Great service! Smiley has truly gone above and beyond to help my family identify the root cause of our boat issue. We bought what we thought was a turnkey, ready-to-go boat from someone on Marketplace, but it turned out to be an absolute nightmare. After being referred to Smiley, everything changed. While the issue wasn't an immediate fix, he took our call after hours and even spent time troubleshooting with us over the phone while we were still at the dock. That level of dedication and customer service is hard to find. Smiley genuinely cares about helping his customers and goes the extra mile to get them back on the water. We couldn't be more grateful and highly recommend him to anyone needing an honest, knowledgeable, and dependable marine mechanic. read more

The guy never got back to me. He told me he would call me and schedule an appointment to work on my boat, and I never heard from him again.

We took our rough running mercury 75 on a pontoon boat that we had purchased to Smiley to be repaired. We asked that he check over the entire engine to get everything in working order. We knew the carbs and starter needed attention. He rebuilt the carbs, replaced bad fuel lines, put in a new starter and replace a cracked throttle slide control. He also managed to find a missing airbox cover for the engine that was much needed as well. The wrong size prop was on it and we got that into spec as well. The engine runs perfect now and the repairs restored dependability in it. We are very satisfied with his work and Smileys knowledge on the boat and engine mechanical is top notch. He is our go to guy for any service that will be needed in the future. His pricing is very fair as well. read more

Smiley has serviced my boat since 2017 (2026 now). Annual tune up, replaced impeller, fluids etc and never had a bad day at the lake. Work is typically done in 1-2 days and as promised every time. read more

I found Smiley when I did a search for a boat mechanic in my area. I was temped to not bring my boat to him because of a couple of bad reviews from years ago. but I had heard from a friend he does great work. Thank god I decided to I bring my 27 ft pontoon boat to him! It would not run right. It kept dying out, when it did stay running, there was no power. After dropping it off, he asked me several questions and then I left. He called me the very next day and he had found a few cracked gas lines and the high pressure pump was bad. He replaced them, did a oil change, and a complete check up and even a thing or 2 that he didn't charge me for. I was back on the lake in 4 days!!! he called me the day after I picked it up to see how it ran. I told him it was running the best it ever ran!!! He also took the time explaining that bad gas can cause problems, told me about proper maintenance that I can do my self. Overall a great experience. I will be bring my boat to Smiley from now on. Thank you Smiley read more

Just got my boat back after a month. Still leaking fluid from the trim motor, and now the trim won't stay up like it was before and trim needs help lifing it up. So now I am out$590 and its worse than when I took it there and still leaking. Do NOT take your boat here. He should not be in service. read more

What a disaster! What a complete waste of money! Didn't call with a quote, broke the newly repaired engine cover, destroyed the newly installed carpet with oil spots, didn't return the boat in the clean manner it was delivered and last minute insisted on cash only. I would recommend you take your boat elsewhere. read more

Run Run Very fast away from this guy! I should have listened to my gut the minute I pulled up to his Apache Junction Residence and saw very little service work going on. My bad for not reading reviews before using this guy. Red flags start to go up after I barely backing up my jet ski trailer and turning off my vehicle, and having him check the oil dip stick, false diagnosing my ski, telling me my jet ski was out of oil and that he might have to tear the valve cover off my practically new ski to see why. I had to stop the bull in a China shop and inform him it was not low on oil and it was a dry sump. Why he didn't know that right away scared the shit out of me. Again I should have listened to my gut. Shortly after that he called me to tell me he had no way to deal with my dead battery and that I needed to come right away and bring another. I pulled away from work and brought down another battery to have more red flags go up. His over bearing demanding demeanor is way over the top. Can't even finish a full sentence without being cut off. Not to mention he tries to portray he knows everything. After bringing the battery to him, I asked how much it was going to be for the annual service and oil change. He quoted me 300.00. I confirmed that I only wanted the annual service and oil change. He did end up calling back one more time to tell me the coolant level was low and asked me what I want to do about it. Whenever you receive an annual service, it generally includes toping the fluids. He made a big deal out of it and said he would have to go pick some up. I let him know if it was that big of a deal, I would top it off after I pick it up. Turns out he did it anyway. In the end I was charged 400.00 dollars to replace the oil, (without changing the oil filter) top off coolant, and install a small battery with two Philip screws, (that I provided). The big kicker is I found out he never changed the oil filter and admitted to it. What service doesn't include changing the oil filter if it has one? After I confronted him about the filter, he got all defensive and lied, stating I told him not to change it. Also, at the last minute he lied again and said he told my wife over the phone that payment was only in cash. Another huge red flag. After I got home and did a more close up inspection found he broke off the latch for the seat release and tried to glue it with superglue but never said a word. Should have read the reviews! read more

