Marina Review for Duncan L. Clinch Marina

Reviewed by: G. Jay Nelson , Pegasus, on Sep 22, 2024
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 44'
Draft: 3.5'

Rating: 5

The Duncan Clinch Marina is another Michigan Department of Natural Resources run marina where reservations are made online. When we arrived the dock hands were immediately available to help with the docking lines. The marina is well-maintained with very stable floating docks. The lounge is nicely appointed with very clean restrooms/showers. There are gas barbeques and tables and chairs available. There are very large open park areas next to the marina that are very pet friendly, including a dog-friendly beach. Laundry room is very comfortable. The marina lounge/common area is a popular gathering area and is very well illuminated at night until after midnight, which might make going to bed early a bit of a problem if your slip is close to the building. The marina is located in the middle of Traverse City, and shops and restaurants are abundant within a 10-15 making distance. A Walmart Supercenter and a Home Depot is an $20 Uber drive away.

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Marina Review for Charlevoix City Marina

Reviewed by: G. Jay Nelson , Pegasus, on Sep 22, 2024
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 44'
Draft: 3.5'

Rating: 5

The Charlevoix City Marina is run by the Michigan Department of Natural Resources, and reservations are made online. This marina is beautiful and sits on the edge of the town of Charlevoix next to a well-manicured park. The marina has very stable floating docks that are well maintained, power pedestals at each slip, and the marina office is conveniently located at the end of the dock. The marina lounge is very well appointed with tables and chairs and a large screen TV. The Wi-If is good and the restrooms/showers are very clean. The grounds are exceptionally pet-friendly. The town of Charlevoix has numerous shops, art galleries, restaurants, and a grocery store all within a tem-minute walk . Four of us dined at Terry's Place at Bridge and Antrim streets and we all had excellent meals. Note that the bridge at the entrance to Round Lake is only 15 feet, snd only opens on the hour and half hour for about five minutes.

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Marina Review for Mackinac Island State Harbor (Harbor of Refuge)

Reviewed by: G. Jay Nelson , Pegasus, on Sep 22, 2024
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 44'
Draft: 3.5'

Rating: 5

The marina has very stable floating docks that are well maintained, and the marina office is conveniently located on the main dock. Dock hands were immediately available to point out our slip and help with the lines. For some reason they preferred a bow-on docking, which was very simple, but our 55-foot, 50-amp power cable just barely reached the power pedestal. The restrooms/showers were new and very clean. There is a dog run on the premises, making the marina very pet-friendly. The Wi-Fi also worked surprisingly well. The marina is located within a three-to-five-minute walk to Main Street, where restaurants/bars and fudge shops are numerous. There are many opportunities for shopping and sightseeing on the island. We would recommend the full Carraige Tour, which takes you off Main Street to the quieter neighborhoods, past the Grand Hotel, past the horse stables and then through the wooded areas of the island. It also includes a tour of Fort Mackinac, the blacksmith's barn and other historic sites.

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Anchorage Review for Government Bay

Reviewed by: G. Jay Nelson, Pegasus, on Sep 22, 2024
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 44'
Draft: 3.5'

This is another quiet anchorage in a modest bay just of Lake Huron. It has excellent wind and current protection. The south side of the bay is a forested wilderness park area with a lot of quiet trails and a few sandy beach areas. There is nothing around the area in the way of restaurants or other services. The park is very dog friendly. It is a very peaceful anchorage, and we wound up staying for two days.

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Marina Review for Drummond Island Yacht Haven

Reviewed by: G. Jay Nelson , Pegasus, on Sep 22, 2024
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 44'
Draft: 3.5'

Rating: 5

This is a very nice marina. It offers fuel and slip discounts for AGLCA loopers, and a loaner car for $20/day. Eric was very helpful and met us at the fuel dock for fuel and a pump-out. He then gave us a choice of slips and recommended a local restaurant in town. We did not use the restrooms or showers so we cannot comment, but the marina grounds were well maintained and clean. We dined at the Northwood Restaurant and Bar and the hamburgers and soup of the day were actually quite good.

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Anchorage Review for MacRae Cove - Meldrum Bay

Reviewed by: G. Jay Nelson, Pegasus, on Sep 22, 2024
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 44'
Draft: 3.5'

This is a quiet anchorage at the bottom of Meldrum Bay, perhaps 750 yards from the marina. It has very good wind and current protection. The bottom is weedy, so it took three attempts to set the anchor so it would hold. There is nothing around the marina in the way of restaurants or other services, and the area is only moderately dog friendly. We wound up using the marina docks to get the dogs ashore.

