Reviews from Don Elwell (4)

Marina Review for Skipjack Cove Marina

Reviewed by: Don Elwell , Constellation, on Nov 24, 2019
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 30'
Draft: 5.0'

Rating: 5

Large and active marina with a long, easily accessed fuel and pump out dock. Marina has a pleasant staff with some lovely and well maintained amenities, including large (very clean) restrooms and showers, a good sized laundry, a nice clubhouse with a bit of exercise equipment and a great view of the river, and a very pleasant Caribbean themed dock bar and restaurant with a lot of covered outdoor seating. We transiented there for a few days during some foul weather off season and the staff was helpful and friendly. The pool looks lovely as well, but not at these temperatures. The cruise up the Sassafras, as another reviewer noted, is worth the trip. It's one of the most stunning stretches of unspoiled (and deep enough) water we've encountered. Will definitely be back.

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Marina Review for Stansbury Marina (formerly Stansbury Yacht Basin)

Reviewed by: Don Elwell , Constellation, on Nov 24, 2019
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 30'
Draft: 5.0'

Rating: 4

Nice people. $5 pumpout on the honor system. 7-8 feet depth all around the dock. Getting in and out is pretty easy. Often pretty busy in summer. Closed off-season.

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Anchorage Review for Middle River - Hopkins Creek

Reviewed by: Don Elwell, Constellation, on Nov 24, 2019
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 30'
Draft: 5.0'

From the mouth of Hopkins Creek on up into the head of the Middle River, there are several great spots to drop anchor. Much of the area is moderately private and unspoiled, with a good deal of wild life and good fishing. Hopkins Creek is the home to a couple of premier dock bar/restaurants, each with their own docks (as is nearby Dark Horse Creek). Weekend music from the bars can get annoying, so I recommend anchoring a bit further up on the port side of Middle River. Bottom is pretty uniformly 8-9 feet and holding is excellent. There is shopping in walking distance in Essex, Md.

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Marina Review for Middle River Landing Marina

Reviewed by: Don Elwell , Constellation, on Nov 24, 2019
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 30'
Draft: 5.0'

Rating: 5

Delightful, low key marina, with full services available from Chesapeake Marine. Easy walking distance to groceries, excellent restaurants, and shopping. Liveaboards welcome here. Tree lined public spaces, and some very nice people. Main channel is a consistent 8 feet, but the upper Middle River can be pretty affected by strong north or south winds, so watch your depth coming in and out of dock. We've used the marina for five years now, and it's one of our favorite places on the bay.

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