Skip to main content

Cookies on BBB.org

We use cookies to give users the best content and online experience. By clicking “Accept All Cookies”, you agree to allow us to use all cookies. Visit our Privacy Policy to learn more.

Cookie Preferences

Many websites use cookies or similar tools to store information on your browser or device. We use cookies on BBB websites to remember your preferences, improve website performance and enhance user experience, and to recommend content we believe will be most relevant to you. Most cookies collect anonymous information such as how users arrive at and use the website. Some cookies are necessary to allow the website to function properly, but you may choose to not allow other types of cookies below.

Necessary Cookies

What are necessary cookies?
These cookies are necessary for the site to function and cannot be switched off in our systems. They are usually only set in response to actions made by you that amount to a request for services, such as setting your privacy preferences, logging in or filling in forms. You can set your browser to block or alert you about these cookies, but some parts of the site will not work. These cookies do not store any personally identifiable information.

Necessary cookies must always be enabled.

Functional Cookies

What are functional cookies?
These cookies enable the site to provide enhanced functionality and personalization. They may be set by us or by third party providers whose services we have added to our pages. If you do not allow these cookies, some or all of these services may not function properly.

Performance Cookies

What are performance cookies?
These cookies allow us to count visits and traffic sources so we can measure and improve the performance of our site. They help us to know which pages are the most and least popular and see how visitors move around the site. All information these cookies collect is aggregated and therefore anonymous. If you do not allow these cookies we will not know when you have visited our site, and will not be able to monitor its performance.

Marketing Cookies

What are marketing cookies?
These cookies may be set through our site by our advertising partners. They may be used by those companies to build a profile of your interests and show you relevant content on other sites. They do not store personal information directly, but are based on uniquely identifying your browser or device. If you do not allow these cookies, you will experience less targeted advertising.

Find a Location

Boater's World has locations, listed below.

*This company may be headquartered in or have additional locations in another country. Please click on the country abbreviation in the search box below to change to a different country location.

    Country
    Please enter a valid location.

    ComplaintsforBoater's World

    Marine Sales and Service
    View Business profile
    View Business profile

    Need to file a complaint?

    BBB is here to help. We'll guide you through the process.

    File a Complaint

    Complaint Details

    Note that complaint text that is displayed might not represent all complaints filed with BBB. See details.

    Filter by

    Showing all complaints

    Filter by

    Complaint Status
    Complaint Type
    • Complaint Type:
      Service or Repair Issues
      Status:
      Answered
      We bought a boat from Boaters World 2 years ago. With that purchase, we purchased a 5 year extended warranty worth $3,700. I have the signed contract. We just had to make repairs on our boat totaling $2,278.80. When we called the extended warranty company, they told us the extended warranty was canceled 1 month after we purchased it!! NO ONE told us it was canceled and we ve been paying on it for 2 years! If our boat didnt need repairs, we never would have known it was canceled!!!

      Customer response

      06/26/2024

      I forgot to attach the signed contract.

      Thank you.

      ***************************

      Business response

      06/27/2024

      We reached out to the administrator of the warranty yesterday to request the customer's record but have not heard back. We will follow up with them again tomorrow if not receiving a response by midday.

      Customer response

      06/28/2024

      We will continue to wait to hear back from Boaters World again.

      Thank you.

    • Complaint Type:
      Service or Repair Issues
      Status:
      Answered
      When we listed our inboard centurion for sale online, we were contacted by Boaters World of ***********.. they convinced us they could effortlessly sell it on ****************** came to our home to pick it up. We were later contacted and informed that they had no luck with the sale.. We arranged a day for them to bring the boat back .. When that day came no one showed up ... but a week later as I was preparing to pull out of the driveway a truck transporting the boat pulled up .. 5 minutes later and I would have missed him ..even from a distance it was obvious why it didn't sell.. It is completely destroyed. The photos included are from the Boaters World listing when they first took possession of my boat and the rest of the photos are from the day it was returned to me . Keep in mind that this is just the aesthetic damage. We've been given an estimate of $7000 (that we don't have) to get it back to the way it was. If you're wondering what Boaters Worlds response has been.. keep wondering because there has been absolutely no response from them. No one answers the phone.. no response online. I didn't reach out to them and ask them for help selling it.. they reached out to me.. that is what is so mind-boggling about this situation.. I would care for someone elses valuables better than I would care for my own.. it's unbelievable.

