Marina Review for Lamb's Marina

Reviewed by: Capt Maria Langer , Do It Now, on Mar 26, 2024
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 32'
Draft: 2.5'

Rating: 5

What a pleasant surprise! No, the place isn't fancy at all and the docks are a little tired, but there's great service from Randy and Larry, a sheltered basin with long term, liveaboard, and transient boaters, and a nice bathroom facility with the best shower on the Great Loop. Walking distance to a handful of restaurants, including a local catering place that sells prepared and fresh-made food. Reasonably priced fuel and propane on the premises. Dog friendly. I stayed here to wait out some weather and was not disappointed. You might prefer the free no-frills docks in Elizabeth City, but $35/night at Lamb's with electricity and clean bathrooms is a real deal. I recommend this place and would definitely stay again.

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Marina Review for Deep Point Marina

Reviewed by: Capt Maria Langer , Do It Now, on Mar 14, 2024
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 32'
Draft: 2.5'

Rating: 5

This was my second stay at Deep Point Marina in Southport. The first was two years ago when I came through the area with another captain. I stayed three nights this time around to take advantage of reasonable rates and their sheltered basin to wait out rough weather. Docks in great shape. Good facilities including fast WiFi, restrooms with clean private showers, laundry, and a pool. Great, friendly, helpful staff. Dog friendly; lots of places to walk your pup for exercise and potty breaks. Conveniently located at the Bald Island Ferry terminal if you want to make a trip to the island without taking your own boat through what is usually a rough inlet and paying the much higher per foot rate at the Bald Head Island Marina. (Keep in mind that you don't want to come into the basin as the ferry is leaving; the channel is relatively narrow.) Note that this marina is NOT in downtown Southport; it's about 1 1/2 miles by bike or foot. The area is served by taxi companies. Recommended.

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Nav Alert comment on NC: Snows Cut, Intracoastal Mile 298.0, Shoaling

Comment by: Capt Maria Langer, Do It Now, on Mar 14, 2024
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 32'
Draft: 2.5'

There's only one added buoy here. The Bob423 track goes around the problem area. Snow's Cut (MM 295 to 297) was surveyed by the Army Corps of Engineers while I was at Carolina Beach State Park Marina in mid March, 2024. There's lots of shoaling in this area so follow the Bob423 track if you come through at low tide.

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Free Dock Review for South Fenwick State Park

Reviewed by: Capt Maria Langer, Do It Now, on Mar 4, 2024
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 32'
Draft: 2.5'

Rating: 4

I spent the night here in my Ranger Tug R-29 CB, which has an LOA of about 32 feet. The dock is 20' long (not 12' as someone else stated; I measured it) and my boat barely fit, with its bow and dinghy extending off either end. I would not recommend trying to land here in anything larger. (You could anchor nearby and dinghy over; even if the floating dock is occupied, you should be able to get a dinghy in on the other side.) The dock is perpendicular to the tidal current, which is strong enough to making docking tricky. Current for outgoing tide will push you into the dock; you might want to wait until incoming tide to depart given the tight space. Go bow in toward land; my bow might have been sitting in mud at low tide. The dock itself is in good condition and leads right into the park. Although there's a building with two pickup trucks and some maintenance equipment near the dock, I did not see another soul for the nearly 24 hours I was here. There's a system of wide, marked trails that cut through the jungle-like terrain, but I could not find a trail map onsite or online. I had a nice 2+ mile walk on the tip of the island with my dogs. Pets must be "under control" but leashes are apparently not required, so it's a good opportunity to let your dogs run off some energy. "Private Land" signage is a bit confusing at first, but I soon realized that it was designed to keep you on the marked trails that apparently cut between swatches of private property. We saw two armadillos and a small black snake. No-see-ums can be a nuisance, so use bug repellent. (My boat has screens that kept most of them out.) Very quiet at night with dark skies and billions of stars. 1-2 bar mobile service on Verizon and GoogleFi was enough to access the Internet and stream video at bedtime. This was a reasonably good stop just a short distance from the ICW. I would stop here again, although I'm not sure I'd park at the dock.

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Marina Review for Thunderbolt Marine

Reviewed by: Capt Maria Langer , Do It Now, on Feb 29, 2024
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 32'
Draft: 2.5'

Rating: 5

This is my third stay at Thunderbolt and it remains one of my favorite marinas on the ICW. Excellent service from Dockmaster Greg. I love that the marina is so laid back and has everything I need to catch up after a bunch of nights at anchor: laundry, good showers, courtesy car, restaurants within walking distance, water, power, pumpout, and reasonably priced fuel. This time, I even fired up my ebike and rode into downtown Savannah -- it's just 5.5 miles -- for some shopping. I cannot recommend this place enough.

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Anchorage Review for Duplin River

Reviewed by: Capt Maria Langer, Do It Now, on Feb 29, 2024
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 32'
Draft: 2.5'

I initially dropped anchor near the anchor icon with a very strong wind from the west. Unfortunately, the land west of that spot is just tall grasses so there was no protection from the wind, although waves were not an issue. My anchor dragged and my boat swung enough for me to look for another solution, so I went upstream a bit where there are some tall trees and dropped anchor close to shore there. What a difference! Very calm water, no swinging other than tidal currents. Very protected and good holding. The big drawback of this anchorage for me was that access to shore at the ferry dock was difficult with zero protection from wind and wind-driven waves there. The wind and current made it difficult to tie off to the dock so I went onto the beach. What looks like a sandy beach on satellite view is a thick layer of oyster shells that could damage a rubber-bottomed boat. I think this might be a good anchorage in calmer conditions, but if it's rough and you have a need to go to shore, I don't recommend it.

I also wish conditions were nicer so I could have followed up on some of the suggestions offered by Janet (May 31, 2022 reviewer).

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Marina Review for Oasis Marinas at Fernandina Harbor

Reviewed by: Capt Maria Langer , Do It Now, on Feb 24, 2024
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 32'
Draft: 2.5'

Rating: 4

This was my second stay at Oasis Fernandina Beach and this time, I stayed before the March 1 seasonal price hikes kick in. (They apparently raise their prices just in time for the Loopers coming through.) At $2.50/foot, its a little high for my budget but doable. They put me on the inside of the fuel dock, which turned out to be a good thing since they're dredging on the south side of the marina where the very long docks are. The marina has reasonably nice private restrooms with showers, a laundry facility ($2.50 for wash, $2.50 for dry), and good dock hands to help you in if you need it. The one thing Oasis Marinas do that really bugs me is giving out "welcome bags" that consist of logo tote bags with the corporate magazine and logo giveaways like a can cozy, lip balm, floating key chain, and eyeglass cleaner. (How about skipping the junk bag and giving me my 30 amp power for free?) The absolute best thing about this marina is its proximity to downtown Fernandina Beach, which has lots of really nice little shops and restaurants. You can get Uber (but maybe not Lyft; I had no luck) to various shopping for provisioning. The Atlantic Ocean Beach is a long but doable walk or bike ride due east. On my previous stay, I'd been bothered by a lot of noise coming out of some sort of industrial facility south of the marina, but it was quiet during this weekday stay. One weird thing was the arrival of an American Cruise Lines cruise ship just after dark; it loomed across the dock from me but was quiet enough. Another arrived in the morning. Apparently, they start two of their cruises from Fernandina Beach this time of year. In summary, I enjoyed this stay, which I used primarily to do laundry and shopping and visit an eye doctor. I did get time to walk around the town, which I really like. I recommend the marina, but not at their much higher in season rate.

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Marina Review for Jekyll Harbor Marina

Reviewed by: Capt Maria Langer , Do It Now, on Feb 24, 2024
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 32'
Draft: 2.5'

Rating: 5

This is my third time going past Jekyll Island but only the first time I've stopped. I can't believe what I've been missing! Great marina with well trained dockhands, loaner bikes and golf carts, clean restrooms and showers. They sell fuel and have pumpout service. They put me on the long face dock, which I thought would be a problem, but there was very little wake and even wind-generated waves during stormy weather wasn't bad. Lots of friendly people there. Walk/bike/cart to the historic area, where you can visit an excellent museum and take a tram tour that includes a tour of one of the "cottages." The village is also close. Provisioning at the market there is disappointing unless you want wine or other beverages; they have very little fresh produce. There are plenty of restaurants in the area, although I cannot recommend the one at the marina, mostly because of the absolutely dismal service I received from a "new" waitress. There are also numerous shops at the historic area and in the village. If you like beaches, there are beaches just about all over the island. There are also extensive hiking/biking trails. I could easily have spent a week there. The marina is reasonably priced (by today's standards, anyway) and worth it. Highly recommended. I hope I get a chance to stay there again.

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Free Dock Review for Corky Bell's Seafood and Steak at Gator Landing

Reviewed by: Capt Maria Langer, Do It Now, on Feb 16, 2024
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 32'
Draft: 2.5'

Rating: 4

Long floating dock in very good condition. There seemed to be 20 amp power at the light poles along the dock, but the outlet closest to me looked funky and I didn't try it. No water. I parked on the far end of the dock to avoid people walking past on their way to and from the restaurant but I turned out to be the only one who stayed. Some noise from traffic and the restaurant's outdoor dining area. I was actually looking forward to dinner at the restaurant providing such a nice dock, but the food and service was a real disappointment to me.

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Free Dock Review for Welaka City Dock - Bryants Landing

Reviewed by: Capt Maria Langer, Do It Now, on Feb 16, 2024
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 32'
Draft: 2.5'

Rating: 4

Small floating dock with six slips and space for a larger boat to dock on one side. The slips are short with short finger piers. I don't think they'd be suitable for boats longer than 40 feet. Strong current on outbound tide makes docking a little tricky. The dock is in good condition. No electric or water. There's a restaurant next door but it might be permanently closed; there's at least two other restaurants and a Kangaroo Express (like a Circle K) within walking distance. Dog friendly with plenty of space to walk your dog and pet waste bags. There's a clean bathroom in a small building just up the hill; it's locked overnight, however. There is a trash receptacle at the end of the dock. I had a very pleasant stay and other than a few people who were fishing on the dock when I arrived, no one came down to the dock during my stay. I recommend it. I would have given it 5 stars, but there's not much in town.

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Marina Review for Hontoon Island State Park

Reviewed by: Capt Maria Langer , Do It Now, on Feb 16, 2024
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 32'
Draft: 2.5'

Rating: 4

As of February 14, 2023, the park was still closed to overnight docking. You can, however, come in at 8 AM and leave at 4 PM for free. There's an anchorage about 1/4 mile away at Dead River. The park has floating docks suitable for boats up to about 40 feet. There is power and water. The restrooms are what you might expect at a state park; I had a good hot shower while I was there. Dog friendly with plenty of places to walk your dog. There's a good trail system that's also open during the day. Recommended. I hope they reopen for overnight stays soon.

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Anchorage Review for Hontoon Dead River

Reviewed by: Capt Maria Langer, Do It Now, on Feb 16, 2024
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 32'
Draft: 2.5'

Wonderfully calm and quiet anchorage about 1/4 mile from Hontoon Island State Park. Calm water, very little current, some wake from passing boats on St Johns River and occasional fishing boats going down the Dead River. Lots of birds, including wild turkeys and barred owls. Shore access at the State Park, which also has public restrooms and showers and is dog friendly. Would definitely stay here again.

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Anchorage Review for Silver Glen Springs

Reviewed by: Capt Maria Langer, Do It Now, on Feb 16, 2024
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 32'
Draft: 2.5'

Getting in requires a shallow draft boat. My 30-inch draft made it in. The shallowest water is outside the channel in Lake George. On my path in to the first channel markers I saw depths as low as 3 1/2 feet. This is an amazing place, with crystal clear water and abundant wildlife, including manatees, several species of fish, turtles, and lots of birds. You can see clear to the bottom in depths of 8 or 9 feet. I came during the week and it was crowded with boats. Unfortunately, a lot of the boats seem permanently anchored, with no one aboard, in the middle of the lagoon. Other than one overnighter who left not long after I arrived, everyone else was a day-tripper. Generally well behaved boaters just anchoring around the lagoon, watching the manatee from their boats, swimming, or snorkeling. When the day trippers left, I had the lagoon to myself -- with the permanent boats. It was extremely quiet with no wind or current to speak of. I woke in the middle of the night hearing beeping sound that was apparently coming from one of the boats. I also heard water splashing sounds and turned on some lights to see hundreds of fish jumping in the water. It was pretty amazing. I would have stayed a second night, but in the morning a very large houseboat came in, dragging two of the channel markers with him, and parked beyond me blocking the channel. I witnessed him throw in an anchor, narrowly missing a bunch of manatee that had followed him in. Another rental houseboat came in soon afterwards. I could imagine the second night being loud with partiers on their boats and I really didn't want them to spoil the magic of the place for me. So I left.

A side note here: Florida really needs to get its act together on the abandoned boat situation. I counted 10 unoccupied boats in a small and naturally beautiful wildlife habitat. Most of these boats were an eyesore and took up a lot of precious space. While it's one thing to see boats abandoned in anchorages along the ICW, it's another to see them spoiling an otherwise pristine natural area.

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Free Dock Review for Murphy Island Dock

Reviewed by: Capt Maria Langer, Do It Now, on Feb 12, 2024
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 32'
Draft: 2.5'

Rating: 5

I really liked this dock, but that's probably because I like quiet places. The dock is in good condition but can fit just one boat. My 32 foot LOA with dinghy out the back pretty much filled it. (A much smaller boat might be able to fit on the other side of the dock or the end of the dock.) The water is at least 7 feet deep, even at low tide, right up to the dock. There is no protection from wake, but most boats in this area are relatively small so wake was not much of an issue and no issue at all at night. At night it was very dark and very quiet. On land, there are a number of campsites and some folks had paddled in for the night. (They were quiet and I only saw them when they came out to the dock to watch the sunset.) A sign did not make it clear whether dogs were allowed, but I took my dogs on shore anyway. (Always clean up after your dogs, folks!) In the morning, we took a 1.8 mile hike along the wooded trails -- be advised that the trails are not marked and can be confusing so use a GPS tracker if you have one. We came back with three ticks, so check for that if you hike, too. Cell service was good on Verizon and Google Fi. I would definitely stay there again and can recommend it if you like a place to spend some time on the water. I should note here that if the dock is full, you could anchor nearby and still use the dock or shore to dinghy over.

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Free Dock Review for Palatka City Dock

Reviewed by: Capt Maria Langer, Do It Now, on Feb 12, 2024
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 32'
Draft: 2.5'

Rating: 2

The dock was open with one decrepit sailboat parked in a slip. There were hundreds of birds on the dock when I arrived and they took off when I backed into a slip, leaving a dock absolutely covered with bird droppings and chicken bones. (I guess they eat garbage?) A new security gate with a lock that is completely inoperable is at the end of the dock -- perhaps to keep dockwalkers away? The "historic downtown" is depressed, with many closed storefronts and a handful of shops and restaurants between them. I kept walking up the main street, hoping to find something worth spending some time at but gave up right after the DQ and walked back. The park near the docks was the only lively part of town on that Saturday afternoon; it looked well maintained and was full of families in the playground. The adjacent boat ramp was busy with small boats being launched and retrieved. Boaters had no consideration and sped around the area, spreading their wake. I found the place so dismal that I left after just an hour and a half. A free dock is nice, but not when there's nothing worth sticking around for. I never even checked to see if the power pedestals or water worked. I will not be back and cannot recommend it.

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Marina Review for Green Cove Springs City Pier

Reviewed by: Capt Maria Langer , Do It Now, on Feb 12, 2024
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 32'
Draft: 2.5'

Rating: 4

Floating dock in good condition. Some of the power pedestals were disabled for maintenance, but the water worked fine. I was the only boat there so I could have plugged into another pedestal if I wanted power. (I don't usually plug in if I'm just staying one night.) The outer slips are larger than the inner ones and my 10 foot wide Ranger tug fit nicely; a boat wider than 14 feet would likely not fit into a slip, although the T-head should be usable. $20 per night, honor system payment with envelopes provided. Long walk down the pier to a very pleasant waterfront park. Pet friendly. Town beyond is a bit disappointing with few open shops and restaurants. One feature of the town and waterfront park is the spring-fed pool that's supposedly open most days; I did not see anyone in it when I was there so I assumed it was closed. This is a nice stop and I will probably return (and check out the pool) on my way back down the St. Johns River.

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Free Dock Review for Jim King Park at Sisters Creek Marina

Reviewed by: Capt Maria Langer, Do It Now, on Feb 12, 2024
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 32'
Draft: 2.5'

Rating: 4

Spent one night here before starting a trip up the Saint Johns River. Although this dock was completely full back in late November, there was only one boat there when I arrived in early February. It's a long floating dock with a ramp to a fixed dock and land. Although the dock is in good condition, the park has litter and some broken glass. Plenty of space to walk dogs or do an exercise walk. There are trash receptacles and the bathroom, although not exactly clean, was usable. Some fishermen were fishing off the fixed dock. They are repairing another smaller floating dock farther up the creek that lost its ramp in a storm, but the workers were definitely doing the job in slow motion. Some current with tide changes. Lots of white pelicans. Helicopter training across the ICW kept things noisy for much of the afternoon but quieted at night. Good cell service on Verizon and Google Fi. Peaceful night. There is nothing nearby; this is the kind of place you stop for the night while in transit and move on the next day. I'd stop here again.

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Marina Review for St. Augustine Municipal Marina

Reviewed by: Capt Maria Langer , Do It Now, on Feb 12, 2024
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 32'
Draft: 2.5'

Rating: 5

This was my third stay here at St. Augustine Muni. The construction is pretty much done with the far north dock completed. It creates a nice block for wind-driven waves from the north, which is exactly why I was stuck there for three nights. (I'd originally hoped for just one.) The reproduction galleon Nao Trinidad was parked in the marina right near my slip for the entire length of my stay; it was an interesting self-guided tour. This marina has good service, well-maintained docks, a very good laundry facility, and satisfactory bathrooms/showers limited to boater use. Free in-slip pumpout. It's right downtown in St. Augustine so its easy access to everything. Pet friendly. Supermarkets are a short Uber/Lyft/bike ride away. Now that the construction is done, it's a real pleasure to stay there. Recommended.

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Anchorage Review for Mosquito Lagoon G19

Reviewed by: Capt Maria Langer, Do It Now, on Feb 5, 2024
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 32'
Draft: 2.5'

I stopped here on my way north mostly because I was hoping to see a daytime SpaceX launch and wanted a quiet anchorage after two nights at Cocoa village. I anchored FAR east of the anchor icon in Waterway Guide, as close to the boat ramp on the island as I could get. (I needed to walk my pups 2-3 times a day and do not like long dinghy rides in choppy water. My boat's 2 1/2 foot draft enabled me to get very close; I dropped anchor in about 5 feet of clear water -- I could see the sandy bottom -- and played out 40 feet of chain. Held well. Not much current, but it was windy. I was far enough from the ICW that wake was not an issue. Very little tide change in this area. I was able to dinghy over to the beach facing the lagoon at what's charted as a boat ramp. That was fine for walking my pups, but a short walk to the Atlantic Beach and there were No Pets signs that kept us out. I went down the boardwalk to have a look at the beach and discovered that it was clothing optional -- a man sunning himself on a beach chair facing the boardwalk had no pants on. (This is part of the Canaveral National Seashore, so the nudity surprised me. So we stuck to the lagoon side. As for the SpaceX launch, the view was better than I'd hoped. I watched the rocket climb until it was invisible and then saw the booster land back on another pad. 1 minute and 12 second delay for sound (if you want to calculate the distance.) Head the sonic boom of the returning booster, too. I would definitely go back.

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Marina Review for Marineland Marina

Reviewed by: Capt Maria Langer , Do It Now, on Feb 5, 2024
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 32'
Draft: 2.5'

Rating: 5

I was here in February 2023 for just one night and have finally gotten a chance to come back. Although I only planned to stay 2 nights, weather up ahead convinced me to stay put for another 3 nights -- I'd rather get stuck at Marineland than St. Augustine or a new (to me) anchorage. Very laid back marina, quiet, great staff that is attentive to boater needs. Restrooms and laundry on the premises. Dog friendly! A short walk to a nearly deserted Atlantic Ocean beach and a wooded trail system. There is nothing commercial here other than Marineland, which has limited hours. Two food trucks serve the Marineland property with limited hours. It's about 6 miles to a Publix supermarket and 3-4 miles to a real restaurant. I was fortunate to get a lift to Publix by one of the folks who live aboard seasonally, but I don't think Uber comes out that far. Make sure you're well provisioned if you plan to stay a few days. You'll enjoy the stay -- and the very reasonable price.

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Free Dock Review for Peoria City Dock

Reviewed by: Capt Maria Langer, Do It Now, on Feb 3, 2024
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 32'
Draft: 2.5'

Rating: 2

This comes across as a great city project that was, for some reason, abandoned. The marina is mostly slips for smaller boats -- 30 feet and shorter. There are power pedestals at each slip but few of them seem to work. We started in a spot with no power marked for 30 foot boats and had a long walk on a bird poop covered dock to get out. Longer boats must tie up on a dock along the wall or the wall itself. (If you tie up on the wall, you'd better have a very tall boat because you won't have access to the dock and will have to climb out over the walkway rail above.) We moved to one of the long dock spots when someone left and were able to get a 110v connection to power with our adapter. That area is cleaner but there's little privacy as people walking in the park up above like to stop and stare down at boaters.

The marina has a long list of rules -- including overnight stays -- that no one seems to pay attention to. We did not see any security at all, although there is a marine fire station at the entrance to the dock. We were there on a weekend and there was some smaller boat traffic for day trippers. There are a few very good restaurants within walking distance, as well as a bakery and a place with live music. Uber is spotty. There's a Walmart and other big shopping right across the river, but it's about a mile to walk or ride a bike over the bridge.

I'd give this place a 3-star review except for the fact that my BBQ grill was stolen right off my boat the last night there. Frankly, I'm amazed they took that since they could have taken 2 self-inflating life jackets worth far more. Another boater we were with reported that someone had boarded at night and snooped around in a deck cabinet but nothing was missing. My advice to anyone staying there is to secure all loose items you want to keep.

