Reviews from Elizabeth Kelch (17)

Marina Review for Belhaven Marina

Reviewed by: Elizabeth Kelch on Jun 3, 2024
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 42'
Draft: 4.0'

Rating: 5

Belhaven did not disappoint... again

Our travels this year again took us into Belhaven. We decided to pull into Wynns Gut, just west of and associated with Belhaven Marina. The wind was moving pretty good, as was the current. Our Capt had the docking handled, but condition made it challenging. I looked up to see a gentleman running across the field. He grabbed a line and helped us tie up. After we were secured, he said he was returning from a baseball game, saw us struggling and came running. He was very helpful and knew just what we needed.

We found out he was with the Belhaven Marina and when we came to pay the meager $1/ft bill, we had a lovely chat. The High School Boys and Girls Baseball team are going to state. That was the game he was coming from. There's a new brewery in town and a new bakery in town. Business on Main Street is expanding, and they love the boaters pulling in.

In a previous visit to Belhaven we had a similar welcome from the owner of the Spoon River Restaurant. you can read about that in an article in Proptalk Magazine, https://www.proptalk.com/serendipity-belhaven . On another visit, on Halloween, we stopped to chat with folks on main street and ended up getting invited to the town Halloween Party at the RiverBend Cultural Arts Center. We just can't get enough of this great little town.

There is so much going on in this small town. It's been booming in recent years and there's tremendous excitement about it. And the folks are so friendly, helpful, and welcoming. We make a point to stop here often.
Please find more of my writing at ElizabethKelch.com

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Anchorage Review for Titusville R30

Reviewed by: Elizabeth Kelch on Dec 9, 2022
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 42'
Draft: 4.0'

We pulled in late so we didn't get that far off the main channel, however there were sailboats further back then us.
Bridge construction could be heard in the morning, but not intrusive.

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Anchorage Review for Memorial Bridge Southeast - Daytona

Reviewed by: Elizabeth Kelch on Nov 20, 2022
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 42'
Draft: 4.0'

Anchored here a few years ago and back again this year.
We stopped here as, coming south, it's the first opportunity after a long stretch of cruddy options.
We followed the guidance and found shallow patches, soft grounding, getting in and out.
We had some wake action, regardless of the no wake zone.

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Anchorage Review for Kingsley Creek

Reviewed by: Elizabeth Kelch on Nov 19, 2021
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 42'
Draft: 4.0'

We considered this one, as we arrived at low tide there was significant sand showing in the center. Not a good option for overnighting.

• WG Editor Comment:
  

  Anchorage listing states it should be used only if delayed an extended time due to bridge opening issues.

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Anchorage Review for Lake Boca Raton

Reviewed by: Elizabeth Kelch on Mar 23, 2021
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 42'
Draft: 4.0'

It got everything anyone could ask for in an anchorage
The one downfall, which may not be a downfall depending on your point of view, are the crowds on the weekends.
Check out lots more details about it in this article.
https://www.proptalk.com/cruising-lake-boca-florida

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Anchorage Review for Ashepoo River - Fenwick Island

Reviewed by: Elizabeth Kelch on Jun 16, 2020
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 42'
Draft: 4.0'

Cruising north late this year due to Coronavirus lockdown, we were concerned we’d have issues with heat and bugs. No such experience here. Nice gentle breeze and cool weather made this a pleasant stop.
A little sunset swim in this time of year’s warm water and the blackness that is one of the things we most appreciate about anchoring, and the more views of the typical low country scenery made this a great overnight spot.

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Marina Review for Watch Hill National Seashore Marina

Reviewed by: Elizabeth Kelch on Aug 1, 2018
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 42'
Draft: 4.0'

Rating: 2

NOT worth the exorbitant rates! Check out other options!
Things they say they have but don’t:
NO showers. What they have is merely a beach rinse off. It’s outdoor and exposed, no curtain, and no hot water.
NO functional pumpout. Marina staff has no idea when it was last functional or when it will be repaired.
NO free wifi.
Power is available through an old style, seen-no-where-else-anymore plug types. Regular customers here have a specific adapter and brought it with them as they knew, in advance, what was available. And the fees for electric are absurdly high. $14.00-$18.00 for 30 and 50 amp and only through an old plug type.
There have a restaurant that is friendly and accommodating, but also expensive for what it is.
This marina, in past summers a hive of activity, is now nearly empty most of the time. I assume, since the rates went way up, all the boaters that came here in previous summers, have now found more reasonable summer fun spots.
We are cruisers and have pulled into marinas all along the east coast and out to The Keys. Every marina we’ve used, even the most basic, offer hot showers and free wifi. I understand fresh water is a difficult proposition on this island, however, if a marina cannot cover some of the basic expectations to be found in marinas, they cannot charge fees higher than many marinas who do offer these items. This marina is essentially expensive beach parking.

