Let’s start by acknowledging the ease of use and communication with booking our reservation was fairly good. I could attribute that though to FareHarbor’s easy reservation system that Bruschi uses.
So first issue, the owner calls to explain that they would like to move our reservation to 2-8pm instead of 12-6pm. He obliged that if not then it was okay, but asking in the first place was an issue for me. I understand issues happen with boats, but we were unable to adjust.
Second issue, we arrive and our “Captain”Archimedes is not even prepared with the boat ready (not cleaned, undocked) Due to this we left at 12:30pm which is 30 minutes past our scheduled time.
Third issue, Archimedes mentioned his payment just as we were leaving. I signed a document knowing that we are paying you, do you have to restate it and mention the non optional 10% gratuity?!
It takes 45min just to get from Bruschi’s dock and to open water! Almost 2 hrs of our rental time of our 6 hour rental.
We go to one sandbar and it’s not bad but nothing special.
Archimedes then takes us to another sandbar filled with loud music and partiers. We are a small group with children. As a professional you should know what’s appropriate and helpful for children as well as any age of guests.
Fourth issue and probably the biggest issue! Archimedes was texting on his phone, Instagram , etc while DRIVING!! We have children on board and this is a MAJOR SAFETY issue. I understand while anchored being on your phone but the ENTIRE TIME he was on his phone! He kept swerving and trying to adjust because his attention was not aware of driving the boat! All of us on the boat had a problem with this! Unprofessional and very dangerous! We tried communicating with him multiple times but he was so immersed in his phone, he wouldn’t even hear us!
Fifth issue, when I stated I needed to go to the bathroom, Archimedes said “I couldn’t go and that he hadn’t either”. It’s your job! We had 2 hrs left! That was at 4pm! Like how have you made your guests comfortable on your boat?!
Sixth issue, we are not asking that you have to be our friend but Archimedes didn’t provide a level of service that welcomed us. He didn’t really want to take us anywhere. When we asked, he said that the two sandbars was it! We had to basically ask multiple times to take us somewhere else! Like we are paying for the boat, gas and captain! Once again this is your job! Not a joy ride to take people while your go on Instagram and talk on the phone!
Seventh issue, the gratuity is 10% of your total not the captains fee. This is not indicated anywhere that it’s 10% of the TOTAL rental just says 10%. That’s deceiving and misleading. Also Bruschi check your contract because what’s stated on there versus what the captain asked for is different.
Final issue but pretty much expected at this point…we arrived back at 5:30pm! 30 minutes early! I paid for 6 hours we left at 12:30 and arrived at 5:30pm that us 5hrs!! You stole an hour from me. I feel I should at the least be refunded that hour.
The entire trip was just okay, but definitely not returning and hopefully this review will help Bruschi Rentals make the necessary precautions and proper training for their “captains”.
(In the photo Archimedes is texting, NO HANDS on the wheel while driving!!!)