North Flordia Marinas

Don Foley · #1 02-25-2002

I''ll be moving my sailboat in Central Florida to North Florida at the beginning of April, and I''m looking for a marina to keep her at for one month before continuing the push north. She''s a Beneteau Oceanis 350, 34 feet LOA, 4.2" draft. I''m thinking of something between St.Augustine and Amelia Island. I''m trying to avoid the $14 a foot slip rate at some of the resorts, but still want a safe place for her (I won''t be aboard at all).

Thanks for any suggestions,

Don

jmedina · #2 02-25-2002

Don,

I very much recommend Green Cove Springs Marina, just 25 miles west of St Augustine in the St Johns River (your draft will not be a problem). Excellent facilities and a great bunch of people with very good security. Rates are about the lowest you will find anywhere...$3.80 per foot if you''re not going to be using water or electric (I think $4.25 per ft if you need same). Their ph# is 904-284-1811 and tell ''em Jamie & Tigur sent ya.

Fair winds!

Jamie

Don Foley · #3 02-26-2002

Jamie,
A quick look at a map tells me I''ll be working my way down the St. Johns pretty much an entire day (I have short days) to get to Green Cove Springs. Since our boat visits tend to be done on long weekends, I''d like to try to keep the commute to the ocean or the ICW down to at least an hour.
On my way back south next fall, however, I do hope to do a good portion of the St. Johns, so I''ll keep this in mind.
Know of any marinas a little closer in?

Thanks,

Don

jmedina · #4 02-26-2002

Don,

You''re right, GCS Marina is about 50 miles from the coast (Mayport). I contacted Beach Marine in JAX and they do have slips available at $7.50 per ft. I believe that''s including 30amp electric & water. They''re 7 nautical miles from the coast and are located in a convenient location (shops, restaurants, etc.)

Their ph# is 904-249-8200, ask for Debra. You can check them out at www.jaxbeachmarine.com

There''s a few nice marinas in St Augustine, however, you''re looking at $10+ per ft and too many transients/tourists.

Let me know if I can further assist you.

Jamie

Don Foley · #5 02-26-2002

Jamie,
Thank you kindly for checking that out for me. While I imagine I''ll stop by St. Augustine for a night or two (have always enjoyed the place) the two marinas I checked out were at $14 and $15 a foot per month. That would be worth it if I was staying around, but a little pricey for just storage (but not as bad as South Florida, where is spent part of the winter at $18 a foot. Ow. I did check out the web page you mentioned, the annual rate is $7.50 and the montly is $10. Which isn''t too bad, I''m paying $9 right now in Merritt Island. That still saves me $136 a month and gets me a little further up the coast until the next hop. I''ll keep poking around to see what else is out there, I have about a month before heading out.
Thanks,
Don

HIIQBLOND · #6 03-12-2002

Don
We are also looking for marinas along Florida''s east coast with reasonable rates. I went into the website for Harbour Towne Marina in Dania and I thought they had made an error in their posted rates $1.05/ft/day plus hydro. This would be over $2000/month Canadian. That is VERY steep! You said you were currently paying $9.00/ft/month on Merritt Island. Which marina are you at and are you happy with the facilities? We are planning to take a trip to Florida next week and will be checking out the marinas that show some promise. We will be living aboard and doing some finishing work on the boat. We plan to be at the marina from December to June, when we must return to the world of work. Anything you come up with while poking around would be very much appreciated and well used. Thanks!
John and Anna
Toronto, ON, Canada

Don Foley · #7 03-13-2002

The $1.05 rate is their DAILY rate, and is actually not that bad. You need to ask about their monthly rate, I think you''ll find it a fraction of the daily rate.

Right now there are a couple of Marinas in Jacksonville that have my eye, the both charge around $7.50 to $9.50 a foot per month. When I settle on one, I''ll let you know.

The marina rates will vary depending on what you want out of a marina, and where it is. In South Florida I was paying over $600 a month ($18 per foot) which was the norm for a nice marina. In Central Florida the rate seems to be around $7.50 and $10. St. Augustine jumps back up because it''s a ''desination'' kinda place, so you''ll see $14 and $15 per foot per month, then in Jacksonville it drops down a bit. Keep in mind, I''m looking at nice marinas where I feel the boat is safe, and when we''re in town we enjoy the place. Swimming pools, clean restrooms, cafes, that sort of thing.

My all-time favorite so far is Vero''s Municiple, where for 8 bucks or so a day you can pick up a morning ball, great showers and heads, easy walk to the beach and a fun crowd to hang out with. In Lake Worth, Frenchman''s is great, as is the Jib Club. Old Port Cove was nice too. All three are expensive, but if you''re living aboard, it''s worth it.

carisea · #8 03-13-2002

We keep our 42 ft Hunter at Palm Cove Marina just off the ICW on the western shore (Jacksonville). If your boat is 5'' or less draft you should be able to get in and out in all but extreme low tide. Access to the ocean is about 1.5-2 hours depending on running tide direction. I know you are not going to live there but it has nice laundry,shower, canvas and repair yard on site including haul out. Small cheap restaurant and a West Marine right up the street. Our yearly rate is 7.00/ ft Beach marine on other side of the ditch is also nice but a we bit more expensive. Palm CoveMarina # is 904-223-4757

HIIQBLOND · #9 03-13-2002

Unfortunately our draft is 6.2. Thanks for sharing.

John and Anna

HIIQBLOND · #10 03-14-2002

Don
Thanks so much for sharing your Florida marina experience with us, since our experience is limited to Ontario and B.C. We are going by information gleaned from books, guides, the internet and people like you who are willing to take the time to share their favourite spots and destinations.

We are, however, looking for the same in a marina as you are - safe, clean, friendly and close to most amenities, even though we will have a car at our disposal. We would rather pay a little more, if we have to, to enjoy our 6 months stay in Florida. After all, that is why we are taking the time off work!

We have tried to gain as much information as possible on the marinas we plan to visit while in Florida this month. We are planning to visit your favourite, Vero Beach Municipal @ $8./ft/day plus $75.00 for liveaboards per month. Sounds very reasonable and by the sounds of your description, very well worth the price. As well, Frenchman''s, West Palm Beach, which has had very good reviews from everyone at $15./ft/mo. This is probably our outside limit - $1056.00/mo Canadian plus hydro. Are the rates at the Jib Club in Tequesta and Old Port Cove Marina, North Palm Beach within our "outside" limits? There are a few marinas that sounded promising such as Diamond 99, Melbourne but have a waiting list, so that may not be so promising after all! The rates at Newport Marina, Cape Canaveral look reasonable. Any exposure to this Marina? Can you tell us anything about the rates for Anchorage Yacht Basin, Eau Gallie, Harbortown Marina at Ft. Pierce and Merritt Island?
Which marina at Merritt Island are you at? We are booked at the Clarion on Merritt Island our first day in Florida. Again, thanks for sharing your experience. It is very much appreciated.

John and Anna

P.S. As for Harbourtowne, the $1.05/ft/daily rate is for their monthly rate. It is $1.35/ft/day otherwise. WOW - must be quite the marina