Beavers Bend Marina & Boat Rental — Attraction in Broken Bow

I rented a double decker pontoon on Labor Day from 10:00am-1:00pm from this marina. We arrived at 9:15am to check in. At 10:00 am an employee takes us to the boat we were assigned for the day. Before I sign off on anything and leave the slip I asked my husband to check the slide to make sure that it was working because on the rental 3 weeks prior the water poured under the top deck the entire time it was running. This time the pump DID NOT work at all. I told the girl that it wasn’t working and wrote on the top of the inspection paper that it was not working so that we would not be blamed and charged for this. I asked her if we could just switch boats because it was not working and the only reason we rented this particular boat was because of the slide for the kids. She stated that she had to go talk to the manager. Before she walks away we ask her to bring back a can of Lysol because the boat had not been cleaned and sanitized which they state is done between every rental and a trash bag because there was trash (a used disposable Mask, coke cans, chip bags, and candy wrappers stuffed in a cubby where the steering wheel is located). The girl returns at 10:15am and tells me that the manager said they had ordered a pump for the slide a week ago and there was nothing they could do about it and were fully booked so we had to take this boat....there are 2 other double decker boats and no one is boarding them so I say why can’t you just move us to one of those??? She tells me I don’t know that’s just what my manager said so I ask her and the others with me to stay there I’m going to talk to the manager myself. I walked back up to the office which is all the way on the other end of the dock. I ask him why can’t we just switch boats we were here first, there isn’t anyone else boarding the other boats and the only reason we rented this boat was for the slide that doesn’t work? He proceeds to tell me that the slide works just the water pump doesn’t work so if you get a life jacket wet and take it up with you each time someone slides down that will work just as good....I was in shock and responded with you knew the water pump did not work and yet you still rented this boat out to us and you want me to pay $450 for a boat that isn’t providing all the amenities that we paid for? He said back to me it’s just against our policy to switch boats...WHAT???? So I pull out my phone and begin recording stating that I had read google reviews of things like this happening to other people and if you are not going to move me to a completely working boat I want you to some how make this right...he tells me he will give me a 10% discount I said that’s fine and I also want my time extended another 30mins without being charged because it is 10:25am and we have lost time on the boat because you didnt have it clean or ready to go and I have had to spend the past 25 minutes over an issue that should have never occurred. He did agree to do so and I recorded him saying and doing this so that I would have my proof if he wasn’t available when we returned the boat at 1:30pm. We went ahead and took the boat out and yes we did haul a wet life jacket up to the slide each time to wet it down so that the kids could slide down it since we felt like there was nothing else we could do and I was not driving 3.5 hours back home with unhappy children. I am giving them at least 1 star because I did receive the additional 30minutes without being charged for it and I did receive 10% off but once we got back to the car we saw the discount was only for 2 hours not the full 3 hours. I know it’s not that big of a difference but it’s the principal. I just want others to be aware ahead of time and make sure you check the boat you are renting before you sign that inspection paper so that you aren’t possibly charged your deposit or spend a day with an unhappy family because you are not getting what...

Three families were on our trip, and we rented a Pontoon boat from this marina. The website boasts, "Come and enjoy the natural beauty of Broken Bow Lake on one of our luxurious pontoons!" but we now know why they also have to state, " *Boat pictured above is not necessarily the boat you will be assigned" Take a look at my pictures and details of my experience and see if "luxury" is an accurate word!

First, we boarded a pontoon that was in the worst condition I have ever experienced. Seats were dirty and cracked, and the canopy looked like it may disintegrate at any moment. Shortly after loading this mess, the deck assistant, Jaelyn, who was amaaaaazing and the highlight of this nightmare, informed us that the knee board we reserved was not available, but they did have the tube. We then walked the boat and took pictures because we had read a few negative reviews about people being charged for bogus damages. The propeller looked to be on its last leg, so we photographed that.

We all were determined to make the most of it since the marina was fully booked and had no other boat to offer us. We left the no-wake area and quickly found out the boat would hardly go fast enough to pull a tuber (not that the speedometer worked either, so I cannot report the exact speed). Then, the tow rope kept falling off in the middle of the ride, which was tedious for 5 kids waiting for their turn to tube. Take a look at the picture, which shows the incorrect hook for the loop. It was not large enough to open and securely clamp around the loop. Unbelievably unsafe!

