Boat Specialists Reviews 351

TrustScore 4.5 out of 5

4.7

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Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Just amazing. I was looking for a specific motor that most shops were running me around on. With Boat Specialists, I was able to get confirmation that I was making a good choice and talk to someone th... See more

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

I thought I would get better service & pricing from a Marine outfitter if it were closer to my home town & state. Kodiak, Alaska. That wasn't the case. Neither Washington or Oregon state marine outlet... See more

Company replied

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

I was a bit nervous about taking advantage of a great boat deal from Boat Specialists, being 3100 miles away... But, Kyle made it all easy by doing all the paperwork and arranging my purchase of a ne... See more

Company replied

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

I bought a Highfield Rib and 9,9 Merc. Prices were great and so was the service. I picked up my boat in Ventura, so I saw their operation and met the staff. They have a big, well stocked showroom, and... See more

Company replied

Company details

  1. Boat Dealer
  2. Boat Accessories Store
  3. Boat Repair Shop

Written by the company

Founded in Ventura, CA, in 1976, Boat Specialists has provided outstanding service, competitive pricing, and an excellent selection of boats and outboard motors to the boating community. Boat Specialists is an authorized dealership for all the major boat, outboard, and trailer brands, including Sea Fox, Barletta, Zodiac, Yamaha, Honda, Achilles, AB, Avon, Mercury, Tohatsu, Torqeedo, and more. With locations in Southern California and the San Francisco Bay, and over 50,000 square feet of showroom and warehouse space, we are able to offer our customers the very best selection of boats, outboards, trailers, parts, and accessories at unbeatable prices!


Contact info

4.7

Excellent

TrustScore 4.5 out of 5

351 reviews

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1-star

Replied to 33% of negative reviews

Typically replies within 1 month

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Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Just amazing

Just amazing. I was looking for a specific motor that most shops were running me around on. With Boat Specialists, I was able to get confirmation that I was making a good choice and talk to someone that provided great advice. I was able to place the order quickly online and receive the motor quickly. I'll gladly come back for additional purchases going forward after being treated so well.

February 24, 2026
Rated 5 out of 5 stars

ONE STOP SHOP

Great place! Great people!
Boat Specialists has a awesome show room, Avery nice parts shop, and a solid
Web based store even a catalog.
I purchased a nice small RIB and a Honda motor. The help through the process was very good.

January 24, 2026
Rated 2 out of 5 stars

I was never contacted by sales to set…

I was never contacted by sales to set up a delivery appt . When I checked myself the motor had been sitting for days at the Atlanta break point terminal. No maintenance receipt for.my re words was sent to me either about the pre testing before delivery or the type of oil used or gear lube so I could match it.

January 15, 2026
Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Fast shipping

Fast shipping! Quality product

February 4, 2026
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Reply from Boat Specialists

Thanks, Scott, for your business!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

I’ve done business with this company many times and they can totally be trusted to back up their product…

I’ve bought from you guys a few times and I’m always impressed on how fast you get the product out. I looked everywhere for the end piece for my foot pump so that I could fill up my inflatable and couldn’t find it. You guys were the only ones that had it .

January 9, 2026
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Reply from Boat Specialists

Thanks, Monte, for your continued business. Glad to hear we had the part for the pump you needed. We appreciate the review and hope you have a great time out on the water!

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

BUYERS BEWARE!!!

BUYERS BEWARE!!!

Ive actually really wanted to write a positive review and held off since July 2025 to allow Boat Specialist to resolve all the issues Ive had with them. But today, after 6 months I'm at the end of my patience and since some of you are praising James Doer, then some of you know who manages the Service Department.

I bought a brand new 2025 Ranger Tug R23 or at least I thought I did, but since there was crap in the holding tank when I received it, Im starting to think it was used.

I paid for a Radar to be installed before it was delivered. When the boat was delivered to me in the Marina, immediately I discovered the radar I paid to have installed did not work. The water pump didn't work. I got 1 key when it should be 2. The holding tank had crap in it. The solar system charger didn't work. The outboard motor sat in the water in full lift and there was no bottom paint to protect it even when I paid for bottom paint to be applied to the boat. The excuse for that was the Buyer needed to ask for it...How would a Bulyer know the outboard motor wouldnt come out the water fully? The Service Dept agreed to trailer the boat back to fix the Radar and fix the water pump and all issues Ive identified and advised it can be done when the boat comes back in for the 20 hr breaking in service, which I agreed would be a good time. When it finally was picked up for service and returned 1 month later, the boat was returned but did not have the bottom paint on the outboard that I had agreed to pay additionally for. Before the boat was taken off their trailer, I spoke to James Doer who promised he would trailer it back to do the bottom paint as it should had been done before it was returned to me. So again he advised I can use my boat and then later he'll work out a time to trailer it back to finish the bottom paint that they had forgotten to have done. Few weeks later, Boat Specialist trailers my boat back to their shop to do the bottom paint on the motor and I also paid to have some service done on my Bow Thrusters and Windless Anchor... 3 weeks later my boat was returned from BS and put back into the water and as their delivery guy pushed us off from the dock, we discovered the Bow Thruster didnt work! It was supposed to be fixed, but again BS does NOT verify that repairs were actually completed. Again James Doer said he'll send a tech out in a few weeks to repair it. Yet again, I've been patient with Boat Specialist. I waited for the tech to come out and they did repair the Bow Thruster several weeks later. Just as I thought every issue had been resolved, there's more.

What's the problem now? I just learned the 20 hr break-in service that was supposed to have been done the first time Boat Specialist trailered my boat back to fix the Radar and other issues was never done! My boat is at its 50 hr service alert and I now discovered Boat Specialist never did the 20 hr break-in.

Is it fair from the multiple instances where this Service Department failed to complete work that they were suppose to do for me to say that the people managing it has FAILED and do not give a rip for our boats in their shop? I have asked that Boat Specialist do the right thing, but as he claimed that theres no written record that I asked for the 20 hr service to be done, he has decided to not recall that we spoke on the phone that I wanted the 20 hr break-in service...today he just conveniently forgot that request was made because he forgot to have it done months ago and returned my boat anyways.

If the Service Department's performance is any measure of how Boat Specialist ensures their product is quality and their service is aimed to satisfy customers, then they have failed at least me... If I am that one unlucky person to have the WORST experience dealing with them... I whole heartedly hope you will not be the next. Or perhaps I am one of many... BUYER BEWARE!!!! GOOD LUCK.

I WOULD NOT RECOMMEND. Dont let the charm and smiles fool you.

December 18, 2025
Unprompted review
Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Good price

Good price, prompt shipping. Can't ask for more, thanks!

November 12, 2025
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Reply from Boat Specialists

Thank you for your business and taking the time to leave a review!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

I had a few issues getting the…

I had a few issues getting the inflatable Achilles that I wanted. Jennifer in Ventura and Bryan in Richmond stuck with it and got everything on track. Both are great people to work with.

September 9, 2025
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Reply from Boat Specialists

We are happy to hear our team was able to get you the Achilles you wanted. Thank you for your business, and happy boating!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Great customer care.

Great price. Timely delivery. Resolved address issue before shipping. Great customer service. Product is installed and ready for action!

September 17, 2025
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Reply from Boat Specialists

Thank you, Colleen, for your business and for taking the time to leave a review. Have a great day!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

David made the process super easy

David made the process super easy. Everything I wanted, they had and shipped right to my door. Overall a great experience buying my new motor and tiller arm. 10/10!

August 24, 2025
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Reply from Boat Specialists

Thank you for your business and happy boating!

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