Reviews from Philippe Torres (6)

Anchorage Review for Converse Bay

Reviewed by: Philippe Torres, Ceiba, on Feb 16, 2025
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 42'
Draft: 4.8'

Our experience was not good. In a S or SW (12-15) wind, we we had no choice for anchoring in the middle of the bay where, at about 3/4 of the season - mid August - we were left dropping anchor on a weedy bottom. We ended up having to weigh anchor at 5:00 AM because we were drifting.

Good spot however for overnight in calm conditions early in the season.

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Anchorage Review for Whallon Bay

Reviewed by: Philippe Torres, Ceiba, on Feb 16, 2025
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 42'
Draft: 4.8'

Whallon Bay - near Split rock - is a good anchorage against South or SW winds with no expectations of wind shifts. You can only anchor close to the shore as depth quickly increases to 60 feet just a few boat lengths to the shore. This is a good alternate anchorage with SSW winds to Converse Bay or Town Farm Bay on the VT side.

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Anchorage Review for Kingsland Bay

Reviewed by: Philippe Torres, Ceiba, on Feb 16, 2025
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 42'
Draft: 4.8'

Most of the western shore of the bay is covered with mooring fields and only leaves the middle of the bay with possible anchorage in 20 feet of water. There are frequent day sailors testing their sailing chops by zig zagging across the mooring balls and this may be an annoyance when trying to set anchor.

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Marina Review for Westport Marina

Reviewed by: Philippe Torres , Ceiba, on Feb 15, 2025
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 42'
Draft: 4.8'

Rating: 5

We stopped for an overnight with another cruising couple on their 34 foot boat. We were super well received, had a great dinner at a nearby restaurant and were comfortable at the docks. The owners are knowledgeable and gave me good advice on my generator which the previous owner had serviced there.

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Anchorage Review for Spoon Bay - Valcour Island

Reviewed by: Philippe Torres, Ceiba, on Dec 17, 2024
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 42'
Draft: 4.8'

This is a great anchorage on the broad lake. It is well protected from the prevailing wind (S, SW) and the bottom offers uniform holding during the season (little bottom growth to foul your anchor late in the summer). During the busy months of summer, best to arrive early (around 1400 hours) to get the best spots at the bottom of the bay otherwise, you will be left more exposed to the winds. Going ashore to take advantage of the Valcour Island trails is but an easy dinghy ride, less than 3 minutes. Surprisingly large anchorage grounds so it accommodates many boats.

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Marina Review for Treadwell Bay Marina

Reviewed by: Philippe Torres , Ceiba, on Aug 20, 2024
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 42'
Draft: 4.8'

Rating: 5

Treadwell Bay Marina is one of the very best marinas on Lake Champlain. For starters, it is a safe marina providing excellent protection form the prevailing and most other winds that sometimes blow quite hard on Lake Champlain. Even with verhy strong southerlies, once in the marina (in fact even in the approaching channel), the wind dies down and manoeuvres are very easy to perform, either for service operations or to slip into one of the permanent or transient slips. The service is impeccable: I had many service projects performed on my Hunter 426DS, mechanical and rigging and the results were outstanding. The staff is friendly and always eager to help out. Treadwell Bay Marina is also conveniently located 10 miles north of Plattsburgh, NY, where you will find all kinds of amenities, stores, restaurants and services. Also worth mentioning: the marina is located rigth on the broad lake section of Lake Champlain, offering sailing possibilities including a 4 hours sail to Burlington VT.

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