Speaking of, boating regulations and decent marina practices require a Coast Guard-approved life jacket for every passenger. We were short one; one had no foam left in the vest, and most others were size XL for our party of 5 children and 6 adults!

Just when we thought it could not get any worse, we stopped the engine to swim, and. . .you guessed it; the boat would not start; we waited and tried for almost 20 minutes before calling the marina; they were very rude and said, "Ok, we'll send out a rescue." No apology. Before the rescue got there, we got the boat to start, and the kids really wanted to salvage the day since there were no replacement boats. We continued to stop and replace the tow rope throughout the day, but the engine did at least stay running.

The steering, at times, was unresponsive. The scariest time was when circling back for a rider who had fallen off, and we almost steered into them because the steering would not respond!

Upon our return, we shared all our concerns with the man at the dock; he showed absolutely no interest! My husband asked him to check the battery because the battery light had begun to come on, and then the guy said, "Oh, yeah. . .these cables are barely connected; I'm so sorry." Whaaaaaaat???!!!!!

Now, you may think this was the end of their incompetence, but oh no. . .after getting off the boat, we were all so hot, tired, and done with the experience we scrambled out of there while one adult stayed, signed the bill and left. When we got to looking at it, we were charged over $900 for 4 hours of a shotty pontoon, a tube, and gas. One thing for which we are very grateful is that when we returned to the marina the next day to get our charges adjusted, we had no problem! (I cannot believe it based on other reviews regarding charges). The people helping us that day were efficient and took care of us. I'll be contacting the Oklahoma Boating Authority about the safety issues, but in the meantime. . .beware. Another posted review stated you can rent a boat from many places in the area, and they will drop it in the lake for you!!! Check out...

I very rarely write reviews due to I just don’t like taking the time to do so but in this instance I felt I had to because I just about didn’t rent due to the negative reviews.

We came down for Fathers Day weekend, ended up renting a boat and a jet ski since we had 14 and the pontoons only could have 13. (Great up sell from the staff but it did meet our needs). I was afraid of all the reviews of keeping deposits, even locals in town said this as well, this is what just about kept me from renting. Well took the risk and rented, the boat was in good shape, couple dings but overall in good shape, I will say for 150 hp motor I think they have the motors dumbed down a bit or a governor installed not to exceed 2000 rpm but with it being a rental and so the engines don’t get damaged or overworked I totally understand and probably would do the same if I owned them. Still plenty of power to tow tubes and kids have a great time.

The jet ski we rented was in good shape a lot of knicks in body but they deckhands do a good job writing it down and you acknowledge it by signing if you ever rented a car same process.

Here’s what sold me on this place, after 2 hours I had to bring the jet ski back due to check engine light coming in for low oil pressure, so we limped it in told deckhand about it and they offered another one but I declined and I got on the boat since a person in our party was not on it anymore.

After turning in the rental and waiting for them to fuel the boat up went inside they called my name and we went over fuel used, I asked for going rate and they mentioned $2.99 gallon which is fair price for a marina. They deducted fuel from deposit and no damage done to boat or jet ski and I got my deposit back. Here’s the kicker, I told the lady up front about the jet ski I just wanted to make sure it got serviced or the deck hand relayed the message, she asked me what time I brought it back, and she gave me 1.5 hours of the rental back, I told her she didn’t have to the deck hand offered another one but I declined and they do have signs no refunds so I wasn’t expecting one. She refunded me anyone since I did not use the time due to a failure.

Everyone seemed great up there. They are a bit pricier than others in town but it’s convenient. If your from the metro area the prices ain’t much different than lake Lewisville or ray Hubbard. One thing parking does suck, and sucks bad, we parked right in the overflow area which makes you walk a bit but other than that everything else is good. Hate that business has to get negative reviews but these are all the facts and true facts.

I was trying to post pictures of the receipts but I guess I’m not smarter than google lol. If you got any questions feel free to reply and I will...