Shrewsbury or Navesink River marina suggestions

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sierra

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I'm looking for suggestions on great marina destinations in this area to hang my captain's hat for a few days. My one requirement is floating docks. I've been researching on all of the usual sites and I'm hoping someone will have a great idea that I've missed.

I've read all of the discussions about The Channel Club. While I don't need that proximity to the beach, it looks like there's a lot going on there - which isn't necessarily a requirement... I would just like a nice facility with nearby eats. A pool is also not a must but is always nice. It does not appear that The Channel Club has floaters - please correct me if I'm wrong about that. I do realize that requirement is going to limit my options.

Thanks for any thoughts you may have.
 
No floaters at the Channel Club docks, only in the pool. Kidding about the pool.

Pool is great there heated, restaurant is great, people are great.

Good place to hang a hat IMHO.

If you are looking for floating docks, then check out Molly Pitcher Inn, Red Bank. Red Bank is a nice town, the Inn has a restaurant and a pool too.
 
quote:
Originally posted by Robyns Nest

If you are looking for floating docks, then check out Molly Pitcher Inn, Red Bank. Red Bank is a nice town, the Inn has a restaurant and a pool too.

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Thanks - I saw that as well and it looks very nice and in the order of what I'm looking for. Their website is a bit vague and makes it appear as if the marina is only for guests of the inn coming by boat. I'll check with them... does anyone have any experience there?
 
I'll second Jonathan on the Channel CLub. No floaters but a super dock master and staff that will help you with hassle free docking. This is the only place I have ever been where you check in at the fuel dock and they put a dock hand on your boat to guide you to your slip and help you tie up. Dave the dock master told me that he does that so couples aren't starting their weekend with a fight while docking. Smart guy.
 
Thanks for all of the feedback! If I opt for Red Bank, Molly Pitcher seems like a much nicer spot than Irwin to tie up at for a few days - but it would obviously be great to hear from anyone with experience at either one of those spots.

Robyns Nest - about how long is the typical run to that area from Liberty Landing? Conditions permitting, I typically cruise at around 20 kts. Also, how is the new Marine Center? Have they finally moved the restrooms from the lightship?

As I get closer to the trip - hopefully sometime in June - I'll be eager to hear any local knowledge regarding the run. Thanks again.
 
I run at 26 knots and can make it to the mouth of the river in 35-45 minutes, then it's a no wake the entire way. I plan on 01:45 to get to the Channel Club but I've done it in less.

The new bathrooms in the Marine Center are the nicest bathroom I've ever seen at a marina. First class all the way, they spent some $$$ on all of the stone work and the facility. They have a small ships store there too.

They are planning on a new restaurant (2 spaces in the building) to be open sometime this season, one for burgers, sandwiches, etc... and another with indoor and outdoor seating up on the second floor outdoor deck they built. I hope it gets done this year, I saw a sheet rock truck deliver on Monday so I'm guessing the rough work is all done, now it's time to finish it up and open.
 
That's great news about the Marine Center. I always thought it was such a shame for an otherwise world class marina to have such terrible facilities. Particularly the year I was there on a stopover, my holding tank was full and there was no pump-out available. I also hear there are new pump-out stations at the fuel dock. Is the "convenience" section of the Center fairly well stocked with light food and beverage items?

And thanks for the feedback on timing to the Shrewsbury. I imagine it's just a bit longer to Red Bank.
 
I haven't stayed at either Molley Pitcher or Irwin's but I have looked at both of them for future stays. I don't know if it's an issue for you, but I don't believe that Molly Pitcher allows dogs. Irwin's isn't as fancy, but is closer to town and is right next to a beautiful park on the waterfront where they hold the Jazz festival. Friend's of ours have kept their boat at Irvwin's and liked it very much.
 
quote:
Originally posted by sierra

That's great news about the Marine Center. I always thought it was such a shame for an otherwise world class marina to have such terrible facilities. Particularly the year I was there on a stopover, my holding tank was full and there was no pump-out available. I also hear there are new pump-out stations at the fuel dock. Is the "convenience" section of the Center fairly well stocked with light food and beverage items?

