Darrin's Auto & Marine

We stopped by here to ask some simple questions to decide whether or not we needed to see about repairing our boat. The lady at the desk was incredibly rude and unprofessional. We understand that we're not boat experts but we are boat owners and see no need in spending hundreds of dollars if it is something we can fix ourselves. We have no idea if the work they do is good work because we never made it past the poor personality of the receptionist.

Liars, cheats, shady, if you like those three things your dealing with the right people here. I will never take anything I own to this place period, never in a million years, they tear stuff up on your boat and when you get to the water and come straight back to the shop guess what? It's your fault? Somehow a 6 minute drive to the water and you break several random things on your boat that has 30 hours on the motor? I don't think so nobody is going to fall for that Darrin NOBODY! Even if you don't believe everything in this review I hope it puts enough doubt where you will choose another shop... you will be thanking me for this review trust me

best mechanic on the coast. they have been taking care of my boats since Katrina. great people.

Stay away. Darrin’s Marine, here are facts: We dropped our boat off to be checked out to see if my husband damaged U joints. But according to you, we didn’t damage any U-joints or anything else… however, you miraculously found another, separate problem (gimbal bolt), that pre-dated his concern and just so happened to cost nearly a thousand dollars. We didn’t think a thing of it; we never dreamed we’d be getting tricked or ripped off; even though he made it clear that we were brand new boat owners and were still learning. Here is another fact: When he dropped it off to you, the trim sender and speedometer were in perfect condition. When we picked it up from you, it wasn’t. The simple fact that you tried to charge us for what was clearly your responsibility is both shady and unprofessional. Once you did that, I look back at the gimbal bolt and immediately wonder whether or not the job you did was even necessary…or if it was just more shady business. What you did was shady. You know it and we know it. If that was you “helping” me and my family, for God’s sake…please stop. But do not start a facebook/internet review battle with us; your best bet is to stop while you’re only slightly behind. We will simply agree to disagree. If you wish to continue down this road, we will definitely walk it with you. If not, we can tell you that we will never visit your business again nor will we ever recommend you and will leave it at that.

To G.S., Shannon Magee, And Scott R. (Mr. Baxter)



I would like to say that the story is a more compassionate than you have lead others to believe. You came to Darrin's with a problem caused by flushing out the motor with the outdrive all the way up. The concern was you may have damaged the u-joints. You requested the boat be checked and hopefully repaired within the 4 days until the weekend, because you had plans to use it with the family. Darrin informed you that we would be able to check the boat for damage before the weekend; however, it was not likely that if damage was present we would be able complete it before the weekend. As a result, we pulled the outdrive to check the condition of the U-joints and discovered water in the bellows and damaged gimbal bearing. Our office staff contacted you with the estimate to repair the bellows and gimbal bearing and you approved the repair. Darrin's Auto & Marine was able to make the repairs thanks to the tech staying late to finish the job, enabling you to keep your family plans of an outing. I do remember your thanks and appreciation when we let you know that these issues where fixed.



In regards to the return visit for the trim sender and speedometer, we are not responsible for the problems. It is unfortunate that they occurred and we gave a fair estimate. The way a speedometer works is: the gauge requires the pressure of the water entering inlet at the bottom of the outdrive to properly read the speed the vessel is traveling. Any obstruction of the inlet will cause inaccurate reads or no reading at all. We cleaned out the speedometer inlet free of charge, even though we did not cause the problem.



The trim sender reads ohms resistance in reference to the angle of the drive. We tested the electrical device, it showed no resistance. This is an electrical product and is under water when the vessel is in use. Trim senders fail at any point in time due to these conditions.



To address the estimate given to repair the trim sender, the part needed was 805320A03 a trim sender kit for Mercury. The after-market parts can turn into a nightmare and end up costing you more money in the long run.



To further assist your understanding and hopefully ease your distrust, I located a forum discussing these problems, please take a moment to read this before verbally bashing a company that worked very hard to ensure that the plans you made with your family for that weekend were not interrupted.

Here is the link:

http://forums.iboats.com/forum/engine-repair-and-maintenance/mercruiser-i-o-inboard-engines-outdrives/451205-less-than-a-year-on-a-trim-limit-switch-and-exhaust-bellows

they treated us like we were bugging them and also that we had no idea what we were talking about. They found 'a major problem' - but come to find out... it really was just routine maintenance.When we got our boat back, it had NEW issues - and they said we probably broke it when we put it in the water upon return!!! Are you kidding me????They would not fix what THEY BROKE. In fact, they said it would be $100 for the part which I found online for $60!!! This place is a JOKE - waste of TIME MONEY AND ENERGY. Do NOT spend your money

These people are very shady - they overcharge for parts and are NOT customer friendly at all.



They seem to always find an issue....



DO NOT GO TO THIS PLACE. Find somewhere else to spend your hard-earned $$$.

I took my boat in to have it checked out for an issue a couple of weeks ago. After about a week, they checked it out and $900 later I pick up my boat. I immediately took my boat out for a test run to find that the speedometer and the trim gauge do not work (they worked when I brought the boat to Darrens). I bring my boat straight back and let them know that they forgot to hook up something or...whatever, but to correct whatever they'd done. Three days later, the lady calls to tell me that the speedometer was just dirty but that the trim sender was bad and it was going to cost $300 to fix it ($120 for the part; $200 labor). I drive up to talk to Darren and figure out why they are trying to charge me for something that they did. He refuses to admit that he or his team broke my trim sender. Not only was he trying to charge me over a hundred dollars for a $60 part, he is now trying to flat out rip me off. I just picked up my boat and left. This place is flat out shady. I will never visit this business again.