Highway Marine's reviews look great at first glance, but most are from people thrilled to tow…read morebrand-new boats off the lot. Those reviews hide a service department that's chaotic, careless, and defensive. After my experience, I'd call them the Jiffy Lube of boat service- fast, sloppy, and all about volume, not quality. (No disrespect to Jiffy Lube- a quick-turn model works for their services, not for marine service).
We own an 18-ft Godfrey pontoon. On Oct 11, 2025 I dropped it off for five things: raise the trailer height (fenders too close to tires), fix a misaligned bimini top, repair the prop, winterize the Yamaha outboard, and do a full interior/exterior detail. They confirmed twice (by phone and again at drop-off) that they could handle the trailer work. It's even listed on my repair order (Photo 1). You could make a drinking game out of how many times they tell you how busy they are. I told them I understood it was a busy time of the year and to take their time.
I heard nothing for two-and-a-half weeks until Oct 28, when they finally called about the propeller only. I approved a new prop and a trim-tab. When I asked about the trailer, they said they hadn't gotten to it yet- fair enough. Then, on Nov 6 at 8:49 AM, I suddenly got a call: "Your boat's ready for pickup." I asked about the trailer- "We're too busy." I asked if they could get it back in, as this was really the only reason I took it to them. Everything else was simple service I could have done myself, but I do not have a way to float the boat off of the trailer at home. They said they would take care of it. Fifteen minutes later they called back to say the manager told them they were too busy and wouldn't take it back in. The main reason I brought it there was simply ignored.
When I arrived Nov 8, I expected at least a clean, detailed boat for the $495 charge. What I found was unbelievable: a boat dirtier than when I dropped it off, dirt outlines from old registration letters, water marks on the pontoons, and an interior still full of debris and stains (Photo 2,3,4,5,6,7). One cup-holder ring was missing that was not before (Photo 8). Even an employee quietly admitted it did not appear to have been detailed.
Inside, the manager showed me a slip of paper that said "DONE" as proof it was cleaned. When I disagreed, he started getting defensive, saying that I "didn't understand boat detailing", "it's not like auto detailing" and they were "too busy." He finally dropped the charge to $180 for "interior only." By this point I was annoyed and let him know most of my frustration was from the fact that I expected all the other work to be completed properly, since they ignored my main concern with the trailer. I told the manager I could have done all the other things at home myself- I had them do it simply because it was there. His response was crazy- looks at me and yells "then why didn't you?!" He assured the interior was done and I trusted him. Only once home I realized the interior wasn't detailed either.
I also checked the bimini top- they drilled new holes, but it still doesn't align correctly (Photo 9,10) and now has a tear in the fabric (Photo 11). Then I saw a $100 charge for two plastic clips I was never called about. The invoice shows "approved" beside every item, yet the only call I received was about the prop. Those clips cost $12.59 each on Amazon (I keep extras), and mine weren't broken when I dropped it off.
So here's the reality: they ignored the main repair, did unauthorized work (still not fixed), returned my boat dirtier, damaged the bimini, and the manager was completely out of line and somehow gave a total of $1,662.85. Everything here is backed by photos and time-stamped records.
Other Photos: Does not appear anything was greased (Photo 12), Details of work performed (Photo 13,14).
For a business representing a brand like Godfrey, this is embarrassing. Highway Marine's service team prioritizes quick oil changes and seasonal revenue over craftsmanship or honesty. If you care about your boat, your time, or respect- go elsewhere.
