Reviews: Erwin Marine Riverfront

Reviewed by: Michael Vogel , Bird’s Nest, on Nov 1, 2024
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 50'
Draft: 4.5'

Rating: 4

We spent 3 nights here from 10/28 - 10/31. We were at the Bluff Dock which is between the two bridges. The dock is very nice and secure. However, there are homeless that spend time in the areas at either end where you have to go to get on and off the dock. 50amp power and water. There is exposure to river wakes but we didn't notice much. Close to downtown and lots of things to do in the area. Self service fuel dock and the current price was $3.86 for diesel. No restrooms, showers or laundry. Only one person working there but he was around on the days they were "open".

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Reviewed by: Dick Heusinkveld on Oct 15, 2024
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 44'
Draft: 3.5'

Rating: 4

No staff at any of the docks and the phone is only answered Tuesday to Saturday. Book through Dockwa and you will receive your dock assignment and gate codes. There is no assignment of specific places on the docks. Everything is kept clean and in good working order. The fuel and pump out dock is entirely self-service, but it has the best pump out machine we have seen in 2 years, and it's free. Bluff dock has 2 access points to the city, very useful if the downstream access is under water as we experienced from post hurricane flooding. No wifi but there is free city wifi. Chattanooga has an excellent free trolley service that runs late 6 days a week and until 8pm Sunday. The trolleys will take you to within an easy walk of many good restaurants and shops. All of the Erwin docks are close to the Aquarium. There are no showers or toilet facilities or we would give them 5 stars. Fender well, there are wakes from river traffic.

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Reviewed by: William Mcnutt , Excellent Seas, on Jun 24, 2024
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 43'
Draft: 5.5'

Rating: 3

As you might guess from the name, Erwin Marina would rather sell you a boat than dock one. But they still have a nice facility. The staff is very responsive to messages sent through Dockwa, and they have self-service, pay-at-the-pump diesel and gasoline at their "main marina."

Erwin is the first marina I have encountered with spread out docks. I was at the "Bluff's Docks," between the Market Street and Walnut Street Bridges on the Tennessee Riverwalk. The dock was in excellent repair, spotless, with power, clean water, and sturdy cleats. What I DIDN'T like was that I was tied alongside, parallel to the river traffic. Every barge, towboat, bass boat, poorly driven ski boat, and personal watercraft threw their wake into my side, and I rocked and rolled. But not all night. After sunset, all those guys apparently went home, 'cause I had a smooth, level night and restful sleep.

No showers, no laundry, no bathroom, and not even a place to throw away my trash, though. I had to haul it to my next location.


Still, I was within walking distance of two museums, the Tennessee Aquarium, AT&T baseball field, and a half-dozen restaurants. I extended my stay here by a day and had a very relaxing stay.

There's a Publix across the river within 3 miles for re-provisioning. If biking or walking, be aware that Chattanooga is uphill, both ways.

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Reviewed by: Mike Hopkins , Tortue de Mer, on Nov 8, 2023
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 36'
Draft: 4.5'

Rating: 3

Erwin Marina, Olgiati Bridge Dock just west of the bridge. Nice docks, good depth, current not bad at this location, easy access for pets, and downtown. Publix, restaurants and other shops just across the bridge. I can't give them more stars because the bathrooms were not clean and no showers.

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Reviewed by: Pete Washburn , Spring Fling, on Oct 30, 2023
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 42'
Draft: 4.0'

Rating: 4

Eriwin's Bluff Docks
Location, Location, Location!

Located close to the Aquarium, several restaurants, and the free electric shuffle to get you around the rest of the downtown area (and the Choo-Choo and Lookout Mountain). Gated dock access. We didn't have any issues with homeless folks. No WiFi, but we had 4 to 5 bars on our AT&T and T-Mobile devices. Allegedly, Whole Foods and Publix across the bridge about a mile each way. No bathroom, showers, laundry on the dock otherwise it would have been a 5 star rating.

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Reviewed by: Tony Green on Oct 29, 2023
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 26'
Draft: 3.0'

Rating: 4

Awesome location right in downtown. Love the self-service fuel dock. Friendly staff, who lent us a power adapter and switched our reservation to the Olgiati Dock, which is the only one close to the bathrooms. Deep water and easy access, but boat wakes are a pain.

