The Boat Grotto

From what I've heard and seen from boat owners is that Mario is an arrogant hack!

Mario and his mechanic Caser came down today to our Maxim 40 foot powerboat in America Cup harbor to troubleshoot a performance problem with the starboard engine Mercruiser inboard. Based on prior telephone conversations with Mario, they suspected the ignition control module. They had one on the truck and installed it within 45 minutes or so. Apparently this component has been problematic in the past and the replacement part they installed was an upgraded version redesigned to better resist corrosion. We went out on a sea trial together and voila, problem solved! Two other seasoned mechanics couldn’t figure out the problem. It made me a believer that there is something to be said for hiring a Mercruiser factory authorized mechanic if you have this type of engine, as they have the specific tools and knowledge on how to troubleshoot these increasingly electrically complex engines. Add me to the list of satisfied Boat Grotto customers!

Went to the Grotto without my motor to get an estimate for my Yamaha Mariner 40 hp repaired. Told the guys the motor was running rough, not holding at idle and eventually wouldn’t start anymore. They quickly informed me the motor was shot and repairs would cost more than the motor was worth. They showed me a 50 horse for $ 1800 or $ 1500 cash with an additional $ 500 cash to install on my boat.
Went home, inspected the plugs and they were only slightly fouled so I figured the problem must be with the fuel system and or the 2 carbs. Checked the fuel filter and lines and all was good. Told my adult son that we had nothing to lose so we pulled off both carbs and disassembled taking many pictures to be able to reassemble. Removed mixing screws and counted the revolutions. After the complete disassemble (all screws, springs, rubber, needles, floats, and compartments) we soaked in an old pail of carb cleaner, washed parts, brushed off build-​up and then reassembled recounting the screw revolutions. We reattached to the motor, and tried to start the motor.
ONE pull and it fired up, idled beautifully, revved up and ran better than it has ever run!
Have been out on the ocean twice and I could not be happier with the results and performance.
I would have paid a reasonable amount for this service but I was discouraged from the beginning and steered to a newer motor purchase that was unnecessary.
All ended well — I saved $ 2000 for a few hours of work.
Just to clarify — I did NOT want to buy a used motor, I wanted mine repaired.
Instead of telling me I had to bring my motor in for an accurate estimate I was QUICKLY told my motor was shot, without seeing it! I was shown a used motor but was NEVER offered advice or an opinion as to my motor problems — I figured it out on my own.
The ONLY thing gained by visiting The Grotto was an impetus to fix it myself!
Some people can put a very creative and defensive spin on an honest review of what ACTUALLY happened on my visit there.

As a boat owner we can can all agree there is one thing a boat is going to do.
Break.
When that happens finding a shop that can handle your needs, adjust to your needs and stay within a fair price is very hard to find.
Mario and his staff never sold me anything I did not need.
Nor did I feel pressured to purchase anything more than what was promised.
They kept me informed every step of the way during my boats recent repower.
If you own a boat.
Want top rate service.
And you are willing to pay a fair price for great service.
Put Marios number in your phone.
Thanks Mario and staff
Great Job
Jason Reynolds
CEO Reynolds Contracting, Inc

As a 1^st time boat owner, i had The Boat Grotto come out and do a pre-​purchase inspection. I was given an estimate of 3 hours and almost $ 400 to do the inspection. They came out and he was so familiar with the boat, that it only took 1 hour– $ 120 invoice.
The boat needed a few repairs and I was heading out of town. So, Mario went and picked the boat up for me from the previous owner, (turns out he fell in love with the previous owner’s wife while he was out there :-) took it into his shop (the boat) and had all of the work done for a reasonable price.
They were very informative along the way. Sending me photos at 10pm at night of the sea trial, and worked with us on the budget. He’s a busy guy, but quite surprisingly, he is thorough.
I was only kidding about him falling for the wife, but they are definitely a reputable company by my experience!
Dan T.