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Lock comment on Lock and Dam 43 Swift Rapids

Comment by: G. Jay Nelson, Pegasus, on Sep 7, 2024
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 44'
Draft: 3.5'

Typical of the Tent-Severn locks, the Swift Rapids lock is well-maintained with clean restrooms. This lock is quite remote, which is bad if you are looking for provisions or restaurants, great if you are just looking for a very quiet and peaceful stop along the waterway. The upper lock wall has better access to the park area and restrooms, accommodating four to five boats (both sides of the lock). The lower lock wall is more secluded, also accommodating six to seven boats on the north wall. Lock 43 is the largest lock on the waterway (47 feet), and the lower lock wall has an impressive view of the dam spillway.

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Marina Review for Starport Marina

Reviewed by: G. Jay Nelson , Pegasus, on Sep 7, 2024
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 44'
Draft: 3.5'

Rating: 5

The staff at the Starport Marina were very friendly and were waiting for us when we arrived at the dock to assist us with the dock lines. The marina has a nice ships store/gift shop onsite. There a pizza vending machine (actually cooks your pizza in just four minutes), a LCBO store, and a dockside restaurant called "The Grill" just a short walk from the marina. The marina is very pet friendly. The only downside to the marina is that it sits right at the edge of the channel going to the Port Severn Lock. While "No Wake" signs are posted, the wake traffic kept the boat rocking until well after 2100 in the evening. There is easy access to the fuel dock and fuel prices were very reasonable. We would stay at this marina again.

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Marina Review for Bay Port Yachting Centre

Reviewed by: G. Jay Nelson , Pegasus, on Sep 7, 2024
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 44'
Draft: 3.5'

Rating: 5

This is a very nice marina with excellent ships store and boat repair facility. This marina is large, and is mostly populated with very friendly seasonal boat owners. The marina has a lot of dogs and is moderately pet friendly. The marina is north of the town of Midland and there is not much around the marina in the way of shops or restaurants. However, Midland is only a ten-dollar (flat-rate) cab ride from the marina. We had dinner at Arch's Steakhouse and can recommend it highly for its delightful atmosphere, great service, good prices and excellent food.

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Marina Review for Henry's Fish Restaurant

Reviewed by: G. Jay Nelson , Pegasus, on Sep 7, 2024
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 44'
Draft: 3.5'

Rating: 5

We stopped at Henry's Fish Restaurant & Marina on Frying Pan Island because everyone said it was a "must stop" on the Great Loop. It did not disappoint. Henry's is a favorite among the locals who come by boat and float plane. The dining atmosphere is casual and fish and chips was delicious. There is nothing of interest on the island with the exception of Henry's Fish Restaurant. The marina is very small and a bit rustic, with eight or nine floating docks that might accommodate 30-40 boats and four or five float planes. Overnight boaters are moored on the land-side of the docks and the folks visiting for dinner are moored in front of these boats on the water side of the docks. 30-amp power is on the land edge of the docks, so you will need a long power cable to reach from your boat to the pedestal, and you will need to consider where your power connection is on the boat (i.e., stern, bow or mid-cabin) and moor accordingly. The marina area is dog-friendly.

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Anchorage Review for Devil Door Rapids - Bad River

Reviewed by: G. Jay Nelson, Pegasus, on Sep 7, 2024
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 44'
Draft: 3.5'

Devil Door Rapids on the Bad River was a very nice anchorage. We anchored in a small cove about 25 yards off the shoreline in 16 feet of water. The botton is very sticky mud. A wind shift was predicted during the early morning hours, so we set a stern anchor and had no problems. The scenery is beautiful, and if you are adventurous, you can shoot the Devil Door Rapids just up the channel. This area is not particularly pet friendly in that the shoreline is mostly rocky cliffs. However, we were able to get the dogs ashore on a couple of the sloping rocks.

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Marina Review for The Sportsman's Inn

Reviewed by: G. Jay Nelson , Pegasus, on Sep 7, 2024
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 44'
Draft: 3.5'

Rating: 5

The Sportsman Marina in Killarney is a very nice marina. We planned to stay for two days to avoid a weather front and wound up staying an extra day. The marina is on both sides of the channel. They provide a shuttle service from 0800 to 2300 to get folks on the south side of the channel to the main marina. On both sides of the marina there are stable floating docks with power/water pedestals at each slip. The Sportsman Inn is located on the marina grounds and has a restaurant/bar that is open until 0100, and serves pub food until 2200. The marina is located in the heart of Killarney with a small grocery store, LCBO and restaurants all within easy walking distance. We can recommend the Gateway Restaurant and Bakery for a tasty breakfast and great lunch sandwiches. Our group also had the fish and chips at Herberts Fisheries. Three of us thought the fish and chips at Herberts was better than Henry's Fish Restaurant on Frying Pan Island, one thought Henry's was better. Sportsman's Marina has arrangements with the Killarney Mountain Lodge, which allows you access to their facilities. There is a high-end restaurant at the lodge that was an interesting change of pace, and we got a massage at the spa that was amazing. This was a very good stop, and we will do this again.

