I am certain Don is exceptionally skilled as a boat mechanic, however, I have found him to be rude and lacking any customer service skills. I guess I will not be the beneficiary of his skills because I cannot get past his demeanor. read more

I have a 2008 Malibu Wakesetter LSV and it had an error code. Called down and the guy was super nice on the phone and told me to just bring it down whenever. He quickly cleared the code as I had previously made repairs but do not have a scan tool to clear DTC's . He didn't even charge me, I thought that was extremely nice and over the top for customer service. He also recommended a few items that would help with my trailer. I would recommend this business to any friend or family. Guys were super friendly and was able to get me in and out within an hour. read more

Boat Doctor - Reverse lock out tool - Boat Repair Near Me - Santa Rosa, California

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I used the boat doctor to rebuild an engine. He never got it right. I took it back 3 times at his request. He would swear it worked , ran smooth, and made full power. It did none of the above. It was so disappointing I gave up and had to buy a new motor. I lost the thousands I paid him. Zero stars. read more

Took my non-running broke dick boat to the Boat Doc. Was back on the lake the very next week, and have been many, many more times afterwards. Totally fair price for the type of work done, and I'm sure they could have easily gauged me, ran needless diags and just thrown parts at it. I am very appreciative for the Boat Docs knowledge, skills, and honesty. I know when something else breaks (hey, thats boat ownership) it will be back to the doctor. Thank you so much! We've been having an awesome summer thanks to the doc! read more

Boat Doctor - Boat Repair Near Me - Santa Rosa, California

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My boat sat over the winter and when I pulled it out I smelled gas in the ski compartment. Without doing anything to it I brought it in for a new shift cable, fuel treatment, and a gas leak. The shift cable was installed and fuel treatment was added but no leak was found. When I took it home and started it up it died after 30 seconds. The fuel tank was empty. The Boat Doctor treated an empty tank of gas with fuel treatment! Also the water was brown as if the boat had not been run after the work. When I tried to have a conversation about what had or had not been done, Don said it had been started but only briefly because he didn't want "rust buckets" getting his driveway dirty! Then he said he wouldn't work on my boat. Wow. The first time I took it to the Boat Doctor a year and a half ago it was for a complete service as it was a used boat I had just purchased. It came back and ran fine. But I noticed oil drops beneath the filter. The filter needed a quarter turn hand tightening! Also I noticed the hydraulic fluid reservoir was low for the IB/OB pump. One of the lines was wet with fluid. While looking over the pump a green electrical ground line was unattached. I'm no mechanic, but I know that these are things that shouldn't be missed. I didn't bother letting Don know then because the boat ran fine. I believe in giving people a second chance. Mistakes happen. That doesn't you can't still have a good business relationship. But don't question Don about the work. He takes it personally. read more

Been here three times now with my current boat. ( Several times years ago with the last boat ) All three times I had nothing but a great experience. Asked them to look at an issue or as in the first case see if they could find any issues. Every I have gotten polite friendly service and the boat comes back better than when I dropped it off. Can't ask for more. One of the issues I simply told him the noise I was getting while on the lake and he found it and the noise no longer is there. Pretty impressive since you can't get that noise without being out on the water. Can't say he's cheap but do you really think you can trust someone who is "CHEAP?" Momma always said if it's seams to good to be true its because it is. Besides who buys a boat thinking it will be a cheap investment. Take care of your boat and it will take care of you. Let it sit out in the weather and be prepared to spend money!. read more

I called and left a message never got a call back when I called back the second time he said I don't work on Honda motors

My boat was mis-diagnosed 3 times, cost me a few thousand dollars, and left me stranded in the water. I had a carbureted Bayliner I/O with a Cobra OMC motor and had a ton of unnecessary work done to it. None of it fixed the problem, but of course I had to pay for the attempt. I spent some time in the boating forums and followed up on a suggestion about the mechanical fuel pump. I purchased it online for about $40, installed it and abra-cadabra, problem solved. I gave a star just because they were nice to us. Research your problems online before dragging your boat here. You'll most likely save yourself a lot of time and money. read more

I highly recommend the Boat Doctor in Santa Rosa! They did an amazing job fixing my old boat. I was worried I was gonna have to part out or junk my boat but the work they did means I can get a full summer out of it without needing any more serious work done. They went above and beyond my expectation and they cam in under budget. My family is so excited to get back out on the water this summer. Thank you Boat Doctor! read more

Ran my 1980 Evinrude 9.9 outboard without oil in fuel until the engine died. Called other mechanics and they said engine was not salvageable. Last chance was Boat Doctor and he had the engine running in 24 hours. Thanks read more

Boat Doctor - Boat Repair Near Me - Santa Rosa, California

the boat dr. rocks!! 2 days and boat was fixed and back out on the water. (in the middle of aug at that!!) very fair prices and 1 happy boat owner!!!! thank-you, thank-you!! michael & carrie roger's pool & spa read more

I've been going to the boat doctor for about 15 years now. He always does good work at a fair price. He's honest and will tell you what your need or don't need. He doesn't just replace parts that don't need to be just to make some money. Scheduling can be hard during the peak times but if you get your boat there before summer it's not a problem. Just don't expect to get in the next day. I've never had any problems there and Don has always been great to me. read more

