I've been going to Block Island for many, many years. I prefer Paynes dock or a mooring ball so that's where you will find me...until last weekend.
I had to meet guests Friday night but knew I couldn't get out there till dark around 9:30 or even later. I called Cliff at Paynes and because of the awesome weather he didn't think it would work out coming in that late. So I called the boat basin - sold out. Then I did something I had never done before - I called Champlins. My understanding of Champlins was that it was a loud-party-rafting-not-nice-to-stay-at place, so I never went there. When I called they said they had a "slip" for me which I immediately grabbed since I didn't want to be spinning around in the dark with no place to go (admiral would not like that!).
Then I started reading reviews -- Wow!! the negative reviews outpaced the positive by a factor of 2 most of them dated 2012/2013. I wasn't sure what I was getting myself into but I was committed to it. I also wondered if I really was going to get a "slip" versus being rafted as I had heard so much about that as well.
When I arrived the dock master guided me into a very convenient spot and 2 deck hands to care of everything; they were a little wet behind the ears but that was ok with me. The spot, besides being right at the bar, was a nice spot and nearly all of the reviews I had read about cleanliness, arrogance, incompetency seemed unlikely.
The next day I agreed to stay a second night despite the cost (5.25/ft+$50). 2 hours later they told me I had to move which I was not happy about but I understood. I looked at the spot and questioned the size. They assured me I would fit. Well, I did fit but my anchor was hanging over the cockpit of the guy in front of me till he moved up hours later. Fun little docking experience. A little annoying.
bottom line -- this isn't a bad place. I would still pick Paynes then the Boat Basin in that order but if nothing was available I would go back to Champlins. Maybe your like me and thought this was not a nice place to stay. Its no Nantucket Boat Basin but it's ok -- and if that gets me on Block for the weekend the island never lets me down.
I had to meet guests Friday night but knew I couldn't get out there till dark around 9:30 or even later. I called Cliff at Paynes and because of the awesome weather he didn't think it would work out coming in that late. So I called the boat basin - sold out. Then I did something I had never done before - I called Champlins. My understanding of Champlins was that it was a loud-party-rafting-not-nice-to-stay-at place, so I never went there. When I called they said they had a "slip" for me which I immediately grabbed since I didn't want to be spinning around in the dark with no place to go (admiral would not like that!).
Then I started reading reviews -- Wow!! the negative reviews outpaced the positive by a factor of 2 most of them dated 2012/2013. I wasn't sure what I was getting myself into but I was committed to it. I also wondered if I really was going to get a "slip" versus being rafted as I had heard so much about that as well.
When I arrived the dock master guided me into a very convenient spot and 2 deck hands to care of everything; they were a little wet behind the ears but that was ok with me. The spot, besides being right at the bar, was a nice spot and nearly all of the reviews I had read about cleanliness, arrogance, incompetency seemed unlikely.
The next day I agreed to stay a second night despite the cost (5.25/ft+$50). 2 hours later they told me I had to move which I was not happy about but I understood. I looked at the spot and questioned the size. They assured me I would fit. Well, I did fit but my anchor was hanging over the cockpit of the guy in front of me till he moved up hours later. Fun little docking experience. A little annoying.
bottom line -- this isn't a bad place. I would still pick Paynes then the Boat Basin in that order but if nothing was available I would go back to Champlins. Maybe your like me and thought this was not a nice place to stay. Its no Nantucket Boat Basin but it's ok -- and if that gets me on Block for the weekend the island never lets me down.
