So yesterday the wife and I headed to Miller's to look at a 1986 Century Cardel they have for sale. 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. read more

Miller's Dream Marine - Boat at Miller's Dream Marina - Boating Near Me - McHenry, Illinois

Miller's was recommended to me by both the tow captain (when the boat broke down) and my neighbor as 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. read more

Have had a slip at Millers for 2 years and love it there. Dave's been running this place for over 40 years I think he's honest and tells it like it is which is the way I prefer it. Plan on staying there many more years. read more

We met Dave yesterday when our boat almost ran out of gas. He kindly opened the pump for us after hours so we could make it back home without a tow. He didn't have to help us, but we are certainly happy he did!! read more

I have been boating with Millers for 10 years and find Dave to be very fair and most accommodating. I look forward to spending another 10 years with him. read more

.this is the worst marina on the chain of lakes. We launched there for the first time today. When we came back to to pull the boat out the owner of the marina Dave Miller came out and told us our 25.00 launch fee was not worth it. He claims we powred our boat on the trailer and dug a 8ft hole. That's pretty much impossible since I had to crank the boat on the trailer for 1 1/2 feet. read more

Dave is an interesting guy but does a great job of repairing boats for a reasonable price. Only downside is he is a little difficult to get in touch with. read more

Great Marina -- pretty basic, but good ramp, good pier, and in a no wake zone north of the dam. Dave is very helpful! I've had him do work on my boat and trailer. He's very reasonable and certainly knows his stuff -- highly recommended! read more

Boat broke down today was lucky enough to have some one tow is in. They suggested millers cause it was close. Nvr been there figured I'd give it a shot and wasn't really in a position to be picky. After docking my wife went to get some one to possibly take a look. Guy came out and immediately was very rude. I'm a contractor and have thick skin but this guy was a complete ***. Against or better judgement we continued to let him look at the boat. He did nothing but talk down on us the whole time . As he was looking he put his spark tester up on the side rail of the boat on top of a dock line that was dropping down by the prop. The guy told me to attempt to start the boat. Not seeing the line my wife told me to wait as she was going to move it. Him then seeing the line thinking it was falling went to grab it and knocked his tester off of the boat. Knowing it was his fault he then turned and yelled at my wife it was her fault he knocked it in of course. As a customer service business this guy is the worst wouldnt reccomend to anyone unless you want to be treated like crap. After I had enough I called D's marine they sent a boat over right away to pick us and our boat up. As a courtesy I went to tell the guy who looked at the boat what was happening and why we made the decision we did. He threatened us and told us to get off of his property and we did just that. Then he screamed at the guy from D's marina he owed him 72$ for the part he was stupid enough to put on the edge of the boat and he himself knocked into the water. Can't wait to see a closed sign on this business some day or under new owners. On a brighter side D,s was very nice explained everything and will have us up in running in a few days. read more