Marina Review for Dyckman Marina

Reviewed by: Ryan Hall on Oct 25, 2025
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 33'
Draft: 4.0'

Rating: 3

Great price for NYC. I moored here for 2 months while waiting for my winter haul out. The marina offers little but has bathrooms and a gated dock. Price for mooring ball was fair but I wouldn't have paid the price for a slip. It's a small floating dock with locks of wake roll.
There is good access to the city, subway a few blocks away and a citibike dock just outside the marina. Cool views of the GWB and a nice waterside restaurant next door.

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Anchorage Review for Lady Liberty - South

Reviewed by: Ryan Hall on Oct 25, 2025
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 33'
Draft: 4.0'

This might be the best view location but the better protection comes from anchoring behind the statue closer to Ellis Island. As noted, you need to check charts to see where the power lines run and where it is safe to anchor but there is plenty of space available. Water calms down after 8pm and is okay until about 6am. This is an incredible place to sail and anchor, well worth the discomfort.

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Marina Review for Captain Bill's Landing

Reviewed by: Ryan Hall on Oct 25, 2025
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 33'
Draft: 4.0'

Rating: 4

The slips are nicely located just inside the inlet however this is a very busy body of water. It was difficult to dock cleanly as boat wake and a fairly strong current pulls past the slips. We were almost constantly bouncing around in the slip as the current would push and pull the stern of the boat, not to mention your bow sprit is practically in someones dinner.
The location is great though, plenty of shops and restaurants and you can walk to the boardwalk and beach. And you could probably be served dinner on your boat from before mentioned slip arrangement.

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Anchorage Review for Broadkill River

Reviewed by: Ryan Hall on Oct 25, 2025
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 33'
Draft: 4.0'

I anchored here for a couple of nights in July. I made sure to go beyond the community boat ramp to avoid traffic but I was concerned with depth going further. I was later told there is depth of 10' going past all the docks.
I didn't stay on the boat while I was anchored but it held well for 3 days until I moved it to the town docks.
Dinghy access to boat ramp, restaurants, and to downtown Lewes which is quite lovely.

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Anchorage Review for Swan Creek

Reviewed by: Ryan Hall on Oct 25, 2025
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 33'
Draft: 4.0'

Great, well protected anchorage. Stopped here in July; there were plenty of boats here, at the marinas, on mooring balls, and at anchor but was very calm and quiet.
We took our dinghy over to Haven Harbor marina for live music and beer, then borrowed their bikes to ride into town. Rock Hall is a lovely little town and worth the short bike ride.

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Anchorage Review for Dogwood Harbor - Knapps Narrows

Reviewed by: Ryan Hall on Oct 25, 2025
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 33'
Draft: 4.0'

Anchored here in July. Light winds out of the South kept us rolling a bit, this anchorage does not provide much for wind protection and we were a good bit off shore in ten feet of water. Very quiet otherwise.
Easy dinghy ride through the narrows to bars and restaurants right on the water.

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Marina Review for Parks Marina

Reviewed by: Ryan Hall on Oct 25, 2025
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 33'
Draft: 4.0'

Rating: 5

Great little stop, the type of interesting place you hope to find while cruising remote islands. Docks are beat up but the bathroom was really exceptional. You don't need more than a couple hours on the island but a fun stop nonetheless.

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Free Dock Review for Deep Creek Bulkhead (Chesapeake, VA)

Reviewed by: Ryan Hall on Jun 12, 2025
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 33'
Draft: 4.0'

Rating: 3

This dock has room for 2 small boats or 1.5 ~30' sailboats as was the case with us. Construction was ongoing so there's hope that this will dock will improve. It's a good stop for shore access and supplies but the roadways are very busy and noisy. If you see someone at the dock you would likely be better off dropping anchor to wait for the bridge. Commucation with the operator is by VHF only and only shortly before operating times. He will check that all boats are ready before operating.

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Lock comment on South Mills Lock

Comment by: Ryan Hall on Jun 12, 2025
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 33'
Draft: 4.0'

Previous comments are all accurate. Do not show up more than ten minutes early, lock opens ten minutes before scheduled time and the staff was very friendly and very helpful. First 4-5 boats will tie up port side.
Before anyone radioed in, the lock attendant gave a last call, at which point 4 boats all called in at once to request access. (The lock attendant cannot see you coming and you cannot see the lock until you are pulling right up to it). You will use your own lines, bow and stern, and they need to be long enough to wrap a pylon that's 10 feet above you.

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Anchorage Review for Goat Island - North

Reviewed by: Ryan Hall on Jun 12, 2025
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 33'
Draft: 4.0'

Beautiful and peaceful location. We entered from the North and dropped anchor at the edge of the ICW.
We stayed here before entering the dismal swap however there is a closer anchorage listed on other charts

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Bridge comment on US 158 Hwy. Bridge

Comment by: Ryan Hall on Jun 12, 2025
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 33'

Elizabeth City Bridge was very polite and timely. The trick heading north is that it is not visible until you are right on top of it so take it slow. It was opened promptly and operated quickly.

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Free Dock Review for Jennette Brothers' Bulkhead

Reviewed by: Ryan Hall on Jun 12, 2025
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 33'
Draft: 4.0'

Rating: 3

We just did a quick stop here and used this dock as the MACU slips were all taken. The dock itself is fine; however, the trees overhang the dock and you will get your mast in the branches in the middle section. This was the only available section and so we took out a fair bit of leaves and branches maneuvering in here. Would not be an issue for a powerboat. Great town access and a nice stop.