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Marina Review for Gore Bay Marina

Reviewed by: G. Jay Nelson , Pegasus, on Sep 7, 2024
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 44'
Draft: 3.5'

Rating: 5

We opted to stop at Gore Bay Marina for four days to avoid a large storm front passing through. We had to dock in high winds, but the dockmaster was at the dock to guide us in and help with the lines. The marina seems relatively new with wide stable floating docks and power/water pedestals at each slip. It is a bit of a long walk from the transit docks to the restroom/showers, laundry, and marina office. There is a ships store with a variety of marine parts and sporting equipment. The town of Gore Bay is within two blocks of the marina with interesting shops, a modest grocery store and an LCBO all within a five-minute walk. The grounds are very pet friendly, but the Wi-Fi was very intermittent (we gave up and used our iPhone Hot Spot). The Watersedge restaurant is a bit of a walk, or a short dinghy ride across the bay, and is open year-round for the late season boaters. Our group had a variety of dishes and all of us thought the food excellent. This is a nice stop for provisioning and a great meal.

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Lock comment on Lock 20 Ashburnham

Comment by: G. Jay Nelson, Pegasus, on Aug 20, 2024
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 44'
Draft: 4.0'

We stayed on the outer end of the lower dock wall at Lock 20, which provided a nice panoramic view of Little Lake and Peterborough. It is a 10-minute walk from Lock 20 to the Canadian Canoe Museum. Downtown Peterborough is a 20-minute walk. The lock wall is very pet friendly

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Lock comment on Lock and Dam 27 Young's Point

Comment by: G. Jay Nelson, Pegasus, on Aug 20, 2024
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 44'
Draft: 4.0'

Lock 27 at Youngs Point was a pleasant stop. We were planning to stay on the upper lock wall to get qn early start in the morning, but space is limited to about eight boats and the lock area I a favorite with the local boaters. However, the lower lock wall has space for about five boats and it is a very short walk between the upper and lower lock walls. There is an interesting Lockside Trading Post in that while in addition to various souvenirs and knick-knacks, it is also a furniture store that sells ice cream. It is a short 3-5-minute walk from the lower lock wall to the LCBO and a very small general store. We had an early dinner at the Lock 27 Tap and Grill, which is a 10-minute walk from the lower lock wall. The restaurant sits at the edge of the waterway with nice outdoor seating, and offers a variety of dishes that are all very large portions and can easily be shared by two people. The lock area is very pet friendly.

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Lock comment on Lock and Dam 34 Fenelon Falls

Comment by: G. Jay Nelson, Pegasus, on Aug 20, 2024
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 44'
Draft: 4.0'

This is a great stop. The Fenelon Falls lock is in the middle of the town. The upper lock north wall has power available, but the south wall does not. However, the south wall is next to a grassy area that is very pet friendly and offers better privacy, while the north wall is along the road with a lot of pedestrian traffic. "Murphy's Lockside Pub & Patio" is a lively spot within steps of the north wall, and had a large crowd and music that seemed to die down around 10:00 PM. Coming through the lower lock the walls looked like they would offer the most tranquil stop, but there are a lot of stairs to get up to the town. The town has numerous restaurants and shops to explore. The LCBO is about three blocks to the north, and "Sobeys" grocery store is about three blocks to the south, of the lock. A word about the lockmasters – they are fantastic. While walking into town my wife tripped on one of the maintenance panels in the sidewalk and fell. She was more embarrassed than actually hurt, but the lockmasters were at her side in moments with a first aid kit. They provided ice for her wrist and offered to drive us to the emergency room, which we appreciated but was completely unnecessary. Their prompt response and concern were amazing.

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Lock comment on Lock 38 Talbot

Comment by: G. Jay Nelson, Pegasus, on Aug 20, 2024
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 44'
Draft: 4.0'

This was a very nice stop. There is not much around the lock, but the lock grounds are very peaceful and the restroom are very clean. The grounds are very pet friendly. Ice is available during lock operational hours. There is a dock on the upper wall that can accommodate boats on both sides. We spent a very peaceful night tied up on the side away from the lock channel.

