Reviews from Melinda Zehr (15)

Anchorage Review for Hallowell Mills Cove -Picton Bay

Reviewed by: Melinda Zehr, Surface Interval, on Jul 5, 2024
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 39'
Draft: 3.8'

This is a good midway stop between Kingston and Trenton. Picton is a doable 1 1/2 mile dinghy ride away. However, we opted to stay onboard. Nice 20' deep anchorage, so no weeds…yay! Just a little mud on the anchor to wash off. Good SW wind protection, but we hardly had any wind to contend with. Lovely spot, except for the limestone extraction nearby. Luckily, there was no noise from that operation, so it was not off-putting.

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Free Dock Review for Lock E7, Vischer Ferry, Erie Canal

Reviewed by: Melinda Zehr, Surface Interval, on Sep 7, 2023
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 39'
Draft: 3.8'

Rating: 1

We had planned to stay the night here, but it no longer is a viable option. There is construction equipment tied up on the inside, plus the water where we would dock is covered with floating vegetation.

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Marina Review for Port Jefferson Launch Service Moorings

Reviewed by: Melinda Zehr , Surface Interval, on Jul 25, 2023
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 39'
Draft: 3.8'

Rating: 4

Reservations for the moorings are made through Dockwa, and are $65 per night. Contact the launch service via VHF 68 to get a ride to the harbormaster building where there are two washers and two dryers, plus shower facilities. The showers could be cleaner, but we've seen worse. Be sure to get the code to get into the building from the launch guys. There's a self-serve pump out at the town dock, but we didn't need to use it. But we did need water, and contacted the launch service via VHF 68 when we entered the harbor to ask where we might fill our tanks. The dock for water is just north of the gravel barges, and has good depth. We enjoyed a beer at the Port Jeff Brewery and took advantage of the great Happy Hour specials at Billie's 1890 Saloon. Good stop!

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Marina Review for Port Washington Mooring Field

Reviewed by: Melinda Zehr , Surface Interval, on Jul 24, 2023
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 39'
Draft: 3.8'

Rating: 4

What a great stop! We picked up one of the yellow morning balls near the Waterway Guide symbol; they are first-come first-serve. Once secured, check in by calling the taxi service, 516-767-1691 and likely Carlene will answer and fill you in on details of the mooring, water taxi and town. First night is free, but if you use the water taxi it is $8 per person. Subsequent nights are $35 and the water taxi is then free. There's water and pump out on the north side of the town dock, but we didn't use either since the water level at the dock can be low, especially at low tide. There's also a pump out boat available 9 am-3 pm Thurs-Sun. Stop and Shop grocery is a short walk, as are a number of stores like TJ Maxx and West Marine. A good selection of restaurants are close to shore, but there are more (including several Mediterranean options) up the hill in old town. We walked .8 mile to the train station to spend the day in New York City. We got back in town before the water taxi service shut down at 9:45 pm.

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Anchorage Review for Lady Liberty - South

Reviewed by: Melinda Zehr, Surface Interval, on Jul 21, 2023
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 39'
Draft: 3.8'

This is the very best anchorage, and the most uncomfortable! The holding was steadfast and the views of the Statue of Liberty and New York City are off the charts amazing! But it is the most rolly anchorage we've ever been in and we've been at anchor a lot. We had to hold our coffeemaker while making coffee this morning; that was a first. It did calm down around 10:30 pm and we slept like babies. We're very happy we anchored here, yet we were very happy to leave this morning.

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Anchorage Review for Cohansey River - Greenwich Pier

Reviewed by: Melinda Zehr, Surface Interval, on Jul 15, 2023
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 39'
Draft: 3.8'

We split our cruise down Delaware Bay into two days so we could travel in the morning both days when winds were lighter. This anchorage proved to be a great in between spot. We passed by the anchorages at the start of the river to find a bit more protection from winds. We anchored a little further in of the anchor symbol, in about 20 feet of water at mid-tide. The current is steady and changing but our Rocna stuck in the mud bottom. The horse flies were present, but the wind we had shooed them mostly away. The Bait Box Restaurant is a dinghy ride away and we hear they have great crab cakes, but we opted to stay on the boat and grill.

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Free Dock Review for Town of Chesapeake City Municipal Docks - MD

Reviewed by: Melinda Zehr, Surface Interval, on Jul 14, 2023
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 39'
Draft: 3.8'

Rating: 4

We came in when the tide was just over a foot above MLW. We tried to hug the east side as others mentioned. But, the current was pushing us that way so it was a bit difficult to remain in a controlled state close to the east entry wall. Once inside, head south close to the marina docks before turning starboard and making your way to the free dock. We turned too soon and stirred up mud, but luckily didn't ground. With our near 4-foot draft, we tied up on the south end of the dock near the tour boat. Docks are floating with cleats…yay! We paid $15 at the nearby town hall for electric, and enjoyed the town, stopping for drinks, crab at the Tap Room, and then music later at the tiki bar.

