The SINKING of my 2006 Regal 3360 Cabin Cruiser: Picked boat up after over 4 months and $9000 in service work performed by Five Star Marine. I was promised it had been lake tested and ready to go. 5-26 @ 6:00 PM (first time to water by me) launched boat, starboard drive would not move. Idled over on one engine to stay the night. Started generator which ran for 5 minutes and shut off. Started it again and turned on AC which blew the breaker's and then generator would not start again. Anchored at seven. 730 PM noticed swim step sitting 4" below waterline. Opened engine compartment and sound source of major leak. Immediately noticed new generator sea cock valve was spraying water on all sides. Tightened it up which cured leak. Bilge pumps ran for several hours successfully removing the water. Bilge pump's continued to pump water all night off and on convincing me there were more leaks. Left VM for Five Star. 5-27 @ 6:30 PM docked boat at Paradise Cove Marina with both power switches on, plugged into shore power and bilge pump's in on position. Sent email, pictures as well as left second voice mail for five star describing in detail the problems above. 5-28 8:30 AM I called Shaun at 5 star and he confirmed they received pictures and description of all the problems. He informed me he would send someone that day to "fix" it. Emailed again asking for status since nobody contacted me by 5 PM And Sean emailed back with "it's fixed" and to let him know. 5-31 3:30 PM Received message from PC marina informing me that my boat was sinking. His mechanics Charlie and Alex jumped in and turn builds pumps BACK on and bailed out water to keep it from going down. Confirmed that 12 Volt power was turned off which killed the power to the bilge pump's. Water went OVER the new starters on engines, 6" up the new generator, into the cabin damaging audio amplifiers, speakers, wood flooring, Upholstry, refrigerators and more. 5-31. To Paradise Cove. Inspected damage took pictures. Dried out low lying areas and turned fans on to help dry everything out. 6-1 Called five star twice, left voicemail messages. No return call, no contact. 6-2 5:45 PM returned with an ADDITIONAL bilge pump and installed HARD wired so they couldn't be turned off. 6-4 John five star finally called. "Someone will go down and see where the leak was coming from and remedy." 6-5 John called said nothing they did was causing the leak. Said it could be coming in from Stringer. I agreed to put it on the trailer and take it to them. 6-5 @ 5:00 PM retrieved boat and drove it on one engine. Delivered to Five Star Marine. 7:30. Numerous pictures taken with zero evidence of any cracks or damage. Peter will let John know and have them contact me. 6-6 Contacted by Five Star notifying me that water was leaking through missing bolts for swim step. I requested again what was wrong with the outdrive. 6-7 Shaun left voicemail stating they would check what the issue was with the starboard drive but wanted this in writing through email so they could open a new repair order. I called and asked why because it worked without issue before they started working on it. Shawn's reply, "That's a Boat". I asked why this and all of the above problems were missed on the "lake test" that I was promised I could be part of yet was supposedly done. I was notified of this supposed it lake test AFTER it was done and if I wanted to go on one it would cost me $200! 6-7 Sent return email authorizing Five Star To investigate the problem with right out drive and requested timeframe. 6-7 Shawn sends email (see attached) Bragging about their customer service and complaining that I'm asking for something for free and they do not wish to work on the boat anymore. Initial complaints with boat: 1- New Generator needs installed 2- Service Port Outdrive 3- Service Both Engines Water leaking or Hydraulic issues were NOT problems when boat dropped off. When I was called and the boat was given a clean bill of health after the "water test". Why on earth would it start sinking on its first trip out? Why would they need to come replace parts on a brand new generator that got overheated because they didn't plumb and seal off the install correctly? Why would the technician make changes/turn things off on my boat causing it to start sinking AGAIN!??? Three experts all agreed the boat is totaled at a value of $92,000. What's worse, this is not a claim any insurance company would cover unless it was the person working on it's policy! read more

