River City Boat Works

Brought my Bayliner in for winterization. Friendly guys here and more importantly super helpful. Set up an appt ahead of time so all I had to do was show up, back the boat into the work area, and let them do their thing. Whole thing took about 75min so never had to detach the trailer. The guy working on it was super helpful and a few things i should watch out for. I'll probably bring the boat back here if ever need maintenance since these guys really know their stuff. Price was $175 for fuel stabilizer treatment, fogging treatment, and draining the water. I realize these are not crazy hard DIY's but for a first time boat owner nice to have peace of mind that it's done right for the first winter.

I called this business for inspecting my boat's engine after some water came into the engine. It was Thursday and they asked me to bring the boat in. After we have done the paper work, they said "We will check the engine and call you to let you know what's needed to be done". I have waited for their call till Monday 4:00PM, nobody called to update me about the status of my boat. When I called afterward, the guy told me that they need to check the engine to let me know what work is needed! When I complained for not checking it till now or not even calling me to update me about the status of my boat, he said literally "If you do not like it, you may come and take your boat". The boat staid with them from Thursday till the end of Monday without looking at it or just calling me to let me know. I did take my boat back untouched. For me personally, I will never come back to do business with these guys. I would like to be treated honestly and respectfully.

To start the service was great. Called to make an 9:00am appointment to have our Sea Ray 185 Sport serviced, oil change ($89, including oil and filter) and impeller service($196.97 including parts). They let me know it could take a few days to complete.The shop was a little hard find but with a quick call I was given directions and greeted curb side, very nice! Was given a written contract for the oil change and impeller service. At the time of dropping it off, I let them know of a few other issues, including the bilge pump and jack. Nick called me back within a few hours of dropping it off with estimates for the additional work.In the early afternoon, Nick called again to inform me of a minor problem with the gimble bearing. As I am new to this they gave me the opportunity to drive down and take a look at what the problem was. I appreciate they offered to do that. When I arrived, I was amazed to see all the activity. Several mechanics working on the many different model Sea Rays on the lot. I was encouraged to turn the gimble and feel how the movement was not smooth but 'bumpy'. Glad they caught that. Another $150, including labor.Nick called me back the next morning reporting it was ready to be picked up!!! I was impressed with the speed and quality. I think I'll be going back.

I took my boat into river city boat works to repair a rattle in my transmission. They said it was the damper plate. they replaced the damper plate but the boat still had a rattle just a little less noticeable. They told me that noise was just a worn bearing in the transmission but the boat should be fine for the rest of the summer. I take it out the very next day and the boat still made the rattle but when I took it over 25 mph it started whining and would not go fast no matter how much gas i gave it. Then the boat started overheating and by this time I was far away from my launch and had to drive it back slowly while running hot. I took the boat back to them because it ran fine before I took to them at all speeds it just had a little rattle. The owner Nick told me that he would diagnose it again but wanted to make sure that I knew I was going to have to pay for it. I said no, you warranty your work right? He said yes we do but I can tell you now I didn't mess up your boat, it was messed up before you brought it in here, and if I don't like it I can take my boat and get the FUCK OUT OF HERE (yelling at me). I have never been treated like that before by any repair shop. I didn't yell, raise my voice or curse at him. I simply asked him to look at the problem because they were the only ones to touch the boat. NEVER EVER TAKE YOUR BOATS TO THESE UNPROFESSIONAL PEOPLE AGAIN. I AM NOW STUCK WITH A BOAT THAT THEY SCREWED UP AND WILL HAVE TO TAKE THEM TO SMALL CLAIMS COURT.

These guys are HORRIBLE! I took my boat to these crooks to repair the damage I inflicted on it hitting something submerged on the river. Nicolas Parker the owner/extortionist said he could get the job done in 3 to 4 weeks, depending on how fast the insurance company did their thing. After 3 weeks these scam artists hadn't even touched my boat beyond the estimate they prepared for my insurance company. This is where it all went terribly wrong. I dare asked head thief and owner Nicolas what we could do to honor his 3 to 4 week time frame? This liar/con man blamed the delay on the insurance company (the insurance company did their inspection, processed it and cut a check in 3 days, they were great!) and said it would take another month. Then he shouted my time frame was unrealistic, which was really his time frame and said you could come pick up your F#**#@! boat. I told him I didn't want to do that but 2 months was unreasonable. Of course, he replied with, you can pick your F#**#@! Boat in the morning. I agreed that would be better and said I'd be there when he opened. Nicolas presented me with a bill for $1365.00 for estimate time and $175.00 a day storage fees and told me if I didn't pay I wouldn't get my boat back. $175.00 a day storage? Are you kidding me? When I pointed out the work order I signed didn't have any charges I might be responsible for on it he proceeded to write the $1365.00 on it and said "it does now" and slid it towards me. I had to pay this thief to get my boat back $1365.00 in one dollar bills. When He pulled it out to the front for me to pick up it was filthy back to front with all the seats and other parts stacked in the open bow almost to the top of the tower. He didn't even have the boater decency to keep it covered or the business ethic to at least put it back together. My profile picture is of the boat when I picked it up. To add insult to injury, when I took it to a reputable shop they said River City Boat Works could not have possibly done the job for what they quoted. Two different opinions stated Nicolas under estimated the job by at least $1800.00. They both agreed Nicolas would have to have thrown a patch on it and use recycled parts to accomplish his estimate. The next time I see Nicolas Parker will be in small claims court. Be advised! This is the most unprofessional and shady business you'll ever run into. The owner Nicolas Parker is incredibly smug, arrogant and stupid. He committed fraud right in front of me, he has to know I have the original work order. What a DUMB #*#!!Be sure to yelp him under "Norcal Marine Services" (now out of business) that's where him and the rest of his cronies were ripping off boaters before he re-emerged as River City Boat Works

