Reviews from Mark Cramer (24)

Anchorage Review for David Lake

Reviewed by: Mark Cramer, Meant to Be, on Oct 17, 2024
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 42'
Draft: 3.5'

Entered the very narrow channel with 8 feet and stayed to the right. Went to a finger in the NE corner. Anchored in 6 feet. 1.3 feet of tide. Lowest I saw was 5.9 feet. Well away from the barge facility, hardly knew it was there. Very peaceful and protected.
Not sure how barges get in here, but they do.

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Anchorage Review for Bashi Creek

Reviewed by: Mark Cramer, Meant to Be, on Oct 16, 2024
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 42'
Draft: 3.5'

Narrow with fallen trees and overhanging branches on both sides . 10+ feet at entrance. Pool at 32.9 feet. We went well into the creek and anchored in 8-10 feet and tied off to a tree. Just enough room to turn our 42 foot boat around in the morning. If you have sonar, check the bottom for logs, looks like there are many until you get into shallower water. Very protected, we hardly moved all night.

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Anchorage Review for Tombigbee Oxbow

Reviewed by: Mark Cramer, Meant to Be, on Oct 13, 2024
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 42'
Draft: 3.5'

Anchored past the boat ramp in 10-12 feet. Heflin pool at 109 feet. Almost no current, spun on the chain.
Some distant road noise and you can hear the sound signals from the lock. Used sonar to avoid trees on the bottom, looked like lots of trees until past the ramp. Good anchorage with good protection.

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Anchorage Review for Cochrane Cut-Off, Lower Catfish Bend

Reviewed by: Mark Cramer, Meant to Be, on Oct 12, 2024
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 42'
Draft: 3.5'

Anchored near the mouth, 5-8 feet of water in the center about 500 yards in. Room for multiple boats. Favor the left bank going in. Very little current, just enough to hold you if there is no wind. Pool at 109 feet.
Very scenic, very quiet. No shore access but a great spot overall.

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Anchorage Review for Lick Creek

Reviewed by: Mark Cramer, Meant to Be, on Oct 1, 2024
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 42'
Draft: 3.5'

Entrance canal is intimidating with downed trees, but plenty of room. Entrance is shallower than the canal, probably 8-10 feet at 355 pool. Sharp right turn at the entrance to the lake, avoid the red arrow on a stick. We anchored near the two reds in 10 feet. Very peaceful. The entrance canal scenery is spectacular.

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Marina Review for Paris Landing State Park Marina

Reviewed by: Mark Cramer , Meant to Be, on Sep 28, 2024
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 42'
Draft: 3.5'

Rating: 4

Very nice location. Lots of walking trails. Spectacular lodge building with restaurant, they will pick you up. Clean bathrooms and laundry. Lots of transient slips. Good diesel prices, usually about the lowest around. Would be 5 stars if they had a car, but instacart is available.

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Marina Review for Birdsong Resort Marina

Reviewed by: Mark Cramer , Meant to Be, on Sep 22, 2024
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 42'
Draft: 3.5'

Rating: 4

Very friendly staff, courtesy car, swimming pool and the Pearl Museum. Channel is well marked, don't take the obvious shortcut, follow the old creek bed hugging the bank. Saw 8' or more at 355 pool.

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Anchorage Review for Sulphur Creek

Reviewed by: Mark Cramer, Meant to Be, on Sep 16, 2024
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 42'
Draft: 3.5'

Very nice well protected cove, open to the NW. Right next to the marina. Nice walking trails in the woods accessible o Eastern shore by dinghy or by going into the marina. Anchored here twice this summer. 12 feet at 413 pool. Good holding in mud.

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Anchorage Review for Indian Creek

Reviewed by: Mark Cramer, Meant to Be, on Sep 16, 2024
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 42'
Draft: 3.5'

Large open bay, rather deep for anchoring but we found some spots that were 10-12 feet in the middle, deeper near shore. Summer pool 413 feet. Not much wind protection unless you can get close to the shore. Campground where you can land a dinghy,

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Marina Review for Goose Pond Colony Resort Marina

Reviewed by: Mark Cramer , Meant to Be, on Aug 31, 2024
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 42'
Draft: 3.5'

Rating: 5

Plenty of water in the channel, 7-10 feet at 595 pool. Very weedy, but they keep it clear. Beautiful location, good walking trail, great restaurant on site, laundry and a courtesy van. The staff are very friendly. Great service available on site, they did a small repair for me in a very timely fashion at a very good price.