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Marina Review for Topsail Island Marina

Reviewed by: Elizabeth Kelch on May 29, 2018
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 42'
Draft: 4.0'

Rating: 4

Our cruising day showed limited marina and anchorage options in the area which meant pulling in here or keep cruising for quite a ways. We tried to get the marina on the phone at a couple different numbers we’d found and on the radio. No answer, total radio silence. The other folks we were cruising with had been in here before, so we followed going east off the ICW, and pulled up to a fuel dock at the end on the starboard side but there was no staff in sight. Just as I was ready to lasso a cleat from on board, a gentleman who looked and acted like marina staff (and turned out to actually be the tourist boat captain), ran up and offered to catch my line. After we tied up we got the whole lowdown.

The facilities have been through some management issues and changed hands, but since it’s one of the few options in the area, they’ve been able to keep it up and running. They run small evening tourist cruises out of here, there seems to be no office on site, and the bathroom and shower are in the back of a restaurant/ice cream shop, but because of the less than ideal conditions we got a good deal on the per foot rate. With no office on site and James being the tourist boat captain, I get the impression there is not regular monitoring of the marina. Since we pulled in late and on a holiday weekend I expect whatever office facilities they have were closed for the weekend.

What made this stop really work out well was the town. After we were tied up, we walked less than a mile to the ocean where there’s a nice beach that’s not crowded, a couple ocean front restaurants and a long fishing pier. Along the walk to the ocean, we found a craft beer and pizza place. There’s a small town IGA grocer along the road too. The whole place has the feel of a pleasant, relaxed beach town.
James, the gentleman who looked and acted like marina staff and caught our lines, and who captains the tourist cruises, told us about how the guy who ran the fuel dock left last year, so there may or may not be fuel in the tank, but they can’t pump it. They hoping to have the fuel service back up and running next week.
All in all, I give this marina a thumbs up. Unless you’re looking for a resort area, this has all you need.
Their phone number at the time of this writing, May2018, is 910 650 3223.
For an expanded version of this review checkout:

http://elizabethkelch.com/travelogue/let-s-stop-here-just-because-we-ve-not-been-here-before

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Marina Review for Freeport Marina

Reviewed by: Elizabeth Kelch on May 17, 2018
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 42'
Draft: 4.0'

Rating: 2

Cruising North on a sunny spring Sunday afternoon, we passed this marina and there was live music and the docks were filled with small boats. There was a little bit of room on one dock and we had already been underway for quite some time that day, so we pulled in. This marina took a big hit from hurricane Matthew in 2016 and they are still rebuilding. The marina has three rows of long docks parallel to the island shore, but everything about it felt rustic and not quite kept up. Water and power on the docks is patchy. We were told they had bathrooms and showers, but it was quite a hike and the rustic state of things did not give us a good feeling for what we find there, so we never did see them. The bar/restaurant on site is also very rustic and dusty. Keeping in mind there is no fuel and no pumpout, we just didn’t think this marina was worth the $2/ft they charge. However, a point in their favor is that they have rebuilt a beautiful deck with Adirondack chairs facing a breathtaking sunset.

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Anchorage Review for Little Shark River

Reviewed by: Elizabeth Kelch on Apr 14, 2018
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 42'
Draft: 4.0'

The sunny, wide-open, blue water of the Gulf gave way to the murkier water at the mouth of this river right in Everglades National Park. Confident there is as much life in these swamp-fed, river-delta waters, I found myself looking down into the water, only able to imagine the activity. We found ourselves marveling at being in this amazing, remote place, so near busy civilization. The blackness of the night fully engulfed our little bay and the stars were staggeringly plentiful and lavish. Not too many people get to see this as it's pretty remote and isolated. So it's definitely a spot worth seeing.
We found ourselves standing on the deck, looking up in awe at how many stars filled the sky. Reluctantly, we finally went to bed, but as soon as we got up the next morning, we again tried to take it all in and found ourselves appreciating this place in the morning sun just as much as we did under the blanket of stars.