Explained the boat that I have and he cut me off saying "goodluck." I thought odd, chuckled and continued. He again cut me off and said "GOODLUCK!" I said the boat start, idles, runs great, but isn't passing water and he said "Again, goodluck, I won't work on it, they don't make any parts for them any more." I let him know of two internet places who have sold me a thermostat, impellar, let them know all they deal with are these Chrysler Outboard motors and there is nothing they've told me that is hard to get. He said he doesn't deal with internet shops and ONCE AGAIN, said "goodluck." NOT A CHANCE I'D EVER SUGGEST ANYONE EVEN GIVE HIM THE TIME OF DAY! One horrible experience on the phone will lead me to tell many of my experience..... read more

Boat Doctor has done good work for me in the past. Very direct in his comunication and he is very honest. My only disapointment is the waiting line to get in to him. Better be proactive if you want your boat in the water before the season hits.... read more

The Boat Doctor rocks!! My boat was in and out within a day. He didn't overcharge me. So helpful and honest. Customer service was top-notch! Highly recommend them! read more

I've been taking my boat to the Doctor for several years now and I always get excellent service and fair prices. I highly recommend the Boat Doctor. read more

Brought my little outboard motor to get serviced. I was told to come back in the winter because they were" too busy" and didn't have time to bother with it. read more

I have a 89 Beachcraft, it ran ok but smelled bad like gas. I had a mobile boat Mechanic come from San Rafael to work on my boat, after he worked on it the boat ran terrible and had no power I spent the entire Summer dealing with this guy and the boat and was never able to be fixed it. After about $1000 down the drain I was done with this mechanic. I was told to take it to the Boat Doctor that they were good. Don and his son right off the back were extremely nice and professional there were a ton of boats in the lot so I knew they were busy. After a week Don called to tell me my boat was ready..I paid him and asked what happened with the boat long story short he told me that the other guy should never touch my boat again it was all wrong. This was on a Tuesday, Thursday I took my boat out and ran very strong, then after a while it shut off I was disappointed again!! I called Don and told him what had happened. He told me bring the boat in the morning so I did, he was surprised but being them professional he is he said he'll call me when it's ready. Two hours later he calls me and tells me it's ready for me, I was blown away it was ready that fast I was thinking a week wait. Upon arrival I told him that was fast!! he told me, you waited your turn and paid and it's my job to make it right. He explained that one of the new parts was bad which happens from time to time. He replaced it and not only did he make it a priority but he didn't charge me for new parts or labor. This is what it should have been like from the get go. Lesson learned I will never take my boat else where. I highly recomendable them . Especially after the experience and summer waisted on a terrible Mobil mechanic from Marin. Do yourself a favor take your boat to the doctor. Hope this helps . Again thanks Don for the great work and amazing service.. sincerely Andre G. read more

Boat dr may do good work but he needs to work on his attitude, grumpy old man . Don't take out your frustrations on your customers ! Just simply rude !!!! If you can't handle the pressure hire more people ! read more

I was having all kinds of trouble with my new boat, called & talked to Don, he told me to bring it down. He was quick & with in a few days had found a number of gremlins & fixed more than I had realized was wrong ! His price was more than affordable & he was very honest with me !!! I have & will continue to recommend him to anyone with a boat ! I have had a number of other local marine mechanics do work with bad results, I'm not one to bad mouth those shops but have learned my lesson & will not ever take it back to them ! The Boat Doctor "Don" is my guy and will continue to do business with him for any of my boat needs !! read more

Had my boat serviced there. They put the belt on the engine wrong, didn't plug back in my speedometer sending unit after servicing out drive and to top it all off charged WAYYYYYYYY too much! Take your boat elsewhere read more

Absolutely rip me off. He charged me 3 different times for the same repairs. And when he finally got it right he doubled the part price and lied about it. Highly recommend you not use him. read more

Took our boat in for general maintenance, when we got it back the engine cover had been broken. Call to ask about repair, was told not their problem and don't ever bring your boat back. We will never use him again. read more

Don has worked on my boats for years and I'm very happy with the way I've been treated and the work he's done on my boats. Yes he can be abrupt and at times impatient but that's usually because folks don't know he only works on engines (boats) that he has certification for and that he can get parts for. Before I bought my last boat I called Don to make sure the engine and outdrive were reliable, that he would work on them, and that he could get parts for them. He has gone out his way to go out on a "sea-trial" to trouble-shoot an engine problem, He then towed my boat to his shop to fix it and didn't charge me a cent for all that. I have recommended him in the past and will continue to. read more

The Boat Doctor does a great job they can get busy so plan ahead however once you get your boat in they fix it right away. excellent service prices are very fair as well. Would definitely recommend them read more

Don, the owner and his son, having been working on my Reinell boat for years. His prices are very reasonable and he is very honest. I have recommended several people to the Boat Doctor and will continue. The turnaround is usually pretty quick. I would recommend getting the service or repair done in the fall or winter time because he does get real busy. read more

My family had a big planned vacation in July and our plan was take our family boat. I took the boat out on lake Sonoma two weeks prior to the vacation and experienced a breakdown. I tried to schedule an urgent appointment (not a good idea in June) with my former boat mechanic and they couldn't fit me in. Had no where to turn and called the Boat Doctor. He put me on his waiting list and within a couple days called me to tell me he had room for me. I brought my boat in and he was superb. Quickly identified the problem (kind of a serious problem that was probably the product of shoddy work with my prior mechanic) and provided a VERY fair estimate. Got the work done with perfection and was VERY prompt. We were back in business and towed the boat to our vacation destination as planned. Wake boarding for days-on-end and no problems whatsoever!! He saved our vacation and we are grateful. Boat Doctor is my new boat mechanic going forward! read more

I recently brought my 15hp evinrude to Don to work on, he is a good guy, straight shooter and fair with his prices. Guy knows outboards, that's for sure.. read more