I've been giving some thought to relocating to Jacksonville, FL. Would like to hear from some sailors there in regard to what they like or don't like about sailing in that area. Would also like to get an idea about what it costs for a slip (30 ft x 12 ft). If anyone can put me in touch with some marinas in the area I'd appreciate it. Thanks.
Sailing in Jacksonville, FL
- Thread starter Warren M
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We are at Whitney's Marine
Whitney's is off of 295 right at Dr.'s lake inlet. The positives for this is that it lcoated on the stretch of St. John's that is very wide. The negative is that it is a long way to intercoastal and then the jetties if you want to get offshore. www.whitneysmarine.com There also some marinas around Julington Creek -I dont' know anything about them. (From a co-worker here the ones aroudn Julington Creek are Bull Bay Marina, Mandarin Holiday Marina, Pier 3 Marina....Epping Forest Yacht Club is also open to the public.... pricey, but convenient.) Also on the Oretga River - just West where the river turns South after getting past downtown. You can join the rudder club and be right at the Buckman bridge (where I-295 crosses St. John's river). www.rudderclub.com Farther up river (South) is Green Cove Springs municipal... Here is a general link to Marinas aroudn Jax http://www.marinersguide.com/regions/florida/jacksonville/marinas.html
Whitney's is off of 295 right at Dr.'s lake inlet. The positives for this is that it lcoated on the stretch of St. John's that is very wide. The negative is that it is a long way to intercoastal and then the jetties if you want to get offshore. www.whitneysmarine.com There also some marinas around Julington Creek -I dont' know anything about them. (From a co-worker here the ones aroudn Julington Creek are Bull Bay Marina, Mandarin Holiday Marina, Pier 3 Marina....Epping Forest Yacht Club is also open to the public.... pricey, but convenient.) Also on the Oretga River - just West where the river turns South after getting past downtown. You can join the rudder club and be right at the Buckman bridge (where I-295 crosses St. John's river). www.rudderclub.com Farther up river (South) is Green Cove Springs municipal... Here is a general link to Marinas aroudn Jax http://www.marinersguide.com/regions/florida/jacksonville/marinas.html
A
Al
J
John
North JAX Marina
I keep my boat at the Amelia Island Yacht Basin, which is a couple of miles down the Intracoastal from St. Mary's inlet Well protected but very shallow entrance. I draw 5 feet and can cannot enter the narrow channel 1 hour before until one hour after low tide Not certain trabsient rates but give them a call For more info send me an e-mail.... captain@burnsweb.com
I keep my boat at the Amelia Island Yacht Basin, which is a couple of miles down the Intracoastal from St. Mary's inlet Well protected but very shallow entrance. I draw 5 feet and can cannot enter the narrow channel 1 hour before until one hour after low tide Not certain trabsient rates but give them a call For more info send me an e-mail.... captain@burnsweb.com
St Augustine
I've met a few people who live in Jax and keep their boats in St. Augustine. It's about 30 mins from downtown Jax and there are several marinas close to the inlet. Unfortunately, the inlet is narrow, there's a long sandbar, the current can be fierce and it's a rough ride when the wind opposes the current. The aids to navigation weren't so great either. This inlet should not to be attempted at night or in bad weather. On the plus side there's no ship traffic to speak of and the inlet was dredged a couple of years ago, so the markers/buoys may have been improved as well. Peter H23 "Raven"
I've met a few people who live in Jax and keep their boats in St. Augustine. It's about 30 mins from downtown Jax and there are several marinas close to the inlet. Unfortunately, the inlet is narrow, there's a long sandbar, the current can be fierce and it's a rough ride when the wind opposes the current. The aids to navigation weren't so great either. This inlet should not to be attempted at night or in bad weather. On the plus side there's no ship traffic to speak of and the inlet was dredged a couple of years ago, so the markers/buoys may have been improved as well. Peter H23 "Raven"
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Bob
St. John's/St. Augustine
We lived aboard our Coronado 35 at Green Cove Springs on the St. John's as well as Comanchee Cove Marina in St. Augustine. Green Cove is south of Whitneys and is comprise of two monstrous docks that were part of the old Navy base. They have a do-it-yourself yard that is a great place for hauling, painting and repair. It is probably one of the less expensive places to dock a vessel in the greater Jacksonville area if your seeking lower costs. The St. Johns will offer a long trek (all day) to the ICW and inlet, but its a scenic trip as you go under several Jacksonville City bridges, get a fantastic view of the City skyline (great at night), and past the Navy base (you never experienced anything until an aircraft carrier comes out the turning basin). Depending on your draft, the St. Johns offers plenty of room for sailing as it is wide and long. Their is a bridge at Green Cove that is low and stops further southern travel. One complaint I had with areas of the St. Johns was the myriad of crab trap floats that I had to dodge. That was 20-years ago, so it might have changed. The St. John's health is always studied by the State Environmental agency. St. Augustine is a fantastic historic city and offers great sailing in the bay. The old fort, bridge of Lion's, and scenic shorelines, offer's much, but their is a very tough inlet that requires great local knowledge to get thru. It looks mighty intimidating! Farther north is Fernadina Beach, Fl and St. Mary's, Georgia that have several marina's. Sorry, Ic annot provide names. The decision should be based on what you desire to do (ICW travel, day sailing, off-shore cruising, etc). That should play heavily in your choice of location. Either way, this part of the country is beautiful. Regards Bob
We lived aboard our Coronado 35 at Green Cove Springs on the St. John's as well as Comanchee Cove Marina in St. Augustine. Green Cove is south of Whitneys and is comprise of two monstrous docks that were part of the old Navy base. They have a do-it-yourself yard that is a great place for hauling, painting and repair. It is probably one of the less expensive places to dock a vessel in the greater Jacksonville area if your seeking lower costs. The St. Johns will offer a long trek (all day) to the ICW and inlet, but its a scenic trip as you go under several Jacksonville City bridges, get a fantastic view of the City skyline (great at night), and past the Navy base (you never experienced anything until an aircraft carrier comes out the turning basin). Depending on your draft, the St. Johns offers plenty of room for sailing as it is wide and long. Their is a bridge at Green Cove that is low and stops further southern travel. One complaint I had with areas of the St. Johns was the myriad of crab trap floats that I had to dodge. That was 20-years ago, so it might have changed. The St. John's health is always studied by the State Environmental agency. St. Augustine is a fantastic historic city and offers great sailing in the bay. The old fort, bridge of Lion's, and scenic shorelines, offer's much, but their is a very tough inlet that requires great local knowledge to get thru. It looks mighty intimidating! Farther north is Fernadina Beach, Fl and St. Mary's, Georgia that have several marina's. Sorry, Ic annot provide names. The decision should be based on what you desire to do (ICW travel, day sailing, off-shore cruising, etc). That should play heavily in your choice of location. Either way, this part of the country is beautiful. Regards Bob
Still lots of floats...
I don't mind them in general. What I do mind is when they are in the channel or in the most desired path into marinas or in the path to the bridges.
I don't mind them in general. What I do mind is when they are in the channel or in the most desired path into marinas or in the path to the bridges.
P
Pete
Thanks!
Thanks to you all for the responses re Jacksonville. Lots of good thoughts and ideas for more research.
Thanks to you all for the responses re Jacksonville. Lots of good thoughts and ideas for more research.
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