Reviews from Alex Tarlecky (23)

Anchorage Review for Sapodilla Bay - Provo

Reviewed by: Alex Tarlecky on Jan 30, 2023
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 42'
Draft: 4.0'

We stopped here overnight and a day before heading southeast across the bank. Shallow draft can get in closer than the icon - within maybe 100 yards of land - in 4-5 feet of water. Good protection from prevailing winds and from accompanying swell and wind driven waves. While we were here the beach was frequented by locals on personal water craft that had no care about recklessly driving around the anchorage. Outside of that, anchor is calm and peaceful at night. We did not go to shore so cannot speak about shore side amenities. However, we were accompanied by another boat that had dogs and they didn't feel comfortable taking their dogs to such a public beach.

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Anchorage Review for The Bight - Provo

Reviewed by: Alex Tarlecky on Jan 28, 2023
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 42'
Draft: 4.0'

We stopped in this anchorage after coming through Sellers Cut so we could dinghy into the marina to check into Customs and Immigration. It looks complicated to anchor because of all the coral but the entry was pretty straight forward (followed the explorer chart) and anchored in 10 feet of sand. Very rolly and super wake-y from passing boats, parasailor boats, tourist boats going by all day so we left after checking in. Nothing we had heard from fellow cruisers about the difficulty or complication of checking into the T&C was true. It was a piece of cake and the agents were very nice and accommodating. The vet did come to check our cat but since the cat never gets off the boat he did not need to examine it. Its advisable that you get your pet checked out in the country you left before arriving in the T&C and get your titer test. We did have the titer test but not examined before leaving the Bahamas so she was only qualified for a "No Landing/Transit" permit. We were unable to come into the marina because of our draft and this was acceptable. The marina has to call the C&I to come so that took about an hour for them to show up. You also need multiple copies of your ships registration to give to the authorities. They will ask you to make copies of various things at the marina office. The only real complaint I have is that none of the authorities work to align the time allowed in country: we received 30 days for our pet, 15 days from Immigration, and 7 days from Customs. You can extend your customs and immigration at Grand Turk. There are two grocery stores a few miles from the marina - we walked but maybe better to get a taxi - IGA grocery is equivalent to a wegmans or Publix in the USA (high quality).... just smaller. Lots of wines and other booze available. Produce is inexpensive at the [other] GK store. After you do your business find some place much better protected from E/ENE winds.

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Anchorage Review for The Current West

Reviewed by: Alex Tarlecky on Dec 16, 2022
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 42'
Draft: 4.0'

This is a terrible place to anchor overnight while waiting for a tide change to go through Current Cut. The swell that originates from the cut is really bad. You can go north a good way before it gets to shallow for anchoring and you may get some relief from the roll up there. Holding IS excellent though.

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Anchorage Review for No Name Harbor

Reviewed by: Alex Tarlecky on Dec 1, 2022
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 42'
Draft: 4.0'

I give the anchorage only a 3 out of 5 because it gets absolutely nuts with weekend boaters that find any available open space to anchor regardless of how close they are or how loud they are (and it can be LOUD). Regularly see manatees, small sharks, tarpons, etc. I would not agree that there is room to comfortably anchor 25 boats. Maybe 25 if you like to hand off the Grey Poupon off to your neighbors. I'd say maybe room for 8-10 cruising boats anchoring and many more if you tie up on the wall. They say there is no overnight tie up on the wall but we have seen people staying overnight for days on end with security not saying a word. Also, there is a pump out but according to the local security and state park officials it has never worked and there really is no plan to get it working in the state budget.

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Anchorage Review for Oven Rock

Reviewed by: Alex Tarlecky on Apr 4, 2022
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 42'
Draft: 4.0'

Fine anchorage in easterly winds. Close to Little Farmers when the chop is down. Path to cave starts at 23° 58' 54.3?N 76° 19' 45.16?W or 23.98175° -76.32921°

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Anchorage Review for Redshanks - George Devine Cay

Reviewed by: Alex Tarlecky on Mar 24, 2022
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 42'
Draft: 4.0'

Follow the very shallow entry and enjoy 360 degree wave protection. Still surprised that there was wavelets of any height but we were hiding from 25 knot winds gusting to upper 20's. Plenty of room for a bunch of boats. Good holding… mantus bit right in. Great access to town without having to cross the channel.

