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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