Reviews: Hammond Marina

Reviewed by: Richard Lewis , Sea-Quel, on Oct 14, 2024
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 56'
Draft: 4.5'

Rating: 3

Docks showing age and no help from staff. We topped off fuel and price was about cheapest we've seen. Marina seems to be an after thought of the casino. Agree with other reviews to check in while getting fuel and pump out . Best thing about the place is proximity to the Cal Sag.

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Reviewed by: G. Jay Nelson , Pegasus, on Oct 11, 2024
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 44'
Draft: 3.5'

Rating: 3

The Hammond Marina is a very large floating dock marina that is showing its age. There are no dock hands to help with tying up, but with the large breakwater protecting the marina we had no problem docking ourselves. Restrooms/showers are clean, and the laundry room was large and clean but in a bit of disrepair. A big plus about this marina is the very reasonable rates for slips ($50 per night @ 44'), fuel prices that are the lowest we have found on the loop so far, and a $5.00 pump-out. The size of the marina is a bit of an issue. Transits are assigned to the Q and W docks (far end of marina). The main dock is 461 steps (~.21 mile) long from the dock gate to W dock, and it is another 410 steps (~.19 mile) to the marina office. The marina main dock is well-lighted, and has a security gate that requires an access card. The docks (i.e., Q and W) were a bit dark from lights being out on the power pedestals. For us, the biggest negative about the marina is that it is not pet friendly. There are two small potty pads on the main dock and several potty bag stations, but there are no significant grassy areas where you can walk you furry friends. There is a nice grass area at the far end of the water treatment plant to the west of the marina, which is ten-minute walk from the marina gate. The ships store is more of a gift shop, convenience store and small deli, as opposed to a typical nautical ships store. The marina is located next to a Horseshoe Casino, and both the marina and the casino are surrounded by a large industrial area and train maintenance yard. The casino is relatively small, and only has one steakhouse restaurant and two fast food areas – an Asian noodle eatery and a hamburger cafe. The day we arrived we decided to have dinner at the casino. The steakhouse restaurant was closed (open Friday – Sunday), the Asian noodle eatery's menu was not appealing, so we opted for the hamburger café. Our meal was ordinary and very expensive. The casino also had a very heavy odor of stale smoke. The nearest food alternatives in the area are an IHOP and three fast food eateries about a 35–40-minute walk over a bridge. There is also a Dollar Store and Walmart in the same general location. From the marina to downtown Chicago was a $68 fare, and a $52 fare back to the marina. The best aspect of Hammond Marina is the slip, fuel and pump-out prices. Hint, if are fueling up when you arrive, you can check-in and get your key card at the fuel dock. It will save you the very long walk to the marina office.

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Reviewed by: Kevin Williams , m/v Blue Tortuga, on Sep 16, 2024
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 40'
Draft: 3.5'

Rating: 3

A very large marina where the owners do the bare minimum. No dockhands. The office staff does their best, but insufficient staffing on the docks makes it impossible. As an example, ourselves and 2 other Loopers were given wrong slip assignments coming in which creates confusion. Bathrooms are basically clean but in disrepair. Power pedestals are infested.
Good spot to stage for the rivers with provisioning in the area. Chicago is an uber or train ride away. On a positive note, it is inexpensive with good fuel prices.

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Reviewed by: Lance Williamson on Sep 3, 2024
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 40'
Draft: 3.8'

Rating: 4

This is a HUGE marina. It was a 0.48 mile walk to the marina office! There is no assistance from marina staff when docking. A good price for fuel. It was Labor Day weekend when we were here and two of the nights people were playing their music really loud at 1:15 am. There is nothing but the casino within easy walking distance. We used Walmart delivery for provisioning. There is a fairly decent ships store at the marina office. We were there for so really strong winds and the breakwater did a good job of protecting the harbor. This is a good place to get ready to head down the inland rivers.

