Reviews: Waterford Harbor Visitor Center

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Waterford Harbor Visitor Center

#1 Tugboat Lane
Waterford, NY 12188
Erie Canal 0.5

Lat / Lon: N 42° 47.230' / W 073° 40.770'
Contact: Dick Hurst
Phone: (518) 233-9123
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.town.waterford.ny.us/harbor-visitors-center.html

4.30

(23)

4.30 out of 5 stars

Review for Waterford Harbor Visitor Center

Reviewed by: Capt. Mac Rubel on Sep 29, 2024
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 48'
Draft: 5.0'

Rating: 5

Waterford is one of the significant stops on the Loop. For the past 200 years it has been the eastern terminus of Clinton's Folly, otherwise known as the Erie Canal. It is difficult to overstate the effect that this canal had not only on the local area but on the expanding nation. Goods from as far away as Chicago and Duluth made their way to Buffalo and through the canal to New York City and the world beyond. Spending an extra day here can be profitable, just walking around town or taking a hike up several preserved miles of the old Champlain Canal that run through the center of town, crossing the Erie Canal just above Lock E-2.

There is room for about 10 40' boats on the two floating docks attached to the old tie up wall at Waterford. The dock is free with a 48 hours stay and is first come first served. You can call the Visitor's Center to check on dock space at (518) 233-9123 or you can view real time webcam views of the east and west docks to see if there is space (https://www.town.waterford.ny.us/harbor-visitors-center.html). There may also be space to the east of the Visitor's Center to tie up directly to the old wall with no services. Electric will cost you $10 per night, cash or check at the Visitor's Center. A key to the bathrooms/showers (one each for men and women) will set you back another $5 for 24 hour access. There is now fresh water on the west docks. We did not check the east dock to see if the work was completed there. The docks are in acceptable shape but are still showing some wear. There is no laundry and the pump out service has been discontinued. Cell service is good. There is a Hannaford's supermarket and a Walgreen's pharmacy as well as a liquor store on the other side of the river about a half mile from the harbor. There are also a couple of restaurants in town, two to three blocks away from the harbor. Finally, there is a small but very nice farmers market on Sunday morning. It is worth a visit!

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Review for Waterford Harbor Visitor Center

Reviewed by: Amy SPENCER, Jessica Grace, on Jul 2, 2024
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 42'
Draft: 3.5'

Rating: 5

2 Floating docks (one under repair). Can fit 5 or 6 40' vessels. Shore power for $10. Pay cash or check at visitor center. No water connection but coming soon. Bathroom/shower key for $5. Free Portapotties and wash station available at nearby park. If docks are full or under repair, wall available with cleats. Pleasant, shaded and clean park, docks and walkway.

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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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Review for Waterford Harbor Visitor Center

Reviewed by: David Mann, Now or Never, on Jun 17, 2024
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 44'
Draft: 4.7'

Rating: 4

Nice free wall that is currently being renovated so some portions are not available however some have electricity and water at a very reasonable cost. Close to restaurants and areas to safely walk. Very kind staff of volunteers make your stay enjoyable.

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Review for Waterford Harbor Visitor Center

Reviewed by: Lance Williamson on Jun 12, 2024
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 40'
Draft: 3.8'

Rating: 3

The Waterford free dock is difficult to rate at this time. There are three parts of the free dock: the floating dock closest to the lock, the other floating dock, and the concrete wall. The power pedestals on the floating dock closest to the lock have been replaced and are working, but there is no water. The other floating dock is closed, as they are replacing rotten boards and we heard they are putting in power and water. The concrete wall is HIGH and unless you are at one of the two ladders it can be difficult to get off the boat. As usual, the volunteer staff are friendly and helpful. The bathrooms and showers are plain, but functional.

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Review for Waterford Harbor Visitor Center

Reviewed by: Lance Williamson on Sep 29, 2023
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 40'
Draft: 3.8'

Rating: 4

Stopped here after exiting the Erie Canal. Floating dock has power and water. Not all pedestals have 50 Amp. The visit center staff are volunteers and are friendly and helpful. Docks fill up quickly! Grocery store is a half mile walk. Bathrooms and showers are clean. Be sure to check out the "map" of the Erie Canal that is done in pavers in the sidewalk in front of the visitor center. Great price on ice!!

