I want to share my honest experience with The Boat House Chicago (Bald Knob Rd, Johnsburg). I bought a brand-new boat from them this spring, so I'm not a one-time customer -- which makes how they've handled my older boat all the more frustrating. That older boat went into their shop twice last year, and after the second visit I was told it was fully fixed. It sat in storage over the winter, came out this spring, and again I was assured it was working. When I went to pick it up on May 13th, it barely started and wouldn't stay running. The service team didn't have time to deal with it, and a month went by before I got an answer -- they said it needed a new fuel tank. I asked them directly to run the boat and make sure it would start and stay running, and they promised me it would. They delivered it to my house, and three days later I went to take it out: it wouldn't start, and it wouldn't stay running. Every single time, they say it's fixed. Every single time, it fails. They've serviced it again and again, guaranteed it was resolved, and the boat still doesn't work. Meanwhile it's the boat I'm trying to sell, sitting useless. After buying a new boat from them, I expected to be treated like a valued customer. Instead it feels like once they had the new sale, actually getting my old boat running stopped being a priority. I'd think twice before trusting their service department. read more

Don and his team were incredibly helpful getting my boat in and taken care of. The Boathouse is a fantastic full-service marina with knowledgeable staff and excellent customer service. In my opinion, it's the best marina on the chain. Everything was handled professionally and efficiently, and I felt confident my boat was in good hands. I'll definitely be returning for future service and highly recommend them to anyone looking for a reliable marina. read more

They probably do a nice job on repairs. Unfortunately, I'll never know as long as I own a boat "that's too old" as per their response when I called and asked about repair work. I was pretty disappointed. read more

I would like to start out with beware of this place they will lie to you about everything! I was told 3 different prices on a service, and when you pick up your boat it's a different price. My service was not complete, I paid over $800 for a half of detail. I called the next day to speak with the manager, and he told me he would talk with the team that helped me, and get back to me. That was a month ago and still waiting for a call. I guess I won't get a call back, and just never go back here again. read more

Great sales and full service fixed ops staffs, lots of concessions and accessories, and fuel on the water. Definitely recommend!!!

Very poor communicators. Things seem to be very one-sided towards them. They do not seem to be reasonable in their dealings and I'm not sure I can believe what they're telling me. The website especially for the Wisconsin arenas are unreliable, little information and not often updated. read more

Top notch experience from initial web site inquiry on a Used Boat to the first cruise on the lake. After reviewing the boat online and talking to Don at the Boathouse I decided to pull the trigger. Shortly after I agreed to this boat I received a call from Susan the Business Manager, she had everything lined up for me within minutes, all the way down to insurance options. The customer service from both her and Don was excellent. I arrived to sign docs and take possession, quick and easy. Introduced to the rest of the staff (Service, Parts, Dock attendants, etc...) Susan covered everything like a pro and Don even took the inaugural cruise on the lake with us to make sure the boat was perfect. New ownership and the place looks outstanding. The entire staff is amazing, with an awesome focus on customer service. 10/10 will be doing business with the Boathouse Chicago all summer! read more

Communication was horrific. Never reached service by calling and selecting the service option. Always had to call and speak with the receptionist to get me to anyone in service. Was constantly told I'd be called back, but ended up having to always call and find out status on boat. Was told parts were ordered on 3-4 different occasions and turns out they never were. Rushed job, due to lack of organization on their part and communication internally. Would not recommend this place to anyone. I'll drive the extra distance and find somewhere else to service our boat. Planned on getting a new boat in a few years, but definitely won't be coming here to get it. read more

Dan and his team in service are great Nigel and Griffin delivered my boat after normal hours which is above and beyond expectations. They do all my service and storage and are great. Don and his sales team are great also!!! read more

Again, the guys at the boathouse....very good. I always get a call back from Don when I'm in trouble. dan the service guy too. It's not just that, but when I need something after hours (like fenders) Don finds a way to get me what I need and get me back out on the water. Can't be more happy with the Boat House. read more

Absolutely terrible - bought a brand new 2016 Super Air Nautique 210 from the boat house in the spring. Took the boat in for a check up and winterization in the fall and the complete lack of customer service after the sale is beyond frustrating and disappointing. We could not get anyone to return a phone call about our boat, so we waited a week and went in to find out they didn't address any of the issues we brought up (software, rattling, scratches, engine check up) and sent us off with a $550 winterization bill and a 'sorry'. Will never bring our boat here again or refer anyone to the boat house. read more