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Free Dock Review for Lee Wenner Park Free Dock - Closed for Renovation

Reviewed by: Capt Maria Langer, Do It Now, on Jan 29, 2024
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 32'
Draft: 2.5'

Rating: 5

I returned to Cocoa Village on my northbound trip, planning to anchor for a few nights and was thrilled to find a space at the dock late on a Saturday morning. The floating dock edging is damaged; be sure to put down fenders just above water level. There was just one other overnighter there when I arrived -- a sailboat that has no one aboard and seems to have been there a while. Day trippers came and filled the rest of the dock; other boats looking for an overnight spot came and left. (I recommend that if you want to stay here and the dock is full of day trippers, drop an anchor and wait for one of them to leave. Unless your boat is huge, you should be able to get in.) There was a strong wind from the south that bounced my boat and the dock around with lots of splashing, but it settled down by nightfall. I spent two nights (the limit). There's no power or water. The dock is a tourist attraction; if you're on board, be prepared to answer questions from curious strollers. Some people came to fish, but not many. I locked my boat when I left it, just in case. As I mentioned in my previous review, the town has lots of shops and restaurants and the area is dog friendly. I was there on a weekend and although there were loud events on Saturday night at a local restaurant and during the day on Sunday in the park, it got quiet at night. Note that the area is home to many full-timers out in the adjacent anchorage. There are also at least five grounded or sunken boats and I suspect other boats out there are abandoned. (This is a serious Florida problem.)

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Marina Review for Eau Gallie Yacht Basin

Reviewed by: Capt Maria Langer , Do It Now, on Jan 29, 2024
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 32'
Draft: 2.5'

Rating: 4

Nice marina, sheltered with very little tide change. I got assistance docking (and leaving) and I needed it -- they put me in a slip up against a concrete bulkhead that left me very little space to maneuver on the way in or out. I was disappointed to be in the shadow of a large building next to an active parking lot and not near any other transients. (I later discovered that someone I knew from social media was at the same marina that night and I didn't even meet her!) Be sure to call on the phone on your way in; they do not monitor the radio. Very pet friendly. Walking distance from a nice little town with shops, art galleries, restaurants, and a bakery. Quiet overnight. Clean restrooms, nice lounge, friendly, fair price. A good marina stop.

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Anchorage Review for Hole in the Wall Island R112

Reviewed by: Capt Maria Langer, Do It Now, on Jan 26, 2024
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 32'
Draft: 2.5'

I entered north of Red 110 and stayed between the island to the north and the much smaller uncharted island to the south. It was down to about 5 feet right outside the channel, then deepened to about 8 feet where I anchored a bit north of the anchor icon. I would have gone farther south, but there were two small fishing boats in that area that left not long after I dropped anchor. The uncharted island offered some shelter from the southeast wind and also broke a lot of the wake from traffic on the ICW. That island was a great place to take my pups for potty breaks and a run on the beach. The boat hardly moved at all and holding was good with just 40 feet of chain out. It was quiet at night, although I could hear occasional train whistles and traffic in the distance until I turned in. No traffic or wake after dark. I was alone in the anchorage. No-see-ums were a bit of a nuisance, especially in the morning when there was no wind. Cell service on Verizon and Google Fi were both excellent with fast service. I liked this anchorage and would definitely stop there again, but with my anchor dropped closer to the icon to avoid more of the ICW wake.

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Anchorage Review for West Palm Beach

Reviewed by: Capt Maria Langer, Do It Now, on Jan 13, 2024
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 32'
Draft: 2.5'

Great anchorage adjacent to the two free docks in town. Very sheltered, especially from the north, west, and south; the closer you get to land, the more sheltered it is. Unlike so many other anchorages in Florida, this one seems to be used by people actually occupying their boats; no wrecks were in sight, although I suspect some folks are living there for more than just a few days or weeks. Easy dinghy access to shore at the free docks with access to garbage pails and a public restroom a few blocks away. Lots of restaurants, bars, and shops on shore. Great access to grassy areas for pet relief. Publix is about 1/2 mile away from the Fern Street dock. Some street/city noise. I wish I'd stopped here on my way south. I'd definitely stay here again.

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Free Dock Review for West Palm Beach (Clematis Street) Municipal Dock

Reviewed by: Capt Maria Langer, Do It Now, on Jan 13, 2024
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 32'
Draft: 2.5'

Rating: 5

This is a really excellent facility well within walking distance of many shops, restaurants, and bars, as well as a Publix supermarket. There are trash receptacles in the park area at the end of the dock, as well as grassy areas for pet relief. There is a public restroom northwest of the dock. We were fortunate enough to arrive on a Saturday when there was a farmer's market and art fair in town. The floating dock is in good condition, however the posts the docks are attached to are outside the dock and are formidable obstacles for docking. My 32 foot LOA plus dinghy overhang Ranger Tug fit nicely between two of these posts, however I was unable to leave the dock until the tide changed due to the strong current and strong wind. On my attempt, with assistance on the dock trying to push me off and using both thrusters, I could not overcome the side current and would definitely have hit the one of the posts and their metal surrounds hard if I hadn't aborted. I wound up staying until the tide changed and then anchoring at the nearby anchorage. (This turned out to be a good thing since I was securely tied at the dock when a thunderstorm came through.) These docks are free for the day and the No Overnight rule is strictly enforced. I would definitely stop here again if I was in the area.

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Marina Review for Galleon Marina

Reviewed by: Capt Maria Langer , Do It Now, on Jan 6, 2024
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 32'
Draft: 2.5'

Rating: 3

This was a huge splurge for me, especially since we spent two nights. It's an oddly configured marina with docks in excellent condition. Single boat slips, which meant you could tie up on either side. Sea wall provided excellent protection from the harbor and winds from the north. Dockhand provided assistance with my single-hand arrival. Most of the boats there were considerably larger than my Ranger Tug. We were unfortunate enough to be parked near a large boat with owners who thought it was okay to blast their "music" while they were on the boat or let their dog whine and howl when they were off it. The marina staff (and other boaters) helped quiet them down more than once. The marina itself is short on amenities. There's no private restroom for marina guests; we share toilets with one of the restaurants and showers with an adjacent hotel. The showers were bare-bones and lacked a private changing area; I showered on my boat. I personally think this is outrageous considering the slip rates. Although the Waterway Guide listing says that Pets are OK, there were numerous NO PETS signs all over the property; it was a long walk to someplace with no signs and enough gravel for a dog to relieve itself. I have to assume that we're paying for the location, which is very close to downtown Key West and its restaurants, bars, and shops. Would I stay here again? Probably not. Between the loud neighbor and long walk to sub-par facilities, I felt as if I'd been taken advantage of rather than given much of value for my money.

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Marina Review for Safe Harbor Marathon

Reviewed by: Capt Maria Langer , Do It Now, on Jan 6, 2024
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 32'
Draft: 2.5'

Rating: 3

I stopped there at first for fuel -- they have a very good diesel price -- and then decided to take a slip. Overall, I was disappointed. The marina is built around a basin and if your slip is on the east side (E Docks), you have to walk around the entire basin to get to the office, laundry facility, and land. The "temporary" laundry room had just two washers and one working dryer; of course they were in use when I walked all the way over to use them. The shower near my slip had lukewarm water that was barely hot enough to shower in. The slips, however, were in excellent condition. Passable wifi but also excellent cell signal. There was a restaurant adjacent to the property and 7 Mile Grill just across US 1 -- if you have the nerve to cross the road in ceaseless traffic. Good areas for walking dogs; dog friendly. I don't think the place was worth the price, especially considering the laundry facility's shortcomings and the lack of hot water in the shower. But it is convenient and the fuel dock staff are very helpful.

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Anchorage Review for Sexton Cove

Reviewed by: Capt Maria Langer, Do It Now, on Jan 6, 2024
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 32'
Draft: 2.5'

I stopped and anchored here, although much closer to shore, north of the anchor icon. I was trying to stay out of the NE wind and I should have been sheltered enough, but the anchor would not bite no matter how much scope I set. At one point, I was dragging backward at 1 knot of speed. I did not stay. There does not appear to be any shore access.

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Anchorage Review for Tarpon Basin R48A

Reviewed by: Capt Maria Langer, Do It Now, on Jan 6, 2024
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 32'
Draft: 2.5'

After trying two other anchorages without good holding or wind protection, I wound up here at Tarpon Basin tucked into a northern edge near the mangroves. I was anchored in about 5-6 feet of water and the mangroves completely protected me from the 20+ mph NE wind. Excellent holding. I accessed shore with my pups at a private boat ramp and dock belonging to a boat club that is fenced in from the road. No one was around when I came in around sunset on the day of my arrival. The next morning, there was a fishing boat there waiting to pick up passengers; I suspect he wasn't a club member either. Obviously not the best solution for shore access. Good cell service and I was parked far enough away from the main channel that wake was not an issue.

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Anchorage Review for Elliott Key

Reviewed by: Capt Maria Langer, Do It Now, on Dec 28, 2023
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 32'
Draft: 2.5'

Arrived on a perfect day with calm winds and no waves. It was very startling to see the bottom in water seven feet deep! Anchored in about 6 feet of water as close as I thought I could get to Elliot Key to get some protection from wind expected overnight. Dinghy to beaches for dog relief. I tried dingying to the dock there, hoping to follow the mapped path to the ocean side of the key, but the path was tunnel like and full of noseeums. Some day trippers on this Christmas Week Wednesday, but not bothersome. Gorgeous sunset and moonrise. Miami skyline off in the distance really lit up the sky. Cell service disappointing on Verizon and Google Fi; only one bar and it dropped out repeatedly. Wind picked up as forecasted overnight and my anchor alarm woke me at 4 AM. Putting out more rode did not help. I had to start the engine, pull the anchor, and reposition TWICE. I just couldn't get the anchor to hold for more than 15 or 20 minutes with the wind pushing the boat south. (Someone else reported that it might be rock covered with sand and I think that's correct.) Dinghied my pups to shore one more time, then departed shortly after dawn.

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Marina Review for Crandon Park Marina

Reviewed by: Capt Maria Langer , Do It Now, on Dec 28, 2023
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 32'
Draft: 2.5'

Rating: 3

After 7 straight days at anchor, I was really looking forward to a long, hot shower. And what's the one thing this marina doesn't have? Hot showers. This is a large marina that definitely caters to locals. There were very few transients and no liveaboards. Their communication is terrible; they would not allow me to reserve a slip and kept telling me to call on the day I wanted to come. They don't answer their radio. A dockhand helped me tie up at the fuel dock to do my paperwork and get a slip assignment in the office. Keep in mind that you will need registration (or boat documentation) and insurance to get a slip here. I was charged by the slip size (35 feet) instead of my boat LOA (32 feet). I was given a map and directions to my slip. No assistance at the slip. Power and water is included in the price. Fuel is a reasonable price and a pumpout was $5. Bathrooms were typical state park. The showers were outdoors, without curtains, and cold water only. There's a nice bike trail across the main road -- good luck getting across! -- but it had a lot of noseeums, even in late December. The park is not dog friendly per the four pages of "rules," but there was a nice grassy area for me to walk them so all was okay. There's a well-stocked marina store and a dive shop. There are also a number of fishing charter boats. The marina is well protected and also well lighted at night. Unfortunately, it's also in one of the approach/departure paths for Miami International Airport, so its not quiet. Overall, it was a good break from anchoring where I could fully charge my batteries, top off my water tank, and pumpout. If I needed fuel, I would have topped off there, too. But there's not much else there and I have to think there are better options closer to Miami.

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Marina Review for Sands Harbor Resort & Marina

Reviewed by: Capt Maria Langer , Do It Now, on Dec 26, 2023
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 32'
Draft: 2.5'

Rating: 4

I came in for fuel only and that's what my rating represents. It's the best fuel price in the area. Large fuel dock can easily accommodate two large or three smaller (my size) boats. Dockhand helped me get my boat tied up and handed me the fuel nozzle, then took it when I was done. One nice thing is that they have fast and slow nozzles so they can accommodate smaller boats like mine. They also let me take my pups for a quick walk while still tied up at the fuel dock, although there isn't any really good place off the docks for a dog potty break. Dockhand was not around when I was ready to go; I guess I should have given her the tip before I walked my pups. (Her loss.) I'll be back on my way north.

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Anchorage Review for Bakers Haulover Basin

Reviewed by: Capt Maria Langer, Do It Now, on Dec 26, 2023
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 32'
Draft: 2.5'

In my seemingly never-ending search for a calm anchorage on this windy Christmas weekend, I FINALLY got to Baker's Haulover Basin. It's where I wish I'd started the weekend from. This is a very sheltered cove with lots of deep water, making it easy to park very close to shore. It was also full of boats -- there had to be 50 of them in here with me -- but still plenty of room for more. Oddly, I'd say that less than 20% of the boats were occupied during my one-night stay. I suspect people anchor here for the Christmas holiday and get ground transportation to family gatherings, etc. These aren't the typical bunch of empty boats; most of them are NOT derelict but simply empty. There was some noise from the park on Christmas Day and lots of rental kayaks and paddleboards paddling around the northeast arm of the anchorage where I was anchored. But as soon as the showers began, everyone disappeared and it got very quiet. Good holding in 16 feet of water about 150 feet from shore -- and I only had 50 feet of rode out! No real current to speak of where I was. Heavy winds came in from the southeast, but I was completely sheltered. (It was a real pleasure to be in calm water after a week of rough anchorages.) There's a beach for shore access, but you'll have to row in; it's marked No Motorized Boats. I took my pups to another landing away from the main activity of the park where I could motor in and land on a coral rock beach suitable for a RIB or other hard-bottomed boat. I found a wooded area with long pine needles on the ground and plenty of room for my pups to run and do their business. (Please remember to clean up after your dogs, no matter how remote the area is.) This is a great anchorage and, if I didn't already lose so much time on my trip south due to bad weather, I'd definitely stay another day or two. Highly recommended. I hope I can come back.

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Anchorage Review for Lantana

Reviewed by: Capt Maria Langer, Do It Now, on Dec 25, 2023
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 32'
Draft: 2.5'

Area off the ICW just past a No Wake Zone. Wake was a bit of an issue. Easy access to shore with a park for walking your pups. Three restaurants right there; I had dinner to go at the sushi place and it was good. Farther up the street is a good bakery and beyond that is a Walgreens where you can buy milk and other beverages. Some noise from the Key Lime bar on that Friday night. Conveniently located. I would stay there again.

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Anchorage Review for Sunrise Bay

Reviewed by: Capt Maria Langer, Do It Now, on Dec 25, 2023
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 32'
Draft: 2.5'

There were ten boats here for the night when I was here. We were all ignoring the very official looking "No Overnight Anchorage" Buoys with their flashing lights. No one bothered us. This cove is right off the ICW in a Minimum Wake area. As we all know, those rules apply to some boats and apparently not others. As a result, we were waked incessantly on that Saturday night. The later it got, the worse it got; when it gets dark, no one follows the rules. Wind protection is about average; the wind was coming across the ICW right into the anchorage that night. The dinghy dock at the park across the ICW is closed and it does not look as if it will open any time soon. There's orange netting all over there to prevent folks from docking and finding a way onto shore. While someone else in a review talked about making a 2 1/2 mile dinghy ride to another park, between the wake and the wind-driven waves on the ICW, that was not a viable option for me. I found a spot about 1/4 mile down the ICW where I could tie up to a wall and take my pups for a relief break. This was at a marina and I think the only reason I got away with it was because the marina office was closed both times I went. No one saw me. Between the wake and shore access problems, I saw no reason to spend another night. If you need shore access and have a wide enough beam that wake isn't an issue, you might like this anchorage. But I can't recommend it and won't stay there again.

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Anchorage Review for Maule Lake

Reviewed by: Capt Maria Langer, Do It Now, on Dec 25, 2023
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 32'
Draft: 2.5'

After a bad night at Sunrise Bay in Fort Lauderdale, I was encouraged by some friends staying at Maule Lake to join them. It was not a good decision. The lake is large and surrounded by homes and businesses. The only shore access is at the Yacht Club and they made it very clear that they were making an exception for us to land there to take my pups for a walk and do some shopping. My opinion is that you cannot rely on this facility for shore access (and I really do appreciate them allowing us to dinghy in). If West Marine has a dock, I could not find it. Instead, that corner of the lake is littered with sunken and obviously abandoned boats. If you do get to shore, there are a number of restaurants, a Plum Market (think Whole Foods but smaller and more expensive) and West Marine within 1/2 mile. Wind was coming from the east and we were anchored on the west side of the lake so we had a good 2-foot chop pounding on us, with the wind swinging my shallow draft boat, the entire time I was there. It might seem dumb of us to park on the west side, but the east side of the lake is shallower and has rocks so it isn't suitable for anchoring. In addition, the only shore access was on the east side and I didn't want three long round-trip dinghy rides in that chop. There was no current. As for holding, my anchor held fine, but my friend's boat dragged at least 50 feet overnight. Because the wind shifted to be from the southeast, it put them surprisingly close to me in the morning. As for wake, hardly anyone uses the lake but the ones who do make a point of driving as fast as they can past anchored boats. I cannot recommend this anchorage and would not stay there again.

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Marina Review for Safe Harbor Harbortown

Reviewed by: Capt Maria Langer , Do It Now, on Dec 20, 2023
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 32'
Draft: 2.5'

Rating: 5

After an extremely unsatisfactory experience at Pelican Yacht Club where I found it closed on a Tuesday morning, I came to Safe Harbor Harbortown to fuel and get a pumpout. They have good fuel prices -- $4.39/gallon on my visit -- as well as a pair of long, well-staffed fuel docks. They answered the radio on the first call and told me exactly where to go. A dockhand was waiting to grab my line and stayed with me to provide assistance with fueling and pumpout. I never felt rushed, despite the boats coming and going. I even had a chance to take my pups for a quick pee break.

I really learned the value of good service on this stop. I'll be back on my way north next month.

A side note: I've been here before for fuel and lunch and can recommend the restaurant on the premises, too.

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Marina Review for Pelican Yacht Club

Reviewed by: Capt Maria Langer , Do It Now, on Dec 20, 2023
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 32'
Draft: 2.5'

Rating: 2

I stopped here twice in December for fuel and a pumpout. Their fuel price is the lowest in the area -- $3.99/gallon for diesel when I visited -- so it was worth a side trip off the ICW.

There's a strong tidal current in the channel to the Fort Pierce inlet. Also a strong current at the marina, which could make docking tricky.

On my first visit, I got no response on multiple radio calls. I came in anyway and was fortunate to have a companion with me to handle the lines once we figured out where to go. The dockhand did not make an appearance until we'd already had one line secured. He was a young guy who didn't seem to know what he was doing; another dockhand soon joined him and provided some instruction. He handed my companion the fuel nozzle and disappeared. We could not see the pump from the boat and had to keep walking back and forth to see our progress. The pumpout was pretty much the same; the other dockhand simply handed it off to me. In other words, lackluster service. But I guess when you buy cheap fuel you shouldn't expect more.

On my second visit, I called ahead early in the morning to make sure the pumpout was still functioning. I got a voicemail system and left my name and number. I was enroute when I called again and got the voicemail system. No response again on the radio for multiple calls. I was single-handing and managed to get the boat onto the dock without much trouble. But when I went to the office, I found it locked with a note on the door saying that they were closed for a party until 2 PM. On a Tuesday morning.

It's pretty clear to me at this point that Pelican Yacht Club has absolutely no interest in providing service to customers. I will not be back.

If you're in the area, I recommend Safe Harbor, which also has good fuel prices (although not as good). See my separate review about that experience.

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Anchorage Review for Peck Lake

Reviewed by: Capt Maria Langer, Do It Now, on Dec 20, 2023
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 32'
Draft: 2.5'

I anchored twice here in December 2023 (and am actually here writing this now). On both visits, it was very windy -- gusts up to 25 mph.

This is a very large anchorage that can fit a lot of boats. There are about 30 of them in here right now and room for more who aren't afraid to get closer to the island. Follow the instructions to turn east at G19 and then head 60° into the cove. Drop anchor north of the big wooden platform. The water stays pretty deep very close to shore; I never saw less than 5 feet at low tide. The closer to the island you get, the more protected you'll be from winds from north, east, and south. ICW wake will always be an issue; large boats sure do move through this stretch, which is just south of a No Wake zone.

A lot of island beach is exposed at low tide, making it very easy to dinghy pups ashore or visit the ocean side of the island. The main path to the ocean is clearly marked NO DOGS on a large sign but another path with a smaller sign simply says NO PETS. I have seen boaters take their dogs to the ocean side, but the "lake" side is big enough for my small dogs. (Please clean up after your dogs, folks!)

The ocean beach is a quick walk across the island. It's mainly used by boaters, at least during the week, probably because it's so far from any road access. Good beachcombing opportunities, with lots of shells.

There appears to be a surveillance camera on a tall pole that scans the area; it's high enough to see into the anchorage and the ocean beach.

A lot of the larger boats seem to be here for a long term stay; I saw many of the same boats during both of my stays. I also saw one boat getting a pumpout at anchor from a Martin County pumpout boat. (I don't know how to arrange for that.) There are a handful of what are probably abandoned boats, but they're still floating and they aren't taking up much space.

Good holding in sandy mud. On both of my visits, my boat's swing was determined more from wind than current. Good cell signal on Verizon and Google Fi.

I like this anchorage despite the crowd. It's very quiet and nice to hear the ocean from my boat.

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Anchorage Review for Nettles Beach

Reviewed by: Capt Maria Langer, Do It Now, on Dec 15, 2023
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 32'
Draft: 2.5'

This was the wrong anchorage for a night with winds coming out of the south and then west. Lots of wind-driven waves across the bay. Wake was minimal because of our distance from the channel -- we went very close to shore to be able to dinghy in with my pups. Getting to shore with a dog was okay at low to mid tide, but the beach got very small at high tide. The park across the road is signed NO DOGS (as is most of Florida's parks and beaches). We walked over for a look at the ocean and found a mostly empty beach with more than its fair share of washed up trash. Lots of car, truck, and motorcycle noise on a Sunday afternoon and evening from the road nearby. Anchor alarm at about 3 AM was probably caused by the anchor dragging due to high winds but it reset itself about 15 feet away; we had plenty of rode out for the 8 feet we were anchored in. My companion hated this anchorage so much that he was willing to pull anchor before dawn to move on. I won't be back and can't recommend it.

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Anchorage Review for Melbourne Beach Pier

Reviewed by: Capt Maria Langer, Do It Now, on Dec 8, 2023
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 32'
Draft: 2.5'

The closer you get to the pier, the more protection there is from wind and wake, but it does get shallow very close in. I'm not sure, but I think I saw the top of a wrecked sailboat poking out of the water right off the end of the pier. Good holding. Far enough away from the ICW's main channel that wake is not an issue. Dinghy dock was in good shape; I did not see the barnacles the description referred to. The park at the start of the pier is posted NO DOGS, but there's plenty of places to walk them along the road. It's a short walk to some restaurants, a market, and the beach. (The beach is also posted NO ANIMALS; this is Florida, after all.) A good overnight stop with easy access to land. Bonus was the ability to see a SpaceX launch. I'd come again.

