Reviews from Russell Daniels (27)

Marina Review for Horizon Marina

Reviewed by: Russell Daniels on Aug 17, 2023
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 45'
Draft: 3.5'

Rating: 2

Limited operating hours--closed Monday and Tuesday, on other days opens at 10am or thereabout. Pump out $15 per tank, more like Canada pricing. Friendly staff, and a well-stocked boat store. Fuel price typical for the area.

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Anchorage Review for Le Grande Riviere

Reviewed by: Russell Daniels on Jul 13, 2023
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 40'
Draft: 3.5'

Both of these anchorages are behind a pedestrian bridge that today is a bit over 16'. We've rafted two boats between the bridge and the channel in about 20'. A 1-2 knot current holds the boats parallel to the banks.

We're here on a Wednesday in mid-Jul and there are many boats, jet-skis, kayaks, canoes, paddle boards, and pontoon boats going in and out constantly. Most pay no attention to their wake, and some that do really don't understand how to manage it. There's a large commercial party boat playing music. It's not a calming location.

It is about 8 miles below the locks at Montreal, so a reasonable place to stop if you have an AM passage scheduled.

It did quiet down by 11pm, with the exception of one boat passing nearby around 3am. Wakes from the adjacent channel started rocking us around 5:30. It's tolerable, but not great. Being on the other side of the bridge would help a bit, but most of the traffic zooms in, runs around, and zooms out, so don't expect tranquility.

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Anchorage Review for Ramshorn Creek - New River

Reviewed by: Russell Daniels on Apr 11, 2023
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 40'
Draft: 3.5'

We anchored here 3 nights waiting out strong NE winds. Loads of room. We put out 175' of rode and were quite comfortable in 20-30kt sustained winds with gusts up to 40. Limited fetch kept the chop to maybe a foot at worst. Great holding, anchor came up nearly clean, looked like a mix of sand and clay. The no wake zone ends just above the south edge of the ICW junction, so some wakes reach the anchorage, but not an issue for us.

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Anchorage Review for Tensaw River

Reviewed by: Russell Daniels on Oct 29, 2021
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 40'
Draft: 3.5'

Great anchorage, current kept us almost completely still overnight. I ran the dog to the boat ramp with dock about 2 miles up the river on the RDB. Probably too far in a slow dinghy, but solved the problem for us.

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Anchorage Review for Cowans Gin Bar

Reviewed by: Russell Daniels on Oct 29, 2021
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 40'
Draft: 3.5'

Also (and perhaps better?) known as Turkey Point. We anchored in ~30ft in the indentation just above the sandy beach. Less current than we expected, as an eddy swirls upstream here, but the boat barely moved all night. Very easy landing the dinghy on the bank. The tows are on the far side of the river to navigate the curve, so we experienced very little wake. A passing tow offered that we were more than out of the way for them. We'd stay here over the local alternatives.

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Anchorage Review for Tombigbee Oxbow

Reviewed by: Russell Daniels on Oct 29, 2021
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 40'
Draft: 3.5'

Very good anchorage. 20 ft depth, current will hold you for the most part, though we twisted a bit in the morning--but nothing that put us at risk. Boat ramp doesn't have a dock, so landing can be a bit muddy depending on conditions. Pit toilets at the ramp parking lot, though in a very nice building.

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Anchorage Review for Dewayne Hayes

Reviewed by: Russell Daniels on Oct 29, 2021
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 40'
Draft: 3.5'

Another great anchorage. Docks in park to access shore and walk the dog. Park bathroom convenient. Current holds boat in position--we've stayed twice without stern anchor and without incident.

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Anchorage Review for Waterfall Anchorage - Cooper Hollow

Reviewed by: Russell Daniels on Oct 29, 2021
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 40'
Draft: 3.5'

Beautiful small anchorage. Gravel bar on starboard entering--favor the shoreline. Water deep to the edges other than the bar. Scenic and serene. We stern-tied to a downed tree. Deep anchoring--20 ft plus for the most part. Easy to land the dog on the bar. A great anchorage.

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Marina Review for Fort Loudon Marina

Reviewed by: Russell Daniels on Oct 3, 2021
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 40'
Draft: 3.5'

Rating: 4

Transient slips are deep in the marina, past the adjacent Calhoun's restaurant. Gated, so you'll need a key. Self-service pump out at the fuel dock--look on the back of the power panel for the timer that controls the pump. Courtesy car, walking trails, park, laundry. Grocery store, Walmart, fast food, etc all a short drive away.

