Reviews: Hoffman's Marina

Reviewed by: Kevin Williams , m/v Blue Tortuga, on Jun 18, 2024
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 40'
Draft: 3.5'

Rating: 4

Staff is first rate and super helpful. Clean restrooms, free laundry and a nice swimming pool. It is expensive at $6.00 ft. Commuter train is close by but didn't bother us all that much. It is crazy rolly until night- one of the worst we've seen. Also, the fixed docks and nature of tie-ups make getting on and off challenging.

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Reviewed by: David Rodin on Jun 11, 2024
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 42'
Draft: 4.0'

Rating: 5

Nicer than expected location. Current was strong, but dock hands helped us and it was no problem at all. A little movement at night, but nothing like we expected based on the reviews. The restaurants were fun. Would return.

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Reviewed by: Martin Blanchard , S/V No Brainer, on Nov 3, 2023
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 42'
Draft: 4.0'

Rating: 3

Super expensive for what it is. It's a great spot to stop and rest when you leave NYC. But the Marina itself has not much specially in the fall when all is closed. Jeff the Dockmaster was the best! Helped us attach to a non floating dock. Unfortunately there is a railroad and trains (dozens) were passing by at not even 100' of my bow…?
To be considered for a well deserved rest and that's it…

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Reviewed by: Paul Steindorf , Ohana, on Jun 17, 2023
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 45'
Draft: 4.5'

Rating: 3

Marina caters to fishermen, but helpful dockhands. Fixed docks, were were placed on the east side, fuel dock, right next to the pumps. Fueled up in the slip. Lots of wakes from passing fishing boats dawn to dusk. West side of marina is past the railroad bridge which is usually up, but closes for Amtrack trains each 30 minutes during the day. Bathrooms clean. Well stocked chandlery. Brielle is a commuter town into NYC with expected pricing. Cute town. Manasquan inlet is narrow with fast currents. Arrival at slack tide suggested maybe 1-2hours post high/low).

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Reviewed by: Michael Yelle on May 24, 2022
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 42'
Draft: 3.5'

Rating: 2

Expensive marina with poor value. Dockhands and the staff were friendly and very helpful. Fixed docks with a 5' tide made it difficult to get off the boat. The finger pier was too short and very narrow with nothing to grab on to. The Waterway Guide stated the price was $4/ft, but they charged $5/ft plus power.

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Reviewed by: Captain Bulldog on Feb 21, 2022
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 40'
Draft: 5.0'

Rating: 5

As a delivery Captain I must have safe and accommodating facilities up and down the Coast. Anything that Larry Hoffman does is first rate. This marina is no exception. Always willing to stay for late arrivals, Great crew, great restaurants. Cons are there are strong currents around these docks so always accept advice and help from experienced dock hands. Many great restaurants within easy walk. Exceptionally clean facilities, Always.

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Reviewed by: Jeffrey Skoda on Jun 19, 2021
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 65'
Draft: 6.0'

Rating: 3

Hoffman's is an expensive marina for what you get. We were in the Sportfish Marina which is far from all the amenities. The staff was helpful and courteous.

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Reviewed by: John Dorsey on Jun 4, 2021
LOA: 29'
Draft: 2.5'

Rating: 5

Spent a few days here while waiting for the weather to improve. The currents were running very fast when we arrived. The staff did an excellent job of helping us dock.

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Reviewed by: Scott Glasser on Apr 26, 2021
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 33'
Draft: 3.0'

Rating: 4

Spent one night in a transient slip in September 2020. Service was Excellent, staff very friendly. Restrooms were clean and overall facility in very good condition. Spent the afternoon by the pool which was a five minute walk from the transient slip. The tide and current are significant which could be a challenge for inexperienced helmsman. The transient slip was right next to the gas dock, so it was pretty busy most of the day. Also due to the location of the slip, it not being protected, and a lot of nearby boat traffic there was constant rocking and rolling. Overall a good experience.

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Reviewed by: Robert Webb , Doc's Aweigh, on Aug 10, 2020
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 54'
Draft: 4.0'

Rating: 4

Great place. Helpful staff. We had urgent electrical short problem and dockmaster and electrician sorted it immediately [on a Sat.]. Excellent restaurant [we had take out].
Only issue relates to constant chopping water due to boat traffic in channel - marina not well protected from that unfortunately.
Their docks are fixed, well built, but have stubby fingers between slips, so make sure you dock stern in.
We had some confusing conversation on VHF on arrival regarding directions, so just be clear what you need help with and where you should be docking; staff great at helping us dock. They have significant tidal currents so try and come in close to slack tide - just makes it easier.
We would go there again definitely.

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Reviewed by: Ray Parrish on Jul 16, 2020
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 51'
Draft: 4.5'

Rating: 4

Great dock master, but pricey. It’s $4.00/ft or $3.50/ft with BoatUS discount.
Also, strong current and wakes from boats.

