Marinas near Richmond, VA (James River)

Not much... But it's the bigger guys coming out of Rockahock and the Haven. I got tossed around pretty good when I was docked in the Haven, could have stayed there for free. Last I heard they are working to make that area a no wake zone near Rivers Rest
 
Four Suns said:
You may want to check out Rivers Rest... It's on the Chickahominy.
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That's a good bit further than we are hoping to be. Google says 1 hour 10 minutes, but in the real world that's about 1 1/2 hours or more from the house. We wouldn't be able to do anything during the week if we had that commute.
 
src said:
That's a good bit further than we are hoping to be. Google says 1 hour 10 minutes, but in the real world that's about 1 1/2 hours or more from the house. We wouldn't be able to do anything during the week if we had that commute.
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I'm at Rivers Rest. The distance and your desire to use the boat during the week is why I did not mention it or Jamestown. RR is a great marina. I live in Colonial Heights and it is about 50 minutes door to door.

It will be a cold day in hell before we see a no wake zone there due to politics. The dividing line between Charles City County and James City is the center of the River. There is nothing in it for James City at that location. That's all I know about it.
 
We wouldn't mind being that far down for the permanent home - it's probably a lot closer than we will end up. But for now, we'll just have to settle for closer to home, even if it's not the best place.
 
It will be a cold day in hell before we see a no wake zone there due to politics. The dividing line between Charles City County and James City is the center of the River. There is nothing in it for James City at that location. That's all I know about it.

A boater can wish, right? Besides a new board member is coming, he's more boater friendly. I'd move up there if that was to come true, but I do like the middle ground. Deep Creek would be my next pick, they still have nice covered slips
 
By the way, good luck on the 31'. If King Neptune frowns upon her, there's a 1987 34' here for $28, you could get her for around $20...22, owner passed away and the family isn't into boating. Hampton Marine Services has the boat listed
 
src said:
Thanks for the info, David. I had written off the Small Boat Harbor because it is so far up the river. Having boated on the Chesdin, I know about the water management problems they have, and worry that the levels would get too low, especially since the river is so narrow that far up. If you say it's good, I'll certainly have to check it out. The proximity to I95 makes it within our driving range.

What was your experience with the CSX bridge near the mouth of the river? The info I have found says that it only has a 10' clearance, and the boat will need at least 11. How is dealing with the swing-out bridge/operator? Also, we wouldn't be able to get back in if we stayed out too late, right?

Lots of good info there - exactly the kind of local knowledge I was hoping for.
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WRT to Small Boat Harbor being that far up river is a pain, however you don't get into skinny water problems until well beyond the Temple Avenue Bridge toward Petersburg. Small Boat itself has been dredged in the last several years. I never experienced a problem there and I was way inside. I don't think I ever had less than 8 feet under me. Usually 10 or better. Vulcan gravel is the next inlet after you turn right out of the basin. They still bring barges in there and they are fully loaded when they leave.

The problem with the channel in the Appomattox going towards Anchor Point is it is poorly marked and too many folks try to cut the corner. In that the USCG had not done anything, barge owners and tug drivers did. You only have to run it once to get the hang of it. The river is merely following the laws of nature. It will always be deeper to the outside turn. That is well marked.

The CSX bridge has ample clearance more often than not. You should not have to mess with the swing bridge. Heading toward Hopewell from Anchor Point, on the left side of the swing, there is a support stanchion with a wooden barrier around the concrete. Notice the steel support beams parallel to the water surface are thinner than the steel on the actual swing portion of the bridge. Also they are on an angle that is greater toward the center of the river than the edge. Go to the left of that barrier and hug it about 2 feet off. Be careful of protruding bolts if you get too close. That's why I recommend a couple of feet. Hugging that barrier and you should be fine. Yes you are out of the channel but I've never seen a skinny water issue there. The actual approach is an optical illusion. Take your boat over there at high tide and hold a wooden dowel of known length to touch the bottom of the steel beems from your arch. Look at the bridge marking and you have a rough approxomation of how likely you are to clear the bridge at any given time. You will smack your VHF antenna if you don't lower it. DAMHiK!

When I was there, the bridge operator was a POS. He was supposed to be on station. He was in his car on the Hopewell side of the bridge most of the time. He had no choice but to move his arse for commercial traffic. The rest of the world be damned. I know of at least one time where folks anchored out overnight who had a slip in Anchor Point or at SBH because he failed to show up. It does not concern me any more so I cannot say if it has improved or not. I know CSX caught hell.

Going toward Richmond, Skinny Dip would be on the left after Gravel Pit. The official charted name is Jones Neck. (37.382426, -77.303992) Stay to the left going in. Go in slow and not at low tide and you'll be fine. The first time I went in I followed my friends Bayliner 4588. There are tons of >40 footers there all the time.

As far as getting into the Gravel Pit, put this dock dead on your stern (37.370720, -77.310939) and stay somewhat to the left at the entrance. You will see the difference in how the water surface acts as it gets skinnier. Slow and easy here too. If you kiss the bottom, you are only going to hit muck. Even better if you can follow a tug in. Those guys can do it blindfolded!

You may want to call Hopewell Parks and Rec (804) 541-2353 and see if there is anything available. A lot of those slips have been handed down for generations whether the person owns a boat or not.

