Free Dock Review for Brewerton Town Dock

Reviewed by: Tom Vail, Life's TraVails, on Jun 9, 2019
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 44'
Draft: 4.5'

Rating: 4

We stayed here 2016-06-08. The large free dock consists of an eastern floating wooden dock in good shape and a western concrete wall. Larger boats dock on the outside and smaller boats can dock on the inside between the dock and the land. The restaurant up the hill was very busy, and there was some noise from it, even though we docked at the farthest end from it. Delicious ice cream of many choices is to the right on the main road (away from the bridge) at Arctic King about 3/4s of a mile. We found the best deal on diesel just a mile east at Winter Harbor Marina. Their fuel is available 24 hours with a credit card on the pump. They also have a pumpout, but it is only available when they are open.

Wind protection: 4
Wake protection: 2
Scenic quality: 3
Verizon bars: 4

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Free Dock Review for Lock E8, Scotia, Erie Canal

Reviewed by: Tom Vail, Life's TraVails, on Jun 9, 2019
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 44'
Draft: 4.5'

Rating: 1

On 2019-06-05, we stopped at the long concrete wall on the south side at top of lock. There was one power pedestal but it would not work for our boat. There was lots of road noise until after dark. There was one porta-potty; no other amenities.

Overall rating: 4
Wind protection: 3
Wake protection: 3
Scenic quality: 4
Verizon bars: 4

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Lock comment on E20 Whitesboro Lock

Comment by: Tom Vail, Life's TraVails, on Jun 9, 2019
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 44'
Draft: 4.5'

We tied our DeFever 44 to the starboard wall. About 2/3rd rise, 2 strong men could not keep the boat parallel to the wall, got to the end of their rope and could no longer hang on. We got blown parallel to the port wall. Lockmaster said new valves had been added and they couldn’t control them. He watched the whole scenario unfold and it seems he should have done something to let us regain control.

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Lock comment on E17 Little Falls Lock

Comment by: Tom Vail, Life's TraVails, on Jun 9, 2019
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 44'
Draft: 4.5'

We tied up on part as required. About 2/3rd rise, 2 strong men, one on bow and one on stern ropes could not keep out DeFever 44 on the wall. The current pushed us toward starboard until they were at the end of the ropes and couldn't hang on. We slid parallel to the starboard wall and they grabbed lines there. When questioned, the lockmaster said a clogged port must have become unclogged (see also comment on Lock #19).

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Anchorage Review for East of Island at Esopus

Reviewed by: Tom Vail, Life's TraVails, on Jun 8, 2019
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 44'
Draft: 4.5'

Esopus Island Anchorage

2019-06-02

One of the few anchorages on Hudson River

We anchored along with 1 other boat for the night. It took 2 attempts with our Rochna anchor before it held in 17’ of water on a hard bottom. The depths dropped off fast and overnight at low tide, our 4.5’ draft boat’s stern was on the bottom briefly. The anchor came up clean. It worked, but probably wouldn’t anchor here again.

Verizon bars: 4

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Marina Review for Albany Yacht Club

Reviewed by: Tom Vail , Life's TraVails, on Jun 8, 2019
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 44'
Draft: 4.5'

Rating: 4

The marina will fill up every spot including the fuel dock if needed. Floating wooden docks are in relatively good shape. There were 2 dockhands standing by for our arrival to help with lines. The restrooms and showers (1 male, 1 female) are in the dock office building, as are the 1 washer and 1 dryer. A small community is only blocks away with small stores and eating establishments. There is quite a bit of tidal current at peak tides, which normally runs parallel to the docks.
Wind protection: 3
Wake protection: 3
Scenic quality: 4
Verizon bars: 4
Shopping facilities: 3

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Marina Review for Little Falls Canal Harbor and Rotary Park

Reviewed by: Tom Vail , Life's TraVails, on Jun 8, 2019
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 44'
Draft: 4.5'

Rating: 5

2019/06/06

Pleasant stop

Little Falls has an eastern floating dock in great shape and a western concrete wall with lots of room. Power is available at both. The wall would be better for boats over 40 feet. Our dockmaster was most informative, giving us good directions to delicious Italian restaurant across the bridge 1.3 miles walk (Ruggieros Trattoria). The captain’s lounge was very spacious and comfortable, with sightseeing information, books and photos that told the history of Little Falls. There are separate restrooms and showers (2 male, 2 female) as well as a laundry room. Everything is kept very clean.


Overall rating: 5
Wind protection: 4
Wake protection: 2
Scenic quality: 4
Verizon bars: 4
Shopping facilities: 3

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