Mayor Scott James spotlights Lew Wendell Marina in St. Albans
May 03, 2025 | St. Albans, Kanawha County, West Virginia
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Mayor Scott James visited Lew Wendell Marina in St. Albans to spotlight the family-run business he called “probably the best marine in the state of West Virginia, Lew Wendell Marina.”
The mayor’s short profile emphasized the marina’s long local history and its continuing role in river recreation for St. Albans residents and visitors. Mayor Scott James said the site has hosted boating activity for generations and noted the region’s river industries, including coal and logging, shaped the city’s past and present.
Lew Wendell, marina owner, told the mayor the business has operated for about 40 years. “40 years,” Wendell said when asked how long the marina has been open. That history, speakers said, follows a longer record of river commerce at the same location going back to a wharf and horse-and-buggy era before modern highways.
Mike Wendell, a marina representative, described the marina’s current inventory and service offerings. He said pontoons in stock range from about 19 feet to 25 feet and noted that some larger models and tritoons are also available. On performance, Mike Wendell estimated that a pontoon equipped with a 350-horsepower Honda outboard can reach “about 55, 58” miles per hour under favorable conditions. He also described a 23-foot tritoon with a 250-horsepower outboard as a commonly chosen size for the Kanawha River.
Speakers emphasized the marina’s long-serving staff and after-sale service. Lew Wendell pointed to employees who have worked there for years and said the business limits turnover; he cited Tom Powell as an employee who has been with the marina about 28 years. Mayor Scott James praised the business for community assistance, citing an incident in which the marina hauled a loose boat to a dock and helped reunite it with its owner.
The mayor encouraged local boaters to consider the marina for sales, storage and service. “For all your boating needs, come down and see Lou or Mike. They’ll take care of you,” he said.
The conversation combined a brief local-history note about St. Albans’ river economy with practical details about boat sizes, engines and service offerings; there were no formal actions or policy proposals discussed.
The mayor’s short profile emphasized the marina’s long local history and its continuing role in river recreation for St. Albans residents and visitors. Mayor Scott James said the site has hosted boating activity for generations and noted the region’s river industries, including coal and logging, shaped the city’s past and present.
Lew Wendell, marina owner, told the mayor the business has operated for about 40 years. “40 years,” Wendell said when asked how long the marina has been open. That history, speakers said, follows a longer record of river commerce at the same location going back to a wharf and horse-and-buggy era before modern highways.
Mike Wendell, a marina representative, described the marina’s current inventory and service offerings. He said pontoons in stock range from about 19 feet to 25 feet and noted that some larger models and tritoons are also available. On performance, Mike Wendell estimated that a pontoon equipped with a 350-horsepower Honda outboard can reach “about 55, 58” miles per hour under favorable conditions. He also described a 23-foot tritoon with a 250-horsepower outboard as a commonly chosen size for the Kanawha River.
Speakers emphasized the marina’s long-serving staff and after-sale service. Lew Wendell pointed to employees who have worked there for years and said the business limits turnover; he cited Tom Powell as an employee who has been with the marina about 28 years. Mayor Scott James praised the business for community assistance, citing an incident in which the marina hauled a loose boat to a dock and helped reunite it with its owner.
The mayor encouraged local boaters to consider the marina for sales, storage and service. “For all your boating needs, come down and see Lou or Mike. They’ll take care of you,” he said.
The conversation combined a brief local-history note about St. Albans’ river economy with practical details about boat sizes, engines and service offerings; there were no formal actions or policy proposals discussed.
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