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Free Dock Review for Lee Wenner Park Free Dock - Closed for Renovation

Reviewed by: Capt Maria Langer, Do It Now, on Dec 8, 2023
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 32'
Draft: 2.5'

Rating: 4

We were hoping to get a spot on the dock but at noon it was completely full with some boats that had been there a month or more. Apparently no one enforces the 48-hour rule and plenty of people abuse it. HOWEVER, it's easy enough to anchor in the big basin nearby and dinghy over to the back side of the dock, which has plenty of room for dinghies. There are garbage pails but I did not note any other facilities. The location is great -- walking distance to town with plenty of shops and restaurants. Dog-friendly park. We arrived on a Saturday when there was a big art show in town. It was a pleasant stop on our way south, but we did not spend the night. I would definitely go back.

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Anchorage Review for Rockhouse Creek

Reviewed by: Capt Maria Langer, Do It Now, on Dec 2, 2023
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 32'
Draft: 2.5'

I really liked this anchorage, although approach can be somewhat challenging if you don't have accurate charting or the depth data you can overlay in Aqua Map. In general, stay closer to the north side of the channel on the way in, but not too close. Once inside the anchorage area, water is deeper on the north side. We anchored closer to the north side in 10 feet of water at nearly low tide. Small fishing boats go through here and although it's part of the No Wake area at New Smyrna Beach, they don't necessarily follow those rules. Not terrible but something to be aware of. Small beach on the south side for pet relief, but not good for walking; confusing signage may have been trying to tell us we shouldn't be there. Some bugs at night. Amazing cell signal on Verizon. Peaceful, and if you listen hard you can hear the ocean. The lighthouse's sweep of light was a pleasure to experience. We shared the anchorage with three sailing catamarans. I would definitely stay here again.

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Marina Review for St. Augustine Municipal Marina

Reviewed by: Capt Maria Langer , Do It Now, on Dec 2, 2023
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 32'
Draft: 2.5'

Rating: 4

This was my second stay at St. Augustine Municipal and I would stay there again. Be advised that there is construction going on at the marina and it can be noisy. (They do not start at 4 AM as someone else reported, but they do start early.) Many of the slips are not currently available. The mooring field was full but they had room for my shallow draft Ranger tug close to shore (as they did last time, too). Clean bathrooms and showers, good laundry facilities, and the whole downtown area of St. Augustine is just steps away. Location, location, location! And the price isn't crazy high, either. Pet friendly. We were there during the week for two nights near the start of their Christmas Light festival. Very nice. I've been here on weekends and it's very loud with noise from bars and partiers on the tram and horse carriage tours.

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Free Dock Review for Jim King Park and Boat Ramp at Sisters Creek Marina

Reviewed by: Capt Maria Langer, Do It Now, on Dec 2, 2023
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 32'
Draft: 2.5'

Rating: 4

To be clear, this dock is marked No Overnight Dockage without written permission of the dockmaster. We called the number on the sign and got a voicemail system. I left a message with no identifying info but did not call any of the suggested phone numbers on the voicemail system. (Ask for forgiveness, not for permission?) The other dock in the creek that does allow overnight dockage was completely full to the point where one boat was sticking out off the end of the dock, so there was no where else to dock nearby. Two boats were anchored on the other side of the ICW. We saw the free pumpout and went in to use that, then repositioned to the longer dock beside it. By that time, a sailboat had landed there; we parked ahead of it abeam the walkway. A trawler joined us before nightfall and that filled the dock. (I want to note here that a dinghy from an anchored boat was LOCKED in the MIDDLE of this long dock for several hours before the owners returned. PLEASE, folks, do not block boat anchorage with your dinghy when you can easily park at one end or another at a dock.) No one bothered us on that weekday night in late November and the dock remained quiet other than bridge noise. I'm not recommending this as a place to dock overnight, but I am suggesting that if the other dock is full and it's a weeknight with not much else going on, it might be an option. That said, there's easy access to land and plenty of grassy areas to walk dogs or even do a brisk walk for exercise. And a free pumpout? Definitely worth a stop if you've got half full tanks. Just be advised that the water is pretty shallow at low tide and the current can be swift.

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Anchorage Review for Plum Orchard Plantation (Cumberland Island)

Reviewed by: Capt Maria Langer, Do It Now, on Dec 2, 2023
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 32'
Draft: 2.5'

After an extremely difficult crossing of St. Andrews Sound, we were glad to pull into the dead calm north end of Brickhill River and follow it down to the Plum Island anchorage on Cumberland Island. Plenty of depth all the way and it gave us a chance to see other anchoring options. We dropped anchor in about 10 feet of water with just one other boat there. (Hi, Scout!) The sky opened up and it proceeded to rain for the rest of the day and into the night. There's a floating dock suitable for dinghy parking. We got a chance to hike on shore the next day when the weather was better, although we were too early for the tour of the mansion. No one else was around. We walked about 4 miles round trip on wide, wooded trails where bikes are not permitted. (Unfortunately, we brought two ticks back to the boat; one bite found the next day required a trip to an urgent care clinic for removal; check yourself and your dogs carefully after any hike.) A great stop overall. Peaceful, dark at night, easy shore access with pets, and hardly any other boat traffic. And did I mention the Spoonbills we saw up in the trees on shore or the Bald Eagles flying the next morning? I would stay here again.

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Anchorage Review for Frederica River (North)

Reviewed by: Capt Maria Langer, Do It Now, on Dec 2, 2023
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 32'
Draft: 2.5'

We stopped here for the night after getting a recommendation from a friend. We came in from the north end of the river, winding our way down to the fort. We dropped anchor in the bend of the river on the park side between the ruins of the port and the dinghy dock. Good holding, calm water, very little other traffic so no wake issues. The dinghy dock is just as others have said: you really can't bring a dinghy in within an hour or two of low tide. Coming to shore (instead of the dock) with a dinghy is a bad idea because the ground there is all mud. Still, we got to shore twice with my pups to explore the historic site and take a hike. There were quite a few tourists in the area, but it was not crowded and the loop trail through the woods was mostly empty. (Be aware that ticks are a problem so check yourself and your dogs.) We did not see any Rangers at all. We were the only boat at that anchorage. A good, peaceful stop.

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Bridge comment on Allenhurst (Haulover Canal) Bridge

Comment by: Capt Maria Langer, Do It Now, on Dec 2, 2023
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 32'

The bridge height is supposedly 27 feet AT THE CENTER when closed. The board at the bridge showed 23 feet when we went through at mid tide yesterday. That's apparently for the lowest part of the bridge.

• WG Editor Comment:
  

  Clearance board states "Low Steel Clearance".

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Bridge comment on Causton Bluff (Sam Varnedoe) Bascule Bridges

Comment by: Capt Maria Langer, Do It Now, on Dec 2, 2023
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 32'

This bridge is mostly deconstructed at this point. There is no remnant of the lift part of the bridge. They are still removing parts of the roadway on either side of the channel but the "bridge" no longer exists; you might consider removing it from the guide. I observed this in mid November 2023.

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Marina Review for Palmetto Bay Marina

Reviewed by: Capt Maria Langer , Do It Now, on Nov 25, 2023
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 32'
Draft: 2.5'

Rating: 2

I had a very unsatisfactory experience coming into this marina for fuel on 11/21/23. I called ahead to confirm a good fuel price of $4.29/gallon for diesel and said I was on my way. When I arrived, no one answered the radio on numerous calls on Channel 16. It was pouring rain and I had no idea where the fuel dock was. Eventually, I got close enough to see a diesel pump at the end of a dock and pulled in with the assistance of my companion. (With the current and the rain, I have my doubts that I could have brought it in safely by myself on the first try.) I soon discovered that fuel was self-serve and the dockhands in their nice, cozy office had no intention of coming down to assist. Rather than tell me this on the radio, they preferred to ignore my calls. And yes, I know they were in the office because I had to walk all the way up there to find a trash can for my used fuel pad. This fuel stop was an hour out of my way due to the No Wake zones all the way to the marina; sometimes it's better to just pay more somewhere else where they value their customers a little more.

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Marina Review for Sunbury Crab Co. Restaurant & Marina

Reviewed by: Capt Maria Langer , Do It Now, on Nov 25, 2023
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 32'
Draft: 2.5'

Rating: 4

We went to Sunbury Crab Company primarily for dinner and, if we could have eaten earlier and finish before sunset, we would have anchored. But we wound up spending the night there.

The restaurant is good, but perhaps a bit overpriced. A friend recommended the flounder and it did not disappoint me. My companion had a scallops special that he enjoyed. Both entrees were over $30 each.

The marina has limited facilities. There seems to be one restroom on shore that's open even when the restaurant is closed. There didn't seem to be any showers. There were power pedestals at the docks but we didn't use them or the water. The docks were dimly lit at night, which I like. The area was quiet and although there's a swift current going through the marina, everything held nicely. Wake was not an issue.

I left the marina with the same kind of "been there, done that" feeling I got when I left Coinjock earlier this season.

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Marina Review for Thunderbolt Marine

Reviewed by: Capt Maria Langer , Do It Now, on Nov 25, 2023
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 32'
Draft: 2.5'

Rating: 5

This was my second stay at Thunderbolt and I would definitely stay again. Laid back marina with good rates and affordable fuel. Good showers, laundry, and courtesy car. (Please, folks! If a marina gives you a car to use for free, the least you can do is add fuel if the tank gets below 1/2 full!) Savannah is about $12-$15 away by Uber/Lyft. This trip, we bicycled to Bonaventure Cemetery and toured the beautiful grounds on Thanksgiving day.

Good Thai restaurant and several other restaurants within walking distance.

My only complaint is the confusion on my arrival about where I was supposed to park. (Oddly, this happened last time I was there, too.) I would definitely stay there again.

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Free Dock Review for Daufuskie Landing

Reviewed by: Capt Maria Langer, Do It Now, on Nov 25, 2023
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 32'
Draft: 2.5'

Rating: 4

We came to this dock right after sunrise after spending the night at a nearby anchorage. The weather was rough and we needed to get our dogs on shore for relief. Although there's supposedly no overnight dockage, a sailboat was parked in the middle of one of the docks, leaving very little space in front or behind it. It had definitely been there overnight and no one was in sight. This forced us to park at the boat ramp dock, which was in shallower water. There was a fierce current, but we tied up safely. The docks were in good condition. There was no one around at all. The restaurant was closed. We walked my pups around, reboarded, and departed. I suppose this could be a good day dock stop, but I can't imagine it accommodating more than two boats.

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Anchorage Review for Page Island - New River

Reviewed by: Capt Maria Langer, Do It Now, on Nov 25, 2023
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 32'
Draft: 2.5'

I did not like this anchorage very much. It was quiet, but the river was wide and surrounded by grass so there was no protection from the wind. It was a very windy night. We swung incessantly on the anchor and the waves lapped against the boat all night. No one drove by so there was no issue of wake.

There were two parked and vacant sailboats where New River meets the cut at Daufuskie Island. At low tide we had to come very close to them to avoid shallow water. They did not display anchor lights at night.

Shore access is at the free Daufuskie Landing dock, which would have been a rough trip in the dinghy with the windy conditions. We took the boat over in the morning for pet relief.

I would not stay here again. Friends of our stayed at Bull Creek north of there earlier in the week and were happy with it.

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Marina Review for Freeport Marina

Reviewed by: Capt Maria Langer , Do It Now, on Nov 25, 2023
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 32'
Draft: 2.5'

Rating: 4

Visited for the day on 11/21/23 in mostly miserable rainy weather. There's a $10 fee for day use. We were one of the few boats there.

We had lunch at the Old Daufuskie Crab Company Restaurant right near the marina. It was okay but nothing to rave about. When the weather cleared a little, we took our bikes to the Daufuskie Distillery (where the pond has alligators), the Old School Coffee Shop, and a local handmade soap shop at someone's home. From there, we moved on to an anchorage for the night since the marina fees were an insane $3/foot/night for a rickety and noisy dock and very few services. It was a good day stop and would have been even better in good weather, but I can't see paying to spend the night there.

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Free Dock Review for Beaufort "East" Day Dock

Reviewed by: Capt Maria Langer, Do It Now, on Nov 25, 2023
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 32'
Draft: 2.5'

Rating: 5

Nice free day dock centrally located in downtown Beaufort. No overnight stays. Great place to stop and park for a few hours for a walk around the town. After our visit, we moved to the nearby Factory Creek anchorage for the night.

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Anchorage Review for Factory Creek

Reviewed by: Capt Maria Langer, Do It Now, on Nov 25, 2023
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 32'
Draft: 2.5'

We anchored here one night on 11/20/23. There were four sailboats and us all lined up alongside the channel. I think the sailboat closest to the boat ramp was unoccupied, but it looked to be in good condition.

Some road noise. Wake protection was okay from the folks who decided that the No Wake signs did indeed apply to them.

Easy shore access by dinghy at the boat ramp dock nearby. Very small park there with some grass for dog relief, but right next to a busy road. There were garbage pails on site but no restrooms.

(We visited Beaufort at the Free Dock earlier in the day, parking there for a few hours before moving the boat to the anchorage. It was a good way to explore the town without having to pay for a marina.)

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Anchorage Review for SC: Steamboat Creek MM 497

Reviewed by: Capt Maria Langer, Do It Now, on Nov 25, 2023
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 32'
Draft: 2.5'

Good holding in a quiet, scenic anchorage. Some fishing boats in the area. Easy access to shore at the nearby boat ramp dock; good for walking dogs. Boat ramp has litter and no garbage pails. (Could those two things be related?) Some bugs during out 11/19 stay.

I would stay there again.

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Marina Review for Charleston Maritime Center

Reviewed by: Capt Maria Langer , Do It Now, on Nov 25, 2023
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 32'
Draft: 2.5'

Rating: 4

Well, I know I said in my last review of this place that I wouldn't stay here again, but it's all about location, location, location. Where else can you stay walking distance to downtown Charleston without paying an arm and a leg?

Be sure to request a slip on the north side of the marina. There will be a lot less wake there.

Good shower and laundry facility. Harris Teeter is less than a mile away; an easy walk with a cart. We also walked to King Street on this visit. African American Museum and Aquarium are very close by. Also a water taxi across the Charleston River.

Ignore anything you read about BoatUS discounts. They no longer offer discounts to anyone.

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Marina Review for Hazzard Marine

Reviewed by: Capt Maria Langer , Do It Now, on Nov 25, 2023
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 32'
Draft: 2.5'

Rating: 3

This was my second time staying at this marina; the first was in Spring 2022 on another Captain's boat. I generally like the marina's location -- a little out of town with a pleasant walk in a residential neighborhood to shops and restaurants. There are private restrooms with showers, a laundry facility, and a nice Captain's lounge. Parking is on a long dock that runs parallel to the river. It's a no wake area so wake is not an issue, although the current can be strong.

On this visit, there was no one to meet us at the dock or even provide instructions by phone or radio on where to park, one of the restrooms was out of order because of a broken door, and when we went to shower there was no hot water at all. (When we told the dockmaster in the morning that there was no hot water, he didn't seem the least bit concerned or apologetic.) Another boater tried unsuccessfully to get a pumpout. These are maintenance issues and I don't know why they aren't taken care of. It left me embarrassed, after telling my companion what a nice, out-of-the-way marina it was. I stayed at Harborwalk on my last visit to Georgetown and would likely stay there again next time.

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Anchorage Review for Waccamaw River - Cow House Creek

Reviewed by: Capt Maria Langer, Do It Now, on Nov 25, 2023
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 32'
Draft: 2.5'

We dropped anchor just inside the channel going around the island. Good holding in a strong current. Two more boats were anchored past us and there were at least two derelict boats anchored in the area. This anchorage is right across the river from Wacca Wache Marina, which has one of the cheapest prices for diesel on the ICW and we arrived with less than 10 gallons of fuel on board. (We topped off the tank and got a pumpout in the morning.) There's a dock at the marina's boat ramp that's suitable for landing with a dinghy to take dogs ashore or visit the restaurant which is open for lunch and dinner.

The anchorage was quiet and mostly dark. Very pleasant.

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Free Dock Review for The Dock at Barefoot Landing

Reviewed by: Capt Maria Langer, Do It Now, on Nov 25, 2023
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 32'
Draft: 2.5'

Rating: 5

We stopped here for lunch and did not try to stay overnight since it's clearly marked as a day dock. We were the only boat there on that November 2023 Wednesday. Docks are in good condition. Strong tidal current can make it tricky to get into a slip, but there are some dock wall accommodations, too. I suspect this place is very crowded on weekends.

Walking distance to many shopping and dining options -- mostly of the tourist variety. We had a good lunch at Taco Mundo, which is right there, and then walked around the little lake and visited a few shops. We also had a tasting at the nearby Kentucky Mist distillery.

It was a good enroute stop.

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Anchorage Review for Bird Island anchorage

Reviewed by: Capt Maria Langer, Do It Now, on Nov 25, 2023
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 32'
Draft: 2.5'

We anchored quite a bit past the anchor icon on the map, abeam the trail loop on Bird Island. The water was shallower there, but I prefer shallower water for my 30-inch draft Ranger Tug. Nine sailboats came in that evening, parking between us and the mouth of the inlet. Shore access was very easy during low tide when small beaches were exposed. The sand on shore was very soft but still walkable with my dogs. We trekked through tidal streams to get to the trail on Bird Island and followed that across the island to the anchorage. We also visited the Kindred Spirit Mailbox. If you do this little hike, be aware that it might be better to dinghy to the south end of the island and land there rather than try to walk across from farther up the inlet, especially when the tide comes in.

We also noted flies during our 11/14/23 visit; they got very bad on land during our hike back to the dinghy but screens kept them out of the boat. Holding was good and it was very quiet and pleasantly dark at night. Some wake from fishermen who I honestly believe were trying to annoy those anchored there by zipping close to and between us. All quiet overnight, though.

I would return.

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Marina Review for Carolina Beach State Park

Reviewed by: Capt Maria Langer , Do It Now, on Nov 22, 2023
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 32'
Draft: 2.5'

Rating: 5

My third time here and I'm sure I'll be back again. This is a great deal for smaller, shallow draft boats: just $24 for folks 62 and older gets you a slip with power and water in a sheltered spot with restrooms, laundry, a nice lounge area, WiFi, and miles of trails. About a mile to two different supermarkets; Uber will come into the park and get you. Unfortunately, this marina is not suitable for larger boats due to its small slip size and shallow water, especially at low tide. But if you can get your boat in there, don't miss it!

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Anchorage Review for Mile Hammock Bay

Reviewed by: Capt Maria Langer, Do It Now, on Nov 22, 2023
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 32'
Draft: 2.5'

This is an extremely popular anchorage; there were 10 boats there on the November night we were there. Good holding, not much current. There was some Marine activity the day we were there. I did not see any signs warning us off the dock or ramp area and we landed three times with my pups. There were lots of fishermen and a few folks using the boat ramp. Good stop but not much going for it other than safety and convenience. I will likely return on my trip north.

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Free Dock Review for Oriental Town Dock #2 - Free Dock

Reviewed by: Capt Maria Langer, Do It Now, on Nov 22, 2023
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 32'
Draft: 2.5'

Rating: 4

We were one of three boats parked along this dock. There's no power or water. It's very close to town, with a nice coffee/ice cream shop, some other restaurants, and a handful of shops. The free Piggly Wiggly shuttle makes provisioning convenient. This dock is right next to a boatyard doing work on very large fishing boats so it was noisy during the day and very bright at night. Part of the dock is reserved for pumpout use. A good free stop along the way, but you'll probably have to get there early to get a spot.

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Marina Review for Washington Waterfront Docks

Reviewed by: Capt Maria Langer , Do It Now, on Nov 22, 2023
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 32'
Draft: 2.5'

Rating: 5

I spent three nights at the Washington Waterfront Docks in early November and was very happy with the experience. The dock staff was on hand to grab my lines and help me get into my slip. The marina is in a No Wake zone so there was very little wake. Marina facilities, including private restrooms with showers, were in good shape. The staff was friendly and helpful. The marina also has a pumpout, laundry room, and basic loaner bikes.

The marina is located very close to downtown Washington, with plenty of shops and restaurants. The ones we tried and liked were The Mulberry House, Blu Farm to Table, and 1906 Bistro & Bourbon Bar. Provisioning in town is not easy; there are a handful of shops to get some gourmet items, but you'll need a taxi or bicycle to get to the Walmart or Food Lion more than a mile away. I found a great seafood shop walking distance from the marina, Washington Crab. There's a very nice walking trail along the river front and pleasant neighborhoods to bike through if you want to get some exercise.

While I realize that Washington is a bit out of the way for many cruisers -- it's 27 miles from the ICW -- it's a nice town that's definitely worth visiting. These affordable docks make a good place to park the boat while exploring the city. I would definitely come again.

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Marina Review for Dowry Creek Marina

Reviewed by: Capt Maria Langer , Do It Now, on Nov 3, 2023
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 32'
Draft: 2.5'

Rating: 5

A good stop not far off the ICW. Solid fixed docks with a nominal wind-driven tide. Good dockhand wearing highly visible orange sweatshirt made it easy to find my relatively narrow slip and tie up. Marina shop is well stocked with groceries, tourist items, and boat supplies. Laundry room had two free washers and driers and I must have timed it right because I didn't have to wait. Showers are in private rooms and good. There's a nice captain's lounge and satisfactory wifi service, even way out on the transient dock. Relatively dog friendly with grassy areas to walk your pup. There's a pool (which was definitely greenish on that November stay) and a restaurant. I had lunch in the restaurant and it was good; I missed out on the live music that evening. I used the courtesy car to go to Food Lion and the post office.

In all, it was a nice stay. I got a lot of chores done and had a good night's sleep. I think this is an excellent option if you prefer a quiet, more laid back experience in the Belhaven area. Good value for your money. Would I stay here again? Yes!

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Marina Review for Alligator River Marina

Reviewed by: Capt Maria Langer , Do It Now, on Nov 3, 2023
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 32'
Draft: 2.5'

Rating: 3

I'm with everyone else: this is a gas station with docking facilities. I was "stuck" here three nights waiting out weather and a small craft advisory and I was glad to leave, although it wasn't awful.

Pros:
- Good fuel price
- Very sheltered
- Little tide change
- Sturdy dock wall
- Fried chicken
- Restrooms with showers and laundry
- Pet friendly with lots of grass for a dog to run on

Cons:
- Nothing much there
- Some road noise
- Other than a small food menu, only junk food in the store. (Honestly, I didn't know so many varieties of junk food existed.)
- Slips look flimsy. (Opt for the dock wall.)
- Unskilled/inexperienced dockhands.

