Visited 31 July and 1 August 2022. Arrived on a Sunday to find a very busy marina with day boat traffic. An excellent staff managed the traffic and assisted with docking and undocking. Their assistance is welcomed since the marina fairways are about 45ft which are reduced by boat-pulpits/swim platforms. Single phase 30 amp is available for an additional fee. Service posts include water. Marina internet is excellent. The floating docks and cleats are new. Access to the marina village is at the end of the pier which has numerous restaurants and other establishments. A 1.6 mile walk on Division Rd passes the Monarch Winery, Kellys Museum and ends at the glacier grooves. The boats visiting for the day or overnight bring young and old, as well as a variety of dogs. The marina hosts a pleasant community for boaters.
Visited 13 and 14 July 2022; rating 3.5 stars. Watersports of all kinds are active at the Grand Bend Harbor which is noted for its large sandy beach. The marina hosts transients on the North Wall which is upstream on the Ausable River. Single phase 30-amp service is available, but water hooks are spaced at longer intervals. The North Wall dock is about 5 feet above water level and wood protects boats from the steel posts. Mooring to these steel posts is likely since cleats are infrequent. The lakeside 24-step-stairway lead to the restroom/shower facility that is functional; a landside stairway is convenient if exploring near the Colonial Inn. A short distance from the restroom/shower facility is Main Street with eateries and shops. WFI is available although I was not able to connect to the signal. The dock is not secure but only fisherman and fellow boaters seem to walk the dock. The village of Grand Bend is a pleasant and busy beach town. We patronized and found the Paddington Pub for dinner and Highway Girl for morning coffee and bagel bombs to be enjoyable.
I planned my return to Lakefront marina based on 2021 favorable visit. Excellent location to wait on weather, e.g., western Lake Erie and Detroit River meet. The marina standard remains high. Of note this year, the excellent internet enabled me to assess weather. I paid $6.13/gallon diesel. From the marina, I walked the 2 miles into Port Clinton which I found picturesque. The first 0.5 mile is on gravel/dirt, after which a sidewalk is available on the road's south side. Resident boaters were very friendly and considerate of quiet hours.
Stayed overnight 28 June 2022. Staff was pleasant and accommodating at the fuel dock. Diesel price paid $7.25/gallon. The slip numbers are difficult to see from the fairway. Restaurant is not open Tuesday or Wednesday.
Arrived 25 June and departed 28 June 2022. A natural harbor, the channel into Erie Harbor is well marked with good water depth, locals advise to stay east of Red Buoy #2 due to building west sandbar. Likewise, locals advise of nets and submerged stakes immediately north of Presque Isle. From channel entrance head for the east most red buoy, Erie Harbor Lighted Buoy 14, then proceed to channel between the Sheraton and Bayview Convention Center under the pedestrian bridge, nominal height 68 ft and water depth of 9ft. Marina personnel are very responsive, personable, and professional. Marina office/basic marine supplies, restrooms, and showers are located at head of pier. Excellent security with use of FOB. Internet is provided but has random outage. Access to city venues are within a block on State Street or patronize the numerous venues in marina vicinity. The Maritime Museum has limited open days, Thursday through Saturday. The water taxi from Perry’s Landing to Presque Ilse is permanently closed, access to Presque State Park is by car or watercraft.
Excellent marina located in the center of Huron, OH. Diesel is available just south at Huron Yacht Club which fuel dock is adjacent to the river. On 1 July, I paid $3.50/gallon, non-member price. On approach river depth is 30 feet and was cluttered with debris from recent weather systems turning up the river. Entry to the marina is a sharp right into a small turning basin, so via channel 9, announce arrival and prepare your lines/fenders prior to entry. Fairway width appears to be 40 feet and slips are marked. On pier “H” water depth is 10.5 ft. The features that set this marina above others include; docking support; excellent WIFI; excellent restroom and shower facilities; nearby eateries, Comfort Inn and beaches; and, Market Huron .5 mi walk. This historic town displays signage to describe its notable history which began in 1809. I enjoyed the Gathering Grounds Coffee House.
The harbor includes the Mentor Harbor Yachting Club and municipal Mentor Lagoons Nature Preserve and Marina. Channel entrance is reduce in half by a seawall extension presumable to protect the inner harbor, be mindful of boat traffic. The Mentor Harbor Yachting Club and its fuel dock is located immediately on the right. On July 23, I paid $3.99/gallon diesel. I did not patronize the facilities of the club which looked very nice. I surmise transients are placed across the turning basin which access to club facilities is by a ferryboat. At the end of the transient pier ring the bell for transfer; to return arrange transfer at the fuel dock. At the transient location is a restroom and shower facility. Water depth is 10 feet at the transient slip.
A quiet marina located at the west end Sandusky has a comfortable and friendly atmosphere. The unmarked approach to its entrance is generally 10ft water depth. Restrooms are clean and a grade better than most marina facilities. WIFI is excellent and security is controlled via one gate to the marina which requires a VOB from the office. With fairways exceeding 50ft, it has floating wood piers with 30/50 amp, and water services. Fuel (gas only), pumpout, and dock assistance is available; in advance call marina on channel 69. Walking west about 8 minutes from the marina is a bar-grille, an additional 10 minutes is the C Toft Ice Cream Parlor. Walking east about 20 minutes is Cobbs burger and ice cream, Pizza House, and a coin-operated/drop-off laundry. The latter is an alternative to the free marinas washing and dryer machines adjacent to the restrooms. Two to three mile walk east from the marina is downtown Sandusky.
Cozy marina with good services and facilities. Really enjoyed the open air covered patio of the Sandpiper grill/bar.