      Business response

      06/02/2024

      Being new to the Boater's World organization, I was not employed during the term Ms. ****** boat was on consignment with our Lake Placid dealership.  I have reviewed the information available in our records and the pictures she included in her complaint.  I have left a message on the number provided in her complaint, leaving my contact information in hopes of discussing the matter with her.  I will attempt to reach her again tomorrow and provide an update once speaking with her.  

      *****************************

      Director of Operations - Boater's World

      Business response

      06/10/2024

      After closely examining the pictures ************** submitted with her complaint I had the opportunity to speak with her last Monday, 6/3.When zooming in to the example picture, it is clear that the deterioration was already very evident upon its arrival.  This was common in materials of this era if having been left exposed to the elements or the wrong products had been used to clean and protect it.  These areas of deterioration were certainly obvious to potential buyers seeing them in person, being a significant deterrent to its sale due to the upholstery already needing replacement.  Boaters World could not have prevented this deterioration nor did anything to accelerate it. I explained to ************** that while Boaters World could not take responsibility for the deterioration, we would be happy to have an estimate prepared by our sublet upholstery vendor at our cost if she would send several pictures of the boats configuration and upholstered areas.  I did also state that while I could not offer further assistance until receiving the estimate, we would then consider providing a one-time good will subsidy payment to assist with the expense. 
    • Complaint Type:
      Product Issues
      Status:
      Answered
      On 8/24/2023 We purchased a 16' Tahoe Bow Rider Boat from Boater's World in *********** **. While we were in the financing office *******, named "Laz" offered us a warranty and we said no. But then he said that it was $400 and it covered our first boat service at any Tracker Boat dealer which would include Bass Pro Shop. I repeated the information back because it sounded like an amazing deal. ******** we said that sounded good, but we NEVER once saw this paperwork, nor did we sign it. When we scheduled our boat for service I looked through our paperwork to find the warranty but it was not included so I reached out to Boater's World for a copy and to see if it had been included after all. That is when I first saw this price tag, which we NEVER agreed to. It had been added our loan without our permission or signature. I have asked for a refund and verbally the company agreed to this, but now I am no longer getting any sort of response from the company. I would like a refund for this unauthorized charge.

      Business response

      04/11/2024

      We (Boater's World) are actively working with our customer via phone and email to resolve this unfortunate issue. 
    • Complaint Type:
      Service or Repair Issues
      Status:
      Answered
      Now, I see why the boat dealership has drug this out for over a year. I bought a boat from Boater's World ********* in 09/2022. I was under the understanding that I was buying a new bought until I went to sign the paperwork. They had approved us for a 2021 BlackFin 272cc with 26 hours. They assured us that we were making a better purchase with this boat because we would have two extended warranties totaling $20,000 that would cover more than the factory warranty. The issues started when we bought the boat and took it out for the first time and the bow light didn't work. We were told that lights aren't covered by these warranties. We were told by the finance manager at the time that these warranties would cover the boat from bow to *****. We have taken the boat in numerous times with other issues only to have the boat sit on their lot and nothing resolved. We got excuses such as back orders and supply demand issues. This boat has spent more time on the dealer lot that it has in our actual possession. We have a paper trail that was provided to us by the dealership that shows where we have asked for issues resolve with the boat and there was no action taken to resolve these issues. We are now over a year into ownership of this boat and are unable to sell the boat due to the issues that are not being resolved by the dealership. I have had this boat on consignment with the same company for about six months now and no one has purchased due to the fact that the boat isn't seaworthy in its condition. The latest issue we had was a critical temp alarm going off when the boat idles. The dealership response to us was that it is due for it 150 or 200 hour service despite the fact that we haven't put that many hours on it. This dealership has done nothing but lie to us since we have started this venture over a year ago. And I am to the point where I am sinking financially over this and there seems to be nothing I have been able to do up to this point. I am pleading for help.

      Business response

      02/28/2024

      We have pulled his unit into the shop and are currently working on the unit. We fixed the lower unit and driveshaft housing and also the water pump is due to be repaired, but not completed in its entirety, at some point 12/28/2024. 

