Marina Review for Columbus Marina

Reviewed by: Amy SPENCER , Jessica Grace, on Nov 14, 2024
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 42'
Draft: 3.5'

Rating: 5

Agree with previous. Helpful communications and dockage support, sturdy docks, good info in welcome packet, nice shower room, courtesy car, lots of green for dogs, security gate at dock. Office does not recommend walking road to downtown... no shoulder or walking path.

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Lock comment on LaGrange Lock and Dam

Comment by: Amy SPENCER, Jessica Grace, on Sep 19, 2024
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 42'
Draft: 3.5'

All seven 40ish ft southbound loopers locked through together, and we all positioned on starboard wall. Main fender placement on starboard at rub rail. Be prepared for rafting up. Nice Lock and several lock masters dropped clean lines to boats. Easy anchoring just north of lock if there is a wait. We were told 2 hours.

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Marina Review for Mel's Illinois RiverDock Restaurant

Reviewed by: Amy SPENCER , Jessica Grace, on Sep 19, 2024
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 42'
Draft: 3.5'

Rating: 4

We came from Logsdon Tug stop and this is the best dock on this stretch of the river! it is rough metal floating dock but secure with plenty of cleats. Good depth during this low season. Willow anchorage was upstream a couple hours and Grafton south bound a couple more hours. Rough but sturdy metal grated bridge to land and plenty of space for dogs to run and exercise. Park nearby. Cool cemetery within walking distance. Nice rural restaurant with good food. Restaurant simply added the $20 dock fee to the food bill.

With low water, we noticed a piling peaking out of river maybe 30 ft from southern end of dock. When docking, stay close and parallel to dock 

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Marina Review for West Basin Marina

Reviewed by: Amy SPENCER , Jessica Grace, on Sep 4, 2024
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 42'
Draft: 3.5'

Rating: 5

Way to go West Basin in differentiating from other marina locations... Clean and comfortable laundry room, boater lounge and showers/restrooms... and free laundry machines, individual laundry detergents and courtesy bikes. Again, did I mention clean and well maintained?! Boat slips in protected marina tucked in from main river. Well maintained, fixed docks in good shape. Few cleats but plenty of pilings to tie to. Calm setting.. Park like setting with pavilions and picnic tables. Short walk to northern beach/dunes for sunset and enjoyment. Main town is across the river and is within walking distance. Shortcut from marina office to Whirlpool parking, to bridge. Very easy by bike to restaurants and shops and ice cream and historical spots and benches over looking Lake Michigan. Office has small selection of marine supplies. We did not have anyone to help with catching lines, nor did we need assistance since we were at end of T dock. Nice staff, but be sure to leave message if no one answers phone. They will call back shortly. Enjoyed our two nights here.

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Marina Review for Ottawa Beach Marina (formerly Parkside Marina)

Reviewed by: Amy SPENCER , Jessica Grace, on Aug 27, 2024
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 42'
Draft: 3.5'

Rating: 5

Nice marina docks and showers, friendly dockmaster, free pump out with stay and courtesy bikes and courtesy laundry machines. Lovely Lake Michigan beach within walking distance and several restaurants/ice cream nearby.

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Marina Review for Harrisville Harbor of Refuge

Reviewed by: Amy SPENCER , Jessica Grace, on Aug 8, 2024
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 42'
Draft: 3.5'

Rating: 5

Harrisville Harbor of Refuge was a spacious, clean and all-around protected marina, with man-made outer breakwaters and harbor basin built by the US Army Corps of Engeineers in 1960. Fixed newer docks in a park like setting, offering courtesy shuttle and Bikes for Boaters provided by local business donations. Wednesdays 7-9pm free concert. Saturday farmers market and also several historical buildings. We would return again.

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Free Dock Review for Village of Middleport

Reviewed by: Amy SPENCER, Jessica Grace, on Jul 12, 2024
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 42'
Draft: 3.5'

Rating: 4

Mooring walls with cleats and 30amp/120 household plugs on both sides west of Main street bridge. no 50Amp. Some parts of concrete wall is rough but with fenders, it is fine. lots of shade trees. Plenty of room for ~ 20 40' boats. Donations appreciated.

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Marina Review for Winter Harbor Marina

Reviewed by: Amy SPENCER , Jessica Grace, on Jul 8, 2024
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 42'
Draft: 3.5'

Rating: 5

Outstanding marina. Highly recommend. Clean, spacious shower/restroom, 2 courtesy cars, boat store on-site. gorgeous green grass yards. Hugh herb garden for boaters! nice pavilion with chairs and picnic tables. We shall return next year!

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Lock comment on Troy Federal Lock and Dam

Comment by: Amy SPENCER, Jessica Grace, on Jul 2, 2024
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 42'
Draft: 3.5'

Our vessel is 40' and headed north on Hudson River. Lockmaster helpful. I should have used more than 3 fenders as only 1 line could be used at midship to hold to wall. Glad we were the only vessel in lock.

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Free Dock Review for Waterford Harbor Visitor Center

Reviewed by: Amy SPENCER, Jessica Grace, on Jul 2, 2024
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 42'
Draft: 3.5'

Rating: 5

2 Floating docks (one under repair). Can fit 5 or 6 40' vessels. Shore power for $10. Pay cash or check at visitor center. No water connection but coming soon. Bathroom/shower key for $5. Free Portapotties and wash station available at nearby park. If docks are full or under repair, wall available with cleats. Pleasant, shaded and clean park, docks and walkway.

