We rented a pontoon from this place yesterday and it was pretty disgusting. It hadn't been cleaned at all from the people who had used it prior to us, there were numerous leftover drink cups complete with lime wedges, the floor and seats were covered in sand and cracker/goldfish crumbs, just super gross. We've rented pontoons in prior years that come completely hosed off and clean so this was surprising. The kids running things were nice but pretty clueless. This whole company needs to get it together. read more

LC was great! Thank you for your help with getting is out on the water. The jet skis were in good condition and staff was friendly. It was also conveniently right next to our hotel. read more

2nd year in a row we've used this place. We thought the first year was just a fluke that the experience was sub par. Boat was a little long in the tooth and delivered with a broken radio and ripped canvas top. It just got worse from there. First, this year's reservation was lost, to which they insisted couldn't have happened stating "it couldnt have been our fault, it's computerized!". They finally found a replacement boat that they could substitute, but not for the whole week. They proceeded to deliver a total piece of crap. It was old, beat up, blown fuses, non working gauges etc.. The person delivering the boat even admitted to being embarrassed they were renting the thing out. They ended up discounting the rental by two hundred bucks, but only after I called and complained for a half hour.. Poor equipment, poor customer service, and I'd think twice,about trusting your vacation boating plans to these folks.. There are options! read more

Rented a boat over the phone a couple days in advance. Arrived after a 45 minute drive to find the boat was not only unavailable but was not even in their inventory to be rented out. They offered us a smaller boat which would be available two hours later, or a whopping 10% discount on a couple wave runners for a fraction of the boat rental time. Not optimal for the eight of us ranging in age from 50 to 9. The poor kids working the shack and the ones back at the main office we're trying to be helpful but even after they contacted the owner they could not do anything more for us. Owner was unavailable to talk to us directly and apparently threatening to the employees of losing their job for providing anything more in the excellent customer service side of things. Truly disappointing and a vacation ruining experience. I suggest you find another provider for your rental needs. read more

Bad business practice - they did not bring the boat originally promised, did not drop the boat at the correct time, did not pick the boat up at the correct time. Provided documentation saying the boat was returned in good shape and then later took to court saying the boat was damaged. I would never advise anyone to rent from this company! read more

We originally planned to go to break n waves to rent jet skis, however, upon arrival we were told the cost was 20 (for a total of 70) dollars more than advertised for gas. We weren't happy so we came here. All the people working were nice and helpful, especially Ben. The price we paid for a half hour jet ski rental was 50 including tax. It was a blast! Gorgeous views. read more

Staff was friendly. Boat was ready. Boat had easy access, right on the beach. We were late, but that was not a problem. Boat was almost new. We had Bayliner 3.0l. Hourly rate was good and also included the gas, so we didn't have to waste time by going to fill it up. Everyone was happy. Good choice! read more

Worst company ever, never do business with them. We drove way out of our way to rent jet skis and there phone hours said 8am-8pm during Labor Day weekend and my boyfriend and I went there and they closed at 5:40. Will never give this company a dime of mine, very unprofessional, read more

