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When Port Washington Marina’s Harbourmaster Dennis Cherney started working as Harbourmaster, he only intended to stay for one summer. Twenty-three years later, he is still enthusiastically working at the marina in Wisconsin, known by locals as the City of Seven Hills.
A First-Rate Experience
The marina is associated with excellence. “We’ve been chosen for the last two years as the Boaters’ Choice Award as one of the top marinas in the area,” noted Cherney.
The excellence that helped the marina win this distinguishment is certainly seen in its commitment to its customers. The marina’s excellent amenities include bathrooms, showers, fuel, grills and beaches.
The marina also provides an efficient dump pot system, which Cherney notes allows them to makes the lives of boaters staying at the marina easier.
“We’re probably one of the only marinas on the western shore of Lake Michigan that offers a dump pot system right where the boats are docked,” says the Harbourmaster. We have a system where we can clean out the holding tanks with a vacuum system so the boats don’t have to move.”
Boaters with larger vessels will also be pleased by the slip options at the marina because it has 25 feet of depth of water, allowing it to take some large vessels.
Fish On
The marina provides ample options for avid fishermen as well.
“We have six ramps for fishing,” noted Cherney. “We have Chinook salmon and coho salmon, which is probably a prize that everyone wants. Brown trout, that’s another one that’s popular, and of course the lake trout and salmon. That’s what’s out there, and they’re successfully catching all of them, some rainbows, it’s a variety of fish.”
If boaters would prefer spending a day exploring the marina on land, Port Washington Marina offers bike rentals that are located at the marina as well for the several nearby bike paths.
In 2010, the marina was renovated so it could offer 230 floating piers. This means guests have plenty of opportunities to enjoy the beauty of Lake Michigan out on the water.
Wisconsin Clean Marina
Another way the marina strives for excellence is through its participation in the Wisconsin Clean Marina Association. Port Washington was certified as the first Clean Marina in Wisconsin nine years ago.
Cherney, who also serves on the board of directors for the Wisconsin Clean Marina Association, strongly believes in the project.
“We need to preserve Lake Michigan waters, control the groundwater run-off, recycle and make sure we don’t spill gasoline and oil products,” says Cherney. “We’re all about taking care of the environment around the marina and the Great Lakes.”
The care the marina takes with preserving the beauty of Lake Michigan shows their dedication to keep their marina beautiful for the boaters staying at Port Washington and the community of Port Washington itself.
A Top-Notch Location
Along with excellent amenities, there are plenty of activities in the nearby town of Port Washington. The marina is conveniently located near downtown Port Washington, which has unique shopping, restaurants, and other fun opportunities for entertainment.
If boaters at the marina are looking for fun in the water away from Lake Michigan, there’s a Pirates’ Hollow Community Waterpark and tenants and guests can access free passes to the waterpark through the marina. And if guests want to avoid the water on their day on land, the marina grants guests access to the Port Washington library, conveniently located near the marina, so they can spend a day browsing shelves and reading.
Port Washington also offers fun local festivals during the summer.
“We have a Pirate Fest in June,” enthuses Cherney. “We bring in a tall ship, the [Dennis Sullivan], and we have a pirate festival where there is music and food and people are dressed like pirates, and it’s a three-day festival. Then, later on in the year, we have what is called the largest one-day fish fry in the world. It’s another festival with music, dancing and food. They sell fish, and it goes on all day.”
Port Washington also has ample entertainment for history buffs. Historical sites include the Port Washington Lighthouse, a historical lighthouse that now serves as a museum, and the Port Exploreum, a museum that offers information on Port Washington and the local area.
Port Washington Marina offers excellent service and activities for boaters staying here, so come and play. Perhaps like its harbourmaster, you’ll want to stay a while longer.
For More Information
Port Washington Marina
www.port-washingtonmarina.com