So far not so good. They misplaced the key, dropped the boat off with out us home. The boats idle was so low it wouldn't stay running. We called they said they would be out in the morning. By noon no show called again oh we will b there around 1 215 no show called again. Jeff said oh sorry my fault I forgot. 300 boat fixed. Who needs that kind of service. I would never use them again!!! read more

The Boat House of Chicago exceeded my expectations. Shopping for a boat there was easy and no pressure was involved. Employees are very knowledgeable and friendly. I will return to purchase when it's the right time. I also love their Demo-days. It's a great way to get familiar with their inventory. read more

Nice place and nice people to do business with. No high pressure sales and very knowledgeable staff. I bought a used Cobalt boat at a very good price. The demo / test ride was very relaxed and a lot of fun. There was an issue with the stern drive that even my own mechanic / friend missed during the purchase inspection. When Chicago Boat House was notified of the problem they immediately jumped on the situation and resolved it. I could not be happier! I would definitely recommend this place to all my friends! read more

I bought an Agua Patio from the Boathouse the winter of 2016 and took delivery spring of 2017. There were a few things wrong with the boat including a speedometer that did not work. My boat is used about 3 hours from their location. They failed to fix anything the first season but did take the boat back over the winter to fix everything. I arranged to meet them to make sure everything worked before delivery this year. I could not test the speedometer because they were not able to do more than tow it behind a tractor around the lot. I was assured it was replaced and working by Dan. Whether it was replaced or not, the exact same problems persist. I have bugged them all year and suggested alternatives to allow someone local to fix it. Nothing has been done. No arrangements currently exist to fix my boat. Dan is the third Service Manager I have dealt with as the prior 2 have left. Almost 2 years and my speedometer still does not work. My speakers are now also not working. read more

Buyer beware! If you buy a used boat make sure they have the title for the boat and trailer and all serial numbers are legible. I bought my boat a year ago and STILL don't have the registration or plates for the trailer! A WHOLE YEAR!!! No one contacts me to get this resolved. They don't care! They got their money. I wish I could get my money back and run far away from this dealer. My experience doesn't even qualify for one star. I guess you have to spend hundreds of thousands of dollars to matter to this place. read more

We purchased our 2013 Malibu Wakesetter from The Boat House in October 2016. We took delivery of the boat in May 2017. We have experienced nothing but frustration and disappointment with their lack of customer service and follow through. It first started when we purchased the boat and trailer with the paperwork reflecting both were a 2013, but when we got our registration in the mail we found out the trailer is a 2011! Then there were additional items that we requested a quote for to have fixed, which we were willing to pay for, but after waiting for four months and countless emails, we finally gave up on getting the list from the service manager. Then, we gave them 6 weeks notice of when we wanted to take delivery of our boat and the boat wasn't ready. It took an additional 3 follow-ups on our part to finally get our boat. On the pre-delivery we expected the boat to have gone through testing to make sure it was ready. But while on the pre-delivery test drive the boat was overheating, due to a loose water pump hose. While not a big deal, still disappointing when you take delivery of a nice boat. To cap it off, we asked about the upgraded stereo system on our initial test drive and we were told that they worked but that we couldn't hear radio due to reception on all boats. Again we asked this to be addressed prior to delivery. We were told that the audio guy would take a look at it when he returned from vacation. After many emails to Don we found out that the audio guy wouldn't come out and agin were told it's a normal issue with the radio. We took the boat to ABT electronics who has exceptional customer service and we were told that the amp is blown. The Boat House never addressed this issue, as we asked numerous times. read more

Just got back from visiting this extremely "over over priced" dealer. If I could, I would give it ZERO stars. I went in to check a 1996 Rinker Captiva 212 priced at $9995. The NADA values it at the most just under $6K (now you see why I say they are extremely over priced). I would understand if it was a grand or so over but double the estimated value... give me a break. The sales guys couldn't get get their story straight; tripping themselves at each turn. One of the sales guy, who called him self the "manager", treated me like crap. Just because I'm not buying one of their more expensive boat, which if I had the cash would never buy from this dealer in the first place. Not sure when boat dealers started hiring failed used car sales men, but that's what he was. You can see them a mile away. This joker thought he knew everything, and acted like he was doing me a huge favor by selling me his over priced dinker, ah, sorry, I meant Rinker, which by the way has very uneven floor. Maybe the floor is buckling and rotted floor boards. Beware, if you decide to purchase a boat from these jokers. And the persons who gave them 5 stars, have to be their family members. If you are in the market for a used, or even new, boat, go to a dealership who may be over priced but treat you with a little dignity and respect. 'Nuff said. read more