Reviews: Safe Harbor Aqua Yacht

Reviewed by: Sean Carolan , Meant To Be, on Sep 3, 2025
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 50'
Draft: 3.5'

Rating: 1

We became Safe Harbor members about one year ago. Our home port was Safe Harbor Aquayacht in Mississippi. We arrived at Aquayacht approximately November 15th 2024. We left our boat there for the winter and left an extensive laundry list of work that we wanted to have done while we were away for the winter. We let the Marina know that we would be returning on February 15th and wanted the work completed by then. The list of work included replacing the old inverter and batteries, fixing vacuflush toilet issues, ceramic coating the entire boat, and having the pod drives taken apart and according to Greg the mechanic "bullet proofed" by ceramic coating the shafts that sometimes leak causing saltwater intrusion. I can safely say that the only competent person on the service staff that we dealt with is Mark who did the electrical work on the inverter. the work was done correctly and on time. Marcus who did the plumbing work was completely incompetent. The vacuflush heads on the boat required complete disassembly and rebuilding by me to quit leaking. The pumps ran on so much that the bellows broke on the vacuum generators requiring complete rebuilding. The work on the vacuflush system was not completed until 3 weeks after our return on February 15th. The Ceramic Coating that was done was a complete joke. The boat looks as bad if not worse than when we started. The Marina billed me for half the job and Lake Escape yachts billed me for the rest. This work was a month late. We finally told him enough was enough and we had to leave as we were already behind our departure schedule. All of this brings me to the best part. The pods were taken apart, the shafts supposedly ceramic coated to harden them so they didn't get a groove in them and leak. We had the boat professionally surveyed and all fluids tested before we purchased it in July of 2024 and was found to have no issues. In speaking with the service manager and the mechanic we were "sold" on the fact that the pods would last significantly longer if we did this. We agreed. The port pod lasted less than 6 weeks before completely filling with sea water. The Starboard pod lasted an additional 2 weeks before it too failed with saltwater intrusion. Diesel Services of America replaced the first one and they said that the seals were incorrectly installed. Hinckley Yacht services in Savannah, Georgia replaced the 2nd one and said the seal was installed incorrectly. To Aquayachts credit they did pay for the first repair and after several phone calls and emails also paid the bill at Lauderdale Marine Center where the boat had to be pulled. However, they have now refused to pay for anything on the second pod even though it's the same issue. We spent well over five figures to Aquayacht for the service work done to our pods and are now stuck with an additional five figure bill that they refuse to pay. I cannot stress enough to NOT use their service department at all. The communication from the entire Marina was extremely poor. The general manager Pam does not return phone calls or emails. the service manager Robert is impossible to get to at all. The only positive in the whole experience was the electrical work done by Mark. We have been to a lot of Safe Harbors in the last year, and I have to say I am extremely disappointed in Aquayacht. We are now forced to store our boat for the winter as we lost 2 full months of our cruising time waiting for diagnosis and repairs due to their poor workmanship.

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Reviewed by: Cris Grogan , Remedy, on Dec 3, 2024
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 48'
Draft: 4.0'

Rating: 3

Marina and grounds are very nice. They have a couple of nice courtesy cars. Very easy to get to town. Restaurant and laundry were closed when we were there in November. Bathrooms and showers are not lockable. wifi on the transit dock was great!
left boat for 3 weeks while we went home. When we arrived, we inquired about having a couple service items taken of. Was told that they would pull the boat day after we left. Was never pulled and inquiries were never followed up with. Was really hoping for more. Quoted a monthly rate instead of daily rate. Worked out to be about half the price as daily.

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Reviewed by: G. Jay Nelson , Pegasus, on Nov 14, 2024
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 44'
Draft: 3.5'

Rating: 5

The Safe Harbor Aqua Yacht Marina was an excellent stop. The marina is on the Pickwick Lake and has very easy access. The marina is well maintained with very stable floating docks. Billy, the dockmaster, was at the dock when we arrived to help with the dock lines and provide us information on the marina. The marina has three courtesy cars which we took advantage of on three occasions during our three-day stay. The facilities are clean and well maintained, and the grounds are very pet-friendly. The primary reason we stopped at this marina was for their repair facility. The repair shop is impressive and can handle virtually any repair needs. We had them change our oil and filters, change all of the fuel filters, and adjust our starboard dripless shaft while we were there. The work was done professionally and at a reasonable rate.

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Reviewed by: Dick Heusinkveld on Oct 29, 2024
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 44'
Draft: 3.5'

Rating: 4

Super transient docks, including covered slips. Easy in and out for pump out and fuel. We did not use the loaner cars but they are good to have because there are no nearby amenities. Great boatyard does excellent work. 4 stars only because it's let down by the showers and washroom facilities and frequent closure of the restaurant. Recently upgraded wifi works well and there is also good cell coverage.

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Reviewed by: MARK GLOVER , Cool Change, on Oct 24, 2024
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 45'
Draft: 3.0'

Rating: 5

Currently they are working to rectify a sewage issue….They do have working bathrooms with showers at the pool area. That being said, it was a slight inconvenience that the laundry and restaurant were closed due to the sewage issue, but they have three loaner vehicles and laundry is within 3 miles.Very easy to get a loaner and they work with you,if you tell them what is going on. Randy the Dockmaster and Billy are amazing, as were the rest of the staff we dealt with! They make you feel welcome and do all they can to accommodate your needs!!!! We would visit again!!!!

