I recently rented 3 boats from the lodge to travel into the islands. We were given a broken boat. I had 4 new paddlers with me and had I not switched boats with one of them, we likely would not have discovered the problem until we were on the water. This would have been a HUGE safety risk (I've guided professionally for years and have been a part of search and rescue teams). Trying to repair a boat on the water is tempting fate (I've seen people capsize when just making minor adjustments). Handing a new paddler a broken boat makes the risks even greater.
When the issue was brought to the staff, the manager of the lodge (Gordon Able) was condescending and disrespectful. Even if he was unwilling to return money for the rental, he could have been more customer service oriented and tried to improve the situation. When I asked for some compensation for the lost hour in the hot sun, his response was "That will never happen" and "I don't believe that you lost an hour." I personally don't like being called a liar. Silly me. Unfortunately this has not been my first bad experience with Gordon Able. Every time I have to deal with him, I leave feeling slimy and disrespected.
I cannot and will not recommend boat rental from the lodge to ANYONE in the future. Anyone using boats from the lodge should carefully go over the boats and make sure that everything is working before you leave the dock. Make sure the rudder works, the gaskets are tight under the hatch lids and that the paddle shafts have solid joins (other problems we identified later). Check your lifejacket and make sure it fits properly and is not torn. Do not expect help on where to go or with your rental boat unless you hire a guide.
DO EXPECT to be threatened that if you damage the boat, they will charge you and arm and a leg. They do make sure to get that point across during the "boat orientation." Expect to have to chase people down if there is a problem and don't expect them to come back with information in a timely manner.
Gordon Able, the manager at the lodge, should be avoided at all costs. Don't expect any level of customer service from him. Do expect to be treated like an idiot (When I asked to borrow a dolly to move a large crate of water after most of the kayaker had left, while he eventually conceded to let me use it, he told me not to drop it off the dock.)
If you look into information on Sechart Lodge, you will find many references to how obnoxious this man can be. Given the quality of the service on the ferry (which is good to great), running into him is a major shock. He clearly does not have the best interest of his customers at heart.
I will not rent a boat from them again until something at the lodge changes. I'm better off renting a boat locally and driving it up than with working with Gordon Able. read more