I have an older boat (circa early 1960's) and mostly original...outbord included. I heard of Smiley's through a friend who said he had a pleasant experince...but more importantly could handle older motors. I brought the boat in saw several very new boats in the yard...not what I expected...but obviously he handled a broad range of vessels. Dave was kind, thorough and direct. He gave me specific expectations on what he could do and when. He beat those expectations. Dave was very helpful in making sure I understood the repairs needed and offered options as well. No high pressure, no sneaky tactics...just good honest business. Dave was a nice guy to boot! Easy to talk to and do business with. He's not open on Friday's so plan around that. His place is a ways away for me, but easy enough to get to as it's right off the freeway. Dave's the real deal. I liked not worrying about my repairs and how I'd be treated. Good Business! read more

We bought a used boat and it seemed to have a few quirks, which we wrote off to the age of the boat. We kept testing it out and with each trip we'd say "something's not quite right... we should have it checked out." After one more trip out, it was obvious , the boat would only go in reverse!!! We hauled the boat to Dave at Smiley's Boat Repair and he was dug right in to find out what was wrong. Dave identified the problem, and helped us weigh the pros and cons of investing in repair. I am happy to report that our boat is now running quite smoothly, both in forward and in reverse! Dave was great to work with, helpful and informative. I asked if he taught a 101 course on "Getting to know your boat"? He took time right then to give me a tutorial. Now that's customer service :) read more

I brought my boat to Smiley's after reading the review here on Yelp!, as well as those on DexOnline. Dave Smiley was patient with me, working to meet my schedule to drop off the boat, and listening to what I knew needed to be done, as well as answering my questions on what might to be done since the boat had been sitting for 2 years. Dave called me as he investigated the boat, giving me the details on what he found, what my options were, and prices for each. Overall, I thought the service, price, and workmanship were excellent. I will be bringing my boat back here for continued maintenance. read more

Don't bother coming here if you are a winter visitor. This place hates you and advertises it! Awful business practice. I won't be back.

I had a review on here it disappeared. This guy ripped us off, didn't put in parts that he charged us for, did a bad boat repair, and on top of that held our boat hostage until Mesa Police made him give us the boat. We had paid for it in full and he wanted us to sign a release form that the boat is in the same condition as when he received it. Well posted are the pictures and the release form we would not sign. Guy is a real jerk.... read more

I brought my boat into Dave at Smily's as it would not start. Dave took a look at it and said he would have it working the next day. He finished sooner than promised, did great work and charged a very reasonable price. The only repair facility my boat will go back to is Smily's-Great guy, great service, great price, Tim A, Queen Creek, AZ. read more

If you have any kind of boat problem this would be THE place to have it repaired. The service was outstanding and price was very reasonable. He was quick to show and explain, thorough, honest and totally competent about what he was doing....and did all of it in a timely manner. We will continue to take our boat there for any and all problems. So refreshing after dealing with other boat repair shops that leave you less than satisfied and a hole in your pocket!! read more

We could not be happier!!! Dave was hands on. He took the time to fix our 1989 boat. Then if that wasn't enough, he even called after we took it out. Said if there was anything we needed to call. We didn't have to!! He called again!! His knowledge of boats and where to get "the best parts" (and deals) is amazing. The time he takes with each customer is top of the line. We had to have so much done to our "second hand" boat that it was almost a joke. But Dave took the time to make calls, internet searches and call on "THE FORCE" to get our boat running. He is above all the most honest mechanic I have seen. His kind of service can not be explained. I knew nothing about boats (yes got one anyway) until this one. I will continue to take my boat to him for any and all repairs on my boat. And will recommend him to anyone who asks. Thank you Dave, your kind of "service" goes beyond "customer service". You treated me like family. read more