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Marina Review for Port of Orillia

Reviewed by: G. Jay Nelson , Pegasus, on Aug 20, 2024
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 44'
Draft: 4.0'

Rating: 5

Port of Orillia is a great stop. You enter the marina as soon as you pass through the two barrier islands. Our boat has a high profile and on the day we arrived, we had 30 knot crosswinds. Even though our assigned slip was on the outer end of the docks (easiest to access), the crosswind was making it very difficult to get into our assigned windward slip. The marina had three dock hands (with two other boaters) on the docks to us get tied up - all were a great, and much appreciated, help. The docks are all new, composite decking with power/water pedestals for every slip. The marina was rebuilt from a fire in 2012, so the facilities are all new. It has several restrooms with private showers, two free washers and dryers, and the docks are secured with combination security gates The marina has free Wi-Fi, but it was very intermittent and unstable at the outer docks. However, walking up to the office where they had comfortable tables and chairs the Wi-Fi worked great. Orillia is a fun and interesting town, with plenty of shopping, restaurants, and bars all within a few blocks of the marina. There is a Metro grocery store across the street from the marina, and the LCBO is only two blocks from the marina.

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Marina Review for Old Mill Park/Campbellford Town Dock

Reviewed by: G. Jay Nelson , Pegasus, on Aug 10, 2024
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 44'
Draft: 4.0'

Rating: 4

This was a good stop. The east wall is quite literally in the middle of the town of Campbellford, and the west wall is only a short walk over the bridge to downtown. Lots of shops and restaurants, and a grocery store and LCBO store, all within a five-minute walk. Don't miss Dooher's Bakery for delightful donuts and pastries. Dinner at the Riverside Bistro was good. The rate was $100 per night with water and electricity included. WiFi was also included, but we were told (and they were correct) that it did not reach all the way to the far end of the west wall. The location is very pet friendly. Lots of foot traffic along the dock wall. Our other option was the lock wall at Lock 13 (free with our Canada Park Pass), but the lock probably a thirty-minute walk to town. Would stay here again.

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Lock comment on Lock 6 Frankford

Comment by: G. Jay Nelson, Pegasus, on Aug 10, 2024
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 44'
Draft: 4.0'

This was a wonderful stop. The lock grounds are immaculately kept and the staff could not be more friendly. The grounds have picnic tables and barbeques. We docked on the north wall just above the lock under a large willow tree. There is room for three to four boats on this wall, and maybe five to six boats on the south wall. The town is within easy walking distance from the lock with a grocery store and LCBO store, and on Wednesday evenings there are concerts in the fairgrounds next to the lock. The restrooms are at the lock station, but the showers are shared with the campground on the south side of the canal. Power (2, 30 amp) is available for $10.50 per night. Exceptionally pet friendly. We would definitely stop here again. Very quiet and peaceful.

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Marina Review for Trent Port Marina

Reviewed by: G. Jay Nelson , Pegasus, on Aug 6, 2024
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 44'
Draft: 4.0'

Rating: 5

This is one of the best marinas we have come across on the Loop. Access to the marina is very easy from the entrance to the Trent River and the marina fairways are wide. The slips can be a bit narrow depending on the beam of the two boats. Our beam is 16' 8" and we could not fit in our initial assigned slip due to the beam of the adjacent boat. But the marina moved us to a wider slip without a problem, and dock hands were waiting at the slip to help us tie up. The floating docks are sturdy with power/water pedestals conveniently spaced between every two slips. The pedestals provide both 30- and 50-amp service. Each private restrooms have a shower and were very clean. Free laundry and excellent WiFi throughout the marina. The marinas issues key cards for the gates on the main docks so security is very good. There is a grocery store across the street from the marina, and downtown Trenton is a five-minute walk with a variety of restaurants. We dined at Tomasso's Italian Grille on Front Street and the food was very good. The marina will as for a copy of your boat insurance when you check in, so you will need to have a copy the document they can copy or a soft copy you can email to them. We would definitely stop here again.

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Marina Review for Picton Marina and Harbour

Reviewed by: G. Jay Nelson , Pegasus, on Aug 6, 2024
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 44'
Draft: 4.0'

