Zahniser's Yachting Center

Beverly on July 14th, 2023:

We stayed on mooring ball F July 2023. Bathrooms are great - clean, AC, and bright. Pool was refreshing and bar looked nice tho we didn't use. Museum is super close by dinghy and worth a stop for history of the area! Dog walking was easy with neighborhood and town nearby. Only complaint is no garbage cans near the dinghy dock/parking area.

John on May 18th, 2023:

The renovations are nearly complete. We loved the individual bathrooms- perfectly updated and kept clean. There are lots of places to walk a dog and a dedicated dog area (not fenced). The bikes were in good condition and there were loads of places to cycle to. Restaurants, ice cream stores and West Marine were close by. Every staff member we met were friendly and informative. They were able to take us to the grocery store, help us with packages and were flexible when we wanted to move from a mooring ball to a slip. The laundry facilities are excellent too.

Xiaolun on November 6th, 2022:

The mooring balls are convenient but have become very expensive after the steep price increase. No complaints otherwise. The facilities are clean and comfortable.

Sheila on October 10th, 2022:

Stayed 1 night on mooring ball. Pendant on mooring C was frayed and we questioned its security. Ran our lines through the buoy eye instead. In addition, the wifi in the mooring field is very weak. Don't mind paying $1.50/ ft for a mooring ball if the services are good but very disappointed. The restaurant was excellent but not required for a marina stay.

David on September 5th, 2022:

We love Solomons and always stop on our way by. Usually we are gunkholers and keep moving, but with the lengthy periods of hot weather we've endured this summer and the exorbitant cost of fuel, we decided to find places we wanted to spend time and buy months at a time in marinas to enjoy air conditioning while saving at the pump, and Safe Harbor Zahnisers won the toss when we decided to go to Solomons.

Facilities are A+ and improving. They are in the process of swapping out the fixed docks, which really weren't that bad, for floating docks. My biggest gripe was with the power on the dock. With everybody running A/C and us being at the end of the pier, we dealt with voltage drop and insufficient power to keep everything running the way one would like when enjoying marina life. We'd often have to shut down an air conditioner to run the water heater or microwave. I'm sure they will be upgrading electric delivery as part of the floating dock installation, but it was a bit tedious while we were there.

We did love the saltwater swimming pool and really enjoyed being walking distance to Solomons Island and all the bars and restaurants in the area. With the soon-to-be-upgraded docks, this great facility is only improving!

Christopher on July 18th, 2022:

Really nice and quiet (calm) marina. The staff was very friendly and very attentive to our needs. I would definitely stay here again.

Peter on May 9th, 2022:

Family owned Zahnisers was acquired by Safe Harbor Marinas, a subsidiary of the Sun Communities REIT, sometime early 2020. I docked my boat there for the month of October 2019 on my sailboat cruise south, had my broken forestay replaced, and was satisfied with the work that was done in a timely fashion. Back from the Bahamas in 2021, I docked there again from June 1 - August 31 intending to have a list of maintenance items done. During these three months all they got done was the low hanging fruit: painting the bottom. My complaints to Sun Communities management resulted in them offering me dry storage until Spring 2021 at no cost and the promise to have the work done by then. Having lost confidence in Sun Communities management to cope with supply chain, hiring and training new workforce, I decided to take my boat elsewhere.

Michael on December 14th, 2021:

We arrived on a Sunday off season. They were closed but told us tie up on T dock which was very easy and had a smooth night. Best surprise was the La Vela Italian restaurant on site which was fantastic.

Mo on November 5th, 2021:

Nice, clean and deck hands were great! Convenient to town.

Bret on November 3rd, 2021:

We were pleasantly surprised by this marina and town. The courtesy bikes were so nice to use to explore and get some exercise. The bathrooms and showers were clean and well maintained. Definitely will come back.

David on September 28th, 2021:

Solid Marina. Water motion very quiet compared to our last two marinas, one in Oxford and one in Annapolis. This is our second visit to Zahnisers the professionalism of the staff did not disappoint.