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Reviewed by: Paul Steindorf , Ohana, on Aug 20, 2024
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 45'
Draft: 4.5'

Rating: 3

Huge marina, no dock hands for assistance. Docks in rough shape, bathrooms average, showers seemed dirty and smelly so we showered on boat. Can eat in casino next door, or walk/bike/Uber to retail area across the train tracks for fast food and Walmart for groceries.

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Reviewed by: Lburket on Jun 19, 2024
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 34'
Draft: 3.0'

Rating: 4

Marina is really large with a lot of boats. The docks themselves seem unkept. Lots of splintering wood, nails in poles. They look tired. The facilities were nice. Only two washer and dryers which does not seem like a lot for the size of the marina. We were there on a weekday so it was pretty quiet but I imagine it gets hopping on the weekends. Cafe/Store was nice to have so close. Would have given 5 stars if the docks were in better shape.

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Reviewed by: Jodi Cavanaugh , Dos Gatos Locos, on Oct 28, 2023
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 46'
Draft: 4.0'

Rating: 5

A huge thank you to this staff for going above and beyond to take care of probably 200 Loopers that needed extended stay over a course of a month. Thank you for taking care of all our packages, taking us to Walmart and the grocery store and extending your season. We appreciate and thank each of you. Jodi and Karen MV Dos Gatos Locos.

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Reviewed by: Scott Vanderstoep , Hope and Dreams, on Oct 13, 2023
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 30'
Draft: 3.5'

Rating: 4

The Hammond folks are overwhelmed. It's a huge marina and it's hard to keep up with bathroom cleaning, and other essentials. The folks at the front desk are very kind. And the price is right. They also will drive you to Wal-Mart if you don't want to walk across the bridge. We thought the casino would be cool to hang out and watch football and have fun. But Indiana allows smoking in their casinos, so we lasted 10 minutes and had to leave. Even the non-smoking section is like the 1980s bars. That was unfortunate.

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Reviewed by: Kevin King , High Tide, on Oct 13, 2023
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 40'
Draft: 3.0'

Rating: 5

We left the boat here for 1 month to wait on the locks to open ,nice safe place friendly people great service ,will stay again !!

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Reviewed by: Tom Taylor on May 26, 2023
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 42'
Draft: 0.0'

Rating: 4

I assumed lots of food choices at Casino, not so. Times have changed. No breakfast only coffee bar, hamburger lunches, steak house weekend evenings.

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Reviewed by: Capt Maria Langer , Do It Now, on Oct 14, 2022
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 32'
Draft: 2.5'

Rating: 5

I stopped here to refuel -- it has the lowest fuel prices in the area by far. ($5.099/gallon on October 13, 2022.) Excellent fuel dock with friendly and helpful staff.

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Reviewed by: Brian Wicks on Sep 14, 2022
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 27'
Draft: 2.0'

Rating: 4

Nice marina and facilities. Right next to Horseshoe Casino. Finger docks were wobbly but main arms sturdy.

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Reviewed by: Linda McCormick on Jul 30, 2022
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 39'
Draft: 3.5'

Rating: 2

Large marina serving local boaters but has lots of transient slips. It is quite busy on the weekends. Long walk to office. Grocery a little over a mile away and Walmart is 1.5 miles but it would be a difficult walk as it is along a access ramp. Several nice beach just a short dinghy ride away.

Adjacent to busy train lines with multiple level crossings so the horns blow day and night. If you have a dog sensitive to noise, they will not like it here. Also, getting the dogs to grass is a real hike. Noticeable door of sulphur in the area. Washrooms and laundry are located on the dock though. Very reasonable price for slip and laundry. Well protect from wind.

Good place to position for Cal-Sag or Chicago or to leave the boat for a period. Skyway Yacht Works did an in-slip oil change for us.

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Reviewed by: Wade A. on Feb 3, 2022
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 45'
Draft: 4.0'

Rating: 4

We stayed here for two weeks in Aug/Sept 2021.