Rating: 3

Picton Marina and Harbour, or PEC Marina (Prince Edward County Marina) is a new marina and is still working out the kinks. We tried calling the marina several times, and then tried to raise the marina on VHF channel 68, but there was no response. When we came into the marina, we spotted CJ, the owner of the marina, on the fuel dock. CJ is very friendly and helped us get settled on their T-head dock. CJ was in a remarkably good spirits even though on that particular day his phones were not working, and he accidently dropped his VHF radio in the creek, which explained why we could not reach the marina. The docks are new, well-maintained aluminum, but the power/water pedestals are not operational just yet. CJ said he hopes to have them connected by the end of the 2024 season. He also talked about his plans to further extend the marina up the creek. This will likely become a very popular marina with Loopers after CJ finishes installing the power on the docks.
The marina has very good access from Picton Harbor with 14-16 feet of water to the docks. The current docks easily accommodate boats in the 30-38+ foot range, and the T-heads on both ends of the marina can accommodate 50-60 footers. CJ's future plans include larger slips along a boardwalk to accommodate transit boaters. We did not use the restrooms or showers, so we cannot comment on their condition. The grounds are very pet friendly.
The marina is just three blocks from downtown Picton. There are a variety of shops and restaurants all within easy walking distance. We would definitely stay at this marina again.

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Marina Review for JP's Marine

Reviewed by: G. Jay Nelson , Pegasus, on Aug 6, 2024
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 44'
Draft: 4.0'

Rating: 5

I cannot begin to say enough positive things about JPs Marine. Jim and Pam Stewart are likely the most friendly and helpful people we have met on the Great Loop. From the moment we arrived they treated us like long-time friends and did anything they could to make us feel welcome.
JPs Marine is a true full-service marina. Jim has a 45-year career as a marine mechanic, and he and his team are amazing. We had our hull damaged at another marina where a boat hit our starboard bow. The damage was 4"x24" and deep into the base of the hull. In just four days, Jim repaired the damage and buffed out the hull to the point where it looked like it never happened. I could not be more pleased with his work. While we were getting the fiberglass repairs done, my wife needed to fly home. Jim and Pam allowed to use the marina car to make the three-hour round-trip drive twice to the Syracuse airport. When Jim was pumping out our holding tank, he noticed it wasn't pumping properly and spent over an hour rinsing and pumping out the tank until it flowed smoothly.
The marina has easy access along the south side of the Alexandria Bay city dock, but the slips are a bit tight. But Jim and Pam were right there to help with the dock lines.
The marina docks are showing a bit of age and do not have conventional power/water pedestals. The water and power connections are at the shore end of the dock, which requires long hoses and power cables to get to the boat – both of which Jim provided so power/water connections were not a problem at all. There is a very well-stocked ships store on the premises with snacks and wide array of boat necessities. What parts they don't already have in stock, they can get in just a day or two. The marina was previously a Crusader Marine dealer, so Jim's inventory of Crusader engine parts is extensive. Because the Erie Canal lock walls made such a mess of our fenders, we bought four new fenders and lines at a very reasonable price. We also used the marina to have FedEx packages delivered to our boat.
The marina is just one long block away from downtown Alexandria Bay with all of its restaurants and shops. We dined twice at Cavallario's Steak and Seafood and enjoyed the outdoor dining and live music. The Korner Pizzeria and Eatery makes very good calzones and pizzas. There is a post office across the street, four blocks to an Ace Hardware store, and seven blocks to a laundromat. The immediate neighborhood area is moderately pet friendly, but it is just a short five block walk to Scenic View Park with plenty of room for our furry friends to romp. The park has a very picturesque view of Boldt Castle. The marina only has five slips, so call ahead early.
This is a marina that we will definitely come back to when our travels include the St. Lawrence River. Moreover, we will come back just to visit our new friends Jim and Pan Stewart.

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Marina Review for Kingston Marina

Reviewed by: G. Jay Nelson , Pegasus, on Aug 6, 2024
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 44'
Draft: 4.0'

Rating: 3

Candidly, we selected this marina because the Confederation Basin Marina was full. This marina has good access, but aging floating docks with spotty power pedestals. We prefer 50-amp power, but the marina only has 30-amp service. We were assigned dock space with two 30-amp connections. We quickly discovered that only one of the 30-amp connections was operational, and the adjacent power pedestal was not working at all. However, the boaters on the dock, all Canadians, were remarkably friendly and accommodating. Four boaters rearranged their power connections on the dock to free up two 30-amp connections within reach of our boat. My sincere appreciation for the 'boater camaraderie' shown by these folks. The marina is next to a large park area so it is very pet friendly. It is 15 minute walk to downtown Kingston, which is a delightful city with excellent restaurants, interesting history, and much to see. A food store and liquor store are both within four blocks, and within ten blocks there are more than a dozen eateries of all kinds. While the Confederation Basin Marina is more convenient to the immediate downtown area, we would stay at this marina again.

