Boat Docking Options In Mentor, Ohio: Exploring The Best Spots

If you're looking for a place to dock your boat in Mentor, Ohio, the Mentor Lagoons Marina is a great option. Located on the shores of Lake Erie, the marina offers 500 boat slips and transient docking. The adjacent Mentor Lagoons Nature Preserve provides a tranquil escape, with unspoiled beaches and miles of hiking and water trails. The marina has a pump-out station, restrooms, and showers, as well as green space for picnics. Gas docks are also available, providing fuel and ethanol-free gasoline. Docking rates vary based on boat length, with yearly and summer-only options available.

Mentor Lagoons Marina

The Mentor Lagoons Marina is located on the shores of Lake Erie in Mentor, Ohio. The address is 8365 Harbor Drive, Mentor, Ohio 44060. The office is open Monday to Friday, from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., and is closed on weekends. The phone number is (440) 205-3625.

Boat Launch and Dockage

The marina provides the ideal spot to launch your boat, with direct access to Lake Erie. The Boat Ramp is open from April 1 to November 15, weather permitting, one hour before sunrise until one hour after sunset. Daily launch permits are available from the Marina Office during opening hours and are non-refundable and non-transferable. The marina offers secure dockage for both drive-up and floating docks, with each drive-up dock featuring adjacent green space. Boats up to 50 feet in length can be accommodated.

Gas Docks

Gas docks are located on the A-Channel, approximately 500 feet from the public boat launch, next to the pump-out station. Four pumps provide 90-octane ethanol-free gasoline and diesel fuel. The gas docks are open Monday to Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., and on weekends from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Payments can be made by credit card only.

Rack Storage

Yearly and summer-only rack storage is available inside the storage building, allowing boat owners to store their boats over the winter and receive unlimited daily launches during the summer. Rack storage customers can also enjoy a picnic area with water, electricity, picnic tables, and other facilities next to the storage building.

Kayak and Paddleboard Rentals

Kayak and paddleboard rentals are available from Memorial Day to Labor Day. Single kayak rentals are $10 per hour, double kayaks are $15 per hour, stand-up paddleboards are $10 per hour, and pedal boat rentals are $20 per hour. Rentals are available Monday to Friday, 3:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., and on weekends and Labor Day from 12:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.

Nature Preserve

The Mentor Lagoons Marina is adjacent to the Mentor Lagoons Nature Preserve, which offers miles of hiking and water trails, an unspoiled beach, and abundant wildlife. The nature preserve features a diverse range of wetland communities and serves as a breeding and nursery area for fish and waterfowl. It is also a popular resting place for neo-tropical birds and butterflies during their migration.

Mentor Lagoons Nature Preserve

The Mentor Lagoons Nature Preserve is a 230-acre nature reserve located on the shores of Lake Erie. The preserve boasts 1.5 miles of shoreline, rare dune plants, a riverine marsh, and a mature oak bluff. It is located on the western boundary of the 691-acre Mentor Marsh State Nature Preserve and contains the greatest diversity of wetland communities within the marsh basin. The preserve serves as an important breeding and nursery area for fish and waterfowl and a popular resting place for neo-tropical birds and butterflies during their migration.

The lagoons wetlands are some of the few riverine marshes still surviving along Lake Erie’s shore, and the uplands support the largest unbroken bluff forest in Northeast Ohio. The preserve is also home to two species of plants listed on Ohio’s threatened list and five potentially threatened species of plants. A total of over 260 species of birds have been recorded, making it one of the top birding locations in the region and an Important Bird Area (IBA).

The Mentor Lagoons Nature Preserve offers over three miles of hiking trails, providing four distinct views: the Mentor Lagoons Marina, Mentor Marsh, upland forest, and Lake Erie shoreline. The trails are open to the public from dawn to dusk and vary in terrain. Visitors can also rent a kayak to explore the protected waters of the lagoons. The preserve is committed to maintaining the highest standards of safety and service and asks visitors to help keep the area clean to protect its native plants and animals.

The Mentor Lagoons Marina, adjacent to the nature preserve, offers boat launching facilities with direct access to Lake Erie. The marina can accommodate boats up to 50 feet in length and provides both yearly and summer-only rack storage options. Gas docks are available to service boaters, and daily launch permits can be purchased at the marina office.

Mentor Harbor Yachting Club

Mentor Harbor Yacht Club

Location

The Mentor Harbor Yacht Club is nestled on the shores of Lake Erie, offering a picturesque setting for boating enthusiasts. With direct access to the lake, the marina provides the perfect spot to launch your boat and explore the vast waters of Lake Erie.