More about the dockhands: When I came in before noon after a rough crossing of Arbemarle Sound, I told them I needed fuel and was directed to a spot on the dock wall slightly beyond the diesel pump where I could also stay for the night. An older woman -- older than me -- was there to direct me. I brought my boat right up to the spot where she stood, using steering under power and my thrusters against the breeze. Honestly: it was a perfect landing. But before I could toss her a midship line or get out of the boat, she reached onto the bow rail, grabbed the bow line, and yanked it in. Result: the boat's stern swung away from the dock as the bow came in. I asked her numerous times to slacken the bow line but she just didn't understand until I yelled at her. Finally, with slack in the line, I was able to bring the boat in again and get off with a midship line. I secured the boat. (Single-handing has its own challenges and they're often made worse by a "dockhand" who doesn't know what he/she is doing. I would have done better without the "help" I got there that day.) Later that day I witnessed the "dockmaster" try to guide a large trawler into one of the slips on the opposite side of the marina. The slip was obviously not large enough. Finally, the boat moved to the dock wall where it fit and tied up there. All the other boats that came during my stay parked along the dock wall. Most stayed just one night.

Would I stay there again? If I had to. Again, it's a good sheltered spot along the way. And the price is reasonable, especially with the Boat US discount.

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Marina Review for Coinjock Marina & Restaurant

Reviewed by: Capt Maria Langer , Do It Now, on Nov 3, 2023
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 32'
Draft: 2.5'

Rating: 3

I came to Coinjock mostly to see if it was the great place everyone said it was. I was not impressed.

I was southbound with the annual boat migration in full swing. Coinjock was packed to the point that three boats (including mine) had to raft onto another boat. When I arrived the boat I was supposed to raft to was tied up and I was told to come in, but there no fenders set out on the side I had to tie to. When the dockhands realized that I was single-handing and only able to put two of my fenders out while navigating in the narrow, crowded channel, they scrambled to get others set out on the destination boat. It had a happy ending but was very stressful.

Even though I rafted, I had to pay full price for my stay. Considering that I had limited access to shore because I didn't want to be a nuisance to the owners of the boat I had to walk across to get there and back, I think the rate should have been reduced. The people in the boat I rafted to were strangers and were gracious about our situation, but I think they should have had a reduced rate, too.

The bathrooms are satisfactory. The showers in the ladies room do not include a changing area, however, and they are positioned right by the entrance. If you step outside the shower stall to dress and someone walks in, you're exposed to whoever is outside. Not ideal.

The restaurant was understaffed with a wait for a meal at 2 PM. Lots of tables needed clearing and, as another outdoor diner with restaurant experience pointed out, the servers would walk back into the kitchen empty handed when there were plenty of plates and other things to bring in. In other words, they lacked efficiency. The smaller prime rib was generously sized -- enough for lunch and two leftover meals. It was good but I've had better. My server was good. Everyone was friendly.

The best part of my stay, however, was sitting at a sort of bar outside for my meal. It faced the dock and we were entertained watching the dockhands assist and tie up very large boats so close together that the bow of one overhung the stern of the one before it. This must be what others are talking about when they complement the dockhands. I could have watched this show all day long.

Would I stay at Coinjock again? Probably not. I prefer the Dismal Canal route better anyway.

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Free Dock Review for Great Bridge Dock #2 (Chesapeake, VA)

Reviewed by: Capt Maria Langer, Do It Now, on Oct 29, 2023
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 32'
Draft: 2.5'

Rating: 5

Stopped here for one night on my way south during the busy southern migration season. It's the dock right after the drawbridge that's raised with the operation of the nearby lock. (Dock #1 is across the river, before the bridge when heading south.)

The dock was nearly full when I arrived at noon. This is a fixed dock with pilings. There's little or no tide. There's some car noise from the bridge, as well as the bell ringing and horn blaring when the bridge goes up. The bridge does not seem to operate at night, although it did let a work boat through at 5 AM. Other than that, there's nature noise -- mostly chirping birds. There's a museum on the grounds that covers the Revolutionary War History of the battle of Great Bridge. I'm not sure if it's worth the $8 fee, but it was interesting and I like to contribute when I'm getting a free overnight stay. (Also, it was air conditioned and had clean restrooms.) The best feature of this stop was the extensive wooded trail system alongside the river. It was a real pleasure to take my pups for a walk and let them run a bit with no one else around. (Please clean up after your dogs, folks.) There's a supermarket and numerous restaurants within walking distance. A great stop and, if weather wasn't forcing me to keep moving, I'd definitely stay a second night. Highly recommended if you're going this way.

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Free Dock Review for High Street Landing

Reviewed by: Capt Maria Langer, Do It Now, on Oct 29, 2023
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 32'
Draft: 2.5'

Rating: 4

This is my second stay here and it was both better and worse. Better because the dubious boats I noted on my last stay were gone but worse because there was a constant generator noise from the naval drydock across the river. This time, the entire basin filled up with transient boats -- there were 11 in the afternoon with 9 of us spending the night. That's pretty much the limit for this spot. I was tied up on the river side of the basin in an area marked as reserved for a tour boat that wasn't operating. (Two of us parked in this area.) There was a lot less wake. The nearly full moon put the tide change at over 3 feet, which was a challenge for the high fixed dock wall, but with no current, loose lines made it tolerable.

See my other review from April 2023; just about everything still applies.

I would stay here again; it's a great option for the area with the ferry right there to take you to Norfolk if you want to visit the museums and restaurants there. And you can't beat the price.

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Marina Review for Waterside Marina

Reviewed by: Capt Maria Langer , Do It Now, on Oct 29, 2023
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 32'
Draft: 2.5'

Rating: 5

Great location in downtown Norfolk, walking distance to many restaurants and some shopping. Nice floating docks, helpful dockhands. Welcome pack included Wifi info, bathroom codes, and things to do brochure for Norfolk. As mentioned in other reviews, the marina entrance is very tight and the restrooms are a bit of a hike from the docks. It's remarkably quiet at night and there's very wake from passing boats, being within a large No Wake area. The price is fair given the proximity to so many places of interest. There's also easy access to the ferry to downtown Portsmouth. (And if you're as sick of seafood as I was when I arrived, I highly recommend the funky Jack Brown's Beer and Burger Joint, which was recommended to me by the dockhands. Best burger and sweet potato fries I've had in a long time.)

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

Reviewed by: Capt Maria Langer , Do It Now, on Oct 29, 2023
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 32'
Draft: 2.5'

Rating: 5

This was my second visit to Regatta Point. The facilities are great and clean, the floating docks are in good condition, and the grounds are well kept. They are very dog friendly. (Please pick up after your dogs, folks!) Private restrooms with showers, laundry facility, loaner bicycles, courtesy car. Grocery store, fish market, hardware store, and post office are all within 4 miles.

Be sure to closely follow the markers in the channel. I was waved around a sailboat that had inexplicably stopped dead in the channel in front of me and gong around them as directed got my running gear stuck in shallow water. (The sailboaters had a good laugh over that; it's a good thing they weren't staying at the same marina.) I waited 3 hours for the tide to come up and was finally pulled out by a passing fishing boat.

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Anchorage Review for Belmont Bay

Reviewed by: Capt Maria Langer, Do It Now, on Oct 29, 2023
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 32'
Draft: 2.5'

This is a tricky anchorage for two reasons: water depth was as low as 5 feet along the way and the area was full of weeds (in October). But the water was calm, holding was good, and there was very little other traffic to generate wake. I chose the spot because it looked like it would be easy access to a beach for my pups, but the weeds made dinghying over challenging and the beach was small. And when I pulled my anchor, it took quite a bit of work to get all the weeds off. The weeds did not cause a problem with my engine, prop, or strainer. There may be a spot with less weeds closer to the channel.

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Marina Review for The Wharf Marina-DC

Reviewed by: Capt Maria Langer , Do It Now, on Oct 29, 2023
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 32'
Draft: 2.5'

Rating: 4

The Wharf is a fully equipped marina located near the Mall in Washington DC. It has all the features a cruiser could want and need: floating docks along a no wake section of the Washington Channel, good bathrooms with semi-private showers, a laundry room with 4 washers and 4 dryers, a lounge, conveniently placed garbage and recycling receptacles, in-slip pumpout, and fuel. It's walking distance to a Safeway supermarket and the Metro. It's in an upscale tourist development (The Wharf) with lots of good but expensive restaurants and bars and some shopping. My main gripe was the cost: it's not a place for budget-conscious cruisers. There were several mega-yachts there during my stay; I think these are the folks this marina caters to.

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Anchorage Review for Mattawoman Creek - Grinders Wharf

Reviewed by: Capt Maria Langer, Do It Now, on Oct 29, 2023
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 32'
Draft: 2.5'

We actually stayed at a point north of the anchor icon on the map because there was another boat at the anchor icon when we arrived. (It left before nightfall.) The location is relatively exposed in a tidal creek but we didn't have trouble with wind or holding. There were floating weeds that were easy enough to avoid; none got into my strainer. Easy access to land at the State Park dinghy dock, but I recommend anchoring closer if you plan to dinghy over. They are very dog friendly at the park. There's a small convenience store there that also sells tackle and bait. Restrooms are available, but no showers. There are no trash cans in the park; it's a "pack it out" park. The area is quiet and calm at night but full of fishermen early in the morning and in the evening; they don't care how much they wake your boat. There's also a Navy operation across the river that apparently does some sort of ordinance work, but they were not operating while we where there.

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Anchorage Review for Port Tobacco River - Deep Point

Reviewed by: Capt Maria Langer, Do It Now, on Oct 10, 2023
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 32'
Draft: 2.5'

Not very protected; a wind coming up the river had us bouncing most of the time. (One of the boats in my party needs at least 5 feet, so we couldn't get any closer to land where it might have been more protected.) Good holding in mud. Easy access to the Chapel Point State Park on the east. Scenic with homes and woodlands along shore.

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Free Dock Review for St. Clements Island

Reviewed by: Capt Maria Langer, Do It Now, on Oct 10, 2023
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 32'
Draft: 2.5'

Rating: 4

I give the island 5 stars but the dock only 4 stars. It's sturdy but rough and exposed, difficult to dock against in rough conditions. I was part of a party of two boats and we were the only ones there. Pay close attention to the piling about 1/3 of the way from the end of the dock; I'm pretty sure it marks the start of shallow water and you don't want to go beyond it.

On shore, there are lots of benches, picnic spots, and interpretive signs about the history of the area and the island. The grassy trails are wide and maintained. There were restrooms that we did not visit. We saw deer.

On the south end of the island is another dock not listed on Waterway Guide. It did not seem to be in as good condition and the water depth was shallower, so it's likely best use by small pleasure boats with shallow draft. Near there is the lighthouse and bell tower, which were rebuilt, and a giant Christian cross apparently celebrating the religious freedom early settlers sought when they came from England in the 1600s. The museum was closed on the October Monday we visited.

We did not spend the night.

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Free Dock Review for Leonardtown Wharf

Reviewed by: Capt Maria Langer, Do It Now, on Oct 10, 2023
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 32'
Draft: 2.5'

Rating: 5

My companion wanted to anchor out but with rough weather coming and rain in the forecast, I liked the idea of being able to tie up and get to shore with my dogs without taking the dingy out. I'm very glad we stayed here.

There's an extremely long t-head in about 8 feet of water with some smaller slips closer to land. The wind was really howling when we came in and I was able to nose into a slip and let the wind ease me against the floating dock. I helped my friend dock his much large boat on the T-head, fighting against the wind. Other than a sailboat, we were the only ones there.

The docks were in excellent condition; they seemed brand new! I was surprised to find 30 amp power within range of my cord. The water was either not connected or had been turned off. On shore there's a park with video surveillance, a playground, ice cream place, and restrooms. The park is extremely dog friendly; they provide bags and receptacles for waste. (Always clean up after your dog, folks!) Although signs said dogs must be on a leash, if there was no one around, I let my pups run a little to work out their energy.

Town is a short distance away and yes, the walk is uphill. But it's worth it -- there are plenty of shops and restaurants to explore, as well as the Jail museum/ visitor's center. And guess what? The walk is downhill on the way back!

There is a Trolley service that we would have used if the timing was right. Instead, we used Uber to get to a hardware store and visit the local winery. That same area, which was about $15 away, also had a supermarket and a handful of other shopping options.

Locals come down and use the park on weekends and there were quite a few that came down the docks to check out the boats. I never felt unsafe or worried about my boat being tampered with. The folks who stopped to talk were all friendly. No one bothered us -- not even to give us a stay limit!

We wound up staying in town for two days and watched a Tractor parade on Sunday.

Highly recommended and I would definitely stay again.

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Anchorage Review for Horseshoe Bend - Pagan Point

Reviewed by: Capt Maria Langer, Do It Now, on Oct 10, 2023
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 32'
Draft: 2.5'

What a great, quiet anchorage up St. Mary's River! It's across from the larger, more popular Horseshoe Bend anchorage. Quiet, not near any road. You can tuck in quite close to land for protection from wind on the south, east, and west. There is a tiny beach -- look for the open wooden fence beyond it -- to take your dogs for a potty break. (Please clean up after your dog, folks!) Cell service was good on Verizon. Good holding in mud. Not much traffic this far up the river so no noticeable wake.

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Anchorage Review for Choptank River - La Trappe Creek

Reviewed by: Capt Maria Langer, Do It Now, on Oct 10, 2023
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 32'
Draft: 2.5'

What a nice anchorage! Tucked away off a little creek off Choptank River, it is protected on three sides from wind. Very little current. Some wake from mostly small fishing boats going in and out of La Trappe Creek. Large area can accommodate at least 8 boats; there were 3 of us when I was there. I anchored in about 8 feet of water and used just 35 feet of rode with very good holding. The place was very quiet at night.

The main protection from La Trappe Creek and the Choptank River is a sand spit with some vegetation. As others have reported, it has a bunch of No Trespassing signs. I suspect the signs were put up to prevent weekend daytrippers from using the beach and leaving their trash. There were no signs on the far end of the spit so that's where I took my pups by dinghy to do their business and run around a bit. (Please folks, always clean up after your dog!) Since I'm not sure whether my access was actually allowed, I gave access just 3 stars; it was easy enough to dinghy over to.

I would definitely recommend this spot and come here again.

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Marina Review for Eastern Bay Yachting Center

Reviewed by: Capt Maria Langer , Do It Now, on Oct 10, 2023
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 32'
Draft: 2.5'

Rating: 4

I brought my boat to Eastern Bay Yachting Center and its sister organization, Seven Seas Yacht Services, back in April 2023 to have my boat hauled out and stored for the summer. I started in a slip for a few days to prep the boat for my departure. Seven Seas staff did some routine maintenance on my engine, then hauled it out and power washed the bottom. I discussed work to be done while I was gone, including replacing spent zincs and getting two tiny dings out of my prop. The boat was then moved into Eastern Bay's boat yard in a locked fenced-in enclosure across the road. A little over five months later, Seven Seas moved the boat back into the water for my return. Everything was handled professionally and I was completely satisfied with all the work done.

Understand that this is not a luxury marina with deluxe cruising features. It's a yacht services organization. The fixed dock slips have finger piers. There's water and power. There's a men's room and ladies' room with shower. There is nothing else nearby. Enterprise car rentals are about 6 miles away; shopping and dining is about 5 miles away. It's not the kind of marina you'd come to unless you need some work done on your boat. But if you do need work done, they'll definitely have you covered.

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Lock comment on South Mills Lock

Comment by: Capt Maria Langer, Do It Now, on Apr 15, 2023
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 32'
Draft: 2.5'

Be prepared for a port side tie to fixed bollards. If the lock is crowded, the last boats in may have to raft so make sure you have adequate fenders out to protect any boat you might raft to OR that might have to raft to you.

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Free Dock Review for High Street Landing

Reviewed by: Capt Maria Langer, Do It Now, on Apr 15, 2023
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 32'
Draft: 2.5'

Rating: 4

This is a free dock in a basin close to downtown. On my arrival there were three boats: a friend in his Mainship, an obviously derelict boat that had been towed in and parked, and another boat in dubious condition. We spoke to a local conservation police officer who was trying to resolve the two boats and get them removed. Apparently, one of the city attorneys has an office overlooking the basin and reports anything out of place. The boats had been there only a few days.

The basin is open to the Elizabeth River, which gets a good amount of boat traffic as a shipping lane and part of the ICW. Wake from the opening to the basin comes in and can aggressively rock any boats tied up along the opposite wall. That was my boat since my options were limited when I first arrived. You'll want fender boards or large fender balls to keep your boat from hitting the vertical posts, many of which do have small cleats.

I did not notice any issues on high tide while I was here, but the moon was just past last quarter so the tide wasn't at its highest. It got within 10 inches of the top of the dock but never splashed over, even with wake.

There are no facilities, but there are nice walking areas along the river that include plenty of grass for a dog. The Portsmouth Naval Shipyard Museum is adjacent to the basin and the old Portsmouth Light Ship is parked behind it. Several blocks of downtown Portsmouth offer a wide range of dining and shopping opportunities, including a convenience store-like market and a Dollar General. We ate at the German restaurant about two blocks away and it was very good.

On a Friday afternoon and evening, there were people walking around the area -- enough for me to draw my starboard side curtains for privacy. No one bothered me. I did bring in several small, easily removable items from my aft deck (float cushion, fishing net, life jackets) before turning in for the night. (I had a BBQ grill stolen off my boat at the free dock in Peoria, IL so I'm a bit more protective of easily stolen items.) I did not feel unsafe at night, but I was up like a rocket when the boat rocked unexpectedly at around 4 AM. (Because my motion sensor light did not go on, I can only assume it was wake.)

The ferry toots a backup signal on its horn -- one long and three short -- every single time it backs out of its dock at the mouth of the basin. That's every 30 minutes until at least 10 PM. But as of 8 AM on this Saturday morning, it hasn't appeared and it's been very quiet.

There's a 36-hour limit on stays here so I think that although I could probably spend a second night, I prefer to move on.

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Free Dock Review for Dismal Swamp Canal Welcome Center

Reviewed by: Capt Maria Langer, Do It Now, on Apr 15, 2023
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 32'
Draft: 2.5'

Rating: 5

This is one of my favorite stops on the Loop so far. The dock is only long enough for 3-4 boats, but when boats came north from the last lock opening for the day, we rafted them 3 deep. The resulting dockside get-together was a ton of fun.

The Welcome Center staff is incredibly friendly. The director even stopped to say hello before leaving for the day; she took photos (with our permission) to put on Facebook. (I sent her a drone shot the next day.)

The whole area is steeped in history. George Washington's company -- when he was in his 30s and worked as a surveyor -- dug some of the original canals in the area in an attempt to drain it for farming. When that didn't work, they logged the area to make shingles and brought the wood out on canal barges. I learned all this in the Dismal Swamp Park Visitor Center across the river. You'll walk across a floating swing bridge to get there. There's also a boardwalk path through the swamp that's a great step into nature.

As for the bugs, I came through in mid-April and it was very warm in the afternoon I arrived. Bugs were not an issue during the day but some mosquitos did come out at night. Certainly not intolerable, but I was told it does get a lot worse.

The rest area restrooms are clean enough. There's no shower and no power. I didn't hunt out the hidden water spigot others have reported so I can't verify it. There is free WiFi, but since my Google Fi hotspot was working well enough for me, I didn't bother to try it.

The only drawback to this place: The one- night limit on stays. I could have stayed longer. I can't wait to come back next spring!

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Free Dock Review for Mariners' Wharf, Elizabeth City

Reviewed by: Capt Maria Langer, Do It Now, on Apr 15, 2023
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 32'
Draft: 2.5'

Rating: 4

Great free stop on my way to the Dismal Canal. Fixed docks but very little tidal range. Very short finger piers will pretty much require power boats to back in. If your boat is short, like mine, you'll need your boathook to secure to outer posts. I received much appreciated assistance from a local when docking. Although the docking area is exposed to the river, I didn't have any problems with wake or current. I suspect a strong wind out of the East or Northeast could be problematic, though.

Later, I got my rose and welcome bag, which included information about the area, coupons, and a lip balm stick I happened to really need.

Other than the short finger piers, my only gripe is becoming an attraction just by parking there. My boat has no rear curtains so anyone walking by could (and would) stare right in. (To be fair, this is a problem at most public docks where I'm required to back in to get off the boat.) But heck, you can't beat the price! It's a nice place for an overnight stop, especially after running the gauntlet of crab pots in the river to get there.

I had a great sandwich at The Market, which was walking distance away. The area was quiet enough at night and I slept well. There were grassy areas nearby for my pups. Would I recommend or stay again? Yes!

One more note: when departing to head out toward the Dismal Swamp, consider the local bridge and South Mills lock schedules. The bridge is not required to open between 7 AM and 9 AM (although it did while I was there) and the lock only opens at scheduled times.

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Marina Review for Belhaven Marina

Reviewed by: Capt Maria Langer , Do It Now, on Apr 12, 2023
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 32'
Draft: 2.5'

Rating: 5

Nice little marina adjacent to downtown Belhaven. Great service from the dockmaster, who met me at the nearby town dock to pump out and then helped me tie up at the marina. Very patient.

I loved the layout of the marina, with two long dock walls separated by a grassy area. My pups loved running in that grass and lounging in the shade. Very pet friendly.

There are two large bathrooms, each with a shower. Very clean, with towels, soaps, and shampoo provided. A laundry room has one washer and dryer, both free. They even have soap on hand. (This was much appreciated as both my pups got seasick on the trip down the Neuse River from Oriental.)

There's a back deck with an upper deck being constructed. Locals and transients meet in the afternoon for an informal happy hour. Lots of friendly folks, including Nick and Tracy who winter there and act as harbor hosts.

And did I mention the good fuel price for diesel?

Several restaurants and shops, including a well-stocked Ace Hardware store, were within walking distance. The Mexican place, Mariachi's, had a great lunch special with more food than I could eat; my lunch with an iced tea cost less than $10. Where can you get a table service meal at that price these days?

Highly recommended for a relaxing stay. I'll be back.

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Marina Review for Clancy's Marina

Reviewed by: Capt Maria Langer , Do It Now, on Apr 11, 2023
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 32'
Draft: 2.5'

Rating: 5

I spent 11 nights at Clancy's at the beginning of April while I attended a Captain's Class at a nearby marine training facility. This is a small marina about 3-4 blocks from downtown Oriental. It's in a residential area; the marina is adjacent to the owner's home. There are about eight long-term boats parked there; three of them were in use during my stay. I was the only transient.

