Reviews from James Brace (35)

Free Dock Review for Little Marler Park

Reviewed by: James Brace on Dec 9, 2023
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 40'
Draft: 4.0'

Rating: 1

We went to plan B-Little Marler Park on the south side of the GICW. I called to ask permission to dock overnight and was passed from the police to the Sheriff to the Parks Department. After much explaining we were reluctantly granted "permission" to stay the night. As previous reviewers have said the "dock" has no cleats and you need to get creative to tie up. The basin by the park is well protected from most any wind and wave. But, I personally would pass this one by next time.
There is a terrific restaurant next door--The Gulf. They have a long face dock to dock and dine and the manager said we could tie up overnight there, though it seemed an unusual request to her.
So, bottom line for FWB--find an anchorage or marina.

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Free Dock Review for Fort Walton Beach Landing - Closed for Renovation

Reviewed by: James Brace on Dec 9, 2023
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 40'
Draft: 4.0'

Rating: 1

If you are passing through Ft. Walton Beach this season. Our plan A was the free docks at Ft Walton Beach Landing Park. However, passing close by it looks like the entire park is a construction area and the docks are temporarily disconnected from shore. You could still probably tie up there as a safe refuge from the weather.

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Free Dock Review for Mobile Convention Center

Reviewed by: James Brace on Dec 4, 2023
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 40'
Draft: 4.0'

Rating: 4

Great location. Will need to be creative tying off to difficult wall with industrial sized cleats. We have traveled over 10,000 miles without a need for fender boards but they would be useful here. Or two large fender balls But then the issue is you are a huge step away from the wall to the boat. We were loaned a large fender from a fellow Looper. Thanks Set Free! Great location though and we felt safe. Register here: https://www.asmglobalmobile.com/mobile-convention-center/boat-dock-registration

Loved being in a large port after the remoteness of the rivers.

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Anchorage Review for Bennets Cove

Reviewed by: James Brace on Nov 1, 2023
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 40'
Draft: 4.0'

Very difficult to pick your way in from the north. Drifted in neutral over a couple very shallow spots. 1 ft under boat. Same on departure to the south. Do not recommend as the lake is at 355 ft. The anchorage itself is deep but my depth sounder could not find the bottom due to very soft mud. 9 ft boat pole did not find any bottom so safe at the anchor symbol. Beautiful spot once in. Hug the starboard bank on arrival. Charts note that the anchorage is closed 11/15/23.

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Marina Review for Anderson Dock Marina

Reviewed by: James Brace on Sep 22, 2023
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 40'
Draft: 4.0'

Rating: 3

We were told to leave at 6PM, just as we were sitting down for dinner.

Stopped for an overnight. Pleased to find a single power pedestal with two 30 amp plugs on south wall. Plenty of water by pedestal. Bathroom at the building.

I looked on the web for details/rules about this dock and found nothing. There are no posted rules at the dock. (They would probably get graffiti'ed anyway). The person who told us to leave said the dock is operated by the town marina and we should use Dockwa. The marina website makes no mention of the Anderson Dock. On Dockwa you will find boats over 30 feet can not reserve a slip.

Ended up anchoring by Horseshoe Island. Inside cockpit covered in small bugs in the morning.

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Free Dock Review for Cape Vincent Town Dock

Reviewed by: James Brace on Jul 6, 2023
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 40'
Draft: 4.0'

Rating: 5

This is a really nice little village. The dock was replaced this year. Now an excellent spot for 48 hours. Free water and electric. Room for 3 boats on east side. only smaller boats on west side.

2024 cruisers stay tuned. The town has plans to extend this new free dock and build a new free dock on east side of town.

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Marina Review for Singer Castle on Dark Island

Reviewed by: James Brace on Jun 29, 2023
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 40'
Draft: 4.0'

Rating: 5

Excellent visit. Went first thing and received a wonderful private tour. Dock is open to only a couple cruising boats. Most is for tour boats. Deep water but ships pass within yards it seems. Use a lot of fenders and spring lines.

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Marina Review for Troy Downtown Marina

Reviewed by: James Brace on Jun 12, 2023
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 40'
Draft: 4.0'

Rating: 3

Excellent downtown location. Very nice docks. Staff very helpful. Place is run By Oasis Marinas. They should add WiFi and a secure gate to the docks. Visit on the Saturday Market during summer-one of the best markets.