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Marina Review for Shadows Marina

Reviewed by: Amy SPENCER , Jessica Grace, on Jun 12, 2024
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 42'
Draft: 3.5'

Rating: 5

New floating "U shaped" dock with adjustable cleats, welcoming/friendly dockmaster, dog friendly, close to downtown. $2/ft, includes shorepower and water.

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Free Dock Review for Edenton Harbor

Reviewed by: Amy SPENCER, Jessica Grace, on May 6, 2024
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 42'
Draft: 3.5'

Rating: 4

Part of the Albemarle Loop and 48hr free dockage. Glad we spent two days here to learn about Edenton history and provision with courtesy truck. Also used truck to drop used oil from oil change at AutoZone. Be sure to do the trolley tour ride ($12.50). Never did find the $1.50 ice cream. Pilings with new docks. Lots of fetch so be sure to protect and monitor vessel movements. Shower with toilet was fine. Friendly and helpful staff. Extremely dog friendly. Delightful welcome bag with peanuts and local info.

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Marina Review for Albemarle Plantation Marina

Reviewed by: Amy SPENCER , Jessica Grace, on May 5, 2024
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 40'
Draft: 5.0'

Rating: 5

Part of the Albemarle Loop. Great place to unwind and destress. Very pet friendly. Community with golf course, marina, tennis, pool, complimentary ice, restaurants, lots of walking, friendly, welcome packet. $25 for golf cart for entire stay.

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Anchorage Review for Ocracoke - Silver Lake

Reviewed by: Amy SPENCER, Jessica Grace, on Apr 30, 2024
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 40'
Draft: 5.0'

beautiful anchorage with plenty of room.

However, had 3 unsuccessful anchor setting attempts and moved onto Ocracoke National Park docks. first come first serve. no phone call needed for resveration. if there is space, it's yours. download Recreation.gov beforehand so slow internet connection won't hinder your registering at park office.

Recreation.gov

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Marina Review for Silver Lake Marina (Ocracoke NPS Docks)

Reviewed by: Amy SPENCER , Jessica Grace, on Apr 29, 2024
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 40'
Draft: 5.0'

Rating: 4

Great dockage. good location. Due to patchy wifi/cell connections, be sure to download app before heading to Ocracoke. No reservations and no attendant. Big fenders or fenderboards highly recommended to protect vessel from dock pilings.

received this email confirmation:

Need to Know
We offer first-come, first-served overnight boat docking. You will need to pay after arriving on site by scanning our facility QR code using the Recreation.gov mobile app. Please download the Recreation.gov app prior to arrival as some remote areas have limited or no cell service. Once payment is made on-site, we do not offer refunds or modifications. Check out is at 12 noon. Vessels occupying a space after noon must have a reservation for that evening. Vessels must be secured with appropriately sized (length and diameter) lines for the size and weight of the vessel. While cleats are provided in a few pier units, The vessel lines should be appropriately secured to the pilings defining the pier units reserved. The NPS dock system pilings have exposed bolt heads. Fender Boards are highly recommended to properly secure and protect the vessel in any space. Restrooms are available at the NPS Visitor Center (across the parking lot). There are no showers provided in the NPS dock system or Visitor Center area. Power is available in either 30 amp or 50 amp outlets on one side of shared pedestals. Ocracoke Sanitary District provides the village water system and the dock water system. The water supply is potable water. Rafting of vessels is allowed. Rafted vessels must be registered and paid for when making your reservation. Rafted vessels cannot exceed the length of the reserving vessel. Quiet hours are 10:00 pm to 6:00 am. Pets must be on a leash, if on shore (docks and land). Pick up and dispose of animal waste. Neither fuel nor pump out facilities are available at the Cape Hatteras Silver Lake Docks. No waste of any kind may be discharged at the docks in accordance with 33 CFR 151/155 Federal Water Pollution Control Act. Commercial activities are prohibited at the docks. Repairs by outside vendors are prohibited unless a Special Use Permit is first obtained from Cape Hatteras National Seashore. See nps.gov/caha for instructions.

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Free Dock Review for The Dock at Barefoot Landing

Reviewed by: Amy SPENCER, Jessica Grace, on Apr 24, 2024
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 42'
Draft: 5.0'

Rating: 5

Finger docks wouldn't accommodate us but at each end of the finger docks were long flat docks that would accommodate. Great place to stretch legs and walk pup. No boats docked this Wednesday at 11:40am.

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Free Dock Review for Georgetown, SC #2 - DAY USE ONLY

Reviewed by: Amy SPENCER, Jessica Grace, on Apr 23, 2024
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 42'
Draft: 5.0'

Rating: 5

4/23/24 Free day docks empty and in great condition. easy in and out. Enjoyable little town to walk, shop and stretch legs. The Free marine museum 2 floors, artifacts, replicas, history and dog welcoming (very worth a donation).

Overall, the town, shops and people were very pet welcoming. Just be sure to clean up after your pup.

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Anchorage Review for South Santee River–East

Reviewed by: Amy SPENCER, Jessica Grace, on Apr 23, 2024
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 42'
Draft: 5.0'

excellent hold. Plenty of room. perfect depths. Peaceful, no worry night that was calm. no access to shore for dog run (draft 5', LOA 40')

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Marina Review for Marineland Marina

Reviewed by: Amy SPENCER , Jessica Grace, on Apr 4, 2024
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 42'
Draft: 5.0'

Rating: 5

highly recommend. outstanding customer service. environmentally friendly. nice dock and clean facilities. beach is gorgeous and pet friendly. Dockmaster Eric went out of his way to help meet our needs when boat issues evolved.

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