Reviews

This profile includes reviews for BOTE LLC's headquarters and its corporate-owned locations. To view all corporate locations, see Find Local Branches.

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  BOTE LLC

  12598 Emerald Coast Pkwy UNIT 200 Miramar Beach, FL 32550-2101

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  BOTE LLC

  383 Harbor Blvd Destin, FL 32541-2323

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  BOTE LLC

  32 E County Higway 30 A Santa Rosa Beach, FL 32459

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  BOTE LLC

  158 Miracle Strip Pkwy SE STE A Fort Walton Beach, FL 32548-5883

Review Details

• Review fromJoseph A

  Date: 01/21/2025

  1 star

  Joseph A

  Date: 01/21/2025

  The kayak I received was defective straight out of the box, the seams were peeling up in multiple spots on both sides of the boat. There were also scratches all over both sides of it through the graphics and hull. The scratches were covered up with what appears to be touch up paint streaks running down both sides, that look pretty awful. I contacted them about it immediately and while they did respond, all they did was deflect it and tell me that “the great news is that it doesn’t affect how it floats).. well on the seams that is yet to be seen but on the aesthetics of it. I certainly did not pay over $1500 for a kayak that is defective in multiple ways straight out of the box. The paddle they sent was also defective, it came with two rights and no left. So one of the paddles was upside down, also one of the lock holes was not machined correctly so it didn’t secure into place. After expressing my concerns to Bote support, they acknowledged that the kayak and paddle were defective. However placed all of the blame on their manufacturer and said it’s a warranty issue between me and them. However something that is defective straight out of the box is not a warranty issue it is something that Bote should directly take care of since it was zero fault of mine and I bought the kayak from Bote, not their manufacturer. I requested a refund numerous times, they refused. They have offered to replace the kayak but do not have the one that I ordered in stock so I’d have to pick a different color. They also offered to accept a return minus a 20% restocking fee and I have to pay for return shipping (on a kayak that they acknowledge as defective). I’ve submitted a dispute with my credit card company in hopes that they can speak on my behalf and get my money back. I should not be forced to accept a defective kayak, that I didn’t order, or pay heavy fees to return it. I have proof (pictures, videos, emails, etc.) I left several reviews on their website that were deleted also.

  BOTE LLC

  Date: 01/24/2025

  Hi there,

   

  Yes, we did offer to replace the kayak under our warranty policy. When warranty issues arise, we offer a replacement. If you'd like a refund, you would need to return the product. We are happy to replace with an in-stock option.

  Joseph A

  Date: 02/06/2025

  This had nothing to do with a warranty issue, your company self admittedly sent me a defective kayak and paddle straight out of the box. That is such a dishonest although not surprising at all response. While yes, you did offer to refund me PART of my money. However you also want me to pay for return shipping and are still trying to charge me a 20% restocking fee. While it is outrageous that you would charge me for shipping on a defective product, it is absolutely absurd that you would charge me a restocking fee on it! Bote was also unable to replace the kayak because they did not have it in stock and did not know when it would be back in stock. So instead of doing the right thing and taking ownership of their mistake and refunding me, they’re still trying to force me to pick a different kayak other than the one I ordered. I’ve discovered in the meantime that all of the reviews I have left for your products (and likely many others) on your website and social media pages are promptly deleted. Reviews that your company has even solicited from me and thanked me for by sending me $10 gift cards to post. As far as I’m concerned doing so amounts to fraud as your company knows about the defects and attempts to trap customers with defective products or spending hundreds of dollars to get part of their money back. While suppressing any negative information from getting to potential customers. In short, BOTE is up there with the shadiest companies I’ve ever been unfortunate enough to have to deal with.

