Reviews from Troy Hersom (27)

Free Dock Review for Chambly Canal - Locks 1-3

Reviewed by: Troy Hersom, MELODY, on Sep 7, 2025
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 50'
Draft: 3.5'

Rating: 5

The previous comments about pricing and location are very accurate. One thing that is not mentioned and makes this a MUST STOP for any Beer (Biere) enthusiast is the Bedondaine & Bedons Ronds (www.bedondaine.com/en/home) brewery/beer house on the other side of the grocery store parking lot. DON'T MISS IT!

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Marina Review for Camping & Marina Parc Bellerive

Reviewed by: Troy Hersom , MELODY, on Sep 7, 2025
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 50'
Draft: 3.5'

Rating: 4

Stopped here for one night, but this could be a fun place to stay for a few nights. The marina is alongside a large campground that has pickle ball, volley ball, a swimming pool, and a restaurant. The dock hand was bi-lingual, but it was hard to order in the restaurant. The docks could use some attention.

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Anchorage Review for Pelots Bay

Reviewed by: Troy Hersom, MELODY, on Sep 4, 2025
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 50'
Draft: 3.5'

We used this anchorage to meet up with another looper who was going the opposite direction and stage for our border crossing the next day.
The hook grabbed immediately in a mud bottom, but the chain came up caked in mud. I would think twice about staying here if I did not have a wash down pump.

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Marina Review for Burlington Harbor Marina

Reviewed by: Troy Hersom , MELODY, on Sep 4, 2025
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 50'
Draft: 3.5'

Rating: 5

Burlington Harbor Marina (an AGLCA sponsor) is one of the best marinas that we have had the pleasure of visiting.
Sally Krumrie (the marina manager) is beyond accommodating and has trained her staff to follow her lead. She even convinced the owners of the marina to allow her to make the laundry facilities included in your stay (no coins or cc needed). That is a very nice touch.
I can't recommend BHM enough, it actually deserves 6 stars.

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Anchorage Review for Nichols Point - The Gut

Reviewed by: Troy Hersom, MELODY, on Sep 2, 2025
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 50'
Draft: 3.5'

When we were here the water level was down about two feet, and there was an exposed sand bar from Long Point to Long Point Island giving better than normal wind and wave protection from most directions except the north. Boats entering and exiting The Gut can give a lot of wake action. There were nine sailboats when we arrived with room for plenty more.

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Anchorage Review for Sloop Cove - Valcour Island

Reviewed by: Troy Hersom, MELODY, on Sep 1, 2025
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 50'
Draft: 3.5'

There were several boats anchored here the night we stayed. Our anchor dragged across the ledge before taking hold. There is great access to shore for pets and people with wonderful walking trails and camp sites all around the island (even an out house should you need one).

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Anchorage Review for Brae Loch Cove

Reviewed by: Troy Hersom, MELODY, on Sep 1, 2025
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 50'
Draft: 3.5'

Stayed here for one night. It was very enjoyable to watch the local families enjoying the lake. Even though it did not seem very pet friendly, I did see a neighbor boater take a dog into shore to the east. Had a wonderful kayak exploration in the morning.

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Anchorage Review for Converse Bay

Reviewed by: Troy Hersom, MELODY, on Aug 8, 2025
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 50'
Draft: 3.5'

Converse Bay offers a lot of anchoring options. There were many boats anchored to the east of Cedar Island. There is a boat ramp with a dock for getting ashore in the bay to the north where the large mooring field is. I would probably anchor around this mooring field in the future.

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Anchorage Review for Phelps Point-Grand Isle

Reviewed by: Troy Hersom, MELODY, on Aug 8, 2025
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 50'
Draft: 3.5'

This is a beautiful bay allowing great protection from the north, but very open to the southwest. There is a public beach/swimming area where one can land a dinghy, but be aware that much of the beach front is private, so please respect that. There is a winery/distillery less than a mile from the beach, but no real shopping.

