Looking for local knowledge for Green Cove Springs

[ybrad]

Considering leaving the boat in GC Springs for some number of weeks (mooring or dockside). I understand it it a long term layover mecca, but know little about it. Any scoop??

Alternatively, it could be a layover at a facility between Jacksonville, Fernandina and Jax Beach. Any thoughts??

Thanks.

 

[Claude L.-Auger]

When I was there 4 weeks ago, we took the boat to Holland Marine in Green Cove Spring. Pretty good facility where the WWII navy piers. Not really a marina per se, more of a boat yard but they have excellent floating docks, and access to showers and a nice lounge. They have a travel lift and offer service. Draw back is it is quite a distance from anything (stores restaurants, etc.) so you would need a car. The very helpful staffl was really nice. One of them even took us to a store and back with his own car at the end of his day ! As for a layover facility yes but it is 20+ miles from the heart of Jax. So quite a distance from Fernandina and of course depending on your timing, quite a bit of tidal current to get there.

 

[jpswoope]

Green Cove Springs

Considering leaving the boat in GC Springs for some number of weeks (mooring or dockside). I understand it it a long term layover mecca, but know little about it. Any scoop??

Alternatively, it could be a layover at a facility between Jacksonville, Fernandina and Jax Beach. Any thoughts??

Thanks.

Green Cove Springs Marina (our 42 ft. Hunter is currently stored on the hard there) is a good and relatively inexpensive storage. Mooring balls are available for around $170 per month, and dry storage on hard stands costs slightly less. Not a fancy marina, but all services are available there. Their web address is GCSM.com and the office manager's name is Crystal. Be aware, however, that the Green Cove Springs marina is at least six hours up river on the St. Johns River from the Intracoastal Waterway.

Jim Swoope (jpswoope@gmail.com)

 

[Jim P./St. Augustine FL]

Green Cove

Like another post suggested, that is quite a haul from the ICW down the St. Johns to Green Cove Springs. I'm out of St. Augustine and there are much closer options.

BTW, 6 hours to Green Cove from the ICW? I hate to say it but count on about 8 to 10 hours.

Although it may be a little less expensive on a ball or the hard, you lose much more in distance returning to your cruising waters. Check the various boat yards on Riberia St. in St. Augustine. SA also has a mooring field downtown and in Salt Run (just off of the ICW at SA Inlet). A little more expensive than Green Cove but no comparison in location and ocean/ICW access.

Good luck!

 

[iwillmott]

I leave my 40 footer there on the hard for 8 months a year. You won' t find a more congenial yard crew. If you are leaving your boat for a couple of months then haul it. They' ll splash it for you on a couple days notice. I've been there a couple of years now. Prices are right and they are very helpful. No docks for long term- go to the north end of the ten piers to no 2. Dock to Reynolds Yacht Service. Holland Marine may be okay but if you are DIY then gcsm is the place. They will also recommend contractors for you

 

[ybrad]

Thanks for all the input.
We did go to up to Green Cove just for the sake of going to what sounded like an interesting place and part of the 'See the USA via waterway' effort(sung to the tune of the old Chevy commercial).
While there are certainly more convenient places to the ICW, the trip up the St. Johns lives up to it's billing in the Waterway Guide. It was surreally beautiful. GCS Marina is something else; literally, cruising boats from pretty much around the world and a beehive of activity.