I have used this company to Shrink Wrap and winterize my boat for the last 10 years. Still the best price in the market! Even through Covid not 1 price increase. Thanks for being honorable. read more

I decided to use a small business to winterize and shrinkwrap my 200 Horizon, especially with businesses struggling last couple year. Was happy with Brenda and even though they were more expensive, decided to let them do the work. Brenda called next day (Friday), that boat was ready. She stated she was leaving shortly, but guys would be there until 5pm. I said I'd be there in a couple hours, and she confirmed no rush. Well, got there about 3 hours later, and OPEN sign lit, but no one there. Doors locked up front and back. Called number, and no answer. No sign or note anywhere, no note on my boat. Hooked it up and waiting more, left another terse message, still nothing. Left with the boat but they still had canvas. Got a call as I was getting home almost 30 minutes later from employee that asked if I was coming back for canvas and to pay - told him to talk to Brenda and let me know how much they were discounting, and when THEY could drop off the canvas. Brenda called me back on Monday, and surprisingly rude - that it was MY fault the I wasn't there in 2 hours. No discount, and *I* had to go pick up my canvas. I'm sorry. I get small business and sometimes they may need to leave. I told her - all he had to do was leave a note and phone, and I would have been ok with it. I get it that things come up. But no not, no forwarding phone, and I'm left wandering around the lot wondering the the h*** is going on. Completely unprofessional, and then to not offer to deliver the canvas or give me a few bucks off for the SIGNIFICANT hassle they put me through? Nope - shouldn't be in business. I've been in management for a long time, and if my staff handle a situation like this, they wouldn't be employees any more. So I paid much more than other folks are charging, and got screwed doing it. So much for supporting a local small business. read more

Had the boat in for a tune up and this small family business can highly recommended by a couple different people...double checked on Yelp (as I always do) and was a bit taken back by the mixed reviews and poor customer support and service. Brenda was a bit short and to the point, but was pleasant and informative when my husband called. Better yet, they were able to get our boat in a couple days later by appointment and were very close to the price we were given for the quote. All of the work was done well and completed on time. They also called and alerted my husband about a minor issue that they would recommend having tuned up and explained additional cost. We will return and support this business. Thank you! read more

I cannot stress enough how rude and unprofessional this company is. The lady, to avoid other words, that answers the phone is beyond rude. For absolutely no reason. From day one, I was polite, respectful, and not pushy. Scheduled to have them look at my boat a few weeks ago. She said they'd probably look at it the week after. That didn't happen, but a probably for people that are busy means no. I get that, no problem. I call last week, she says in the next 24-48 hrs we will have someone look at it. Very rudely by the way....and no I was not nagging. Completely unprovoked....again. Fast Forward a few more days, now boat has no power and taking in water....sinking boat...I call them. On a Sunday. To ask if they actually came out or not, and if not to cancel and find a mechanic that actually cares and wants to take care of it. Sinking boat...urgency. She answers the phone, extremely rude again. "We'll it's Sunday how the hell would I know if someone came?" Pretending she didn't know. I tell her thanks for nothing and bye. Wife calls today to ensure that they didn't come, we don't want to not pay people for labor done...and she went off on my wife, yelled at her, and told her to find another mechanic. Jesus Christ....what is wrong with these people? I should have looked at the reviews before scheduling them as you can see they run a very horrible business. Ran horribly by someone that has some issues. Again... very rude, will lie to you, and will not give you timeframe of when they will look at it and do anything. read more

I usually do not leave reviews but if it was not for Ron and everybody at First Mate I would not be able to use my boat!!!!! It would be rotting in my driveway. My transom was leaking and Ron removed my engine/outdrive/exhaust/transom brackets. He stored my whole motor and drive to my boat after he removed the whole assembly. I then had my transom repaired and dropped back off at First Mate to have it all reassembled with new transom seals/motor mounts. I was back on the water in no time, when no one else within miles would even touch my boat!! Prices are by far extremely fair. Excellent mechanic and very friendly and hands down the best to work with; I wish he worked on vehicles as well. My wife and 10 year old daughter are very happy come boating season. read more

I had a wonderful experience dealing with First Mate Marine Service GREAT PEOPLE! Thank's again, Ron Zontini read more

Arranged to have my boat looked at for a problem but the guy never showed, never called. I don't do business like that. Be professional!

Absolutely excellent service and people. I had an issue that had been dropped in my lap and I finally just needed someone that was going to take care of me, not rip me off and do a good job. Ron, Jill and Lindsay definitely met and exceeded my expectations. They were all very personable and friendly and most of all, they were very knowledgeable. Ron was very up front about what he saw and gave an honest opinion on what he thought could be done and what didn't need to be done. The work was done at an excellent price and I would gladly drive out to them again for any future work that I would need done. I highly recommend them and wouldn't think twice about sending a family member or friend here. read more

When I changed the oil this fall to winterize the boat I noticed that some of the work that was paid for to be done has not been done. I actually noticed it this summer and asked them to fix what they did not do.....as of today 10/11/12 it is not done. read more

Had my boat for 5 days and did not even look at it, after promising to complete the repair in 2 days. One of the guys has a girlfriend that was supposed to powerwash it, that didn't happen either. Don't waste your time. I don't know how this place stays in business. I took it across the street, it was done the next day. read more