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Review for Waterford Harbor Visitor Center

Reviewed by: Our Boat Story, Mahalo, on Aug 12, 2023
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 50'
Draft: 4.5'

Rating: 5

The staff here are so kind. Showers and toilets were clean. Docking was free with power and water for $10/night. We really appreciated that we could send our Amazon packages here for some boat parts. Stayed two nights. Unrelated, the Chinese food across the river, New Beijing of Troy, is a 10 minute walk was really good. $10 for combos with no MSG and only vegetable oil.

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Review for Waterford Harbor Visitor Center

Reviewed by: Chris Ensing, Pau Hana, on Jul 9, 2023
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 31'
Draft: 3.4'

Rating: 3

Docks fill up quick and we had to tie up to the high wall. Tough to get on and off, no electric so had to run the generator. Visitor center was not much.

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Review for Waterford Harbor Visitor Center

Reviewed by: Graeme Walker, Confirmed Aquaholic, on Jun 27, 2023
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 54'
Draft: 4.0'

Rating: 5

We stayed two days on the floating docks, not sure I'd stay on the concrete docks as they are very high and make it difficult to get off/on your boat. No power on concrete section, miscellaneous power on the floating docks, i.e. some 50 amp some 30 amp. Downtown is really suffering but good grocery and liquor store across the bridge. Hannaford groceries allows you to take a cart to the marina, just tell them you need it unlocked so it can go past their parking lot. There is a pump-out area of the dock, didn't try. docks fill up by early afternoon.

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Review for Waterford Harbor Visitor Center

Reviewed by: Capt. Mac Rubel on Jun 12, 2023
LOA: 48'
Draft: 5.0'

Rating: 5

48 hour floating free dock with a $10 dollar per day charge for electricity and water. Water was not working while we were there. Docks are getting a bit old but the electric is still in good shape. The Visitors Center is wonderful and there are bathrooms available for an additional $5. The Sunday Farmers Market is in front of the docks and, although it is small, is definitely worth the time. Hannaford Grocery and Walgreens Pharmacy are a half mile away. Everything that needs to be said about the stop has been put in other reviews. This is a great place to meet and get to know the group that you will be moving through the Erie Canal with.

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Review for Waterford Harbor Visitor Center

Reviewed by: Jane Fidler on May 22, 2023
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 34'
Draft: 4.0'

Rating: 4

Cute area to explore. Lots of trails. Walk to groceries. There is only one bathroom and one shower per sex. Docking is free but there is a charge for electricity on the East end of the docks and a $5 charge for a bathroom key.

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Review for Waterford Harbor Visitor Center

Reviewed by: Patricia And Steven Stanley, Calypso, on Jun 26, 2022
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 39'
Draft: 4.0'

Rating: 4

Waterford free wall has a floating dock plus wall space. You can stay there for 48 hours for free, though it's $10 per night for power and $5 for the bathroom and shower key. There's only 1 bathroom and 1 shower per gender. There's a nice welcome center and you can walk to Lock 2. There are two walking trails. You can also walk to a local grocery store and they will unlock your cart so you can roll it to the marina. The town has many restaurants and shops. This morning there will be a Farmer's Market that starts at 9am though we plan to depart to go through Erie Canal before that. Nice stop!

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Review for Waterford Harbor Visitor Center

Reviewed by: Brian Wicks on Jun 10, 2022
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 27'
Draft: 2.0'

Rating: 4

No electricity - was getting worked on. Didn't use facilities. Restaurant delivered to our boat.

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Review for Waterford Harbor Visitor Center

Reviewed by: Christopher Edwards on Oct 4, 2021
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 30'
Draft: 3.0'

Rating: 5

Very nice dock to stop at before or after the canals. Easy to dock with good bathrooms and showers. Town is convenient to dock with a good restaurant and there are some good parks to walk around to stretch your legs. There is no charge for docking and only $10 if you want electric. You will meet other boaters on their journeys to make it more interesting. Try not to dock under the bridge as the road traffic can be a bit noisy.

