Reviews: Dows Lake Pavilion

Reviewed by: Val Albert on Jul 16, 2024
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 38'
Draft: 3.0'

Rating: 1

Stayed on July 1, 2024. The marina is being run by a contractor for the city of Ottawa. They are terrible. They just don't care about anything. The marina upkeep is not being maintained. It is a shame since this is a great location.

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Reviewed by: Jeffrey Brown , Sea Tiger, on Jun 23, 2024
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 31'
Draft: 3.0'

Rating: 4

Two nights 12 and 13 June 2024. This is convenient location to explore Ottawa. It is a 2 mile walk to downtown or Uber/Lyft. The finger piers fit boats up to 35 feet with a pier length of 15 feet. Waist tie is at the head of the finger pier. The marina offers diesel and pump out; however, it is next to a launch ramp where at their corner is 40" water depth. Under the adjacent Pavillion with restaurants are the restroom/showers and laundry.

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Reviewed by: Brian Chapin , Tug Life, on Jul 5, 2022
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 25'
Draft: 2.5'

Rating: 3

Convenient to bike/walking paths. Dock has security gate. Water available on paid slips - otherwise $10 charge for fill-up at fuel dock. Pumpout $26. Good wi-fi. Single washer/dryer. Two locked bathrooms with showers for boaters. Facilities are showing their age. Restaurant on site with outdoor patio can get noisy especially on w/e. Mostly seasonal boaters, but all very helpful. City bus stop within 1 block; large grocery store 2.5 mi. Lots of walkable restaurants.

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Reviewed by: Howard Entman on Jun 26, 2018
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 45'
Draft: 4.0'

Rating: 2

This is the first two star rating I have ever written.

This marina is located above 5 miles south of the Ottawa locks, about 1 mile south of the Pretoria Bridge (limited opening times). There are only two reasons to stop here: it's too late to get through the Pretoria bridge; or, you need fresh water before going to moor at the top of the Ottawa locks.

If you are going to need fresh water on the way to Ottawa, you should consider stopping at Burritts Rapid lock and getting water there. Their water is well water, but I could not taste any sulfur in it at all. i filled my tank with no adverse effects.

Dow Lake Marina charges $20 for a water fill up.

The facility is in serious need of repair and sprucing up. Of greater significance, the dockhands are inexperienced in docking larger boats. They are a group of 'kids' hired for the summer. In any kind of wind, where a good dockhand could be invaluable, there is no help here.

The marina is located at the foot of Preston Street which has several dozen little Italian restaurants. This area dates from the 1930's, and is very cute. But there are also many Italian restaurants within walking distance of the Ottawa mooring at the locks, so a need for an 'italian-food-fix' is not a reason to stop here.

in short, there sholud be no need to stop here. At $2/foot (additional $20 for 50 amp), it's just not worth it.

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