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Free Dock Review for Guntersville City Harbor

Reviewed by: Mark Cramer, Meant to Be, on Aug 31, 2024
LOA: 42'
Draft: 3.5'

Rating: 5

Great floating free docks with 3 good restaurants and a bar. No power or water. Good protection from weather and most wakes.
Don't expect peace and quiet, it's a very lively place, especially on the weekend nights. We've stayed here twice.

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Free Dock Review for Shellmound Park Free Dock

Reviewed by: Mark Cramer, Meant to Be, on Aug 26, 2024
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 42'
Draft: 3.5'

Rating: 4

Good stop before or after the lock. 18 feet of water at the T dock at 633.7 pool. Edge of dock is rough as the fenders have fallen off, but no big deal. Very quiet during the week. Bathrooms only, maybe facilities at the campground next door.

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Marina Review for Blue Water Resort (Lake Chickamauga Marina)

Reviewed by: Mark Cramer , Meant to Be, on Aug 21, 2024
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 42'
Draft: 3.5'

Rating: 4

Pleasant stop at this combination RV park and marina. Small store on site. No Diesel. $1.50/ft. Not much nearby and no car.

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Anchorage Review for Harrison Island

Reviewed by: Mark Cramer, Meant to Be, on Aug 4, 2024
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 42'
Draft: 3.5'

Narrow space between island and shore. Lots of dead trees in the water. Current from dam holds you in place unless the wind is blowing in the opposite direction.
Not the place to anchor if you want a view of the Smokeys. You can only see a tiny sliver from here.
Good shore access at boat ramp.
Noise from nearby highway, lots of motorcycles.

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Free Dock Review for Sequoyah Museum

Reviewed by: Mark Cramer on Aug 3, 2024
LOA: 42'
Draft: 3.5'

Rating: 3

Tied up to dock to visit interesting museum, could have stayed overnight. 9+ feet of water at dock at 812 pool. Locals will wake you during the day. Good spot to anchor, also.

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Anchorage Review for Power Line Cove

Reviewed by: Mark Cramer on Aug 1, 2024
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 4141'
Draft: 3.5'

Peaceful protected anchorage. Go past the power lines and anchor in 10-12 feet. Pool at 812 ft. Easy access to shore and beautiful walking trails.

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Marina Review for Tellico Marina

Reviewed by: Mark Cramer on Jul 31, 2024
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 4140'
Draft: 3.5'

Rating: 1

Not taking transients "now that restaurant is open." 7/24

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Free Dock Review for Watts Bar Resort

Reviewed by: Mark Cramer, Meant to Be, on Jul 24, 2024
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 42'
Draft: 3.5'

Rating: 4

Old abandoned floating docks missing a few boards, but serviceable. Very quiet protected cove.
8 feet at docks. Pool level 741.0 feet.

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Marina Review for Shady Grove Harbor

Reviewed by: Mark Cramer , Meant to Be, on Jul 24, 2024
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 42'
Draft: 3.5'

Rating: 4

Nice small marina. Very good price on diesel. Folks that run it are very friendly. Not much room for transients, but they are working on expanding that.
Would be 5 stars if they had showers and laundry.

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Anchorage Review for Booker T Washington State Park

Reviewed by: Mark Cramer, Meant to Be, on Jul 22, 2024
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 42'
Draft: 3.5'

Very peaceful wilderness bay with good protection. Room for multiple boats. Dock for dinghy and restrooms. Miles of walking trails through wilderness. Like all bays around here, it's busy with locals on the weekends but deserted during the week.

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Marina Review for Ditto Landing Marina

Reviewed by: Mark Cramer , Meant to Be, on Jul 11, 2024
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 42'
Draft: 3.5'

Rating: 3

Easy docking. Not much in the way of amenities. Fuel price (4.09 7/24) was one dollar per gallon lower than Joe Wheeler. Self service fuel pump had some glitches.

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Anchorage Review for Ingram Bayou

Reviewed by: Mark Cramer, Meant to Be, on Jun 20, 2024
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 42'
Draft: 3.5'

Quiet and peaceful. Very good protection from wind. Anchored in 5 feet past the sunken sailboat. Good holding in mud. No shore access, it's all swamp.

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Marina Review for Orange Beach Marina

Reviewed by: Mark Cramer , Meant to Be, on Jun 18, 2024
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 42'
Draft: 3.5'

Rating: 3

Fuel was 13 cents more than listed. They do not offer advertised AGLCA discount.

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Anchorage Review for Nelson Point - Rocky Bayou

Reviewed by: Mark Cramer, Meant to Be, on Jun 15, 2024
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 42'
Draft: 3.5'

Great anchorage, very protected from all directions. We went past the 20 foot bridge and anchored in the bayou in 14 feet. Park on the South shore.

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