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Marina Review for Clayton Municipal Dock-Mary Street Dock

Reviewed by: G. Jay Nelson , Pegasus, on Jul 26, 2024
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 44'
Draft: 4.0'

Rating: 4

We were not headed to Clayton until a severe storm came up over Lake Ontario and chased us off the St. Lawerence River. We stayed at the Clayton Municipal Dock-Mary Street Dock for two days to let the weather pass. The dock is newly renovated with good tie-ups, provides good protection, and lovely benches and flowers to enjoy the view. It is close to downtown Clayton with a lot of pleasant shops and restaurants. The restrooms, shower, and laundry are at the end of the dock and well-maintained. The Wood Boat Brewery is just two blocks up from the dock and has great food. The area around the dock is not very pet friendly. Don't miss the Antique Boat Museum aet the end of the dock. It has an amazing collect of several hundred antique boats and nautical items.

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Marina Review for Horizon Marina- Thousand Islands Club

Reviewed by: G. Jay Nelson , Pegasus, on Jul 26, 2024
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 44'
Draft: 4.0'

Rating: 5

This is a very lovely marina that we stayed at for three days. The docks are very well maintained and the grounds are lovely. It is peaceful and relaxing, and very pet friendly. Very clean restrooms and showers are at the end of the transit dock. There is a pair of washers and dryers on the open dock (under cover, but in the open), but no folding table or area to manage clothes while washing. The restaurant onsite has a wonderful menu, both indoor and outdoor dining, and a very social bar. The transit boaters on the dock were very friendly and we all enjoyed an impromptu social gather on the dock. From this marina, it is less than a mile to Boldt Castle and maybe a mile to Alexandria Bay across the river, which we easily reached with our dinghy. There is nothing on the marina side of the river in the way of local stores.

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Marina Review for Waterson Point State Park

Reviewed by: G. Jay Nelson , Pegasus, on Jul 26, 2024
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 44'
Draft: 4.0'

Rating: 4

This is a New York State Park that is accessible only by boat. There are two public docks available as you approach the park. The dock to the east (port side as you approach the park) has an approach water depth of 5-6 feet for the length of the dock, while the dock to the west has a shallower depth of maybe 3-5 feet and a rocky area off the end of the dock (warning signs are posted). The westerly dock is a bit more secluded, and the easterly dock has a nice gazebo and picnic area which is more popular with day boaters. The two areas are only 150 yards apart with a well-marked between them. The westerly dock is newly rebuilt and easy to tie up to. Park Rangers visit the dock daily to collect park fees ($6 for day use, $19 for overnight docking). The restrooms leave a bit to be desired as they are very dark and have no lights. There are no other services, and there are some restrictions about running a generator overnight. But, for a very peaceful stop at a great price, this dockage is hard to beat.

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Free Dock Review for Oswego Canal - Between Locks 7 & 8

Reviewed by: G. Jay Nelson, Pegasus, on Jul 25, 2024
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 44'
Draft: 4.0'

Rating: 4

The Oswego Canal Wall is located between locks 7 and 8 (immediately beyond the lock 7 exit on the starboard side of the canal headed west) and is about 300 feet in length with well-spaced mooring rings. The wall has no services of any kind, but it is calm water alongside a grassy area that is very pet friendly. Cellular coverage was good on our Verizon service. There is a nice view of the Oswego River from the lock canal. Within easy walking distance is Bridge Street (the bridge over the canal and river) where to the east is a Subway and the Azteca Mexican Grill, and to the west is a Dunkin Donuts and a couple of pizza places. It is a short Uber ride (or bit of a hike) to a Price Chopper, Walmart Superstore, and several restaurants. Note that the locks operate from 0800 to 2100 through peak navigation season, 17 May through 11 September. You will not be able to leave for Lake Ontario until 0800. We hung out on the wall comfortably for two days waiting for heavy weather to pass over Lake Ontario.

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Free Dock Review for Village of Phoenix, Henley Park

Reviewed by: G. Jay Nelson, Pegasus, on Jul 25, 2024
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 44'
Draft: 4.0'

Rating: 1

Phoenix is a lovely small town stop along the canal. It has a nice public dock with picnic tables and chairs alongside Henley Park. The docks have water and 15-amp electricity (not enough to run air conditioners) offered for a small donation. Adjacent to the dock are very clean public restrooms, a shower, and there is a laundromat a block from the docks. The park area is very pet friendly. A visit to the Bridge House Museum (at the dock) is interesting. Duskee's Sports Bar and Grill, and Lock 1 Distillery Company are within easy walking distance and serve good food. A fun part of this stop is a group of kids that refer to themselves as the "Bridge House Brats." These young people will help with docking, take your order and deliver food from the local eateries, deliver ice, walk your dog, clean your boat and just about anything else you can think of, all for donations. These young people have discovered the generosity of boaters and volunteer as a community effort. We were also treated to a local music festivals held in the park. This is an excellent overnight stop.

