We rented one of the 44' houseboats from this business during Thanksgiving week of 2004. Having been determined by the owner, Dave Manno to be "woefully inadequate" to pilot one of his vessels, we were not allowed to leave the dock during the whole week. We did however, use the vessel for overnight accomodations (since he also doesn't allow refunds!). At the end of the rental period, Mr. Manno refused to hold a walkthrough inspection, citing that it would take him at least 8 hours to completely go through the vessel to determine if there is any damage. Lo and behold, he returned our $1,500.00 deposit, minus $516.96 for: Fuel ($33.59), Battery ($73.69), Window Shade ($86.14), Coffee Pot ($21.19), toilet seat ($57.10), carpet cleaning ($101.25), sink strainer ($4.00), and Labor for repairs ($140.00). The battery discharged one evening, and he claimed it to be damaged beyond repair. Toilet seat cracked (it wasn't... We have pictures!), Window Shade stained (was pre-existing), carpet stained (someone entered while we were absent, and had dirty feet and a bucket with left a ring stain on the carpet!), coffee pot was brand new, and the bottom discolored slightly from the burner on the stove.
We filed a small claims lawsuit, went to court, and won our case, having all but the $33.59 for fuel being returned to us! If you are unfortunate enough to contract with Mr. Manno's company to charter a vessel... insist on a complete and thorough walk-through inspection before, and after. Take pictures, as he will claim damages that are pre-existing, and attempt to withold your security deposit money as he did ours!
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