Reviews: Water Works Public Guest Docks (Vermilion Municipal Docks)

Reviews Summary

The reviews for the Vermilion Waterworks Municipal Dock highlight its appealing location and amenities, making it a favored spot for boaters. Key points include:

- Location: The dock is situated in a charming small town with a beautiful view of the Vermilion lagoons and is close to various restaurants, shops, and a library. It offers a pleasant atmosphere for walking and exploring the area.

- Dock Facilities: The floating docks are generally well-maintained, with good cleats and working electrical pedestals (30 and 50 amp). However, some reviewers noted that the finger docks are short for larger boats, requiring careful maneuvering.

- Utilities: While the docks provide basic utilities, there are limited restroom facilities (one shower and one stall), which some found inadequate. There is no fuel or pump-out service directly at the marina, but fuel is available nearby.

- Community and Activities: The area is described as safe and vibrant, with plenty of dining and shopping options within walking distance. The town hosts a Saturday Farmer's Market, adding to the local charm.

- Overall Experience: Reviewers appreciate the friendly staff and the overall cleanliness of the facilities. The dock is particularly noted for its boat-watching opportunities and the scenic beauty of the surroundings, including sunsets and beach access.

In summary, the Vermilion Waterworks Municipal Dock is praised for its location, community feel, and basic amenities, making it a great choice for boaters looking to enjoy a small-town atmosphere on Lake Erie.

Reviewed by: Gwen Smith , GwayneSailing, on Sep 19, 2024
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 45'
Draft: 4.5'

Rating: 5

Fantastic place to spend a couple of days, there is a marine supply store right down the street, lots of restaurants in the area. There's a wonderful library if you need some quiet time it's just a few blocks from the marina. There is no fuel at this marina, but there is at the yacht club right across the channel. Plenty of depth here. Nice place for a dinghy ride up the channel.

View location on the Waterway Guide Explorer

Reviewed by: David Mann , Now or Never, on Sep 10, 2024
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 44'
Draft: 4.7'

Rating: 4

Beautiful location facing the Vermilion lagoons. Floating docks that pivot vertically on the shore's sidewalk. All utilities work as designed. The fingers are short for a 44' boat, however they worked fine and held the boat securely. Longer boats should plan on afting in to allow entry onto the stern. Wonderful town that is safe and pleasant to walk. Lots of locations to eat or drink nearby. Rental cars are a challenge though as the closest is currently Enterprise in Amherst which is over 10 miles away with very limited means to get there. Washrooms, though limited in scope, were in good shape and clean.

View location on the Waterway Guide Explorer

Reviewed by: Tim Gibbs , Table Six, on Aug 29, 2024
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 39'
Draft: 4.0'

Rating: 3

Great place to watch boats coming and going in this nice little town. Docks were floating with good cleats and properly working pedestals 30 and 50 amp. Dock was 35 feet so we were sticking out with our 39 foot boat. Staff are ok to work with. Code bathroom with 1 shower/urinal/toilet. No laundry. No security and not needed. Good water pressure. There is nothing special about these docks. People come here for boat watching and the town which gives an old town feel with plenty to do. Plenty of shopping and restaurants within walking distance.

View location on the Waterway Guide Explorer

Reviewed by: John Newman on Aug 9, 2023
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 50'
Draft: 4.5'

Rating: 4

Vermilion Waterworks Municipal Dock
$2/ft, 50 amp, no fuel or pumpout
Bathroom has 1 stall and 1 shower. Definitely not enough.

The docks are the first ones on the right side of the Vermilion River. It's next to the Chez Francois restaurant. The advantage is that it is close to the inlet and relatively quiet except for the restaurant noise, which isn't bad. We were next to the restaurant in dock 2. We have a 50 foot trawler. There is a LOT of boat traffic here.
The main street shops are walkable and the Saturday Farmer's Market had a lot of bakery goods and other items for sale. The restaurants are good especially the Wine Vault.

View location on the Waterway Guide Explorer

Reviewed by: Anonymous on May 23, 2023
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 31'
Draft: 3.0'

Rating: 5

Visited 21 and 22 May 2023. Vermilion is genuinely a small town on a great lake which arrangement of lagoons and Vermilion River make it a haven for boats. Downtown (intersection of Main St and Liberty St) is at the center with a variety of shops and restaurants. Vermilion Public Docks (identified as pillars with blue tops and white "reserved" stencil) are on the west side of the Vermilion River across from the Ontario Lagoon has clean men and women restrooms with showers. The docks are municipal but are self-supporting from overnight fees. On arrival via channel 9 call the dockmaster, "Vermilion Port Authority". Fuel is available up the river about 500 feet from the reservable public docks, passing the Quaker Steak and Lube restaurant on the right to the Vermilion Power Boats on the right.

View location on the Waterway Guide Explorer

Reviewed by: Barb Robertson on Aug 5, 2021
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 37'
Draft: 3.5'

Rating: 5

My favorite place to dock in Lake Erie. Docks and cleats were in good repair. The restrooms and showers were clean. The dock master was immediately responsive to arrival and departure and provided assistance. But the location is the real reason for the rating. Close to beach and beautiful sunset as well as charming downtown.

View location on the Waterway Guide Explorer