Bridge comment on SR 165 (North Landing) Bridge

Comment by: Shawn Fay, Wandering Star, on Apr 18, 2024
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 40'

We came through the North Landing bridge on 4/18/24 and found it to be open to navigation all of the time due to the swing portion being removed for repairs.

• WG Editor Comment:
  

  See nav alert posted.

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Marina Review for Chesapeake Cove Marina

Reviewed by: Shawn Fay , Wandering Star, on Oct 12, 2023
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 40'
Draft: 4.0'

Rating: 5

I've dealt with Chesapeake Cove for over 25 years now & have always been treated very well. In addition to having excellent, clean & well-maintained grounds, they have a store stocked with most everything needed to get you going. Two years ago, the crew removed the clutch from our boat, completely rebuilt it & it was reinstalled without a single scratch or spec of dirt throughout the entire process. The clutch has thousands of miles on it now with no problems whatsoever. Their crew of detailers also did a very professional job restoring our faded & chalky hull to like new.

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Anchorage Review for Rock Creek

Reviewed by: Shawn Fay, Wandering Star, on Apr 27, 2022
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 40'
Draft: 4.0'

We spent the night here 4/12/22 and while we always had plenty on water, it felt tighter than it was due to the shallows on the west side and the crab traps on each side of the channel. It is very private but nothing but marsh grass all around. The wind was gusting above 15 so between that and the current, it was a bit of a pain to get the hook set exactly where we wanted it but we made out fine for the evening anyway.

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Anchorage Review for Moon River

Reviewed by: Shawn Fay, Wandering Star, on Apr 27, 2022
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 40'
Draft: 4.0'

Anchored here 4/11/22. It is an anchorage that's close to the ICW but since we prefer a more private spot , it was just ok. Holding was fine in a muddy bottom but there are too many residences nearby to rank it high in the "scenic" department.

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Anchorage Review for Mackay River - Wallys Leg

Reviewed by: Shawn Fay, Wandering Star, on Apr 27, 2022
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 40'
Draft: 4.0'

Anchored here for the evening on 4/0/22. Easy access right off of the waterway with good holding and room for several boats, though we had the anchorage all to ourselves. Mud bottom held well in a moderate, reversing current.

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Anchorage Review for Alligator Creek - Amelia River

Reviewed by: Shawn Fay, Wandering Star, on Apr 25, 2022
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 40'
Draft: 4.0'

4/9/22 We were happy with the convenient anchorage just to the west of the ICW. Holding was fine (60lb Manson Supreme/ all chain rode) in 10-12' of water & sandy mud. The wind was gusting out of the NNW 25-30 all day so this anchorage offered us decent protection. Had it been blowing out of the SE, we would've opted for the Harrison creek anchorage just South and across the river.

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Free Dock Review for Mariners' Wharf, Elizabeth City

Reviewed by: Shawn Fay, Wandering Star, on Aug 17, 2019
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 40'
Draft: 4.0'

Rating: 1

Here's OUR take on our stay at Elizabeth City. We arrived to a fairly well kept public waterfront park with the welcome flags flying. We picked a slip that accommodated our beam as marked by the varying slip widths on the bulkhead. The large pilings that secured our bow & spring lines had seen better days but they worked for us.
We arrived on a Sunday late afternoon and after we got tied up, we assessed the location. Everyone who spoke to us was very friendly. Alex ,in a wheelchair, talked with us a bit and even went to the only nearby open restaurant & brought us a menu! The comfort station ,which was touted by the Mariners Wharf website as being new & having restrooms & showers,was used by folks that obviously didn't have regular access to facilities so we weren't comfortable using them. Elizabeth City appears to be trying to attract boaters with the free dockage and regular events but we were just not comfortable with the demeanor of some of the people that came through the park. It would've been nice to have seen more of a police presence. For those reasons and a few more, we left earlier than we had planned.

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Anchorage Review for Portsmouth - Hospital Point

Reviewed by: Shawn Fay, Wandering Star, on Aug 17, 2019
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 40'
Draft: 4.0'

Holding seemed to be ok with mud clay bottom
Not the quietest anchorage but then again it is in Norfolk. Get there early because the spots that aren't taken by the folks that appear to be long term (there were four boats when we arrived on Saturday and they were still there the following Thursday )fill up fast by locals enjoying the evening and other transients
We were happy to have an anchorage to start our waterway trip so we can't complain!

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Nav Alert comment on Willoughby Bay, shoaling in entrance channel

Comment by: Shawn Fay, Wandering Star, on Aug 17, 2019
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 40'
Draft: 4.0'

We never saw less than 8' of water and even then that's because I let the tide push me slightly northward & out of the channel. Mostly 10' of water and more if you stay to the right of the channel when entering

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Anchorage Review for Willoughby Bay

Reviewed by: Shawn Fay, Wandering Star, on Aug 17, 2019
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 40'
Draft: 4.0'

Holding was good in sandy mud 12' water with 7:1 scope (65' 3/8 chain plus 5/8" rode & a 35lb delta anchor). Navy copters were fun to watch & we didn't find the sound obtrusive from the copters or the nearby interstate 64 bridge. Open to the west but otherwise fairly protected. We would use this anchorage again

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Anchorage Review for Great Wicomico River - Sandy Point

Reviewed by: Shawn Fay, Wandering Star, on Jul 14, 2019
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 40'
Draft: 4.0'

We anchored closer to the point as no severe weather was forecast and we wanted to enjoy what breeze there was. Holding was good in sticky mud with a 5:1 scope using a 35lb Delta and 65' chain & 25-30' rode. There was hardly any wind but the current did shift directions several times over the period we anchored & we never dragged. Scenery was good and not much boat traffic with a few kayakers stopping by to say hello and a couple of fisherman. We were 1/2 mile from the channel so boat wakes were felt but not really an issue.
Beaches at this particular anchorage appear all privately owned so head up river to one without a residence if access is needed.

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