Reviews from Karen Ratte (54)

Marina Review for Warderick Wells North Mooring

Reviewed by: Karen Ratte on Jun 28, 2024
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 49'
Draft: 3.5'

Rating: 5

Recently redone with new docks, roomy fairways and slips. Nice facilities. All of town is easy walking distance, lots of restaurants, shops and historic sites. Recommend the fromagerie and the chocolate store.

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Anchorage Review for Cumberland Island South

Reviewed by: Karen Ratte, See Level, on Apr 9, 2024
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 50'
Draft: 3.5'

A must stop if weather supports — fascinating history of the island. Lots of trails, NPS tours available.
Note that there are two ferry docks — Dungeness (near this anchorage) and Sea Camp (about 1 mi further north) and the north ends of both of these are public dinghy docks. Dungeness is closer to the ruins, Sea Camp
has more trails in different directions and shorter to the beach. Bathrooms at both open during park hours.

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Marina Review for Harbour Village Marina Inc.

Reviewed by: Karen Ratte , See Level, on Nov 30, 2023
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 50'
Draft: 3.5'

Rating: 5

Excellent overnight stop. It's true there is no restaurant or anything nearby, but lovely residential neighborhood for walking (dog friendly), very protected marina right on the ICW. Floating cement docks, very nice bathhouse. Great communication via text day of with instructions, welcoming staff waiting on the dock to assist.

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Marina Review for Occoquan Harbor Marina

Reviewed by: Karen Ratte , See Level, on Jul 20, 2023
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 50'
Draft: 3.5'

Rating: 5

Great stop a few miles off the Potomac, but worth it. Fantastic staff and facilities. Lots of shady areas to sit and enjoy the view. On site restaurant very good. Very pet friendly.

Walk to ALDIs and/or Food Lion.
Town of Occoquan worth the short Uber for the history, shopping, restaurants. Very charming.

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Marina Review for Capital Yacht Club

Reviewed by: Karen Ratte , See Level, on Jul 20, 2023
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 50'
Draft: 3.5'

Rating: 5

Excellent stay - great facilities, great location for seeing DC on foot or by public transportation, and the members are incredibly welcoming and helpful.

If up for a walk, can get to Jefferson and Washington Monuments as well as the Mall/Smithsonian. But there is also the $1 Circulator that can get you to all the big sites and/or Metro. More restaurants than you can count right there, plus the Club has a restaurant and events that you are invited to.
The Club is very dog friendly, but you do have to walk out of the promenade area a block or so and across Maine Ave to find some grass.

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Marina Review for Silver Lake Marina (Ocracoke NPS Docks)

Reviewed by: Karen Ratte , See Level, on May 12, 2023
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 50'
Draft: 3.5'

Rating: 5

Both docks are open and in good shape, cement, fixed, deep water. 50 & 30 at each pedestal. South dock can only tie up on the south side. North dock a little narrow getting in because of a large red temporary dock (that is not for pleasure craft) and has some exposed steel beams at corner so be careful. There is also pedestals/dockage along the adjacent wall by the south dock. Park Service Bathrooms open 24 hrs, no shower facilities. Great location within easy walking distance of downtown Ocracoke Village. Docks near car ferries, but we never felt any effects of them coming and going. Only way to pay is via recreation.gov app so be sure to download. Good AT&T cell service.

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Marina Review for Fort Pierce City Marina

Reviewed by: Karen Ratte , See Level, on Apr 5, 2023
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 50'
Draft: 3.5'

Rating: 5

Excellent marina to stay for a while. Grocery within biking distance or delivery, lots of restaurants within two blocks, Sat morning Market with live music is the best we have seen.
Dockhands superb. Very nice facilities.
A,B,&C docks are newer, wide cement floating with in-slip pump out. Current can be fierce here so recommend arriving at slack (use Ankona tide station).
Other docks and fuel dock are older, fixed, but are protected from the current.
If weather supports, a fun excursion is to dinghy 2 mi across the ICW and under the bridge to Little Jim's for lunch, live music starts at noon.

