I took my boat to Desert Rec because it was running poorly and stalling under load at higher RPMs. I was called four different times and told my boat was ready; each time, I would pick it up and pay the bill. However, when I put it in the water, I found it had the exact same issue it had when I first dropped it off. ​They had my boat for four months and charged me $1,500.00, yet never fixed the problem. They simply threw parts at it and charged me for multiple carburetor cleanings, but nothing they did changed a thing. I ended up fixing the running problem myself. Steer clear of this place. read more

They worked on our boat a year ago and we still had trouble with it. So we called and spoke with Jim. I reminded him that he worked on it last year. He set the date to bring it in, which was a few weeks out. We drove four hours to get there. Picked up our boat and when I got there another guy named Russ came out and asked what I wanted? Not good morning can I help you. I can live with that but when I said I had an appointment he said that they don't work on 2-stroke engines. I explained that Jim had worked on it before and I'd made the appointment with him. Jim came out and said "you told me it was a 115 Mercury engine." I said no, I told you that you worked on it last year and it wasn't running. He turned around, threw up his hands and walked away saying "I'm retiring in two months." So I was left high and dry! read more

Not too sure about the location at first; however, after talking to the personnel and their ability to explain the work they did on my boat/reassure my concerns, I feel very comfortable going back for routine service. They even added air to my trailer tires which wasn't expected, but definitely a plus! read more

Had Desert Recreation do my routine maintenance this April replacing my impeller; and my new aftermarket throttle needed adjustment after I had taken it to another shop in town and it wasn't done right. DR came highly recommended by another shop - thanks Scott. I met Jim Ronnie the service manager and he went over what I wanted done on the boat. I told him that I had a month until I needed the boat back. The shop called me back two days later and they did everything I wanted done. Six boat weekends later, I am happy to report that the boat continues to run perfect and no problems with the shifter. There are other shops closer to Katherine, (where I keep my boat), but not better. This shop is straight forward, honest, and reasonable and they do good work. read more

Desert Recreation - Nice clean shop. Customer service was professional! - Bullhead City, Arizona

Qualified, competent, reasonably priced. I spent a day just looking at everyone's shop before I made my decision on where to take my outboard for transmission work (as I showed up on Monday morning and found out boat shops are open Saturday and closed Monday). Easy decision, really not many shops qualified to do much more than minor service or maybe lighting or stereo installation. If you want a good mechanic for a fair price you shouldn't be disappointed. I found Jim the manager to be straightforward and easy to deal with. read more

On August 31st of 2021 I called Desert Recreation to get an appointment to bring in my boat to have service done, and to have work done on the outboard because it would start Jim told me it would be 3 weeks before I could bring it in and that he would call me when he was able to do the work. Nine weeks later he called and said he could do the work and to bring it in. On October 5, I did just that. He called me a few days later with the estimate, and told me it would take about a week to get the parts needed for the motor, it is now November 18th and the work is still not done. I have called him about the matter and he stated that one of the parts broke and that he would have to reorder it, this was nearly 2 weeks ago. I can't recommend anyone that can't seem to get things done, but still wants to charge you for the so called work. read more

I took my Suzuki DF60 to replace the lower shift rod and water pump and they did an excellent job. Contact Jim in the service department, he is honest and does a great job. read more