The Dinghy Doctor

This spring I purchased an outboard motor from the Dinghy Doctor. The salesmen was great, walked me through the outboard motor thoroughly, didn’t budge one the price though. Last week I brought the motor back for a routine service and a small hiccup. The older woman working there is the worst. Refused to answer questions, was pushy, rude and just wanted me out of the building. Thoroughly the worst customer service I’ve received anywhere. I’ve got to find somewhere else to service my outboard since I’m not going back there again.

This place is a joke. Their prices are out of the world. The staff doesn’t know what they are going. It’s no wonder there is no parking, no need for customers.

Dinghy Doctor, Jo and staff are dedicated individuals with the most experience on West Coast. I had open tear, shopped around and thought prices were high, but not Dr.- still floating. There is a big variance as well as in workmanship, truly second to none. As professionals, if they can’t fix the problem they will let you know up front.

Not much to say but great service from Brian, Jo, and Tom.

So often I judge a business based on their Unilocal Reviews. I had some concerns based on past postings that I was making the right decision to have some keel damaged repaired that I sustained on my 15′ Novurania tender. The experience I had with Jo and her team was exceptional. They were quick to provide a fair quote for the fiberglass work and some additional tube repair that was needed. My dinghy has some sun damage and mold present that could no longer be cleaned. Jo suggested painting everything above the rails since the underside was in good condition. We agreed on what again was a fair price and a timeline to complete which they exceeded. My wife and I were amazed how incredible the before and after condition of the boat after their services. Everything was detailed and the paint was meticulousness applied making our 7 year old boat almost new looking again. Everyone gets bad reviews if their in business but for my experience with The Dinghy Doctor, they exceeded all my expectations.

The Dinghy Doctor is the premier store in San Diego for all your inflatable boating, and RIB needs. The owner and staff are very friendly, professional, responsive and customer service oriented. I have purchased several boats, and engines at the Dinghy Doctor over the years, and have been very satisfied with their products. I highly recommend the Dinghy Doctor to any and all boaters.

Update: After posting my review, we received a call from Brian, the mechanic not the front of store Brian. He asked that he be given a chance to fix the issue, and explained that there was a miscommunication or confusion with management who told us the dingy was fixed. We gave Brian the benefit of the doubt and let him pick up the dingy. After tearing down the motor he found that the issue was covered under warranty. The dingy is fixed thanks to Brian, just wish the owners and front of the store employees could be as concerned about their customers. Thank you Brian the Mechanic!
Customer Service SUCKS! First to get someone to return a call as promised is impossible, and when you call them back they don’t remember the conversation. We have a 25HP Mercury outboard for our dingy with 70 hours on the motor, with a slight over heating problem, which occurred when held wide open for more then 3 to 4 minutes. This is a brand new motor we purchased a couple years ago from the Dingy Doctor, and of course they could not find any record of this purchase. Finally talked to the owner, Jo, she agreed to have Sam set up a pick up and put it on the computer to find out what is wrong, $ 80.00 pick up charge (less then 2 miles from their shop).
A couple days later we receive a call telling us the thermostat was bad, we agreed for them to change the thermostat along with flushing the motor, and changing the oil in the lower end. Jo was pushing to do a complete service, which we already had done (husband a Mercury trained mechanic). We wanted them to run a dino, and only wanted the over heating issue fixed. A few days later we received a call the dingy was ready but they did not know how much we owed, Jo told us they would call back with the amount owned and promised to have the dingy delivered on Friday. Well no call back with the amount owned and waited all day for a call, we called on Saturday they were already closed so left a message.
When we did finally get a call back on Wednesday, Sam told us we needed to come pick up the dingy, WHAT! he is the one that scheduled the original pick up and arranged to have delivered the previous Saturday. Put on hold again, when he gets back on the phone his excuse was because we did not pay the bill, WHAT! we have been asking how much we owned and told they will have to call us back, which never happens. Finally on Thursday, another call to them no one seems to know what was going on, or what was owed. Finally after several phone calls, bill was paid and dingy on the way. Oh if you call, be ready to be told «I have to take care of this other customer, hold on» as if your not important.
Service Department SUCKS! after finally getting the dingy back, we took the dingy for a test drive, now its worse, within seconds of putting a load it overheats, WORSE then before getting a new thermostat, called back only to be told by Jo that now they need to put a new water pump and impeller, but I have to take care of this other customer hold on, our response was «Click» hung up we are done. Both Jo and Tom were trying to tell us it must be the water pump or impeller which both are new, not one word that made us feel like they would fix the issue, more like bring it back and spend more money. Remember this motor has 70 hours, new water pump and impeller– with a slight overheating problem. After them working on it we now have a MAJOR over heating problem.
We finally did get the invoice that outlined the services, AFTER the dingy was delivered back to the launch ramp, and that is only because the driver asked for a signature for the delivery. Guess what it said, «after replacing thermostat engine still gets hot 180 and drops depending on RPM» So if that’s the case why was this not addressed with us before delivery???
A couple months ago we were seriously thinking about purchasing a larger dingy and having them set it up for us. We all know that this will never happen.
SURE DO WISH I WOULD HAVE READ ALL THESE BAD REVIEWS BEFORE CALLING THEM