• Review fromChelsea R

  Date: 07/19/2024

  1 star

  Chelsea R

  Date: 07/19/2024

  The HD Gatorshell Paddle Board has a known defect that may not show up until 3 years later which has left me with a $2k paperweight. A customer service representative at BOTE admitted to this known defect and told me they didn't know why it was happening and they were still investigating. I was told by the senior manager that as it was outside of warranty that they could only offer me a replacement for 50% off. But why would I give them anymore money after this incident? They are still selling these defective boards. They have made no notification to the public, recall, nor file a report with the coast guards defective product reporting system. If my board was beaten up ormistreated, I could understand refusing to replace ir repair it, but this case clearly deserves an exception as my board is in great condition and should have been usable for years to come. Not anymore. You can see my review on Google on the BOTE Manufacturing store in Miramar, FL with the pictures of the e-mails from customer service and my paddle board. On that same store, you will see another review by a man, Jeremy James, who had the same issue as well. Also that gatorshell technology on the side is strong, but whatever is on the top is some of the thinnest plastic I've ever seen. I'm not surprised it is peeling and cracking.

  BOTE LLC

  Date: 07/22/2024

  Hi Chelsea,

  It is very clear in our warranty policy that the boards are covered for 1 year from date of purchase. Your board is well outside of the warranty window. Within the warranty time-frame no problem at all replacing under warranty. I have included a link to our warranty policy below.

   

  The board is absolutely still seaworthy and will have no impact to the performance. This is a cosmetic issue that is happening outside of the warranty window.

   

  https://www.boteboard.com/pages/bote-warranty

• Review fromFrank C

  Date: 05/24/2023

  1 star

  Frank C

  Date: 05/24/2023

  My experience with bote started off amazingly I got a dues used and fell in love thinking if I bought one of there top of the line hardboards it would be even better but that is where things went wrong I ordered a rackham bugslinger in gatorshell to start shipping was a nightmare don't get me started on that but after receiving the board I noticed that it seemed like the gatorshell was thin and not as tough as advertised and cosmetic parts were just falling off I tried to trade it in before even considering using it for the areo version after being shot down I decided to make the best out of it and just baby it to hopefully make it last but on my 3rd time out on it I stepped near the front of the board and heard a loud pop and it kinda gave way after inspection I noticed it cracked the gatorshell the board seems soft there and it's been going on 3 days with customer service and I'm getting tired of it I really like the boards and brand but after this I recommend staying as far away as possible

  BOTE LLC

  Date: 05/25/2023

  I have fully reviewed all of the correspondences with this customer and this was previously resolved. We made an exception and the board was exchanged for an Aero board. The product team did inspect in person and there was no manufacturing defects found. The paint was damaged as was acknowledged, but no integral damage was done to the board. It looked like the paint was purposefully peeled off and damaged. 

• Review fromGerald W

  Date: 04/10/2023

  1 star

  Gerald W

  Date: 04/10/2023

  After spending a few days talking with Bote about problems with my wife's paddle board that was purchased May 2021 I decided to share it publicly. You can see the delamination of the "Gatorshell". I have seen several reports of this on the internet. This is less than 1 1/2 old and when not in use it is in a case. These are the expensive end of paddle boards @ $1533.00. Bote takes no responsibility for this substandard product as they are only warrantied for 1 year. They advised that the repair procedure is to have a repair shop remove the shell and epoxy glass the board. Removing the shell also removes the deck pad and all the graphics. They do not sell replacement deck pads or new graphics. The only thing they offered is 30% off retail on a new "Gatorshell" board with the same future problems. The repair will cost more than the new board. Their claim is, “ABS Plastic combined with ballistics grade composites engineered to be 6X tougher than traditional epoxy.” They asked if the board spent time in the sun. It does only when in use. My old epoxy Bote Rackam board is still in great shape, and it has spent at least 10X more time in the sun. “Gatorshell” is an ABS coating which has very good impact resistance but requires UV protection. I’m thinking that is the issue. I ‘m still hoping that Bote will do the right thing but if not, this is where we part ways. It is a shame as this is the 5th Bote board we have owned.