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Review for Waterford Harbor Visitor Center

Reviewed by: Ross Wiltse on Aug 28, 2021
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 40'
Draft: 2.9'

Rating: 5

Great stop, 48 hour limit. Just on the East side of Lock 2. Worth the stop, $10 electrical. Lots of history, the dock master, Chris was exceptional in giving the history of the area. Easy walk to grocery store and plenty of restaruants. Worth the walk up to the lock to watch boats lock through. A great stop.

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Review for Waterford Harbor Visitor Center

Reviewed by: Capt Maria Langer on Aug 17, 2021
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 27'
Draft: 3.0'

Rating: 4

Nice stop before starting a westbound trip through the Erie Canal. Good staff, very helpful. 30 amp power was good. Ice available. Restrooms/showers stark but clean enough. Laundry about four blocks. Wooden floating dock is a big rocky and loud when people walk down it. Walking distance to Lock #2.

Get here early! We arrived around noon on a Saturday in August; by 2 PM, most of the dock space had been taken.

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Review for Waterford Harbor Visitor Center

Reviewed by: Gary Miller on Jul 24, 2021
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 76'
Draft: 5.0'

Rating: 3

Never been able to find space at the dock area but have laid on the concrete wall east of the floating docks many times waiting for the Canal to open. Water depth at wall is 7-9', no electric in that area and no fresh water but ok spot for staging.

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Review for Waterford Harbor Visitor Center

Reviewed by: Jeffrey Skoda on Jul 21, 2021
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 65'
Draft: 6.0'

Rating: 4

Nice stop before beginning the Erie Canal. We got groceries at near by store. We were on the East end of the wall and were unable to get electric.

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Review for Waterford Harbor Visitor Center

Reviewed by: Bill Mcmahon on Jul 15, 2021
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 40'
Draft: 3.5'

Rating: 5

The beginning of Erie Canal good deals, free! Better than some marinas I have paid for. Friendly helpful staff clean showers and restrooms, but can get crowded. We arrived at 11:30 am and got the last spot on the floating dock. (It was the beginning of the 4th of July weekend and a steam boat festival had half the dock reserved.) There was room on the wall all the time we were there.

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Review for Waterford Harbor Visitor Center

Reviewed by: Rob Dare, Liberty Call , on Jun 4, 2021
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 46'
Draft: 4.5'

Rating: 4

Great stop to get ready for the flight of five locks. Super friendly staff at the visitor center. $10 a night. Several great restaurants near buy and a Hannaford grocery store that lets you bring their cart to the pier and they pick the carts up. Lots of great places to walk a dog. Great opportunity to watch lock 2 in action and talk with a lock master. Docks are a little and power pedestals are missing. West of the pump out has 2 30 amps but no 50 connection.

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Review for Waterford Harbor Visitor Center

Reviewed by: Louise Anderson, Then Again, on Sep 2, 2019
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 36'
Draft: 3.0'

Rating: 4

Excellent place to stop before entering the Erie Canal. The pump out is on a fixed dock- look for the orange flag. The docks were a little shaky, but we didn't have any problems with electric. We recommend calling the lock before getting underway, since you can see the lock from your berth. Good information in the visitor's center about the town and the canal itself. The center plays host to the Tugboat Roundup the weekend after Labor Day.

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Review for Waterford Harbor Visitor Center

Reviewed by: Tom Hale on May 30, 2018
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 38'
Draft: 4.5'

Rating: 4

Price is right! $10 per day for electric. Dock is free. Docks are old, power posts have many burned receptacles. Good access to shopping and several good restaurants.

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Review for Waterford Harbor Visitor Center

Reviewed by: Howard Entman on Aug 6, 2017
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 45'
Draft: 5.0'

Rating: 5

Free!!!

Excellent floating docks, good electric (free), and even a usable wifi that doesn't need a password.

What else is there!!!

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