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Marina Review for Palm Harbor Marina

Reviewed by: Karen Ratte , See Level, on Mar 4, 2023
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 50'
Draft: 3.5'

Rating: 5

Very nice facilities, amenities, people, and location. Pricey, as is every marina in this area and they do charge for a 50' minimum - but if you are going to splurge this is not a bad place to do it. At 50', we were one of the smaller boats here. Easy walk to downtown with its restaurants, free concerts, theatre, bike path over the bridge or north/south. We stumbled upon the free historical society museum at the old courthouse which was a nice overview of local history. Easy dog walking.

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Anchorage Review for No Name Harbor

Reviewed by: Karen Ratte, See Level, on Mar 2, 2023
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 50'
Draft: 3.5'

The anchorage actually inside the harbor is very well protected. There were about a dozen boats here on a weekday, many (including us) >50'. Just outside the harbor is a separate anchorage which is not well protected except maybe from west winds. Restaurant and separate beachside bart open until he park closes at sunset, good food. $20/day. We didn't find any bathrooms other than in the restaurants (no showers), and nothing posted about them. Pumpout was not working. Long wall for daytime use only. Nice place to watch the sunset over the bay from Cleats, the bar there.
The night we were there, the winds died to nothing. There must have been some swirling tidal currents because boats were facing all which way. We actually pulled anchor and moved over to the edge of the harbor because with the random 360's going on and not knowing how much scope others had out. But with just the light breeze of earlier we were all kept spaced out nicely -- just beware of the potential if it's a calm night nd make sure you have 360 deg of swing room.

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Anchorage Review for Sunrise Bay

Reviewed by: Karen Ratte, See Level, on Mar 2, 2023
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 50'
Draft: 3.5'

Great anchorage with extremely easy access right on the ICW -- room for 10-12 boats at least -- 8' depth. The illegal 'no overnight anchoring' buoys are not being enforced as noted previously. Moderate rolling from boats in the ICW, but worth it to watch the parade that passes by and this stops after dark. Beautiful residential surrounding. Dinghy dock to the STATE park right across the way was closed for construction, and if open would have made this 5 stars both for pet friendly and because the park would be great to explore. We took the the dinghy back south on the ICW and around the first corner to the local CITY park (Todd English)about 2.5 mi away, where there were very nice dinghy docks and access to Macy's/shopping mall, CVS, and looked like a lot more within walking distance. There is also a water taxi stop at the same state park that would be great if you wanted to venture anywhere into Lauderdale.

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Marina Review for Marina Del Mar Resort and Marina

Reviewed by: Karen Ratte , See Level, on Feb 28, 2023
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 50'
Draft: 3.5'

Rating: 5

Very protected. Nice pools, couple restaurants right there, easy bike ride to Pennekamp State Park. Busy during daytime with dive, snorkel, and tour boats - plus THE African Queen of Bogart and Hepburn fame! Good dog walking. Getting in through the narrow and heavily trafficked channel required vigilance and communication via radio, but doable. Recommend avoiding the times the glass bottom boat is coming/going (check their schedule).

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Anchorage Review for East Cape Sable

Reviewed by: Karen Ratte on Feb 8, 2023
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 49'
Draft: 3.5'

Good only in calm conditions or light NE winds. Can anchor close to shore and beach dinghy for pet access. Nice walk on beach but be aware that crocodiles have been reportedly seen. Great star-gazing. 1-2 bar AT&T cell service. Also be aware need to have completed Everglades online course, as is part of NP.

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Anchorage Review for Newfound Harbor - Picnic Island

Reviewed by: Karen Ratte on Feb 8, 2023
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 49'
Draft: 3.5'

Easy anchoring, stay in marked channel on approach - from Atlantic side entrance have to go counter clockwise around behind the small Picnic Island. Well protected from the Atlantic swells by barrier islands. Anchorage is open so can get some wind. We had gusts in 20s and still very comfortable. Can dinghy to beach on Picnic Island or longer dinghy ride to narrow marked channel and into residential canals to go to Tiki Bar or walk short distance to Boondocks. Both are pet friendly. There is lots of small boat day traffic to Picnic Island.

