Marina Review for Erwin Marine Riverfront

Reviewed by: William Mcnutt , Excellent Seas, on Jun 24, 2024
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 43'
Draft: 5.5'

Rating: 3

As you might guess from the name, Erwin Marina would rather sell you a boat than dock one. But they still have a nice facility. The staff is very responsive to messages sent through Dockwa, and they have self-service, pay-at-the-pump diesel and gasoline at their "main marina."

Erwin is the first marina I have encountered with spread out docks. I was at the "Bluff's Docks," between the Market Street and Walnut Street Bridges on the Tennessee Riverwalk. The dock was in excellent repair, spotless, with power, clean water, and sturdy cleats. What I DIDN'T like was that I was tied alongside, parallel to the river traffic. Every barge, towboat, bass boat, poorly driven ski boat, and personal watercraft threw their wake into my side, and I rocked and rolled. But not all night. After sunset, all those guys apparently went home, 'cause I had a smooth, level night and restful sleep.

No showers, no laundry, no bathroom, and not even a place to throw away my trash, though. I had to haul it to my next location.


Still, I was within walking distance of two museums, the Tennessee Aquarium, AT&T baseball field, and a half-dozen restaurants. I extended my stay here by a day and had a very relaxing stay.

There's a Publix across the river within 3 miles for re-provisioning. If biking or walking, be aware that Chattanooga is uphill, both ways.

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Lock comment on Fort Loudon Lock and Dam

Comment by: William Mcnutt, Excellent Seas, on Jun 24, 2024
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 43'
Draft: 5.5'

I had no trouble locking through here at 8:00 PM, which is around sunset this time of hear. They were the only lock that wanted to tell me which side to tie off on. Everyone was polite and professional. The lift was so smooth I didn't notice when it started. Excellent work.

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Marina Review for Fort Loudon Marina

Reviewed by: William Mcnutt , Excellent Seas, on Jun 24, 2024
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 43'
Draft: 5.5'

Rating: 4

The Fort Loudon Marina is a full-service marina located within bowshot of the Loudon Dam on the upstream side of the Tennessee River. The facilities are well-maintained and clean. They offer laundry, shower, and bathing facilities, and the transient slips have power and water available. They had two 30 amp sockets available to me, so bring your adapters. The staff were easy to contact and very helpful. Ice is available in the portico, and there is a drop box to turn in your transient key after hours. Prices were cheap enough that I don't remember what they charged me for overnight, and diesel and gas are both available. It's about three miles to downtown Lenoir City, so re-provisioning is possible. It would be a gross oversight to fail to mention that Loudon Marina shares the cove with Calhoun's Restaurant, whose barbeque won "Best Ribs In America" in the National Rib Cook-Off. Oddly, there is no dock or sidewalk. You either dingy over to the restaurant dock, or walk around on the connected driveways. I will likely stop here again.

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Marina Review for Euchee Marina & Campground

Reviewed by: William Mcnutt , Excellent Seas, on Jun 23, 2024
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 43'
Draft: 5.5'

Rating: 3

Euchee Marina

The Euchee Marina offers the basics: water, power, and enough lake/river under your keel to get to them. They also have a ship's store with the usual snacks and random boat parts, none of which will fit your particular needs. The bathrooms are clean and the staff is friendly.
They do offer one amenity I've never seen in a marina before: an on-site brewery. Actually, I don't know that the brewery is ON SITE per se, but the on-site restaurant offers their own brews. Be aware, though, that the Grill and Brewhouse is seasonal, so winter passage makers are advised to bring their own beer.

Ten Mile isn't so much of a town as it is an unincorporated bunch of summer homes, so resources outside of the marina is limited. Don't expect to re-provision here.

The closest traveling diesel mechanic I could find was in north Alabama.

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Marina Review for Harbor Lights Marina - TN

Reviewed by: William Mcnutt , Excellent Seas, on Jun 23, 2024
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 43'
Draft: 5.5'

Rating: 3

Harbor Lights was easy to find and easy to dock in. There was plenty of water under my deep keel, and that's not a universal trait in marinas north of Demopolis. The facility was tidy, well-maintained, and the staff friendly. The breakwater between the river and the slips has seen better days, but it's substantial and provides ample protection from wakes. However, several on-line resources are out-of-date. They no longer offer diesel, and have not done so for a year. The staff at the fuel dock was unaware that they offer space for transients. There was no one to answer the phone at the main office when the manager was at lunch. There is a bathroom which was clean and smelled fresh. Fuel prices and docking prices were competitive. The restaurant was open and served good food. I will be perfectly willing to stop there again should I have the need.