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Anchorage Review for St. Michaels Harbor - Parrott Point

Reviewed by: James Brace on May 14, 2023
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 40'
Draft: 4.0'

Stayed a few nights. Great spot, easy access to dinghy dock and town amenities. Came in when there where three other power boats and a big ketch. First anchored up into bay between the houses. But soon moved when a big boat left and we had a spot closer to the green buoys. Everything was fine for over 24 hours. Then the wind shifted from the NE and we dragged slowly toward the Marina on south side. The sailboat drug as well, even though the winds were moderate (10-15ish). Moved up toward the #3 in 8ft of water low tide and held through a squall.

The ketch ended up grounded Sunday morning.

A note about the anchorage out in the river listed as St Michaels. There were three 50ft plus boats out there on anchor during the wind shift and increase in wind. The middle boat, a 54ft ish Carver dragged anchor south-southeast out of sight. Someone was able to reach the owners on shore and they made it to the boat by dinghy before anything bad happened. Frankly quite amazing the anchor dragged that far, they didn't hit the next to them Flemming, and didn't beach.

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Marina Review for Morehead City Transient Docks

Reviewed by: James Brace on Mar 24, 2023
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 40'
Draft: 4.0'

Rating: 4

Super people. decent floating docks. There is strong WiFi (one listing I read said no WiFi). Clean showers and restrooms very close. Close to many restaurants. But a pretty long bike ride to grocery store. Longer to the ABC Beverage location. Not too bike friendly roads.

Couple negatives: Can get waked or wind driven waves from SW. Docks open to public incursion so practice normal security. A laundry would be a great addition.

Would stay again.

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Marina Review for Town Creek Marina

Reviewed by: James Brace on Nov 17, 2022
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 40'
Draft: 4.0'

Rating: 5

Great spot. Docks nearly new and in fantastic condition. Everything you might need in a marina. Helpful, friendly staff. Easy dinghy or bike ride to downtown Beaufort.

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Anchorage Review for Crisfield - Somers Cove

Reviewed by: James Brace on Nov 9, 2022
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 40'
Draft: 4.0'

Fantastic in every way. Protected harbor. Nice floating docks for transients. Excellent customer service. Terrific amenities. The director Tom took time to give us a ride around town with a brief history of the area. So nice! We were there at the end of the season (11/8) waiting out weather before heading south. Being the end of the season most things in town are closed or open limited days. But Crisfield is worth the stop.

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Marina Review for Boston Waterboat Marina

Reviewed by: James Brace on Oct 10, 2022
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 40'
Draft: 4.0'

Rating: 5

Awesome spot. Great people!. Moorings and Slips. Easy with Dockwa. Very cool coffee bar on the dock. Clean, nice restrooms and showers, and laundry. Highly recommend!

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Marina Review for Edgartown Harbor

Reviewed by: James Brace on Oct 10, 2022
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 40'
Draft: 4.0'

Rating: 4

Well worth the visit. The history, Jaws, Kennedy. Nice mooring field with clean pennants. Great access by dinghy to the main dinghy dock. As the notes say, the dinghy dock for the showers has a 20 minute time limit. And the showers are the reason for no 5 stars. They could use a good cleaning. Better yet a face lift. Glad we stayed!

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Marina Review for Constitution Marina

Reviewed by: James Brace on Oct 4, 2022
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 40'
Draft: 4.0'

Rating: 5

Very nice spot. Can't beat the views. Decently protected floating docks. Very clean shower/RR/laundry. Even has a pool. Friendly helpful people. They even give discount cards to a few local restaurants. Walkable to Bunker Hill and the Whole Foods. There is another big grocery in the basement of the TD Garden—Shaw's, only 10 minute walk. Highly recommended marina.

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Marina Review for Safe Harbor Kittery Point

Reviewed by: James Brace on Sep 27, 2022
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 40'
Draft: 4.0'

Rating: 5

First the "marina". Kittery Yacht Yard is a new Safe Harbor acquisition. Very nice people. Easy to work with through Dockwa. Jason, Dockmaster checked in with us on way in and on day of departure. Supplied us with local information. Very few docks and only a handful of mooring balls. The Kittery YY has two facilities and specialize in repairs, refits. Clean facilities. Only one bathroom and small shower, for now. Jason says there are plans for a guest lounge with a couple showers coming soon. We stayed on a mooring ball. The current rips through the channel. The dinghy docks are full of permanent dinks so it can be hard to nudge in. Would definitely return. A reference to loaner bikes on their web sight is pre-covid and incorrect. Hopefully they will bring them back.

Second, the area. Kittery/Portsmouth is a terrific stop. There are some stores and restaurants a long walk or short bike ride from the boat yard. We dinghied to Warren's Lobster House in Kittery, has a dinghy dock. No other place I could find to dock in Kittery. In Portsmouth you need to see the Strawberry Bank exhibits. Well worth a half day or more. You can dock at the north set of docks operated by the Portsmouth Harbormaster (look for "Portsmouth Love Wall" on Google Maps). We were there off season and were not charged the $4/hour fee thankfully. Call ahead. Strong currents. Town has many restaurants. But the ones on the water don't allow docking, even for dinghies.