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Anchorage Review for Horseshoe Bend - St. Marys River

Reviewed by: Melinda Zehr, Surface Interval, on Jul 2, 2023
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 39'
Draft: 3.8'

Good anchorage with room for lots of boats. St. Mary's College dock couldn't be more handy. Restrooms with one shower each are provided by the college, but may not open until noon each day (women's was open before that but men's opened after noon). Seniors over 60 pay $9 to tour the historic city. You can also eat at the college student center for $15; hours and menu are listed here: https://www.smcm.edu/campus-life/dining/. Also on Friday nights for four consecutive weeks in the heart of summer, concerts are provided by the Chesapeake Orchestra under a portable white bandshell. We were fortunate to hear the band and see July 4 fireworks (on June 30, 2023).

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Marina Review for Belmont Bay Marina

Reviewed by: Melinda Zehr , Surface Interval, on Jun 28, 2023
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 39'
Draft: 3.8'

Rating: 5

Harbormaster David went above and beyond for us. We needed to replace our refrigerator. He allowed us to ship it to the marina, had it at the gas dock when we arrived, and even helped us load it into our boat. In addition to our refrigerator experience, David runs a top-notch marina.

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Marina Review for The Wharf Marina-DC

Reviewed by: Melinda Zehr , Surface Interval III, on Jun 23, 2023
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 39'
Draft: 3.8'

Rating: 1

If you are a transient cruiser, beware of The Wharf Marina's uncaring cancellation policy, specifically in out-of-your-control situations such as mechanical breakdowns and weather. We booked two nights, but needed to leave a day early when NOAA issued small craft and gale winds for the day we had planned to leave. The Wharf did acknowledge our weather situation and gave us a credit to use on a return visit to their marina. After explaining we were on America's Great Loop and live in Illinois so we would not be able to return to their marina, the general manager told me she must adhere to their policy to be fair to all boaters. Unfortunately, I was not successful at getting across the point that their policy is not fair to boaters unable to ever return to their marina.

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Free Dock Review for Edenton Harbor

Reviewed by: Melinda Zehr, Surface Interval III, on Jun 7, 2023
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 39'
Draft: 3.8'

Rating: 4

Edenton is a lovely town, with colonial homes, restaurants, $1.50 ice cream, history, and a variety of shops. It's definitely a highlight of the Albemarle Loop! Dockage is free for two nights at new docks, 30-amp power is $3 a night, and they have a courtesy truck, super helpful staff (one even disposed of our old refrigerator), and a gift bag with good info and a snack! If they could improve one thing, it would be the showers; the water could be hotter and the floors cleaner.

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Marina Review for Columbia Municipal Dock

Reviewed by: Melinda Zehr , Surface Interval III, on Jun 5, 2023
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 39'
Draft: 3.8'

Rating: 3

Not counting Manteo, this was our first stop on the Albemarle Sound Loop. The face dock was in good condition with cleats….we love cleats! With our width (14.8) we wouldn't have fit into the slips. We arrived on a Saturday, so town offices were closed. There was a number to call to get the bathroom/shower code, but it went to a fax machine. We didn't use the electric or water, but we took advantage of the pump out and it worked great. Best of all, the first two nights of dockage is free; you just pay for electric if you use it ($3 per night)! Columbia is a sleepy town, with only two restaurants now, one Mexican and another sandwich/pizza place. We walked the boardwalk interpretive trail and to the Food Lion; we also stopped at the Inner Banks Mercantile where we purchased a rug and a pair of earrings. We stayed two nights and waited out some wind.

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Anchorage Review for Church Creek - New Cut Landing

Reviewed by: Melinda Zehr, Surface Interval III, on May 13, 2023
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 39'
Draft: 3.8'

Good holding in deep water for the 6 to 7 foot tide change here. Lots of birds, a great view of sunset, and peaceful. Also, it makes for a shorter run to Charleston the next day.

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Free Dock Review for Eastern Wharf

Reviewed by: Melinda Zehr, Surface Interval III, on May 11, 2023
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 39'
Draft: 3.8'

Rating: 5

This a long new concrete floating dock near a condo/apartment complex, part of which is still under construction. There are no amenities (no power, water, etc). It's not right downtown so it's peaceful, yet less than a half mile to all of what Savannah offers including history, shops, and great food and drink! And, at least for now, it is free. There aren't any signs indicating you can't dock there or that it cost anything to do so. We felt safe and experienced very little wake during our two-night stay on a Monday and Tuesday.

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Anchorage Review for Chambers Island

Reviewed by: Melinda Zehr, Surface Interval III, on Jun 11, 2021
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 39'
Draft: 3.8'

This is our 3rd time anchoring here. Our anchor held firm even when the wind shifted unexpectedly from the north and had us rocking. We recommend taking a dinghy ride to shore, where you can view the grass airstrip, walk to the lighthouse, and hike to Mackaysee Lake.

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