Reviews from Steve Rynbrandt (3)

Anchorage Review for Harrisville

Reviewed by: Steve Rynbrandt, Restless Roamer, on Sep 1, 2024
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 52'
Draft: 5.0'

This is a well-protected anchorage with good holding, however it can be a bit tight particularly if you draw over 4.5'. Bottom is mud and a decent ball of weeds came up with the anchor. Make sure to heed the nav aids in the entrance channel as there is shoaling on both sides.

There is a nice park on-shore and you can generally use the municipal marina to tie a dinghy for a bit. Harrisville does not have a lot to offer commerce-wise but it is a good place to stop.

Verizon cell service was 1-2 bars.

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Anchorage Review for North Albany Point

Reviewed by: Steve Rynbrandt, Restless Roamer, on Aug 31, 2023
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 52'
Draft: 5.0'

Presque Isle Harbor is a beautiful anchorage, though this is a relatively remote area. We had a family cabin in the area years ago and were pleased to have spent two nights at anchor late in the summer of 2023.

The anchorage is well protected, particularly if you can tuck into the southerly portions. There are a few private mooring buoys in the southernmost portion, but there is still generally plenty of room to find a secure spot. The northern portion of the harbor (up near the State run dock) is exposed to the East. Little protection from wakes, but this is generally not a highly-travelled area with large wakes aside from the wooden boat show.

Holding is excellent with the bottom consisting generally sand/sandy mud. There is some grass/vegetative growth in spots. Water is generally clear enough that you can see the bottom 15-20ft down.

Our Verizon devices had 1 bar, and often times that one bar disappeared to 0.

Shorewise there is the State dock with diesel/gas/pumpout as well as Ida Mae's restaurant/deli/convenience store. The beach to the south of the State dock is public and a nice place to visit and run dogs. Much of the rest of the shoreline is private aside from the lighthouse parks on the north end (which is generally rocky).

Speaking of lighthouses, there are two phenomenal lighthouses nearby both contained in parks open to the public. First, the old Presque Isle Light is at the north end of the harbor. The second is the New Presque Isle Light (still operational) and is a little over a mile away from the harbor (it's an easy walk/bike though, all flat) and is within a nice park. Both lights are climbable when open.

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Free Dock Review for Village of Crescent - Erie Canal

Reviewed by: Steve Rynbrandt, Restless Roamer, on May 25, 2022
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 52'
Draft: 5.0'

Rating: 3

This free dock is a concrete wall with topside bollards located in a small park with a car-top boat launch. There is a well stocked convenience store a couple hundred yards away, and a Rite-Aid about 1 mile away along with a great meat market named Fred the Butcher Shop.

Water depth along the wall is 9.5' to 10'.

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