Have been quite happy with Brian. Jo takes some time to get used to, but after a slightly bumpy start, she’s great
Always did fine work on time and on the $$$

This was a great experience. My husband asked tons of questions before we got there and they were very patient. We got a great deal on a 2 year old hypalon dinghy «Taurus» the brand from the shop. The guy has been repairing and fixing dinghys for years and decided to start his own line with all the experience he had. The owner is super sweet, maybe not the most efficient, but a nice guy and thoughtful and tried hard to meet our needs. Other reviewers seemed to have a problem with Jo’s accent — no issue (in fact I found that review offensive). She is sweet, and the efficient one. Other raters also seemed to think this was more than just a dingy shop, and they should know all about other boats. This is a place for inflatable dinghys and perfect for cruisers looking for an on board dinghy. Both Jo and the owner have cruised in Mexico and they know the common problems down to the little stuff like installing a comfortable handle on the front of their Taurus boats instead of the sharper style used by some other manufacturers. They also install any kind of addition you need (wheels, handles, D rings). They are a small business, not a national or international chain so expect some idiosyncrasies, but the bennies are worth it and I love supporting small businesses.

They are incredibly un organized thats why they have 2 stars and more bad reviews then good. They lose your information, take forever to fix your boat or motor the owners are complete idiots your motor comes out worse then what it went in. RUN AS FAR AWAY FROM THIS PLACE AS POSSIBLE… THERE MONEY HUNGRY AND A RIP OFF. There are two girls who work in the front that help the owners try to get situated. Jo likes to yell at them when things are not going right. Why do you guys work there??? Run away the dinghy doctor needs to go out of business. There was a girl in front who was very helpful. If i could give no stars i would… thats how bad my visit was…

If you can even stand to talk to the extremely rude woman that runs the shop (I won’t say her name), then you’re probably in for the «ride of your life». Unprofessional, unqualified, gave incorrect diagnostic information, incorrect… okay completely wrong information that was later verified by two other authorized Yamaha Dealers. It’s obvious they are in business to rip people off, scalp for as much money as they can get from customer’s that rely on their recommendations. DON“T DO IT! RUN, RUN FAST… there are other qualified companies that are honest and understand the meaning of customer service. Also… nice work on the response below trying to cover yourself, very creative story you invented, too bad it’s completely untrue.

THE BOTTOM LINE:
Just plain terrible! Don’t waste your time or money by going here!
Really sloppy work, horrible customer service, and overpriced!
THE LONG STORY:
(very similar to others stated here. Wish I had checked Unilocal first!)
I spent time to discuss all of the things that I would like done. She tries to talk me into more work (regluing other hyperlon that does not have any issues yet). She gives me an estimate that is way more than I would expect. $ 1500 to reglue some areas that are starting come loose at the edges, adding a couple of chaffe patches and adding 6 small «D» ring tie down points. It was supposed to be ready within a few days. When I called a few days later, it had been pushed back a few more days. I needed the boat for work purposes and had to arrange to pick it up even if all the work was not done. When I try and arrange that, they claim that the heat and humidity was making it very difficult for the gluing. I agree to pick it up and then return it at a later date to finish the work. They claimed to only need to finish up the «d» rings, but when I get there, it turns out that they have only done a couple of things on the work order. Reluctantly, I returned the boat to them several weeks later to complete the work. They said it would be ready two days later because of the size of the boat and limited space, they didn’t have space to store it. They call and tell me it is ready, I come by to pick it up and as I am looking at it in the parking lot outside their shop, I notice that they had not finished all the work, the boat was a mess with solvent and glue smeared around the areas they worked on, grease pencil notes/​arrows that they used when we outlined work to be done, still smeared on the tubes. It was filthy from their work and lack of cleaning up after their work. I didn’t have time for this crap, so I took off, called them and let them know that it was not acceptable and why. She (Jo) said that they would take care of all of that the next day and it would be ready for me. The «next day» was saturday and I couldn’t pick it up then, so I said I would be back Tuesday (they are not open Mondays). This time I come to pick it up and none of what I talked to her about had been resolved! She claimed that they would have it all done while I took care of billing. Some guy came out and did a half assed job of removing marks and dusting the boat off, but I didn’t care at this point. I just wanted to get out of there and never come to these guys again. I had paid $ 1300 of the originally estimated $ 1500, now she was billing me for an additional $ 1200, claiming that much of the work was not included in the original estimate. Total BS.

