Allison Marine Service

Asked mechanic to change fuel filter in 40 hp mercury 4 stroke. He said it looked fine. First 30 seconds on water boat did not work because fuel filter was clogged. Obviously he never looked at clogged filter. Asked for oil changed in engine. Mechanic changed lower unit too even though I had it done previous year and did not ask for it. Got charged for both even though I had requested lower unit not done. Head mechanic called after my boat had been there several days. The owner’s son complained that I should not have brought my boat in because he was on vacation and he did not have time for it. This information was not provided when I dropped boat off for the 3 day turn around I was promised. I was called and blamed by owner’s son for dropping boat off without permission. I called number provided, owner’s son complained that I had called his private cell. That was the number I was given by owner’s son the previous season when I had engine tuned. Last year when I had oil changed, they cleaned boat. This year that service was not provided. I assume it was because I did not have permission to have boat repaired by owner’s son? When I called and complained about the poor service, I was met by indifference from the owner. When I picked the boat up and met with owner about the odd circumstances in which my boat repair was done, the owner wore a side arm in a loose holster. It was a little intimidating sharing my poor service with the owner when he was armed and not interested in hearing about his son’s incompetent customer service. It was almost comical. I suppose their customer relations is, get shot if you have a problem with our service otherwise keep your mouth shut and pay the bill.

I highly recommend giving these guys a call. I had a Kawasaki jetski that would not start after I flushed it out and had a battery problem. I called 5 different Kawasaki dealers and several marine service shops within a 30 mile radius of my house. After telling them about the issue and what led up to it, NONE of them could give me an idea of might be wrong. They all said it sounds like it might be a starter, compression, injector, or an electrical issue and they would have to send the EMU out for diagnostics ($ 500) and possibly replace it ($ 1500+). Then there would be labor on top of that.
The last call I made was to Allison Marine Service. (should have been the first, had I known). Cody answered the phone and I started telling him the story of what happened. After the first minute he said he was 95% sure he known what the problem was and that it was a quick fix. He explained how I had flushed it out could have cause «Hydrolock» meaning the engine was full of water. He told me what they needed to do and said to bring it down as soon as I can. I loaded up my ski and drove 35 miles to their shop. After about an hour I got a message containing a video showing that the ski was running and the issue was resolved.
Cody, Max, and the other guys that were there were all friendly and helpful. They also gave me some advice on how to avoid having this problem occur.
These will be the first place I call if I have any issue in the future. Well worth the drive and money.

Terrible. Owner is basically a thief and a liar. NEVER coming back again.

I haven’t actually had work done here yet, but I will, and I can’t say enough good stuff about the owner, Ron. We purchased a boat today from a private seller and only after we hooked it up to our vehicle did he mention that the trailer brakes were disconnected… what?! Not cool with us. I immediately Googled for a marine service place nearby and Allison Marine came up. I called and the owner was on his way out the door to go home, but offered to wait for us. He met us outside and not only checked out the brake situation but hopped in the boat and checked the engine, plus the prop, and everything else just to let us know what he thought of the boat (without us asking). Gave us some ballpark estimates too, just a super nice guy all around, and seemed very knowledgeable. I will definitely be back. Thanks, Ron!

Ron and Cody are awesome. Did a bunch of work on my boat, now they have my quad. Reasonably priced, quality work. This is my go to place if my jet-​ski, or any of my other toys ever crap out. Highly recommended!

Ron and his staff are great. Been using in for years and two boats. He was a hugh help working with the insurance company and really put effort into getting them to settle my claim. Ive sent a few folks to him over the years!!! A++ in my book.

I’ve had Allison Marine handle my boat repairs for the past few years until I sold it recently due to a move. They have always handled all repairs and maintenance promptly and communicated well on what needs to be done.

Definitely our go to service shop! The guys here at Allison Marine are knowledgeable, friendly and provide excellent service. We get our regular maintenance done here for our jetski, and just got it recently winterized service was done within hours and ready for pickup and storage. Family ran and operated. Prices can’t be beat, we chose to go here over the dealership we bought are jetski at because of its competitive prices and genuine service! Real honest about what needs to be done, and helps you understand the service being done. We’ve worked with Cody there and he’s awesome!
Located right off the freeway i5 and off pacific hwy, convenient location easy access! This is truly a hidden gem, and an excellent choice to get the job you need done!
Like another Unilocaler said they truly should have a sign that says «we can fix anything»!! See you in the the spring when its time to take this baby out!

