Reviews: Boathouse Marina

Reviews Summary

The reviews for Boathouse Marina in Palatka highlight a generally positive experience for visitors, emphasizing the friendly and helpful staff, particularly Skip and Marlene, who are praised for their hospitality and local knowledge. The marina is described as clean and functional, with newly updated restrooms and showers, although some facilities are noted as dated. Many reviewers appreciate the marina's location, which is within walking distance of local restaurants, shops, and attractions, including St. Monica's Catholic Church and Garden Ravine State Park.

While some reviews mention the marina's no-frills nature and older docks, they also note the security provided by a code-locked gate, making it a safer option compared to nearby free docks. The community atmosphere and support from long-term slip renters contribute to a welcoming environment. Several guests express a desire to return, citing the marina as a great stop for both short and extended stays.

Overall, Boathouse Marina is recommended for its affordability, cleanliness, and the charm of the surrounding area, despite some concerns about the condition of certain facilities and the presence of older vessels.

Reviewed by: Kay Wilson , The Journey II, on Mar 17, 2026
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 42'
Draft: 3.1'

Rating: 5

I highly recommend stopping at Boathouse Marina in Palatka. Skip and Marlene could not be better, they are fabulous people and willing to help with anything. The showers are beautiful, they have been remodeled, plenty of hot water, clean and spacious. They have pump out in the slip which was wonderful. I recommend giving them a try. We explored some local creeks in our dingy and it was wonderful.

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Reviewed by: Kay Wilson , The Journey II, on Mar 9, 2026
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 42'
Draft: 3.1'

Rating: 5

Marlene and Skip are wonderful hosts. This marina is clean and has newly updated bathroom and showers. They are most helpful in all areas. We will stay here again on our return trip. St Monica's Catholic Church is within walking distance. Thank you Marlene and Chip ?

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Reviewed by: John PARKS , Carma’s Reward, on Dec 12, 2025
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 48'
Draft: 4.0'

Rating: 5

Stayed for a couple night. Great location close to town. The restrooms/showers were very nice with a washer and dryer for $1.50 each. It is a no frills marina but the staff and local boats are very nice and helpful. 30-amp shore power connections at our dock. Walk to the state park if you can. Would stop again when coming through the area.

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Reviewed by: nils&frances on Mar 11, 2024
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 34'
Draft: 3.5'

Rating: 5

I booked to stay 4 nights and happily stayed 10 weeks. Exceptional staff and thoughtfully managed, clean where it counts. No frills were perfect as I refitted my trawler for the Great Loop. lots of excellent advice from Skip Lagasse, the dock master. He is superiorly knowlegable about boat systems, and the riverway. I was overwhelmed by the friendly support and community from the long term slip renters. It felt like home after my many weeks there. I always felt I was safe and secure.
The nearby free city docks host bass tournaments nearly every weekend. Lots of weekend festivals in the area. Garden Ravine State Park is a must from Jan to March to catch the blooming azelas. Beautiful historic homes near the river front. Great place to walk.
Area
Eating and drinking: many restaurants in walking distance, my top picks are Valchoff's Corner and Magnolia. Uncork and Unwind is a cozy bar nearby, Azela Brewery is excellent on Oak St.
Hardware stores: Ace 1.5 miles, Home Depot and Lowes 2.5 miles
Retail: Walmart and Marshall's < 3.5 miles
Grocery: Publix, Winn Dixie, ABC < 3 miles

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Reviewed by: tholden on Dec 15, 2023
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 38'
Draft: 4.0'

Rating: 4

Dockmaster Skip is a wealth of information on Palatka history and the river. The marina is beginning major renovation (it's not interfering with dockage). Going to look spectacular. Downtown is just a few blocks. Angel's Diner was great.

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Reviewed by: Lawrence Wolfenden on Nov 27, 2022
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 38'
Draft: 4.0'

Rating: 4

Inexpensive and unpretentious. Nothing fancy, but far more secure than being on the city dock. We've stayed here numerous times over the years for a night or two as we made trips up and down the St. Johns River. This is not a yacht club, but it's a great place to be.

The owners are helpful and accommodating. They're doing a great job of keeping the place up.

