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Reviews from Cruisers (6) Review Marina

1. Scott -  July 26, 2016 - 9:50 am

   McCotter’s seems to be a laid-back, easy to just relax environment. Good price, reasonable cleanliness, reasonable repair on the docks. Only problem, which is a significant concern for the younger boaters, is the Wi-Fi notoriously goes down on the weekend just when we need it most.

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2. W. Merriman -  July 23, 2014 - 9:28 am

   I stayed at McCotters Marina 3-5 July 2014. The first problem I had was identifying which marina was McCotters. Then I noticed two subjects waving me in. These two individuals got me onto a finger pier where I tied in. I found out they were not McCotters employees, but a couple of guys that had boats in the marina. I made contact with the office and they were very friendly and helpful for the rest of my stay. McCotters has a small pickup truck as a courtesy vehicle that I was able to use to go to Little Washington.
   Again I want to stress that the employees were very friendly and helpful. Having said that, [spiders are a big issue at this marina]. They are everywhere. As I walked the docks looking at other boats, my initial impression was, “Don’t people come here and take care of their boats?” Most of the boats had 3-5 clearly visible spider webs on them. Some had more. I later found out that the problem is there are so many spiders that they build new webs almost as fast as you can destroy the old ones. I was back at my home port for 3-4 days before I got rid of the spiders that had taken up residence on my boat.
   As a final note: Hurricane Arthur (Cat 2) came through while I was at McCotters Marina. I put extra lines on the boat and road out the hurricane without any problems. To the best of my knowledge there was no damage anywhere in the marina. During the hurricane the water rose more than a foot. Afterwards, the water was blown out of the marina and several boats sat on the ground all morning. A couple boats pulled out into the open area of the creek and anchored during the hurricane. They were still there the next day. So I would rate this marina as a good hurricane hole.

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3. Matt Richter -  November 14, 2013 - 8:03 am

   My family kept our Post sport fishing boat at McCotters back in the 60’s and 70’s, many great memories as a kid around that dock in those days. I remember a character with a boat named “So Good Foamy”. Boat never left the dock as far as I can remember although he was there every weekend in the summer with the hatches up working on the engines, cold one in hand! That was his therapy, what’s yours?

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4. Lee Gunter -  November 11, 2013 - 6:34 pm

   As a circumnavigator I know boating embraces all manner of people and places. If you want the Hilton, McCotters Marina isn’t it. However, if you want a laid back, easy to work with marina with old fashioned values, this is it. Mark Henley was responsive and responsible, and took care of our trawler when we weren’t around. Most of all he was honest, that rarest of traits in a now-we-see-you-now-you’re-gone business world. The facilities are simple, the environment at the marina, serene. Overall it’s quiet and relaxing. Serenity and simplicity mixed with quality service when you need either one.
   Lee Gunter

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5. Bruce Billings -  May 14, 2013 - 2:59 pm

   McCotter’s Marina is a good facility for repairs. Bob is the chief facilitator, Mark Henley the owner, and Shirley Long the sail maker and canvas person. All are very easy to work with and accommodating. They have a rather complete ship’s store and if they don’t have it they will get it for you post haste. They do mechanical work and repairs of all sort and Shirley has a complete sail/canvas operation. Unfortunately, no fuel. For fuel one must go next door to the Washington Yacht and Country Club which sells fuel to the public, both diesel and gasoline, and is the only place easily accessible and the only place for diesel west of the Pungo River at Belhaven. Most of Cotter’s docks are new after the terrible fire of a few years ago and the docks are fully serviced.
   Bruce Billings
   “Coaster”
   Chocowinity, NC

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6. Mark Henley -  February 16, 2012 - 11:33 am