I took the boat I was buying off from Craigslist back in May 2014 to Mario’s shop and he really did everything to cover my basis as a first time boat buyer.
He inspected the boat and told me the areas that I should be concerned and how I should negotiate with the buyer. The buyer’s boat turned out to a bent propeller shaft which was clear to see but he explained that it would be trouble down the line so we negotiated that with the buyer. He even did a background check on the title without charging me. My buying experience would have been a wreck if it wasn’t for him.
Although I live in LA and wish I could take my boat to his shop for maintenance, he’s nice enough to answer questions when I call him. Great guy, great shop.

Mario had my boat for over two weeks and couldn’t get things fixed so he told me that I needed a new engine. I felt like he was being dishonest so I went somewhere else. They fix it the same day and I wouldn’t recommend the boat grotto to anyone ever!

I have been going to Mario for years and couldn’t write a higher recommendation for someone. He has always been so fair and helpful. He has always treated me like a friend and I couldn’t ask for more. His team will never recommend any work unless it is absolutely needed. The team sends photo updates to let you know how things are going and what things are looking like –such a nice touch. Having been in a family business, I can say without hesitation that he knows exactly what «customer service» really means. Once you go to visit Mario, you will never consider going anywhere else. Mario and Boat Grotto Rock !!!

These guys are honest, straightforward and their prices are on par with if not better than the competition. I have an old 78 Glastron 18ft that ended up needing quite a bit of work. Turned out it blew a head gasket and was a costly repair, when I mentioned to Mario that I would be over budget on repairs he offered to let me make payments-​same as cash! I will be taking my boat here for all scheduled maintenance and would highly recommend the boat grotto. Also as a side note, these guys work on $ 100K+ rigs and didn’t hesitate to take my little $ 3K bay boat and fix her up.

Horrible Customer Service:
I called because their website shows a picture of a SeaDoo and says clearly that they service SeaDoos. (See the link below) Well when I called to set up an appointment I was told that they don’t and he quickly couldn’t care less that I was a potential customer and rudely said he had to go and just hung up the phone on me while I was in mid sentence trying to ask him something else. How did he know I that I didn’t have a boat too that needed servicing. guess he didn’t care to wait to see what I was going to ask him next. Lost a customer. Extremely Rude!
To the owner if you don’t want people bothering you then I suggest you take down this false advertising from your website so you can stop wasting everyone’s time. So annoying…

Straight Shooters. Good people.

Mario at the Boat Grotto went above and beyond to repair my trailer. He went to bat for me with the fabricator when the new axles were not correct. The Boat Grotto is the type of business you want to do business with.

What a wonderful place. Mario is top notch. Helped me out on my boat. Had a fault code causing am alarm and sending the engine into safe mode. Drove by and was able to pin point with in a few minutes. Honest and polite plus knowledgeable. That’s tough to find all 3 these days. Plus they service all the sheriff boats. So that says something in itself. Thank you all for the kind help. Being a dealer myself. You have not seen the last of me. My new shop.

8÷8÷2011 Edit «
About 5 years ago my Volvo-​Penta engine counter-​rotated, sucked in salt water, and the now closed Escondido Four Winns dealer let the motor sit with salt water in the engine for a week. The cause of the engine running backwards was never determined, or put another way, the guys at Boatland could not figure it out. About 2 years later the boat engine counter-​rotated again, and also had issues even starting. Becuase this was on a Sunday, I called all over San Diego looking for an open repair facility or a mobile mechanic. Mario (the Boat Grotto) owner happened to answer the phone, immediately diagnosed my problem as a defective $ 35 ignition switch, and told me how to make sure no water got sucked into the engine. The next day he replaced my ignition switch. I had dealt with the VP of Technical Service at Volvo Penta and he could not come up with this cause of the problem. For those interested, when the key was turned to start, the starter motor would turn over, but there was no spark. Since there was fuel in the cylinders, as soon as the key was released to the run position, there was spark, and if caught exactly in the wrong place, the engine dieseled and the exaust system became the intake.
More recently Mario and his team had to replace the engine a second time — this one for another hydrolock caused by a sudden fuel pump failure (thanks to gas with 10% alcohol). The following sea, combined with a fully loaded boat and no exhaust, allowed the water to come in through the exhaust rizers. Mario worked with my insurance comapny to help get coverage for most of the repairs. Most recently he completely rebuilt my trailer after we lost a wheel and brake assembly.
Mario and his team are professionals, they care about their customers, they go the extra mile, and they keep you informed. I would recommend them to anyone needing service or repairs.

