Carl’s Marine Rentals Dangerous Vessel Bait and Switch Page Arizona

As an offshore captain with 15,000+ nautical miles in the Bahamas and Caribbean, I can say confidently: Carl’s Marine is putting lives in danger with unseaworthy vessels.

Our boat (UT2336AF) was a bait-and-switch — nothing like the pictures. It was dirty, sun-damaged, and in clear violation of multiple federal safety regulations applicable to commercial vessels for rent:

• Non-seaworthy vessel – 46 CFR § 25.3

• No life jackets – 46 CFR § 25.25

• No VHF radio – 46 CFR § 25.25

• No emergency instructions – 33 CFR § 175.17

• Commercial tow operator without Merchant Mariner Credentials – 46 USC § 8903

The hull was full of water, all instruments were dead, and we were told they couldn’t estimate fuel range. We brought our own fuel and were still stranded when the outdrive seized after four hours. The engine barely started, and the shift linkage was broken. With no signal and no radio, we were lucky to get out a single emergency text at 2:48 PM. Carl’s response? A casual text nearly two hours later: “I hear you’re having boat problems, call me.”

We didn’t make it back until 7:30 PM after being illegally towed, with no apology, no ride to our car, and no offer of refund — just a walk up the ramp carrying all our gear. I got a refund the next morning only by being firm and refusing to leave.

The staff are mostly teenagers, including minors with little marine training, but they are clearly trained to avoid giving refunds — as many other reviews note. The  credit card charge indicates it’s “recurring” so they’re keeping your credit card data in a database which violates PCI compliance rules for merchants.  Check your card statement.  They can retrieve and sell your card data. 

This company is knowingly endangering lives on Lake Powell, violating federal safety laws, and ruining family vacations. The National Park Service has been notified.