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Anchorage Review for Rudder Cay Beach

Reviewed by: Alex Tarlecky on Mar 20, 2022
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 42'
Draft: 4.0'

Used navionics sonar charts to navigate in through the north entrance and when leaving out through the south channel. Very shallow but instead of entering on the high tide, try entering on the mid to lowering tide because the tide swing here is probably 4 feet or so and you do not want to mistakenly anchor in a shallow spot - you will end up on the sand. We anchored slightly east of the waterway guide mark and at low tide had maybe 6" under the keel. We had a calm night but when the current is running out in the channel it sends little swell-lets into the anchorage... maybe 6 inches or so. Not enough to cause us to bump bottom but noticeable. There appears to be a fairly thin layer of sand over hard pan so while the mantus got some bite I wouldn't call it "sunk in". Snorkeling was good with Rays, Turtles, Fish, some coral. Although the island is privately held we saw no one around (no dogs as far as I could tell) and lots of people were using the beaches. Easy access to the Piano statue. There are a few paths around the island that a long long time ago were paved. Nice palm trees in a small section, unkempt. We had an almost full moon that only added to the charm. However, IMO, no boat with a draft of over 4 feet should attempt to anchor here. Internet was iffy...

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Anchorage Review for Great Guana Cay - Issac Bay

Reviewed by: Alex Tarlecky on Feb 16, 2022
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 42'
Draft: 4.0'

Anchored just SE of the marker in about 8 feet of water. Bottom is a mix of sand and rock but we found a Sandy spot and was able to get the mantus anchor to grab right away. ESE winds blowing 22 to 30 with no wind driven waves of consequence. There is some swell from the S but really not bad on our catamaran but if you could orient your bridle to face more into the swell it would be more enjoyable. Pretty beaches! Quiet… we are the only boat here. Line of sight to the cell tower and we got 2 down 18 up… guess everyone is enjoying sopranos reruns.

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Anchorage Review for Black Point Settlement

Reviewed by: Alex Tarlecky on Feb 14, 2022
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 42'
Draft: 4.0'

Despite several glowing reviews of this anchorage it's not a very comfortable anchorage at all in any winds above 7 knots other than from the E and SE. There is a lot of wrap around swell or direct swell from all other directions. Also, the locals plow right through the middle of the anchorage full steam and wake boats throughout the day. However, everything else about the town is true... people are super friendly, the grocery store is convenient, holding is fantastic, and so forth. Neither BTC or Aliv offers LTE-A from this tower (only LTE).

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Anchorage Review for Pablo Creek - Island

Reviewed by: Alex Tarlecky on Nov 7, 2021
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 42'
Draft: 4.0'

One of the only decent anchorages between JAX and Saint Augustine. Horrible current that will spin you round and round in an opposing wind. The anchorage is deep as well so you better make sure that you set your anchor right down the middle. You won't get a good night sleep here unless you put out a stern anchor alongside your bow. Upside is that the anchorage has decent cellular reception: 20/5 or so with T-Mobile.

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Free Dock Review for Jim King Park at Sisters Creek Marina

Reviewed by: Alex Tarlecky on Nov 5, 2021
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 42'
Draft: 4.0'

Rating: 4

Great free dock in a park. Shared water at the dock and you will need a long hose. No electric. Be sure to not leave too much room between you and the next boat because this is a popular stop in an area where there are very few good dock/anchoring options and we want to make sure there is as much room for other boats as possible. With that said, the current is swift and pushes the boats against the dock which makes coming and going difficult.

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Marina Review for Carolina Beach Marina and Mooring Field

Reviewed by: Alex Tarlecky on Oct 31, 2021
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 42'
Draft: 4.0'

Rating: 5

Moorings with a standard pendant seem to be in great shape. No wake zone and protected 360 degrees. Little to no current from what I can tell. Larry is as nice as can be. T-Mobile has 5G service with 192 down and 80 up.