Stacey on September 23rd, 2021:

Zahniser's is hands down our favourite place on the Bay. Everyone we interacted with was helpful and professional. We returned here several times over our 3 months cruising the Chesapeake this summer. The salt-water pool was a lifesaver for those really hot days. The bathhouse is clean and air conditioned and has 3 separate rooms with toilets, sink, shower for women and 3 for men. Laundry room is located in the bathhouse and has 3 washers and dryers. There is a lounge with TV and complimentary coffee. And you can book a spot on the free shuttle to grocery store at 10, 1 or 3. We also had some servicing done on our boat and can't say enough about the professionalism of the service department headed by Philippe. Perry, our technician, was thorough, very knowledgeable and pleasantly answered all of our questions. We highly recommend a stop at Zahniser's in Solomons.

Barrington on June 19th, 2021:

Very nice marina. Clean showers and laundry. Several restaurants nearby!

R. on June 8th, 2021:

We used the mooring field. It gave us access to the facilities and offered a good dinghy dock. The pool was nice considering it was very hot. The people we met were friendly and really enjoyed our one night stay. We had to go ashore to use Wifi, we could see it at the mooring field, but it was just weak enough to really be of use.

Captain on June 4th, 2021:

Excellent facilities with a well trained staff. Very professional and courteous

Jayne on April 26th, 2021:

Great dockmaster - she stayed and was there ready to catch docklines. Facilities are a little dated but clean. Easy walk to restaurants. My only issue was slip was very tight - barely big enough for me.

Our beam is 11 feet 4 inches. I went stern in to the allocated slip because of a very short finger pier but barely fit. And because it was tight I couldn’t fit fenders in easily. Would request a different slip next time.

Geoff on September 18th, 2020:

We were first time users of the Service Department this season and we were thoroughly impressed. It was clear everyone cared about us and our boat. All of the work was professionally done and the pricing, although not "cheap", was very fair given the quality of the labor and materials used. We would not hesitate to use them again or to recommend them to others. Thanks Zahnizers!

Paul on September 2nd, 2020:

Docks are in good shape. Staff are knowledgeable, friendly, and helpful. Facilities are in good shape. Plenty of parking. There is a lot to do nearby.

The marina seems deceptively quiet. The surrounding town can get quite busy and noisy, especially on the weekend. Even with our restricted socializing these days.

ScubaPete on July 10th, 2020:

We enjoyed our fourth stay here. I can’t comment on the service side of their operation, but as transient boaters we love it. Great pool, easy bike ride into town, clean facilities.

Francis J on May 9th, 2020:

I would never ever use service at Safe Harbor Zanheisers in Solomons MD. Zanheisers used to be a great facility run by a great family. Now bought by Safe Harbor, I was charged "windshield" time for an electrical mechanic 50 min to walk from the shop to my boat on the pier 1 minute away at 120. per hour. The clock started at 8:15 AM, he got on the boat at 9:05 AM. 1 hour and 20 min of work, left at 9:35, the charge was 3 hours. But it started the day before. We were on the hard the prior day painting a stripe and and man walked by and said he would be doing the electrical work tomorrow and asked a few questions about my diagnosis and problem. (Electrolysis). After 10 minutes he leaves. I was billed 20 min at 120. per hour for talking to him!!! We found out we needed a new cutlass bearing on one side so we asked them to replace both. They charged 9.30 for joy dishwashing soap! I asked if they bought it in Georgetown Bahamas. Everyone knows that only a tiny amount is needed. Our boat takes 4 gallons to paint the bottom. Safe Harbor claims they used 5 gallons. We have painted our boat three times, 4 gallons each time for two coats. This paint is 270. per gallon. A 3300. estimate became 4400. with their scams.

