Anyone Visit Champlain's this summer yet? 2021

[boatrboy]

I was disappointed to hear of some of the changes that have happened since they sold. I have been going for years and friends of mine for more than 40 years feel the same.

If you have been, can you tell me if the grilles have been installed? I know they moved them away from the boats (a really big disappointment to me) and am wondering how far up the hill are they?

I hear no more rafting so I understand there will be less boats, but are the grounds empty?

What are your take-aways from all the changes? Are they worth the significant increases in prices?

Thanks,

Mark

 

[boatrboy]

I’m surprised that no one has gone to Champlain this year. Maybe the price has turned everybody here away

 

[saopm]

I stayed there for one night in early June when I brought the new boat home. They are definitely going up scale. I liked the old way better except for the rafting and the crappy electric. My kids are younger so no arcade and playground is a downer for us. The weekend rates for July were off the charts at 12.5 per foot. I do have a trip planned for August. I think it was around 8.50 per foot. We love block so it is what it is.

 

[boatrboy]

I stayed there for one night in early June when I brought the new boat home. They are definitely going up scale. I liked the old way better except for the rafting and the crappy electric. My kids are younger so no arcade and playground is a downer for us. The weekend rates for July were off the charts at 12.5 per foot. I do have a trip planned for August. I think it was around 8.50 per foot. We love block so it is what it is.

Thanks Tim. I just tonight booked my stay. What is frustrating for me is that on top of the high rates, my boat is 27’ and I now have to pay for a minimum of 35’. That doesn’t sit well with me. This may our last stay at Champlain's.

 

[Blueone]

$8.50/ft for over night???
….. are you guys crazy….I would never pay that

 

[Havana Shamrock]

I never saw the attraction to champlains or Payne’s the whole rafting together and paying obsorbant amounts for crappy docks was a deal breaker. I wasn’t against anchoring or grabbing a mooring ball and dinghy in I get it that marinas in the NE need to make their money in a short season but $8.50? I paid $3 in crystal clear waters of the Bahamas for gods sake.

 

[boatrboy]

The rates are crazy since the new owners took over. It’s over $300 a night for my 4 nights there and I’m only 27 feet. I really enjoy this trip every year otherwise I would not even consider it. I will report back after.

 

[bmac]

I never saw the attraction to champlains or Payne’s the whole rafting together and paying obsorbant amounts for crappy docks was a deal breaker. I wasn’t against anchoring or grabbing a mooring ball and dinghy in I get it that marinas in the NE need to make their money in a short season but $8.50? I paid $3 in crystal clear waters of the Bahamas for gods sake.

Hey, Joe, hope all is well. $8.50 is last years rate at Champlin's, that you could get if you booked before the season started. MYC has been $9/ft on weekends since 2018 plus $40/night for electric plus $20/night resort fee. My dockage bill there last summer was $3725 for the week. With bar and restaurants for the week we were just under $6,000 for the week for Kathy and I. Most of the resort type marinas in the NE are following suit. $8.50 would be a bargain this year. Not sure how long this can keep up.

 

[Havana Shamrock]

Hey, Joe, hope all is well. $8.50 is last years rate at Champlin's, that you could get if you booked before the season started. MYC has been $9/ft on weekends since 2018 plus $40/night for electric plus $20/night resort fee. My dockage bill there last summer was $3725 for the week. With bar and restaurants for the week we were just under $6,000 for the week for Kathy and I. Most of the resort type marinas in the NE are following suit. $8.50 would be a bargain this year. Not sure how long this can keep up.

Yuk, just another reason why I’m switching to day boating.