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Reviewed by: Louise Anderson , Then Again, on Jul 28, 2019
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 36'
Draft: 3.0'

Rating: 5

When I made our reservations, I mentioned that I am mobility challenged (I need to use a cane when walking long distances). When we got close to the marina, I spoke to Larry the owner, who said he could fit us on a short floating dock by the restaurant. It would have been a lot more difficult for me to get off at the fixed piers. Larry helped us tie up, checked on us later, and, when he saw us in Waypoint 622, made sure everything was to our satisfaction. Enterprise is about 15 minutes away, so we rented a car for a day to do a bunch of errands. Shop Rite will deliver to the marina. We did not use the laundry because we had so much, but, it was spotless when we checked it out. (If you are so inclined, Bubbles Laundromat has a Wash and Fold service. That place is also a great find). Bathrooms and showers are also extra clean. Entering and departing are a little tricky because of the current. We stayed west of the RR bridge and there is very little warning via a bell/horn when it is lowering. Normally open, but lots of commuter trains, so you need to be aware of your surroundings. Finally, a park just across the street from the marina was great for our dogs.

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Reviewed by: Terry J on Jun 2, 2019
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 36'
Draft: 4.0'

Rating: 1

AFter staying in this marina in the past two years and not having the best docking experience last year, because of the location with a great restaurant, we still decided to stay here. Not the best decision. I booked two nights at over $100 a night and because of the tides, requested a face dock. We secured the Magic yesterday after being aground for 8 hours. WE needed a "rest day." About 1500 a dock hand and a supervisor came to the boat and asked us to move, they had a 70 boat that wanted our space. I said I had requested this space several days ago and paid for two nights. After some negotiation, they found a slip for the big boat. This morning once again we were told that we had to move that the owner of the slip was coming in. Frankly that is not my problem. I paid for a slip. I talked with the owner who told me, effectually: "that's tough, ya gotta move." Oh, did I mention the 2 to 3 knot current??? The only place they could put me was about 30 feet west of the rail road bridge. I have a single screw without a bow thruster. Putting the boat securely against the face dock was a challenge and getting out of here tomorrow morning is going to be even more of a challenge. Lastly, after stating that I was really inconvenienced I suggested to the owner that maybe I could get a couple of free drinks at the restaurant. He said: "Are you trying to negotiate with me????" Obviously, he had me by the short and curlies. THIS MARINA DOES NOT HAVE THE BEST CUSTOMER SERVICE. Being a AGLCA Platinum looper and on the way to do the Down East loop, I do not intend to stay here again. There are other less expensive marinas and ones that want our business. CAPTAIN CRUSTY

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Reviewed by: Jim Snyder , Jim Snyder, on May 28, 2019
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 45'
Draft: 5.0'

Rating: 5

Mike did a great job. Facilities are great, convenient to the Atlantic.

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Reviewed by: mark 10 on Jun 1, 2018
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 50'
Draft: 5.0'

Rating: 3

Tough spot for us, fixed docks, and lots of traffic and no one cares about no wake zone. Staff and facility nice, location ok.

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Reviewed by: Terrance Godbold on Jun 1, 2018
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 36'
Draft: 4.0'

Rating: 3

In the 15 months we have been on the loop, we have probably stayed in well over 100 marinas. The best I can say about Hoffman's is the professionalism of the dock hands. They are some of the best I have dealt with. They need to be good as the current was the worst i have encountered. It took Magic 3 attempts to get into a slip. Not to brag but, I am very good after some 45 years on the water. Without the dock hands and with the terrible current, I do not think it could have been done. Once secured, the facilities are reasonable. The restaurant kinda sucked. So only 3 stars from Magic.

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Reviewed by: Howard Entman on Jul 27, 2017
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 45'
Draft: 5.0'

Rating: 4

Strong currents. Competent, helpful dock hands that made docking easy. Good electric. Nice pool. Free laundromat. Two restaurants on premises.

However, the T-heads are fixed docks. There is a 7 foot tide. At low tide, we could get off the boat amidship, but at high tide, we were 6 feet above the dock. Fortunately, we hand a step ladder that made entry and leaving precarious, but possible. Be aware of this if you are going to use the T-head.

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Reviewed by: Tony Russo , 2-Gether, on Apr 16, 2017
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 35'
Draft: 3.0'

Rating: 5

I damaged a prop on the ICW. Staff at Hoffmann took us in and assisted in getting the repairs done very quickly. Outstanding marina and very accommodating staff. Mike took very good care of us and very fair with the repair costs. I would recommend this marina to anyone.

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Reviewed by: Ken Hager , Taylor Jean, on Apr 9, 2017
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 50'
Draft: 5.0'

Rating: 5

5 star marina with pool, restaurant and bar on premises. Just inside inlet after the train bridge. Friendly staff, floating and permanent docks

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Reviewed by: Captain Bulldog on Mar 29, 2017
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 35'
Draft: 3.0'

Rating: 4

Came in March 24 needing emergency repairs on a delivery boat. It was pre season and Hoffman's had the mechanic and space. Great restaurants near by. Thanks again Larry.

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Reviewed by: Captain Bulldog , Carpe Diem, on Nov 18, 2016
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 40'
Draft: 5.0'

Rating: 4

A beautiful facility that Larry has completely redone. Tricky currents though and annoying RR bridge siren. Great restaurants and wide inlet. Busy channel but fun area.

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