I wish I would have read the prior Yelp reviews before I went and bought my boat from Fox Lake Harbor recently. Here is the scenario: First, we were to do our test drive and take delivery of the boat (2009 Sea Ray) on a Tuesday. This was after our inspection, and being assured that Fox Lake Harbor had winterized and inspected the boat before put on the lot for sale. However, Fox Lake discovers that it failed to do something with a valve after they claimed that it was winterized. They tell me that it was winterized, but no one knew what happened to the valve. Therefore, we had to push off the test drive and delivery to the coming Thursday.
Second, when we were to test drive and take delivery on Thursday, my wife and I drove from our home and hour and a half away to find when we arrived, that Fox Lake Harbor discovered that the amplifier was blown for the radio and the radio didn't work. We take the test drive but can't take delivery, because Fox Lake didn't discover this problem earlier. However, they were more than eager to take my money for the purchase on this day.
Third, during the sales process, Fox Lake advises us that the boat is 3,500 pounds after we told them our vehicle has a 5,000 pound maximum tow capacity. Just prior to the delivery we find all over the internet that it is a 4,700 pound boat and a Sea Ray dealer, confirms it is a 4,700 boat. Fox Lake's technician then tells us the trailer is probably 1,000-1,200 pounds, thus putting a total weight 5,700-5,900 pounds. The salesperson then assures us that the combined weight, pursuant to his guide, was no more than 5,000 pounds. We take delivery.
Fourth, on Sunday of the same week, I take the boat out for an hour to put the boat on my boat lift. This is the second boat lift, since the day before I had one installed off my dock which had a 4,000 pound capacity. The boat lift company, after I advised them that I believed the boat was heavier, agrees to switch it out for a 5,000 pound lift. At least one honest company in this scenario. So, I take the boat out for the first time, and it overheats and the engine shuts down. I call Fox Lake, and they tell me to take it to my local boat repair shop to diagnose the problem.
Fifth, I take it to my local boat repair shop as suggested, which is an independent boat repair professional, who has been in the business for over 40 years. They tell me, after inspecting the motor, they found that the motor oil was dirty and hadn't been changed "for quite some time," and that the oil in the out drive was dirty and it was recommended that it be changed. This independent boat repair shop stated that it was "unlikely" that this boat had been completely winterized recently, as I had been assured.
The independent boat repair shop informed me that the sea pump blew when I took it out the first time because the boat hadn't been properly winterized, or winterized at all, and it caused the serpentine belt to fray and the motor overheated and shut down. Fox Lake spoke with the technician from the independent boat repair shop and when provided all of their findings, decided to blame me for the motor overheating, with very little knowledge of what I did with the boat in the first hour I had it on the water after purchase. They chose not to pay for any of the $1,100.00 initial repair bill that I presented them after I received it from my boat repair shop. Nor did they offer anything to attempt to satisfy the customer who just bought a $32,000 boat. They simply held to their "belief" that they did nothing wrong, and that I must have done something wrong in that first hour that I operated the boat.
I suggest that anyone reading this or the other reviews steer clear of Fox Lake Harbor. There are plenty of other marinas in the area to choose from. This is the third bad review of Fox Lake in less than 2 years. I can only guess how many other people they have done this to that haven't posted a review. Don't get caught up in the excitement of the purchase. Do your homework, and stay away from Fox Lake Harbor.
Derrick Grubb read more