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Lock comment on John Rankin Lock and Dam

Comment by: William Mcnutt, Excellent Seas, on Jun 17, 2024
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 43'
Draft: 5.5'

Very fast lock-through once commercial traffic was cleared. Lockmaster was crisp, communicative, and efficient. No complaints.

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Lock comment on Wheeler Locks and Dam

Comment by: William Mcnutt, Excellent Seas, on Jun 17, 2024
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 43'
Draft: 5.5'

Quick, courteous service. Very smooth lift up. Like all the locks I've seen since Mobile, this one is well-maintained and squared-away in a professional manner. The approach, as expected, is well-dredged and well marked.

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Lock comment on Guntersville Locks and Dam

Comment by: William Mcnutt, Excellent Seas, on Jun 17, 2024
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 43'
Draft: 5.5'

One of the things I like about this lock is that the approach from both directions is such that, at least in daylight, you can see it for MILES and you can easily tell how much, traffic is ahead of you, at least on your side of the lock. The lockmaster was polite, professional, communicative, and provided a smooth lift to the other side.

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Lock comment on Nickajack Lock and Dam

Comment by: William Mcnutt, Excellent Seas, on Jun 17, 2024
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 43'
Draft: 5.5'

This lock gave me the smoothest lift since I left Mobile. The lockmaster was super-friendly and I can't think of a single thing to improve on.

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Marina Review for Hales Bar Marina and Resort

Reviewed by: William Mcnutt , Excellent Seas, on Jun 17, 2024
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 43'
Draft: 5.5'

Rating: 2

Hale Lock and Bar Marina
#marinareview
First of all, the "Bar" in the name refers to the name of the old Lock that used to be here, and that was named for a geographic feature in the river, a "bar." So don't expect there to be a bar at the marina. #disappointment. When you first approach Hale from downstream, it doesn't make a good first impression. The very first thing you see is the condemned transient dock. They have what looks like about 15 – 20 slips where the docks have deteriorated to the point that they are too dangerous, even for mariners. And once you get to the fuel dock you will discover that they only carry gasoline, not diesel. However, their regular slips are not at capacity at this time, and they will tuck transients in wherever there is space. I got a very nice outside berth with power, clean water, sturdy cleats, and all of the mayflies I cared to shoo off my deck. The staff was also kind enough to open back up when I realized that they had forgotten to tell me the pass-code to get back through the gate. Some people might have been grumpy about my persistence, but these guys were great. I should say a word about the approach. There's a long spit of shallower water that runs parallel to the shore. I would guess that that's the "bar" referred to in the name "Hale Bar." You have to either go inside of it, or try to pass over it. The charts say both are possible. I went with the inside passage in both directions, and occasionally saw somewhat less than six feet of water, but I never found the river bottom. I did have a close encounter with an unmarked wreck almost in the middle of the channel. It was mostly submerged, only a little bit of the bow was showing. I'm glad I did not attempt this in the dark. You shouldn't either. Speaking of bars, though, the Dam Whiskey Company is just across the small gravel lot. They have converted the 1913 operations and power house into a distillery. There is a sign that says "BEER" and another one that says "FOOD." I did not partake because it was Saturday night and the live music was causing the dock to tremble, and I'm old. But it sounded like the young people were having a very nice time.

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Anchorage Review for Goat Island

Reviewed by: William Mcnutt, Excellent Seas, on Jun 16, 2024
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 43'
Draft: 5.5'

Goat Island
#anchoragereview
This anchorage was great. I had to come in in the dark, and probably annoyed six or eight fishermen in bass boats, one in particular. He was fishing in my anchorage before I got there. Not MY fault. I kid. I gave him 180 feet. But the best anchorage is on the north side of the island, tucked into a little almost-but-not-quite cove. It's completely protected from river traffic, and unless someone is HUGGING the north side of the island, well protected from any OTHER traffic. I anchored in thirty feet of water less than one hundred feet from shore (but at least one hundred and eight feet from the fisherman). The entire area was silent and calm as a millpond all night long. Nothing but the sound of a few hundred peepers along the shore. The next morning the anchor came up effortlessly, but carrying about ten pounds of clay. I plan to anchor here again.

