Reviews from Cynthia Thomas (15)

Anchorage Review for Stonington Inner Breakwater

Reviewed by: Cynthia Thomas on Oct 23, 2024
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 69'
Draft: 6.0'

We arrived late in the season and had ample room. Very protected but we had minimal winds. More rolling in the early morning as the commercial fishing boats head out to sea. Delightful small town with beautiful architecture but most commercial businesses geared towards tourism/souvenirs.

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Marina Review for Newport Harbormaster Moorings

Reviewed by: Cynthia Thomas on Oct 21, 2024
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 69'
Draft: 6.0'

Rating: 5

We moored in very challenging winds and currents. The Harbormaster and crew were extremely helpful escorting us in and assisting in the hook up including retrieving the boat pole which was lost overboard in numerous attempts to pick up the weighted line. Also took advantage of a fuel barge service for the best diesel price ($3.13 per gallon all in) we have had in the 10 months we have been underway.

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Marina Review for Falmouth Town Marina

Reviewed by: Cynthia Thomas on Oct 20, 2024
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 69'
Draft: 6.0'

Rating: 3

The only affordable marina we could find with off peak discounts of $1/foot. Boats our size required to tie up on the Tides Bulkhead, a flat wall just inside the entrance (east side) to the harbor at a public parking lot for the harbor. Lots of traffic (day and night) in the parking lot and on the water with not much protection from winds. You'll want to have window coverings to have any privacy. Currents and winds made docking a challenge with no help, not sure if that is standard practice or simply the fact we were off season.

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Marina Review for Cuttyhunk Marina

Reviewed by: Cynthia Thomas on Oct 12, 2024
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 69'
Draft: 6.0'

Rating: 4

Channel had been dredged, narrow but accessible, obstructions well marked and water clear so shoaling can be seen easily. The docks are adequate. No protection from N/NW winds which is what we had. We were at the end of season but lucky enough to get fresh oysters, shrimp and homemade clam chowder. Very quaint town.

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Anchorage Review for Lady Liberty - South

Reviewed by: Cynthia Thomas on Oct 8, 2024
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 69'
Draft: 6.0'

As per previous ratings, the views are incomparable and well worth a little more rolling as the anchor set beautifully. Great position to time crossing the East River to Long Island Sound.

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Anchorage Review for Sandy Hook

Reviewed by: Cynthia Thomas on Oct 7, 2024
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 69'
Draft: 6.0'

Very good anchorage, well protected except from the N/NW winds. Off season so no ferry traffic to contend with.

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Marina Review for South Jersey Marina

Reviewed by: Cynthia Thomas on Oct 5, 2024
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 69'
Draft: 6.0'

Rating: 4

Dock hands were phenomenal! This is an extremely popular transient spot for the seasonal migrations and we were the fish swimming upstream headed north at this time of year. Boats of all sizes are juggled around on a daily basis to accommodate everyone and dock hands do it effortlessly with smiles. A little tricky (read narrow channel with currents), best to approach at slack tide for boats our size.

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Marina Review for Port Annapolis Marina

Reviewed by: Cynthia Thomas on Sep 22, 2024
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 69'
Draft: 6.0'

Rating: 2

We had help lined up to facilitate our docking as the marina is very tight for trawlers our size (with only bow thrusters). We hauled out to have the bottom cleaned and inspected after running aground on the ICW and were hoping to have some additional work done but found limited availability of qualified expertise in-house and pricing to be on the high end. We had ongoing problems with 50 amp power hookup until the breaker was finally changed out in week 3 of our stay. The value proposition of this experience was not there at all. Our sense was the marina is more focused on its long term rentals than transients, fair enough but pricing should reflect that. The courtesy van became virtually inaccessible during the last 10 days of our stay. While most of the staff were friendly, the willingness to make things happen was sorely lacking. Annapolis is a lovely town and we were able get a number of our gremlins fixed ex-Marina through local recommendations at a reasonable price.

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Anchorage Review for Herring Bay

Reviewed by: Cynthia Thomas on Aug 12, 2024
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 69'
Draft: 6.0'

Beautiful spot to anchor. Do not be fooled by the number of anchored boats towards dusk, especially on the w/e as it is a popular spot. Everyone cleared out but one by sunset. Pay careful attention to the approach as it is circuitous to maintain a comfortable depth as we have a draft of 6'. Great protection except from the east. Anchor held well in the mud.

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Anchorage Review for Potomac River - Mason Neck

Reviewed by: Cynthia Thomas on Aug 6, 2024
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 69'
Draft: 6.0'

Quiet and beautiful anchorage. Very challenging to negotiate a plethora of crab pots and ended up further north than marked. Not much wind protection from the south. Very happy to find 12' plus to anchor in.

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Marina Review for Coles Point Marina and RV Resort

Reviewed by: Cynthia Thomas on Aug 5, 2024
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 69'
Draft: 6.0'

Rating: 2

We called to book a transient slip and the reservation was made through what seemed to be a call center. We were concerned about the narrow entrance/ depth and wanted to talk to the dock master but were required to make payment before being connected. The dock master assured us he had 6' draft (same as us) sailboats coming in all the time. Tides are critical and we were just off high tide. We were advised to stay to either side of the entry channel as there was a rock in the middle that would be an issue at low tide. We had to wait out the t-storm and realized we would have to leave at 03:30 next morning or after noon to get out safely. We were not comfortable and opted to drop anchor. Lesson learned, complete your research before committing. The Potomac is challenging for boats of our size.

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Anchorage Review for Coles Point

Reviewed by: Cynthia Thomas on Aug 5, 2024
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 69'
Draft: 6.0'

Initially planned to go to the Marina (separate review) but a t-storm kicked up and we opted to wait it out and once calm dropped anchor. A lovely spot, good hold in mud, roomy.

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Marina Review for Atlantic Yacht Basin, Inc.

Reviewed by: Cynthia Thomas on Aug 4, 2024
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 69'
Draft: 6.0'

Rating: 3

We found the docking challenging in the early evening with wind and river currents. Dock hand was not helpful and focused on minimizing our footprint. A bump and grind effort our part. The dock hand the next morning (Bill) was amazing and we had a smooth departure and took on fuel while we waited for the bridge to open. We paid $3.45 for diesel.

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Anchorage Review for Ware River - Windmill Point

Reviewed by: Cynthia Thomas on Aug 4, 2024
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 69'
Draft: 6.0'

Roomy and very scenic. Consistent 12' depth. Dropped anchor initially and felt secure in 12' water with 100' of chain. Subsequent t-storm with wind gusts of 30 knots and the boat slid ~200' before catching and staying.

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Anchorage Review for Alligator River - Newport News Point

Reviewed by: Cynthia Thomas on Aug 2, 2024
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 69'
Draft: 6.0'

Excellent anchorage as described in previous reviews. Lots of room and no issue with tree stumps unlike other anchorages we considered on the river. Chain came up clean, a smattering of mud on the anchor.

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