Reviews from Julie Covert (9)
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Marina Review for Maritime Museum Gallants Channel Annex
Reviewed by:
Julie Covert
on Nov 29, 2022
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 78'
Draft: 4.4'Rating: 4
Even though the services are limited, this dock is part of a great organization, the Friends of the North Carolina Maritime Museum. If you're looking for a nice place to tie up for a short stay, with basic services of water and electricity without being amid other boaters, Gallants Channel will meet your needs. There are no showers available, but the marina next door sometimes allows showers to be paid for if they are not busy.
There are some really nice walking trails on the property and be sure to call for a free tour of Bonehenge's museum/workshop, which is right next to the driveway of the marina. Bonehenge is a non-profit that helps to rescue beached marine animals (particularly whales and dolphins) and do cetacean research.
Town is a couple miles of a walk away, but definitely doable and safe - where you'll find lots of great food and be sure to visit the Maritime Musuem, where you can learn in-depth about the pirate Blackbeard. And visit across the street where the Boatworks workshop where wooden boat building is done.
Brent is the contact person for the dock, but there is no full-time dock staff, so be ready to be self-sufficient.
This area is at the confluence of the Labrador Current and the Gulf Current, so it brings in a large variety of marine and avian species. There is also a pod of bottle-nosed dolphins that frequents the area.View location on the Waterway Guide Explorer
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Free Dock Review for Oriental Town Dock #2 - Free Dock
Reviewed by: Julie Covert on Nov 29, 2022
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 78'
Draft: 4.4'Rating: 5
Super friendly sailing community! The town of Oriental definitely knows how to make sailors feel welcome, as there are more registered sailboats than residents, which means most residents own a boat!
There are two town docks, both of which are free for up to 48 hours, not to be confused with the Oriental Marina and Inn, which is right next door. There is no dockmaster, and these docks are available first come, first serve. There is no water nor electricity, hence free dockage, but there is a clean bathroom, trash, and recycling available. There is also free pumpout at the water end of Town Dock #2, which is right next to Oriental Marina's fuel dock.
The Oriental Marina and Inn will allow showers to be bought, and they provide towels and soap if you want!
Everything you need is within walking distance; the Provision Company has complimentary bicycle rental and the Piggly Wiggly has a free shuttle - we walked there to stretch our legs, let the customer service desk know we'd like to take the shuttle back, did our shopping, and only had to wait a couple minutes for the manager to take us back to the marina.
Have fun walking around town and looking for the "protected dragon nesting sites" and other signs of dragons!View location on the Waterway Guide Explorer
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Marina Review for Manteo Waterfront Marina
Reviewed by:
Julie Covert
on Nov 29, 2022
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 78'
Draft: 4.4'Rating: 4
This marina is operated by the town of Manteo (pronounced Ma-knee-oh), so there isn't much staff available. The dock master has a variety of duties so he wasn't always immediately available but did communicate well with us, which was appreciated.
By prior arrangement, we stayed on the wall by the lighthouse, so the shore facilities were a bit farther away for us. The showers and laundry were very nice and clean.
We also happened to arrive the weekend of their wooden boat show, which was fun!View location on the Waterway Guide Explorer
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Marina Review for Edenton Marina
Reviewed by:
Julie Covert
on Nov 29, 2022
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 78'
Draft: 4.4'Rating: 4
This small marina is operated by the town, so some services are limited. The approach seems daunting due to the shallow water depths, but the charts and nav aides were fairly accurate.
The area is beautiful and the town has a lot more history to explore than one initially thinks. There's a nice trolley tour as well as a well-designated walking tour and the visitor's center, next to the marina, is full of information and some nice historic displays.
Don't expect fancy facilities and you'll be quite happy. The showers are basic and the dock hadn't been washed down for a few days.
The grocery is a bit farther than easy walking distance but wouldn't be too far for a bike ride or taxi.
