Reviews from Chuck Swaim (18)

Marina Review for Bobby's Fish Camp

Reviewed by: Chuck Swaim , Lindy Lou, on Nov 12, 2025
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 47'
Draft: 4.5'

Rating: 4

Great location especially after a long run. Very nice and accommodating people and you can't beat the location for your last southbound lock in Coffeeville!

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Anchorage Review for Tensaw River

Reviewed by: Chuck Swaim, Lindy Lou, on Nov 12, 2025
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 47'
Draft: 4.5'

Peaceful anchorage with plenty of space. There were five boats with plenty of room to spare when we were there. Very tranquil and a great night's sleep.

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Marina Review for Kingfisher Bay Marina

Reviewed by: Chuck Swaim , Lindy Lou, on Nov 12, 2025
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 47'
Draft: 4.5'

Rating: 5

Super efficient and friendly! They had us fueled and pumped out in no time, as well as into our slip within 45 minutes. Laundry facilities on the docks and the local Walmart delivered to the marina with no problem. A well-stocked ship store is on-site. Very nice folks!

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Marina Review for Columbus Marina

Reviewed by: Chuck Swaim , Lindy Lou, on Nov 12, 2025
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 47'
Draft: 4.5'

Rating: 3

Adequate facilities and they do have a loaner car. Docks were in rough shape and the ship store was pretty lean, but thankful for their being there.

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Marina Review for Midway Marina on the Tenn Tom

Reviewed by: Chuck Swaim , Lindy Lou, on Nov 12, 2025
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 47'
Draft: 4.5'

Rating: 5

We made it to Midway in the nick of time given a huge storm that pulled in at the same time. Dock hands were amazing and got us in quickly. Important - beware of the stump field that leaves little room for error when coming into the fuel dock or side-tie transient spots. Guy's Place was an excellent dining retreat too!

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Marina Review for Grand Harbor Marina, LLC

Reviewed by: Chuck Swaim , Lindy Lou, on Nov 12, 2025
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 47'
Draft: 4.5'

Rating: 5

Friendly folks and nice facilities. The loaner car was a life-saver. They have a Tennessee address but the property was in Mississippi which was fortunate for us since this straddled our insurable waterways until we could get the coverage changed (long story). Great fuel and pump-out service with a well-stocked ships store.

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Marina Review for Clifton Marina

Reviewed by: Chuck Swaim , Lindy Lou, on Nov 12, 2025
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 47'
Draft: 4.5'

Rating: 5

The folks were great and the restaurant was a welcome respite after a 100 mile travel day. It was a quick in and out visit, but glad they were there!

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Marina Review for Paris Landing State Park Marina

Reviewed by: Chuck Swaim , Lindy Lou, on Nov 12, 2025
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 47'
Draft: 4.5'

Rating: 5

The folks at this facility were great and very friendly. The facilities were nice and diesel and pump-out were handled efficiently. The state-run resort was impressive and the staff there were wonderful. The dumptser/trash location was no where to be found, but we were told that these were available.

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Marina Review for Buzzard Rock Resort & Marina

Reviewed by: Chuck Swaim , Lindy Lou, on Nov 12, 2025
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 47'
Draft: 4.5'

Rating: 3

We were thankful to get in to Buzzard Rock since Green Turtle Bay did not have availability. It was quite basic, but adequate for us. Depending on your travel dates, make sure to ask if they are operating under in-season operations or not. Turns out that despite the hundreds of Loopers on the inland rivers in October, their restaurant was closed (weekend included).

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Marina Review for Paducah Transient Boat Dock

Reviewed by: Chuck Swaim , Lindy Lou, on Nov 12, 2025
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 47'
Draft: 4.5'

Rating: 4

It was a nice city dock, but no facilities outside of electricity and water hook-ups. Fuel was available, but no pump-out. We took a bit of a beating with the winds and the wakes, so we recommend tying up on the inside if possible. Quilt Museum, Freight House (dining), and Stella's (dining) are not to be missed!