On May 1st, 2014 I contacted First Mate to schedule a oil change for my boat. I did give them my name, the marina where my boat is and the well number along with my original phone number. . I was told they were too busy at that time and to call back in a week or so. I never called back as I decided to postpone the oil change to a later date. On May the 5th I had my phone number changed so there was no way First Mate could contact me after that date using the original phone number I provided. At no time did I authorize them to do any work. If I did they would have had my new phone number. So between the 5th of May and the 10th of May they decided to do the work anyway and I was not contacted. As I said I had my phone number changed. So why would you do the work knowing you can't contact me? At the end of July I received a nasty letter claiming that I needed to pay for the oil change, filter and additional mileage or I would be out for collection. Not exactly sure how they new my address as I never gave it to them. Anyway, I was threatened with them going to a collection agency if I didn't pay. Apparently around the 10th of May, 2014 this work was performed unbeknownst to me. This letter (end of July) was the first time I knew they supposedly did the oil change. What kind of company does work on your boat without authorization, then claims/threatens nearly 2 months later that I owe them money. I have no way of knowing if this work was actually performed. I am in my mid 70's and can't possibly climb down in the bilges to check if they actually performed this work. Now...with all that said I did pay them. I will never do business with First Mate again, nor will I recommend them. Caveat Emptor read more

Incredible service from this family-owned and operated business. My marina's service department hadn't looked at my broken boat in over a week. I decided to take it to First Mate on a Friday and boat was back up and running by Monday. Amazing work ethic and the most honest mechanic out there in my opinion. Did I forget to mention that my boat needed a new engine coupler, so the entire motor had to be removed to fix it. Speedy, affordable, reliable and I highly recommend everyone to use First Mate for their boating mechanical services. read more

We had the engine replaced in our boat by First Mate. The first time we took it out on the water (after the engine replacement) we were stranded and had to get towed to the canal. Not to mention they had our boat all winter and gave us a finish date of May 1st but didn't get the boat back to us until Memorial day weekend. First Mate refused to return our calls or work on our boat claiming it was an electrical problem and since the mechanic was not an electrician it would take him hours if not days to complete. After numerous calls made by my husband with no results, I called and spoke with Jill who gave us a referral for an electrician. We were extremely hesitant as we know when there is a problem, mechanics can play the blame game all too easily. The boat was backfiring and stalling. The owners refused to even look at our issue, claiming it was all electrical. Now, we don't take our boat out often due to busy family schedules but since our new engine was installed we have had a different mechanic come out twice and adjust the carburetor (which is on the new engine that was installed) since First Mate refused to help us. It ended up being adjusted twice and that wasn't enough because we need a whole new carburetor for a engine that was installed two years ago on a boat we have taken out a hand full of times since the engine install. I guess I just expected that when paying $2500 for an engine the carburetor would work, too. I would not recommend this place to my worst enemy. read more

Contacted First Mate for a carb rebuild and after scheduling multiple appointments over the month of July 2016 and August 2016 they never made to my boat. They keep promising me they would show up and after I left work to meet Ron the mechanic at my boat, he would no show and no called 4 times!!! I'd rather deal with The Three Stooges boat repair. There phone girls Jill and Lindsey usually answer the phone, but never once did they return a call when I left a message. Can't imagine if I had to pay them money or try and get them to finish an actual service job TOTAL BUSH LEAGUE OPERATION!! BUYER BEWARE YOU"VE BEEN WARNED!! read more

BE WARNED!! STAY AWAY!!! Poor Poor Poor service AND the chick, Jill is a complete waste of time. I called early September for engine winterize and shrink wrap on my 22' SeaRay. Jill told me we'll get you next week. I called the next week to also ask they remove the bilge plug (drain plug). She said, okay, got it here in my notes. We'll get to you next week, she said.Two weeks came and went. Middle of October now 2018, they still haven't shown up and no call. I called again, Jill said we've been behind, we'll get you next week. I reminded her of the drain plug. She said, yep, have it here on my notes. Another 2 weeks; NO phone call; no show (2 months had gone by already). It was 1st week Nov 2018 and it snowed. There was snow on my canvas!!! I was livid. I called, Jill said, they were just out there and winterized the engine. I said I never got a call and the bilge plug / drain plug is still in. She put me on hold. Came back and said, they couldn't reach it but will remove it when they shrink wrap it. I cancelled the shrink wrap and said send me an invoice. 2 days later she left me a voicemail in a demanding voice - we're looking for payment on your outstanding invoice. Are you serious??? You'll get paid in 2 weeks (like she told me for 2 months). Then they harassed me every 2 days or so for payment. I sent them a cease & desist letter. They took me to court a year later. They were trying to get a total of over $300. Judge said give them $50 plus court costs. BUYER BE WARNED!!! SAVE YOURSELF THE HASSLE! GO ELSEWHERE!! Poor time management! They did a half-ass job!! No communication unless they want payment! read more

I have been taking my boat here for 2 years now, and I love the service. It is a small business which is nice because you get to know the owners on a name by name basis. My services included motor swaps, drive swaps, oil changes, adding performance parts, and simple maintenance. read more