Reviews from Michael Gribble (17)

  • Bridge comment on Amtrak Railroad Bridge

    Comment by: Michael Gribble on Sep 24, 2023
    Vessel Type: Sail
    LOA: 47'

    USCG/Amtrak is reporting that the bridge is not functional and cannot lift. No repair time noted.
    I called both USCG and Amtrak each confirmed this.

    • WG Editor Comment:

      See nav alert posted 9/25/2023.

    View location on the Waterway Guide Explorer


  • Anchorage Review for Bolton Point

    Reviewed by: Michael Gribble on Aug 23, 2022
    Vessel Type: Power
    LOA: 47'
    Draft: 3.8'

    Overall Rating:
    4
    Holding:
    5
    Wind Protection:
    5
    Wake Protection:
    4
    Scenic Beauty:
    5
    Cell Service:
    3
    WiFi:
    1

    We anchored just south of the anchorage symbol in rock and sand with about 10' depth. Our Delta anchor skipped over the rocks for about 20' before digging in and did not move over night. We had good wind and wave protection from the west thru north. Minor swells came in from the east with distant passing boats. Water was clear enough to see the anchor chain laying out on the bottom. Did not try to go ashore and there are not any stores in the area.

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  • Marina Review for Harrisville Harbor of Refuge

    Reviewed by: Michael Gribble on Aug 19, 2022
    Vessel Type: Power
    LOA: 47'
    Draft: 3.8'

    Rating: 5

    Marina is top notch. Docks are in great shape, with staff that are very helpful. They have laundry, bathrooms and showers. You can borrow bikes to ride into the little town. But, there is also a shuttle van that will take you around town when needed.
    Town has a small grocery store. Plus, the Alcona Brew Haus has a good selection of beers made onsite and food.

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  • Marina Review for River Street Marina

    Reviewed by: Michael Gribble on Aug 13, 2022
    Vessel Type: Power
    LOA: 47'
    Draft: 3.8'

    Rating: 5

    This turned out to be a great stop. Various restaurants within walking distance. Check out the Vintage Tavern for dinner or the Raven Cafe for coffee and breakfast. Gill-Roy's Hardware is available close to the marina. There is a small grocery store about a 10min walk.
    Docking fee is also reasonable too.
    They have restrooms, laundry, and a BBQ area.

    View location on the Waterway Guide Explorer


  • Anchorage Review for Presque Isle State Park

    Reviewed by: Michael Gribble on Aug 1, 2022
    Vessel Type: Power
    LOA: 47'
    Draft: 3.8'

    Overall Rating:
    4
    Holding:
    5
    Wind Protection:
    5
    Current Flow:
    5
    Wake Protection:
    5
    Scenic Beauty:
    5
    Ease of Shopping:
    2
    Shore Access:
    5
    Cell Service:
    3

    Great anchorage. Lots of space to anchor, most boats that were there left by sunset. We shared the whole area with 2 other boats. There is a small marina with a park but we did not visit.

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  • Free Dock Review for T. Spencer Knight Park & Visitor Center/Port of Newark

    Reviewed by: Michael Gribble on Jul 23, 2022
    Vessel Type: Power
    LOA: 47'
    Draft: 3.8'

    Rating: 5

    This is a nice stop. They have power, water, restrooms all for free. There are restaurants, a grocery store and a ice shop right next to the docks. Nice free wall with rings and some cleats. Floating docks are also available.
    Although free, be sure to check-in with office tower at the east end of the docks.

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  • Free Dock Review for Lock E25, May's Point

    Reviewed by: Michael Gribble on Jul 23, 2022
    Vessel Type: Power
    LOA: 47'
    Draft: 3.8'

    Rating: 4

    Stopped on the west side of the lock for one night. Area was quiet. Bollards are the only way to tie up to the concrete wall, no rings.

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  • Marina Review for Pirates Cove Marina

    Reviewed by: Michael Gribble on Jul 23, 2022
    Vessel Type: Power
    LOA: 47'
    Draft: 3.8'

    Rating: 5

    Great place to stop along the Erie Canal. We stayed at Pirates Cove for 10 days. Patti and Paul take good care of Loopers. They put on docktales for the boaters at the marina.
    Will stop here on our next trip through.