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Reviewed by: Pete Washburn , Spring Fling, on Oct 25, 2023
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 42'
Draft: 4.0'

Rating: 4

Diesel $3.90 gallon with taxes

He might need to order another load soon, but thinks with fuel cost dropping, he might be able to keep it there. By far, the lowest cost we've found on the Tennessee River the last couple of months.

Call first of course, to check his current price.

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Reviewed by: Capt. Jeff Gephart on Aug 7, 2022
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 85'
Draft: 4.6'

Rating: 5

Something I forgot to mention in my last review is that the fuel dock has new pay at the pump fuel pumps. They have raised the after-hours limit because of higher $$$, but credit card fraud is an issue. But during their regular work day, they will open it up for whatever amount you need. After-hours if you need a major fill-up you will need to re-start the cc process after each maximum limit it reached.

Their sister location Pine Harbor Marina up on Chickamauga Lake up Soddy Creek at mm 487.5, also has the new credit card pumps. A nice feature when you need to fuel after-hours to keep on a schedule. Another of their locations, Chickamauga Marina near Chickamauga L&D mm 471, is scheduled to get the credit card pumps soon. CC pumps are rare on the Tenn River so this is super convenient.

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Reviewed by: Capt. Jeff Gephart on Aug 5, 2022
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 85'
Draft: 4.6'

Rating: 5

Location, location, location. In downtown Chattanooga, you are docked right in the middle of everything. The fuel dock is downriver of the transient docking area, but their fuel prices are about the best I have found on the Tenn River. The only drawback is they do not have your typical marina amenities. But who wants to be doing laundry when you are tied up in one of the best locations on the river? Get off your boat and enjoy the city.

There are some currents, but it is a river, so tie up your bow facing up into the current with an extra spring line, and you are good. This is a busy boating area on weekends so expect to get rocked some.

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Reviewed by: Tina Pickell on Nov 9, 2021
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 62'
Draft: 5.0'

Rating: 5

Three locations along the river-- we preferred the "Bluffs" location-- closer to downtown. Although other reviews said water available-- not during our visit. We were warned about people living under the pedestrian bridge-- locals stopped us and suggested an alternate route to the dock. We didn't have any trouble. Museum and Aquarium located across the street.

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Reviewed by: David Merchberger , Slo Pace, on Oct 22, 2021
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 40'
Draft: 3.8'

Rating: 4

Erwin Marine operates several docks, we stayed at the 'Bluff' docks, the furthest upriver of their docks.

Good floating docks with power and water and gated entry. No restroom/showers/laundry or any other 'typical' marina amenities. However, the proximity to downtown Chattanooga can't be beat.

Easy walk to everything the town has to offer including many eating/driking establishments, the Tennessee Aquarium and a pinball museum...where for a flat entry fee, you can play all the machines all day until closing. They even offer 1/2 price admission to the first 30 people that arrive after opening at 1pm.

Publix and Whole Foods about a 1 mile walk across the pedestrian bridge.

Really, no complaints, but took a star off because of the lack of amenities available at the bluff docks.

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Reviewed by: David Mann , Now or Never, on Sep 10, 2021
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 44'
Draft: 4.7'

Rating: 4

Lay along docks on the riverfront. Typical current and wake issues as associated with this type of dock. Easy accessibility to the downtown and to all that accompanies such accessibility like late night "walkers" who frequent the park. No issues however. Water and electricity round out the available features at the docks. Very nice staff.

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Reviewed by: Capt. Jeff Gephart on Jun 12, 2021
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 36'
Draft: 3.5'

Rating: 4

Here is a quick addition to my earlier comments. They do have a credit card pump on the fuel dock, but after hours, it will only let you put in $100 at a time. Not convenient for a larger boat at the current fuel prices. So, you have to start over after the $100 limit constantly. Plus, the pumps are old, and you can't read the gallons or price. It still is an excellent stop if you are in the area.

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Reviewed by: Capt. Jeff Gephart on Jun 12, 2021
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 36'
Draft: 3.5'

Rating: 5

The waterfront of Chattanooga is a must-stop if you are in the region. Great location and easy access to downtown. The marina itself provides fuel and a pump-out but not much else. It is the only marina in the area without going through Chickamauga Lock. Easy access with plenty of water depth for bigger boats.

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