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Marina Review for Joe Wheeler State Park

Reviewed by: William Mcnutt , Excellent Seas, on Jun 16, 2024
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 43'
Draft: 5.5'

Rating: 4

#marinareview
Joe Wheeler State Park Marina is part of a larger resort. They have ample transient dockage with dedicated power and water convenient to the Lodge and Restaurant. There are a lot of walking trails and the grounds are well manicured. I did not look for showers or a Laundromat, so I can't comment. The pool looked very nice, but I had neither the time nor the energy to partake. The fuel dock is awkwardly placed relative to the transient dock; probably because it's more convenient for the long-term renters. The Ship's Store is convenient to the fuel dock, but does not have much in stock. They have lines, odd parts, cheap snorkeling gear, and some sodas. The attendant had the amazing ability to skate JUST to one side of disinterest without ACTUALLY being rude. I'd have to rate her as "fine." A little enthusiasm or friendliness would have been nice. They have both diesel and gasoline. The staff at the lodge was wonderful. The food at the restaurant was . . . state park food. It was edible and nutritious, but nothing to write home about. To their credit, the staff seemed willing to stay on the job and serving until there was nobody left to feed. Which was good for me, 'cause it was closing time and I was STARVING. I know I sound lukewarm on the place, but honestly, I would recommend Joe Wheeler Marina as an overnight or "coupla days" stop if you are navigating the Tennessee River.

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Marina Review for Goose Pond Colony Resort Marina

Reviewed by: William Mcnutt , Excellent Seas, on Jun 15, 2024
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 43'
Draft: 5.5'

Rating: 2

Channel is well marked, but too silted up for a 40+ sailboat. My 5' 6" draft kept finding the bottom and I was forced to abandon my approach and head on to Chattanooga.

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Lock comment on G.V. Montgomery Lock and Dam

Comment by: William Mcnutt, Excellent Seas, on Jun 14, 2024
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 43'
Draft: 5.5'

#lockreview
The G.V. Montgomery Lock and Dam lockmaster is quick, polite, and professional. I had called ahead, and he had the chamber ready for me. With no other traffic around, he was able to make this one of the fastest lockings-through that I've had on this trip.

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Lock comment on Jamie Whitten Lock & Dam

Comment by: William Mcnutt, Excellent Seas, on Jun 14, 2024
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 43'
Draft: 5.5'

The dockmaster was professional and courteous. They responded promptly to my hails in spite of being busy with a commercial tow coming through in the other direction. While I don't think that there is anything slower in the universe than a laden towboat coming out of a Tenn-Tom lock, once the way was clear, my lift was a quick, comfortable ride to the top.

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Marina Review for Grand Harbor Marina, LLC

Reviewed by: William Mcnutt , Excellent Seas, on Jun 14, 2024
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 43'
Draft: 5.5'

Rating: 4

#marinareview
The Grand Harbor Marina in Counce, TN is a welcome stop on the Tennessee River. At the very northern end of the Tenn-Tom waterway, Grand Harbor boasts a large complex of annual, monthly, and transient dockage. They offer diesel and gasoline, and it's plentiful, if not aggressively priced. There are like six fuel pumps, two holding tank pump-outs, and a very pleasant ship's store. The staff is friendly, competent, and eager to help. This was the first marina I've visited since I left Mobile where I didn't have to pump my own diesel. There's no restaurant, but the Ship's Store makes a really good made-to-order pizza, and there are custom deli sandwiches as well. They have a very few parts and supplied, but strictly on the order of oil, dock lines, and the like. In general, I found the town of Counce to be more than a little short on boat parts. Mind you, if you want to buy an entire BOAT, be it a bass boat, pontoon boat, or power yacht, they've got you covered, but if you've dropped the starboard lens of your nav lights into 16 feet of murky Tennessee River, well, they're gonna have to order that.

On the other hand, there's a courtesy car with functional air conditioning and a very posh lounge area.

Oh, and plenty of water, all the way to the dock. None of this "your draft must be less than five feet to approach" that I kept running into farther south. No, I had 16+ all the way in to the transient dock.

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Marina Review for Midway Marina

Reviewed by: William Mcnutt , Excellent Seas, on Jun 12, 2024
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 43'
Draft: 5.5'

Rating: 4

I spent 4 - 5 days at the Midway Marina, and the facility and service were excellent. They check all of the boxes (clean) shower, bathroom, laundry, and ship's store.

The restaurant was very welcome, if a LITTLE spendy, but worth every dime, with cheerful, attentive service and good food. Obi-wan me in once I contacted them on the radio. I had 6' of water everywhere I needed to move the boat, so I may have been a little overly concerned with my 5' 6" draft.

