Took both in to get winterized and a few things fixed when I went to pick it up the side of my boat was shot with BB's had pictures that proved it was done while they had it on their lot they said it's not their problem to do a claim under my insurance the damage is over $5,000 we'll never use Skipper buds again every time I brought my boat in there's always been issues read more

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do not buy a boat here or use the service department it has been a real shit show trying to buy my boat then they sold me pontoon covers and now I can't get a call back to schedule them to be installed, (oh and they wanted to charge me AGAIN), as their service department was 2 weeks out and now they don't call me back! I'm getting really pissed and they don't want to see me pissed so they better get their act together!! read more

They had caused permanent damage to my boat trailer due to neglect from the flood. I do not think they are taking this seriously

Thanks to Kyle for helping review some paperwork from 3 years ago. Very helpful today.

I have had my eye on a boat for maybe 5 months, finally choosing this particular boat LAURA was whom I've spoken with for the last month or so.. (Seems longer) The boats not worth 100k but she literally has answered all my calls and messages timely, even late nights.. This will be my third boat buying and can tell you, even when she's at the boat show called me back that day.. says a lot Gavin from Laura to the VERY pretty girl who has her dog in her office in sales, ABSOLUTELY AMAZING! So good I wanted to get a slip with them, last week went into sales, "Ray" CANT SAY ENOUGH ON! He literally met me outside, to then the ladies inside to give me a tour of the grounds in the cold!! THIS PLACE IS AMAZING! I work ALOT, when you spend a little money on a hobby you like to get away! And with this marina they make you do just that! Ray reminds me of my uncle who is that uncle who everyone wants to be around and cool as #%%%. Thanks again! Gavin no hard feelings, Infact when I picked my boat up bent over back wards literally to do whatever to make things easier! Even got new lies and a hitch for the truck! Excited to spend the summer there... Sales calling me the other day just to tell me they appreciate my business and looking forward for a great friendship years to come , took me back! Sssssssttttttttt it's things like that's from the ladies in your sales department and everyone there where I want to spend more money with you and trust you. Thanks again read more

SkipperBud's Sequoit Harbor Marina - Boating Near Me - Antioch, Illinois

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Came in to begin looking for a boat upgrade. Walked around for 25 minutes and nobody came to assist. I guess they don't really need the business. read more

I bought a used sea ray 175 BR for 7,000.00 . I tried many times to have someone call me back due to a concern with the registration . They had it listed with the wrong gross weight which cost me 120.00 more than neccasary, I had to go to the DMV and rectify it myself. It seems if you aren't spending 50K they ignore you. read more

Devin was extremely helpful with finding the perfect Hyperlite wakeboard for me. He went through the pros and cons of each board/bindings and came to the conclusion with a perfect fit and performance. I will definitely make sure to go out of my way to buy products here in the future just because of the kind knowledgeable staff. Thanks! read more

Sold me a brand new boat that was rigged too high. I am trying to get a hold of service for a couple weeks to get it raised. Radio silence. Last year I wanted to inquire about the flooring. After reaching out repeatedly they never got back to me. They sold me the boat and then offered zero customer service. Very disappointing. Laura, the salesperson, just keeps redirecting me to service. Buy a boat from somewhere that offers actual service. read more

During the 2019 Chicago Boat show I met with the salespeople at skipper buds and considered buying a demo unit they had in stock, however they did not have any photos of the boat. They talked me into making a $1000 "refundable" deposit and then drive within 2 weeks to Oshkosh WI to view and decide if I want to purchase the boat. I went to Wisconsin and was disappointed the boat was not as advertised and quite different then the new boat show model so I decided against the purchase. Till this day I have still not received a refund, which I told would be automatic if I did not move forward with the deal within 2 weeks. My latest email has enough nerve to blame me for not moving forward and states "I do not deserve a refund". That said I would advise people to be ware of doing business with skipper buds, as it's disappointing at best that such a large dealer operates in this fashion. read more

Rented a pontoon here but decided to cancel due to change of plans. Was very easy to cancel and was completely refunded my deposit within 1 day. Would trust to give a try some other time. read more

new to the chain... but looked at numerous marinas. settled on sequoit harbor. Glad we did. Perfect choice..... very clean...very friendly...very nice facilities...pool... clean marina, and SERVICE if needed. Its on the upper chain (lake Marie) Which we prefer. less crowded,IMO better lakes/water. looks like new buildings going up for rack storage, which will make it even better. glad we chose this marina. read more

I would not recommend anyone take their vessel to Skipper Buds for service or repair work. I took my Mastercraft here for service as they are the Mastercraft authorized dealer and service center for the region. I had a major issue with my engine. I read them off the error codes and mostly diagnosed the problem myself (a dropped valve on an engine with 155 hours...). I explained this to them over the phone, and asked that they contact Ilmor (the engine manufacturer) and Mastercraft about the problem. I dropped the boat off for them to look at it. They complained that I took the 4 electrical connections and 4 bolts that hold the intake manifold on the engine, and said I had tampered with the engine. They said my only option was a $24,000 new engine. When I scoffed at the thought of paying 24K for a new engine, and asked if there was anything that could be salvaged on the engine, they said there wasn't and that other things on the engine would have been damaged like the alternator (yes the service manager actually said the exhaust valve dropping in one of the cylinders would affect the engine alternator...). They quickness at which they returned emails and phone calls slowed considerably when I scoffed at the expensive new engine option. (Some M.C. customers must just sign $24k checks for repairs without asking questions?). They also demanded that I pay them for their time diagnosing the issue with the engine, before I had even decided if they were going to do the work. I consulted with other Mastercraft dealers, other inboard boat specialists, Ilmor, and Mastercraft themselves and they all said a long block replacement would be a sufficient fix, and be much less costly (around $10-$13k). Skipper Buds did not even bring up this as a possibility. They did not contact Ilmor or Mastercraft directly. I had to contact both of them myself. I had to track down who my rep. with Mastercraft was, and by the time I got a hold of him he knew nothing about the boat. Then Skipper Buds misrepresented the status of the boat when it was brought in (removing the intake manifold is not tampering with the engine, its diagnosing the problem). I had previously purchased a boat from them, and my family had purchased a boat from them but I would now not recommend anyone to do any sort of business with them. If you are looking for a new inboard boat or if you are looking to get your inboard repaired or serviced there are two other establishments in the area who can serve you better. read more

Sales experience was excellent. Service is awful! I have been dealing with an issue with a new boat since I took possession spring 2020. They claim to have replaced a part last fall and I have the exact same after launch this year. The service department and manager refuse to return my call or respond to my emails. Their web site claims "SkipperBud's is working to make boating fun and hassle-free for EVERYONE." Dealing with the service department has been an incredible hassle and a waste of time. read more

Very friendly staff here all around! A very good place on the chain to gas up! The selection of boats offered here is large and widespread, from fishing boats to big wakeboard boats. Convenient location! Service is also stellar! read more