Pro:
A very large, secure, deep water marina Good wind/wave protection from all points.
Solid floating docks
Excellent fuel dock
Good dining at adjacent casino
Good Uber/Lyft or train access to city and shopping
Lots of Looper traffic, preparing for the voyage down the rivers
MUCH cheaper that Chicago marinas

Con:
5+ minute walk from W Dock to shore or office.
Bathrooms and laundry on the docks were atrocious.
Power pedestals were filthy.
Slips from S Dock inshore are narrow, Larger vessels should be clear about beam requirements.

We left our boat here for a week unattended without incident. Locals and marina staff were very helpful in watching it for us. Despite the negatives noted, we will use this marina again.

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Reviewed by: Rob Dare , Liberty Call , on Sep 13, 2021
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 46'
Draft: 4.5'

Rating: 3

A very large marina that makes for a long walk off the pier and twice that to get to the office. Fuel was $3.09. Power pedestals need cleaned as do the bathrooms. About 1/2 the bathrooms are out of order. We were charged $20 cash to get a gate key which can't be returned before 0830. If you leave early you have to turn it in the day before and not be able to get back on the pier. All the other marinas we have stayed at have this solved so very disappointing. With the long walk to off the pier they have added two doggie pee stations along the main pier. Areas near the marina have limited grass to walk the dog. Easy layover for starting down the rivers.

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Reviewed by: Robert Hansen , Soulmate , on Sep 8, 2021
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 60'
Draft: 4.5'

Rating: 3

Hammond Marina docks and walkways are in good condition.

The dock pedestals are not clean or being maintained properly.

The bathrooms were disgusting and the secure bathrooms were out of order.

Diesel fuel was $3.09 Labor Day weekend. The fuel dock last boat fuel time of 4:15 on week days should be noted. I was told on radio if I arrived at 4:15 that I would not be fueled. I arrived at 4:05 to be safe.

WiFi is adequate.

The marina is secure and the Lakefront is very nice.

The adjacent casino has dining available.

Hammond is an excellent Marina and going down the Cal Sag which is only 3 miles away.

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Reviewed by: Capt. Mac Rubel on Sep 6, 2021
LOA: 48'
Draft: 5.0'

Rating: 4

It is difficult to write a fair and complete review of Hammond Port Authority Marina when you are there Sunday afternoon of Labor Day weekend. The marina was alive with all sorts of boats, from jet skis to 60 foot motor yachts. We were using the marina to stage for the Calumet River which is a short two miles from the marina. Hammond is a big marina. We were on Dock "W", close to the entrance and gas dock. Staff was very helpful with reservations and also on the crowded gas dock, helping us with a pump-out.

The docks were in good shape and the slips were sufficiently wide to make it easy to get in and out. Approach and fairway depths were over 20 feet. Power and water were no problems. We did not avail ourselves of much else as there was a $20 cash deposit for key cards and it was not possible to return them until after the gas dock opened in the morning (0830 hrs). As we were leaving early, we declined the keys and therefore stayed out of the casino and other amenities.

For bigger boats staging for entry into the river system from the lake, this is a good alternative at a reasonable price. It is also an alternative location to stage a visit to Chicago.

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Reviewed by: Bru Brubaker on Aug 13, 2018
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 49'
Draft: 4.0'

Rating: 4

Huge marina with good depth for our 4’ draft boat and very well protected from the big lake. Main office and small store are in what appears to be new buildings and the docks are in decent shape though it is a LONG walk to the office. Most bath house exteriors are covered in ancient spider webs; inside is dated but clean though there is one bath house in much better condition. The casino nearby has a number of eateries inside that are OK; the Six Street Bar has a good selection of excellent craft beers. Using Uber and Lyft, we went into the city for sightseeing and had a nice day visiting the German U-boat, Navy pier, and Chicago architecture river tour. We could have easily stayed another day or two for more sightseeing and a ballgame, but moved on.

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