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Marina Review for Green Turtle Bay Resort (Boat Works)

Reviewed by: Chuck Swaim , Lindy Lou, on Nov 12, 2025
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 47'
Draft: 4.5'

Rating: 4

We were excited to stay at Green Turtle after all of the hype we had heard in our travels. It was a nice facility to be sure, but we did not get to enjoy the "resort". Even though the marina had been booked for weeks on end, the restaurant, gift shop, and spa were all closed (on a weekend no less). We did enjoy the Tiki Turtle and were appreciative of the golf cart rental with AGLCA discount so we could go into town to Patti's, the grocery store, and other provisions.

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Marina Review for Pelican's Perch Marina & Boatyard

Reviewed by: Chuck Swaim , Lindy Lou, on Nov 12, 2025
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 47'
Draft: 4.5'

Rating: 5

The facilities are a work in-progress, but the people make the difference! Danny and Joi were extremely friendly and helpful. Looks like a good stop if you need work done on your boat (fiberglass to stepping a mast). There are some limitations on the electrical service for larger power boats, so call ahead to confirm what your slip will have. We have about every adapter there is, so we had not issues.

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Marina Review for The Wharf Marina

Reviewed by: Chuck Swaim , Lindy Lou, on Nov 12, 2025
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 47'
Draft: 4.5'

Rating: 5

Ava and the rest of the staff were excellent. Even though the large group was coming in for the AGLCA Fall Rendezvous, they went the extra mile to get us a slip to weather the Arctic Blast storm that came in and with an extra day. The location is great with lost to do. Uber access was excellent, as were the full facilities. Many thanks -

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Marina Review for Grand Mariner Marina & Restaurant

Reviewed by: Chuck Swaim , Lindy Lou, on Nov 12, 2025
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 47'
Draft: 4.5'

Rating: 5

The entire operation and staff were fantastic. We had several meals at the upstairs restaurant and first floor patio and bar - all were outstanding and good values. Jason and Bill Bunch went out of there way to assist us when we had to get hauled to repair a bow thruster gearbox. The mechanic (Joe) did good work and determined other needed repairs that had not yet become apparent. They were awesome and set us up for another successful leg of our journey to Key West. Thank you!

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Anchorage Review for Twelve Mile Island - south

Reviewed by: Chuck Swaim, Lindy Lou, on Aug 18, 2025
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 47'
Draft: 4.5'

We did anchor training at this location, which also coincided with a need to wait out a storm cell. This stretch of water does have some homes on it but the traffic was non-existent on a Monday. We did not stay overnight but would use this anchorage if needed.

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Marina Review for East Port Marina

Reviewed by: Chuck Swaim , Lindy Lou, on Aug 18, 2025
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 47'
Draft: 4.5'

Rating: 4

We stayed in East Port for a year and enjoyed the staff who were always willing to help. Two good dining options are within walking distance and full shopping and dining experiences are only 3 miles away. There is modest Uber service available. The approach to the marina accommodates our draft but you will get low/very low depth indications due to the heavy silting in Peoria Lake. Unless the pool is significantly less than the 12' average you should not have any problems getting in an out of this marina. Be advised you should stay in the center of the approach channel since the regular ongoing traffic helps to keep this clear and you want to stay clear of possible buoy chains that can shift with lower water.

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Marina Review for Mel's Illinois RiverDock Restaurant

Reviewed by: Chuck Swaim , Lindy Lou, on Aug 18, 2025
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 47'
Draft: 4.5'

Rating: 3

Very friendly folks and enjoyed a meal with them (no alcohol served though). Flat-fee dockage at $25 does not include any water or electrical hook-ups. There is a Dollar General and a new coffee shop nearby. It was an easy stopover, especially when there is nothing else to choose from within 20 miles.

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Marina Review for Logsdon Tug Service

Reviewed by: Chuck Swaim , Lindy Lou, on Aug 18, 2025
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 47'
Draft: 4.5'

Rating: 2

Serviceable dockage on a remote section of the Illinois River and it fit the bill versus anchoring. We would not have known about this location or how to pay in the honor box had it not been for our training captain. We came in on a Sunday when they do not staff the office. Almost all of the restaurants we saw were Mexican (which we enjoy). Primitive single bathroom/shower and bringing your own TP is recommended. Free ice was available.

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