0 Star - Contract Not Honored, Major Performance Issues
0 Star - Contract Not Honored, Major Performance Issues
I’m a business owner (26 years) and this is my 7th boat over 25 years of boating. I get that businesses have problems, suppliers fall through, things happen. But what I experienced here is beyond normal business issues.
What I Bought
I bought a used pontoon for just over $80,000 from Pontoon Source when they were just starting out. They only had one used boat in stock. I was fine with that since they were new, and I signed a contract that included a $10,000 upgrade to swap out the 140hp motor for a 200hp Mercury after the season ended. I’ve always run Mercury (all four of my boats) and made that clear from day one.
The Yamaha Push
After I signed, Matthew (the owner) apparently had his Mercury relationship go sideways. Despite my contract saying Mercury, he spent literally months trying to get me to take a Yamaha instead, telling me over and over it would be “much better.” I kept saying no and explaining why - 25 years with Mercury, multiple boats, I know what I want. This went on while my boat just sat there.
Paying Extra for What Was Already Contracted
Eventually Matthew’s Mercury connection came back. Great, right? Except he then charged me another $27,000 ON TOP of the $10,000 already in the contract to put in the Mercury motor plus steering work. So now I’m at $107,000 total. He promised me the boat would be ready for the start of the season because I really didn’t want to miss the summer with my kids.
Nine Times
I followed up nine separate times between October and February. Every single time - shop’s too full, flooding in Muskoka, we’ll get to it. I stayed calm and patient the whole time, kept reminding him I just didn’t want to lose the season. Every time I was told it would get done. It didn’t. Lost the entire summer he promised me.
The Boat Doesn’t Work
When I finally got it, the boat has serious problems. It’s supposed to hold 16 people but it won’t even plane out properly with more than 4 people on it. Under normal load it just struggles badly. I’ve got video of this.
Won’t Fix It
I showed Matthew the problems and asked him to make it right. He told me it was too much work and basically refused. I paid for a 4-year extended warranty upfront and he won’t even honor that or the original contract.
I Really Tried
Look, I bent over backwards here. When I finally got frustrated after the ninth follow-up, I apologized right away for losing my cool. I even offered to buy MORE boats from them to help their business out. Nothing worked. The contracted work never got finished and the performance issues were never fixed.
Where This Leaves Me
$107,000 spent. Boat doesn’t work. Contract not honored. Warranty worthless. Now I have to take legal action just to get what I paid for.
Red Flags You Should Watch For
They want full payment upfront for everything - even small accessories. They’ll try to swap out what you contracted for. Timeline promises mean nothing (6+ months of delays for me). They won’t fix documented defects. Once they have your money, good luck.
Before You Even Think About Using Them
Get 3-4 references from people who bought in the last year and actually call them. Don’t pay everything up front - only pay when work is done AND tested with you there. Get completion dates in writing with real penalties. Test the boat fully loaded before final payment. Keep everything in writing. If they try to switch what you contracted for, walk away immediately.
I really wanted to support a Canadian startup. I was patient through months of delays and broken promises. What I got was a six-figure loss and a boat my family can’t even use. Don’t make the same mistake we did