Clancy's is extremely dog friendly. I was able to let my dogs run on their grass, which was especially important after they'd been cooped up in the boat while I was out all day.

The floating dock and its power pedestals seemed brand new -- at least on my end. I was able to tie up securely and was there through a wind storm and a rain event that flooded downtown Oriental and all of the fixed docks in the immediate area. The marina was sufficiently sheltered during these events and I had no trouble accessing land from my boat no matter how high the floodwaters rose.

The bathrooms are spacious and clean. There was no laundry facility, but Clancy's arranged for me to do my laundry at the marina in town. (There is no laundromat in town.) I was able to park my ebike under the owner's house (which is raised, as many are in this area); there was even an outlet under there so I could charge it overnight without having to worry about it getting wet.

Clancy's has both trash and recycle receptacles. It's nice to be able to recycle when I can. There was also a picnic table with a barbeque grill.

The owner, Greg, and his wife are very friendly and accommodating. They offered numerous times to drive me the 3 miles to my classes. I was able to do fine on my bike so I didn't take advantage of their hospitality.

Oriental has one of the nicest Piggly Wiggly supermarkets I've ever been in, despite it being a bit on the small side. They have a vehicle that serves all the marinas; just call them and they'll come get you and then take you back when you're done shopping. I used this service when I was at Clancy's.

Overall, this is a nice marina if you want someplace quieter than downtown.

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Marina Review for New Bern Grand Marina Yacht Club

Reviewed by: Capt Maria Langer , Do It Now, on Apr 11, 2023
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 32'
Draft: 2.5'

Rating: 4

Second time at this marina; first time in my boat. Friendly staff helped me dock in a slip relatively close to land. This marina is very close to downtown New Bern, which is a wonderful stop just off the Great Loop. There are quite a few liveaboards at this marina and all were very friendly. The docks are secured with a combination lock. I felt very safe.

Some noise in late afternoon from gulls gathering along the railroad bridge adjacent to the marina. They were quiet after sunset. The train seems to come by in the morning, very slowly.

My only gripe about this marina is the distance from the boat dock to the restrooms and laundry facilities -- it's at least two city blocks!

Pet friendly. There is a grassy area right outside the dock gate. A sign was erected during my stay: "Dogs must be leashed."

I would stay here again and recommend it, but mostly for its proximity to downtown New Bern.

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Marina Review for Morehead City Yacht Basin

Reviewed by: Capt Maria Langer , Do It Now, on Apr 11, 2023
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 32'
Draft: 2.5'

Rating: 5

My second time in Morehead City and my first at this marina. It is far more sheltered than the docks right on the ICW. Good staff helped me park on one of their long floating docks. Pretty good fuel price so I topped off. Nice facilities; clean bathrooms and laundry area. Pet friendly. Walking distance to town, including restaurants. Some noise from a nearby train, otherwise pretty quiet.

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Marina Review for Harbour Village Marina Inc.

Reviewed by: Capt Maria Langer , Do It Now, on Apr 11, 2023
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 32'
Draft: 2.5'

Rating: 5

This was my second time staying here and the first time in my own boat. There is limited transient parking, but I needed a spot halfway to Morehead City from the Southport area and this is a good option. I parked with another boat at the floating fuel dock, arriving minutes before a storm. My boat was tied up and I was snug on board when the sky opened up. Great assistance getting me parked. Very friendly staff. In a very sheltered basin right off the ICW. Even with high winds in the storm, my boat barely rocked. Nice facility with good restrooms close to parking. Surrounded by homes. There is nothing else there so come fully provisioned. Pet friendly with a grassy area right near parking.

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Marina Review for Carolina Beach State Park

Reviewed by: Capt Maria Langer , Do It Now, on Apr 11, 2023
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 32'
Draft: 2.5'

Rating: 5

This was my second visit to Carolina Beach State Park Marina in about a year -- this time, on my own boat. I said I'd like to come back and I'm glad I was able to.

Again, you must carefully follow the channel markers to get in and it's best to do so closer to high tide than low. The basin is sheltered. I was the only transient boater there for the three nights of my stay (in the second half of March).

This is not the kind of stop for people who need restaurants, shopping, and entertainment within walking distance. It's inside a state park and you need to leave the park for other services. There are two supermarkets within 1 1/2 miles; definitely bikeable. A little farther is downtown and the ocean beach.

Instead, this is a place that would appeal to folks who like to hike and observe different kinds of vegetation. There are carnivorous plants here, growing in the wild. And miles of maintained, marked trails. (Biking is not allowed on trails.) It's a good place to come for a dose of nature.

And you can't beat the price: $30/night, including power. I'll be back!

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Marina Review for Morningstar Marinas Southport

Reviewed by: Capt Maria Langer , Do It Now, on Apr 11, 2023
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 32'
Draft: 2.5'

Rating: 5

Very well-run marina with excellent facilities. Sheltered from wind and wake, although small fishing boats do come and go, sometimes very early in the morning. Plenty of help docking. Friendly staff. Nice bathrooms and laundry facility. Walking distance from restaurants and town.

Extremely dog friendly -- they had their own dog park on the premises!

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Marina Review for Lightkeepers Marina

Reviewed by: Capt Maria Langer , Do It Now, on Apr 11, 2023
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 32'
Draft: 2.5'

Rating: 4

Large but quiet marina adjacent to a condo development, sharing a large basin with two other large marinas. Well protected from wind and ICW wake. Great help docking and checking in. Nice bathroom and laundry facility. Uber distance from shopping, including Publix supermarket and West Marine. Nothing else is close. Very strict leash policy for dogs.

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Marina Review for Bucksport Plantation Marina & RV Resort

Reviewed by: Capt Maria Langer , Do It Now, on Apr 11, 2023
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 32'
Draft: 2.5'

Rating: 3

I didn't find anything special about this stop. The people were friendly enough and they accommodated my request to be moved from a fishing dock (where at least a half-dozen fishermen scrambled to get their multiple lines out of the water on my approach) to a floating dock between two other transient boats. But the new spot had no power (which was included in the price). They charge a 3% fee for credit card use. The place was dog friendly, which is important to me. The restaurant was still closed for the season -- this was March 2023. There are no provisions in the store and nothing at all near the marina/campground. Easy in, easy out. I only spent one night and then got on my way.

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Marina Review for Harborwalk Marina

Reviewed by: Capt Maria Langer , Do It Now, on Mar 29, 2023
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 32'
Draft: 2.5'

Rating: 5

This was my second time in Georgetown and my first time at this marina. I really liked it.

I had ample assistance docking for fuel, fueling, pumping out, and moving to my parking spot along a long dock close to land. Both of the dock hands working during my three-night visit were very friendly, pleasant, and helpful. My spot was relatively unaffected by wind and wake on the river. The floating docks are in excellent condition. The restrooms, laundry room, and lounge are clean and well-maintained. Although there is no security gate, signs restricting dock access to boat owners kept sightseers off. I felt safe and secure throughout my stay.

The marina is very dog friendly. There's plenty of grass nearby for dogs to do their business and run around. (Please pick up after your dog, folks.)

The marina is right downtown, walking distance to at least a dozen restaurants and shops. The town is pleasant and walkable. There's a supermarket about a mile away. There are also two marine supply shops a little more than a mile away (in the opposite direction).

The only drawback during my stay was noise from a hotel construction site adjacent to the marina. This was only during daylight hours and wasn't horrible.

Overall, I'd recommend Harborwalk Marina and would certainly stay there again.

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Marina Review for Charleston Maritime Center

Reviewed by: Capt Maria Langer , Do It Now, on Mar 17, 2023
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 32'
Draft: 2.5'

Rating: 3

Firs of all, do not ignore the complaints about rocking boats. This is a REAL problem. I spent two nights here and the first 24 hours went from bad to worse. It was the first time I was ever wakened in the middle of the night by my boat rocking so violently that I was being tossed around in my bed. The condition persisted into the next day and didn't ease up until after noon. I was offered a more sheltered slip but the waves, current, and wind in the small boat basin made me concerned that I would not be able to move the boat across the marina safely. The wind died down and so did the wake; my second night was much calmer.

The staff was helpful but not very enthusiastic about providing service beyond what was necessary.

There is water taxi and tour boat traffic all day. The water taxi was not an issue but the tour boat had long lines of passengers. There is no security gate for the dock.

Restrooms and the single shower were adequate but on a very high second floor. I didn't see an elevator but have to assume there was one somewhere.

The only reason I see to go to this marina is its location and relatively low price. It is walking distance from not only the historic district of Charleston, but a Harris Teeter supermarket and numerous restaurants. The Aquarium is nearby. It was also considerably less expensive than larger marinas on the other side of the peninsula. Leaving the area to head north on the ICW was quick and easy.

Bottom line: I would neither recommend this place nor stay here again. However, if you don't mind potentially rough conditions and want to be close to what Charleston has to offer, it's worth consideration.

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Marina Review for Safe Harbor Beaufort

Reviewed by: Capt Maria Langer , Do It Now, on Mar 14, 2023
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 32'
Draft: 2.5'

Rating: 4

Strong current, transient boaters are docked on a long t-dock parallel to the river. I had ample dockhand assistance, which I needed for the spot they wanted me in: parallel parked between two larger boats on the inside of the floating dock. This turned out to be a good spot for me because a very large boat across the dock sheltered my boat from a storm that came through the day after I got there. I also had assistance casting off after my two night stay.

Restroom was clean and had adequate toilet and shower stalls, although the changing area wasn't private to each shower stall. Good laundry facility. Free wifi was terrible, "premium" cost extra. Rather than pay an extra $10/night for 30 amp power, I didn't plug in.

Long walk to land and the other facilities. Pet friendly with grassy areas right outside the gate, which is locked at night. Tourists walked by the marina and a handful walked all the way down the dock, but it wasn't a nuisance. No one bothered me at night and I felt safe.

Great location conveniently located close to town with lots of shops and restaurants, as well as historic homes and walking/biking trails.

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Marina Review for Thunderbolt Marine

Reviewed by: Capt Maria Langer , Do It Now, on Mar 12, 2023
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 32'
Draft: 2.5'

Rating: 5

I spent three nights here in early March 2023. I didn't get any donuts, but that does not impact my review.

I liked the place. There are several long floating docks and I was fortunate to be put on one of the inside ones. The river current is still strong there, but there was less motion from the wake of passing boats. Dockhand Greg assisted me, which was probably necessary with the current, which moves in either direction depending on the tide. The marina has a working boat yard and works on many very large boats. There was some noise on Thursday and Friday for that, but Saturday was quiet.

There are several restaurants within walking distance in the town of Thunderbolt. There's also a marine supply store in town.

The marina has a courtesy car that I used to visit Walmart, Publix, and yet another local marine supply store. (Ever notice that no one carries Volvo branded oil filters?)

Downtown Savannah is an Uber ride away. It cost $15 + tip each way. I highly recommend Savannah Glides History Tour by Segway if you want something fun and different. If you go on a Saturday, be sure to visit the Farmer's Market in Forsyth Park. From there, it's a long but very enjoyable (and easy) walk all the way to River Street where you'll find the usual tourist shops and restaurants. Vic's was excellent for lunch. The city has lots of history and amazing architecture; don't let $35 worth of cab fares keep you away from it.

The marina offers discounts for Boat US members on docking and fuel: 15¢. I topped off my tank before leaving for $4.76/gallon at a time when most ICW marinas are getting $5.50 or more.

It was a good stay. I'd definitely stay there again.

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Marina Review for Halfmoon Marina

Reviewed by: Capt Maria Langer , Do It Now, on Mar 12, 2023
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 32'
Draft: 2.5'

Rating: 5

At six miles off the ICW, this isn't exactly along the way for anyone. But if you like quiet, out-of-the-way marinas that feature good service and a view of the sunset, you'll probably like this one as much as I did.

You must come to the marina via North Newport River and you must follow the markers that owner/dockmaster Kevin has installed along the way. Call ahead to make your reservation and then take notes when he explains how to get in. It will definitely seem at times as if you're venturing into shallow water, but I did this at low tide and the depth never got below 12 feet where he told me to go.

This is a small facility with just two floating docks along the river. The current is very strong on the rising and (especially) falling tides. Kevin is right there to help you in. You'll want to secure your boat well, probably with a stern cross tie to prevent the boat's stern from moving away from the dock when the current is coming at it.

The marina has two full restrooms, each with a shower. They're relatively new and fully functional. There's a marina shop with lots of snacks and beverages. Other than that, there's nothing nearby. Kevin, who is very friendly and helpful, offered me his car several times to drive into town for supplies but I didn't need anything so I passed.

The place is dog friendly, with plenty of grassy areas right off the dock. (Please remember to pick up after your dog.)

While you're there, check out the lift they use to pull small fishing boats off their trailers, launch them in the river, and later retrieve them. It's very cool.

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Marina Review for Two Way Fish Camp

Reviewed by: Capt Maria Langer , Do It Now, on Mar 12, 2023
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 32'
Draft: 2.5'

Rating: 4

I'll admit it: I made the trip to Two Way Fish Camp to take advantage of $3.99/gallon diesel at a time when most other marinas on the ICW are charging $5.50/gallon or more. It's just 5 miles off the ICW and I didn't note any shallow water along the way. I spent the night and don't regret it.

The staff was very helpful getting me into the tight space of the fuel dock and then into my parking space for the night at the outside of a T-dock. The current is definitely a factor; you'll need to nose in no matter where you park. The floating docks are in decent condition and my 30 amp power hookup (included in the dock price) worked fine. The restaurant on the premises had good food and good prices; it seems to cater to locals. There's a bait shop with some refreshments and lots of t-shirts. The restroom facilities are basic; I took a peek but didn't use them. The only drawback -- which you'll find in most marinas in this part of the ICW -- is biting gnats or no-see-ums, which come out in the morning and evening.

This is not a 5-star facility, but it also does not have a 5-star price. It's a great, cheap overnight stop made even cheaper if you come with an empty fuel tank and fill it before you leave.

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Marina Review for Brunswick Landing Marina, Inc.

Reviewed by: Capt Maria Langer , Do It Now, on Mar 12, 2023
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 32'
Draft: 2.5'

Rating: 4

I spent just one night at this marina. The staff very kindly helped me dock and tie up the boat. The dock facilities are adequate, although I did not pay for or use the power connection. I did top off my water tank, however. The restroom, lounge, and laundry facilities were clean and well kept. The place is dog friendly -- there's a private, fenced-in dog park on/near the premises. The docks are locked behind gates; you get a key fob to access them and the other facilities. The deposit for the key fob is immediately charged to your Dockwa account and refunded when you return it.

The marina is walking distance from the town of Brunswick, which seems to have many shops and restaurants. I walked several blocks and back; it was a pleasant walk on a warm afternoon. Unfortunately, most shops were closed on the Sunday I arrived and I left too early the next day to explore again. Although someone else here mentioned homeless people on the street, I did not encounter any. I never felt unsafe in town or at the marina.

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Marina Review for Oasis Marinas at Fernandina Harbor

Reviewed by: Capt Maria Langer , Do It Now, on Mar 4, 2023
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 32'
Draft: 2.5'

Rating: 3

The docks are in very good shape, but they are very long. I was parked at the far end of E dock and had a 298-step walk (yes, I counted it) to shore. It's probably another 300 steps from there to the rest rooms, laundry room, and lounge.

The marina -- or at least my spot at the marina -- was completely unprotected from winds from the south. I came to the marina to wait out some weather, which included high winds. Although I was tied securely along the dock, the waves coming in at the back of my boat splashed against the swim platform, came over my dinghy (attached on edge with weaver davits) and soaked my swim platform, rear deck, and rear windows. The rocking motion was so bad that I could not sit at my table to read or work on my computer; I had to lie down and watch TV. My neighbors on the other side of the dock actually spent the afternoon in the lounge on land. I definitely picked the wrong place to wait out this windstorm. But it could have been worse: I could have been in the mooring field, which had whitecaps all afternoon.

Also on the minus side is the noise, which sounds like boulders rolling through a metal channel, coming from the factory just south of the marina. This goes on until after dark on weeknights; it was quiet on Saturday. I don't know what they're making at the factory, but its smokestacks never stopped smoking and my boat was covered with a fine black dust by the second day.

And there's a train that goes by a few times a day.

The marina rate had gone up from $2.50/foot/night to $3.00/foot/night the day before I arrived, so my stay cost more than $50 than I expected it to. Shore power costs extra.

On the plus side, the marina is located within walking distance of a very nice town with plenty of shops and restaurants. There was a car show on the Friday of my stay and lots of people walking around town. There's a farmer's market in town on Saturday mornings. It was nice to buy locally grown fruits and vegetables, fresh seafood, and baked goods. There's a restaurant right at the marina that offers inside and outside seating. There are a lot of tourists walking the docks during the day, especially around sunset.

The place is pet friendly and I got a lot of exercise just taking my dogs to the closest patch of grass.

Given the long docks, inadequate protection from wind and waves, and noise, I don't think this marina is worth what they're currently charging. Location near town is really the only thing it has going for it.

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Marina Review for Palm Cove Marina

Reviewed by: Capt Maria Langer , Do It Now, on Mar 4, 2023
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 32'
Draft: 2.5'

Rating: 4

I wound up staying here two nights because of a sick dog. There are two vets within walking distance. There's also a Publix supermarket, a Walgreens, a Starbucks, and a handful of fast food style restaurants. There's a fine-dining restaurant right next door.

You must follow the narrow channel closely when coming in at low tide. It's well marked.

The marina and its facilities were fine. The staff was friendly and helpful. There was some confusion with billing for my second night. Although I was charged $2/ft plus tax for my 32 ft LOA boat when I paid at the fuel dock for the first night, I was charged for 40 feet in the office the next day. They told me they had a 30 foot minimum but since they only had 40 foot docks, they needed to charge me for 40 feet. This still makes no sense to me. I balked. They adjusted the rate to what I'd paid the previous night but did not admit that the 40 foot charge was wrong. They charge $10/night extra for shore power, which seems pretty common around here; I opted to skip it. My advice is to make sure you know what they're going to charge you before you come, especially if your boat is less than 40 feet LOA.

The marina is a working boat yard with a huge storage building filled mostly with small fishing boats. All day long, a pair of forklifts move boats between the water and racks alongside the sea wall and shelves in the building. To make matters worse, there was also a dredging operation nearby that was extremely loud. So the place was noisy during daylight hours the whole time I was there. It's the noise that'll keep me away from future stays.

The place is dog friendly, with a patch of grass between the marina and the restaurant for dogs to relieve themselves.

No-see-ums are a definite problem early in the morning and after sunset.

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Marina Review for St. Augustine Municipal Marina

Reviewed by: Capt Maria Langer , Do It Now, on Mar 4, 2023
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 32'
Draft: 2.5'

Rating: 5

If you want to experience St. Augustine, this is the place to do it from. The marina is right downtown, walking distance from dozens of shops and restaurants, as well as the fort. A bit longer walk to the Lighthouse, but definitely bikeable.

The marina is well managed, in excellent condition, and staffed 24 hours a day by a professional crew in uniform polo shirts so they're easy to identify. They'll help with anything you need. The restrooms are clean and in good shape. The laundry room features 4 washers and 4 dryers, all of which seemed well maintained. The laundry room was adjacent to a large, comfortable, air conditioned lounge.

There is a very strong tidal current at the dock; the water seems to be always moving. Wake and waves were not an issue during my three-night stay. I was relatively close in (due to my shallow draft, I suspect) and the adjacent empty slips often hosted fishing boats going for the sheepshead that live under the docks.

On the weekend, the marina was busy with day trippers and the town got somewhat loud with live music from a nearby rooftop restaurant. This got too loud on Monday night for a wedding party that never seemed to end. Tourists do tend to stroll the docks during the day, but a chain across the ramp overnight discourages this. And again, the marina is staffed around the clock.

Lots of very friendly people here. I felt like part of a community during my short stay. Recommended, especially if you like to keep busy off the boat. So much to do and see.

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Marina Review for Marineland Marina

Reviewed by: Capt Maria Langer , Do It Now, on Mar 4, 2023
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 32'
Draft: 2.5'

Rating: 5

I really liked this marina. It's relatively small and definitely laid back. I received assistance docking in a stiff wind. Floating docks were in good condition. Marina is relatively sheltered from wake on ICW. The ocean is across the road with beaches mostly in use by surf fishermen and a handful of families. A food bus offers breakfast and lunch on the ocean side of the road. Very dog friendly -- I was even able to let my dogs run loose on the beach. Other than the Marineland facility across the street, there's nothing here, so if you're looking for a destination with a town, shopping, and restaurants, this is definitely NOT it. Instead, it's a nice place to unwind, enjoy sunrises and sunsets, and just take it easy. I'll definitely be back.

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Marina Review for New Smyrna Beach City Marina

Reviewed by: Capt Maria Langer , Do It Now, on Mar 3, 2023
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 32'
Draft: 2.5'

Rating: 5

This was one of my favorite stops in Florida. The town has so much to offer and this marina is very close to it.

As a small boat with shallow draft I got "the last spot" available again -- meaning the spot too small for most other cruisers. It was close to the marina buildings and a bit on the shallow side at low tide. The docks I was on was fixed with short finger piers and I made the mistake of nosing in instead of backing in. As a result, getting on and off the boat was a struggle that varied depending on the tide.

The marina was well-staffed and the restrooms, showers, and laundry facilities were clean and in good condition. But the marina had several slips on its floating docks that were unavailable due to hurricane damage that were apparently not scheduled for repair. The place was well sheltered from wind, wake, and waves -- at least at my slip. The staff was friendly and helpful, although they left at 5 PM sharp every day.

In addition to a vibrant downtown full of shops and restaurants, there was a restaurant on the tip of land just outside the marina -- River Deck Tiki Bar & Restaurant -- that offered outside dining and live music, overlooking the busy (in that area) ICW. I had a light dinner in the bar one evening; it's very pet friendly and I could bring my pups in with me.

Across the street from the marina office is a bus stop with three different bus lines that offer affordable transportation in the area. I took the shoreline bus to the barrier island and was let off at the Indian River Village shopping center. Before doing my shopping at Publix, I had an excellent breakfast at Wake Up Cafe and finally found and bought the ocean themed plastic plates I wanted for my boat at a Bealles department store. I took an Uber back, not willing to wait with groceries for the bus.

I spent several hours one afternoon walking through the shops in town. There are many galleries featuring local artists. The New Smyrna Beach museum is there, too, with docents who can tell you about the town's history; it's the third oldest non-native settlement in Florida.