Just bought a 14 foot AB Marine dinghy from the Dinghy Doctor with a 70 HP Yamaha. This is a fantastic boat! They gave me a great price and the boat was ready when they said it would be ready. Brian gave me a good checkout on the boat and engine. I am completely happy with the purchase. So far I have purchased an Achilles dinghy and a Pacific trailer from these guys and have been completely satisfied with all three purchases.

DONT GO HERE WORST EVER DO NOT GO HERE
! I wish I would have read here first. I took in the tender for the yacht I captain for a few minor issues/​yearly service. Normally I would do the service myself but I am not allowed to service it at the dock I am at plus I wanted to have the bottom cleaned and new bottom paint applied.
I had it picked up at Shelter Island and surprise, they brought a trailer for like an 8ft dingy. Mine is 14 ft. After loading it on, with 5 ft hanging off the back, the driver took all my info and wrote down what I wanted done. THis included oil/​filter change, new impeller, zincs, one tiny puncture fix, a test to see if the bottom leaks, remove old trim tabs that don’t work and clean and paint the bottom.
I took it in July 1 and was asked if I wanted it for the 4^th. I replied no take your time, I don’t want it rushed but was fairly impressed that they could have it done so soon.
So all last week, I got calls asking if I wanted certain things done (things I had specified already) then they called to say it was ready and I could pick it up on the 7^th. Well… how am I going to pick it up if obviously I had them trailer it for a reason. They said they could drop it off for me in the morning. I said great. Next day, I call to see whats up and they ask me if I want bottom paint.
Duhhhh! Geniuses! You’ve already asked me this at least 4 times after I initially said I wanted it done and its written in the work order. So obviously its not done. They say it’ll only take an hour, no problem. Next day, get a text at 9am that I need a new prop. I’m tired, I say go for it then later called them back to ask why. They say it has some damaged in it. I’m like Rubber? WTF? Today I went down there to check it out. The prop was fine but oh well, I’ll have an extra.
I was really expecting to see a greasy handed guy named Mike or Russ doing some work. Instead I found three women in the front who, from listening to them on the phone as I waited, had no idea about anything nautical. Then some foreign lady asked me if I needed help. I said I’d like to see my dingy. She refused to let me, told me to wait, and disappeared into the «garage» area. I walked up to the door and my dingy was right there. Deflated, bottom still crusty, trim tabs still on. Filthy!
Basically all that had been done was an oil change that literally takes 20 minutes.
After some BS from the foreign lady, trying to sell me crap I don’t need, I tell her again what I wanted done and show her its written right on the paper in her hand. She said sometimes she can’t read it. I just stared at her.
Also, I saw no mechanic other than a very young guy with suspiciously clean hands.
I have done hundreds of hours of boat work and have been in countless boatyards.
This place is far worse than any third world boat repair shop I have ever seen.
DO NOT GO HERE. THEY ARE TERRIBLE AND DISHONEST, CLUELESS.
In the end I was told I needed to wait another week. If I don’t get it back within a week and done right, I am going to sue. These people need to go out of business. Maybe I’ll start a dingy business of my own. This area needs a good dingy service.

My husband and I recently purchased a dinghy and motor from Brian, the owner of the Dinghy Doctor. From start to finish he was helpful, informative and clear in explaining the pros and cons regarding the dinghies and motors we were considering. He was never pushy and always polite, taking as much time as necessary with us. His wife, Jo, was also courteous as were the rest of the staff members we had contact with.
Our dinghy was delivered as promised, on time and with a full tank of gas.

