Report Review
It's important to note that the PofE is in a transition, so things aren't quite hammered out (at least, that's what I hope).
I made my reservation for 30' with power about a month in advance, and was assigned to Dock 5. When I looked at the map, I realized it was directly below a popular walkway, and we would feel like we were 'on display'. When we asked if there was anything a little more 'private', we were told that the only other option was the old fuel dock, which is not only way out there, but an old, old dock. We chose to stay on Dock 5 because it was only one night.
Upon arrival, we had to do a double-take because there was only a single cleat installed at one end. The next cleat was all the way in the next reserved spot! I could see where the cleats had been removed in 3 spots,
I called the office to see if there was a mistake, and/or if I could get another spot that actually had cleats. I was told there was no other spot available (although there were QUITE a number of spots that never had a boat in the 24+ hours we were there), and the reason the cleats were removed was likely that it's where the 'entertainment barge' ties up, so they are a tripping hazard (which I totally understand... but put them back before assigning the slip!!!). I mentioned that the only other way to tie up was to use the single cleat for the aft, and the bow line would have to be tied around the shore-power tower... LITERALLY the only other thing I could have tied to that was in my spot! The person in the office gave me the OK via phone to tie up in that manner.
Then came the fun. He gave me the code for the bathrooms. I made note, thinking that they would be in very obvious spots like EVERY other marina I've ever been. I was wrong!
We felt as though we were in the busiest part of the marina, based on how many people were milling about and walking/jogging/cycling by. However, and this is NO exaggeration... the closest restroom we found was about an eighth mile away!! When you're 'on the go'... walking over 2 football fields seems like for-ev-er!! So, remember - if you have this ability - 'plan' when you have to go! Otherwise, just use your own head if you have one. That's what we ended up doing once we realized there were no convenient bathrooms.
Added to this confusion is the fact that that 'closest' bathroom is just a regular public bathroom (newer, yes) with no 'keypad' for after-hours. There is a receiver for a fob... but transient moorages are not given a fob, just a code. So no after-hours access for us. There was a restroom in the opposite direction, but that seemed even farther, so we didn't go that way. I believe that one has a keypad, but we never found out if the code we were given would have worked.
We tried to call the office back, but at 4:01, it was too late. Closed.
Those are all the 'cons'... My hope is that it will be MUCH better when it's all finished? Since the areas where the bathrooms are (or should be) seem to be mostly finished, I'm not sure that part of the debacle will get much better. Also, hopefully there will be more transient spaces available? It seemed to be pretty limited, and it was odd that we were not able to be reassigned once we alerted them to the absence of cleats - even though there were many, many spaces on Dock 5 that had no boats. I'm sure there was a reason, I'm just not aware.
The "pros": The PofE is simply BEAUTIFUL. The dock on which we stayed, sans cleats, is a beautiful new concrete dock! There are just so many options for food, etc., that one could stay for a week and not have dinner in the same place twice.
The gorgeous walkways go on for what seems like forever (especially if you have to go to the bathroom!), and are a joy to walk.
I REALLY was looking forward to giving 5 stars! But what we experienced just didn't give us a great feeling.
I do, however, believe that it will eventually be a great marina for transient moorage, with plenty of bathrooms that are available for after-hours access with a code!