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  • Free Dock Review for Heelpath Brewery

    Reviewed by: Michael Gribble on Jul 8, 2022
    Vessel Type: Power
    LOA: 47'
    Draft: 3.8'

    Rating: 5

    Stopped at the city free dock instead of brewery dock. Brewery dock is a bit worn. They have a good selection of on site brewed beers and staff are great. They will can any of the beers to go. Limited food depending on the day. A nice stop. They love Loopers!

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  • Free Dock Review for Lock E12, Tribes Hill, Erie Canal

    Reviewed by: Michael Gribble on Jul 4, 2022
    Vessel Type: Power
    LOA: 47'
    Draft: 3.8'

    Rating: 3

    Newer concrete dock wall with bollards and rings. There is a train that passes by but noise is not too bad.

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  • Free Dock Review for Coxsackie Riverside Park Town Dock

    Reviewed by: Michael Gribble on Jun 29, 2022
    Vessel Type: Power
    LOA: 47'
    Draft: 3.8'

    Rating: 5

    Great free dock, room for 2 boats at the dock. The town of Coxsackie has put over $1M into revitalizing the park and dock area. Town has multiple restaurants, we eat at Che Figata Bistro, the food was great. If you like the small towns along the Hudson, this is a definite stop.

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  • Anchorage Review for Port Tobacco River - Deep Point

    Reviewed by: Michael Gribble on May 28, 2022
    Vessel Type: Power
    LOA: 47'
    Draft: 3.8'

    Overall Rating:
    5
    Holding:
    5
    Wind Protection:
    4
    Current Flow:
    5
    Wake Protection:
    2
    Scenic Beauty:
    5
    Ease of Shopping:
    1
    Cell Service:
    2

    Good mud bottom. Next to a state park but we did not go ashore so we can not rate shore access. A lot of smaller boats running up and down the river during the day. Quite in the evening.

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  • Anchorage Review for Trout Creek

    Reviewed by: Michael Gribble on Apr 12, 2022
    Vessel Type: Power
    LOA: 47'
    Draft: 3.8'

    Overall Rating:
    4
    Holding:
    5
    Wind Protection:
    4
    Current Flow:
    5
    Wake Protection:
    3
    Scenic Beauty:
    5
    Shore Access:
    3
    Cell Service:
    3

    Anchored more in the Palmo Cove area just off of the boat ramp on the southern shores of the cove. Had the whole cove to ourselves. Dropped anchor in 6' with a muddy bottom. Did not go ashore but did take a scenic dinghy ride up both Trout Creek and Six Mile Creek.

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  • Anchorage Review for Reed Island

    Reviewed by: Michael Gribble on Apr 9, 2022
    Vessel Type: Power
    LOA: 47'
    Draft: 3.8'

    Overall Rating:
    4
    Holding:
    5
    Wind Protection:
    3
    Current Flow:
    3
    Wake Protection:
    2
    Scenic Beauty:
    4
    Ease of Shopping:
    1
    Shore Access:
    3
    Cell Service:
    3

    Anchored here in 9' with 100' of scope we sat over 22'. Held in mud with 32 MPH winds, no dragging. There is current for the tide but the anchor held. There is some beach area to the west of channel. Dolphins are throughout the bay.

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  • Marina Review for Palm Coast Marina

    Reviewed by: Michael Gribble on Apr 4, 2022
    Vessel Type: Power
    LOA: 47'
    Draft: 3.8'

    Rating: 5

    Nice stop along the AICW. Diesel prices are reasonable and the staff are great. We stayed on the fuel dock but the whole marina is nicely protected. Short walk to restaurants.

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  • Marina Review for RMK Merrill-Stevens

    Reviewed by: Michael Gribble on Feb 17, 2022
    Vessel Type: Power
    LOA: 47'
    Draft: 3.8'

    Rating: 5

    Had fiberglass work done to our boat. They were able to work us into their busy schedule and get us back in the water in a week. Pricing is very reasonable. The people are very friendly and helpful. Thanks to Mike Rhyne and all the crew at RMK Merrill Stevens.

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  • Anchorage Review for Factory Bay

    Reviewed by: Michael Gribble on Jan 27, 2022
    Vessel Type: Power
    LOA: 47'
    Draft: 3.8'

    Overall Rating:
    4
    Holding:
    5
    Wind Protection:
    4
    Wake Protection:
    2
    Scenic Beauty:
    1
    Cell Service:
    5
    WiFi:
    1

    Nice stopping place on our way to the Keys. There are a couple of dinghy docks but we did not visit.

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