They are also affiliated with Midway Marine, their own boat store. Now, they are more about serving bass fishermen and pontoon boats than cruisers, but the diesel mechanics they sent me were cheerful, friendly, and competent. And they only billed me for "work hours," not "hours spent running around for tools and parts," which I thought was very sporting of them.

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Lock comment on John C. Stennis Lock and Dam

Comment by: William Mcnutt, Excellent Seas, on Jun 4, 2024
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 43'
Draft: 5.5'

Great experience with the staff, but the first time I had the opportunity to actually watch a tow come through. There was maybe a foot of clearance on each side of those barges. No wonder it takes them so long. If they got in a hurry, they'd destroy the lock. I'm more patient now. No complaints with my experience.

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Lock comment on John C. Stennis Lock and Dam

Comment by: William Mcnutt, Excellent Seas, on Jun 4, 2024
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 43'
Draft: 5.5'

Quick, smooth ride from courteous, service-minded staff. Can you ask anything else of a lock? Not really.

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Lock comment on Aberdeen Lock and Dam

Comment by: William Mcnutt, Excellent Seas, on Jun 4, 2024
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 43'
Draft: 5.5'

Shared the chamber with two other boats. Lock Master asked if the two of us would wait on the third. We didn't have running lights and was trying to make it to the marina above the lock before nightfall. We appreciated his effort and cooperated.

Courteous public-service minded staff.

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Lock comment on Thad Cochran (Amory) Lock and Dam

Comment by: William Mcnutt, Excellent Seas, on Jun 4, 2024
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 43'
Draft: 5.5'

Smooth lift, and good communications once I was in the chamber. Unfortunately, they were completely unresponsive to my hails. They were processing a tow through in the other direction and were no doubt quite busy, but an acknowledgment would not have gone amiss. There was already another yacht there, so I just followed through with them.

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Lock comment on Glover Wilkins Lock & Dam

Comment by: William Mcnutt, Excellent Seas, on Jun 4, 2024
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 43'
Draft: 5.5'

Quick, courteous, and professional. Lock Master apologized for not having the chamber ready for me, but I hadn't called ahead or anything! Fast service and a smooth lift.

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Anchorage Review for Warsaw Cutoff

Reviewed by: William Mcnutt, Excellent Seas, on Jun 4, 2024
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 43'
Draft: 5.5'

#anchoragereview
Warsaw Cut
Warsaw cut is an excellent anchorage off of the main channel. Best access to the Cut is from the north end, but the south end is ok if you watch your depth finder and stick to the center of the channel. You can find up to 30' of water near the north shore of the cut behind the island, but get there before dark. That 30' can turn to 20' and then 2' in the blink of an eye. I found myself well protected from wind and had hardly any current.

The locals are wealthy people who like their privacy. There is no shore access.

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Marina Review for Smithville Marina

Reviewed by: William Mcnutt , Excellent Seas, on Jun 4, 2024
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 43'
Draft: 5.5'

Rating: 3

#marinareview
Smithville Lake Marina, Smithville, AL
I am very grateful to the owners and staff of the Smithville Lake Marina for being there for me in my Time of Need. After a ten-hour day of single handing, I discovered that, in the Warsaw Cut, my anchor windlass was NOT going to let go of my anchor. So I had to motor through the night another TEN hours to the Columbus Marina, only to discover that they were only dredged to five feet, and I draw five-and-a-half, and needs must motor ANOTHER five hours to find a dock where I can tie up.

Smithville Marina was that dock. She boasted not one, not two, but THREE sturdy cleats on a dock with perfectly adequate footing and floatation.

After 25 hours under way plus another 10 futzing around with a recalcitrant windlass and assorted other details, Smithville Lake Marina was my oasis in the wilderness.

Add to that the staff that hustled down to the dock to talk me and two other boats through the approach and helped with tying up, and it was like hitting St. Peter's Gate. Yeah, I was really tired. Said staff also insisted on opening the power terminal for me because "You're my first boats this season, and the wasps LOVE these things for nests." Good thing, too. He proceeded to knock a wasps' nest the size of a softball out of the terminal and then insisted on plugging in for me as they orbited like enraged sentries. Neither of us got stung.

Smithville Lake Marina has power, both 30 and 60 amp services, clean water, and helpful and attentive staff. There's also a dumpster for trash. The site has a cute calico mother cat, but she won't tolerate you getting closer to her than about 10', so if you're a cat person, be prepared to be patient.