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Marina Review for Bahia Honda State Park & Marina

Reviewed by: Karen Ratte on Feb 8, 2023
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 49'
Draft: 3.5'

Rating: 5

A gem. Well protected, water and electric available. Bath facilities shared with park campground and clean, well maintained. A little shallow at entrance only, come in on rising tide. This is more of a campground for boats, not a resort. Abundance of wildlife- manatee, nurse sharks, birds. Nice beach, good snorkeling. Store has a nice snack bar. Stayed a week and could have done another week - very relaxing. Bus as mentioned previously- $1 if over 60 and can get to groceries in Marathon or Big Pine, or can go all the way to key West for the day.

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Anchorage Review for Tombigbee Oxbow

Reviewed by: Karen Ratte on Nov 7, 2022
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 49'
Draft: 3.5'

Great stop just past the Heflin lock for an easy run to Demopolis the next day. Boat ramp for easy dog relief, though no dock and have to tie dinghy to a bit of submerged rebar on the left or pull dinghy up the ramp. Some have reported slight reversing current with lock openings but we had no problems. Room for many boats.

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Anchorage Review for Bashi Creek (Alternate)

Reviewed by: Karen Ratte on Nov 7, 2022
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 49'
Draft: 3.5'

Easy anchoring in 8' about 100' from and parallel to shore puts you well out of the channel. Had three boats there and room for as many more. We put our a stern anchor but not sure really necessary- other two did not and did not move. A mild rock from passing tows. Great access for dog at the boat ramp across the river at the entrance to Bashi Creek. A little buggy, but watched deer come down to shore in the evening and fell asleep to the chorus of crickets.

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Marina Review for Sun Life Marinas Clarksville, Clarksville Marina TN

Reviewed by: Karen Ratte on Nov 2, 2022
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 49'
Draft: 3.5'

Rating: 5

Great stay, very nice facilities and staff. Located in a really nice park. Easiest way into the nice downtown area was to dinghy down to the city dock about a mile down river. Nice bike path also. Lots of restaurants in town.

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Anchorage Review for Dover Island

Reviewed by: Karen Ratte on Nov 2, 2022
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 49'
Draft: 3.5'

Great location, well protected. Here at times of record low water levels and still anchored in 20'. Slight current but with some gusty winds opposite made it a little weird to figure out which force would win. Half a dozen boats there and still room for more.

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Marina Review for Pebble Isle Marina

Reviewed by: Karen Ratte on Nov 2, 2022
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 49'
Draft: 3.5'

Rating: 5

Nice Marina. Harbor master very welcoming. Bathrooms a little dated but clean. Follow markers in and no problems.
Highly recommend taking courtesy car up to Johnsonville Historic museum and then driving around the site of this lesser known Civil War skirmish.

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Marina Review for Burlington Community Boathouse

Reviewed by: Karen Ratte on Jul 17, 2022
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 49'
Draft: 3.5'

Rating: 5

Very nice marina, staff, and facilities. Great location right on the downtown waterfront. Burlington is a wonderful town to visit for a few days. Lovely waterfront park, very pet and bike friendly. Groceries require an Uber, but tons of restaurants, ice cream, and shopping right there.

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Marina Review for Westport Marina

Reviewed by: Karen Ratte on Jul 17, 2022
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 49'
Draft: 3.5'

Rating: 5

Great family owned marina - just what we like. Small town, but Jambos coffee, some shops, and restaurants nearby. Marina restaurant wasn't open the night we were there. Marina store very well stocked including some basic groceries. Be sure to walk through the park and see the mural in the underpass.

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Marina Review for Marina Montebello

Reviewed by: Karen Ratte on Jul 17, 2022
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 49'
Draft: 3.5'

Rating: 5

Recently redone with new docks, roomy fairways and slips. Nice facilities. All of town is easy walking distance, lots of restaurants, shops and historic sites. Recommend the fromagerie and the chocolate store.

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Marina Review for Rondout Yacht Basin

Reviewed by: Karen Ratte on Jun 23, 2022
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 49'
Draft: 3.5'

Rating: 5

Decent facilities, wonderful staff (Brandon was great and a hoot, Nick helped us out when we were away from the boat and needed something checked on), pool is nice, quiet protected location. Short dinghy ride to Historic Waterfront. Rented a car and this location was better than Croton for access to FDR, CIA, Rhinebeck, Vanderbilt Mansion, etc. also recommend Uptown Kingston and the Saturday Farmers Market (note it is a 2+ mile uphill walk or worth an easy Uber).