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Marina Review for Beaufort Docks Marina

Reviewed by: Alex Tarlecky on Oct 30, 2021
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 42'
Draft: 4.0'

Rating: 4

Stayed for two nights in the "basin" when strong SW and W winds kicked in. Water and 50 Amp at the dock with easy in for our catamaran. Facedock protected us from strong wave and current action. Dock hands were very friendly and got us tied up well with fuel right in the slip. Pump out not working. Had dinner at the fancy mexican restaurant across the street and it was fantastic. Also had breakfast at the Turner Street Market and Cafe... also superb.

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Anchorage Review for Sloop Point G13

Reviewed by: Alex Tarlecky on Oct 30, 2021
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 42'
Draft: 4.0'

We always stop at this anchorage going north and south. Anchor in 10 feet just off the channel used by locals and enjoy a peaceful night. Few bugs and breezy in case it's hot. Enjoy the sounds of the waves crashing on the beach at night. T-Mobile 5G has 456 (yes 456) down and 25 up.

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Marina Review for Lamb's Marina

Reviewed by: Alex Tarlecky on Oct 22, 2021
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 42'
Draft: 4.0'

Rating: 4

What a find! Probably the best deal on the east coast for a marina slip. Was able to get our 42' cat onto a dock way inside. Excellent help tying up the boat. Really nice people! No pump-out that we know of but excellent 50 Amp service and quality water at the dock.

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Anchorage Review for Still Pond Creek

Reviewed by: Alex Tarlecky on Sep 18, 2021
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 42'
Draft: 4.0'

Came in at 1.5 feet above low. Its a tight squeeze for our beam of 21 feet but we got through no problem. Saw maybe 7-8 feet of water (to waterline) through the squeeze. Party central - the tiki bar on the beach (completely accessible by dinghy it appears) reminds me of ChatNChill. Tons of room for anchoring, especially if you have a shallow draft. Anchor dug in right away. complete 360 degree protection from wind and sea but the trees aren't too tall so I imagine that some wind will develop inside. We had to raise our T-Mobile 5G mifi all the way up our 60 foot mast and then we got 40 down and 10 up. At the spreaders we were not getting any signal. Otherwise - what a cool spot.

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Anchorage Review for Little Bay - Throgs Neck Bridge

Reviewed by: Alex Tarlecky on Sep 12, 2021
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 42'
Draft: 4.0'

This is a great little anchorage in SE, S, SW, W, and maybe even NW wind but N, NE, E wouldn't be great. Surprisingly the wakes are not bad at all, noise level is fine even though the bridge is close, and the view of the bridges at night is nice. Holding was good and we were the only ones here. Current wasn't a problem at all - probably because you are out of the channel. Anchor dug in right away and we slept like babies in moderate S/SW winds. There is a small beach area exposed at low water just on the inside of the break water in the SE corner of the bay and there is a dock but that is part of an old army base; it looks like there is an NYPD station there now. Next to the sandy beach is parking for the park so I suppose you could bring your dog in there. It seems to be serviced by a bus. There is also an NYFD training area, and EMS outpost, and Army Reserve just south of the Fort Totten Visitor Center

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Anchorage Review for Cuttyhunk Harbor

Reviewed by: Alex Tarlecky on Aug 3, 2021
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 42'
Draft: 4.0'

Overall this is a nice little spot to anchor. However, the location of the waterway guide symbol now has moorings. If you go further NE and line yourself up between "Pease Ledge Bouy 4" and the red nun fir the harbor entrance you can anchor in about 15 feet of water and not be close to the ledge but you will be more exposed to wakes of boat going transiting the entrance. Our Mantus2 anchor dug in right away and you are out of the highest current flow. 5G cellular service from T-Mobile is about 20 down and 20 up when we hauled the mifi up the mast but we only got 10/3 at deck level.

• WG Editor Comment:
  

  Editor Note; The anchor symbol has been relocated to the recommend spot.

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Anchorage Review for Dutch Island Harbor NE

Reviewed by: Alex Tarlecky on Jul 31, 2021
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 42'
Draft: 4.0'

Very small anchorage just north of the mooring field. Full of boats and getting smaller as more private moorings are added. Access to town with a town dock just a short distance south beyond the boatyard but it has a 30 minute docking limit. I hear they give you one warning before ticketing. No access to water at the town dock but they do have a self serve pump out at the dock, if you have a boat small enough to access it.