I thoroughly enjoyed my stay at the marina and town and would definitely come again. Next time, however, I hope to get a space on the floating dock where I can get easier access to my boat.

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Marina Review for Titusville Marina

Reviewed by: Capt Maria Langer , Do It Now, on Mar 3, 2023
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 32'
Draft: 2.5'

Rating: 4

I spent two nights at this marina on a weekend, arriving on a windy Saturday and departing on Monday morning. My slip was in the first dock and well sheltered from waves and wake. A dock hand helped me back in, which was appreciated, given the way the wind likes to push my shallow draft boat around. The docks are fixed with short finger piers so backing in is probably a must.

The marina was reasonably priced, well staffed, and well maintained -- with the exception of the pumpout dock, which had suffered some hurricane damage and was under repair. Pumpout still worked, but you could not walk down the dock. Access to the restrooms and laundry was with a security card. The WiFi worked great! My only gripe was with the live-aboard couple next door who fought loudly and had a dog that often barked when they weren't around.

The place is surrounded by parks and paths, perfect for walking or biking. It's very dog-friendly and many of the other boaters there had dogs. There's a dog park just north of the marina with two fenced in areas to separate large and small dogs. A train runs past the marina but it did not run often and did not blast a horn. The road that runs past the marina does not get a lot of traffic so there's really no other source of noise.

I visited the town on Sunday, which was probably my mistake: hardly anything was open. I did find a bakery that was open -- Sunrise Bread Co -- but it was understaffed, had a long line, and the baked goods on display didn't look that appetizing.

The night before, a friend met me and took me to Dixie Crossroads, which is apparently "the place to go" in the area. Even the dock hand had mentioned it. It featured reasonably priced seafood with an Applebees-like vibe. I enjoyed the local shrimp.

This wasn't a bad stop along the way, but it wasn't among my favorites. If I do come back, I'll be sure to visit during the week so I get to see what the town has to offer.

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Marina Review for Island Time Marina

Reviewed by: Capt Maria Langer , Do It Now, on Mar 3, 2023
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 32'
Draft: 2.5'

Rating: 4

I spent two nights here; on the second night there was a launch at the Cape and I was able to see the glare of the rocket ascending until it entered clouds. Not the best place to watch a launch but it was somewhat visible.

That said, the marina has fixed docks with short finger piers, which means you'll likely have to back in if you want to get off the boat. Trouble is, the fairway between the two docks is narrow, with many larger boats jutting into it. I did not think I'd be able to turn my 32 ft LOA Ranger Tug around in the fairway -- even with thrusters -- so they let me dock on the outside of one of those docks. I was very close to the marina facilities in shallow water. We made it work but I don't think the place is suitable for larger boats.

The marina has a restaurant/bar that opens at 11 AM and closes around midnight. There's live music every night, so if you're looking for peace and quiet, this is not the place. There are liveaboards. The folks there are friendly. The restroom facilities were clean and well-equiped. A good view of sunset was available from the restaurant upper deck or a short walk away on the west-facing shore where there's another restaurant/bar.

There is a Winn-Dixie supermarket walking distance away. Also a short walk away is a huge Ron Jon surf shop, a handful of other shops, and an Atlantic Ocean beach. There are numerous restaurants in the area. I liked the one by the beach access, where I had fresh oysters and a mojito while overlooking the ocean from the upper deck.

While I would not call this a luxurious marina, it ticked the boxes I needed for a two-night stay out of the wind and within sight of the launch.

Would I go back? Probably not. It's definitely off the beaten track -- follow the channel markers closely if you go! -- and there are better places to view a launch.

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Nav Alert comment on FL: S. Amelia River by R42/R44, MM 727

Comment by: Capt Maria Langer, Do It Now, on Mar 2, 2023
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 32'
Draft: 2.5'

I wish I'd seen this and other area alerts when I went through here today. I grounded just NW of there in what should have been 12 feet of water but was (obviously) less than 2.5 feet. It was a low but rising tide and I wasn't stuck for more than a few minutes; I let tide and current push me into deeper water before spinning my prop again. A sailboat I thought was anchored just off the channel was actually stuck in the channel northwest of where I was stuck; a tow boat arrived for him as I was leaving.

I'll note the exact location in a new Alert entry. Delete this comment if you prefer to use the new one.

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Bridge comment on L.B. Knox Bridge

Comment by: Capt Maria Langer, Do It Now, on Feb 24, 2023
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 32'

Minimum clearance for bridge was 11 feet when I went through. There is more clearance at the center of span. . Bridge tender is very nice, but if there are other boats in the area, he will wait until you're all near the bridge before opening it. When I went through, I was the first of 4 boats (3 northbound including me and 1 southbound) and he asked me to wait. If you call far enough out, you may be able to simply cruise up at forward idle speed until others catch up. (That's what I did.)

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Marina Review for Melbourne Harbor Marina

Reviewed by: Capt Maria Langer , Do It Now, on Feb 16, 2023
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 32'
Draft: 2.5'

Rating: 4

I spent two nights at this marina in February 2023. It had plenty of pros and cons.

Pros:
• Walking distance to a very vibrant historic downtown with many shops and restaurants. This is the reason I picked this marina.
• Two restaurants on the premises.
• Pet friendly. There are plenty of grassy areas nearby to walk a dog.
• The usual services: Power, water, pump out, fuel, laundry, showers. (I did not use toilets or laundry.)
• Sheltered from wind and waves.
• Manatee area.

Cons:
- The area was noisy. There was road noise from the nearby bridge, train noise from a nearby train track, and restaurant noise at the restaurant.
- The ladies room shower was broken when I went to use it. One of the toilet paper dispensers hung open in a toilet stall.
- I was parked right in front of the restaurant. Not only did I have zero privacy when the restaurant was open, but bright lights shined down on my boat all night every night.
- Spots in front of the restaurant are not on a dock protected by a security gate.
- Some staff members could use more training. For example, the dock guy who helped me pump out did not really know how the pump out equipment worked.
- Fixed docks, finger piers. You'll likely need to back in when you park. Not much tide change, but tie accordingly.

Would I stay here again? Yes, but not by the restaurant! Would I recommend it? Yes, to anyone who likes to get out and around without having to call an Uber.

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Marina Review for Moore Haven City Docks

Reviewed by: Capt Maria Langer , Do It Now, on Feb 5, 2023
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 32'
Draft: 2.5'

Rating: 4

Basic fixed dock with power and water right along the river. No cleats but heavy duty posts with thick bumpers in good condition. Not much wake protection, but there wasn't much wake, either. I was unable to reserve on the phone but did find space on this long dock. A guy came by later in the day to collect payment at the rate of $1/ft (tax included) and I was able to pay with a check. He also gave me a combination to the restrooms that he said included a shower. (I did not visit the facilities so I can't report on their condition.) Walking distance from several restaurants and a Dollar Store. My only complaint is that the docks were really high and it was difficult for me to get on and off my relatively small boat.

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Bridge comment on Torry Island, CR 717 Bridge

Comment by: Capt Maria Langer, Do It Now, on Feb 5, 2023
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 32'

Had the most unsatisfactory experience at this swing bridge. Operator asked my height and I said 15 feet. (That would include my bimini top but not my antenna, which I could take down. He then suggested that I might fit under the concrete span closest to the swing bridge, which had a higher clearance than the bridge. Told me to take a look and when I moved up, he told me that I'd have to take down my bimini top. I told him that was not possible, that tools were required, and that it was already as "down" (collapsed) as I could get it. I told him he'd have to open the bridge. Then he asked someone at the town dock who was on the same frequency to get my boat information. He told me it would take 30 minutes. I think he was trying to intimidate me, but I was having none of it. I gave her the info she wanted (make, model, and year was apparently enough) and went into a holding pattern for the bridge. Within 15 minutes, the bridge started to open and the operator came back on the radio and told me I could start my approach. The clearance marker at the bridge said the clearance was 10 feet (not 11; the water is high) and even if the concrete span was two feet higher, I would have torn off the top of my mast and my bimini top. I documented everything with photos and will be sending them in a complaint to the town and Army Corps of Engineers. Cruisers should not be hassled by bridge operators.

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Anchorage Review for Franklin Lock West

Reviewed by: Capt Maria Langer, Do It Now, on Feb 4, 2023
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 32'
Draft: 2.5'

After a 40-mile day, I was looking for an easy anchorage on my way to the Okeechobee. This was about as easy as I could get. It's a big, rectangular area bordered on one side by a state park campground, another side by a seldom-used road, and on the third side by private properties with boat docks. I pulled way in past the wooden piers (dolphins?) and dropped anchor in less than 10 feet of water.

The wind was blowing hard off the river/canal when I arrived, but soon made a 180° shift. The boat did a lot of swinging at anchor and I believe the anchor may have dragged about 10 feet during the night when it got very windy. But I woke in absolutely calm water with no wind right about where I was when I went to bed. I probably could have prevented any movement if I'd laid out more chain, but I didn't want to swing to any shore.

The campground (which I expected to be closed due to hurricane damage) was open and full of campers on that Friday night. Still, it was quiet. I was able to row my pups to shore in the dinghy so they could do their business. Leashes are required and so is cleanup. There's a bathroom in the campground that's open for use.

Cell service was good, with 2-3 bars on Verizon and 4 bars on Google Fi.

This is a good anchorage for staging an early start up the canal toward the lake. It can easily accommodate 3 or more boats.

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Marina Review for 'Tween Waters Island Resort & Spa

Reviewed by: Capt Maria Langer , Do It Now, on Feb 4, 2023
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 32'
Draft: 2.5'

Rating: 5

I spent two nights here in February 2023 when it was the only marina on the island that was open after Hurricane Ian.

First, you must closely follow the markers on the way in, especially at or near low tide. There's a tight spot at the channel, right near where it starts, with sandbars on either side.

The marina has all amenities you'd expect, including power, water, pumpout, and fuel. The marina staff is very friendly and helpful. The diesel fuel price was the best I'd seen in that part of Florida. The four bathroom suites look new and are well maintained. There's currently just one laundry room with 4 washers and 4 dryers; a second laundry room closer to the marina that sustained some hurricane damage is in the process of being repaired and will have new washers and dryers.

Docking fees are a bit on the high side, but include full access to the resort, including its two pools, beach access, loaner bicycles, and kayaks. The beach is literally right across the road and was pretty much deserted the whole time I was there. For an additional fee, the resort will set up chairs and umbrellas on the beach for you. The resort also has three restaurants, including a table service restaurant serving breakfast and dinner, a poolside snack bar with great burgers and fried favorites, and a coffee shop.

The loaner bikes will easily get you to the main commercial area on the island, which is about a mile away. That's where you'll find limited groceries with a liquor store, as well as restaurants and shops that are opening back up after hurricane repairs. The entire north half of the island was closed to the public during my visit, but I found enough to keep me busy closer to the marina. I even managed to find time to get a facial at the spa.

If you travel with dogs, as I do, you'll be happy to know that the place is pet friendly.

I enjoyed my stay at Captiva more than I thought I would and would recommend it to anyone looking for a more laid back coastal island experience.

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Anchorage Review for Pelican Bay

Reviewed by: Capt Maria Langer, Do It Now, on Feb 2, 2023
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 32'
Draft: 2.5'

This area appears in Waterway Guide as three different anchorages between Cayo Costa State Park (which is closed due to hurricane damage) and Punta Blanca Island. I didn't park near any of the anchor icons; instead, I dropped anchor in the cove just north of the one labeled Punta Blanca North Cove. I arrived a little after noon and there were already six boats anchored in that cove and at least another three of four in the other coves. There was plenty of room for all of us. I think that during the time I was there (two nights) up to 20 boats may have been anchored in the area.

Holding was good in a sand/shell/mud mix. I anchored in about 8 feet of water and had no problems at all with 50 feet of chain out. There was some swing with tidal current and some swing with wind (when I first arrived). In general, the current is mild and I may have just lucked out with the wind. The water was glassy smooth each morning and the entire bay is marked minimum or no wake for manatees (which I did not see) so wake is really not an issue. The area gets pretty dark at night, making it a good site for stargazing. There were also good sunrises and sunsets.

The two islands are covered with short scrubby trees and mangroves right up to the water in most place. There is, however a small sandy beach at the northwest corner of Punta Blanca Island which made an excellent close-in spot for taking my pups. There is a much larger beach across from that on Cayo Costa Island that may be part of the park; there were no signs. Both beaches were easily accessible by dinghy and most of the boats anchored there made use of their dinghies for visiting the beaches. Both beaches offered opportunities for collecting shells and observing sea life such as conchs, starfish, and even hermit crabs. There were plenty of sea birds, as well as dolphins, in the bay and on the beaches. The larger beach was visited by numerous small boats -- mostly center consoles and patio boats -- every day.

The State Park was closed during my stay. The docks had been destroyed by the hurricane. I did not see anyone working on them while I was there. (When the park was open you could dinghy over to its docks and take a tram that drove to the gulf side of the island.)

Cell service was so-so. I got one to two bars of LTE/4G/5G on Verizon and Google Fi. This was enough for Internet access, but I did have one call drop during my stay.

I liked this anchorage a lot and would definitely recommend it or stay there again.

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Anchorage Review for Thorton Key

Reviewed by: Capt Maria Langer, Do It Now, on Jan 30, 2023
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 32'
Draft: 2.5'

After being told by the Sheriff's office that I couldn't anchor overnight at Manasota Key - Peterson Island (see my review; I stayed two nights without anyone bothering me) for reasons that honestly made no sense, I decided to reposition about 8/10 mile southeast to this anchorage. It's within a No Wake/Manatee Protection area, although I didn't see any manatees. (I did see dolphins, however.) The main difference between the two anchorages is that this one has a lot less boat traffic and a lot more no-see-ums, at least in the evening.

Other than less wake, the main benefit of this anchorage is its easy access to a real beach that is not part of a park. Simply dinghy back toward the main channel and around the bend as if you're exiting to the Gulf. There are homes set back on the left with a wide beach in front of them. This is apparently open to the public, since it was mobbed with boaters on Sunday and there are no signs warning off trespassers. I landed there with my pups and, for the first time on this trip, they had a good run on a Florida beach without any worries of me being yelled at. (Folks, when you take your pets ashore, PLEASE pick up their poop and take it away with you. It's irresponsible pet owners that lead to the NO DOGS signs we see.) It was also a great beach for picking up sea shells or taking a jog or long walk. (I was pleasantly surprised to see how CLEAN it was after such heavy use the day before. No garbage at all.)

The tidal current here is noticeably strong, probably due to its proximity to Stump Pass, but I had good holding in about 6 feet of water with 50 feet of chain out. This spot gave me the most pronounced experience of tidal swing; at exactly high tide the boat basically pivoted in place, turning 180° in about two minutes before drifting backwards to take up slack in the anchor chain. At exactly low tide, it did it again, although more slowly.

Cell service here was amazing with 4-bar LTE/4G/5G on Verizon and Google Fi. While it's easy enough to get to shore, there's no shopping there.

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Anchorage Review for Manasota Key - Peterson Island

Reviewed by: Capt Maria Langer, Do It Now, on Jan 28, 2023
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 32'
Draft: 2.5'

I can't quite understand that One Star review. It IS an excellent anchorage.

I came in on about a 1/2 tide (rising) following the depth indications on my Garmin chartplotter to stay in the deepest water. I never saw less than 5 feet depth. I anchored just northwest of the anchor icon in 5 feet of water with just 25 feet of chain. I was less than 40 feet from the shore of the island on the northeast side of the channel, so I dropped a stern anchor to minimize swinging. There's very little current but there was plenty of wind during my two-night stay; I stayed right where I parked the entire time. I never touched bottom, even at low tide. And no matter how hard the wind blew, there was never more than a ripple of waves in the channel.

I travel with two small dogs, which is why I picked this anchorage. Satellite views showed beaches on either side of the channel where it would be easy to land a dinghy. It was exactly as pictured. The catch: the beaches on the southwest side of the channel are part of a park and are marked with No Dogs signs. That limited our potty visits to the north side. I'd seen some wildlife there, including a family of raccoons, so I kept my dogs close, cleaned up after them, and made our visits short.

Wildlife is abundant here. In addition to the usual pelicans and egrets, I saw bald eagles, turkey vultures, and the previously mentioned raccoons. At night it's very quiet and dark. I could hear the waves crashing on the other side of the park island.

I was here from Friday though Sunday and can confirm tht there is some boat traffic in the area. It's mostly fishing boats and patio boats, but there's the occasional center console zooming up or down the channel with no regard to what their wake might be doing to parked boats. Still, it wasn't enough to be a nuisance.

WiFi on Verizon and Google Fi were 2 bars. Good enough for email and Internet access, as well as streaming.

I'd definitely come here again.

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Marina Review for Marina Jack Yacht Basin

Reviewed by: Capt Maria Langer , Do It Now, on Jan 28, 2023
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 32'
Draft: 2.5'

Rating: 5

This reservation was a hard one for me to make; at $3.30/foot/night it was, by far, the most expensive one I'd ever booked at. But this full service, clean, well-staffed marina is worth it. In hindsight, I'm glad I booked two nights.

First, amenities. Power, water, garbage disposal, and self-serve pumpout is included in the fee and can be found near your slip. The well-protected docks are floating and in excellent condition with concrete tops. No finger piers here -- you can walk the entire length of your boat on the dock so you have your choice on whether to park bow or stern in. There are only a handful of transient slips, but they're all grouped together so you're likely to meet up with other Loopers (if you're there at the right time) or travelers. The docks are locked and there's plenty of security. There are 8 individual bathrooms, each containing a toilet, sink, and shower stall. The rooms are small, but they're clean and I've never seen so many hooks for hanging gear while you shower. The laundry room has three washers and three driers; you can wash and dry a load for $5.

There are several restaurants on the premises, including open air dining. There was live music both nights I was there.

The marina is walking distance to downtown Sarasota, including many restaurants, some shops, and even a Whole Foods grocery store. I found Publix and Trader Joes a bike ride away. The town is served by Uber.

Sarasota has a free "trolley" bus system that runs along Main Street and then over the bridge to St. Armands Circle and beyond it to Lido Beach. St. Armands is a sort of ground zero for shopping and dining, with dozens of retail establishments and eateries to explore on foot. Take as long or as short as you like; the trolly come by every 20 minutes or so for the return run. You can pick it up 3 blocks from the marina.

Honestly, I balk at paying so much for a marina and have always been disappointed at the more expensive ones (see my other reviews). But Marina Jack's is a pleasant surprise. It's worth splurging for if you want to explore the Saratoga area.

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Anchorage Review for Kings Bay

Reviewed by: Capt Maria Langer, Do It Now, on Jan 20, 2023
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 32'
Draft: 2.5'

I spent one night at Crystal River, arriving late in the day from Steinhatchee. I anchored in about 4 feet of water (at nearly low tide) and had good holding with just 30 feet of chain out. (I minimized rode mostly because I didn't want to swing into other boats, crab pots, or shallower water.) The boat swung 180° on a very mild current. Although there isn't good wake protection, the spot I anchored (just east of the anchor icon for Waterway Guide) was inside a no-wake area so wake wasn't an issue. When choosing a spot to anchor look out for crab pots; they are almost as numerous as the boats parked there. Pick your spot based on how the wind is forecasted; it's easy enough to find a spot with the wind protection you need. There was very little wind when I was there in mid January 2023.

To access the shore, take your dinghy to the 3rd Street pier. I did not do this since I arrived late in the day and was planning an early departure. This is something I'll regret for a long time; I should have stayed two nights. In the morning, I was treated to a beautiful sunrise and a wildlife show that consisted of jumping fish, birds trying to catch those fish, pelicans landing in the water right beside my boat, and a glimpse of what I assume were manatees surfacing for air. All that after a quiet night full of stars on a gently rocking boat.

Don't let the long cruise up Crystal River put you off from visiting this gorgeous anchorage.

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Marina Review for Steinhatchee Marina at Deadman Bay

Reviewed by: Capt Maria Langer , Do It Now, on Jan 11, 2023
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 32'
Draft: 2.5'

Rating: 5

Unwilling to make the long trip from Carrabelle to Tarpon Springs, I came to Steinhatchee as part of the Big Bend route. I found an amazingly helpful dock crew at this marina with plenty of assistance backing my boat into a slip and getting set up. The marina just opened in July so the floating docks are brand new and in excellent condition, with no-slip metal surfaces. I took advantage of their in-slip fueling with reasonable fuel prices. The restrooms are similarly new and clean, but there's just one shower stall in each rest room and the ladies room is inaccessible at night due to a roll-down gate that secures the bar area. (It opens at 6 AM.) There are three restaurants within easy walking distance and a grocery store less than a mile away. Above the restaurant is a very large bait and tackle shop that also includes some clothing and a good selection of liquor. There's a really nice fish cleaning station adjacent to the bar if you plan to do any fishing. The place is dog friendly, with a nice little grass area for pet relief. I stayed a week and I admit that I did miss laundry and pump out facilities that I hope they can get soon. As a boater with a budget in a relatively small boat, I appreciated their low daily rate for boats under 35 feet.

I want to add here that the level of service by the entire staff at this marina is above and beyond what I've experienced anywhere else on my trip so far. Not only do they regularly check in with me to make sure I don't need anything, but they've gone the extra mile to help me fix a flat on my bicycle tire.

One final note: When coming into Steinhatchee, be sure to follow the channel, especially at low tide. The main channel is well marked and shows properly on charts and chart plotters, but it has a zigzag turn in it that you do not want to miss. One boat that departed early one morning around low tide missed the turn and was grounded on rocks until the tide came in. It was forced to return to the marina so it could be hauled out to replace props and survey hull damage. Don't let this happen to you!

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Marina Review for C-Quarters Marina

Reviewed by: Capt Maria Langer , Do It Now, on Jan 10, 2023
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 32'
Draft: 2.5'

Rating: 4

This marina scores many points for its low price, low fuel price, and staff friendliness/helpfulness. Simply said, if you're looking for a low budget marina in Carrabelle, this is the place.

I arrived at about 3 PM, which is the exact time at least 10 Looper boats departed to anchor off Dog Island for the Gulf Crossing. This caused a lot of traffic in the channel and delays while two of these boats fueled prior to departure. The fuel dock is very short so there was no waiting at the dock. Instead, I had to circle in the current for nearly 30 minutes to wait my turn.