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Marina Review for Isle of Hope Marina

Reviewed by: Karen Ratte on Apr 4, 2022
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 49'
Draft: 3.5'

Rating: 5

Lovely stop right on the ICW. Nice docks, facilities, courtesy car. Wonderful neighborhood to stroll through. Would need an Uber to get to Savannah, but this is a nice peaceful stop.

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Marina Review for Palmetto Bay Marina

Reviewed by: Karen Ratte on Apr 4, 2022
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 49'
Draft: 3.5'

Rating: 4

Newly rebuilt with very nice docks, easy face dock approach. Note there is a very strong current, especially ebb, that can be a challenge if you are put on the inside. No showers or laundry, bathrooms are the ones for the restaurant complex and are very clean but could use some maintenance given the high volume use. Staff at marina were fantastic and helpful. Good location for biking right where the bike trail starts. Plenty if restaurants within walking distance, grocery about a mile. Don't know if the plan is to add bath/shower for marina only as there is still some ongoing construction, but that would make this marina a five star one.

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Marina Review for Isle of Palms Marina

Reviewed by: Karen Ratte on Apr 4, 2022
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 49'
Draft: 3.5'

Rating: 4

Recently renovated and nice docks and facilities, though weird cleats. Good location if you want to avoid Charleston. Rate is actually $3/ft, and while the marina is nice don't think it's a good value. Note also the channel there is very busy on weekends.

• WG Editor Comment:
  

  Rate confirmed and marina listing updated.

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Marina Review for Sunbury Crab Co. Restaurant & Marina

Reviewed by: Karen Ratte on Mar 28, 2022
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 49'
Draft: 3.5'

Rating: 5

So worth the 6 mi off the ICW. Owners Elaine and Bernard are the epitome of hospitality. Restaurant is iconic local fare and ambience. Even a peacock on the grounds! This will be our regular stop on this stretch of the ICW.

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Marina Review for Jekyll Harbor Marina

Reviewed by: Karen Ratte on Mar 28, 2022
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 49'
Draft: 3.5'

Rating: 5

Great place to spend several days biking, beaching, walking. Convenient location for everything. Great staff, excellent dockhands, dog friendly, nice facilities and grounds. Free golf cart loans. Face dock can get a little bouncy with strong westerly winds.

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Marina Review for Reynolds Park Yacht Center

Reviewed by: Karen Ratte on Mar 8, 2022
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 49'
Draft: 3.5'

Rating: 3

Rather unique: transient dock was one of the dozen old post-WWII Navy piers, which means it was built for destroyers. Tie off to huge bollards that were 4' above our deck, have to climb up the attached metal ladders to get off the boat which could be a challenge for the mobility impaired. Certainly necessitating some creativity to get the dog off the boat. Bathrooms were clean and a nice lounge area, but bit of a hike if you're further down along the pier. Ore of an industrial feel. Easy dinghy ride around the corner to the downtown area, with one of the nicest riverfront parks we've ever seen, newer city docks where you can tie up the dinghy. Pick up a locally roasted coffee at Spring Cove coffee or a piece of Key Lime Pie at Sweet Sensations and sit in the park and enjoy the view!

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Marina Review for Hontoon Island State Park

Reviewed by: Karen Ratte on Mar 8, 2022
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 49'
Draft: 3.5'

Rating: 5

Fantastic gem of a place! Weekends could get busy and noisy on the water, but still a great place and can't beat the price. Bathroom facilities were kept very clean and in good shape. Lots to do -- hiking, kayaking, biking, and of course the 'jungle cruise' around the island in our dinghy -- great wildlife viewing! Reserve on the state parks website, and note that if you are more than 25' you need to book (and pay) for TWO slips on the THead -- call the marina/ranger if you need help, because that's not clear on the website. There are two T-heads for the larger vessels -- only 11A&B has 50 Amp power, 22 has 30 Amp. But 11 is missing one of the center pileons following a daring night crash by a rental houseboat. Not sure when it will be fixed. We will go back and would consider doing the volunteer gig for a few weeks. Flat rate for each slip. -- quite reasonable.

