My First Boat Experience Turned Into a Total Loss -- Thanks to K and M Boats This was my first time owning a boat, and unfortunately, it ended in disaster--caused entirely by the negligence of K and M Boats. November 17, 2024: I picked up a boat from my friend's dad. It had been sitting unused in his backyard for years. On the way home, one of the trailer tires exploded on the freeway due to dry rot. I had to leave the boat on the side of the highway overnight. The tow truck driver recommended K and M Boats since they were the closest shop. November 18, 2024: The boat was dropped off at K and M. They completed about $1,500 worth of repairs, including winterizing and trailer work. April 2025: I brought in a brand-new fish finder for K and M to install. May 2, 2025: I was told by K and M that the boat was in great shape, running well, and ready to go. We even discussed where to mount the fish finder. May 13, 2025: I got a call that the boat was ready--everything installed and good to go. May 14, 2025: I took a day off work to take the boat on the water for the first time. When I arrived at the shop: The dashboard switches were hanging out and completely loose. Even worse, the boat wouldn't start at all. No explanation was given. I had to leave the boat there again, and yes--they charged me again to "fix" what was supposed to be done already. May 17, 2025: I finally got the boat on the water. It kept cutting off repeatedly, and I ended up leaving it at a friend's dock. May 24, 2025 (Memorial Day Weekend): While I was out of town, my friend called and said, "Your boat is taking on water and will be underwater in 24 hours." It wouldn't start, so the bilge pump couldn't run. My insurance stepped in, had the boat towed, inspected, and stored. The Final Blow: The insurance adjuster found that the reason the boat was flooding was because K and M had drilled a hole for the fish finder transducer but DID NOT seal or caulk it. That tiny oversight caused the entire boat to flood and be declared a total loss. When I called K and M and spoke to Gary about the situation, all he said was, "Bring in the boat." Seriously? Final Thought: I highly suggest NEVER using K and M Boats for anything. Their negligence destroyed my boat, cost me time, money, and my first boating experience. They were careless, charged for incomplete work, and left me with nothing but a wrecked dream. read more

ZERO STARS - Avoid at All Costs - Unsafe Work and Unprofessional Behavior I had an absolutely terrible experience with K & M Boat Company, and I feel obligated to warn others. I brought my boat in for a transom replacement, expecting professional work. What I got instead was unsafe, sloppy, and rushed craftsmanship. This boat was my uncles and has great sentimental value. He purchased it brand new 45 years ago and I have had it for several years. He has since past and my goal was to refurbish the boat, including the original motor, in his honor and the process started with the transom. They used substandard, unsafe hardware (Self tapping screws, of which more than half of them snapped off before I even got the boat home) and didn't even bother to replace the full transom - instead, they left old, rotted wood in the bottom half of the transom. Meaning that there was seam which in turn would've flexed and eventually the motor would've ripped the transom apart. I supplied the wood and the transom wood was neither properly sanded nor sealed, which is just asking for future water damage and structural failure. They actually tried to trick me by putting some sort of sealant along the top edge to make it look like they actually sealed it. On top of that, they ruined the gunwales during the process, leaving my boat in worse condition, with potentially irreversible damage, then when I brought it in. At the very least, if it is repairable, it is going to cost me several thousands dollars. Shockingly, they "completed" the entire job in just 2 days - a process that any reputable shop will tell you, and from the research I did on my own, it takes a minimum of 7-10 days to do correctly. It's clear they are hacks and cut corners at every turn. The guy, Craig, said he's done transoms for 35 years. He said he coated my transom only once but he never coated it at all. I feel sorry for anyone that has had they're transom done by this hack as the transoms probably ripped off and they probably lost their motors. The guy is clueless as is most of the rest of the staff. In addition, the boat was supposed to be shrink wrapped for the winter with the repair to be done in late March. However, they did their hack work in between Christmas and New Years and never re-wrapped the boat, leaving the transom area exposed and filled with water all winter. To make matters worse, the owner, Gary, was extremely rude and unprofessional. He tried to intimidate me when I raised concerns, displaying bullying behavior that no customer should ever have to deal with. His attitude was defensive, aggressive, and completely unacceptable. I highly recommend that people avoid K & M Boat Company, AT ALL COSTS, for any kind of service or purchase. Do not trust them with your boat, your money, or your safety. Their business practices are horrendous, and supporting them only enables more of this awful treatment and lousy hack work toward other customers. Look up their reviews. They have horrendous reviews going back 11 years. read more

