Oasis Marinas at Port Lorain — Attraction in Lorain

First, it’s important to know I’m an experienced cruiser. I have visited over a hundred different marinas across different states and countries. Second, I live in and love Lorain and fully support and promote the improvements this city has made over recent years. Recently, we stayed one night at Oasis (Lorain) to take care of some business on our Island Packet 370. When contacted by radio to get our slip assignment for our reservation, no one answered. It took two phone calls to get that answer. We were told we’d be met by a dock hand, which to Oasis’s credit, they did have. However, this young man apparently did not know that you can’t hold a 24,000 pound sailing vessel’s stern and spring lines simply in your hands instead of cleating them quickly. We nearly hit the boat next to us! Although the dock hand gave us a fob to the gate and restrooms, we were not told where the office is or how to return it. Our slip assignment was more than halfway through the marina, near the river end of the finger dock and was a far, far walk to the facilities. Typically, marinas that encourage and welcome the business of transients put their visiting boaters closer to the shower/bathroom facilities. In addition, our slip assignment placed us right across from the sewer treatment plant, which the winds reminded us of throughout our stay. Two days later, I’m still waiting for a return call to the two messages I left about how to return the gate/bath house fob. Perhaps, in addition to addressing the issues mentioned, transients could be given a welcome bag that includes information about local businesses, a map to the downtown and ship yard areas, coupons for local establishments, and maybe even a few little gifts. I would love to be able to confidently recommend Lorain as a destination to our fellow cruisers, but at $2.25 a foot, this marina has a ways to go to for...

2020 was our first year of sailing on Lake Erie.  Our plan to buy our boat was a bit stressful because we were having difficulty finding a slip on Cleveland's east side.  So we expanded our search to Cleveland's west side and locked in a slip at Oasis Marinas at Port of Lorain.

We could not be happier that we ended up there.  Though we had a lot to learn and didn't spend as much time actually sailing as hoped, we did have a wonderful summer meeting new people, learning the boat, honing our docking methods and paying our dues for what we believe will be an amazing 2021.

We really enjoy all the area has to offer.  Mile Long Pier is amazing and always energized by people enjoying the walk, sunsets and surroundings.

Nate, Seth and the staff at the marina are awesome.  Take-out from Erie Steak & Seafood Co. has been good [wings are amazing].

All of the fellow boaters we have met have been fantastic.  Everyone has been helpful and friendly.  We have developed friendships with nearly everyone on our dock. A few of those friends have some big plans for 2021. We met folks from three different boats completing The Great Loop. It was great to hear their stories.

The 4th of July fireworks were truly amazing 👏

Lack of time and Covid-19 limited our exploration of the surrounding area, but from what we have seen, Lorain has a lot going for it and we are looking...

So, last year I discovered a live webcam that overlooks the mile long pier in Port Lorain, and have viewed dozens of beautiful sunsets, snowstorms, freighter passages, and terrible waves pummeling the breakwater on this camera. When the unexpected opportunity to visit irl came up, I jumped at it. I finally got to see and touch the buildings, sit on the swings, walk the mile. Weird how happy this visit made me. Just so sad that the restaurant building at the center of the camera's sweep is empty (and has been for quite some time). Having a meal there would have been the perfect finish...