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Marina Review for Boathouse Marina

Reviewed by: Karen Ratte on Mar 8, 2022
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 49'
Draft: 3.5'

Rating: 5

Really enjoyed our stay. Small town marina, well maintained. Great price and we kind of liked the 'dated' part -- added to the ambience of the town in a good way. Skip was a wealth of local knowledge and history, very helpful. The old riverboat awaiting restoration nearby was really cool -- hope they can get it restored! Great downtown location. Get the map of all the murals in town and check them out for a local history lesson. Ravine Gardens is a nice bike ride away -- a little over a mile. Besides Corky Bell's to dinghy over to cross the river, Velchoff's is a nice new restaurant near the riverfront with lovely patio.

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Marina Review for Brunswick Landing Marina, Inc.

Reviewed by: Karen Ratte on Feb 22, 2022
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 49'
Draft: 3.5'

Rating: 5

Love this marina! Fantastic community of boaters that management fosters with happy hours, great gathering facilities, regular events, upkeep, and more. Were here for a month and left the boat for a week knowing it would be looked after by our fellow boaters and staff. Historic Brunswick was across the street with restaurants and shops, easy walk or bike ride to groceries and other necessities. Highly recommend.

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Marina Review for Lady's Island Marina

Reviewed by: Karen Ratte on Jan 18, 2022
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 49'
Draft: 3.5'

Rating: 5

Need more stars to give!!! Great owner/staff, great amenities, great location. Pretty much what everyone else has said. First time we've ever had a marina hail us as we were approaching the channel because they were watching for us. Can't get more hospitable than that.

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Marina Review for Myrtle Beach Yacht Club

Reviewed by: Karen Ratte on Jan 11, 2022
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 49'
Draft: 3.5'

Rating: 5

Very sheltered, very accommodating and helpful, nice facilities. Easy DIY pump out right in slip a bonus. Other than restaurant nearby, anything else would require car transportation as is on a busy highway with no sidewalks so not even good for biking

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Marina Review for Wrightsville Beach Marina

Reviewed by: Karen Ratte on Jan 11, 2022
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 49'
Draft: 3.5'

Rating: 3

Nice marina and facilities, good dockhands, but way overpriced at $4/ft - especially in this extreme offseason when things were closed. On-site restaurant good, but otherwise not much nearby without going over the bridge. Not much area for dog walking.

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Marina Review for Casper's Marina

Reviewed by: Karen Ratte on Jan 11, 2022
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 49'
Draft: 3.5'

Rating: 4

Marina itself is probably a 3.5 stars, but location and the town brings it up. Nice docks, very good dockhands, but could use a washing down to get rid of bird droppings (we were there in the extreme off season so might not be as much of a problem at peak when more activity). Bathrooms are dated and could use more attention to stocking and cleaning, but have seen worse. Town is lovely and good dog walking, friendly locals. Would gladly return.

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Marina Review for Morehead City Yacht Basin

Reviewed by: Karen Ratte on Jan 11, 2022
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 49'
Draft: 3.5'

Rating: 5

Beautiful marina, Lee and Mike very helpful. VERY sheltered - we were waiting out a SW wind on the T-head that turned NW the next day with gusts in the 40+ knot range and were very comfortable. Solid- wide floating docks, very nice bath facilities. Close to several restaurants but groceries requires a car ride.

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Marina Review for Oriental Marina & Inn

Reviewed by: Karen Ratte on Jan 11, 2022
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 49'
Draft: 3.5'

Rating: 5

Excellent service. Well sheltered, nice facilities. Enjoyed walking around town, though there is not really a downtown per se, but some nice shops scattered through a pretty residential area. Keep an eye out for the 'dragon nests.' Nice little coffee shop right by the marina where the locals hang out in the morning. Good fuel price. Limited docking for wider beam boats (we are 18') so be sure to call in advance.

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Marina Review for Belhaven Marina

Reviewed by: Karen Ratte on Dec 30, 2021
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 49'
Draft: 3.5'

Rating: 5

A gem of a marina with lots of personality and charm. Wonderful hospitality, great location right in downtown. Hands down the best bath and (free) laundry facilities on the AICW. Recommend Spoon River restaurant, but note is only open Wed-Sun.

