Lighthouse Point Marina — Attraction in Madeira Beach

Have you ever wished that Google allowed for Zero Stars. . . This place deserves it.

So my boat mechanic asked me to go to Bay Pines to have my boat pulled out for some repairs. They couldn't accommodate a boat the size of mine so he told me to take it directly across the way to Lighthouse Point Marina. No problem. Head over, a gentleman, who I can only assume was the owner, asked me to sign a waiver to absolve them of any damage done by their negligence. . . no problem. . . day one of torts and law school you learn these things are worthless and just used as a deterrent. Just the same, I singed the paper he pulled my boat out of the water and set it 10 yards away on a dry platform. Maybe 5 minutes of his time.

My mechanic worked on the boat and told me to pick it up today, 2 days later. I stopped by and was asked to settle up in the office. Here is where the story really starts. The guy who is just working the marina (got nothing bad to say about him - he actually handled my anger well and he is the reason why the 1 star is okay) added up my bill and presented me with a FOUR HUNDRED AND EIGHTY DOLLAR + TAX ($480.97) bill. "FOR WHAT?!" I exclaimed. Well it's $10 per foot to pull it out - ($310) and $1.50 per foot per day and charged me for 3 full days when it was only there from 2p on Monday til 2p on Wednesday.

When I had my engine mechanic work on my boat early in the season to get the boat ready for a trip to Key West, he had me pull it out of the water at another marina. It was taken in and out of the water three times for various sea trials and it was there for two and a half weeks. That cost me $600 and $100 of it was a tip for the boat lift driver.

Incensed I asked how much it would cost to keep it there for a month. I was told $449 so I said I'd keep it there for a month and paid the bill.

$449 a month ($14.50/ft) for a crappy and small marina that is on a really narrow and shallow channel with filthy water around its docks is hardly worth it. If you look closely at the pictures on their website you will note that the dock are extremely worn and the wood planks bowing and uneven. There are marinas around (I don't believe in naming competitors in reviews for fear of denigrating my position) that are practically new with floating docks, clubhouses, nice pools, and great service for $11.50/ft.

If you value your money and like to pay for services that are commiserate with the price paid, this place is not for you!

I would definitely steer clear of this place if at...

We went on a fishing charter & the marina was very nice. The Park Ranger was edging the lawn along the sidewalk by the restrooms & the (whole) place looked to be well taken care of. It was a clean place, I could tell that the Rangers take good care of it & take pride in the marina & grounds.

That being said, the people who use the marina & the grounds are ultimately responsible for cleaning up after themselves. Even a platoon of Park Rangers couldn't clean up after people who wouldn't clean up after themselves. So if you're one of the people who helps to keep this natural resource beautiful & in great condition, THANK YOU.

And thank you for recycling your...

There hasn't been power out to any of the boats on the dock for nearly four months and as a result my boat sunk last week. I had a beautiful 29 foot Blackfin convertible with twin diesels and now the bow is completely ruined as a result of no power. Very disappointing. On top of that some random company floated my boat and then is now trying to charge us $6,000 or have a sign the title over to them for payment. This is all in a matter of 2 days of the boat sinking. Not...