   February 2012
   McCotters Marina is better than ever! Even though 2011 presented some challenges for this North Carolina landmark our full service marina and boat yard is bouncing back stronger than ever.
   As many of you may know a boat fire in January spread to the docks, destroying the North Boat House that had stood watch over Broad Creek for over a half century. Then hurricane “Irene” stormed through in August claiming the two remaining boat houses. These two events brought an end the “boat house era” at McCotters.
   Through it all the McCotters Crew has continued to serve the boating community providing dockage, on-land storage, boat repair, maintenance, custom canvas and sails, sail repair, rigging, boat brokerage and a ships store.
   Going forward McCotters will be in the unique position of offering the regions most experienced repair and maintenance crew combined with new docks. We are excited to report that three of the four docks are already open and construction of the fourth dock is well under way with completion within weeks.
   The McCotters crew wishes to thank its many loyal customers for their continued support over the last year and invites boating friends old and new to come be a part of the rebirth going on at McCotters.
   New slips available on a first come first served basis. Come see us!
   Mark Henley

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Reviews from Cruisers (14) Review Marina

1. John Clark -  August 15, 2017 - 11:14 am

   Great little marina off the beaten path. Location is right in the downtown of Washington NC. For a small town there is a lot of activity at the waterfront, early morning walkers, a picnic lunch crowd, and evening family strollers. Marina/waterfront park staff are all nice and helpful.
   We sailed a boat with 66ft mast and 6.5ft draft without issue coming in from the Atlantic at Morehead City and then taking the Core Creek stretch of the ICW. Hit bridges at low tide and you are good.

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2. Susan Landry -  May 4, 2014 - 11:21 am

   We enjoy side trips off the ICW instead of just rushing north and south. One recent side trip we took was to Washington, NC. The free town docks are in a well protected basin and across the street from the historic district.
   Susan Landry

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3. Normandie -  October 30, 2013 - 3:48 pm

   Rick,
   Thanks so much for posting this! Our trip to NYC and back to Beaufort has been great fun, and we’re looking forward to this next week in Little Washington. Hope some of your readers will drop by Sea Venture to say hey.
   I did want to let you know that if folk read Becalmed thinking it’s a traditional romance, they’ll be disappointed. The story is much more women’s fiction, as a single woman sailor tries to figure out what she really wants.
   Blessings,
   Normandie

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4. Rick Brass -  October 28, 2013 - 9:24 am

   It isn’t often that you hear of an author doing a book tour aboard a 50 foot sailboat, but that is just what Normandie Fischer is doing. She is a Beaufort area author, sculptor, and live aboard sailor who has been traveling the ICW to promote her novels, She will be doing a book signing at the Washington City Docks on November 4th.
   Cruisers are invited to visit Washington and attend the event. Little Washington is a picturesque and hospitible town, on the Pamlico River a few miles west of the ICW. The Washington City Docks offer transient slips up to 80 feet loon, with depths up to 20 feet, including 400 ft of dockage that is free for the firts 48 hours.
   While in Washington Normandie Fischer will be talking to High School Students and Book Clubs in addition to her Yacht Party Book Signing on Dock B on November 4 from 4-6pm.
   Romance novels aren’t really my milieu, but I’m told that Becalmed is a pretty good read.
   Rick Brass

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5. Wooduck -  July 27, 2013 - 3:03 pm

   Love little Washington. NC Estuarium is epic! 3 story interactive sculpture of complete water cycle, donated by artist! Great volunteers. Closed on Sunday.
   Wooduck

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6. Colleen and Stan -  July 25, 2013 - 5:14 pm

   Greetings, we loved going to “little” Washington, NC, free docks with restaurants and everything within walking distance, folks friendly and old town village atmosphere, although a Walmart, marine stores, etc only a few miles from the docks. There is a great consignment store on Main Street as well as many galleries, etc. We simply fell in love with this town.
   Cheers, Colleen, Stan and Maybea2
   on the Next Endeavour

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7. Bruce Billings -  May 14, 2013 - 2:55 pm