      Business response

      02/28/2024

      Some additional updates:
      The starboard engine was found to be overheating at idle only, not under normal 1000+ RPM running conditions.  This has been repaired under good will by replacing the water pump and thermostat.
      The port engine lower unit was found to have poor paint adhesion which our Service Writer was able to contact Mercury and get covered under warranty.  This unit now has a full new lower unit including new water pump. 
      Both the port and starboard engines also got new driveshaft housings covered under warranty due to the same paint adhesion issue.
      The customer mentioned the bilge pump was not working correctly.  This was found to be an issue with the auto float switch.  It and the bilge pump itself have been replaced as good will.
      The customer mentioned the bow navigation light was at some point inoperable.  It and the ***** light were tested and found to be operating correctly.
      The boat is being washed this afternoon and will be ready for transport tomorrow morning. 
      The customer is asked to contact the ****************** to arrange pick up.
    • Complaint Type:
      Service or Repair Issues
      Status:
      Answered
      I purchased a boat under false pretenses the dealer told me the boat motor had only 254 hrs on the motor when it broke down after 2 hrs of use it has actually over ****+ hrs on it I paid ***** dollars for a boat that was misrepresented claiming only to have ***************************************************************************** it only thing they could do is fix the motor thats broken they dont care that the hours are different

      Business response

      06/22/2023

      This boat was purchased 2/2023. The boat was brought into the dealership advising the motor was not working. After running diagnostics, it was determined that the boat was ran with the low oil pressure alarm activated and oil was not placed in the motor when the alarm sounded. The buyer was advised that Boater's World would repair the motor for him. The buyer declined. Records also indicate the the meter showed the correct hours at the time the buyer made the purchase. 
    • Complaint Type:
      Service or Repair Issues
      Status:
      Unanswered
      I was in the process of purchasing a boat, and provided $3,000. Dollars down as requested by the lending agency, Bank of the Ozark (OZK). They delivered the boat and noticed several problems with the boat. No seats where on the boat, fish finder was exposed to the sun and melted in its place on the dash. I took it for a quick test drive and noticed that the boat would not plane out. I was informed that Jack ***** was to high. I didnt have time to further test the boat and took it out the first thing in the morning. I was driving the boat and the boat stalled. I was able to start the boat back up and tried to proceed down a canal to the lake. The boat would no longer move more then a couple mile per hour. It was obvious there was something wrong with the motor. I called the salesman immediately and later the finance department. I asked them to pick the boat up that to many thinks where wrong with the boat and to please return my down payment. The business, Lake Placid, never filed the loan application per OZK. *** made several attempts to contact Boaters World to no avail. None of my ****** are being returned.
    • Complaint Type:
      Service or Repair Issues
      Status:
      Unanswered
      I purchased a used boat for $39,000. in January 2022. It was used and I asked if all the dials and instruments worked. The sales guy Cliff said yes they all work. When they delivered the boat and put it in the water- I drove it away. The gas gauge was full which they said they would do. It never changed form full after I was using the boat. Finally I went to fill it up and it took 20 gallons. The gauge did not work I called Cliff and he sent me to **** the service manager. **** said they would send someone to fix it. They never did. Then they told me the new service manager was ***. I talked to him and he said the same thing. They never fixed tix I called but was told it was now my problem. I just want them to fix it. Thanks
    • Complaint Type:
      Product Issues
      Status:
      Unanswered
      Last Fall I decided to sell my boat on consignment and was looking for a fairly large boat dealership. When I called I was transferred to an employee named ****** ******, a boat consignment specialist for the company. I explained to him how much I wanted for the vessel, and he quickly drew up a legal contract. The next morning he personally drove down to my home and picked up the boat where he listed it for sale on his lot for a couple of months. Boaters world sold my boat in January of 2022, and I have not yet received the contracted amount I am owed. They are holding my money and when I call ****** ****** he just refers me to his accounting department and replies with we are working on it...

    Some consumers may elect to not publish the details of their complaints, some complaints may not meet BBB's standards for publication, or BBB may display a portion of complaints when a high volume is received for a particular business.

    BBB Business Profiles may not be reproduced for sales or promotional purposes.

    BBB Business Profiles are provided solely to assist you in exercising your own best judgment. BBB asks third parties who publish complaints, reviews and/or responses on this website to affirm that the information provided is accurate. However, BBB does not verify the accuracy of information provided by third parties, and does not guarantee the accuracy of any information in Business Profiles.

    When considering complaint information, please take into account the company's size and volume of transactions, and understand that the nature of complaints and a firm's responses to them are often more important than the number of complaints.

    BBB Business Profiles generally cover a three-year reporting period. BBB Business Profiles are subject to change at any time. If you choose to do business with this business, please let the business know that you contacted BBB for a BBB Business Profile.

    As a matter of policy, BBB does not endorse any product, service or business.