Out of State Buyers Beware – This is a Fix it on the Backend Dealer In July I purchased a 2008 Moomba as is. I had the dealer run the boat, I checked out the engine, saw a few little things (like water marks on the risers indicating a need to change the gaskets), but it was clean. To be clear, I did not make them put it in the water. Deal seemed smooth; I picked up the boat and immediately dropped it in the water. The husband took the boat to the dock, and I took the trailer to the storage. The boat was not lake worthy and took on water like it was its job. No problem – it has a bilge, right? Wrong. Bilge made noise, but that was it. I could not get the trailer, so it became quite the scene on the lake. My pump did not fit in the bilge access, so I hightailed it to Menards and picked up a smaller pump so we could keep it from sinking overnight. The entire lake watched as the two people who everyone calls when they have engine problems had their new DLWS boat sink. As I was filling out my 11% Menards rebate, I figured I had better report in and let DLWS know the boat didn’t float and they likely had some service recovery work to do because EVERYONE saw it. In the email I asked Jim for the service records because once we got into the engine compartment, we could tell the bilge was improperly installed. Interesting. DLWS said they maintained the boat, so I was worried. I was never able to get the service records; Jim doesn’t leverage this neat service we have in Indiana called “mail.” It is way more convenient than asking me to travel 3 hours to fill out forms he neglected to execute while I was on-site. Jim then told me he was sorry for the issue that I could not have predicted. I was now annoyed, but wait, it gets better! Jim did not tell the sales manager or dealership owner this boat didn’t float. How do I know this? Because the sales manager approached the man I had fix the leak while he was water testing it. $1,500 later I was able to start using it, which is how I promptly found out the following: • High pressure fuel pump was bad, engine starved beyond idle • Speaker fell off the tower while driving • Linkage problem with the trans, no reverse • Once it floated and kind of ran, I found it LOVES to turn right, so much so it is dangerous. Will report back on this one as season ran out. The reason I say this is a fix it on the backend dealer: • My boat didn’t float. This shows DLWS did not water test this boat. If they did, they would have found the fuel pump, too. And the bilge. • My neighbor to the left bought a boat last year and the trim did not work, cover did not fit. DLWS pulled the pontoon and fixed it, on the backend. • My neighbor to the right got his boat back from storage and it was filled with acorns and critter nesting materials. A critter also chewed a line causing a leak. DLWS sent the boat to him like this in the spring and then fixed it on the back end in the fall. • DLWS fixes things for customers on the lake I don’t think they should fix, which is odd. DLWS would have fixed these things for me, but that is not a good business practice. The business runs the risk of a customer fixing it themselves and penning a review. Case law says boats should float they leave the lot. If anyone who wasn’t mechanically inclined would have purchased this boat, it would have been on the bottom of the lake. So why write the review now? Because one of Jim’s colleagues has that fancy Indiana tech called “mail” but doesn’t know quite how to use it yet. The plate showed up postage due, and I lost my MIND. In short, if you buy from DLWS and live out of state put the boat in the water before leaving because there is a good chance something will need to be fixed, which they will do, but on the backend. Christine (because she tried to kill me 3 times) still wasn’t running well when I pulled her. Moomba makes a very basic and dependable boat; I will have her purring next spring. Michael, did you know this happened? Who wins the bet - me or the old timers on Goose?

Devil's Lake Water Sports was a pleasure to deal with! Jim was very knowledgeable on the different boat brands and models that I was looking at, even coming in on one of his off days to show me the boat I ultimately settled on. The boat was delivered to my home lake a couple of hours away and the entire process could not have been more smooth.

Took the four hour trip to purchase a used ski. Everyone from ownership, sales staff, and mechanics were nothing but amazing. Made pickup easy and seamless. Would definitely take the drive to do business with again.

Introduced to Devil’s Lake Water Sports at the Novi Boat Show, right off the bat Chris was very helpful! He was patient with all of our questions & wasn’t pushy at all. After looking at other options and other vendors we decided to go with Devil’s Lake. Ended up going with the boat we fell in love with at the show, Chris ordered it in the color/specs we wanted. Made the purchase process easy and enjoyable, two high quality beach towels to commemorate the occasion! Picking up the boat was even easier and they made sure everything was right, took time to review any questions we had. The boat delivery gentleman was also super friendly and kind! Would absolutely recommend Devil’s Lake Water Sports!

I drove from North Carolina to buy a boat that was listed online. Chris was awesome to work with and very detailed and responsive through the whole process. When I arrived to pick up the boat it was in the shop ready to go and cleaned up to perfection. The technician was extremely helpful and went though everything on the boat and trailer to ensure it was ready for the 700 mile drive back home. I have bought a number of boats (new and used) and by far this was the best experience. I would not hesitate to buy another boat from Chris and the team at Devil's Lake water Sports. Thank you all for making my boat buying experience a positive one!