BUYER BEWARE!!!! ZERO STARS to these CROOKS!! John DePrato is the greediest person I've ever met. I've seen loansharks treat people better! The 4 month/$92k mistake with Five Star Marine is Infuriating in the least! The arrogance coupled with the substandard workmanship and HORRIBLE "customer service" is unprecedented! Their actions will end up costing over the value of this boat. They claim to have lake tested this boat after $9000 in repair work was done. They gave it a clean bill of health. However, first hour on the water it started sinking!! Water went over the brand new starters and was at mid engine. It went 4 inches up onto brand new, $10,000 Westerbeak generator. It went 4 inches up the walls on the interior, floor boards (all high end wood) appliances, stereo and audio equipment, Personal items etc., all destroyed. On 5-26 I launched boat for the first time since they made all of the repairs. Wasn't on the water and hour and the generator that was just installed was not running, right outdrive did not move and we were taking on water fast. These morons didn't tighten the seacock valve and water was pouring into the boat and not into the generator which fried it. I tightened up all of the loose connections which kept it from completely sinking. 5-27 @ 6:30 PM docked boat at Marina with both power switches on, plugged into shore power and bilge pump's in on position. Sent email, pictures as well as left second voice mail for five star describing in detail the problems above. 5-28 8:30 AM I called called Five Star 5 again and he confirmed they received pictures and description of all the problems. He informed me he would send someone that day to "fix" it. Emailed again asking for status since nobody contacted me by 5 PM And Shaun finally emailed back with "it's fixed" and to let him know. 5-31 3:30 PM Received message from marina informing me that my boat was sinking. His mechanics jumped in and turn builds pumps BACK on and bailed out water to keep it from going down. Confirmed that 12 Volt power was turned off which killed the power to the bilge pump's. Again, water went OVER the new starters on engines, 6" up the new generator, into the cabin damaging audio amplifiers, speakers, wood flooring, Upholstry, refrigerators and more. 5-31. Inspected damage took pictures. Dried out low lying areas and turned fans on to help dry everything out. 6-1 Called five star twice, left voicemail messages. No return call, no contact. 6-4 John five star finally called. "Someone will go down and see where the leak was coming from and remedy." 6-5 John called said, "Nothing they did was causing the leak". 6-5 @ 5:00 PM retrieved boat and drove it on one engine. Delivered to Five Star Marine. 7:30. 6-7 Shaun left voicemail stating they would check what the issue was with the starboard drive but wanted this in writing through email so they could open a new repair order. I called and asked why because it worked without issue before they started working on it. Shawn's reply, "That's a Boat". I asked why this and all of the above problems were missed on the "lake test" that I was promised I could be part of yet was supposedly done. I was notified of this supposed it lake test AFTER it was done and if I wanted to go on one it would cost me $200! 6-7 Sent return email authorizing Five Star To investigate the problem with right out drive and requested timeframe. 6-7 Shawn sends email (see attached) Bragging about their customer service and complaining that I'm asking for something for free and they do not wish to work on the boat anymore. Water leaking or Hydraulic issues were NOT problems when boat dropped off. When I was called and the boat was given a clean bill of health after the "water test". Why on earth would it start sinking on its first trip out? Five Star refuses to take responsibility for either of the times this boat started sinking. Damages are unknown since so much of the interior, electrical and engine components were damaged. The three experts I spoke with stated it's totaled. What's worse, this is not an insurance company type claim. Estimated value? $92,000. read more

BUYER BEWARE & STEER CLEAR!! Fact 1: Dropped off my cabin cruiser that was 100% seaworthy and just needed new generator replaced and service work on engines and out drives. Fact 2: Five Star Marine "Repaired" my cabin cruiser taking FOUR months and charged $9000 to do it. Was promised it had been "lake tested" and was ready for the summer. Fact 3: On first trip to lake, New Generator would not stay running and shut off multiple times, eventually would not start. One hour after first launch the boat was taking on so much water it destroyed the new generator, covered the starters and batteries and numerous other electronic components. Fact 4: Five Star showed up at marina to "fix" it and advise me if it had been repaired and is ready to go, again. Three days later I received a call from the marina stating my boat was sinking and water was inside the cabin and it was going down! After several hours of research and bilge pump's, it was discovered that Five Star technician turned off all the power which was supplying power to the bilge pump's, consequently allowing this boat to sink, AGAIN! Fact 5: I load boat and deliver to Five Star. John immediately find another source of water intrusion. He immediately states that nothing they did had anything to do with either event! Then he decides he does not want to work on this boat anymore and tells me to come pick it up. Further, he starts telling his buddies in town not to work on my boat!!! Fact 6: In response to my negative posts about the shoddy and substandard workmanship they provide, he threatens to take legal action. I guess someone has to pay for his new million dollar boat. This guy is SOME piece of work!! read more

Just purchased a boat from daron. Everything he said and promised was fulfilled and then some. I am a boat dealer in central Illinois and to trust another dealer the same way I do business is hard to do. But I can honestly say he might even be better at it then me. Everything I asked foe including service records was sent in a timely fashion. I bought the boat in 3 days sight unseen since I am busy with my dealership and couldn't fly down there. Too say I was worried is an understatement , but everything he told me was spot on and correct. I would highly recommend Daron for ur next purchase. Tad Putrich, Buells Marine, Canton, Il. read more