I was very excited about renting a pontoon boat on Lake Michigan for the 4th of July. It was the high point of our vacation in Traverse City. Once we got out on the water the day was perfect and we had no problems with the pontoon boat although the ladder lost a screw and was not able to be used until we were able to find something to fix it to allow us to get out of the water. The company definitely needs assistance in the office and their customer service leaves a lot to be desired. When I made the original reservation it was for the largest pontoon boat they have on West Grand Traverse Bay in Traverse City and I was told that it would be a new boat that they had just gotten in and had not even been unwrapped yet. I verified that we could keep it to watch the fireworks and then return it. Brett told me that he would allow us to keep it and drop it off by where he lives on the Bay after the fireworks. To my surprise when I called and made final payment and confirm everything I was told that my boat (a 25', 150 HP boat) was on the wrong lake (Torch Lake). The only way to fix it was to cancel the reservation on Torch Lake and make another reservation for West Grand Traverse Bay (My reservation was always on the Bay and until they told me where the boat was I had never even heard of Torch Lake). I was also told that I could not have the larger boat and had to go with the next size down, which was a 24', 50 HP boat. In fixing their mistake they overdrew my bank account! And when I tried to confirm the drop off after the fireworks I was told that they don't do that. I told them that I had an email from Brett stating that we had agreed on this arrangement. They checked with Brett and apparently he said "Oh! Did I tell her she could do that?" I had the email and Brett agreed to let us drop the boat at West End. On the morning of the 4th of July my Son in Law went to take possession of the boat and was informed that we needed a credit card to place a $1,000.00 hold before we could have the boat. Nowhere in all my paperwork or emails did I see anything about a deposit before taking possession of the boat. And I did not see anything on your website to that affect. Thank God for my Dad. As much as I hated to have to call him he was kind enough to let me us his card. My son in law was told by the man who delivered the boat that there was some fine print the final e-mail I received that mentioned the deposit, and that the office staff were supposed to mention this during the reservation process. Had this happened, we could have arranged ahead of time for payment of that deposit! One other issue was boat maintenance and inspection. Thankfully my son in law went through the whole boat with the delivery guy, because the zip-up cover for the folded canopy required pliers to move the zipper. Out on the water, we would've been stuck with a folded canopy. Additionally, the boat's lights didn't work, so we had to make sure we were anchored at the drop-off point before dark. Finally, although the people at Sunset Watersports said there should have been an inflatable tube and a tow rope stowed under one of the seats in the boat, there were none to be found. I know I will never recommend your company to anyone. I feel a company's customer service says a lot about them and unfortunately yours was inaccurate and caused me stress in overdrawing my account for your error. Not disclosing the procedures for renting your equipment and not noting things I was told by the owner in the reservation caused even more stress. Thankfully, I keep all my emails and can verify everything I have stated in this review. I hope to rent a pontoon next summer when I come out, but I will definitely be contacting another vendor. read more

Made a reservation back in July and was called the next day and told they no longer have the boat available. No reason was given but I suspect they got a full day request and mine was only for 2 hours. Very unprofessional. read more

We rented a boat from sunset and had a great experience. The person taking the reservation was helpful and very friendly. Since we were unfamiliar with the area it was nice to have someone tell us about the nearest boat launch and even give us directions! The delivery was on time and they explained everything we needed to know. We were blessed with great weather and had a fantastic time! Thanks for the great time!!! We will definitely rent from this company again! read more

Rented a boat for a week. First gave us a boat we didn't reserve. Gave us a "free tube" that had holes in it already and they knew about since all the holes were already circled. Boat kept not starting. Never even apologized for the inconvenience and replied back via email after I had to call multiple times. Very unprofessional. Will never rent from them again read more

Sunset Water Sports in Traverse City is not a good business. They put six kids under seven in a boat that wasn't plugged and we almost sank. It was very scary for my family and the response back from the organization was "sorry, its a busy day." I would not use these guys ever again. read more

We rented a pontoon boat from Sunset Watersports on July 12, 2013. When we came to get the boat, we were told that a $500.00 hold would be put on our credit card - and that it could take 3-5 days to come off. This was the first we had heard about this. We went ahead and did it - because we were all ready to go out on the boat. The charge came through as a sale. I spoke to several people last week, and they all kept repeating the same line - but now it was possibly up to 2 weeks for the charge to come off. Yesterday I called again. This person realized quickly that they had made the mistake, and had rung it as a sale, not a hold. She was going to take care of it right then. She did. She managed to charge ANOTHER $500.00 to the account. Called them back. Now, I have $1000.00 on my credit card - and 24 hrs later - nothing. I called my credit card company. I am done with Sunset Watersports - and I will never rent from them again. read more