Although C-Quarters can handle boats of all sizes, they'll match your boat to a slip just wide enough to accommodate it. Access to your boat is via a very short finger pier, so you'll need to back in. Again, the staff was very helpful, providing ample assistance for me to get my 10 foot beam boat into a 12 foot wide space in a surprisingly strong current. I was advised about how to tie off to accommodate the full moon tide swing, which they expected to be about 4 feet. I was also warned that there was a chance that the back end of my boat would be grounded at low tide, so I might want to move it out if I expected to leave early. Sure enough, when I woke at 5 AM the next morning, my depth indicator showed only a half foot under my stern with the tide still going out. I had to hustle to walk my dogs, disconnect power and the aft ties, and use the bow lines to move the boat forward about 4 feet so I'd be able to depart at 7:30 with friends at another marina. (Low tide was at around 8 AM.)

The marina has a store, restrooms, and a laundry room. I cannot comment on any of them since I did not use them during my very short stay. It's walking distance from the town, including a small supermarket that's nearly right across the street.

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Marina Review for Scipio Creek Marina

Reviewed by: Capt Maria Langer , Do It Now, on Jan 10, 2023
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 32'
Draft: 2.5'

Rating: 3

I was not very impressed with this $3/foot/night marina, which is one of the farthest from town along Scipio Creek. There are no transient slips; boats parked one behind the other along three long docks. The space between the docks is tight, requiring boats to back out of the fairway into the creek to depart. They parked me adjacent to the fixed fuel dock with bright spotlights on my boat all night. There's just one restroom/shower room each for men and women. The only really good thing about the place was the restaurant on the premises, Half Shell Dockside, which features seafood with outdoor seating during the day. The marina is nearly a half-mile walk into town, where there are lots of restaurants and shops. It's nearly a mile walk to the nearest supermarket, a Piggly Wiggly. The marina does not have a courtesy car or shuttle.

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Marina Review for Point South Port St. Joe Marina

Reviewed by: Capt Maria Langer , Do It Now, on Jan 10, 2023
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 32'
Draft: 2.5'

Rating: 5

Earlier this month I had the honor of being the first overnight guest at this marina since it was rebuilt after complete destruction from Hurricane Michael in 2018. Although the marina is not completely finished -- the floating dock installation and electrical work is currently under way -- it already shows signs of being a first class facility. The staff went out of its way to get me situated on the "staging area" near the fuel dock, ensuring I had power and water for the night. The marina's restrooms, including its single shower room, and laundry room are open for use; the spacious shower room was so new it still lacked a shower curtain. There's a marina shop featuring logo and other brand name merchandise, as well as beverages. The entire staff was friendly and helpful throughout my stay.

The marina is in a well-protected area with a wide sea wall between it and the bay. It's a short walk from the marina around to the wall for watching sunsets or just taking a walk.

The marina is conveniently located less than 2 blocks from a Piggly Wiggly supermarket and a well-stocked outdoor store specializing in marine-related merchandise. Town is another 3 or so blocks away and features many shops and restaurants. If you like oysters, I can recommend the Uptown Raw Bar, which also serves other seafood, as well as burgers and sausages, in a casual atmosphere.

I really liked this marina and hope I can visit again when it's done. Although it wasn't built to cater to Loopers -- it has a huge vertical boat storage shed and will have lots of docks for locals and rentals -- I think it's a great stop that checks all my boxes. How often can we find a quality marina with a professional staff that's also close to shopping and dining? Yes, it's a side trip off the canal between Panama City and Apalachicola, but I thought it was worth it.

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Marina Review for Bristol Harbor

Reviewed by: Capt Maria Langer , Do It Now, on Jan 4, 2023
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 32'
Draft: 2.5'

Rating: 5

If you're looking for a quiet, sheltered, off-the-beaten-path marina that has all the amenities you might expect at a marina and is walking distance from downtown Panama City shopping and dining, Bristol Harbor is the place -- if your boat isn't too large to fit in its one transient slip. My 32' long Ranger Tug with a 10' beam fit snugly into a 13-foot wide slip. Backing in is a must since the finger piers are short. The marina, which was basically rebuilt from the water up after Hurricane Michael in 2018, has 30 and 50 amp power and water at new pedestals, in-slip pumpout (DIY and it's free), two full bathrooms with excellent showers, and a laundry room with a free washer and dryer. The docks are in excellent condition. There's a covered area behind the main building for relaxing in the shade. The marina is complerely full of power and sail boats, most of which were larger than mine. A good number of liveaboards are around the marina at various times of the day. Everyone was friendly and helpful. The place is dog friendly with several other dogs living at the marina and a small grassy area near the bayou entrance for exercise and relief. There's wifi and when it worked it worked very well; unfortunately, it didn't always work.

The marina is extremely well sheltered. We had a violent thunderstorm while I was here and my boat barely rocked.

The manager, Seth, was away in Tennesee on Jury Duty during my stay, but he was easily reachable by phone. My only complaint is that the bathrooms could have been a bit cleaner and the garbage pails weren't emptied; I think that's because of Seth's absence, though.

Town is a short walk away and offers many restaurants and a few shopping options. I had one of the best bacon cheeseburgers ever at Tom's Hot Dogs and very good Mexican food at Maddie's La Casita. There's also a brewery, an Irish pub, and Italian restaurant that were all recommended to me by marina residents. Bayou Joe's is directly across the bayou from the marina and is probably the closest restaurant. There's a fresh seafood market right across the street from the marina; they sell mostly seafood from their own fleet of boats. There was no supermarket within walking distance, but there was a Dollar General downtown.

If you want a break from Looper gatherings and docktails and a chance to see downtown Panama City without calling an Uber, this is a good choice.

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Bridge comment on Tarpon Dock Bascule Bridge

Comment by: Capt Maria Langer, Do It Now, on Jan 4, 2023
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 32'

Bridge operator only answers on channel 9. Opening is very narrow; use caution in crosswind conditions.

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Anchorage Review for Bay Bridge Southwest

Reviewed by: Capt Maria Langer, Do It Now, on Jan 2, 2023
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 32'
Draft: 2.5'

I anchored here on 1/1/22, after making the relatively short run from Shalimar down the bay. I dropped anchor in about 9 feet of water not quite as far south as the anchor icon appears on Aqua Map but beyond where it appears on my Garmin chartplotter. The wind was light out of the south and fog moved in just after I arrived. I had good holding with 60 feet of chain/rode out. There was no wake or waves. It was still foggy at daylight. The only thing I didn't like about this anchorage is the noise from the bridge approach, which is constant during waking hours.

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Marina Review for Two Georges Marina

Reviewed by: Capt Maria Langer , Do It Now, on Jan 2, 2023
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 32'
Draft: 2.5'

Rating: 5

I chose Two Georges for three reasons:
(1) Low fuel price.
(2) Some friends were already docked here.
(3) Reviews of other marinas in Destin had me turned off about dealing with possible noisy crowds on New Years weekend.

Two Georges is a well-maintained facility with a friendly staff. I stayed for a total of 3 nights, mostly to avoid anchoring out in bad weather on the first full day. Although I was on the outside of the end dock, my boat was secure with minimal rocking during the worst of the storm.

The docks and pedestals are in good shape and fully functional. Garbage is removed regularly. There's a dock guy whose job seems to be walking around the docks, checking in on people and boats. The docks are not gated, but I felt secure. (The surrounding area is residential.) The restrooms were clean but they were not heated. There was only one shower stall in the Ladies Room with no changing area. (I wound up showering on my boat, which I prefer not to do.) There is ample area to walk or exercise dogs.

Two Georges also has two Travelifts and a good sized dry dock area. There's a repair/maintenance staff on hand. I asked them to adjust my boat's packing nut; Ranger Tugs says it should drip once every 10 seconds and it was dripping a lot more than that, giving my bilge pump a real workout. The service guy completely stopped the dripping and when I told him it needed to drip, he did not agree. It took a call to Ranger Tugs support to convince him, but he did make the adjustment per my request. There's also a marina shop on the premises that sells many items boaters might want or need. I was able to buy 4 gallons of diesel oil for an oil change on my Volvo Penta D4; I don't know if they carry the oil filters (because I already had them) but they did not have the fuel filter.

The marina is within walking distance of several good restaurants. I liked the Aegean Restaurant with homestyle Greek food. There's a Publix supermarket 1.5 miles away by foot or bike. There's no courtesy car or shuttle at the marina, but Uber is available; figure $8-12 to Publix and $12 to $16 to Walmart, including tip.

Overall, I liked the marina and would recommend it to anyone who wants to be away from the hustle and bustle of more crowded marinas in Destin.

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Anchorage Review for Little Sabine Bay

Reviewed by: Capt Maria Langer, Do It Now, on Dec 30, 2022
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 32'
Draft: 2.5'

I had originally planned to anchor on the other side of the bridge near the free pier, but a small craft advisory that included high winds from the east convinced me to seek a more sheltered anchorage. While Little Sabine Bay is sheltered from wind-generated waves, where I dropped anchor, which was west of the anchor icon, was not sheltered from the wind. I anchored in 9 feet and had excellent holding with just 50 feet of chain plus another 10 feet of rode, despite a constant strong wind with frequent gusts blowing hard on my boat. My shallow draft had my boat swinging in a 180° arc on that rode, but there was very little rocking or rolling. A small sailboat that likely had more experience with this anchorage or conditions had parked nose in on a small beach, tied (or anchored) to something on shore and I don't think he moved an inch. (I have a second anchor that I probably could have deployed in the stern, but my limited experience gave me just enough uncertainty that I didn't.) It also seemed to me that I might be parked in a channel leading to a few docks at homes on the southwest side of the bay, but no one came or went during the 16 hours I was there. The middle of the bay is very shallow water with lots of warning signs. I didn't notice any current at all; it was all wind. This anchorage has excellent access to shore via a handful of tiny beaches adjacent to a road. Because of the wind, I did not launch my dinghy but there's plenty of room to park one if you need to go on shore. I think there were several restaurants within walking distance. Great cell service. Other than the sound of the wind and tiny waves lapping against my boat, it was very quiet.

Overall, I'd try this one again, but I'd park closer to the anchor icon or at least closer to the south side of the bay and definitely use a stern anchor to minimize the swing.

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Marina Review for The Wharf Marina

Reviewed by: Capt Maria Langer , Do It Now, on Dec 28, 2022
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 32'
Draft: 2.5'

Rating: 3

Honestly, I don't know why so many people are in love with this marina. The marina is full of and seems to cater to very large yachts; my 32' Ranger Tug was easily the smallest boat there. They parked me and the two other transients at the far end of the marina, near the fuel dock and patio boat rentals. It was a nearly 1/4 mile long walk -- I measured it -- to the only restrooms on the property. The docks are in generally good condition, although the screws holding the planks down were loose or even missing in more than a few places. The marina claimed it was doing renovations, but the only sign of work that I saw was a pair of guys noisily power washing the concrete walls and docks daily on weekdays. The trash receptacles on the dock were only emptied once during the week I was there; most were full and one was overflowing. The restrooms, private boater's lounge, and small but sufficient laundry room is probably the best feature of this place. Even then it was flawed: one of the showers had a rattling exhaust fan that cycled on and off intermittently and the handicapped restroom had missing ceiling tiles. Everything was clean. There is no courtesy car or shuttle. The slips/docks are not secured with locked gates; there's a simple chain across the walkway ramps at night and a plainclothes security guy who walks the premises. That said, I never felt unsafe walking around. The place is very dog-friendly with ample area to walk or exercise a dog.

The adjacent shopping center is a mix of brand name shops and the typical coastal tourist fare. If you want groceries beyond milk, pop, chips, or alcoholic beverages, you'll need to Uber to a Publix or Walmart. There are restaurants and bars. (The one I visited for their twice weekly prime rib special served me the worst prime rib I'd ever eaten. I hope the other restaurants are better.) The "marine retail" referred to in the marina listing is a logo shop with mostly clothing; there were no boat supplies at all.

Transients -- even for one night! -- are required to sign a 13-page lease agreement, show proof of insurance, and submit boat documentation/registration paperwork. (I've never been to a marina with requirements like this.) The marina charges $3.25/foot/night plus tax. You can save 75¢/foot/night if you're an AGLCA member; I actually joined and saved enough to pay for my membership. They offer a weekly rate of $10/foot plus power for AGLCA members but you must stay a full seven days. (I mistakenly thought it would apply to my five-day stay and when I was told it wouldn't, I stayed the extra two days to save $80 plus tax.) Although I was charged based on the actual length of my boat (32 feet), I heard the marina manager tell a customer who called that the minimum boat length was 40 feet and they would be charged that even if the boat was shorter. My power bill came to $29. I was told on check-in that if I didn't return the key card I needed to access the bathrooms, I'd be charged $150.

Overall, I think this facility is overpriced for what it offers. The only reason I came was because I needed to replace the batteries on my boat and this is where the service guys told me to come. Unseasonably cold weather and the Christmas holidays made me stay longer than I normally would have. It might make a nice overnight stay if you need a shopping or dining fix, but beyond that? I can't recommend it.

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Free Dock Review for Kaskaskia Lock Wall

Reviewed by: Capt Maria Langer, Do It Now, on Dec 23, 2022
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 32'
Draft: 2.5'

Rating: 3

We stayed here on 11/29/22. We called the lockmaster and was directed to a portion of the wall to tie up. We were the only boat there.

The cleats atop the wall are designed for much larger boats and are very widely spaced. Signs all over the handrail atop the wall warn you not to tie to the rails. I managed to secure my boat to just one of the cleats positioned midship. Heavy winds were forecast for that night but everything seemed to hold well -- until just after I went to bed. That's when the wind kicked up with a vengance and we had to move the boat to utilize two cleats. Unfortunately, with the cleats so widely spaced, it was difficult to run lines effectively for my small boat. In the end, I added a midship line to the bottom of one of the handrail posts -- I honestly think the boat could not have been secured safely without it.

Because I travel with two small dogs, I asked permission to walk my dogs along the top of the wall. I was given permission but told to keep them on a leash. If your dog will only go on grass, he/she will be very disappointed because there's no access to land at all.

Although I was glad to have a free place to spend the night in an area without any marina options, this stop was not one of my favorites.

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Marina Review for Hoppie's Marine Service

Reviewed by: Capt Maria Langer , Do It Now, on Dec 23, 2022
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 32'
Draft: 2.5'

Rating: 3

We stayed at Hoppie's on 11/28/22. The current was swift when we arrived and we were given instructions for a port side tie at the fuel dock. Three dock hands caught our lines and tied us securely. The fuel was a full $1/gal cheaper than we paid at Alton and we topped off. We then drifted the boat back to the next barge -- with me at the wheel (engine running) and those three guys on the lines -- to tie up for the night. They connected us to power and then disappeared. We were the only ones there.

Hoppie's is special -- and a worthwhile stop -- for two reasons: First, it's the last fuel stop before Paducah on the Great Loop. Second, it's so unbelievably rugged that it must be experienced. The "dock" is a series of barges with loose metal plates covering gaping jagged holes. You have to walk through an enclosed barge full of junk on the fuel dock to get to land to walk a dog or go to town. (We did not go to town since the restaurant everyone recommends was closed the day we were there.) There are no restrooms, showers, or any other amenities.

While I'm sure it must be a lot more fun when other Loopers are around, it was a quiet night without much wake to bother us. A good, basic stop.

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Marina Review for The Alton Marina

Reviewed by: Capt Maria Langer , Do It Now, on Dec 23, 2022
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 32'
Draft: 2.5'

Rating: 4

I chose Alton Marina as a place to park my boat for the month of November 2022 while I went home to take care of some business. I got a covered slip in the long term tenant area. I stayed on the boat 3 days before I went home and 3 days after returning, before continuing my trip south on the Loop.

Unfortunately, the water and pumpout had been shut off prior to our arrival for the winter. This meant that the bathrooms with showers were not available and there was no water at the boat. The only restrooms were at the marina office, which was quite a walk from where the boat was parked. The laundry room (in the same building) was open and available. The deli/shop was closed for the season.

The place is very dog friendly, especially that time of year with hardly anyone around.

The marina is walking distance to town, but it isn't a short walk. Not many shops or restaurants were open during our stays. We did walk to a small local market in town -- it was at least a mile away. There was no courtesy car. I wound up renting a car before my departure and then again on my return so I had more flexibility for provisioning and making airport runs. There's a Walmart outside of town that sells just about anything you might need.

The main benefit of this stop -- at least to me -- was its proximity to St. Louis and its airport.

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Marina Review for Grafton Harbor Marina

Reviewed by: Capt Maria Langer , Do It Now, on Dec 23, 2022
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 32'
Draft: 2.5'

Rating: 5

This is a full-service marina with ample dock space and a friendly, helpful staff. We stayed for four nights at the end of October 2022, taking advantage of their "buy 3, get 1 free" offer for Loopers. We were parked in the transient area just a few steps from the restaurant, marina shop, restrooms, and laundry room. At first I was a bit concerned about noise from the music coming out of the open air bar, but things quieted down after 8 PM. Understand that Grafton is a bit of a party town with quite a few bars/restaurants and there's usually loud music somewhere. But at the end of the season, things seemed to quiet down early, even on Sunday when there were several Halloween parties going on.

There are ample private restrooms with showers that are kept clean and in relatively good condition. The laundry room is small but sufficient. The restaurant was excellent; we ate there three times. I don't know if the pool was open, but it was too cold to enjoy it during our stay. The place is dog-friendly, with a big open field beside the facility where a dog can really run around after a long day on the boat. We really appreciated the courtesy car, which I took to a nearby town for some shopping and to get my dogs the health certificates they'd need for an airline flight later that week.

The town has lots of shops and restaurants but was very quiet during the week so late in the season. It picked up on the weekend with a lot of folks apparently coming up from the St. Louis area, making the town quite crowded on Saturday and Sunday.

A good stop to refresh after a long trip down the Illinois River. Highly recommended.

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Marina Review for Mel's Illinois RiverDock Restaurant

Reviewed by: Capt Maria Langer , Do It Now, on Dec 23, 2022
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 32'
Draft: 2.5'

Rating: 3

We overnighted here on 10/26/22 with a buddy boat. (I am a bit behind in my reviews.) The docks were in very rough condition and the ramp up to land was even worse. But the boats could be tied securely. Plenty of area to walk a dog or stretch your legs. It was quiet and we were not bothered by the wake of passing tows.

The restroom facilities are in the restaurant so they're only available when the restaurant is open. We had dinner there; it was good food at a reasonable price. The place is walking distance to a very well stocked Dollar General where you can get milk and some other groceries.

A good stop after at least one day anchoring out.

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Anchorage Review for Bar Island

Reviewed by: Capt Maria Langer, Do It Now, on Dec 23, 2022
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 32'
Draft: 2.5'

We spent the night of 10/25/22 at this anchorage with another boat. (I'm a bit behind in my reviews.) We followed the instructions to get around the south end of the island, avoiding the shallow water. Our friends were anchored in the middle of the space between the island and shore so we anchored a bit closer to the end of the island and closer to shore. We had good holding.

Expecting the boat to swing downstream in the current, we were very surprised to find the boat swinging close to shore in the heavy crosswind. Several tows went by during the night but we were not disturbed by the wake. It was a good anchorage.

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Marina Review for Illinois Valley Yacht Club-PRIVATE

Reviewed by: Capt Maria Langer , Do It Now, on Oct 29, 2022
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 32'
Draft: 2.5'

Rating: 4

We spent two nights at IVY Club on the recommendation of the Harbormaster at Herritage Harbor. It was a nice, quiet stop in a well-protected harbor. There is a bar with some food on the premises. Bathroom facilities were nice, but the ladies shower -- only one of the two was working -- had absurdly low water pressure that made for a miserable shower. It was nice to walk the dogs along a path on the breakwater. Although this location is quite far from downtown Peoria, it's walking distance from Peoria Heights, which has shops and restaurants.

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Marina Review for Henry Harbor Marina

Reviewed by: Capt Maria Langer , Do It Now, on Oct 29, 2022
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 32'
Draft: 2.5'

Rating: 5

We spent one night at this marina -- we were the smallest boat on the infamous lock wall. The spot was good for us -- the wall was low where we were parked -- and we were secured well from the metal loops atop the wall with the help of MaryFrances. The rock wall is rough so good fenders are a must. At the time, access to the rest of the marina was iffy due to low water conditions. We had 30 amp power and there was water. They also sold diesel. There were portable toilets that were very clean. I was battling a bad cold at the time and did not go into town. It was a good, restful stop. Very quiet with good protection from passing boats.

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Marina Review for Heritage Harbor Ottawa

Reviewed by: Capt Maria Langer , Do It Now, on Oct 20, 2022
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 32'
Draft: 2.5'

Rating: 5

What a great little marina! We were going to stay at the free dock in town until I read the reviews here. They're right! The marina offers floating docks, power and water, fuel, and a marina store. Dockhands are friendly and helpful. Private shower rooms are well-equipped and clean. They have multiple courtesy cars, which made it possible for us to take one a little longer than we normally would to run errands and do laundry in town. But the best feature of this stop is the talk by Jeremy the Harbormaster about navigation between Ottawa and Paducah. He covers hazards, marinas, and anchorages in great detail. I can't imagine continuing on a Great Loop trip without the valuable information he shared.

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Free Dock Review for Joliet City Dock

Reviewed by: Capt Maria Langer, Do It Now, on Oct 16, 2022
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 32'
Draft: 2.5'

Rating: 5

I had pretty low expectations for this stop after reading some of the reviews. Yes, the wall is rough and there is metal jutting out in some places. Yes, it's a good idea to have chafe protection on your lines and/or fenders. (I do not.) If you park at a pair of cleats with both midship lines tied firmly to them, you will stay secure -- there's hardly any current. The power boxes are between those cleats. I wasn't expecting ours to work (given the reviews) but it did. Our Buddy Boat friends weren't so lucky with their first spot, but they repositioned to another and had power, too.

We arrived at around 4:30 PM on a mid October Saturday on the tail end of the Looper groups going south. There were five of us on the wall for the first night and room for at least four more.

The park is right there and conveniently located for stretching your legs or walking a dog. There were few people in the park until Sunday afternoon, when there were some strollers. I suspect that the park is closed after dusk because there were no vehicles parked overnight. We did not see any police presence and did not feel as if we needed it. It was very quiet.

There's no water or restrooms. There's a convenience store, a liquor store, and a casino with dining within walking distance.

Boat traffic was mostly tows with barges. They tend to move slowly through the area and don't generate much wake. I wish the few recreational boaters who came through the area were so considerate. Because the river is narrow and has walls on both sides, any wake seems to bounce off the walls before the water calms. I slept better here than I had on my previous weeks of travel.

As another reviewer said, you get what you pay for. I feel as if I got a lot more than I paid for: a safe and quiet place to park for two nights with power. That's why I'm giving this stop Five Stars.