I did not ask about shower or laundry facilities, as I was too tired to care, but there is no fuel. Apparently, the EPA came and made the owners remove the tanks as they were too deteriorated to keep in service. "All of the markers blew away in a storm," so the staff comes to the dock and talks you through the approach. 16 is the hailing channel. Everything is kept neatly mowed, but the six tons of scrap metal probably need to be sold and hauled away to help with the aesthetics. Further, the dock boasts not one, but TWO houseboats sunk in their slips, and an additional one rests on the bottom nearby, together with a sailboat.

And, um, I stepped on the end of a board on the dock and it flew up at my face as though I was Tom in a "Tom and Jerry" Cartoon.

Please understand: Smithville Lake Marina provides critical services in an efficient, friendly, and cost-effective manner, and I'm grateful. But I'd pay another $0.50/foot if it would help them clear away the debris and update the dock surface.

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Marina Review for Aberdeen Marina

Reviewed by: William Mcnutt , Excellent Seas, on Jun 4, 2024
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 43'
Draft: 5.5'

Rating: 1

I called to check their hours and we had a some audio issues. Then I got "none of your business" and a hangup.

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Marina Review for Kingfisher Bay Marina

Reviewed by: William Mcnutt , Excellent Seas, on Jun 3, 2024
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 43'
Draft: 5.5'

Rating: 4

#marinareview
The Kingfisher Bay Marina, Demopolis, AL
Kingfisher Bay is a lovely, fairly new facility located just upstream from the old Demopolis Yacht Basin. They also run an RV park, but I didn't see any of that.
The staff is responsive on VHF 16, although I have never gotten a callback when I left voicemail via phone. Not sure what to make of that.
Kingfisher has a LARGE number of covered slips for the locals, and maintains a significant number of uncovered slips for us transients. The fuel dock is well attended during regular business hours, but I don't know if you can get service after-hours.
Fuel prices are competitive, and the slip fees feel particularly friendly after what I had to pay at Bobby's Fish Camp for no amenities at all.
In addition to power, water, fuel, and pumpout services, Kingfisher offers a shower-house, a covered outdoor boater's gathering space (with wet bar!) and there's an outdoor pool somewhere.
The General Store is an odd mix of "a bunch of stuff that could be really handy" and "there's not much here."
For example: two different sizes of drain hose (for boats), 8 sizes of hose clamps, 10 different kinds of anodes, huge tubes of 3m 4200, but no small ones. Vienna Sausages and a few other canned goods, but no fresh food. T-shirts. There's room for more stock. I suspect as they find out what sells they will be stocking a wider variety of merchandise.
Oh, I almost forgot: the laundry room is equipped with six industrial-sized washers and dryers, so there's rarely any wait to get started. My only complaint about the entire facility, well, one of two complaints is that you have to go back around to the store to get change for the laundromat. And it's a half-mile around the harbor! Who puts in a coin-operated laundry with no change machine?
There's wifi all over the site, but the closer you are to the laundromat, the better the signal is. Mind you, I got perfectly adequate service out at the end of the transient dock.
My second complains is that visiting the fuel dock or store requires a VERY long walk around the harbor, but I don't know what they could do about that.

All in all, my stay was a very positive, not crushingly expensive, experience.

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Marina Review for Columbus Marina

Reviewed by: William Mcnutt , Excellent Seas, on Jun 3, 2024
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 43'
Draft: 5.5'

Rating: 1

The Columbus MS marina.

I would like to tell you about the amenities: wifi, laundry, courtesy car, power, water, showers . . .

But I can't. I don't know if they have any of those things because I couldn't GET there.

Because they have only dredged the approach channel to 5' deep, and "Excellent Seas is a sailboat with a 5' 6" draft.

Apparently, the Columbus Marina don't want no sailboats in their marina!

• WG Editor Comment:
  

  Marina Response: 

  Columbus Marina welcomes
  transient boaters of all makes and models!  A series of floods over the
  last several years has reduced our entrance to just over 5’, so boats drawing
  5’ 6” or more may have a difficult time entering the marina basin.  This
  can be especially challenging for sailboats with their deeper drafts.  We
  recommend each boat call ahead so we can give approach instructions, and if
  they are hesitant to enter, we can recommend safe anchorages in the area. 