Cracked block turned into the worst experience I have ever had with a mechanic. I got taken for a ride and ended up shelling out 3 times as much as initially verbally quoted for the repair.
Unfortunately the work didn’t hold up and the crack re-​opened after 1 trip on the lake. Allison Marine was unwilling to honor the 90 day warranty offered on their work. I was blamed for an overheating issue on a boat that never overheated prior to the cooling system being worked on.
Bottom line is avoid this place if you want to avoid a headache. Ron wants you to pay in cash for a reason.
Updated ⁰⁷⁄₂₀₁₄:
I would like to make it clear that this boat worked for over a year before I brought it to Alison Marine. I did not purchase it with a cracked block. I had the boat on the lake over a dozen times before the block cracked.
Let me also add that the BBB and AG do not sue local businesses. All they do is try to facilitate a resolution. Because Ron and Cody take advantage of people they obviously are not willing to find resolution to a problem.
The boat went on the lake twice after the ‘repair’; It was confirmed leaking by the second trip, I suspect (because of the quality of work) that it did not hold up for even the first trip.
The thing these guys wont tell you is Ron had tried to up-​sell me by telling me I needed a new water pump. Unfortunately the boat had a BRAND NEW pump.
They also wont tell you I work within walking distance of their shop and Ron trespassed into my place of work and made scene after I attempted to get my money back because I had picked my boat up in PIECES.
I agree with their response, take a look at their other reviews; Clearly they shed light on who these guys are.

Allison Marine Service
Single handily the worst Marine Shop in Seattle!
* Worst customer service
* Taking Paying customers for their time and money!
* Say whatever to get you to leave your boat and then come with outrages prices.
Demanding to pay for a service that wasn’t even completely preformed.
Today is April 1^st and I honestly thought this was a April fools joke but it certainly was not!
Gabe was actually a really nice guy who took in my boat and clearly explained to me that they were going to preform a list of procedures to my boat to figure out why it wouldn’t go faster than 10 – 15 mph. I clearly said to him the boat is not starting (I am not here for you to tell me why it’s not starting but why it’s not going faster than 10−15mph) he then said no worries I can diagnose it and tell you why it’s not going faster than 10−15mph… Acouple days later after they told me they’d have an answer with in that day (then a phone call from the owner Ron saying they needed another day) now all they are telling me is you need to get it started atleast 200 bucks to get a starter on it! I told him we already knew that you said you’d figure out why it’s not going past 10 – 15 mph not why it’s not starting. Now they are saying well I can’t figure out what’s wrong with it until I start it… (Makes sence… Now after he explains that) but why did he say he can figure it out with in a hour after knowing its not starting.
Point is I went there today to pick up my boat because I am not going to pay 200 + to get a starter fixed that I can get for $ 50!
The owner denied me from taking my boat he then threaten me by saying «I have guns inside my store» told me to pay the bill (which he didn’t comply with, he never checked compression, checked spark plugs, nor inspect fuel system) I walked to my truck to get my wallet, then here comes Cody (the owners son) wanting to argue with me, telling me what was said to me when I dropped off the boat (mind you, the day I dropped off the boat he was in the rest room and sent gabe to check in the boat) he was no where around to hear my conversation with gabe nor was Ron.
The point to this CL ad is to aware people to the type of business they are running, im sure they have been in business for 17 years and do know about boats but by knowing that you don’t take people’s hard Earned money by making false promises and then expect then to pay for something they didn’t agree on.
After I paid the bill I requested a receipt that was denied to me, shortly after he gave it to me after knowing I had the right to get the receipt since I paid. As I walked out Cody and his Father stood at the stair case laughing at me. They called me out of my name, they loudly asked me not to come back and said «is they bmw your dads car?!» As in implying I couldn’t afford it.
Allison Marine Service
23 431 30^th Ave S Kent WA 98 032
206 878 6479
We fix YOUR play us!
Now I need a real professional to fix help fix my boat! (Send me a email if you can help) thanks.
Update: After a year later I get back on Unilocal!And I have more harassing messages from this place and how they called all the boat shops around to tell them not to work with me. They keep making fun of me on the type of car I drive, my race and how old I am. This is ridiculous!