Well having written an angry review the first time (as I was upset by my ongoing boat issues) Mario contacted me and apologized for the issues so I’ll update my review. Mario refunded my payment for the last visit to his shop which I think is very fair and demonstrates that he wants the customer to walk away feeling good about choosing to take a boat to him. He could have played hardball and passed the buck (as I assumed he would) but he decided that it was more important to have a good standing with his customers even if he thinks the customer is wrong. That’s good business as reflected by a 1 star rating turning into 5 stars. I only wish I had brought things to his attention sooner as I’m confident he would have done whatever he could to rectify the situation as he did today.
Thanks for making things right.

Troy my husband, bought a little boat with small two stroke engine this past week only to find that the engine wasn’t turning over– he recalled seeing The Boat Grotto down the street and when looking up engine repairs they were listed. He called last night 30 mins before they closed and they told him to bring it by the next day before they close and they would check it out for free. And that they did! Very nice and honest –sprayed carborator cleaner on carborator and it almost turned over. Explained to Troy that they don’t work on this kind of engine but gave suggestions on how to fix. No charge!

Sent my 24′ searay to Mario over at the Boat Grotto to get a estimate on repairs and over all condition of the boat after being hit on presidents day weekend towing the boat home!!! Found out mario was a authorized repair facility for STATE FARM insurance, mario took care of the red tape and got my boat fixed for free! He cleaned up my engine also and gave me sum awesome prices for replacing the alt, and starter! He also replaced my manifolds, spark plugs, and hooked my trailer up for me! Mario and the guys at the grotto ROCK!!! I found my boat repair facility for the long run!!!

I did not have a good experience with Mario at The Boat Grotto. In my opinion Mario is dishonest. I believe he recommended to me expensive work that didn’t need to be done. I do not recommend that you take your boat to Mario. I’ll be taking my business elsewhere. Also, Mario has been sending me texts and emails, threatening to sue me if I don’t take down my review. What I posted here on Unilocal was my honest opinion of my experience with Mario at the Boat Grotto. Be advised, if you take your boat to Mario, are unhappy with that experience, and share that experience on Unilocal,Mario may harass you via text and email messages, threatening to sue you.

I brought my Trophy Boat with non-​working Merc, outboard to Mario at the Boat Grotto 2 weeks ago. I spoke with his head technician and talked about all the issues i was having with my Mercury Outboard. They ran all the right diagnostics and found the engine needed more repair than it was worth. Mario gave me a killer deal on a new Merc. Outboard, had installed and tuned, gave me up-​to-​date information via email with tons of pictures and even had video of the sea trial. Great Guy, Great Service, Great Techs, and they did it all in a timely fashion. I highly recommend the Boat Grotto and i will use them in the future.
Thanks Boat Grotto!

Mario was fair and honest during the entire rebuild of one of my engines. He found the best and cheapest way to get the repairs done and even tried to find reconditioned parts when necessary. He went above and beyond a few times-​when he could have charged me for extra labor, he didnt. Cesar, the mechanic, was great as well. Mario always answers his phone and gets back to you very fast with answers to your questions. I would highly recommend Mario and his crew over at the boat grotto.

Mario was referred to me by a friend, who manages a major boat supply retailer location. The Maxum 2700SCR with a 7.4L Mercruiser, I have owned for 14 summers, had never been hauled out with a trailer for repairs, so I was concerned.
Mario hauled the boat out with his trailer (after a short waiting period, to get the bigger trailer– the guy is busy!), diagnosed everything in great detail, gave me daily play-​by-​play photos with updates, and re-​delivered my vessel back to my slip at a fair price. He is amazing! I would highly recommend at least connecting with Mario for his opinion on any repair.
On time, under budget, extremely professional — what else to you want?