Five Star gets 5-STARS! I flew down from Chicago and met with Daron Wood to see a boat that was listed. He is awesome and genuine. Nothing he told me on the phone was misleading and he addressed all my concerns with no problems. Daron not only helped me get a great deal but promised to oversee the maintenance work in order to close the deal, store it for me while the weather up north breaks and my marina is to open , also, he promised to oversee the transport company when they pick up my the boat saving me a trip!! It certainly was well worth the trip (1200 miles) to deal with a professional and make a FRIEND! read more

We have used Five Star Marine almost exclusively since buying our 2000 model yacht in 2006. As with any boat, things go wrong, maintenance and bottom jobs are required. We have been so pleased with the service, the friendly management and service department. Often times we have received ideas on how to tackle simpler maintenance or repairs ourselves and saved money. For the tougher stuff, Five Star has been there for us and done excellent work. From bottom jobs and fiberglass repair, lower unit servicing and rebuilds, to exhaust manifold replacements and more we have been very thankful for John and his crew! read more

It takes effort to write a positive review, typically I don't take the time. But in this case I have purchased and now recently sold a boat with Daron at five star. And must say he has gone well out of his way to make both sides of the transaction very smooth and painless. I usually don't give recommendations to family and friends in fear of disappointment but in this case I have referred several people and they have all been treated the same way I was. They are never pushy and talk to you like a freind. read more

John and his Service Manager Sean have done extensive work on my F32 Trojan Flybridge. Their mechanics expertise and professionalism exceeded my expectations. I have owned a variety of boats over the last 30 years so have pretty much seen it all. I get compliments consistently on this boat. The before and after pictures are dramatic. I recommend the mechanics at Five Star without reservation. Give them a try. You won't be disappointed! John M. read more

They brokered the sale of my MasterCraft X23. I specifically worked with Daron. He provided excellent service and responsiveness. He operated with integrity in the handling of all issues. And his expertise matched up with what he initially explained to me about the boat market, expected price range, and estimated timeframe to sell my boat. I would highly recommend them and especially Daron. Great experience and result! read more

MONEY! That's ALL John DePrato cares about. He does NOT stand behind his work and is the greediest person I've ever had the displeasure of meeting. BUYER BEWARE!!!!! You have many other choices when your boat needs service. Don't get taken advantage of, lied to, ripped off and then told to go away because they screwed your boat up so bad you are forced to hire an attorney to make them do what is right. read more

STEER CLEAR!!!! MONEY! That's ALL John DePrato cares about. He does NOT stand behind his work and is the greediest person I've ever had the displeasure of meeting. You have many other choices when your boat needs service. Don't get taken advantage of, lied to, ripped off and then told to go away because they screwed your boat up so bad you are forced to hire an attorney to make them do what is right. read more

John and his techs are smart and honest. I have brought multiple boats to them and they always fix the issues I am having. Layton and Bryan have worked on my boat and always been great at giving me updates on the problems they are working on. The management are nice and understanding and know what they are talking about when I have questions. read more

I purchased a cheap boat that needed major cosmetic & mechanical repair. Shaun made the process very transparent on what it would take get it shining like new and he certainly surprised me with the end results! It was like looking at a mirror. Brian, the technician gave it a tune up and she's purring like a kitten. ready for lake season read more

Just brought home a boat from Five Star. Daron was great to deal with. I'm in Houston and so he videod a water test for me and was very responsive. Had everything ready to go when I came into town to pick it up and even dropped it in the water so I could do a test spin. Condition and performance was as described. Would recommend! read more

worst experience ever!!!!!!!!!!!!! greedy, dishonest, crooked & unprofessional. five star marine's exorbitant $9,000 "service" bill is nothing compared to the damages their shoddy work has caused my cruiser. estimated repair cost exceed $92,000 value! buyer beware of these crooks!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! read more

They took care of a my SeaRay I recently bought. It needed everything from new manifolds to and detailed cleaning and they knocked it out of the park. I have been using my boat now for a year now and everything is still running smooth. I am going to get a new bottom job for it soon and will definitely be returning soon. read more

Five Star Marine is a stellar company. Timely, professional and easy to communicate, this family owned operation treats you like one of their own. Whether it's service and repairs or buying a new toy, they are a great choice. It's refreshing to see such a quality group. read more

I have had two boats taken care of over the last five years with five-star Marine. John the owner and Mike his head mechanic as well is Daron the sales manager have been amazing to deal with. I would highly recommend their service. read more

These greedy capitalist pigs are responsible for $92,000 boat sinking twice! I wouldn't let them work on my lawn mower! YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED!!!! read more