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Marina Review for Top Rack Marina

Reviewed by: Karen Ratte on Sep 15, 2021
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 49'
Draft: 3.5'

Rating: 4

Best bargain in Hampton Roads for a short stay, perfect for staging before or after the Dismal Swamp Canal route. Docks and facilities are in great shape, bathrooms excellent with the only drawback that they are closed outside of business/restaurant hours. Gates are locked at night so very secure. We were there on a Monday so didn't get to try the restaurant. Did get waked once by some inconsiderate moron and with it bouncing off the sea wall right at the dock it got pretty roly for half a minute. Only reason lost a star is no water hookup and bathrooms locked at night.

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Marina Review for Onancock Wharf and Marina

Reviewed by: Karen Ratte on Aug 16, 2021
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 49'
Draft: 3.5'

Rating: 5

Favorite stop on the Eastern Shore! Very picturesque marina is small but new, which adds to the ambience. Staff amazing. Town is a short walk away with restaurants, movie theatre (limited showings), art galleries, shopping, salons. Just walking through the residential areas was a pleasure. Easy deep water approach from the Bay, lovely estates along the way. Can take a water taxi across to see Tangier Island. Hardest part of the visit was remembering how to pronounce the name of the town.

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Marina Review for Cape Charles Yacht Center

Reviewed by: Karen Ratte on Aug 16, 2021
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 49'
Draft: 3.5'

Rating: 4

Nice marina, great staff, great location if you want to go into town -- but not a great value for the high price. Bathrooms were acceptable but not exceptional, very nice floating docks, no other amenities. Cape Charles is a resort town, with great beaches and the usual kitschy downtown. Restaurant at the marina is excellent and highly recommend dinner there.

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Marina Review for Somers Cove Marina

Reviewed by: Karen Ratte on Aug 2, 2021
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 49'
Draft: 3.5'

Rating: 5

This imarina is great, and Crisfield the town is a diamond in the rough. The marina had beautiful cement floating dock for transients, to include a T-head for larger boats. The pool and bath facilities were very well maintained and looked new. Staff were wonderful, with FOUR dockhands there to help get our 18' beam into a 20' slip. If you're looking for a resort tourist town you will not find it in Crisfield. But if you want to get a feel for the life and history of watermen on the Eastern Shore of the Chesapeake Bay of yore then this town is worth the stop. Recommend the nearby Tawes Museum. Use the free bikes to ride through town or to the grocery store. They are working on even more improvements, and I look forward to returning to see what they have done!

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Marina Review for Safe Harbor Oxford

Reviewed by: Karen Ratte on Aug 1, 2021
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 49'
Draft: 3.5'

Rating: 5

Recent renovations are superb - new docks, new bath/showers that are nicer than most homes, air-conditioned lounge and large pool area made staying here in the heat of a Chesapeake Bay summer very comfortable. Dockhands excellent and very accommodating. The town is small with only a couple restaurants, but walks through the well-cared for homes and lively gardens made this a terrific place to just relax. Highly recommend.

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Marina Review for Cambridge Yacht Basin

Reviewed by: Karen Ratte on Aug 1, 2021
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 49'
Draft: 3.5'

Rating: 5

Very nice stay. Marina is good quality, great location to walk into town. WiFi good, bathrooms well maintained and clean. Scott the dock master very helpful on arrival and with local advice on restaurants. Great walk through old historic homes. Harriet Tubman museum here and the Tubman Mural right downtown is awesome. If you have bikes, recommend riding around to find all the murals in town. Grocery is easy by bike, a little far to walk.

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Marina Review for Solomons Yachting Center

Reviewed by: Karen Ratte on Jul 25, 2021
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 49'
Draft: 3.5'

Rating: 4

Great location, well maintained docks. Friendly staff and annual slip holders. Facilities were showing their age but clean. Is more of a boatyard feel than the higher end marina I would have expected for the price. Highly recommend Annmarie Gardens and the Maritime Museum, and the marina provided bikes were a great way to get to these and the grocery store.

