Reviews from Franz Schneider (10)

Anchorage Review for Bar Harbor

Reviewed by: Franz Schneider, Rhino, on Sep 7, 2022
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 75'
Draft: 7.5'

Anchored in the harbor outside of the mooring field. We let out 200 ft of chain on a 155kg Rocna; we held like we were bolted to the bottom. And that's the end of anything good about the harbor. One sometimes two cruise ships arrive every other day and dump up to 6000 people like a plague of locusts upon the town. The shutters from the cruise ships run continuously back and forth, combined with the tour boats and hardworking lobstermen the area is like the spin cycle on a washing machine. We had plans so endured for four nights. The alternative was a slip at $10.00 a foot.

The dinghy dock was overcrowded with boats for the commercial boats in the mooring field - so not easy to use. There was a dumpster for our bag of garbage but it was labeled commercial fishing use only. We called the Harbormaster and were told to ignore the sign (friendly and helpful people). We rented an electric car and going to the top of Cadillac mountain was a great idea, however it was crawling with people (e-car was $350.00 but we also did provisioning with it-so it was a moderate ripoff instead of a complete one). There was an excellent farmer's market on the green.

All restaurants had a 40 minute wait at least. We bought uncooked lobster at a reasonable price and feasted onboard enjoying lobster risotto and toasting the cruise ship taxis as they zipped past,

Sunsets over the harbor were spectacular. Some boaters seem to love Bar Harbor but there are dozens of better places within 20 miles.

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Marina Review for Port Jefferson Launch Service Moorings

Reviewed by: Franz Schneider , Rhino, on Jun 29, 2022
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 75'
Draft: 7.5'

Rating: 5

Called ahead to make sure there was a mooring that would be appropriate for our tonnage (270,000 lbs). They had a mooring with 1000 pounds of weight on the bottom. We moored but kept an eye on the anchor watch periodically throughout the night - we didn't move other than an arc around the mooring. Weather was calm. The reason I belabor this point is this was a first for us and we wanted to err on the side of caution. People in the harbor were very helpful and friendly. Picturesque town. Enjoyed watching the ferry from Connecticut. I would go back again because it was nice and peaceful. We were there midweek end of July.

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Anchorage Review for Port Washington - Manhasset Bay

Reviewed by: Franz Schneider, Rhino, on Jun 26, 2022
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 75'
Draft: 7.5'

We arrived too late for a mooring ball rated for our weight (first come first get) so we anchored in 17 ft of water with a 155kg Rocna with 185 ft of chain. Very good holding in soft mud. The bay is so big that there is only wind protection if you are close to shore - where it is also shallow. Minimal wake due to absence of big boats. Water Taxi picked us up even though we weren't on a mooring ball - apparently a rare exception. Nice town, quite a distance to the grocery store. Some good eateries close to the town dock (5 minute walk).

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Anchorage Review for Atlantic Highlands - Municipal Harbor

Reviewed by: Franz Schneider, Rhino, on Jun 24, 2022
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 75'
Draft: 7.5'

Good stopping point before or after going through NYC. Exposed to wind except from the East. We anchored in 17 ft of water with a 155kg Rocna and 180 feet of chain.Good holding in mud. The rating would be higher except for the local traffic which seemed to want to see how close they could get to our boat while they buzzed us at full speed. We were there on a Friday.

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Marina Review for Schaefers Canal House & Marina

Reviewed by: Franz Schneider , Rhino, on Jun 21, 2022
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 75'
Draft: 7.5'

Rating: 5

A 2-3 knot current with an easy approach. Dock hands are very helpful. We overnighted on the face dock which are fixed-3 foot tide. Good basic marina with a really good restaurant. If you are picky the noise from vehicles on the bridge might bother you. I had a cold beer and thought of the sounds as a funky reggae beat. Great location midpoint on the C&D canal.

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Marina Review for Harbor East Marina

Reviewed by: Franz Schneider , Rhino, on Jun 17, 2022
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 75'
Draft: 7.5'

Rating: 5

A very good marina. We sat on the 900 ft long face dock. Freighters and barges passed by and there was no disturbance from wake. Excellent facilities- dock was in perfect order; power, water and dockside pump out all worked flawlessly. Showers and restrooms were impeccable. Staff were helpful and courteous. Easy and safe walking distance to Fells Point and dozens of bars and eateries. A marina in a great location well worth a visit.

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Marina Review for Yacht Basin Co.

Reviewed by: Franz Schneider , Rhino, on Jun 9, 2022
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 75'
Draft: 7.5'

Rating: 4

Good location-close to the restaurants and other attractions. Fueled with a price break at 500 and a 1000 gallons.
70 yards from the Annapolis Yacht Club if you are a reciprocal member.
Steve is great. Very accommodating-a class act.
Minor issues-fixed docks are a challenge with a full moon low tide. Lighting along the docks was either turned off or do not work, so a bit of a problem. Security is not good. If you rent a car to do errands you might be better off with taxis and Uber. Parking was $30.00 during the week and $40.00 on weekend. Lot was not part of the marina and is poorly managed; and you need to leave your keys if you want to park overnight and then move the car before 20:00.
Overall, and yes I have high expectations, the rating would be a 4.5.

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Marina Review for Charleston Harbor Resort & Marina

Reviewed by: Franz Schneider , Rhino, on Jun 6, 2022
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 75'
Draft: 7.5'

Rating: 2

The dock master Rand was a 10 out of 10, truly superb, BUT the facilities are poorly maintained. The marina dock hands are very good. The staff that rent the boats are a disgrace- hoses left across the docks, garbage was strewn by their shed while three of them sat in chairs. The rental group is not part of the marina but they leave a terrible impression of the marina as a whole. Back to the premises themselves- water floods over the docks as boats pass by, the docks are covered with debris from the river, poor lighting and deck plates missing leaving holes two feet deep (a leg breaker for sure) - although the staff told us they are in the middle of upgrading the docks and facilities- be aware that at the moment the marina is very underwhelming.

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Marina Review for Riverwalk Landing Piers

Reviewed by: Franz Schneider , Rhino, on Jun 6, 2022
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 75'
Draft: 7.5'

Rating: 5

Excellent marina-docks are floating and very well maintained, staff are excellent, the town is a wonderful place steeped in history. The free trolley ride is worth taking and the National Park for the battlefields was most informative concerning Generals Washington and Cornwallis. Ben and Jerry's ice cream was too convenient and we were FORCED to go there three times.

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Marina Review for Ocean Yacht Marina

Reviewed by: Franz Schneider , Rhino, on Jun 4, 2022
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 75'
Draft: 7.5'

Rating: 3

Staff are wonderful- moved the rating from 2 to 3 stars. Marina itself is rundown with broken pedestals and water in the marina is filled with garbage. Shore power wasn't dependable. The view and setting are pretty uninspiring-ugly actually. But, once again, the marina staff are great.

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