This marina is part of the Albermarle Loop and offers complimentary free short-term dockage, which brings tourism dollars to their community, so please enjoy a delicious meal ashore and pick up some gifts to take home.View location on the Waterway Guide Explorer
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Marina Review for Albemarle Plantation Marina
Reviewed by:
Julie Covert
on Nov 29, 2022
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 78'
Draft: 4.4'Rating: 5
We stopped here after departing the Dismal Swamp on our way south for pump out and fuel as they were able to accommodate our length and we aren't too deep of a draft (4' 4") to get in.
Most of the residents live in homes on shore. They are super friendly and love learning about sailors, where they are from, and where they are going. A number of residents offered us their car or offered to drive us to the grocery or other necessary errands, which is always appreciated.
Albermarle Plantation is part of the Albermarle Loop, one of about a dozen locations that offer free short-term dockage.View location on the Waterway Guide Explorer
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Free Dock Review for Dismal Swamp Canal Welcome Center
Reviewed by: Julie Covert on Nov 29, 2022
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 78'
Draft: 4.4'Rating: 5
Although amenities are limited here, the friendliness of the rest area staff is unbounded. Be sure to stop in the rest area center and register your boat, as you'll receive a special "I was here in 20XX Dismal Swam Canal" sticker that is only available to boaters who visit.
Plus, it's cool to say you stopped at the only rest area in the US that serves automotive and marine vessels!View location on the Waterway Guide Explorer
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Marina Review for Riverwalk Landing Piers
Reviewed by:
Julie Covert
, Huron Jewel,
on Nov 29, 2022
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 78'
Draft: 4.3'Rating: 5
You'll love stopping at Yorktown if you love Revolutionary War and maritime history. This marina is designed more as a short-term stopover rather than a full-service marina, although there are a lot of amenities available, and they can accommodate large vessels.
The historic buildings and museums are terrific and a great excuse to stretch your legs; in particular, visit the Waterman's Museum.
The gate is open to the public during the day, but we didn't have any problems; those who did wander onto the docks were curious lookers, often asking questions rather than being nosy. At night it is locked with a code.
And the staff were super friendly and helpful. We look forward to returning the next time we're in the area!View location on the Waterway Guide Explorer
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Marina Review for TJ's Marina & Boatyard
Reviewed by:
Julie Covert
on Nov 29, 2022
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 78'
Draft: 4.4'Rating: 5
TJ's Marina is a wonderful family-owned and run business. All the crew at TJ's Marina, including TJ and his wife, were super friendly and helpful. We were made to feel right at home. We hauled Schooner Huron Jewel out for a 2-week period for some maintenance and repairs. We're a large vessel, so we were glad to find a location that could handle us and that allowed us to do the work ourselves.
The crew at TJ's was very helpful with providing information about where to obtain parts or materials if they couldn't quickly order them through their catalog, which they offer at reasonable prices. We were also able easily to receive packages shipped c/o the marina.
The amenities were very good also - they have nice clean and large showers, reasonably priced laundry, courtesy car or golf cart, internet, and town is a short walk away to the hardware store, restaurants, and even barber/hairdresser.
The other boaters at the marina, including those living aboard, were also super friendly and readily welcomed us into their marina community.
One never likes to contemplate the bill at the end of a stay, but the rates that we were charged were very reasonable.
We highly recommend TJ's Marina!View location on the Waterway Guide Explorer
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Marina Review for Crysler Park Marina
Reviewed by:
Julie Covert
, Huron Jewel,
on Sep 2, 2022
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 78'
Draft: 4.3'Rating: 5
Friendly staff!
We stopped in for pump out and they were able to easily accommodate pumping out two tanks (total of about 150 gal) at the service dock.
The bathrooms and showers were clean and tidy.
The project depth for the entrance to the marina is approximately 10 feet but was told that the River's current sometimes dumps matter at the entrance of the marina. There were a lot of weeds at the entrance, which can also trick the depth sounder. Once we entered and proceed to the service dock we constantly had readings of 8 - 9+ feet deep.
With twin engine we had no difficulty turning into the basin and to the broadside service dock.
We'll be putting this friendly marina on the list of places to stop in in the future for services.View location on the Waterway Guide Explorer