I took my 98 Searay 185 in to be serviced on 8/11/15. I needed the impeller service, driveline oil and engine oil replaced. I also opted to have the boat detailed. When I arrived it was a little hard to tell where to park my boat because the front of the business was full of other large boats. So I tried to take it to the back of the shop but ended up having to turn around and park it across the street when there wasn't room behind the shop. I walked up and was greeted by the owner and a friendly dog. I confirmed with him what I needed done and when I needed it by and I was off. I was told it would take about a week to complete which was perfect as I needed it the following weekend. When I left the boat it had a bad water ring around the bottom from sitting in Tahoe for a few days last season as well as dirt and dust inside. A week later I returned and my boat looked very sharp. No more ring and very clean inside. He came out to meet me and noticed a spot under the front passenger seat that he missed and promptly grabbed the vacuum and finished it up. Then he went and got the parts that were replaced to show me. A big plus for me as that's proof that the work was done. From there we settled the bill which was reasonable and on par with other places I have taken my boat for service. Overall I was treated well and felt that he was straightforward with me the entire time. He performed the work on schedule as promised and I couldn't be happier. I will be returning next year for more service work.

I had Nick come out to my boat to adjust some controls. On the appointed day, he shows up with an assistant carrying his tool bag. Rather than do any of the work I brought him out for... he proceeds to stand over my engines with a flash light and repeat "oil leak here, and here, and here, and over there, and here, etc.". There were no leaks and it was really quite comical to watch him. I reminded him about the adjustments he was there to repair and he informed me "until I get this into the shop and fix all these other problems - I can't adjust anything". At that point, he and his trusty tool toting assistant have their hands out for their hundreds of dollars for a "service call" and, much to my relief, go on down the road. One of the guys on the docks said "HI" to him as we walked by... he apparently knew Nick so after showing him the way out I went back and asked him what that show was all about. He told me to consider myself lucky to still have my skin. Another fella on our docks hired him to "fix his gas engine" - his bill was $26,000.00 !Reading Nick's bio... he states he's been boating for 20 years - whoop de do. He goes further to state he's been in a mechanic for four years and those years he was self-employed. His assistant knew less than Nick - I did get him to tighten a screw, but had to lend him the phillips head driver to do it as they didn't bring any in their bag? I wouldn't touch him with a 10' pole.

I don't usually leave reviews but after looking up River City Boat works to get the address for a friend I happen to come across Jeff's review and I felt I needed to share my experience after reading his colorful review. Unfortunately for Jeff (and there seems to be a Jeff out there in every business) he was taken for a ride by the wonderful insurance company, been there before when I was trying to have my Denali repaired after a young lady decided to rearrange my rear bumper and tailgate, I waited for weeks for the claim to be processed and a check cut. I have had the chance to meet and do business with Mr. Nick Parker in regards to my own boat, a 2008 Malibu Wake Setter, which had run aground at Folsom Lake. The keel needed fiberglass work and I was worried about how a fix was going to affect the appearance and the structural integrity of my boat which was only three years old at the time. Nick was to the point but still respectful and professional in my opinion, he didn't dance around and promise me the world like other shops have in the past (including the facility I purchased the boat from, go figure) just to have things change after my boat was in their hands. He wrote up an invoice and gave me an idea what the repair was going to cost, again I was more concerned about it being done right then the actual cost, if it is done wrong it will cost me more in the near future is how I figured it. To make a long story short, my boat was ready for pick up about two weeks after I dropped it off. As busy as the shop was (usually a good sign) I thought the two weeks was reasonable. The repair came in on the target price I had discussed with him and he even threw in an oil change at no charge. I picked up my baby just in time for the holiday weekend and WOW did it look great. There was no evidence of the mishap that had brought me in and the boat was clean and ready to go. I would recommend (and I have) River City Boat Works to my friends and family and I don't agree with Jeff's review, but we all have our own experiences and are entitled to our own opinions. You can be confident that you work will be handled by a professional crew who will realistically answer all of your questions before you leave your vessel with them.

These guys suck!!!!!!!!!!! If you want your repairs done RIGHT and you dont want a bunch of used crap put on your boat... I suggest you take it someplace else. They claim 30 years experience....Im curious... how is this possible??..this guy is 32. I can only guess he started working on boats when he was 2 years old...come to think of it, it makes sence... the work he did on our boat looks like a 2 year old did do it.

Took my 25 foot cruiser there for some exhaust risers and bellows work. After inspecting the boat they came back with an estimate that was a too expensive and stated I might be looking at an engine replacement. I knew better. The engine is solid to this day. I asked them to allow me to buy the parts for the work. They agreed. When I got the boat back it wouldn't run so I asked a local boat mechanic to come and check it out. He thought the riser bolts were loose causing coolant weeping both externally and internally. The kill switch was disconnected he connected and made a few adjustments. I tightened down the riser bolts and the cold starting/idling issues were resolved. I was having to add antifreeze and I never did before. I looked at a hose clamp that was loose and tightened it. Every hose clamp on the engine was loose. Each took 2 to 2 1/2 turns to make snug. Had I not paid attention to the fluids closely I could have overheated the engine and had to replace the engine. I think they either lack the ability to complete the details or it was sabotage for calling 'BS' on the engine replacement statement. Not sure. I will not return to them or refer anyone to them. Beware......