so, they had just put an engine in a few years ago (when the wife asked him when they actually put the engine in, he couldn't answer said he'd have to look at his notes). I jumped in the engine compartment to feel the transom wood where it was leaking from, it didn't even crumble it disintegrated. When I told him this, he said he had no idea about the transom, and then started bad mouthing the owners talking about how stupid they are, and they don't know how to take care of anything. Dave has been maintaining this boat for years, he knew the condition, he knew what he was trying to sell us. Dave is just a used car salesman, trying to pawn his junk onto someone else. Buyer beware. He came out with a smile, sidestepped as much as he could, and when we called him on the issues, he turned his back on us, walked away and said "goodbye". Not an honest or decent salesman at all. Again beware if you do business with these shysters.

Miller's was recommended to me by both the tow captain (when the boat broke down) and my neighbor…read moreas the place to bring an outboard motor for repair. Dave Miller was honest and treated my respectfully each time I talked to him. He's been described as quite a character and, if that means he's got a sense of humor, then I agree. At any rate, he quoted me a 3 week turnaround and it happened. Not often something like that happens with boat repairs on the water, at least in my experience. Kudos to Miller's Dream Marine. I highly recommend them.

Great people- dependable, knowledgable and honest. They pick up, store, and deliver our boat every…read moreyear and i would highly recommend

Dave and Michelle are first and foremost truly nice people to deal with. Dave just solved a real…read moremystery for me in servicing Ranger w/ 150 Mercury Optimax 2 stroke. The motor kept slipping into "guardian mode" which would prohibit the motor from cruising above idle speed. The motor otherwise started, ran well, sounded normal, cycled water through the pump. Anyway the code kept coming back. Save replaced the complete oil system after a series of checks and experiments led him to believe the onboard flow was restricted enough to cause the motor's computer to protect itself. I'm back up and running perfectly thanks to Dave's detective work and craftsmanship. I can't recommend him enough!!! Now, he just needs to clone himself to handle all the referrals that come his way

We've had our boats here for years and never a problem.. Other then the boat manufacturer may have…read morebuilt a lemon.. They know what there doing. Thanks Mineola.

Forget this place? If I could give no stars I would. Finally came out to look at the job. Repair on…read morea shore station.Seemed like it should have been pretty simple. Did you hear from him. We didn't. Mind you we bought the shore station from him GAVE him our old one that was wasn't that bad and can't get a return call. At least call back and say you don't want the job.

Took an old 1930's outboard to these guys, and within three hours of shop time they not only had it…read moretuned up and purring like new, but took an extra 45 minutes to explain - and demonstrate, right there in the Fox River in mid-November - how to operate it. They seem to be constantly storing / repairing an incredible number of antique wooden boats... and their work appears to be top notch from what I could tell: pieces were in various states of re-chroming, varnish, and new transoms were being installed while I was there. The owner, Tom, is as nice a guy as you can find. I would absolutely use Fox River Valley Boats again.

I love this place! I have to laugh about Dena A. Review as the woman was not only drunk, but handed…read morethe lady at the desk a $20 and told her to turn off the pump off when it was full... ummm it's self service, so when she and her friends decided it was okay to personally pump $200, was told she needed to turn the pump off herself.... aka release the handle on the pump, and then not want to pay she left her nasty review! Take the time to stop at inland harbor, great place to bring your boat and the customer service is wonderful! FYI just come in knowing that the fuel isn't free ....

We've been at Inland for over 5 years and I am very pleased!…read moreWe have a trailer, slip, in and out service, and winter storage and have never had any issues with anything. The staff has always been very friendly, professional, and helpful.In my opinion they go out of their way to make customers happy!

Here I am 5 years later still taking about da Bob's…read more Bob's is still killing it. Incredibly helpful staff. My truck was overheating while launching and they even helped me with an old truck. Matt is one of the owners. Awesome guy that is very helpful. The dock hands and mechanics there have been great as well. They have worked on a couple of my boats from party pontoons to big blocks. Very knowledgeable but it's the small things that matter. I brought a boat to them for an unrelated issue and they found that my trim was not hooked up and simply fixed it. We all just want to boat at the end of the day. Whenever I pull in there, they are just a friendly bunch.

Currently in the 4th generation of this family business, Bob's Marina has been a staple if the…read morecommunity for many years. My memories of being on the lake, and around the lake, are priceless.

Steve was great and made sure everything was ready for us for an afternoon fishing trip. He was…read morealways available for questions and to make sure our day went perfect. Will 100% come back next spring and already told another friend about his boat rental service.

I had an appointment with another company, but he had a family emergency. Steve from Powers Lake…read morecalled me at 7:15 and had my boat ready by 7:45. They were so friendly and efficient. They even told me some good spots for fishing, since this was my first time here. They were top notch on everything I needed and helped me have an awesome time fishing with my nephew.

Excellent family run business and a terrific friend and role model. He's always been good about…read moreteaching me things relative to responsibility and taking care of yourself. I've always wanted to be an Eagle Scout and he's reminded me that it's never too late to earn a merritt badge. Thanks again Vern and Happy Holidays!

Been in biz 40 years. They clearly are doing something right, and consistent. Local family,…read moreconvenient for the area. Looking forward to a long relationship.