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Free Dock Review for Fort Edward Yacht Basin

Reviewed by: Troy Hersom, MELODY, on Jul 2, 2025
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 50'
Draft: 3.5'

Rating: 4

Stayed here Sunday June 29, 2025. Nice wall with lots of room. I was not able to get a two 30amp to 50amp combiner to work off one power post so we had to run the genny. Some pedestals are wired so you can and some are not. Walked up to town, but being a Sunday most everything was closed. This wall definitely makes a great staging platform for a morning lock through on Lock 7.

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Free Dock Review for City of Vergennes Municipal Docks - MacDonough Park

Reviewed by: Troy Hersom, MELODY, on Jul 2, 2025
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 50'
Draft: 3.5'

Rating: 3

This was an interesting trip up Otter Creek. I was impressed with the depth of the creek, but at the mouth (which does not have any markings) I was following my Navionics and ended up with a reading of 2.3' under my transducer (about 1' under my keel). Had I been following my AquaMaps I would have been in better waters. Unfortunately, the town floats were not installed by July 1, 2025 or I would have given this place a higher rating. The town is nice and the falls are beautiful. I would recommend calling the town office to see if the floats are in place before coming up.

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Marina Review for Fairbank Tackle

Reviewed by: Troy Hersom , MELODY, on Jun 17, 2025
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 50'
Draft: 3.5'

Rating: 3

This location is an effort to get into as you need to back into the slip and do self-serve fueling. You will be rewarded with fresh diesel (all the waterman in the area buy their fuel here) and the best diesel price that I have found on the bay.
Your wallet will thank you!

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Marina Review for 3 Knots Marine

Reviewed by: Troy Hersom , MELODY, on Jun 8, 2025
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 50'
Draft: 3.5'

Rating: 5

This Marina has been upgraded and is shinning beautifully. Patrick Welch was very accommodating and helpful.
The trip in from the east got a little skinny, but we never shined the props.
Well worth the trip!

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Free Dock Review for Manteo Lighthouse Pier

Reviewed by: Troy Hersom, MELODY, on Jun 4, 2025
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 50'
Draft: 3.5'

Rating: 4

This is a great town with a 24 hour free pier & wall. When we stayed here (6/2/25) the pier was being rebuilt and unavailable, but the wall was great.
I believe the pier may have electricity when it opens, but the wall does not or I would have given it 5 stars. There is water available with a long hose.

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Marina Review for Wiscasset Town Dock

Reviewed by: Troy Hersom , MELODY, on Jul 1, 2024
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 45'
Draft: 3.5'

Rating: 4

This is a well maintained floating dock with a new pump out station (breaker switch at the top of the ramp). There are several eateries close by, a new brewery, and a few boutique shops. No fuel or dock hands.

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Free Dock Review for Linwood E. Temple Waterfront Park

Reviewed by: Troy Hersom, MELODY, on Jul 1, 2024
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 45'
Draft: 3.5'

Rating: 5

This is a very solid floating dock in the heart of downtown Bath. Many amenities are very close (grocery, restaurants, shopping, farmers market (Saturdays), ….). There is even a self serve pump out station. There is no fuel or dock hands, and the current can be strong.

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Marina Review for Townsend Manor Marina

Reviewed by: Troy Hersom , MELODY, on Jun 2, 2024
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 45'
Draft: 3.5'

Rating: 3

I am a little torn on how to review this Marina because we were here before they were fully open for the season. (May 30 & 31, but after Memorial Day)

The new floating docks are nice, but almost all slips are back in with pilling's, so we had to go out, grab a mooring ball and remove our dinghy from the davits before docking.

The grounds are nice with a nice bar, restaurant, pool, and a 1/2 mile walk to town.

According to dock mates (all very friendly) the pump out has not worked since installed (some sort of grant thing).