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Marina Review for DuSable Harbor

Reviewed by: Capt Maria Langer , Do It Now, on Oct 14, 2022
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 32'
Draft: 2.5'

Rating: 4

DuSable Harbor is a very large but nice facility near downtown Chicago. The accommodating staff met my reservation requests. (I reserved through Dockwa.) It's located on a busy walking trail not far from Riverwalk and the Navy Pier. Each dock has a locked gate to prevent unauthorized people from wandering in. It's walking distance into the city for shopping and dining. Bicycle rentals are available nearby.

While the bathroom facilities aren't anything special, they are clean and have good showers. There's a small laundry room with a single washer and dryer. The office/store had a limited selection of merchandise in mid October; they close for the season at month end.

There was some noise from a Friday night party in a large boat permanently docked at the south end of the marina. Otherwise, it was surprisingly quiet. We enjoyed our stay.

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Marina Review for Hammond Marina

Reviewed by: Capt Maria Langer , Do It Now, on Oct 14, 2022
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 32'
Draft: 2.5'

Rating: 5

I stopped here to refuel -- it has the lowest fuel prices in the area by far. ($5.099/gallon on October 13, 2022.) Excellent fuel dock with friendly and helpful staff.

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Marina Review for Crowley's Yacht Yard Lakeside

Reviewed by: Capt Maria Langer , Do It Now, on Oct 14, 2022
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 32'
Draft: 2.5'

Rating: 5

First of all, understand that this is a yacht yard and not a marina. I had my boat shipped here by a marine transport company in October 2022. The staff at Crowley's was extremely efficient and friendly; they had my boat off the trailer and in the water within an hour of our arrival. They were very busy pulling mostly sailboats out of the water for winter storage but still managed to squeeze us in. (We arrived 2 days early.)

What's never mentioned in reviews or descriptions is that they also have two docks, one of which they allowed me to stay at while I prepped the boat for cruising after transport. The floating dock was in good condition with sufficient cleats. Access to power was limited, but I still got a 30 amp hookup for the two nights I was there. There are no bathrooms or showers. There is an excellent marine supply store on the lot and a lot of stored boats.

There is nothing within walking distance and the area isn't especially nice. The lot is gated at night with a security guard. There is both Hertz and Enterprise within 5 miles and Lyft services the area.

I'm pretty sure the dockage was made available to me because I used their launching services and would not be available to others who did not use their services.

If you're looking for a place to put your boat into the water or take it out of the water in the Chicago area, this is the place.

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Marina Review for Port of Kingston

Reviewed by: Capt Maria Langer , Do It Now, on Sep 26, 2022
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 32'
Draft: 2.5'

Rating: 5

Nice marina near ferry terminal. Well-maintained, protected from sound and ferry wake by stone breakwater. Given its proximity to the ferry, it was surprisingly quiet. Clean restrooms and showers. Nice grassy area to walk dogs. Walking distance to several restaurants. Friendly staff. Fuel available at competitive prices. I stayed there twice this month and would do it again.

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Marina Review for Allyn Waterfront Park

Reviewed by: Capt Maria Langer , Ecstasea, on Sep 26, 2022
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 36'
Draft: 3.3'

Rating: 3

Small facility on floating dock freely accessible to the public. No staff appeared during my stay. (Booked with Dockwa.) More than a few people came down to look at the boats, boldly staring into windows. One family came over to where I was relaxing on my boat and asked me to take them for a ride, offering to pay. When I gently told them no, they posed for photos up against my boat. The whole thing made me feel uncomfortable. The dock is at the end of a long pier stretching out into the inlet and is not well protected, but we had nice calm conditions and a restful night. Long walk to restrooms; one of two was out of order. Restrooms are part of waterfront park so they get a lot of use. Park offered a nice place to walk my pups. Lots of folks rave about the burger joint in town, but I had an excellent meal at 2 Margaritas a bit farther down the road.

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Marina Review for Carolina Beach State Park

Reviewed by: Capt Maria Langer , Ecstasea, on Apr 22, 2022
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 36'
Draft: 3.3'

Rating: 5

I really liked this marina. Pretty quiet, decent restrooms and shower, laundry room on premises, lounge area, marina shop with fishing gear, some boating gear, and some snacks. Park has lots of trails for biking and hiking. Claim to fame is carnivorous plants that grow naturally within the park; be sure to walk the Flytrap Trail! Wildlife viewing opportunities, including a baby owl perched up in a tree near the marina. Two supermarkets within 1 1/2 miles; easy biking on level ground. Use caution while entering the narrow channel; a boat ran aground just outside and needed a tow to get free. Best to enter around high tide and stay in the channel. Sheltered from ICW traffic, wake, and storms. Would definitely visit again.

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Marina Review for Casper's Marina

Reviewed by: Capt Maria Langer , Ecstasea, on Apr 22, 2022
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 36'
Draft: 3.3'

Rating: 4

Stayed there two nights. Great dockhands greeted us and secured the boat quickly. boat had to be parked against pilings, which caused a gap between the boat and dock and a lot of squeaky rubbing noises. Friendly staff. Restrooms could use some work but were clean enough. Ran out of hot water on my shower and had to rinse in cold water. Close to downtown with shops and restaurants. Supermarket and Walgreens are about a mile away. Were told that we must arrive before closing at 5 PM or we could not dock; that was a trifle tricky with an ICW closure that affected the area, but we made it. Good fuel prices (compared to other marinas we passed in the area on the loop).

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Marina Review for Harbour Village Marina Inc.

Reviewed by: Capt Maria Langer , Ecstasea, on Apr 21, 2022
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 36'
Draft: 3.3'

Rating: 5

What a nice little marina! Tucked into a sheltered area just off the ICW, it had everything we needed for our overnight stay. Best of all, it was quiet! Extremely helpful dockmaster offered to come after hours for our late arrival (after a mishap involving a sand bar and low tide). A nice, easy stop.

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Marina Review for Leland Oil Company

Reviewed by: Capt Maria Langer , Ecstasea, on Mar 29, 2022
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 36'
Draft: 3.3'

Rating: 3

It was an inexpensive and sheltered stop with good fuel prices (although we did not get fuel there; we merely asked). Lacy, the dockmaster, was friendly and helpful. She drew us a little map of some points of interest in town: the stained glass windows at the church, the 1000+ year old oak, the seafood restaurant. (The restaurant was closed that Saturday afternoon.) It was a pleasant town to walk in, with tree-lined streets and lots of flowering shrubs. These points are what earns the three stars.

The two lost stars are related to the condition of the facilities. Simply said, they needed work. The fuel shed looked ready to fall into the river. There was a single restroom with a shower stall that was in horrible condition and dirty. There was no toilet paper on the second day of our stay. There was no one on duty when we departed at 9 AM on Sunday morning.

In summary, if you're looking for an inexpensive, sheltered stop with lower than average priced fuel and you have everything you need on board, this is a good option. But if you need a restroom, groceries, or anything other than a place to tie up with power and water, you should probably keep going.

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Marina Review for Cooper River Marina

Reviewed by: Capt Maria Langer , Ecstasea, on Mar 26, 2022
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 36'
Draft: 3.3'

Rating: 4

This was a relatively good marina but it was not near any groceries, shopping, or other services. Transient area was not protected by a breakwater and it got very rough at the dock with winds coming out of the south. Facilities were clean and well kept, including bathrooms, showers, laundry area, and lounge. Nice open patio with picnic tables overlooking Cooper River. Staff accepts mail and packages but does not tell you when they arrive. Marina store not well stocked; perhaps it was still off season at the end of March? Staff was friendly.

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Marina Review for Harrisville Harbor of Refuge

Reviewed by: Capt Maria Langer on Sep 12, 2021
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 27'
Draft: 3.0'

Rating: 5

With more than 30 days of cruising, THIS was the best marina we'd stayed at to date. We received excellent instructions on the way in -- I compared the harbor master's communication to that of an air traffic controller (I'm a pilot) -- and knew exactly where to go before we even came into the harbor. Dock hands were there to tie us up for fuel and, later, to tie us up at our slip. Everything looked brand new and was extremely well kept: docks, fuel dock, power pedestals, bathrooms, laundry room, lounge area. I even saw a dock hand using a broom to sweep away cobwebs that invariably form around the power pedestals and dock posts. There were bicycles to borrow to get into town and beyond. The sea wall did a good job at blocking Lake Huron's angry seas from the dock area during a small boat advisory with strong wind so there was very little rocking and rolling. Although the residential area around the marina was really nice with walkable tree-lined streets and sidewalks, town itself was disappointing. We found only one restaurant within walking distance that was open for lunch and there were many empty storefronts. There was a grocery store, however, and bank with ATM.

Anyway, bravo to the folks who maintain this marina. It was a real pleasure to stay here.

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Marina Review for Port Austin State Harbor

Reviewed by: Capt Maria Langer on Sep 12, 2021
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 27'
Draft: 3.0'

Rating: 4

The facilities were good -- docks in good condition, power pedestals in good shape, clean restrooms and showers -- but there was no one working there. We got the bathroom code from another boater. We wanted fuel, but there was no one to turn on the pumps.

Very convenient to town where there are shops, restaurants, a grocery store, and a hardware store. At least one business -- a bakery with the very promising opening hour of 5 AM per Google -- was already closed for the season three days after labor day.

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Marina Review for Port Sanilac Municipal Harbor

Reviewed by: Capt Maria Langer on Sep 8, 2021
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 27'
Draft: 3.0'

Rating: 5

Nice marina, friendly staff, good facilities, including a properly configured WiFi system that works all the way out at the boat slips. Covered patio area with tables and BBQ grills. Walking distance to several restaurants, a hardware store, a Dollar General, and a supermarket. This marina and the neighboring one are protected from the lake by a metal sea wall. We were here during thunderstorms and the boats were rocking, but there was no storm surge.

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Marina Review for Grayhaven State Harbor

Reviewed by: Capt Maria Langer on Sep 6, 2021
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 27'
Draft: 3.0'

Rating: 3

Although I was very unhappy with the location of this marina -- it's not near ANY restaurants or shopping -- the facilities were satisfactory. We made a last minute reservation at the start of a holiday weekend and were lucky to be squeezed in. They put us at the end of a row of slips, right on a channel serving the marina and other docks for a residential area. Our slip had 30 amp power and water. The restrooms and showers were satisfactorily clean. Unfortunately, the other boaters in the area were somewhat loud, leaving and returning after dark in large boats with loud engines and stereos. Maybe it was the holiday weekend? If you're looking for a place to park and plug in, this place is fine. But if you need to resupply or eat out, the lack of ground transportation in the area will pose quite a challenge.

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Marina Review for River Street Marina aka James C Acheson Marina

Reviewed by: Capt Maria Langer on Sep 6, 2021
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 27'
Draft: 3.0'

Rating: 5

I really liked this marina and its location on the Black River. We made reservations for the holiday weekend (which turned out to be a good thing because they were completely booked up) and were greeted at our slip by a dock hand who helped us tie up. There is 30 amp power and water at each slip. The marina is a long row of slips perpendicular to the river. There was no trouble with wake, despite the holiday weekend crowds and traffic. The restrooms, shower, and laundry are in the main building, which is quite a walk from where we were parked at Slip 65. If you need those facilities often (and want a good WiFi connection), try getting a lower numbered slip. But if you think you might want to go into town often, a higher number slip is better, since that end is closer to shops and restaurants in town. Everything except groceries are within walking distance. The marina also includes a covered picnic area with propane grills. There are lots of garbage receptacles. The staff is young and helpful; they even handled our pump out for us (we tipped them). And at just $25/night for our 30-foot boat, it seemed like quite a deal!

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Marina Review for Toledo Skyway Marina

Reviewed by: Capt Maria Langer on Sep 4, 2021
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 27'
Draft: 3.0'

Rating: 4

We were greeted by the manager on arrival. He helped us tie up and then spent a lot of time hosing goose poop off the docks -- when there are no boats in the slips, the geese camp out there. (Geese did not bother us while we were there.) The gate is open during the day when the manager is there but locked at night. We got key cards ($25 deposit each) for accessing the docks and restrooms. The restrooms were clean. The closest restaurant was just over a half mile away. There were no groceries nearby. The National Great Lakes Museum is at the marina -- don't miss the self-guided walking tour of a cargo ship and tugboat.

Note that diesel fuel is NOT available here, although gasoline is. We fueled up at Brenner 75 Marina on the way out in the morning, which delayed our departure until they opened at 9 AM.

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Marina Review for Ashtabula Yacht Club-PRIVATE

Reviewed by: Capt Maria Langer on Sep 4, 2021
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 27'
Draft: 3.0'

Rating: 4

It was nice to be greeted when we arrived. We used the pump out first, then maneuvered over to our slip where the dock guy helped us tie up. The docks are sturdy but narrow. Payment is by check or cash only. The restrooms were clean. The marina was within walking distance of a quaint downtown area with shops and restaurants. Getting past the drawbridge early on Saturday morning was a challenge with at least 30 fishing boats waiting for the 6:30 AM opening; I recommend a later departure, at least on weekends.

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Marina Review for Castaway Bay Marina

Reviewed by: Capt Maria Langer on Sep 4, 2021
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 27'
Draft: 3.0'

Rating: 4

This is a very nice marina, but it's pretty far off the beaten track. We went there to wait out some weather and wanted a very sheltered spot -- this was definitely it. There's one close restaurant and a handful of others within a mile. Town, with several museums and a bunch of shops, is 2.3 miles away -- walkable (we did it) but far. Uber/Lyft do not have available cars.

The marina itself had clean bathrooms and showers and a laundry facility with $1.75 for washer and driers. We were the only boat at the transient dock. It was very quiet at night.

Be careful when making reservations. If you call the number for the marina, you might wind up getting a reservation at a different marina that also manages this one. If you give them your credit card number, they will charge it and not refund your fee, even if they booked you at the wrong marina. Fortunately, the dock guy at Castaway credited us for the $50 deposit we paid and only charged the difference for our stay at Castaway.

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Marina Review for Oasis Marinas at North Coast Harbor

Reviewed by: Capt Maria Langer on Sep 4, 2021
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 27'
Draft: 3.0'

Rating: 2

This marina has a great location right next to both the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and the Great Lakes Science Center. We were there from Saturday through Monday and were surprised to see it nearly empty for the whole weekend. We only saw one staff member on the premises during the day and I didn't see him at all on Sunday. The bathrooms were not serviced until Monday morning; ladies room toilet stalls were out of toilet paper and there was some paper waste on the floor. The shower stalls were fine, but the painted wood floors beyond them had water damage. The floors were dirty. A huge amount of trash piled up around garbage pails; some was taken away on Sunday afternoon and the rest on Monday. Although there was a locked gate, I found it open more times than closed leaving the place unsecured most of the time. There are a few restaurants within walking distance, but no groceries. Fortunately, there are numerous scooters available for ground transportation; I didn't even try Uber. Enterprise will pick you up for a car rental. Honestly, the only reason this facility got two stars was because of its location. And yes, I would go back again if I wanted to be in downtown Cleveland; you can't get any more convenient than this.

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Marina Review for Wolverine Park Marina

Reviewed by: Capt Maria Langer on Aug 28, 2021
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 27'
Draft: 3.0'

Rating: 4

Good location near Bicentennial Tower and nearby conference center. Very sheltered. Floating dock. Good power and water. Clean restrooms, showers, and laundry facility. Ice available. Friendly staff. Although there are several restaurants nearby, there are no grocery stores within short walking distance. One of my party had to walk 1.6 miles each way to buy bananas.

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Marina Review for Tonawanda Gateway Harbor Park

Reviewed by: Capt Maria Langer on Aug 24, 2021
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 27'
Draft: 3.0'

Rating: 3

Tonawanda was very busy when we arrived early on a Monday afternoon in August. The only spot we could find was on a floating dock east of the marked location of Tonawanda Gateway Harbor Park that is part of that facility. The wooden dock is in bad condition; it lists at at about 15° toward the concrete wall it is attached to. Access to land is provided by one metal ladder at the far end of the dock. There was 30 amp power and water. Registration gets you a code for the rest rooms and laundry room. Ladies room could have been cleaner, especially in shower area. Water in shower, at full hot setting, was just hot enough for a shower. The whole area was very noisy throughout the afternoon, with a parade of all kinds of boats going by in both directions, some with loud mufflers, others with loud stereos. Most went by slow enough to keep the wake from getting out of hand. As night fell, a few characters gathered in the adjacent park to listen/sing to music; drugs and or alcohol were involved. This went on until after I went to sleep around 10 PM with my earplugs in.

The location was short walking distance to several restaurants and bars, a Walgreens, and other downtown businesses. (I even managed to get a pedicure.) The closest restaurants were closed on Mondays.

Honestly, I couldn't decide whether to give this place 2 or 3 stars. Although I know I won't go back to it again, its proximity to conveniences on shore might make it more attractive to others. I think I would rather try the North Tonowanda facility across the canal, which seems to have better reviews.

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Free Dock Review for Canal Port Medina

Reviewed by: Capt Maria Langer on Aug 23, 2021
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 27'
Draft: 3.0'

Rating: 3

The basin is just that: a basin. It's surrounded by concrete walls on all sides, so if there's any wake at all, you'll be rocking for quite a while. We tied up to the long concrete wall, near the end where we had access to a water spigot and were near the restrooms. There are two restrooms with showers. The ladies room floor was covered with sandy grit and had mold in the shower stall. The water temperature would not stabilize but went from cold to scalding any time you tried to adjust it. Easy access to town, including a very interesting model train museum. Restaurants, an old-style pharmacy, and a convenience store well within walking distance.

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Free Dock Review for T. Spencer Knight Park & Visitor Center/Port of Newark

Reviewed by: Capt Maria Langer on Aug 21, 2021
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 27'
Draft: 3.0'

Rating: 5

What a great overnight stop! When we read the description, one of my companions said it was too good to be true. Free dock with power and water, bathrooms, shower, laundry, and pumpout? But that's exactly what we got at Newark, along with super friendly and helpful staff. Docking with power and water kiosks on a wall or floating dock with overflow on the other side of the canal. Restaurants and grocery within walking distance. The atmosphere is laid back and friendly. There was a history slide show in the evening and, if we'd stayed another night, we would have had live music. I will definitely be stopping here again!

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Marina Review for Holmes Marina

Reviewed by: Capt Maria Langer on Aug 18, 2021
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 27'
Draft: 3.0'

Rating: 3

Although we were told that they don't have transient parking, the owner/manager put us in a recently vacated slip with 30 amp power that was conveniently close to the restrooms and shower. Cash only for payment. Extremely quiet at night, no wake at all. Lots of mosquitos on that wet August afternoon/evening. Restrooms were adequate but nothing special.

It was a bit of a walk into town for a restaurant and not much was open on a Monday, but we tried the Lake House at Sylvan Beach and it was good. The Maple Leaf Market in the opposite direction was a typical convenience store with some prepared food items and a sort of deli.

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Marina Review for Syracuse Inner Harbor Marina

Reviewed by: Capt Maria Langer on Aug 18, 2021
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 27'
Draft: 3.0'

Rating: 3

This was apparently built as part of a project to revitalize the waterfront in Syracuse. For whatever reason, the project was not completed. So what there is here is a long floating dock with power and water kiosks adjacent to a boutique hotel. We pulled up, parked, and plugged in.

The city's downtown area is within walking distance through an area that is being gentrified with loft apartments and small restaurants. Downtown is where you'll find restaurants -- I highly recommend Dinosaur BBQ -- and museums -- we went to the Erie Canal Museum. There's a walking trail beside a creek that feeds into the harbor.

It was raining when it was time to walk back, so we tried Uber. The ride came in 7 minutes and the fare was about $12 back to the dock. There is also a large mall within sight of the marina that's probably also walking distance.

Be advised that entering the Inner Harbor is kind of tricky. The opening to the channel was poorly marked and has both pilings and a field of floating debris that included rather large logs. We were able to get around most of the debris. The next obstacle is the 17' vertical clearance bridge; we brushed the antenna of our 27' Ranger Tug on the bottom of it so tall boats are definitely a no-no. (The other bridges are higher, but I guess that doesn't matter.) The water was brown and silty and there was some floating trash. But the depth never got below 10 feet on the way in and there was plenty of room to maneuver.

A nice stop if you want to check out the museums and architecture of downtown Syracuse. Just nothing much in the way of services.

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Marina Review for St. Johnsville Municipal Marina

Reviewed by: Capt Maria Langer on Aug 17, 2021
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 27'
Draft: 3.0'

Rating: 4

We stopped here for fuel on our way through on a Monday. Friendly service. Nice setting with grass. Campground adjacent. Parking against a tall wall was a bit of a challenge for going from office to our boat. Facility is set away from the main channel.

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Free Dock Review for Waterford Harbor Visitor Center

Reviewed by: Capt Maria Langer on Aug 17, 2021
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 27'
Draft: 3.0'

Rating: 4

Nice stop before starting a westbound trip through the Erie Canal. Good staff, very helpful. 30 amp power was good. Ice available. Restrooms/showers stark but clean enough. Laundry about four blocks. Wooden floating dock is a big rocky and loud when people walk down it. Walking distance to Lock #2.

Get here early! We arrived around noon on a Saturday in August; by 2 PM, most of the dock space had been taken.

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Marina Review for Riverlink Park

Reviewed by: Capt Maria Langer on Aug 17, 2021
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 27'
Draft: 3.0'

Rating: 3

This place is a ghost town on Sundays. No one at the facility, restaurant closed, restrooms locked. Four reasonably clean port-o-poties available. Power and water. Train noise. The walkway "into town" dumps you into an area of strip malls with an Ace Hardware (open limited hours on Sunday) and chicken place (closed on Sunday). We had to walk about 3/4 mile, partly on a highway ramp, through a seriously neglected neighborhood for awful Chinese food. (There was a McDonalds and Stewart's near it; we chose wrong.) We never saw anything resembling a town worth visiting, although architecture along the way was interesting. It might be better during the week, but I'll never be back on a Sunday.

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Marina Review for Little Falls Canal Harbor and Rotary Park

Reviewed by: Capt Maria Langer on Aug 17, 2021
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 27'
Draft: 3.0'

Rating: 5

This is one of the best facilities we've stopped at so far on this trip. Extremely friendly and helpful staff, tie-up on floating dock. When our 30 amp power cord wasn't long enough, they offered an extension cord. Their dockside building is well-equipped and immaculately clean with toilets, showers, laundry, ice, hot and cold drinks, and a comfortable lounge. Town was a half-mile walk away, but the staff had a book full of menus and knew which places were open and which delivered. They even offered me a lift into town. And did I mention the free fast wi-fi? Worth every one of the five star.

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