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Marina Review for Chesapeake Harbour Marina

Reviewed by: Karen Ratte on Jul 25, 2021
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 49'
Draft: 3.5'

Rating: 5

Great marina, very sheltered and comfy. Excellent facilities - in the top 1% for bathrooms and pools. It is a bit away from downtown Annapolis, but they gave a shuttle that will take you downtown or to grocery store and we were happy to be away from the summer weekend hubbub. Can also dinghy into downtown if the Bay is calm. Marie in the office was a pleasure to work with.

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Marina Review for St. Michaels Harbour Inn, Marina & Spa

Reviewed by: Karen Ratte on Jul 25, 2021
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 49'
Draft: 3.5'

Rating: 5

Great stay. Marina is very clean and great amenities, including free use of their bikes for riding into and around town, very helpful dock staff. Maritime Museum a must. Thurs Eve free concerts in the nearby park. Town is absolutely lovely.

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Marina Review for Regatta Point Yachting Center (formerly Dozier's)

Reviewed by: Karen Ratte on Jul 13, 2021
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 49'
Draft: 3.5'

Rating: 5

Nice quiet marina, easy approach day docking, everything well maintained and attention to aesthetics. Pool a plus in this hot weather! Courtesy car to grocery, local farm stand, hardware. And West Marine.

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Marina Review for Safe Harbor Bluewater

Reviewed by: Karen Ratte on Jul 12, 2021
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 49'
Draft: 3.5'

Rating: 5

Excellent marina! Every dockhand and staff we met was professional, friendly, and helpful. Dave the manager was always walking around checking things out. Very nice facilities, extremely well maintained. Easy walk for groceries, bike or dinghy to town or they had a water taxi to take you on request. Hampton is a quiet town with lots of history, good dining and the Space Museum. This is a great marina for a couple days or to leave your boat for a few weeks if you need to. Highly recommend.

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Marina Review for Tidewater Yacht Marina

Reviewed by: Karen Ratte on Jun 25, 2021
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 49'
Draft: 3.5'

Rating: 2

Positives: Great location to explore historic Portsmouth and Norfolk, walk dog. Dockhands very helpful and friendly. Good restaurant onsite that is popular with locals.
Negatives: bath/showers just ok. Many advertised amenities not working the entire time we were there (several weeks) - wifi didn't work, pool closed, pump out and diesel not available, could never find a cart for provisioning runs. Worse was the lack of communication about what was not available. Fixed docks (Our beam is 18') are old, crumbling, and underwater at peak 3.5' tides with any storm surge.
SUMMARY: Good for short stay on one of their floating docks, but way overpriced for lack of amenities and avoid if they want to put you on a fixed Dock.

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Marina Review for Dowry Creek Marina

Reviewed by: Karen Ratte on May 24, 2021
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 49'
Draft: 3.5'

Rating: 5

Great little family run marina. Pulled in for the night on a hot day and they had a pool and ice cream in their store! They’ve obviously put a lot of work in and the improvements showed - nice clean baths/showers, laundry, boaters lounge with games snd wide screen tv ( air conditioned). Restaurant being added on premises - they are hoping for a fall opening. Great area for dog walks through the residential neighborhood. Will stop by again on our way south.

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Marina Review for Town Creek Marina

Reviewed by: Karen Ratte on May 23, 2021
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 49'
Draft: 3.5'

Rating: 5

GREAT marina. Wonderful, helpful service from all dockhands and Carol in the office. Fueled up at our dock. Courtesy car to the grocery. Laundry and showers looked new and very well maintained. Walked into downtown for the farmers market on Saturday, but could also dinghy around the point and be downtown in about 5 min. Make a reservation if you want to dine at City Kitchen, especially on a weekend.

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Marina Review for Carolina Beach Marina and Mooring Field

Reviewed by: Karen Ratte on May 20, 2021
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 49'
Draft: 3.5'

Rating: 5

Moorings were in excellent shape, easy access to two dinghy docks at either end. Bonus that the beach across the street from the nearest dinghy dock (opposite mooring 1) welcomes dogs before 0900 and after 1700. Larry was out there in the late afternoon coiling all the lanyards into the tray on the unused moorings, prepping for the next day. Well sheltered area.

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