Ok. So we rent a speedboat from here. Seems to be the only place in the whole Fox Lake/Chain O' Lakes area that rents boats. The guy at the hotel desk said it's because of a drunken accident and someone dying years ago.
Ok. So we see the bad reviews and we're hesitant, but, the whole reason we came up this way was to rent a boat and be on some water for an afternoon.
Ok. So, now, everyone is very nice here. Very friendly. I give them big props for explaining everything super clearly, showing us a map and giving us details about the entire lakes area. Well done. Oh, and cops are everywhere out there, fyi.
So, ok. Why only two stars? Several reasons. First off, they had us paranoid about the propeller from the get-go for the entire excursion. Damage it in x, y, or z fashion and here's the price list. All righty, so right off the bat we can't relax.
Secondly, the lakes are shallow everywhere they say. Great, now we're super extra paranoid about propeller damage. Relax? Forget it now.
Third, here's a long long list of all the things we'll charge you for if the boat comes back like this, that, or the other way. So now we feel like we can't even touch the darn thing. They tell you to take a video of the entire boat as proof before leaving. What, relax, what is that?
Fourth, the speedboat they have is in crummy shape. All beat up, torn upholstery, it's not very comfortable, a seat back won't go upright, it felt sluggish, the steering is messed up, the throttle difficult, it didn't feel maintained....it's just not a great boat.
Fifth, and what they don't tell you until it's too late and you're already at the desk and signed away....That inexpensive-ish sounding four hour rate, yeah, you pay for gas on top of it. That surprise bummer toppled everything over into why are we even bothering terrain. Plus the gas rate is $1.25/gallon+ higher than if you stop at a lake station we discovered. We felt like we couldn't go anywhere, see anything, do anything, touch anything, nothin'. Relax isn't even remotely on the docket.
We ended up circling around the Fox Lake perimeter twice which is not very large, and ventured into Grass Lake briefly, but mostly just floated with the engine off. The Jet Funn folks completely sucked all the enjoyment out of renting a boat so we ended up going back in an hour early. We were more tense coming in than when we drove up to their establishment initially.
Look, I get it, they're trying to protect themselves and their property. I'm sure if I were a boat renter person I'd be totally paranoid too, renting to strangers from a strange land who may or may not have any prior boating experience, out in unpredictable waters filled with crazy people.
Ok. So we get back in and it's not a surprise that they don't credit you for the time you don't use. One can hope, but one should not expect it. But you're back at the desk when the guy fills the tank, so you have to take his word for the amount of gas used. Somehow we used 10 gallons and I'm not sure how. I guess we should be thankful, considering other reviews, that we didn't get nailed for any prop damage.
So. I guess, ya know, I dunno. Very nice people for sure but taking the whole thing into consideration and yeah, not so much. read more