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Anchorage Review for Edna Bend

Reviewed by: William Mcnutt, Excellent Seas, on May 30, 2024
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 43'
Draft: 5.5'

I don't like it here. I feel to exposed to river traffic. That said, there's a good 6' 8" of water OUTSIDE of the green channel markers on the north side of the channel, so that's where I'm anchored. I've got a stern anchor out and I'm well lit.

I'll probably make it through the night, but I won't anchor here again unless it's an emergency. I just feel too exposed to giant towboats.

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Marina Review for Bobby's Fish Camp

Reviewed by: William Mcnutt , Excellent Seas, on May 30, 2024
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 43'
Draft: 5.5'

Rating: 2

So, they're there. That's the most important part. For a sailboat doing five knots upstream, Bobby's Fish Camp is the first place to buy diesel since Mobile. It's been two days, plus a night running the generator so that I can use my CPAP to breathe. Yeah, I needed fuel, and they were there.

I had to pump my own, and the display on the pumps hasn't worked since the Clinton Administration; you have to trust what they tell you.

There was power and I used it. (Got to sleep WITHOUT the genset, yay!) That said, there were no visible breakers on the dock, and the power sockets looked . . . funky.

I saw no water hoses, but I didn't ask. The restaurant is closed and the store had four cases of light beer and no food at all. There was ice available, although I didn't need any.

No laundry facilities were available and the shower is in a plastic shed. It's a NICE plastic shed, but it's a plastic shed.

I found the price to be stiff, particularly for the amenities available, but as the ONLY stop for diesel between Demopolis and Mobile, I am grateful for the service that they provide.

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Lock comment on Coffeeville Lock and Dam

Comment by: William Mcnutt, Excellent Seas, on May 29, 2024
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 43'
Draft: 5.5'

This was my first transit of the Coffeeville Lock, and also my first transit of ANY lock at night. The lock keeper was polite and VERY patient, especially on my approach.

My night vision stinks, and he kept directing me to "the other side of the long wall," but all I could see in my searchlight beam was WOODS. At night, the lock chamber is completely shielded by the long wall, and the parallax view makes it look like it's not there until you get around the long wall.

He did want either USCG documentation or state registration.

I was able to raise the lock on channel 16 without any issue and the ride up, approximately 40 feet, was VERY smooth.

I approve of this application of my tax dollars.

Oh, one other thing:
Here in the Mobile River Delta, there are lots of low-lying bayeux, and the Mobile itself flows pretty dang slowly. This means that it's a VERY good, perhaps ideal, breeding spot for moths and other light-seeking bugs. This isn't a big deal when your speed is north of 4 knots, but when you cut back to 2 knots or less to approach the lock, every moth and bug within a two mile radius will be IRRESISTABLY attracted to your chart plotter to the point of obscuring the screen. Be sure and screen the air through your teeth.

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Anchorage Review for Tensaw River

Reviewed by: William Mcnutt, Excellent Seas, on May 29, 2024
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 43'
Draft: 5.5'

I was headed north toward the Alabama River Cutoff and didn't make it before the sun started setting. Tensaw River was my "bailout option."

I'm glad I did.

The anchorage is about a mile upstream, as the Tensaw flows INTO the Mobile. Anchor facing toward the Mobile River.

Once I got around the bend, I opted to anchor in about 20' of water on the eastern shore. I had good wind protection E/W, but not N/S. The bottom was mud with good holding. I did not find a stern anchor necessary.

Very poor Verizon service. Just one intermittent 4G bar.

Great anchorage. Will stop again.

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Marina Review for Dockside Marina Dog River

Reviewed by: William Mcnutt , Excellent Seas, on May 29, 2024
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 43'
Draft: 5.5'

Rating: 4

It's not their fault, but the approach is horrendous. Mobile Bay is like, 10' deep, and isn't the least bit embarassed at going into single digits. If you're a deep-draft sailboat, be prepared for a white-knuckle ride.

That said, once you manage to get into the Dog River, there's plenty of water right up to the transient dock.

I was in urgent need of dockage for a couple of months, having bought a boat in Florida and run out the clock on my "get out of state or pay 6% sales tax" time.

There was no room at the Inn, but Tanya and her team were willing to rent me a spot on the Transient Dock at their monthly price.

They have a laundry, bathroom, shower, convenience store, and fuel dock.

The fuel dock had a feature I'd not run into before: fast pumping. Little boats like mine use the regular diesel pump, but if you need HUNDREDS of gallons, they have a high-pressure pump with a BIG hose.

Will stop there again if I'm in Mobile.

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