Lake Erie Seaway marine

[dvx216]

This season Seaway marina was under construction that lasted the whole boating season hopefully when they are done this will be a move in the right direction.Not sure if they are on schedule with construction but it seemed like work was at a stand still after the new wall was put in.Only stayed there twice in the beginning of summer and then on Labor day not much changed.Seems as though this season the people that are running the marina are either under staffed or just don't care about their customers.For the past few years they have been the location for a large volley ball tournament.The people that run the tournament do a good job considering how many people come to this event but the marina on the other hand are overwhelmed by all the boats and people.With all the improvements I hope they are going to do something about their bathroom and shower house that are coin operated .This is the only marina i go to for the weekends that have coin operated showers.The physical condition of the shower house needs to be addressed mainly the floor for a lack of words its gross and impossible to keep clean Nature Stone was a bad decision on their behalf. With the new dockage that they are now working on it will be nice to having your own dock for the weekend and not worrying about someone rafting off the side of my boat.I have my fingers crossed it will be ready by next season. On the other hand the Paper District Marina in Sandusky has made a huge turn around and the people that are managing the marina now are great.Can't say enough about all the good things they have done .This is one top notch run Marina hell they even get up first thing in the morning to take hoses to all the spider webs and docks. If there was some marina award they should get one.

 

[northshore]

Spent one weekend at Seaway with a group rafted up 3x3 - As we all knew each other, that was not so bad but I'm really not a big fan of rafting with people I dont know.
Whom ever the Mensa was that decided Naturestone in those bathrooms was a good idea needs a serious slap. The dock staff was great - courteous and helpful. When I did have to go into the office/gift shop for change for the showers, the lady behind the counter was almost annoyed when I told her that I did not want a $10 roll of quarters. Must have killed her to break the roll open. She seriously said to me 'It's more convenient' I said "no thanks". It was considerably more polite than what I wanted to say.

Spent another weekend at Portside and the showers are not a whole lot better there. I think the close Proximity to the Village Pump may be Portside's great advantage
I swear if my Admiral ever leaves me, It will probably be for a tall dark Brandy Alexander. :grin:

Best shower house in the islands is the State park at Middle Bass (your tax dollars at work) IMHO.

 

[RollerCoastr]

I was so excited about Seaway's plans for new finger docks. I could only SMH as I walked around piles of dirt and docks still in the field in September. They just rebuilt one of the pavilions, so at least the work isn't at a complete standstill.

I have to disagree with both of you about the pebble floors - with as filthy as those facilities are, I appreciate the dirt I can't see! lol

Two weeks ago my brother came to Cedar Point. It was "busy." He was stuck on Rt 4 for an hour just trying to get CLOSE to the causeway, so I told him to change routes and I'd meet him at Paper District in the boat. I put the stbd-stern qtr at the end of a dock and they jumped aboard. I didn't have lines on. I doubt I was in neutral more than 5 seconds. The dock attendant got us for $10 for that privilege. I really don't mind them charging for "pick-ups and drop-offs", esp when parking is free, but we rolled our eyes on our way back. We all agreed that there wasn't much a chance that our $10 ever made it out of his pocket. It left me with a (new) bad feeling about the place.

 

[northshore]

... The dock attendant got us for $10 for that privilege. I really don't mind them charging for "pick-ups and drop-offs", esp when parking is free, but we rolled our eyes on our way back. We all agreed that there wasn't much a chance that our $10 ever made it out of his pocket. It left me with a (new) bad feeling about the place.

As soon as you got underway, I would have called the office and said "The attendant asked for ten, I thought it was only five!?". If he didn't turn the money in......

 

[dvx216]

Roller I'm sure that is where the ten dollars went sorry to hear that. I was told that last year the city lost money running the place so this year the people that have the Boat US is managing it . If it weren't for them the city was going to pull the plug and close the marina.

 

[RollerCoastr]

That would be sad - it's a great facility and after a slow start, has become really popular.

 

[Z-Worthy]

Just an FYI for you guys:

http://www.sanduskyregister.com/story/201612290036

The city finally made a profit on the marina last year, so things are looking up! And it sounds like some of the stalled projects downtown are going to come to fruition this summer (Amusement Ales microbrewery is the same people who own Catawba Island Brewing). A new coffee shop right next to West Marine opened up before the holidays (BoomTown Coffee is owned by the same people who own Zinc, Crush, and Dockside). The positive momentum in downtown Sandusky is really strong right now, so us "townies" are pretty excited!

 

[bblack]

Great city, Sandusky. They are always trying to move forward. The food at the city marina is fantastic.

 

[RollerCoastr]

Agreed. Sandusky offers a lot of surprises. I wish J. Bistro saw more traffic - I worry about them sometimes. Maybe something interesting will be built in that lot next door?

Downtown Vermilion is upping its game too. I wish the dock options were better.

 

[Z-Worthy]

I wish J. Bistro saw more traffic - I worry about them sometimes. Maybe something interesting will be built in that lot next door?

They just completely renovated and repaved that parking lot with all new streetlights and landscaping. It's quite appealing now! The owners of the new Kilbourne Hotel and Moseley's Tavern shot off a huge fireworks display off the Jackson St. Pier for New Years, and they're aiming for bigger things in coming years. The empty lot across the street from the Paper District Marina parking lot just sold to a developer from Cleveland who's building townhouses with decks overlooking the bay; looking for buyers now. All good things!

 

[Strypes]

We love Seaway Marina! That's where we prefer to stay when we're at Kelleys Island.

We've stayed at Portside twice when we went on a whim and Jennifer couldn't squeeze us in at Seaway, but usually she can get us in, at least for a day.