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Anchorage Review for Little Alligator River - Mill Point

Reviewed by: Ryan Hall on Jun 12, 2025
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 33'
Draft: 4.0'

Oh my goodness the crab pots. It was difficult to drop anchor and not swing into a crab pot but not the end of the world. It started to get buggy but the numerous dragonflies the covered the boat seemed to keep the other bugs away.
It was difficult to get in this anchorage deep enough for good protection but we had a peaceful night

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Anchorage Review for Oriental - Neuse River

Reviewed by: Ryan Hall on Jun 12, 2025
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 33'
Draft: 4.0'

We dropped anchor because the free docks were all occupied. This is a tight and limited anchorage and it was difficult to not be in the way, we were the 4th boat to anchor and were exposed to wind and waves from the NE. Additional boats anchored outside of the break wall even though we had heavy winds and waves all night.
Great access to Oriental and basic facilities and would have been the perfect stop with dock space.

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Anchorage Review for Swansboro Marker 45B

Reviewed by: Ryan Hall on Jun 12, 2025
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 33'
Draft: 4.0'

This anchorage was tight with 3 of us anchored (we were the last). We did see others anchored much deeper into this location but depths looked questionable. Plan to swing with the current.

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Anchorage Review for Masonboro Island

Reviewed by: Ryan Hall on Jun 12, 2025
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 33'
Draft: 4.0'

We approached from the ICW and saw 6 feet or less on approach (high tide) and so we anchored outside of this location near the ICW. There were powerboats that fly through here is as it's good passage but it quieted down at night and was a good anchorage.

• WG Editor Comment:
  

  Hi Ryan: Do you recall the state of the tide on approach? Thanks!

  Jani Parker
  Managing Editor

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Free Dock Review for The Dock at Barefoot Landing

Reviewed by: Ryan Hall on Jun 12, 2025
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 33'
Draft: 4.0'

Rating: 4

We arrived on a very busy weekend but there are ample slips. We struggled a great deal with the current here, as did many boats, and so we docked on a flat dock next to the slips. We spent the night here which really quieted down after 11 pm. No one bothered us as we were out early the next morning. Plenty of restaurants and a Food Lion a bit of a walk away.

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Anchorage Review for Steamboat Creek

Reviewed by: Ryan Hall on May 18, 2025
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 33'
Draft: 4.0'

Such a beautiful and remote location, we were the only ones anchored here and we really enjoyed the calm.
The entrance was deceiving on the charts and we needed to hug the south bank and oyster traps more than felt right but even though the creek was narrow there was plenty of depth

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Anchorage Review for Georgetown–South

Reviewed by: Ryan Hall on May 18, 2025
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 33'
Draft: 4.0'

Great anchorage though very tight entering and narrow overall and not much room. You need to be careful entering this harbor at low tide. We were lucky to get a spot up front and our anchor grabbed and held easily with minimal rode. There was a bit of the black muck on our chain but not bad.

Georgetown is a great little stop that I will definitely return to

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Bridge comment on Wappoo Creek (SC 171) Bridge

Comment by: Ryan Hall on May 18, 2025
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 33'

Bridge began opening in a timely manner on the half hour with a friendly operator. Headed northbound we were one of 5+ boats waiting in a fairly narrow channel with interesting currents. Do your best to time this bridge to avoid having to idle and dance around waiting for the opening.

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Anchorage Review for Beaufort - Downtown

Reviewed by: Ryan Hall on May 18, 2025
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 33'
Draft: 4.0'

The marked anchorage/mooring field was very full and the the only anchorage was relatively far from the free docks. We instead anchored on the East side of the river along with 2 other vessels. We only stayed for a few hours while waiting on the drawbridge but held well through the tide change.

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Anchorage Review for Factory Creek

Reviewed by: Ryan Hall on May 18, 2025
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 33'
Draft: 4.0'

A lovely little anchorage albeit very narrow with a tight entrance. This is nicely tucked away in calm water with great access to shore. Easy dinghy ride over to Beaufort and great views of the drawbridge. I would definitely stay again.

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Anchorage Review for St. Augustine

Reviewed by: Ryan Hall on Apr 4, 2025
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 33'
Draft: 4.0'

We anchored on the West bank, there is a line of good 8-12 feet depths that we could fit in between a few other boats. We spun throughout the night as we danced over our anchor as the currents battled the winds. We held just fine. We were close to downtown but did not attempt shore access.

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Anchorage Review for Tarpon Basin R48A

Reviewed by: Ryan Hall on Apr 4, 2025
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 33'
Draft: 4.0'

This is one of my favorite anchorages, so peaceful and beautiful. There is no shore access here, just a serene location and well protected.

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Anchorage Review for Outside No Name Harbor

Reviewed by: Ryan Hall on Apr 4, 2025
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 33'
Draft: 4.0'

Plenty of room to anchor even with many boats here. You can dinghy into No Name Harbor and explore Key Biscayne. The island also has a free shuttle service to bring you to the town for restaurants and grocery. There were a number of boats that blast full speed through the anchorage but overall a nice spot.

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Anchorage Review for Hillsboro Inlet

Reviewed by: Ryan Hall on Apr 4, 2025
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 33'
Draft: 4.0'

This was a fun yet very busy anchorage. We held no problem with about 5 other boats, not much room for anymore. During the day there was a constant stream of boaters, ferries, and swimmers that we found entertaining and wake was not much of a concern. Easy access to nearby park and some local shops and just a cool spot between the lighthouse and the draw bridge.

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Anchorage Review for Peck Lake

Reviewed by: Ryan Hall on Apr 4, 2025
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 33'
Draft: 4.0'

Beautiful and calm anchorage, there were plenty of others anchored here but plenty of room. Depths were 4-5 feet near the channel marker and may not be the best way in/out of this anchorage. We dropped just East of the marker and had 8-10 feet

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