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We've been coming to K & M since 1980. They treat our vintage SeaRay respectfully and always provide great service/advice.

Every year we bring in our Stingray for winterizing. Make an appointment and get it back the same day. Brought it in for impeller replacement and again, same day service. Above and beyond with customer service! Would highly recommend! read more

I've trusted K&M to work on my boats for 15 years. They do quality work, I've never ever had an issue.

Absolutely love this business, they have taken good care of my boat for about 5 yrs now from repairs to winterization they do it all ! Very knowledgeable staff fast service and have most parts in stock they've been around for a while and it shows , have a little patience cause they're busy but that's because they're good! read more

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Took my carburetor to k&m for repair . They told me it was fixed . Got on the water And the secondaries would not open . They boat would nit even get on plane . I had a a mechanic at humbug look at and he said I needed to return the boat to k&m because they hadn't done a good job.I called k&m they said no problem they would fix it. So I took all the back to Redford . They kept the boat almost 3 weeks on the 3rd weeks called they screamed at me and told me to "just come and get my boat out of their yard" . I tried to talk to the manager Gary he would never get on the phone . Finally they called me today and said there was nothing wrong with the boat I could come and get it . Had my brother go to pick it and they told me I owed them another 100 dollars . They never told me they were going to charge to fix the problem they supposedly already fixed . I asked to talk Gary again he wouldn't he'll get on the phone . They said "pay the money or the boat will be theirs in 2 weeks . . Please please to anyone who reads these save yourself this hassle and headache . Find a company that still cares about what they do and will stand behind their work . This company has cost me the a whole month of Michigan summer . And as you know it's not very long to begin with . No one should ever be screamed at or threatened while trying to do business . I will be sure to add the business that does the job right . Now I'm also worried they did something to the boat so I'm now taking to have all the oil filters replaced because any business that would treat a customer this way cannot be trusted read more

K & M Marine - Gaskets from my carburetor that k&m supposedly replaced - Boat Repair Near Me - Redford, Michigan

Wanted to write a good review about an experience I had with K &M. On June 29th took my boat motor over to K & M to get my motor repaired. I was told because of the age of my motor (1975) they would not be able to work on it til Fall as this is their busiest time of year. I then asked about used motors on hand, because I had been thinking about replacing it for the last several years.They did have a 2004 60 HP Mercury motor for sale for $3000,00, installed, all new tanks, power lift and controllers. The bottom line is, they did it in 6 days, and the staff was very helpful showing me how to use all the equipment, ran the engine for me. I am very satisfied with service and price. read more

okay its like this, im a mechanic, so I had motor problems on a 25 hp, so a friend and I rebuilt the carburetor and the motor had the same problem so I decided to put it in the shop, so when they called me and said I needed my carb rebuilt I was skeptical but told the to do it because it was walleye season and i needed my boat, so i got i back and was having the same problem, hard to start. so after paying all that money i took it back and said im having the same problem. They kept it again and called me said it was ready, so when I asked what was wrong he said a collapsed fuel line. I feel that was the problem the whole time. 500 dollars later my boat ran fine for a $15 dollar fuel line read more

bad place do not take your boat there you will lose your boat , it will sit there for 3 month and keep telling you we still waiting on parts. and you can order that part from amazon prime and get it the next day, i'm taking them to court read more