A Note from the Marina:

Marina Response:

Thank you for the opportunity to comment on this review.
This vessel was hauled for service back in October of 2019. Our records indicate this was the first service Zahnisers has performed work on this boat.
In addition to bottom painting, Zahnisers was asked to look into rapidly eroding anodes While on land, the technician evaluated the underwater fittings. Our tech also spoke with the owner to get additional information into this problem. Once the boat was back in the water additional testing on the vessel’s electrical systems for stray current was performed. It was noted the galvanic isolator that had been installed previously was not hooked correctly into the system. The existing isolator wiring was wired properly and a case ground was installed on the inverter to meet ABYC standards (a safety issue). In addition the owner was made aware of the need to upgrade the isolator size. The owner agreed he would take care of this himself. At the time of billing, a question was raised concerning the time spent in discussion with the tech and this time was credited back on the invoice.
Regarding hauling and bottom painting, this is done on a base price when using a specific type of bottom paint for one coat of paint. If an owner chooses to use another brand of paint there is an upgrade charge for the paint of choice. While it is hard to compare with previous paintings, we feel the amount of paint used was not unreasonable. The paint selection was discussed prior to painting. The additional charges were for the paint selection upgrade and applying a second coat of paint.
We always value customer feedback and this information will certainly help us into the future.

Steve on August 26th, 2019:

We were taking on water from a shaft seal and we had a Cutlass bearing that was making noise on the starboard side of our catamaran,,, so they pulled us out fixed everything put us back in the water in one day. Fantastic service, highly recommend this company.

Ron on October 27th, 2018:

Stopped At Zahniser’s Marina to wait out a Nor’Easter. Not our first time here. Great marina, great staff and beautiful area. Marina has clean private shower rooms, laundry, shuttle to take you shopping at supermarket, West Marine, etc and loaner bicycles to use. Restaurant on location and very fast wifi.

Larry on June 21st, 2018:

Nearby marina refused to honor slip confirmation. Was able to stay here instead, and I would recommend it highly. Great facility and staff made this a wonderful stay.

Jani on May 29th, 2018:

Took a mooring with no regrets! Used the free bicycles to visit the nearby West Marine and explore the island. Had dinner at the on-site Dry Dock, which was remarkably good. All staff we encountered were very friendly and facilities were clean. Has a nice, park-like setting, even though it is obviously a working boatyard.

Terry on May 17th, 2018:

Although this is a very good marina with good services, I was very disappointed with the way they charged us. In the 15 months moving around the loop (this is our second time), this is the only marina that "measures" your boat from the bow pulpit to the stern overhang. This added another 8 feet to Magic and at a new Dockwa rate of $2.00/foot it added $16.00 to my bill. I wonder if they bill for bottom jobs the same way?? Aside from the above, this was a good marina.

Joseph on August 4th, 2017:

Zanhisers Solomons. Marina staff was outstanding and friendly, really made our visit enjoyable. Sandwiches at pool bar were great. Onsite restaurant, Dry Dock is outstanding. Would rate this excellent except if you're traveling with a number of boats, you'll be spread out an various T heads as dock space is limited.

SJH on November 28th, 2016:

Great place for visit, long term slip, service, and facilities (pool, restaurant, bathrooms and service). If you need something fixed, this is the place. Very reliable, friendly and helpful staff. Quantum sails on site.

Ed on October 19th, 2016:

Once again, Zahniser's did not disappoint. We called the morning of our arrival and asked for a reservation. They accommodated our last minute request and assigned us a T head. Since we were arriving late, there were reservation signs on the pilings! Talk about customer service. The facilities at Zahniser's is a top notch marina. Clean, squared away and always willing to help. Thanks, again.

Ed on July 21st, 2016:

Zahniser's is a favorite of ours. Have been going for years. We just took our 60' classic yacht there for an evening. Great facility and a superb restaurant. Docking is a breeze and there were plenty of hands to help us get tied up. Several of their staff dropped by to say hello (they worked on Adonia last winter.) One of the best on the bay for service, facilities and know-how. Thanks, again, for taking care of us.