   Washington has very nice docks with or without electric. One needs only to radio Washington City dockmaster on channel 16 to gain accommodation. There is also a mooring field directly across from the city docks and the city has a dingy dock. Sanitary facilities are located in a trailer at the west end of the docks pending a new building in the next year or so.
   There are numerous restaurants on the Main St., about a block away, which cater to most any taste and budget. All locals have their favorites so it would be best to inquire of the dockmaster relative to the various venues and their offerings.
   Groceries, Wal-Mart, and the ABC store are more than a mile plus away so transportation is necessary for supplies. West Marine is in town and is within walking distance. Directly next to West Marine is Washington Crab & Oyster Co. which claims to have the largest selection of seafood in Eastern NC.
   Unfortunately, no fuel is available in Washington but there is a pump out facility at the docks.
   Washington has numerous small boutiques, stores and galleries on Main St. but aside from Main St. there isn’t a lot to see or do. It’s basically pretty quiet.
   When venturing to Washington be sure to follow the channel which is well marked being aware of Grandpap Island which is just east of the railroad trestle and is semi-submerged with but a few dead trees showing. Be careful going through the railroad trestle which is quite narrow and can be difficult depending on wind and wave. West of the trestle is a no wake zone all the way to the docks and/or mooring field. There is plenty of depth west of the trestle. Not so to the east.
   Bruce Billings
   “Coaster”
   Chocowinity, NC

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8. Gray & Betty Riddick -  May 10, 2013 - 1:36 pm

   If time permits a visit to little Washington would be a treat. Dockmasters, water & electricity, decent showers and very few transients competing for your time. Several convenience stores close as well as West Marine. Within easy walk restaurants recommended:
   Grub Bros
   Down on Main
   On the Waterfront
   Don’t miss a visit to the Estuarium for an education on the second largest estuary in the U.S.
   Gray & Betty Riddick

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9. Brian Walter -  January 20, 2013 - 6:59 pm

   We spent a week there last Fall to escape hurricane Sandy. Very friendly. Very helpfull, great town. Several locals came to the boat to offer rides to groceries, laundromat etc. Will go back.
   Brian Walter

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10. Jim and Talley Powell -  May 7, 2012 - 8:47 am

    So much fun coming to Washington N.C. by boat, rather than so many times by car. This little town is just on the edge of renascence, and they want cruisers to be part of it. The Dock Master, Guy Blackwell, also works at the local West Marine, and is full of information and local history. The city merchants have put together a “Welcome to Washington” bag stuffed full of coupons, business cards, flyers and advertisement for businesses all within a four block walk of the docks. We even ran into people we know. Charming town full of friendship, promise, great restaurants, and art galleries. Come here. You’ll love it.
    Jim and Talley Powell

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11. Gordon and Jessica -  April 25, 2011 - 3:47 pm

    We spent a couple of pleasant days at the Washington waterfront docks last on a short cruise from our home port of Oriental. Washington is a nice town, and the people are absolutely fantastic. Blew out half my mainsail luff slides on the way up; nice slip renter on the dock took me up to West Marine (thanks Scott!!), but they didn’t have any. Called Pacific Seacraft (relocated here from CA in 2007) and the owner, Steve Brodie, brought some to the docks; when they didn’t fit, he took me the 9 miles to McCotter’s to get some. How do you quantify that?

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12. Rick -  July 24, 2009 - 9:17 am

    Washington is great. Several restaurants. The Map Room has excellent food with a creative flair. We were fortunate to be there on a Friday night when the town had bands of every type playing in the streets. Nice town dock. West Marine within walking distance.
    Rick

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13. Wayne Thomas -  July 23, 2009 - 10:22 am

    Enjoyed Washington, NC. Bought a new 8D battery at West Marine and one of the employees delivered in his truck. No charge and wouldn’t accept a tip!
    Wayne Thomas

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14. Jim -  July 17, 2009 - 9:03 am

    Claiborne
    I have been spreading the news about your site and am working on Mimi’s Cafe in Little Washington about you. They overlook the downtown docks and will even deliver to your boat! Her SO is a boat bum and she was a charter chef in another life.
    Jim

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