Sad to say, but the third time was not a charm.
After 2 good experiences my wife and I decided to rent another 24" pontoon boat and take our friends out for half a day. The booking process is fantastic and easy as pie. Usually when we get there we are shown a newer boat that is good condition, with functioning equipment that never gives us a problem. This 3rd time was a very different experience.
Upon arrival and after checking in, we are shown a boat with ripped cushions, rust surrounding the rails, a motor that is LOUD and sounds like it was made in 1970s Russian, and a steering column that is not secured to the boat. In fact, I would say that this pontoon boat was probably built in the 80's and not well maintained. Maybe it was purchased at auction - who really knows. Alls I can tell you is that I was incredibly embarrased to show my friends that this was the boat we were going to spend the afternoon on.
After requesting a different boat before we left the dock we were told that unfortunately all of the other boats were rented out and this was the only boat available. OK, fine. That's reasonable, I get it. So we decide to give it a shot.
As soon as we tried to leave the dock, the motor refused to respond to throttle changes, started bucking, acting like there is a fuel/air issue. I bring up the issue to the dock attendant and they say, "oh, just shift it into neutral and then back into forward". He was right, it worked, and we were able to get out of the lagoon into the channels and ultimately into sunset lake. We get their, turn the motor off and stop to eat some sandwich's we brought. As we turn the motor back on and prepare to cruise around the area, the motor begins choking again, stalling. For the next 3 hours we attempted to cruise but ultimately drove the boat back to the pier. We were annoyed, and just really let down at the fact they left this boat out for the day.
As we FINALLY get back to the dock after hours of stalling, crawling, and evading boat traffic, we arrive back to the dock at 3:50P. I tell the boat attendant that the boat was malfunctioning and it took us hours to return. His reponse was, "Well this is the last weekend that we are opened, so the Mechanic was just hoping to make repairs next season". I swear the brutally honest truth that comes from the kids who work there is pure gold.
Anyway, we unload and disembark from our adventure. I let the person who is sitting in the shack know whats going on and he says sorry, I can let you take another boat and go crabbing for an hour.
Yes, because after 3 hours of struggling on the water with one of your well maintained pontoon boats, the only thing I want to do now is take another boat out for crabbing. NO THANK YOU.
Clearly, this business does NOT care about your experience after they have your money. I was told that unfortunately I wouldn't be able to receive anything back for compensation. I would have totally been fine with a voucher for another time or a partial refund. However, they were unwilling to do or say anything except "SORRY".
Do yourself a favor and spend your money elsewhere. read more