www.iFourWinns.com

Anyone currently boat in Pittsburgh? I am looking at moving to a marina in Pittsburgh next spring and looking for advice on river boating, marinas in Pittsburgh, pros/cons, etc.. Thank you.

There are several of us on here from Pittsbugh or close by that boat on the rivers.
It really depends on what type of boating you plan on doing, where you want be located.
What kind of boat do you have, is it a cruiser that you want wet slipped.

In general Pittsburgh pool of water the marina's are much more expensive and you will get waked allot in the dock as there really are not any marina's in this pool that are protected. I dock on the beaver river which is 2 locks down the Ohio, this is a no wake river so you dont have to worry about getting damage and its great for sleeping. There are also several bars and resturants within this pool and it's only about 1.5 to 2 hour ride to downtown depending on the locks. There are many marina's to choose from on the Beaver, let me know if your interested and I will give you some recommendations

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Bridgewater, PA
2008 Vista 318

Liquefied, We dock our 328 on the 43.3 mm on the ohio river. we are 3 locks to pittsburgh ,which is about 2 1/2 hours hitting the locks good. We are at holiday yacht club in chester west virgiana. If you want any other info you could call me at 1-330-540-9219 Joe. PS, did you look at the 358v in ga. ? thanks Joe.

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"Lady Lexie"
Port of Chester, WV
2000 328 Vista
Towed with a Dodge Cummins!

jxp, We did not make the trip to GA to look at the 358V. We just bought the 2008 338V from Skipper Buds.

We just purchased a 338V. Is it spring yet?? Live in NE Ohio but do not like Lake Erie. We stumbled across Fox Chapel Marina and really liked it as well as the river booating idea. Pittsburgh is only 1 hr drive from home and much closer than Catawba/Marblehead. I don't want to have to worry about weather, big waves and the big open water stuff. Have young kids and looking for weekend family fun get away. Put-n-Bay is not good for kids IMO. Seeems like there is more to do for entertainment on the inland river system than Lake Erie. Would like to be close to things to do and others with youngsters. Looking to make new friends which share similar lifestyle and interests. Any Marina we chose will need to have onsite amenities that cater to families. A basic marina with docks only will not work. I see on the boatpittsburgh.com website there are many activites, organized group cruises, events, etc around the Pittsburgh area that would make for some really enjoyable summers. Never boated on the rivers before, only Lake Erie and inland lakes so don't know what to expect. This is our first move up to a marina boat from a tow behind.

On Lake Erie you have other choices like Vermilion, Huron and Lorain, all are just a quick cruise to the island area for weekend getaways.

Liquified:

You will like Pgh boating, I grew up on the Ohio River between Emsworth and Dashields lock & dams. Bought my V268 from P&L right near the West End Bridge. As earlier mentioned the Beaver River is a real nice place to call home port also. Fox Chapel is real nice but I'll bet it's way more expensive than the Beaver. From the Beaver you can go downstream through the Montgomery lock, that pool will take you to Ohio & West by god Virginia, there is an island on a bend in the river just downstream of Montgomery, right near the nuke plant that a lot of people spend weekends at.

If you are new to boating on the Ohio I strongly suggest you talk the the Army Corp of engineers, they can give you valuable information concerning the locks & dams. What to watch out for, how to lock through etc. Years back two families bought identical boats, launched in Sewickley went downstream and straight over the Dashields Dam. Sadly only a couple survivors. That dam is a spillway type, you can't see it unless you know what you are looking for. Night boating is also fun there but the towboats arent lit up very well. Usually just a lantern on the lead barge, the towboat could be several hundred feet behind it. Hope I havent scared you off, I really miss the river but Fla. has a longer season.

9BALL

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2005 V268

Liquefied, congrats on the 338, very nice boat, Fox chappel is a very nice and well run marina, you should be happy there if you choose.Good luck with your 338v and I am sure we will run into you next summer, take care ,Joe.

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"Lady Lexie"
Port of Chester, WV
2000 328 Vista
Towed with a Dodge Cummins!

hello!
I dock my 24 ft Vista 238 up the Allegheny River, at the Sharpsburg Marina. No locks 20 minutes to the Point.
The people who own the Marina are good people. We spend around $900 a season, Includes electric-water. THey are improving every year.
The city has just updated a small fishing and launching marina and a nice parking lot next to our marina.
Call Tom Powell 412-758-6683
My name is FRank Lyker - Captain Zero

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CAPTAIN ZERO

Liquefied

I have been boating on the Ohio River for over 40 years and have seen many changes. There has been a great improvement to the water quality, but it is still a moving river and can be muddy with a lot of floating debris. You really have to keep an eye out for logs and floating trash. High water and floods are another problem but it becomes just another part of boating on the river. On the other hand the water is normally flat and very smooth. There is no limit to how far you can travel. The locks are just an inconvenience that mess up your schedule, but you learn to live with them. Good luck with the new boat and I hope to see you on the river.

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Inboard, outboard, onboard never bored
KUT 'N LOOSE
'99 258 VISTA

One could conceivably go from Pittsburgh to the Gulf of Mexico if they were so inclinded and could afford the fuel. That would be an interesting trip! Could probably be done in a week or so, depending on lockage.

There is debris concerns but honestly the same holds true anywhere! There was a 50+ foot sport fisher that sunk 30 miles off the coast of I believe it was Deleware a couple seasons ago when they hit a WHALE on the way out to the fishing grounds.

You won't have to worry about whale's on the Mon, Ohio or Allegheny, just fridgerators, deadheads, drunken speed boaters and the like

Fox Cha$$el is one heck of a nice marina!

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Brett DiMichele