Reviews from Ken Mitchel-eby (15)

Marina Review for West Basin Marina

Reviewed by: Ken Mitchel-eby on Jun 4, 2025
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 37'
Draft: 3.7'

Rating: 5

May 24th. A pretty, quiet, inviting place. Easy in and out, clean facilities, well maintained. And free laundry. We enjoyed our night there.

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Marina Review for Pier 11 Marina

Reviewed by: Ken Mitchel-eby on Jun 4, 2025
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 37'
Draft: 3.7'

Rating: 4

May 22. This an older marina that was in a downward spiral when a couple with the energy, vision and resources to turn things around bought the place 2 years ago. They have their work cut out for them but are making great progress. Very helpful and accommodating. It was a pleasure to meet them. We had a couple of feet under us entering their slip area and it gets shallow at the back of the area. The price was more than attractive.

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Free Dock Review for Joliet City Dock

Reviewed by: Ken Mitchel-eby on Jun 4, 2025
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 37'
Draft: 3.7'

Rating: 4

A nice free wall. We didn't have line chaffing issues, but the warnings for caution are correct. We used our round ball lock bumpers and had no issues with the rough spots. There are some wakes from barges, but a deal breaker. Be sure you take into consideration morning and afternoon rush hour "curfews" when the bridges stay closed for traffic.

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Anchorage Review for Sugar Island - south

Reviewed by: Ken Mitchel-eby on Jun 4, 2025
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 37'
Draft: 3.7'

May 19-20th. We tucked up inside. We were concerned about severe weather, heavy winds, thunderstorms and such. We were well sheltered and secure. There were no issues with wakes from river traffic.

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Anchorage Review for Clark Island

Reviewed by: Ken Mitchel-eby on Jun 4, 2025
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 37'
Draft: 3.7'

May 18th. A beautiful, quiet anchorage. We worked our way in enough to be out of the channel and thoroughly enjoyed our night.

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Marina Review for Wharf Harbor Marina

Reviewed by: Ken Mitchel-eby on Jun 4, 2025
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 37'
Draft: 3.7'

Rating: 5

We came here to do a haul out to deal with what we thought were prop issues after our trip up the Mississippi. I do not have enough kind words to express how great Dan and everyone we came in contact with were. What Dan did, from arranging help coming into the marina, a prop shop that could take care of us on the weekend if need be, and more. Everyone went over the top to help us. They care and understand what travelling means to boaters. The facility leaves room for improvement as the prior owner went bust. Dan is keeping the place running while the creditors get ready to auction it off. The best part is Alexander's Steakhouse next door. A great experience and great food.

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Free Dock Review for Peoria City Dock

Reviewed by: Ken Mitchel-eby on Jun 4, 2025
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 37'
Draft: 3.7'

Rating: 1

The place in shambles. The city clearly has no interest in maintaining the place and doesn't use it at all. We stayed there only because we had to when the river level was suddenly dropped and we couldn't get into where we needed to be. Be careful tying off as there is some nasty stuff that can cause you some damage. There were no cleats. In talking to people in the area we learned Peoria has become anti boater in favor of the commercial traffic. We were told of what used to be a vibrant waterfront with restaurants, functions and venues that attracted a lot of boaters. It's all gone now for whatever reasons. Sad

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Anchorage Review for Grand and Snicarte Islands

Reviewed by: Ken Mitchel-eby on Jun 4, 2025
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 37'
Draft: 3.7'

May 14th. We entered from downstream. Holding was great. A nice quiet anchorage. Cell service is not an issue for us with Starlink

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Anchorage Review for Buckhorn Island

Reviewed by: Ken Mitchel-eby on Jun 4, 2025
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 37'
Draft: 3.7'

May 13. We anchored at the upstream end of the island as the downstream looked to be too filled in. We did not run down behind the island, rather staying at the mouth of the island the cut. A beautiful, quiet spot on a calm night.

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Marina Review for The Alton Marina

Reviewed by: Ken Mitchel-eby on Jun 4, 2025
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 37'
Draft: 3.7'

Rating: 5

May 13-14. A great marina. We stayed 2 nights while we waited out some weather. Nice clean, hot showers. Everyone we came in contact with were very helpful. We had a great experience. There was only 1 other transient boat besides us. They have a large number of slips dedicated to transients.

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Marina Review for Hoppie's Marine Service

Reviewed by: Ken Mitchel-eby on Jun 4, 2025
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 37'
Draft: 3.7'

Rating: 5

May 11-12. Not fancy, forget your monster marina expectations. Great people, reasonable fuel prices. We stayed 2 nights. a 10 minute walk into the village. Dinner at the LaChance Winery was great and breakfast at the Blue Owl was just as good.

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Free Dock Review for Kaskaskia Lock Wall

Reviewed by: Ken Mitchel-eby on Jun 4, 2025
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 37'
Draft: 3.7'

Rating: 5

May 8th. As stated, a great spot. Quiet except for the occasional train, and that wasn't an issue for us. We weren't concerned about shore access.

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Anchorage Review for Little River Diversion Channel

Reviewed by: Ken Mitchel-eby on Jun 4, 2025
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 37'
Draft: 3.7'

May 6th. This was a great little channel off the river. Quiet except for a few fishermen going by. If you're entering from upriver, mind the current. We had no need to go ashore and use Starlink for connectivity.

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Anchorage Review for Browns Chute

Reviewed by: Ken Mitchel-eby on Jun 4, 2025
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 37'
Draft: 3.7'

May 5. We were quite happy, no issues with wakes, just a bit of bobbing now and then. The chute is out of the main current. We were careful to mind the wing dams. Shore access, pets, cell and WIFI were applicable to us.

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Anchorage Review for Sharps Bar

Reviewed by: Ken Mitchel-eby on Jun 4, 2025
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 37'
Draft: 3.7'

May 3-4. We were in need of an anchorage out of the stiff wind blowing from the southwest. This did the trick. Not perfectly calm, but enough out of the weather to be good. The current was strong enough to overcome the wind. Great holding, anchor set 1st try. We stayed 2 nights waiting on wind and rain to pass. We can't comment on cell service as we use our Starlink.

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