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Free Dock Review for Guntersville City Harbor

Reviewed by: Russell Daniels on Sep 15, 2021
LOA: 40'
Draft: 3.5'

Rating: 2

Lots of room, docks are in good condition. Very close to a busy road, a few restaurants in walking distance but most are a bit distant. You can drop the dinghy and get to more restaurants and a Publix within about 3 miles, going under 2 low bridges. We had a nice lunch, hoisted the dingy, and moved to an anchorage. Guntersville is beautiful, but these docks fall short on the charm scale.

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Marina Review for Ditto Landing Marina

Reviewed by: Russell Daniels on Sep 7, 2021
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 40'
Draft: 3.5'

Rating: 5

A great little marina. Docks in excellent condition, reasonable prices, lovely setting. Easy access to a greenway that follows a stream towards Huntsville, providing pleasant bike access to an Enterprise car rental, a Walmart, a pretty good mexican restaurant (El Herradura), and more.

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Anchorage Review for Sulphur Creek

Reviewed by: Russell Daniels on Aug 31, 2021
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 40'
Draft: 3.5'

Very convenient anchorage to Pickwick Lock. Well off the channel, in a no wake zone, beyond the marina entrance. We saw no traffic overnight. Easy dinghy ride to state park marina, or to a boat ramp with a large dock. A bit further to a courtesy dock for the lodge restaurant. Lots of wildlife, including a coyote prowling the opposite shore. Anchored in 12 ft, put out 10x scope for potential weather that didn't happen. Plenty of swing room for several boats.

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Anchorage Review for Wolf Island

Reviewed by: Russell Daniels on Aug 30, 2021
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 40'
Draft: 3.5'

We anchored early Sunday evening; a few ski boats and PWC running around, but quiet before dark.

Anchored near anchor mark in ~20 ft water with Pickwick tail water level ~365.5. They were lowering Pickwick lake in anticipation of TD Ida passing by on Monday, so water level was a bit high and current quite strong. Anchored in about 20'; anchor set quickly and held perfectly with 125' of rode. We're a power cat and use bridles that got quite a workout in the current. Quiet, dark, and peaceful night.

We landed our dog near the boat ramp upstream on the LDB near the River Heights restaurant (currently open for brunch on Sun, closed Mon-Wed). Alternatively you can run downstream towards the bridge and use the old ferry landing to access Savannah, TN.

Continued upstream in the morning between the small island and Wolf Island, 20' of water or more all the way out. Saw a deer swimming across the river shortly after departing. It's not far to the lock, but with the current it seemed farther...

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Marina Review for Clarksville Marina

Reviewed by: Russell Daniels on Aug 15, 2021
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 40'
Draft: 3.5'

Rating: 5

Just an excellent marina. Everything is in great shape, there's adequate depth, it's well-protected, there are several restaurants within easy walking distance, and the surrounding park makes for great walking/running. Staff is friendly, as are the local boaters. Inexpensive docking, more so if you're a BoatUS member. Multiple pump outs. Fuel isn't cheap but if you need it they have it.

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Marina Review for Commodore Yacht Club

Reviewed by: Russell Daniels on Aug 8, 2021
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 40'
Draft: 3.5'

Rating: 5

A bit below normal pool we saw 7-8 ft a bit in from the entrance, gradually moving to 8-10. Good pump out, quick and convenient. Tied on one of the T-heads, used a reverse Y to get 50 amp power. Very quiet, clean bathrooms, great staff.

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Marina Review for Golconda Marina

Reviewed by: Russell Daniels on Jul 28, 2021
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 40'
Draft: 3.5'

Rating: 4

We stayed on the fuel dock one night, heading south. Water at normal pool was reasonable--nothing less than 5 feet, deeper at the dock. We had to maneuver around the working dredge. Fair price, very nice staff, and an excellent pump out system. A good stop for transients.

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Marina Review for Louisville Waterfront Park - Amphitheater Docks

Reviewed by: Russell Daniels on Jul 24, 2021
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 40'
Draft: 3.5'

Rating: 4

Note the docking form and donation expectations at the website link. If arriving from the north take a wide line around the bottom of the towhead island--a visible sunk barge will motivate you.

We arrived at 5 pm on a nice summer Friday night and found multiple slips available. Current and wind were slight, so docking was easy. 50 amp power stations on the downstream slips--the upstream slips are occupied by long term renters and law enforcement boats. Lots of park visitors, so expect people on the piers. We had one young man in a family group board our boat without permission, so consider how to discourage that possibility. Just below the railroad bridge converted to pedestrian bridge to Jeffersonville, and lots within walking distance, although multiple interstates and a gentrifying industrial area border the river park to the south.