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Anchorage Review for Eatons Neck Basin

Reviewed by: Troy Hersom, MELODY, on May 25, 2024
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 45'
Draft: 3.5'

This is one of the best anchorages that I have found on the East Coast. The only flaw is that most of the beach frontage was abused so no longer accessible. There is a sandbar on the starboard as you enter that is not restricted. The cove is superbly protected, and there is a CG station right in the harbor.

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Marina Review for Captain Bill's Landing

Reviewed by: Troy Hersom , MELODY, on May 24, 2024
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 45'
Draft: 3.5'

Rating: 2

The Good: Staff is GREAT, docks are new, 10% discount at the Marina restaurant, fuel price is best around, $0.50 off dockage if you buy fuel.

The Bad: no water, electricity, laundry … (bare bones Marina). The harbor is busy early with commercial vessels leaving and waking. Solid docks with pretty big tides (You get the picture)

The Ugly: Called two pump out boats that are supposed to service the marine and never even got a call back. (Not the marina's fault)

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Anchorage Review for Cape May Harbor East

Reviewed by: Troy Hersom, MELODY, on May 23, 2024
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 45'
Draft: 3.5'

Spent one night here after trying to drop the hook at the Cape May West Anchorage.

There were about 20 boats in this anchorage with plenty of room.
Held good.

We were here during snow bird & looper migration with plenty of early morning departures and generators.

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Anchorage Review for Cape May Harbor West

Reviewed by: Troy Hersom, MELODY, on May 20, 2024
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 45'
Draft: 3.5'

Tried to anchor here at low tide and could not get enough death to be comfortable without being in the channel.
Moved to a deeper anchorage toward the Atlantic mouth of the harbor.

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Marina Review for Waterfront Marine MD

Reviewed by: Troy Hersom , MELODY, on May 18, 2024
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 45'
Draft: 3.5'

Rating: 4

Nice marina with new floating docks.
Staff was friendly!
Price was $2 / ft electricity included. (Nice touch)

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Free Dock Review for Deltaville Public Dock

Reviewed by: Troy Hersom, MELODY, on May 8, 2024
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 45'
Draft: 3.5'

Rating: 3

This is a very solid dock (10 ton limit), but has been used hard and not very well loved. Nice neighborhood but a long walk to town. We tied up for a little over an hour before anchoring out. Dinghy will work at high tide only. Never saw a waterman use the dock while we were here, but we have heard that the harvest here is not good this year.

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Free Dock Review for Edenton Harbor

Reviewed by: Troy Hersom, MELODY, on Apr 25, 2023
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 45'
Draft: 3.5'

Rating: 5

Edenton has everything you could be looking for! Free dockage at a beautiful park, reasonable shore power, restaurants, easy access, and even a courtesy vehicle all nestled in a beautiful historic town.

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Marina Review for Columbia Municipal Dock

Reviewed by: Troy Hersom , MELODY, on Apr 25, 2023
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 45'
Draft: 3.5'

Rating: 4

This is a fabulous opportunity to get "Off the Beaten Path".
The ride up the Scuppernong River is a joy and the town offers up to three nights of free dockage with 50A shore power for $3 per night.
The down is a sleepy town, but there is a Food Lion within a miles hike. Don't miss the Inner Banks Mercantile, and the Mexican Restaurant.

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Anchorage Review for Neuse River - South River (Eastman Creek)

Reviewed by: Troy Hersom, MELODY, on Apr 15, 2023
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 45'
Draft: 3.5'

While having docktails someone mentioned how beautiful the South River is. We decided to try it for ourselves.
Very rural with lots of natural beauty.
In the evening all we could hear work birds.
Cell coverage is weak, but we were still able to stream Hulu in the evening.
I suspect we would not be as happy with this location if we had to get a pet to shore.

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Marina Review for Church St. Town Dock

Reviewed by: Troy Hersom , MELODY, on Apr 15, 2023
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 45'
Draft: 3.5'

Rating: 4

Good docks, but had to try 3 power posts before getting one to work properly.

Great friendly small town with a good choice of watering holes right off the docks.

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