Reviews from Deborah Stephens (9)
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Marina Review for Peoria Boat Club
Reviewed by:
Deborah Stephens
on Sep 17, 2025
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 40'
Draft: 3.8'Rating: 5
Brandon is great with communication. We draft 3.8 in our Mainship 390 and he gave clear direction about entering the marina. We did stir up a bit of mud here and there, but did not see depths less than 4' entering and tying up. Had a very nice night here. Free laundry, free ice, very nice boat house with full kitchen and grills outside. There is even a fire pit, and if it hadn't been so warm, I would have had a fire! Doug met us upon entry and helped tie up. At $1 per foot, it was well worth it!
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Marina Review for Big Bend Marina (formerly Henry Harbor Marina)
Reviewed by:
Deborah Stephens
on Sep 15, 2025
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 40'
Draft: 3.8'Rating: 4
Small Marina owned by avid boaters. Communication is excellent! We booked through Dockwa. Price is very reasonable. Owners are fantastic. Excellent experience coming in. Good depth here. We had a pump out and filled up on diesel and water. This Marina is quiet. Not much in town, but a short walk to a store, laundromat and a couple of restaurants. The bathhouse is up a small hill is super clean and well supplied. The only reason for 4 stars is that the views are kind of industrial, but there is an island with a lot of bird life. We are only here one night, but if staying longer there is a refuge nearby with walking trails. I would recommend!
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Free Dock Review for Ottawa City Dock
Reviewed by: Deborah Stephens on Sep 15, 2025
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 40'
Draft: 3.8'Rating: 4
The free dock is as described.. fixed steel and concrete with empty space below. We had to carefully tie our bumpers, but even with pretty heavy boater traffic, it was just fine. There is about 6 ft. depth and room for 2 40ft. boats. There is electric and a hose for water. There are several floating docks to accommodate smaller boats (no electric). The dock is well lit and the only other people there were a few fisherman. There is a bridge overhead, but it was remarkably quiet. There is a grocery store and liquor store within a short walking distance. The town is super cute… lots of stores, breweries and restaurants. If I had known, I would have spent more time here than at the free dock in Joliet. Pay attention to navigation notes on approach and departure.
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Marina Review for South Haven Municipal Marina - Northside Marina
Reviewed by:
Deborah Stephens
on Sep 5, 2025
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 40'
Draft: 3.8'Rating: 4
The marina itself is lovely and clean. The staff is excellent. But, if you need to escape bad weather, beware of high westerly winds. There is no break wall and any west waves make their way right up the river unimpeded. We arrived here to sit out a front and it was a nightmare of waves and current because of west winds and waves. Staff was super helpful, but we were on hour 8 of non stop waves. Our Mainship was "hurricane" tied and was still being rocked like a toy. We were facing another several hours of severe wave action. Don't make this mistake. When high westerly winds are predicted, skip this location- either north or south marinas
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Marina Review for Algonac Harbour Club
Reviewed by:
Deborah Stephens
on Aug 8, 2025
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 40'
Draft: 3.8'Rating: 5
We had motor issues out on Lake St. Clair and made it to this harbor. I have to say, AWESOME service! They got us right in, got the part we needed and had a slip for the night. Everyone was super helpful and we couldn't be happier.
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Marina Review for Water's Edge Municipal Marina
Reviewed by:
Deborah Stephens
on Aug 7, 2025
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 40'
Draft: 3.8'Rating: 4
$75/night with single 30 amp power. Stayed one night on the wall. Wall is between 2 sets of docks. Get there early.. the wall fills up fast at dinner time. People visit the golf course restaurant across the street. About a mile or so from stores….
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Marina Review for Lake St. Clair Metropark Marina
Reviewed by:
Deborah Stephens
on Aug 7, 2025
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 40'
Draft: 3.8'Rating: 5
Paid $30/night with 50 amp. Stayed on the wall for 2 nights during the week. Clean showers/bathrooms and lots to do here. It looked sketchy on maps coming in, but there was plenty of depth for our Mainship 390. Beautiful park. Recommend
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Marina Review for Oasis Marinas at North Coast Harbor
Reviewed by:
Deborah Stephens
on Aug 4, 2025
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 40'
Draft: 3.8'Rating: 4
The pedestrian bridge operator was very responsive. No waiting in or out. Dockhand met us upon arrival and helped get us settled. The marina is walking distance to a lot of popular attractions, but is very noisy at night until 11pm or so. Even later on weekends. Bathrooms and showers are clean (without air conditioning). Pumpout is still broken.
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Marina Review for Tonawanda Gateway Harbor Park
Reviewed by:
Deborah Stephens
on Jul 30, 2025
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 40'
Draft: 3.8'Rating: 3
There was a $35 cost to stay on this wall (40ft. Trawler) overnight. There are no pump outs on the Tonawanda side. Only on the North Tonawanda side (the names of the towns..). This wall was very busy with people docking overnight or just a few hours to visit the restaurant overlooking the canal. In contrast, there were few boats on the North Tonawanda wall. Same access to the town, just need to cross a bridge. Lots of traffic here, but it was fun people watching.
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