Fairwinds Marina, LLC

This is in response to Larry's reply to Josh White's review. Please read Josh's review, Larry's reply, then read this: Contemporary times require the acknowledgment that people continue to say outlandish things, even in the face of irrefutable evidence. The photos of the damage to our boat and exposed steel bunk and rivets tell only one story. Since Larry Goldberg continues to lie about this incident, we will refute each lie. We will not be gaslit. 1. “No one from the Marina agreed that the damage was caused by the bunks.” False. Bill was sympathetic when he spoke with my brother when the damage was initially discovered. Bill also stated directly to my wife and me the day we left the marina that it was clear the lift caused the damage. He seemed genuinely sorry. 2. The lift motor. When we decided to keep our boat at Fairwinds, we shared the weight and size of the boat. We were told ours would be the largest boat on a lift in the marina, but we were assured it would not be a problem. The lift couldn’t handle the weight of the boat, nor was it powered correctly. The breaker blew every time we lifted the boat for the first few weeks there. Yes, boat lifts are subject to occasional issues. We were understanding and willing to work with them. 3. The damage. If the damage was done by “running over debris in the river or bay” as Larry claims, the damage would not be limited to the chines; it would be more extensive across the hull. The photos show that the damage aligns perfectly with the exposed rivets in the bunks. Larry claims to be an “expert in this area.” An expert would see the pattern of the damage, look at the exposed steel bunks and exposed rivets protruding from the bunks, and be able to tell exactly what happened. A novice with zero “experience evaluating fiberglass issues” would be able to identify what happened. The padding was drooping off the starboard bunk and was detached in 2 spots on the port bunk. See the photos. 4. The manufacturer.Larry did not produce any supporting documentation that this “manufacturer was known to have construction issues.” In fact, in all of our research prior to purchasing this boat, we found only one incident that was operator error. The make of the boat is Crevalle. A Crevalle-certified dealer completed the repair work. They determined with certainty that the damage was caused by the exposed steel bunks. 5. Varied issues with the boat. Crevalle makes a great boat! We haven't had any issues in the 2 seasons we've owned and operated the boat. 6. The operator was new to boats of this type. As I stated in my original post, my brother and I have over 40 years of boating experience on “boats of this type.” We grew up on the water. We had to learn how to maneuver our new boat into the slip on a windy day, but managed fine. 7. “He threatened us.” There was no threat of anything- not a lawsuit, not anything. Larry did not offer anything except blame for the manufacturer (and now blame for us as operators.) 8. “We strive to care for every customer in a reasonable manner.” This was a brand new boat in our first season at this marina. I was almost seriously injured by a snapped lift cable, the lift did not operate properly for the first few weeks of our tenancy, and the bunks, despite requests for the padding to be fixed and the bunks to be reset properly, were never adjusted. 9. “This is an out of control customer.” Hardly. We had hoped that Larry would simply acknowledge the reality of the situation: the bunks were not set properly, the padding was not adequately secured, and the resulting exposed rivets and steel beam chipped the finish on both the port and starboard chines. Our hope was that Larry would cover the repair costs and we would remain slip holders and move forward. Instead, he ducked any semblance of accountability. Larry Goldberg is dishonest, plain and simple. The evidence is overwhelming, the reasoning is clear and sound, and past incidents at Fairwinds Marina point to a pattern of poor care. All we have here is a shady businessman ducking accountability.

I get excellent service on my Yamaha from Chuck and team. Unfortunately everything else in dealing with the owners of this company is unpleasant and frustrating. They do not have a clue about customer service and probably are not qualified to run a business. The facility looks like it is 1964. Would avoid at all costs except to work with Chuck

A small part was needed to protect the ignitiin key slot. I ha called several stores listed as local not in stock, heres an address or a phone number out of state ect. Then i called Fairwinds they had 4 in stock. Said I would be there shortly. When I arrived it was on the counter with my name on it waiting for me. When they were ready toring up the sale my account was still in the system. Couldn't ask for anything better.

Fairwinds marina: if you love your boat, keep it elsewhere! We should have known from the beginning that this place was a dumpster fire, but we trusted the yard manager, Bill, and the owner, Larry Goldberg, much to our own detriment. When we brought our new boat down to the marina in March 2023, they were not ready for us despite assurances that our slip and lift were ready. After a cable snapped and nearly blinded me during our first attempt to load the boat on the lift, it was determined that neither the motor for the lift nor the power supply were sufficient for our 33’ center console. The second lift they tried to get us on was also insufficient for our boat. It was like the first time any of these guys had seen a boat on a lift. Eventually they got us on our lift, but the bunks were not properly fitted and the rubber padding was not adequately secured. Power to the lift would trip frequently, and the lift never maintained a level position. We constantly had to adjust it to balance the boat. Fast forward to this fall. We had the boat pulled for winter storage and discovered some chips and gouges in the gelcoat along a chine on the starboard side bottom. The yard manager, Bill, seemed sympathetic to the situation considering the exposed steel beam and protruding rivets that aligned directly with the damage. It could not have been more obvious that the exposed steel rivets had gotten caught against the side of the boat, and as it lifted out of the water and shifted, the rivets cut into the chine and caused the damage. However, when we went to discuss the damage with the owner, Larry Goldberg, he instantly became defensive and said that the boat was built defectively and the chunks and gouges had occurred without any reason. They simply fell out as the boat was used, Larry maintained. He would not even acknowledge that the boat was sitting on an exposed steel beam and exposed rivets. There was minimal damage to the port side bottom chine as well, and the port bunk rubber had detached from the beam, though not as severely as the starboard side. This was used as the excuse why it couldn’t have been the lift or the negligence of the marina, since the entire port steel bunk wasn’t exposed. Its clear from the photos that, in fact, the port padding had detached from the rivets. As a 12,000 pound boat is lifted, the rubber shifted down on that port side and off the bunk, exposing the rivets. I have over 40 years of experience in and around boats, and I have never heard or seen anything about brand new boats just shedding chunks of bottom and gelcoat. Its a complete fabrication on Larry Goldberg’s part, as he tried to cover is backside knowing he and his marina staff were responsible for setting the bunks, attaching the rubber padding, and general care of the lifts. We let them know the rubber had become detached, but they did nothing about it. Larry is the kind of person who would take a sledge hammer to the side of your boat then claim the damage was from a rock or a piling. He is as dishonest a businessman as I’ve ever met. He would tell you the sun wasn’t in the sky, even as you felt the warmth on your skin the the brightness on your face. Anything to save a buck. Straight faced gaslighting was all we got from Larry, and likely all you will get when they inevitably damage your boat. Do yourself a favor. Find a different place to keep your boat, somewhere you and your boat, new or older, will be treated with care and respect. Because that sure as hell isn’t happening with Lying Larry and his dump of a marina.

Large local marina with dock slips, merchandise, repair service, boat storage and fuel. Friendly and helpful staff for all your boating needs.