AVOID. THE ABSOLUTE WORST.
I just got off the phone «Jo» from this company. Someone had given me their business card, which says it services outboard motors. She was absolutely the most clueless person and rudest person ever. I am not boat expert, but I called and said that I have what I believe to be a clutch dog problem. She said «clutch daw?» I said «Clutch dog.» She acted like she had never heard of this, and she is the person listed on the business card. Then I suggested that maybe I bring in the boat. She said «What kind?» I said it is a Procraft 200 Combo. She said «Procaf?» I said «no, Procraft.» She said that she had never heard of it. At that point I told her that I don’t want her working on my Procraft boat if she has never heard of a Procraft.
AVOID this place. The other reviews are right. And I’m going to tell the person that referred me to stop referring these people.

A one star rating summarizes the whole experience. Very poor communication, poor customer service and they don’t do what they say they will do. Go elsewhere and save yourself a lot of time and grief.

Another Shelter Island rip-​off! Let me join the chorus of one-​star reviews in Unilocal.To anyone considering the use of Dinghy Doctor for dinghy repair, you might want to look elsewhere.
After authorizing my inflatable to be repaired (for an agreed-​to amount of $ 300), I expected it to be completely repaired. Instead, it was about halfway done, and work performed was pretty weak.
The maker of my 2004 inflatable issued a recall on the model and year because of defective nylon webbing which degraded prematurely in direct sunlight. Upon consultation, I was informed that the unit was no longer under warranty and that it would cost almost $ 300 parts and labor to repair it. I agreed.
The repairs they decided to make were D-​rings placed over old foundations, instead of removing old fixtures and mounting the new D-​rings on the base hypalon. Additionally, there were several sun-​damaged nylon straps which they didn’t bother to replace. Two of them tore immediately after first use after picking the unit up from the shop.
The Dinghy Doctor charges an hourly labor rate and for materials. However, for the almost $ 300 I paid, I would have expected more, or at least a phone call from them saying, «Hey, in order for us to do it right, it’ll cost 100 bucks more.» Instead, I waited 3 weeks only to pick the unit up with a half-​assed repair job.
Their response to my complaint was equally dissatisfactory, saying effectively, «Oh, what a pity the other straps failed!» Additionally, the owner insinuated that I was being given a great deal. Since this business has been a retailer for my dinghy brand for years, they were aware of the issues with the defective materials and at the very least should have contacted me to seek input on what it would take to repair the unit to my satisfaction.
I pride myself in good marine equipment maintenance and in supporting local small businesses like The Dinghy Doctor. Therefore, I don’t think it is too much to ask this outfit to make a decent repair when a local boater spends good money on it — or at least consult the customer to determine successful repair expectations.
Yet another Shelter Island business has swindled me for some more of my money. It really takes the pleasure out of pleasure boating.

First — My 4 hp outboard STILL doesn’t run and this is after TWO repairs! The first time I took it in I spent $ 280 for a new internal fuel tank and was told that everything ran fine. When I got it home, guess what. It Didn’t run! So, I took it back and was told I needed a new carburetor. Why wasn’t this discovered the first time? I seriously question if they even run the things before they give it back to you. Anyways, got the engine back home after the second repair and it still won’t start.
Second complaint — Store hours are horrible seeing as they close at 5 pm, they aren’t open on Mondays, AND they close at 3 pm on Saturday. This should’ve been my first sign. What «shop» closes at 5 pm when people typically don’t even get of work until 5???

Third issue — Communication is seriously lacking. I had the motor there for two weeks without even a phone call. I had to call twice just to figure out what was going on. Brian communicated pretty well and thanks for that. However, the front desk needs some help with manors.
Fourth — Even after all of the issues I had with this company and 1 ½ months of repairs, I was still kind to these people. Do you think they returned the kindness? No! I’ve spent nearly $ 400 total for repairs that weren’t effective and I have no idea why they gave me such an attitude.
I wish this would have worked out and I wish my motor ran, but I can’t possibly go through this for the third time. I have no interest in taking it back because they are just going to charge me $ 90 an hour to misdiagnose and possibly «fix» the engine. I’m taking it to a different shop and anyone who reads this should consider a different place as well.

I scored a great deal, on the spot, right off the showroom floor. Brian showed me how to deflate the Maxxon boat, fold it up and put it into the bag, along with the pump and repair kit and owner’s manual.
Thank you for your help and a nice deal for the boat, better than I’ve seen it anywhere on the Internet by at least $ 100! I’m sure Dinghy Doctor can help me when I’m ready for the motor!