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Marina Review for Gallipolis Boat Club - Private

Reviewed by: Russell Daniels on Jul 20, 2021
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 40'
Draft: 3.5'

Rating: 1

We called ahead and the dock master assured us of "plenty of water." We first started plowing just as we passed the tied off harbor dredge. We plowed a lot more trying to reach the dock. He assured us the water was forecast to rise and we'd have enough water within minutes. We eventually worked our way free and backed all the way out, cleaned mud out of both strainers, and tied up at the very nice town floating dock just upstream. The pool was 4' over normal pool, and dropped overnight instead of rising as forecast.

We just talked with another boat that had a similar experience in even higher water. I'd suggest being very leery of any claims about water depth and instead ask how recently they'd dredged--locals informed me it's been years.

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Free Dock Review for Point Pleasant Dock

Reviewed by: Russell Daniels on Jul 20, 2021
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 40'
Draft: 3.5'

Rating: 4

Floating dock on upper end of park; cleats on a concrete wall below it. Good depth at both locations. We initially tied on the floating dock behind another cruiser, but kept getting banged by floating logs in the somewhat higher river. We moved back to 2 large cleats on the concrete wall just below the floating dock, which did a nice job of keeping the flotsam away. Bathrooms in reasonable but not great shape. Easy access to town--pretty good Mexican restaurant within 2 blocks.

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Free Dock Review for Wheeling Heritage Port

Reviewed by: Russell Daniels on Jul 17, 2021
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 40'
Draft: 3.5'

Rating: 4

Good depth at normal pool. Concrete wall, so fend appropriately. People were friendly--they don't see many cruisers.

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Free Dock Review for Sistersville Courtesy Dock

Reviewed by: Russell Daniels on Jul 11, 2021
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 40'
Draft: 3.5'

Rating: 3

Well, it looks nice. At normal pool +1.5 ft we didn't have enough depth to dock, with a 3.5' draft. With more water or less draft it looked great.

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Free Dock Review for City of Gallipolis Courtesy Dock

Reviewed by: Russell Daniels on Jul 3, 2021
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 40'
Draft: 3.5'

Rating: 4

Face dock with room for multiple boats. Slips on the interior, but close to the bank, so tricky access for bigger boats. Steps to the Gallipolis City Park, 2 blocks to a full-sized grocery store, and multiple restaurants. Right on the river, so good depths balanced against some wakes. Locals use the dock for fishing and viewing the water, so no security by separation, but everyone has been friendly and respectful.

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Free Dock Review for Yeatman's Cove Park

Reviewed by: Russell Daniels on Jun 30, 2021
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 40'
Draft: 3.5'

Rating: 4

Also (better) known as Sawyer Park. Right in downtown Cincinnati, great access to all the city offers. Tie up and fender carefully--we spent 2 nice weekend days there and numerous speedboats entertain themselves by running the bridges as fast as possible, generating lots of wakes/reflections. I'm told it's a no wake zone, but if so not respected or enforced. Don't let it scare you off--it's a great location in a great city.

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Free Dock Review for Augusta Courtesy Dock

Reviewed by: Russell Daniels on Jun 30, 2021
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 40'
Draft: 3.5'

Rating: 5

Nice free wall and a beautiful small town. We were advised to aim for the middle of the wall for deeper water. Ambiguous depth readings, but no issues at 2' over normal pool. A great stop.

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Marina Review for Shawnee State Park Marina

Reviewed by: Russell Daniels on Jun 30, 2021
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 40'
Draft: 3.5'

Rating: 5

Nice quiet marina, great fuel prices. Only challenge is depth--we plowed a channel leaving with 2' above normal pool, drafting 3.5 ft. We wanted to take on diesel but couldn't get to the fuel dock. Very accommodating staff, clean restrooms. Boater lounge closed due to Covid.

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Marina Review for Grand Manor Marina (formerly River Forest) Belhaven, Nc

Reviewed by: Russell Daniels on Apr 26, 2019
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 40'
Draft: 3.0'

Rating: 5

Docks are in great condition, fuel and pump out at your tie up, clean and spacious bath/showers, free laundry (3 washers, 3 dryers), free golf carts to cruise town. Beautiful grounds. Henry and Eddie do a great job helping you get in and assuring your visit goes well. The Spoon River Artworks and Market is an amazing restaurant, and the 3 1/2 block walk will give you a chance to recover from the sensory overload. Discount for AGLCA and others.

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Marina Review for Roland and Mary Ann Martins Marina & Resort

Reviewed by: Russell Daniels on Nov 8, 2018
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 40'
Draft: 3.5'

Rating: 5

Quiet night on the dock. Fueled at 5:30 am, very good diesel price. Tasty food at the Tiki Bar--recommend the Swai fish blackened. Nice selection of draft beers. Thanks Captain Sam!

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