Smiley's is the absolute worst!! I have paid him over $1900 for repairs and there is ALWAYS something else that mysteriously goes wrong after we get it back. Dave will put band aid fixes on things then make something else break on the boat to keep you coming back. He sees novice boaters and takes full advantage of them! He is a greedy and selfish man that does not deserve to be in business! I am now out $4500 on a boat that I can't even enjoy with my family. Thanks Dave! read more

I would first like to say I am a marina owner in another state visiting AZ. For the winter months. When I got to Smiley's boat repair there wasn't but one boat there which made me leer. If my marina was that slow, I would close the doors, we always have 15 to 20 unites(boats to snowmobiles) to work on. I have a staff of 5 full time mechanics and 3 sales people. We have been in business for over 60 years. I took my OMC outdrive to Smiley's boat repair. I ask how much are your estimate Dave told me the are free no change, he even put a line though it on the paper work. He said he would need the outdrive for a couple of day to check it out, and that he would get back to me in 3 days well 5 day went by and no call from Smiley's, so I called him his wife (girl friend ) answered the phone she said he was out at the lake, I ask her to have him give me a call, he didn't I waited another two days and called again, I got Dave this time (7 day have gone by now) he said he need a another day , what could I say but ok, still thinking the estimate is free. A day went by and no Dave so I call him the day after he said he was going to call me after 8 tries I finally got him. He said the outdrive need new gear set that a bearing had weld its self to the shaft, He wanted to put used gears (for 350.00) in it and it would cost $ 1,150.00. I went on the net and look up the parts they all come up to $650.00 with new gears, bearing and seals. I said I had to think about it he said there would be $70.00 estimate fee if he didn't do the work. Well as a marina owner in another state, I now that is very high. So I gave him his $70.00 and took the shaft that had the bearing that he said was weld on it and pressed it off, the shaft is fine had new bearing pressed on and the hole thing cost me me a toldof $350.00 for new bearings , seals for upper and low unit. So think about it he said $1,150.00 to do it. The parts came to $350.00 It takes 6 hours to rebuild outdrive 6 hours X $70.00 hour = $420.00 + 350.00 parts= $770.00 That doesn't calculate to $1,150.00 to me, His hour rate is more like $ 133.00 an hour The going rate for work on a motor is $85.00 to $90.00 an hour not $133.00 hour. You can get all the pricing of part from www.sterndrive.info/ for Sterndives & out board motors. My company charges the same price to the customer as sterndrive info does anyone. I would not use Smiley's bout repair for any thing. He use used parts. And to high priced. I WOULD NOT BUY ANY THING FROM HIM read more

can't say i would ever take my boat to this place. Whomever was driving the bright red pick up (I'm assuming the owner) with the Smileys boat repair name and number on the side is a complete jerk and tried to run me off the road. Apparently the line to get on to the 101 and bumper to bumper traffic was too slow for this guy and the female passenger he was trying to impress, so he sped up from behind me and tried to run me out of my place in line and off the road. He almost succeeded. He's probably one of those pathetic people who try to cause accidents by speeding up, cutting in front of someone and then slams on their breaks to get insurance money. I've let the police know about you and they will be checking in on your aggressive driving. Thanks for driving your company truck! Great way to represent yourself and your company! read more

So after posting my review on yelp, Dave Smiley calls me up screaming and cursing for posting my negative review. Really Dave? The last time I checked, Yelp and other review sites are designed for consumers to rate their experience. I gave you every opportunity to make it right. Now I want other potential customers to know my experience. That was very unprofessional. Instead of trying to make it right, you call me names? Now I will be taking you to court for a complete refund. read more

what a jerk. . won't be back.. after padding our bill a couple extra hundred dollars he said we could pick up our boat friday before 3 pm we were there at 2 and the gates were locked. he said he had an emergency boat to fix at the lake, we had to drive back from globe saturday morning, ,wasted 3 hours of our time plus fuel and never apologized for the inconvenience . . . what an arrogant jerk. ...... consumers .beware read more