  BOTE LLC

  Date: 04/11/2023

  Unfortunately I was not able to find any record of correspondence we have had with the customer nor a record of purchase. It is very possible it was purchased from a dealer. Regardless, we do have a 1 year warranty policy on our Gatorshell boards which is attached below. Outside of warranty we are happy to offer an alternative solution such as a discount on a new product. https://www.boteboard.com/pages/bote-warranty

• Review fromBrandon C

  Date: 07/28/2022

  1 star
  Same as the others. I bought 2 HD aero boards. Bought both 7/16/22. One was purchased at a local board dealer one was purchased at dicks sporting goods. The first time I put air in one board a massive bubble the size of my fist, one the size of a golf ball, and 8+ the size of a quarter popped up under the deck padding. I am in the boat business and we replace this padding all the time on swim platforms because bubbles spread and cause the entire pad to fail. Reached out to Bote they said "that's cosmetic. Poke holes in it". Wait, poke holes in the padding on top of a paddle board so water can get in there and cause the entire pad to release on a fresh out of the box board? My boat OEM's replace this padding when it fails just like this. Well we did the needle per BOTE. Now the foam padding is so stretched that it will not stick down and it is puffed up. Now the tail padding is curling up. Bote's solution...Buy some glue, fix it yourself. Now after a week I have air bubbles coming up all down the side rail of the board just under the seams. Guess what that means. They will grow just like the others and cause the seems to fail. So we sent pictures of this over in the same thread. Guess what we were told? Cosmetic again. Yup the vinyl on the side separating is cosmetic as well. I guess your others customers that had boards like this and then had a complete blow out....those blow outs are just cosmetic too? Well sir I cannot warranty a defective item. "I can get this over to my manager when she come back to work. You did not buy direct so you do not have the return policy. Contact the dealer you purchased from". Oh great. So I just hang out with a $1534 board failure while YOUR manager is on vacation? Seems fair. So I contact the local dealer, Murphs surf shop, and they say "Bote is huge we are just a dealer. We cant take returns because we dont get support from them either". I am not asking for a refund. I am asking for a swap to a board that free from defects. Jesus

• Review fromJonathan R

  Date: 07/23/2022

  1 star

  Jonathan R

  Date: 07/23/2022

  Purchased one of there most expensive models in a package. The lono aero with peddle drive in a bug slinger finish. Upon arrival one of the clips that holds the $800 additional ordeal drive system to the kayak. After inflating the kayak and placing it in the water the kayak is leaking air. I've sent numerous support and customer service request to Bote on their own website submission with zero response when it says 1-2 days. I've reached out to them on social Media with zero response. I'm 1 month into owning a 4K dollar inflatable paper weight and out 4K. I can't even call the customer service horrible it's non existent and based off other reviews I should have checked before buying sounds like it's the norm with this company. Buy a different brand any brand you'll be happier.

  BOTE LLC

  Date: 07/25/2022

  Hi ********,
  
  We have not received any correspondence from you after searching for your email address, last name and multiple spellings of your first. We also do not have any record of an order from you as well. Could you please email [email protected] with your order information and pictures of the area that is leaking. We are happy to help but have nothing in any of our systems regarding your purchase or the issue you have been experiencing. Our customer service line is 888-855-4450.
  
  Thank you

  Jonathan R

  Date: 07/25/2022

  I have sent multiple requests for comment tact via links on your own support page of your website. Maybe you should check in house as you didn't respond to even social media request as it appears this is a issue isn't mine alone based on the reviews on your social media. I hope a can resell this. I was huge on boasting for bote when I got it now I wish I never wasted the money. No record? That's cute even a bigger concern

  Jonathan R

  Date: 07/25/2022

  ORDER #S118451

  BOTE LLC

  Date: 07/26/2022

  Hi ********,
  
  I was able to locate the order which was under the name of ******* and had a typo in the last name. I did run the email associated with that email address and only found an email from you looking for a shipping status update which was resolved to your satisfaction. We still have not received any further correspondence. If you could please file a warranty claim here https://www.boteboard.com/pages/bote-warranty or email [email protected] we are happy to help.
  
  Thanks