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Reviewed by: Paul Steindorf , Ohana, on Oct 5, 2024
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 45'
Draft: 4.5'

Rating: 3

October 2024, restaurant, laundry and one half of the restrooms are closed due to a "plumbing problem". Pool closed for the season, with afternoon high temperatures still upper 80's. Docks in decent repair. Fuels and pump out present, several loaner cars and Shiloh Battlefield close by. Did not need and service, so can't comment on that department.

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Reviewed by: Scott Gregory , My Happiness, on Sep 12, 2024
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 42'
Draft: 4.0'

Rating: 5

We were here Oct. 24, 23. Great communication from the staff. We had some engine work completed here as well as canvas work done by an outside vendor. Docks were well kept and we were happy with our few days here. Loaner cars were helpful to get some errands run. Worth the stop.

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Reviewed by: Blake Harris on Nov 5, 2023
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 50'
Draft: 3.5'

Rating: 5

Came into Aqua Yacht Harbor as we had run aground the day before. I cannot say enough good things about this marina and the service department. We had a bent prop and bent prop shaft, the prop shop is in town and props were returned the next day. The prop shaft had to sent out so took a bit longer but they had us back in the water and on or way. Showers and bathrooms were nice, laundry had 2 washers and 2 dryers they worked great. We will definitely stop here again

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Reviewed by: Rick Vicars on Oct 22, 2023
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 45'
Draft: 5.0'

Rating: 4

10-14-23 The marina is currently installing a new WiFi system. They have also added a huge floating dock on D pier that is great for docktails.
This is a great stop when traveling the area. Reservations can be made thru the fuel dock or in advance on Dockwa.

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Reviewed by: James Rylands , C Marie, on Nov 19, 2022
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 47'
Draft: 3.0'

Rating: 5

We had a great experience at Aqua. We had our trawler on the hard for maintenance and, due to a family emergency, the crew accommodated us and kept on working. Tony, Chris, Markas, David, Dennis…were all thorough, friendly and customer focused. We got the boat on the hard and they started working immediately! And kept on working. The marina itself was easy in and easy out, friendly bunch of boat owners, and very aware of us Loopers. We highly recommend this place!

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Reviewed by: DAVID ASTLE , Crew Lounge, on Nov 14, 2022
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 45'
Draft: 3.5'

Rating: 5

It's difficult to add good comments about Aqua Yachts, but this marina accommodates Loopers maintenance issues better than any we've come across. We along with others while we were there had some things fixed. Unlike other marinas who are too busy, they find a way to fit you in.

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Reviewed by: Janet Jackson on Jul 13, 2022
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 43'
Draft: 4.0'

Rating: 5

Great marina. Easy in and out. Arrived on a Tuesday, 12 July 2022. Fantastic service getting landed, fuel service, pump out and water then moved down to the transient slip. Little bit of rocking during the night while weather blew through. Wi-Fi was sketch. Pool was wonderful, cool water not warm. Restrooms were very clean and modern. Definitely recommend a stop here!

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Reviewed by: Bill Mcmahon on Nov 23, 2021
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 40'
Draft: 3.5'

Rating: 4

Large well protected marina. Good floating docks and lots of room in the fairways. Because it's large it is quite a walk to the facilities. Could not get the WiFi to work, but didn't ask for help either. Just used my cellular. Restrooms are new and clean, but there is only a single shower stall.

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Reviewed by: Rob Dare , Liberty Call , on Nov 5, 2021
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 46'
Draft: 4.5'

Rating: 5

Great marina. Good covered docks. 3 courtesy cars. Nice facilities. Sent an email before arrival with all the info we needed plus a slip map. Wish I could give their maintenance department more than 5 stars. They met us upon arrival on Saturday to let us know that we were all set. They quickly fixed our boat and got us back on the loop. Every person we met was fantastic. Lots of places to walk the dog. We decided to stay 6 days and really enjoyed this marina.

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Reviewed by: Barbara Burrington , Irene, on Nov 2, 2021
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 34'
Draft: 4.0'

Rating: 5

I can't say enough good things about the service we received from Robert and his entire staff in the Repar and Service Center at Aqua Yacht. They were friendly, calm, professional, timely AND Robert was able to trouble shoot an electrical issue with the necessary sonar box IN STOCK. We will be departing here feeling safe and satisfied. Other aspects of the marina, the bathrooms, the restaurant (Thursday - Sunday), 3 courtesy cars, great gas dock, ship store(s), pool (did not swim), all very nice. Even a discount for BOATUS members. The only thing that was less than perfect were the spiders in the covered dock area but most transients are on the open docks, but all in all, a fantastic stop!

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Reviewed by: David Mann , Now or Never, on Aug 17, 2021
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 44'
Draft: 4.7'

Rating: 5

Great facilities with most anything you might need. Friendly staff. Good service work. Typically covered slips are available for upcharge for transients. Deep water.

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Reviewed by: Jeff Gephart on May 9, 2021
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 62'
Draft: 5.0'

Rating: 5

I have traveled through the area 6 times in the last 18 months making deliveries, and Aqua Yacht Harbor has become a must-stop. I have tried others in the area, but Aqua is the best overall. It has the very best service facilities in the region and very professional. The fuel and transient dock is convenient.

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Reviewed by: Tina Pickell on May 29, 2020
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 62'
Draft: 5.0'

Rating: 5

Full service marina with amenities like a pool, restaurant on site and mechanics. The staff was helpful for docking, assistance with the courtesy car and recommendations for restaurants in the area. (The Aqua Restaurant was closed the night we visited.) Will definitely return.

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Reviewed by: Ian Ainsworth , Carina, on Oct 31, 2018
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 38'
Draft: 4.0'

Rating: 5

Well run marina with good repair facility.

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