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Marina Review for Pirates Cove Marina

Reviewed by: G. Jay Nelson , Pegasus, on Jul 25, 2024
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 44'
Draft: 4.0'

Rating: 5

This is a very nice marina, and the owners, Paul and Patty, and their staff, are exceptionally friendly and made us feel welcome. The facilities are clean and the grounds are very pet friendly. One of the best marinas we have encountered on the Loop. Use caution when approaching the marina from the east as what appears to be the approach to the docks is actually a very shallow area behind a small island in front of the marina (fortunately it is all mud). You need to continue up the canal to the "200" red buoy just east of the bridge and then turn south into the marina.

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Marina Review for Ess-Kay Yards Inc.

Reviewed by: G. Jay Nelson , Pegasus, on Jul 4, 2024
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 44'
Draft: 4.0'

Rating: 5

We cannot say enough good things about Ess-Kay Yards marina. Kim is amazingly friendly and accommodating. From the moment she met us on the dock to help us tie up was a very pleasant experience. The marina has an amazing ships store that rivals many West Marine stores we have seen, even having a Jabsco Marina toilet repair kit for our older model electric head. We took advantage of their loaner car to get provisions for the boat. It also has an extensive repair facility. When we decided to take a side trip, the marina was full for the following evening, but Kim called a friend at a marina further up the canal to find us a multi-day transit dock. This is a marina I would definitely come to again.

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Free Dock Review for Sylvan Beach Pier

Reviewed by: G. Jay Nelson, Pegasus, on Jul 4, 2024
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 44'
Draft: 4.0'

Rating: 5

Sylvan Beach is a seasonal beach community with a very long dock wall for 20+ boats. There are no services, but the dock wall provides easy access to several restaurants and a very nice lakefront park. The wall fills up on the weekends with local traffic but seems to have plenty of space for transit boats during the week. The food at The Lake House, The Calan View Café and the Pancake House was all very good. The dock wall and park areas are very pet friendly. There is a Dollar General with a modest selection of groceries within an easy walk from the dock. Sung Harbor, just over the Route 13 bridge to the south, was exceptionally accommodating in that they received an Amazon delivery of fuel filters for us and installed them while the boat was on the dock wall (we were too large to get into their marina repair area).

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Marina Review for Little Falls Canal Harbor and Rotary Park

Reviewed by: G. Jay Nelson , Pegasus, on Jul 4, 2024
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 44'
Draft: 4.0'

Rating: 5

Little Falls Canal Harbor and Rotary Park is a very nice, small floating dock marina just past lock 17. The restrooms are very clean and there is a comfortable lounge area in the front office with a TV and lending library. The staff is very friendly and helpful. When we arrived, we were on one engine during a very heavy downpour. Despite the heavy rain, Allison met us on the dock to help secure the boat. After she closed up the marina for the evening she drove us to a local restaurant, Gigi's Italian Feast, that was open on a Sunday evening. The town is just a short walk over the bridge and a Price Chopper's grocery store and liquor store are nearby. The town has some interesting historical features and several antique stores to browse. The marina grounds are very pet friendly.

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Marina Review for Riverlink Park

Reviewed by: G. Jay Nelson , Pegasus, on Jun 23, 2024
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 44'
Draft: 4.0'

Rating: 4

The Riverlink Park at Amsterdam, NY is very nice. It is exceptionally pet friendly. There is a small café/bar in the park that serves a limited menu of bar food and is only open Thursday through Saturday. Access to the town is very easy over a pedestrian walkway, but there is not much to see or do in old town Amsterdam as many of the store fronts are boarded up. The first night we were there the power pedestal did not work and we had to run the generator all night because of the heat and humidity. The second night we moved down the dock and everything was fine. The restrooms, shower and laundry facility are clean and comfortable. The only drawback to the park is that it sits along two very active rail lines. Train noise is very high and the trains blow their horns at the crossing behind the park at all hours of the day and night.

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Free Dock Review for Waterford Harbor Visitor Center

Reviewed by: G. Jay Nelson, Pegasus, on Jun 23, 2024
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 44'
Draft: 4.0'

Rating: 5

At the present time the Waterford dock is undergoing renovations so a more accurate assessment might be four stars. You need to get to the dock early, as most of the dock is closed and there is currently only enough space for five vessels that can provide power and water. However, the open wall east of the bridge is still available without power and water. The visitor center is staffed with very friendly volunteers who provided us with a lot of information about the NY Canal system. There is a Hansford grocery store that is only a 15-minute walk (.6 mile) from the dock. Check out Don & Paul's Coffee Shop on Broad Street (5-minute walk) for a great breakfast at a very reasonable price.

