On 7/23/09, as part of a “North Carolina Wish List,” I posed the following question:

25. The delightful community of Belhaven will be spotted to the northwest of the Waterway, hard by marker #10 (near Statute Mile 135.5). Here you will find two marinas, River Forest Manor, and Belhaven Waterway Marina (a SALTY SOUTHEAST CRUISERS’ NET SPONSOR). Can anyone describe a recent experience when staying at River Forest? Those who have coiled their lines at Belhaven Waterway Marina have had, I’ll bet, a great experience. Those who have stayed here with Brenda and Les recently, please tell us about your stay!

Responses follow:

We stayed at River Forest Manor. The staff were friendly and helpful. The marina is in serious need of a facelift. The shower facilities were relatively clean. On a scale from 1-10 with 10 being able to eat off the floor I would give it a 6.5 or 7.
It needs updating.
The laundry room was more like a 3 but while the machines that worked were old, they are the big commercial type and I was able to throw all of my cockpit pillows/cushions in them………huge capacity.
The restaurant was pretty good. The pool is small but clean. The marina is dog friendly. Pumpout was broken.
We will probably stay at Dowry Creek on the way back.

Belhaven [Waterway] Marina is a great spot and a MUCH better place to stay the night than River Forest. As charming as the `big house’ and restaurant appear to be at River Forest, the docks are old and in need of repair, the fuel is questionable coming from old and rusting above ground tanks, the head facilities are not the greatest and the food at the `inn’ is sub-par to say the least. Stay at Belhaven Marina ‘“ easy docking, good folks, nice facilities, great little Tiki bar and you can walk into town or ride a bike and enjoy a nice dinner there.
Pete

[Belhaven Waterway Marina is] One of our favorite stops – spring and fall. Les & Brenda will help with whatever the problem is. Les is a very good mechanic, and they have a railway in the yard to handle larger boats for repairs/maintenance.
We do enjoy Belhaven and have to have a Farm Boy sandwich! Don’t miss the museum – you won’t find another like it.
Hardware store is well-stocked and has a good gift area too.
Linda & Ed Thorn

Click Here For More Information About River Forest Manor Marina

Click Here For More Information About Belhaven Waterway Marina