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Marina Review for South Port Marine

Reviewed by: James Brace on Sep 22, 2022
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 40'
Draft: 4.0'

Rating: 4

Beware strict cancellation policy
Stayed twice in September.

Pros: Very nice people. Well stocked parts department. Nice protected docks without the constant roll across the harbor at DiMillo's. Couple of good clean showers and laundry. Easy walk to two grocery stores and two auto parts stores. Easy rideshare over to Portland's infinite restaurants. Take the fire truck tour to get overview of the city.

Cons: Like most places these days staff is short so we came in twice without dockhand assistance (not a huge deal though). They told us both times to bow in but our power is on the stern so we requested and were okayed to change (don't be afraid to ask for what you need). The biggest issue, a strict cancellation policy. I'm a fan of Dockwa. Seems to work quite well and so far as we have traveled 2,000 miles marinas have been flexible with changing plans. Not so South Port. I made a reservation on 9/11 for two nights starting 9/17. I then requested cancelation 17 hours later. I was offered a credit to use the nights another time with a one-year limit. I will be looking at those cancellation policies much closer going forward.

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Marina Review for DiMillo's Marina & Yacht Sales

Reviewed by: James Brace on Sep 20, 2022
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 40'
Draft: 4.0'

Rating: 4

DiMillo's is in a fantastic location downtown Portland. Can't be beat.

Pro's: Location. Responsive service dept. They found me a Cummins mechanic for next day repair. Very nice people.

Con's: The fairways are small. My 40 ft boat is as big as they put on the D dock, either side. Very gut wrenching and had to dock twice due to communication issue (dockhand put me in a filled slip and I had to take a slip ASAP due to wind. Without two hands on the boat we would have crashed. Dockhand made it down to help get us in an alternate slip.) Very rolly as it is close to all the ferry and fishing traffic. WiFi is weak.

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Marina Review for Tugboat Inn & Marina

Reviewed by: James Brace on Sep 19, 2022
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 40'
Draft: 4.0'

Rating: 4

Terrific spot to moor. 40 ft or so is max boat size. No Launch Service (hence 4 stars) so you need your own dinghy. There are several docks to go to for all the restaurants and shops. Touristy town but worth the stop! Dockmaster very nice and helpful. Laundry and showers take quarters, which the dockmaster can supply.

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Marina Review for Plymouth Town Wharf

Reviewed by: James Brace on Sep 9, 2022
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 40'
Draft: 4.0'

Rating: 5

Excellent historical stop. Stayed on Harbormaster mooring ball for three nights. The harbormaster led us to the transient ball. The ball comes with complementary water taxi. There are shoreside restrooms and showers. The Stop and Grocery is a long 30 minute uphill walk. But here's what we learned. The GATRA local mass transit has a secret. Call 844.358.4422. Have your pickup and delivery address's ready. They will pick you up at the Harbormaster office, or wherever you are in town. It will take you as far as the Plymouth Potouxet Museum, Stop and Shop, wherever in town. (Harbor Freight next to the grocery store). And, its only $2.00 per person per trip. Back to the harbor. Great equipment and people. Boats under around 45 ft.

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Marina Review for Newport Mooring Service

Reviewed by: James Brace on Sep 6, 2022
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 40'
Draft: 4.0'

Rating: 5

Review Newport Mooring Services
Looking through Waterway Guide and Active Captain for a place to moor in Rhode Island. It was Labor Day weekend and I had forgotten to cover this part of the voyage till the Wednesday before. My first call was to Newport Mooring Service. Neill Gray answered the phone and indicated he had a ball available for the next day for two nights. Perfect. He gave instructions to call him upon entering the channel. Here's what I learned observing activities in Newport for a few days:
• Neill uses the phone only.
• The business takes only cash or checks. To complete your transaction with Neill you will coordinate a time and place to meet in town. It was really easy (but felt like a drug deal, passing an envelope with a check into a stranger's car on a random street). It works and he is a really nice guy.
• As of 2022 Labor Day the rate was $50/day.
• We opted to use Oldport Launch to get back and forth. They will take you and pick you up anywhere in the harbor. Bring your handheld VHF to hail a ride back from town. $4/person per ride each way. Again, cash.
• There are many dinghy docks to use as well.
• The Maritime Center on Ann St has Laundry (expensive), showers (pick short or expensive), Wi-Fi, lounge. But closes 5 or 6.
• As I listened to radio traffic and read web pages I learned there are two other mooring ball owners: Oldport Marine services (VHF 68), same as the launch service; and the Harbormaster office (VHF 16 then 14). It appears these are both first come first served. I heard several late comers be turned away. Oldport has several large floating docks out in the harbor. Handy for a couple buddy boats to tie up and enjoy.
• Great visit in a cool old town.