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Marina Review for Coeymans Landing Marina

Reviewed by: G. Jay Nelson , Pegasus, on May 24, 2024
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 44'
Draft: 4.0'

Rating: 5

This must be one of the friendliest marinas on the Hudson River - highly recommended. Brandon (dockmaster) is exceptionally accommodating and strives hard to please. The marina is very clean and has excellent restroom/shower, laundry and kitchen facilities. There are marina repair facilities on the premises and the marina has a 35-ton lift. The marina is a bit small, so call ahead early to reserve a transient slip. Next door to the marina is Yanni's Too, a nautically themed seafood restaurant with a pub-grub menu. They have wonderful daily specials and are known for their calamari. A word of caution, there is a retaining wall between the river channel and the marina that is hidden at high tide that cannot be crossed. You need to enter the marina through a channel well south of the marina (marker G189) and follow the private red buoys. The marina monitors channel 16 and will guide you in.

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Marina Review for Herrington Harbour North Marina Resort & Yacht Center

Reviewed by: G. Jay Nelson , Pegasus, on Jun 28, 2023
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 44'
Draft: 4.0'

Rating: 5

Harrington Harbour North, and its sister marina Harrington Harbour South, are probably the best marinas on the Chesapeake Bay. While we always stay at Harrington Harbour North, both marinas are very well maintained and have every marina amenity you could ever want – restrooms, showers, large swimming pool, picnic areas, exercise rooms, laundry rooms, pump out and quiet lounges. They are also exceptionally environmentally friendly by preserving the wetlands and natural animal habitats around the marinas.

North has extensive number of sail and power boating service and repair businesses, including a West Marine store, located on the property. It also has the Dockside restaurant on the property, and several other fine eateries within a short walking distance. The only thing lacking at the North marina is a fuel dock, but Harrington Harbour South is just a couple of miles away and provides discounts for Harrington Harbour North customers. There are also other fueling locations in the creek.

South is more of a resort marina that has banquet facilities and is a very popular wedding venue. It has a small convenience store that sells sandwiches.

Transit slips at both marinas are a bit pricy, but if you use any of the amenities or need extensive service/repairs for your boat, it is worth extra expense. For the more budget conscience, consider Shipwright Marina, also on Taylor Creek.

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Marina Review for Clarks Landing Marina

Reviewed by: G. Jay Nelson , Pegasus, on Jun 26, 2023
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 44'
Draft: 4.0'

Rating: 5

The staff at Clarks Landing Marina are some of the nicest people we have run into on the Loop.

We had an engine failure on a Friday afternoon and needed a transit slip for the night to see if we could repair the problem. When we arrived, there was a brisk wind and getting a boat with a high sail area into the slip was impossible. We wound up pinned against a neighboring dock. We ran a towline from our bow across the fairway, and the marina staff got together and pulled our bow into the wind where we could use the working engine to move into the slip.

We were told when we made the reservation that we could only have the slip for one night, as it was reserved for Saturday and Sunday evening. When our engine problem was more than our mechanical abilities could handle, we were prepared to try and anchor out, which would have been leeward side of the inlet and very rough to manage on one engine, and return to the marina on Monday morning when their mechanics were available. Instead, the marina let us stay in the slip and made other accommodations for the transits who had reserved the slip. These folks were fantastic,

Monday morning the service manager Steve jockeyed things around to get us help that day. Danny was the mechanic who worked through the problems we were having and eventually found a poorly connecting engine cannon plug to be the issue. The repair cost was remarkably reasonable (the lowest cost for repairs we have had on the Loop to date). From our logs we noted that the marina's fuel prices and transit slip rates were very reasonable as well. The staff and management are top notch professionals all around.

The marina grounds are very clean and well-maintained. The bathrooms/showers are very clean and spacious, but there are no laundry facilities. The marina is moderately pet-friendly in that it is a bit of a walk to grassy areas. The fixed docks are designed for stern-in docking, and they have tie-off rings instead of cleats, and the finger piers do not run down the entire length of the slip. This makes tying up the boat a bit more difficult. I cannot comment about getting on and off the boat from the stern during the approximately two-foot tide swing, but there are finger piers on both sides of the slip which should help (we had to tie-off bow-on because of our engine problems, which made getting on/off the boat quite difficult). The marina is right off the channel with no wake protection. During the day (we were there on the weekend) the heavy boat traffic causes a lot of rolling in the slip, but at night it was fine. It is an easy ten-minute walk to downtown Point Pleasant where we found shops, restaurants, a grocery store, and a hardware store. We would definitely come back again.

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