And thanks for the feedback on timing to the Shrewsbury. I imagine it's just a bit longer to Red Bank.

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yes, new pumpout stations are in, the pump out boat will be back online in 3 weeks, they are redoing it over.

The ship store has some food, soups, easy mac, peanut butter, jelly, bread, ice cream, frozen bait, drinks, candy. Toiletries too, Not too much but just enough to get by.
 
We stayed at Molly Pitcher years ago and enjoyed it. Mickey the dockmaster was great as well. We used the pool and walked into town. Pizza and ice cream show about a block or 2 away. More restaurants downtown.

We went to Redbank last year and there was not much there except for antique shops.

I would (planing again this year) go to Channel Club. Good facilities - a few blocks walk to the beach - restaurant onsite - a few blocks away is a small food store where you get great steaks and gook them at the grills at the Channel Club.
 
You can also look into Navesink Marina.It's about 1/2 mile north of the Channel Club. It has nice floating docks and a restaurant/bar as well. Been there 6 years and love it..
 
Thanks for all of the suggestions on this topic. I ended up at the Molly Pitcher and wanted to report back. It turned out to be perfect for what I was looking for. The marina is secure and the floating docks are excellent. They typically put transients at the end of the T which, in most cases, affords you the ability to stern-to the river for an exceptional view and easy dinghy deployment. It's all no-wake byh the marina so there is no rockin' & rollin'. While the dockmaster was not there during my four night stay, the dockhands were terrific. The one who caught my lines as I arrived was profusely apologetic about the goose poop on the dock at my slip and was back as soon as we were settled, hosing and scrubbing.

The Molly Pitcher is an upscale hotel that can feel a bit stodgy. It amazed me that, mid-week, they require jackets in the restaurant for dinner. Perhaps that's why I never saw more than two occupied tables. But it's completely casual at the bar where they have an excellent dinner menu (spectacular seafood pot pie). The pool is nice and the showers provided for marina guests are perfectly serviceable. The hotel staff is friendly and it was nice having those things available for the few times I wanted to use them. But I wasn't there for the hotel.

Nearby Irwin Marine is a decent enough, full-service marina, though much more rough & tumble than the MP with older docks and it sits in the shadow of a medical center. However, it is the site of the most excellent fishery/fry shack, "Boondocks." I ate there four times, three by dinghy and once after a fifteen minute walk from the MP. It is exactly the casual kind of dockside place a lot of us boaters seek out. The woman who runs it knows what she's doing and has another spot in Sea Bright. I highly recommend it. Bring your own and they'll give you a bucket of ice. There are lots of excellent dining options a short walk away in Red Bank and plenty of nearby provisions.

So it was a great getaway for what I was looking for. If you need to be centered in a hub of activity or at a beach, it's not the spot. If you like to hang on your boat in a beautiful location and are largely self-sufficient, you may want to consider it.
 
quote:
Originally posted by HOGAN

What is the transient rate?

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$4/foot - 40 foot minimum, includes electric, wifi and use of all the facilities. The contract states extra pool charges for boat guests beyond the cap & first mate and there are no pets allowed.
 
How far is the beach from the suggested marina's
What is the trans rate at the Channel Club. Thanks
 
I was hoping to go to Channel club July 7 but they are booked, so I looking for other options for a weekend trip with 4 boats. I have tried Norwalk they are book as well I not sure where we are going yet but these sound like good options thanks for the posts.
 
The Channel Club has sold out their larger slips for the season. Not sure about the smaller slips but mid 30's and up can pretty much forget about getting in. Really sucks because as others have pointed out the place is a great place to go. We had hoped to go several times this year but it doesn't look good unless you catch them on a day they find that one of the slip holders is going on vacation.
 
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