HTH
 
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Thanks for the coords. Skinny dip is where I guessed it was - looks very interesting. The guy who told us about the gravel pit also told us about that dock, and it's what I use, but I still get a bit nervous going in there. I've seen just how shallow it is outside the channel. Fortunately, I've been able to just follow my own GPS tracks in after the first couple of times.

I guess I'll just have to see for myself for the bridge. I'll go down that way the next time I take the 175 out (maybe this weekend). Really need to just get a feel for things in person before I can make a final decision.

Again, thanks everyone for the great info!
 
src said:
Thanks for the coords. Skinny dip is where I guessed it was - looks very interesting. The guy who told us about the gravel pit also told us about that dock, and it's what I use, but I still get a bit nervous going in there. I've seen just how shallow it is outside the channel. Fortunately, I've been able to just follow my own GPS tracks in after the first couple of times.

I guess I'll just have to see for myself for the bridge. I'll go down that way the next time I take the 175 out (maybe this weekend). Really need to just get a feel for things in person before I can make a final decision.

Again, thanks everyone for the great info!
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Everybody gets nervous going into the Gravel Pit.

The bridge will surprise you.
 
src said:
Thanks for the coords. Skinny dip is where I guessed it was - looks very interesting. The guy who told us about the gravel pit also told us about that dock, and it's what I use, but I still get a bit nervous going in there. I've seen just how shallow it is outside the channel. Fortunately, I've been able to just follow my own GPS tracks in after the first couple of times.

I guess I'll just have to see for myself for the bridge. I'll go down that way the next time I take the 175 out (maybe this weekend). Really need to just get a feel for things in person before I can make a final decision.

Again, thanks everyone for the great info!
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With your 175, I doubt you'll have any issue. I've used 2 ski boats with I/O's for many years going in and out of there. When tide is low, I'd wait to see when someone comes in or out. As of last weekend, there's a HUGE branch to the right of the opening that's just sitting on sand. I would say it's about 25-30 feet long.

In regards to the bridge, I assume you're talking about the bridge near Anchor Point? I really wouldn't worry about that. Get on channel 13, or call their number (I have it somewhere), and they will open the bridge for you. Unless you have some crazy high antenna or wakeboarding tower, you're not going to have this issue. To the far left, there is a higher opening that you can cross under with no issues. I did it just fine with me 27' bayliner. Even done it with my 310 (came real close to the radar a few times). From now, I will be calling in on channel 13 to get them to open the bridge for me. Yes, we can be that spoiled, from what I hear that bridge is supposed to yield to boats, barges, etc.
 
Thanks, Jay. Yes, that's the bridge. The 310 I'm (hopefully) getting has a dome on top, so I suspect I would be calling for an opening too. I was just planning to use the 175 to scout around while I'm plotting.
 
src said:
Thanks, Jay. Yes, that's the bridge. The 310 I'm (hopefully) getting has a dome on top, so I suspect I would be calling for an opening too. I was just planning to use the 175 to scout around while I'm plotting.
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I know a lot about each marina around that spot. Give me a call and we can discuss.
 
Well, the wife and I put the little boat in this afternoon to cruise the candidate marinas. Unfortunately, we got sidetracked immediately rescuing a jonboat with a dead outboard and towing it to the ramp, which ate about an hour of our time. In the end, we just did a quick cruise by Henrico City Marina and Anchor Point, and stopped at Appomattox Small Boat to meet with the woman in charge (Christa? I'm dyslexic with names).

First off, the ride up the Appomattox river was as close to perfect as you could imagine. My wife fell in love with it immediately. Except for the swamp rat swimming across the channel on the way out - "Get closer, I want a picture, ewwwww". We met a few of the "residents" who were hanging out on the docks as we pulled up, and were impressed with the condition of the facility and the boats kept there. So, that's where we will be slipping the boat.

All things considered, it was a pretty good day.

I just wanted to thank everyone once again for all the advice and help.
 
src said:
Well, the wife and I put the little boat in this afternoon to cruise the candidate marinas. Unfortunately, we got sidetracked immediately rescuing a jonboat with a dead outboard and towing it to the ramp, which ate about an hour of our time. In the end, we just did a quick cruise by Henrico City Marina and Anchor Point, and stopped at Appomattox Small Boat to meet with the woman in charge (Christa? I'm dyslexic with names).

First off, the ride up the Appomattox river was as close to perfect as you could imagine. My wife fell in love with it immediately. Except for the swamp rat swimming across the channel on the way out - "Get closer, I want a picture, ewwwww". We met a few of the "residents" who were hanging out on the docks as we pulled up, and were impressed with the condition of the facility and the boats kept there. So, that's where we will be slipping the boat.

All things considered, it was a pretty good day.

I just wanted to thank everyone once again for all the advice and help.
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Not a problem, I think you'll be pleased. I'm usually down there 4-5 days a week messing on something or taking it out for a quick cruise. The lady Crista, she's great, and very flexible with everything. A lot of fellow Sea Ray owners are here to help with your new boat.
 
The more I hear about this place the more I need to find time and cruise up there....I will see yaw'll soon
 
dwna1a said:
Are there overnight slips there?
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?there used to be. The owner back filled slips from slip holders out for the night and deducted the consumed electricity from the owners bill.

a common practice.

they used to have concerts there every other weekend when I was there. Just not my taste in music. I bolted on those evenings.

DPM
 
If I get to drinking and having fun with other CSR members I might just wanna stay put and motor back in the morning. The upper James can be tricky.
 
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