What is it like to sail in Jacksonville Florida & vicinity?? I am looking for comfortable cruising type sailing. Also, looking for a good marina with facilities & decent rates. Would be interested in comparison between sailing around Jacksonville & sailing around Miami in Biscayne Bay.
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I am a Jacksonville, FL sailor. And there are a few other Mac owners there as well. In fact we had a 4-day Jacksonville Macgregor Get-Together over the Labor Day weekend...4 x 26M's and 1 x 26X.
I sail out of the Jacksonville Naval Air Station Marina...nice and cheap if you are a military ID card holder. I have also used Holiday Marina on Julington Creek and there is another Mac owner at that Marina (or on a mooring right next to it).
Here is a link to Jacksonville area boat ramps or you can check out this site: http://www.jacksonville-boating.com/boat_ramps.htm
I also recommend Activecaptain.com for info on marinas...there are several located all along the area.
As for recommended sailing/cruising areas. If you favor sailing in the Atlantic you can try Sisters Creek Boat Ramp. It is very close to the mouth of the St. John's River. From there you can sail North towards Fernandina Beach or St. Mary's, Georgia or you can sail South towards St. Augustine. Both ways are around 30 miles. Fantastic sailing out there IMHO.
If the winds are not right for you or you are leary of going out there then you can cruise North or South on the ICW to these same areas. Done this trip as well...interesting journey.
Most of my time has been on the St. John's River as my marina is around 35 miles from the ocean. You must stop at the Jacksonville Landing. Free parking...but no power/water...but lots of restaurants, bars, shopping. About 1/2 mile from the Landing is the city marina...never been there but I think parking is free or very cheap on a first-come/first-served basis...it is very near the football stadium...check it out on Google Earth.
I would also recommend a trip up the St. John's River (which is actually South). You can stop at Green Cove Springs, stay at the Public Pier for like $10 and eat at Ronnies Wings or you can go a little further and up Six-Mile Creek to Outback Crab Shack and park for free on their 1/4 mile long floating pier...lots of good BBQ or seafood (mostly fried).
I haven't been any further South than that but would love to go another 40-50 miles all the way to Lake George. Lots of places to stop along the way and opportunities to sail. The river is pretty wide in many places.
Definitely check it out on Google Earth and Activecaptain.com. Depending on where you are coming from it would save you a day of driving each way which is two more days on your boat and less miles on your trailer and car.
Feel free to contact me if you have any questions.
And just to be clear...I am currently not living there as the military has seen fit to seperate me from my boat :cry: . I live in the UK but my boat is still in Jacksonville.
On edit here are some photos.
1) beach off the ICW over Labor day
,
2) sailing South in the Atlantic towards St. Augustine
,
3) Jacksonville Landing
,
4) Another of the Landing
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5) Short sailing video heading towards St. Augustine http://s132.photobucket.com/albums/q17/c130king/?action=view¤t=TryingtocatchJim2.flv
Good Luck and Happy New Year!
Jim
I sail out of the Jacksonville Naval Air Station Marina...nice and cheap if you are a military ID card holder. I have also used Holiday Marina on Julington Creek and there is another Mac owner at that Marina (or on a mooring right next to it).
Here is a link to Jacksonville area boat ramps or you can check out this site: http://www.jacksonville-boating.com/boat_ramps.htm
I also recommend Activecaptain.com for info on marinas...there are several located all along the area.
As for recommended sailing/cruising areas. If you favor sailing in the Atlantic you can try Sisters Creek Boat Ramp. It is very close to the mouth of the St. John's River. From there you can sail North towards Fernandina Beach or St. Mary's, Georgia or you can sail South towards St. Augustine. Both ways are around 30 miles. Fantastic sailing out there IMHO.
If the winds are not right for you or you are leary of going out there then you can cruise North or South on the ICW to these same areas. Done this trip as well...interesting journey.
Most of my time has been on the St. John's River as my marina is around 35 miles from the ocean. You must stop at the Jacksonville Landing. Free parking...but no power/water...but lots of restaurants, bars, shopping. About 1/2 mile from the Landing is the city marina...never been there but I think parking is free or very cheap on a first-come/first-served basis...it is very near the football stadium...check it out on Google Earth.
I would also recommend a trip up the St. John's River (which is actually South). You can stop at Green Cove Springs, stay at the Public Pier for like $10 and eat at Ronnies Wings or you can go a little further and up Six-Mile Creek to Outback Crab Shack and park for free on their 1/4 mile long floating pier...lots of good BBQ or seafood (mostly fried).
I haven't been any further South than that but would love to go another 40-50 miles all the way to Lake George. Lots of places to stop along the way and opportunities to sail. The river is pretty wide in many places.
Definitely check it out on Google Earth and Activecaptain.com. Depending on where you are coming from it would save you a day of driving each way which is two more days on your boat and less miles on your trailer and car.
Feel free to contact me if you have any questions.
And just to be clear...I am currently not living there as the military has seen fit to seperate me from my boat :cry: . I live in the UK but my boat is still in Jacksonville.
On edit here are some photos.
1) beach off the ICW over Labor day
2) sailing South in the Atlantic towards St. Augustine
3) Jacksonville Landing
4) Another of the Landing
5) Short sailing video heading towards St. Augustine http://s132.photobucket.com/albums/q17/c130king/?action=view¤t=TryingtocatchJim2.flv
Good Luck and Happy New Year!
Jim
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Thank you for Jacksonville Sailing Information
I appreciate the sailing information & we are now looking forward to sailing the Jacksonville area & possibly taking the ocean route to St Augustine after watching your video.
I appreciate the sailing information & we are now looking forward to sailing the Jacksonville area & possibly taking the ocean route to St Augustine after watching your video.
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