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Marina Review for Safe Harbor Beaufort

Reviewed by: James Brace on Jun 6, 2022
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 40'
Draft: 4.0'

Rating: 3

Used the marinas mooring field. Our Super Looper book mentioned $20/day. But the marina manager says he doesn't remember ever having that rate. It was double that! Most expensive ball ever. But an great town to visit!

• WG Editor Comment:
  

  The Waterway Guide listing states $40.00.

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Anchorage Review for Bull Creek - Daufuskie Island

Reviewed by: James Brace on Jun 6, 2022
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 40'
Draft: 4.0'

Great spot. Excellent holding in mud. some tour boats and small boats zip buy in daylight. Might be worth putting up your anchoring Ball dayshape for safety. The professional captains will know what that is.

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Marina Review for Thunderbolt Marine

Reviewed by: James Brace on Jun 6, 2022
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 40'
Draft: 4.0'

Rating: 5

Stayed 2 nights. There is mention of busses to Savannah but that is old info. Used rideshare. Krispy Kreme delivered to the boat first morning!

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Marina Review for Darien River Waterfront Park & Docks

Reviewed by: James Brace on Jun 6, 2022
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 40'
Draft: 4.0'

Rating: 3

Stayed overnight. Lot of debris around all the boats so opted to not use bow thruster. No power available as other boats were using the pedistals. Nice dinner in town and B&Js.

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Marina Review for Oasis Marinas at Fernandina Harbor

Reviewed by: James Brace on Jun 6, 2022
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 40'
Draft: 4.0'

Rating: 5

Great spot with easy dinghy access to marina.

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Free Dock Review for Jim King Park at Sisters Creek Marina

Reviewed by: James Brace on Jun 5, 2022
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 40'
Draft: 4.0'

Rating: 4

Good stop but nothing there but a break from travel. The sunk boat still on the east end but the Coast Guard came by and I think there might be removal soon.

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Marina Review for St. Augustine Municipal Marina

Reviewed by: James Brace on Jun 5, 2022
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 40'
Draft: 4.0'

Rating: 5

We used the mooring field north of the bridge. Amazing view of city, fort, Bridge of Lions. Spent two nights there. Will come back!

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Marina Review for Palm Coast Marina

Reviewed by: James Brace on Jun 5, 2022
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 40'
Draft: 4.0'

Rating: 5

Great stop. Walking distance to restaurants. Terrific help docking with very short finger pier.

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Anchorage Review for Rockhouse Creek

Reviewed by: James Brace on Jun 5, 2022
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 40'
Draft: 4.0'

Awesome spot. A few permanent boats but room for our 40ft in good depth. Dinghy over to the Atlantic beach!

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Marina Review for Titusville Marina

Reviewed by: James Brace on Jun 5, 2022
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 40'
Draft: 4.0'

Rating: 3

Nice marina but... They put our 14+ wide boat in a 15ft wide dock. And the fairway is only 40 ft wide for our 40+ long boat. After I got in I was amazed we fit. A boat down the fairway had its bow pulpit ripped off by another boat.

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Anchorage Review for Eau Gallie

Reviewed by: James Brace on Jun 5, 2022
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 40'
Draft: 4.0'

Tried to get in in a big blow. But, too many permanent boats in there to fit in.

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Anchorage Review for Fort Pierce Channel

Reviewed by: James Brace on Jun 5, 2022
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 40'
Draft: 4.0'

Ripping current but worth it. Nice dinghy trip to the island. And easy access to dinghy dock across channel. Then, walk across the bridge to the Saturday farmers market.

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Anchorage Review for Pendarvis Cove

Reviewed by: James Brace on Jun 5, 2022
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 40'
Draft: 4.0'

Anchored in between many permanent boats. Ended up with anchor under a tripled up raft of powerboats on 100 ft of chain. But, able to get out.

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Marina Review for Roland and Mary Ann Martins Marina & Resort

Reviewed by: James Brace on Jun 5, 2022
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 40'
Draft: 4.0'

Rating: 4

Fun stop. Great dockmaster Capt Sam. Dock a bit canted so our stepladder dodgy to use. Tie it off. Shallow in for big boats but no issue for us.

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