Marina Facilities

The Mentor Lagoons Marina, located at 8365 Harbor Drive, Mentor, Ohio, is a boater's paradise. The marina accommodates up to 500 boats along its crescent-shaped, open waterways. It offers both drive-up and floating docks, ensuring secure and convenient dockage for boats up to 50 feet in length. The docks are equipped with gas stations providing ethanol-free gasoline and diesel fuel, making it easy for boaters to refuel during their journey. The marina office is open Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM, providing support and assistance to boaters.

Nature and Wildlife

Mentor's 230-acre nature preserve surrounding the marina is a haven for wildlife enthusiasts. It boasts 1-1/2 miles of shoreline with rare dune plants, a riverine marsh, and a mature oak bluff. The lagoons wetlands and uplands support a diverse range of plant and animal life, including several species listed on Ohio's threatened and potentially threatened lists. Birdwatchers will be delighted to know that over 260 species of birds have been recorded at this site, making it one of the top birding locations in the region.

Amenities and Activities

The Mentor Harbor Yacht Club offers a range of amenities and activities for its members and guests. The marina provides kayak and paddleboard rentals, allowing visitors to explore the protected waters of the lagoons. There are also hiking trails that wind through the nature preserve, offering four distinct vistas: the Mentor Lagoons Marina, Mentor Marsh, upland forest, and Lake Erie shoreline. For those seeking relaxation, the marina has a picnic area with tables, water, and electric facilities, creating the perfect setting for a day by the lake.

Rates and Membership

The Mentor Harbor Yacht Club offers seasonal rates for dock and rack storage. In 2019, the marina transitioned to a boat length-based fee structure for floating docks and racks, ensuring fairness and consistency for all boaters. The rates vary depending on the length of the boat and the type of dock or rack chosen. The marina accepts deposits and payments via check or major credit cards, with the final payment typically due by May 1st of each year.

Docking fees and deposits

The docking fees and deposits for the Mentor Lagoons Marina in Mentor, Ohio, vary depending on the type of dock and the length of your boat. The marina offers yearly and summer-only rack storage for boats up to 50 feet in length.

In 2019, the marina transitioned from a range-based fee structure to a boat length structure for floating docks and racks. This change was made to ensure fairness and consistency for boaters, with rates rounded to the nearest dollar for convenience.

To secure a dock or rack for the boating season, a non-refundable deposit is typically required. For example, in 2019, the deposit amount was $200, and the final payment was due by May 1st. Payments can be made in person at the marina office or over the phone using various payment methods, including checks, Visa, MasterCard, or Discover. It's important to have your Ohio Registration Number and Boat Insurance Number ready at the time of registration.

The Mentor Lagoons Marina provides direct access to Lake Erie and can accommodate up to 500 boats. The marina offers a range of amenities, including gas docks, pump-out stations, water, and power availability. Additionally, each slip has adjacent green space for picnics, and there are hiking and biking trails nearby.

Please note that docking fees and deposits may change from season to season, so it is always best to contact the marina directly for the most up-to-date information. The marina office can be reached at (440) 205-3625 or via email at [email protected].

Marina facilities

The Mentor Lagoons Marina is the perfect place to dock your boat. Located on the shores of Lake Erie, the marina accommodates up to 500 boats along its crescent-shaped, open waterways. The marina has 500 slips and transient docking is available. There is no fuel dock, but there is a pump-out station. Water and power are available to some, but not all, slips. Restrooms and showers are also available. Each slip has its own adjacent green space, which can be used for picnics.

The Mentor Lagoons Marina provides a great place to launch your boat. With direct access to Lake Erie, the marina lies just west of Fairport Harbor and a short distance from Cleveland. The Boat Ramp at the marina is open from April 1 to November 15, weather permitting. The ramp opens one hour before sunrise and closes one hour after sunset. Daily launch permits may be purchased at the Marina Office during business hours and are non-transferable and non-refundable.

The gas docks are located on the A-channel, approximately 500 feet from the public boat launch, next to the pump-out station. Four pumps are available, providing 90-octane ethanol-free gasoline as well as diesel fuel. Boaters can pay at the pump to the gas attendant with credit card only. No cash sales. If an attendant is not present at the dock, go to the Marina office. The gas docks are open Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM, and Saturday and Sunday from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM.

The marina offers secure dockage for both drive-up and floating docks, and each drive-up dock has adjacent green space. The marina can accommodate boats up to 50 feet in length. Yearly and summer-only rack storage is available inside the storage building, where boaters can store their boat all winter and receive unlimited daily launches throughout the summer season. Rack storage customers will also enjoy a picnic area with water, electric, picnic tables, and related facilities adjacent to the storage building.

The marina office hours are Monday to Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM, and it is closed on Saturday and Sunday.

Frequently asked questions