K and M marina is a very fair company. Gary and his crew are fair and knowledgeable and take pride in what they do. They showed me the problems and suggested what to do with a price right then and there. I have them doing my interior now and will report with pics to show the great work they do. read more

Great shop! I've had nothing but great experiences with K&M over the years. They answer my questions promptly - whether I have it in for service or am working on a DYI project and need advice. Another GREAT summer on my boat - thanks to K&M! read more

K & M Marine - Boat Repair Near Me - Redford, Michigan

Wish I would have read the reviews, the reviews . I agree with all of them, don't use their services, they are totally incompetent. After 3 return visits, had to take the boat elsewhere to get my boat fixed. They screwed up the whole summer of 2018. They only get 1 star because I couldn't go lower! read more

Horrible company !! I had my engine rebuilt and when I put it back in the water it sank !! GODS HONEST TRUTH IT SANK !! th toilets over flowed and my whole interior was soaked , the carpet was ruined all the wood got wet ,it was a absolute mess !!! they were suppose to fix it and now are trying to charge me 1500 for god knows what . NEVER EVER IN A MILLION YEARS USE THIS COMPANY!! read more

Avoid Avoid Avoid. Worst service ever. Very mean and disrespectful employees and owner. It is the place to go to if you want to disrespect your self. I should have listened to the other bad reviews and never go there. read more

Horrible experience. Asked if they could broker my boat. I was very specific of what was wrong. Said, "No problem, I think we have someone in mind." Advised me several times by phone of the problems that I already discussed. After 3 weeks, said we can't sell the boat, pick it up. Went to pick it up and they handed me a bill for $90. That was for going over the boat with potential buyer(s). At no time did they say there would be any charge (except for the fee if the boat sold). I don't mind paying if I'm told up front that this was going to be charged. Very unethical to hold your boat hostage when you're picking it up for a questionable fee. I asked at any time did you leave me a message, or tell me directly that there would be this charge. All they could say is "I guess not" We agreed to split it $45. Never going there again! read more

If you care about your boat and motor don't take it to K & M Marine on Telegraph road. I paid to have my boat and motor winterized with an oil change. Picked the boat up when they called that it was ready and immediately put into inside storage. Shortly after putting the boat in the water the following spring I was unable to shift out of forward. I was 550 miles from home so had to take the boat to a Canadian Mercury dealer. He inspected the boat and informed me that the drain plug was missing and with no lube i had burned up my lower unit. He asked who had touched the drain plug last, K&M Marine. Evidently they did not put the lubrication in and left the plug out or they put the plug in loose and came out. I drove the boat back and confronted the owner with the situation. He was very disinterested and basically accused me of lying. He refused to repair the damage that his company caused. When I mentioned the possibility of going to small claims court he very loudly and profanely told me to get out of his store in such a manner that I thought he might get physical. K&M Maine's negligence caused $2,700 worth of damage to my motor while offering no type of satisfaction. TAKE YOUR BOAT SOMEWHERE ELSE. read more

This has to be the worst boat company in Michigan. If you were smart you would not take your boat to K&M Marine Inc, save yourself time, a headache, money and most important knowing your boat is going to be fix correctly. I told them exactly what my boat was doing and they still didn't fix it right. Told me it was good to go and that they tested it twice. I took out and had to be towed in for the exact same thing I took it in for. Took back to the shop and after several days of working on it they couldn't tell me nothing. I would call and ask for updates "still working on it" call and ask for the manager, but his only responds is "I don't know". I'm not sure who they have working on the boats in the back, but they won't see me or anybody I know boat. It's funny because another customer walked in asking about his boat and all they could say was "I don't know" he went as far as replacing an engine because they couldn't fix the problem. Just to give you an example they charged me $200+ to clean a carburetor, when I could have bought a brand new carburetor for that price. Save yourself a headache and go somewhere else. They clearly don't know how to run a stand up business. Just ripping people off read more