 

[be_prepared]

We're trying New Harbor Boat Basin on the Block this year, doing a few nights in about a week. For our size boat, a 340DA, it's $6/ft. We haven't stayed there before, but have a group of 6 or so boats that all reserved slips back in February. It's further into the corner of the harbor than Champlins, at The Oar. We'll see how it goes. Last couple times we anchored out off mosquito beach, but doing slips everywhere on this trip. Anyone else tried New Harbor? Our only prior experience was just using their dinghy dock to get to the mudslides at the Oar

 

[swaterhouse]

We're trying New Harbor Boat Basin on the Block this year, doing a few nights in about a week. For our size boat, a 340DA, it's $6/ft. We haven't stayed there before, but have a group of 6 or so boats that all reserved slips back in February. It's further into the corner of the harbor than Champlins, at The Oar. We'll see how it goes. Last couple times we anchored out off mosquito beach, but doing slips everywhere on this trip. Anyone else tried New Harbor? Our only prior experience was just using their dinghy dock to get to the mudslides at the Oar

We were there several years ago, was Block Island Boat Basin then. Pilings on both sides, with a floating dock stern tie.

I seem to remember sketchy power but I may be confusing it with another dock we stayed on that was the same setup in ME, but again this was 5+ years ago.

$6/foot is insane for a marina with zero services other than a place to tie up and get power and water. I remember the good old days when Nantucket Boat Basin was $6/foot in peak season and more than double just about any other marina in New England. At least Nantucket has super clean bathrooms.

Enjoy, hope you have good weather.

 

[boatrboy]

My fiend who I will be traveling with went for a day trip today on the ferry and stoped at all the marinas to scope things out. He said that Champlain's had maybe 50 boats there. A far cry from the crowds we used to see. He thought the boat basin may be the place of choice next year.

 

[Irie308]

We did Boat Basin for the first time this past 4th of July and it is a very nice marina. Docks look new, the dock hands are very friendly and helpful. Would go back more frequently if we could afford it.

 

[Riptide III]

I’ll be at boat basin this week. Indidnt like the rafting or price at the other places.

 

[boatrboy]

Well I’m off to see for myself Wednesday am. until Sunday. If anyone else from here is there, look for the “Getaway Vehicle” and stop by.

 

[kvduff]

We did Boat Basin for the first time this past 4th of July and it is a very nice marina. Docks look new, the dock hands are very friendly and helpful. Would go back more frequently if we could afford it.

Those rest rooms /showers / health hazards. If you can avoid the restrooms the boat basin is by far, in imho the best bang for your buck on block.

 

[Jeremygavin]

It is interesting to hear about the changes at Champlins. I will be following to get your opinions of the new updates. We won’t make it there this season because our big trip was north but we are planning a trip south next summer and a weekend at block was on the intinerary.

 

[Smokeio]

We're trying New Harbor Boat Basin on the Block this year, doing a few nights in about a week. For our size boat, a 340DA, it's $6/ft. We haven't stayed there before, but have a group of 6 or so boats that all reserved slips back in February. It's further into the corner of the harbor than Champlins, at The Oar. We'll see how it goes. Last couple times we anchored out off mosquito beach, but doing slips everywhere on this trip. Anyone else tried New Harbor? Our only prior experience was just using their dinghy dock to get to the mudslides at the Oar

Just got back from staying at the Boat Basin for a week. We had a great time based on not only the helpful staff but the rest of the boaters who stayed there. It's just a nice community there based on the boaters who seem to stay there as I witnessed everything from people helping with repairs and sharing spare parts, to sharing their clams to where to clam, and food and drinks at the dock. Yes, $6.00 a foot is a lot but my wife and I are going back in a few weeks and will be going back next year and every year after barring any changes.

 

[mfdboating]

I just got back from Champlins - stayed Thursday to Sunday.
It was a great experience. We all know the rates and ofcourse that is the bad, but other than waiting about an hour for a slip assignment (we arrived at 1130 - they state check in is at 300) the entire stay was quite enjoyable. They definitely are in need of help but who isn't today - this led to the wait to get in. They staff was helpful and friendly, the place was clean and had alot of fresh paint, the pool was cleaned up, restaurant was decent but with a limited menu. The "rafting" is a thing of the past, so every boat either has a floater to their stern or a fixed dock to their side. Mudslides were great. If anyone has any other questions etc - let me know but i highly recommend it.

 

[kvduff]

Just walked back to my inlaws home after hanging out down at champlains. Live music, and some free tuna from a generous boat that came back with a big yellow fin. The changes I believe will be incremental, and for the most part things seem to be improved down there. Plus they opened the new ice cream shop!