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Marina Review for TPG Marinas Dutch Harbor

Reviewed by: Alex Tarlecky on Jul 31, 2021
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 42'
Draft: 4.0'

Rating: 4

The anchorage areas between Jamestown and Dutch Island are now full of mooring balls or are designated as reserved conservation no anchoring zones. There is a small, and generally full, anchorage to the north. Dutch Harbor Boatyard runs the mooring field and is very professional -very nice people. They use Dockwa for reservations, so the balls are not "first come". They have nice indoor showers and an awesome outdoor shower. One washer/Drier. They use a railway to pull boat rather than a lift and it's not suitable for catamarans. This is a very small yard to begin with. However, even if you pay for a mooring ball you have to use the town dock just south of the boatyard and there is a 30 minute time limit for your dinghy unless you are permitted. This is quite an annoyance and speaks generally very loudly that Jamestown doesn't really want visitors, as has been our experience throughout southern New England. Water is available at the Dutch Harbor Boatyard dock, which is nice. There is a self-pumpout available at the town dock but the dock is small and small runabouts are often docked at the pumpout location. We have seen a pumpout boat once but have not used their service. Town itself is fairly sleepy and most of the restaurants are closed during the week. There is a small brewpub, a fairly decent small grocery, and on mondays a farmers market across the island which is about 1 mile wide. You can catch a ferry into Newport for $35 pp.

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Anchorage Review for Great Salt Pond - Block Island

Reviewed by: Alex Tarlecky on Jul 26, 2021
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 42'
Draft: 4.0'

Block Island… think "marathon with a screwed up mooring system". Balls are $50 a night for lime green plus a $1.50 service charge. Lots of good eats but it's packed with boats. Getting a mooring ball is next to impossible so assume you will be anchoring when you arrive. Lots of anchored boats dragging in 20 knots of wind. Seek out a boat with a mooring and make friends and then have them hand off the mooring to you. Cellular service is bandwidth challenged. Water is clear and swimmable but not warm. Dock space is such a premium that they raft up to 9-10 boats on a t-head. There is a water boat that will deliver water at 50 cents a gallon or you can drive your dinghy up to a post with a spigot behind the maritime center for free. Pump outs are free, call on 73. Trash is free in the parking lot of the maritime center behind Dirty Dicks. Scooter rental available in the parking lot of "The Oar". The Oar also has a surprisingly decent minimart with most of the foods you need and nothing more… given that the big grocery store has Bahamas prices the prices at the par aren't bad. The oar has a small but decent ship store selection as well. We have found the restaurants surprisingly affordable.

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Anchorage Review for Lake Montauk

Reviewed by: Alex Tarlecky on Jul 26, 2021
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 42'
Draft: 4.0'

Not a whole lot to do here. You can paddle board, take walks on the beach (after already taking a long walk to the beach), and spend your money at the restaurants but that is pretty much it. We don't think this is a "must stop".

We came into the harbor during a freak summer thick fog at sundown. First time here and we were unfamiliar with the entry. Entry in these conditions was easy, the channel is well protected and wide. Better than most inlets further south. We drove our 4 foot draft Catamaran into the bay and was greeted with a wide open space with plenty of room to anchor. Dropped our hook in 8 feet with a 2-2.5 foot tide. Anchor set immediately. Very little wake action, cool nights. Good sleeping. Local harbor patrol came by to ask how long we were staying. I suspect they want you to move on after a while. Fair enough. Finding a place to land the dinghy near town and restaurants is difficult but the kind dockmaster at West Lakes marina said we could tie off if we were coming into eat. Great sushi at the west lakes fish house. Cellular service is subpar-although t-mobile says they have 5g service I was lucky to get 2 mbits if I put the router in a bag and pulled it up the mast. There is no tower that we could see from the anchorage.

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Anchorage Review for Cistern Cay (southwest)

Reviewed by: Alex Tarlecky on Feb 25, 2021
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 42'
Draft: 4.0'

Tucked in closer and more south than marker location to get out of S/SW winds.

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