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Anchorage Review for Mosquito Lagoon R24

Reviewed by: Elizabeth Kelch on Jan 23, 2018
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 42'
Draft: 4.0'

After lots of slow zone/no wake zones yesterday, we recognized darkness would be upon us long before we'd make it to our planned destination. We found the one deep spot here in Mosquito Lagoon and put down the anchor. Finally warm enough to sleep without the generator running to provide heat, so the night was silent and black. This expanse of water feels very middle of no whereish out here and the peace is wonderful.

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Free Dock Review for Jim King Park and Boat Ramp at Sisters Creek Marina

Reviewed by: Elizabeth Kelch on May 2, 2017
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 42'
Draft: 4.0'

Rating: 4

This used to be a commercial marina, then the city bought it and its free now. Floating concrete dock, big enough for the 6 boats we had there. Sign says 72 hrs free. Read more about it on my blog elizabethkelch.com
Bathrooms seemed uncleaned in some time.
No restaurants or anything within walking distance. Great place to tie up for the night along the way and ya can't beat the price.

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Marina Review for Brunswick Landing Marina, Inc.

Reviewed by: Elizabeth Kelch on Apr 28, 2017
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 42'
Draft: 4.0'

Rating: 5

What a great facility! We certainly recommend this marina. Concrete floating docks (must have due to the 7-9ft tides). The first dock took minor damage from Hurricane Matthew but repair underway in April17. Friends told us about the free happy hour, so we had to check it out. Glad we did; loads of fun. Really nice folks. And the place had very clean showers, free laundry, free loaner bikes, reasonable rates. Only criticism I can come up with is that the wifi band with is a bit slow. Read more about this great place on my blog elizabethkelch.com We'll certainly come back on our next journey.

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Anchorage Review for Southport Basin

Reviewed by: Elizabeth Kelch on Mar 28, 2017
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 42'
Draft: 4.0'

This basin is kind of small and shallow. There's a derelict sailboat taking up space. The town dock was lost in Hurricane Matthew and its not yet rebuilt. We overnight-ed at the FishyFishy Restaurant. Blogging our journey at elizabethkelch.com

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Anchorage Review for Fleming Key - West Side

Reviewed by: Elizabeth Kelch on Feb 27, 2017
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 42'
Draft: 4.0'

We dropped our anchor here in mid February. The sunshine was glorious but the relentless wind,10 to 20 knots, made it too chilly and made for a bumpy visit to Key West. Other boaters poor etiquette, not minding their wake, also made for a very bumpy visit. And there was a tremendous amount of traffic. The dinghy ride into Key West Bight, again due to the relentless wind, was wet and the dock was very crowded. We have a Rocna anchor and we never lose holding... but we did here. Many boats seem to have trouble with holding.
Read lots more details about it in my blog post at elizabethkelch.com

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Anchorage Review for Glover Bight

Reviewed by: Elizabeth Kelch on Feb 27, 2017
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 42'
Draft: 4.0'

The high point of this anchorage is it's scenic beauty. It's surrounded by lovely, lush Florida greenery and the remaining side has a luxery hotel and marina with its "city" views. The dinghy dock at the Marina is readily accessible and the hotel's bars, restaurants and boutiques are all nice. The Tiki bar at the head of the dinghy dock is gorgeous at sunset.
A drawback to this anchorage is that there's nothing in the way of groceries or West Marine without a car ride of some variety. The Hotel and Marina are at the end of a residential area and beyond the hotel and marina facilities there's nothing else out there.
I've written all about the place in my blog http://elizabethkelch.com/travelogue/preparations-for-the-crossing
http://elizabethkelch.com/travelogue/preparations-for-the-crossing

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Anchorage Review for Indian River R40

Reviewed by: Elizabeth Kelch on Feb 8, 2017
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 42'
Draft: 4.0'

Great anchorage for watching the launches from Cape Canaveral. We had loads of fun. Blogging along the ICW at elizabethkelch.com

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