Reviews: Barber Marina

Reviewed by: David Mauney on Mar 4, 2024
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 33'
Draft: 3.0'

Rating: 5

Great Marina and excellent docks and marina store. Dry storage is good for boats up to 40ft. Watch traffic if its the summer busy weekends. Repair facility will cover most all issues and great work on engines and electronics. Yacht yard can accomidate up to over 100 ft. Its a bit of a drive from marina to Foley or over to Orange Beach. Closest store for supplies is Foley.

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Reviewed by: Mike Disotelle on Jun 10, 2023
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 45'
Draft: 4.0'

Rating: 2

It cost me $1200 to re-learn a few important lessons about Marina/Boatyards here....

1) Take detailed photos of the boat when they pull it/before you leave the yard.
2) Document work orders/quotes in writing.
3) Physically check on the work in progress frequently.

I took my boat here to have the bottom painted, was quoted a fair price on the phone by Hannah and set the date/time for haul out. Arrived at prescribed time, they were ready and waiting....all good so far.

Hauled boat and after quick inspection (mistake #1 - should have taken photos), was quoted $40/ft for compound/wax hull sides (mistake #2 - should have had price and work request in writing).

They indicated the boat "might" be ready in 4 days....no problem, I'm not in a hurry...but they do charge a yard fee for every day, so shorter is certainly better. No word from anybody, so on day 4 (Friday) I call just before noon to check on progress. Hannah says "let me check and call you back". (Mistake #3 - should have gone out for physical progress checks)

About 1:30, I get a call back from Hannah and yard manager Dale. They sent some photos of hull damage sent by text. They've cut away a 4"x12" piece of fiberglass and tell me it was damaged when I brought the boat to them....hmmm. I ask why was I not called when this was discovered...and before someone started cutting on it? Their reply was "It wasn't noticed until after it was pressure washed, and the guy who noticed doesn't speak good English". Never mind the pressure washing commenced when the boat was still wet and in the slings on day 1.....this is now day 4. I wonder, did the guy cutting away the fiberglass also have communication issues???

I go out to see the damage first thing Monday (they're closed on the weekend). Since the fiberglass is cut away, so is the evidence of what might have happened.... Dale insisted they did not cause the damage. No sense arguing, they hold all the cards at this point so I agreed to pay for repair.

Tuesday afternoon, boat is ready and I go pay the bill. Surprise again....hull compounding is now $45/foot (vs. $40 quoted)...seems quotes are variable here. Hannah says they can adjust price if they want to.

Anyway, the work looks decent (time will tell), but overall experience left a sour taste. Not even a "thanks for your business" after a $7000 bill. Don't be fooled by this place. Most positive reviews are about the setting...it's in the middle of nowhere and has a bunch of weird dinosaur statues, ornate statues, and a giant lady in the water. Great place for a drive by with the kids (if you are looking for something to do in Josephine, Alabama) but nothing special about the boatyard or Marina.

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Reviewed by: David on Apr 17, 2021
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 28'
Draft: 4.0'

Rating: 5

I love this place. They have nice clean rest rooms and showers, fully stocked ships store, fuel, ice, self-service pump out. Be prepared to cook your own dinner, because there is no restaurant, or food supplies other than snacks. However, I'm fine with that, because the place is spectacular. I stayed in June 2020, and several hurricanes have slammed them since. I plan to stop again this summer and hope they have rebuilt as best they can. This place is always on my list to stop and get a good nights sleep with shore power and a/c.

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Reviewed by: Jacki on Sep 1, 2019
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 21'
Draft: 2.0'

Rating: 3

Amazing Marina, however if you don’t have a super yacht, they don’t really respond to you. Small craft are welcome, expect 2nd rate service. We pay for our boat for the protection and convenience, and physically launching is hard on us, but sure wish everyone was treated with respect. If You have a super yacht or a new boat, expect the royal treatment !

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Reviewed by: Paul Castaldi on Jun 12, 2018
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 45'
Draft: 4.0'

Rating: 3

The marina and fuel dock are wonderful. Staff are helpful. What keeps me from rating this marina higher is that it is not near anything. Without a car or a fast dinghy you cannot get across the bridge to where all the restaurants and other amenities are available.

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Reviewed by: Chris Caldwell , AskCaptainChris, on Jul 3, 2016
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 44'
Draft: 4.0'

Rating: 5

The entrance channel day markers were in reverse numerical order when I was there a year ago. Instead of starting with 1 they start with a high number. They also have trouble answering the radio so use your cell phone. Good floating docks, you need a car because it is a long way off the beaten path.

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