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Reviewed by: Roger S. on Mar 26, 2022
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 42'
Draft: 3.6'

Rating: 4

We enjoyed this stop. The docks are fixed, wooden and a bit aged but they are sturdy and recently painted. Restroom/shower facilities are dated but clean. Washer and dryer looked in good condition and other transient boaters used them. Easy walking distance to Florida's oldest diner (be sure to order a pusalow), a brewery, and a few other shops and restaurants.

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Reviewed by: David Ratte on Mar 8, 2022
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 49'
Draft: 3.5'

Rating: 5

Really enjoyed our stay. Small town marina, well maintained. Great price and we kind of liked the 'dated' part -- added to the ambience of the town in a good way. Skip was a wealth of local knowledge and history, very helpful. The old riverboat awaiting restoration nearby was really cool -- hope they can get it restored! Great downtown location. Get the map of all the murals in town and check them out for a local history lesson. Ravine Gardens is a nice bike ride away -- a little over a mile. Besides Corky Bell's to dinghy over to cross the river, Velchoff's is a nice new restaurant near the riverfront with lovely patio.

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Reviewed by: Bill Kight , Cookie, on Mar 5, 2022
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 27'
Draft: 2.2'

Rating: 3

This marina is functional, but old. It is full of very dirty and nearly derelict vessels. The 30 amp power worked. Dockmaster Skip met us at the dock and helped us get tied up. He was a most pleasant man.

The single bathroom and shower for each gender were 1970s Formica wall coverings, 1980s tile on floor and a 1990s shower stall in a 1960s era building.

This marina has a code locked gate unlike the nearby free city docks. We watched as the public walked right up to the boats tied up at the free docks while the owners were away for dinner. There is ZERO security.

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Reviewed by: Martin Rees on Sep 27, 2021
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 33'
Draft: 3.5'

Rating: 5

Excellent service here, the Harbormaster Craig went above and beyond my expectations when one of my engines stopped on the way down to the Marina - we called to say we were going to be late and thought it was a fuel filter problem, by the time we got there he located a replacement filter element for us and we were able to return back the next day on two engines! He also checked in with us on our return trip to make sure everything was working. Facilities at the marina were well maintained and the location is excellent, as it is an easy walk into the center of town and restaurants, etc. Everyone in the Marina was super friendly - well worth a visit.

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Reviewed by: James Morgan , Taurus, on Jul 9, 2020
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 31'
Draft: 4.0'

Rating: 5

Great place to stop for a night or a week. Facilities were not fancy but clean and functional. Everyone was friendly and helpful, especially Skip. They are working on improving the docks and it really shows. The water, electricity, and pump out were excellent. I highly recommend!

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Reviewed by: David Heinsohn , Mollie, on Mar 6, 2020
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 50'
Draft: 5.5'

Rating: 5

Quaint is a good word to describe this marina. All the basic facilities are there and in working order. It is not glitzy and fancy, it is rather functional and solid. The boaters that frequent the marina were friendly and courteous.

The town of Palatka is pleasant and there are restaurants within a reasonable walking distance.

We would stay there again.

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Reviewed by: Warren Hayes on Nov 19, 2019
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 47'
Draft: 5.0'

Rating: 5

A quaint old Florida marina. Easy approach from the end of the wide spots in the St John's. 9+ depths. Everyone helpful. Showers are dated but clean with lots of hot water. We ate aboard but there are restaurants within walking distance. Not many spots for larger boats but the T finger probably could accommodate two.
I would not hesitate to recommend this facility.

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Reviewed by: Capt. Sterling , Sterling Lady, on Nov 29, 2018
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 40'
Draft: 4.5'

Rating: 3

Good rates and good power, cell phone service and WiFI. A usual stop for us.

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Reviewed by: David Burnham , Sweet Life, on Oct 28, 2018
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 28'
Draft: 4.0'

Rating: 4

4 stars may be a stretch as this marina rebuilds their docks after hurricane damage and gets the approval for fuel sales, but the rates are very good and with all the new improvements the city of Palatka has put in at the public launch ramps next to the marina, it is a great place to pull in for the night or the month.
The dockmaster (Dave) lives at the marina so help is always available if you call ahead. There are no grocery stores close by to make reprovisioning easy. There are good restaurants within walking distance and a waterfront park. Pet friendly, ice available, restrooms are clean with showers, laundry available...

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Reviewed by: Tom Hale on Nov 17, 2017
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 38'
Draft: 4.5'

Rating: 3

Docks are tired. Did not even try to use the heads and shower facilities. Staff is friendly. Nice little town to explore.

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