Marina Review for Charleston Harbor Resort & Marina

Reviewed by: Elena&Meg on Jun 18, 2018
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 46'
Draft: 6.0'

Rating: 3

Marina: 4 stars.
Maritime location: 2 stars.
Waterside utilities: 2 stars.
Shore amenities: 1 star.
Shopping: 2 stars.
Marina staff: 5 stars.
Ambiance: 4 stars.
WiFi: 4 stars.
Price competitiveness: 1 star.

MARINA: Boardwalks are showing their age in some sections. Some places are so splintered that closed shoes are a must. The gangways to the floating docks are exquisitely slippery when wet, or in the evening dew. Someone stuck a few strips of yellow non-skid on them a couple of years ago, suggest you aim for them, especially when the tide is out. I have the scars to prove why this is necessary. When the current rips through the marina, standing and rogue waves break over the leading floating docks, affording patrons a fun game of dodge-wave when going out for dinner, the losers get to spend the evening with their shoes full of seawater.

MARITIME LOCATION: It is "sort of" near the Intra Coastal Waterway, or really far, if you get the currents wrong. It juts into a major seaway, like a sore thumb, and doesn't have breakwaters. The parade of freighters, at least, try to slow down, ("well, most of em, anyway," Elena just reminded me, as she sweeps up the remains of her laptop), but the water-warriors on humongous sports-fishers and muscle-trawlers, have no qualms about getting the boats in the marina rocking and a rolling. I've been thinking of putting a saddle over the helm station, getting a stetson and some spurs, and practicing up for the Calgary Stampede bronc busting competition.

WATERSIDE UTILITIES: Good thing there's water from a hose by the slip, cuz you need to drench yourself down with it when there's no electricity, thus, no air-con. It was our good luck to show up during a heatwave and electrical upgrades. Marina office said power would be on later the first day they killed it. Guess the electrical contractor didn't get that memo because they just packed up early -- probably too hot for them to work -- and left the premises. Night without electricity, only two 15 min slacks a day to move a boat: we spent the night feeding the mosquitoes with everything wide open just to survive. Next day, electrical contractor shows up, complains about the wakes. Office promises power restored. Then, contractors are nowhere to be seen. Finally we tracked down the contractors (hanging out in the shade, catching a breeze), and they told us they had no idea when power would be back on. They complained about the heat, and the wakes, and the saltiness of the water, and how hard it makes their job, and then, figured it might be a few more days, give or take! Continuing to act as a go-between for the marina and its contractors, we managed to get intermittent power for another few days (On at night, at least). But nothing keeps you on your toes, and mighty glad there's a hose out the back of the boat for when the electricity you're paying for is willy nilly, yanked out from under you. Just thinking here, the marina is at the bottom of the priority list for Charleston Harbor RESORT and Marina, and the choice of contractors and scheduling would reflect that.

SHORE AMENITIES: Marina clients are charged an obligatory RESORT FEE surcharge: $18 a night, or $300 a month, over and above all other charges. You wanna park your boat, then you're gonna pay for access to a tiny, un-maintained fitness center with a few machines and free weights. A couple of pools, and a mini-van-shuttle that goes every couple of hours to historic downtown.

SHOPPING: There is none. But I gave it 2 stars because there is a Trader Joe's, a Whole Foods, a Harris Teeter, a couple of liquor stores, and a cinema, a brisk 50 minute walk from the "resort." If you aren't into the serious sweat, outdoor activity, adventure thing, you're going to need to Uber your way there. It runs about $10 one way. And NO, the resort shuttle doesn't go there. Downtown Charleston, however, is accessible via "resort" shuttle service, as part of your executive-class resort fees. It runs back and forth every couple of hours during the day. Every hour, occasionally. Be prepared to make your own way back to the so-called "resort": the van has a tendency to have more riders than seats available, and you'll be left standing in the oppressive heat. Drivers encourage tipping heartily, on top of your resort fee, just so you know.

MARINA STAFF: 5 stars, they are doing the best they can, just not enough of them, and it appears they are starved of the necessary resources to keep the marina afloat. I don't envy them the position they are in with this facility. It was a much better place back in the days when the marina was a marina, and the hotel was just that. It would appear that the motel in resort-drag is a colossal drain on the marina, which is being bled, to cover some really misguided property development.

AMBIANCE: The grounds are beautiful. The Maritime Museum is fascinating. There are trails in the woods. The grounds are well maintained. Signage near the ponds prohibits feeding the gators, so keep your kids out of the water.

WiFi: Usual marina WiFi... better than most communal wireless LANs, but slows to a crawl under a heavy load.

PRICE COMPETITIVENESS: It's the most expensive place around -- once you add that "resort" fee.

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Marina Review for Lake Park Harbor Marina

Reviewed by: Elena&Meg on Jun 2, 2018
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 46'
Draft: 6.0'

Rating: 5

Marina: 5 stars.
Waterside utilities: 5 stars.
Marina shore amenities: 4 stars.
Marina staff: 5 stars.
Ambiance: 4 stars.
Shopping: 1 star.
WiFi: 1 star. (See proviso)
Maritime location: 5 stars.
Civic location: 1 star.
Security/safety: 5 stars.
Price competitiveness: 5 stars.

One of the best managed, maintained, and well run, marina's we've visited, or stored our boat at. As a southern intra-coastal waterway/Atlantic-access-point marina, Lake Park Harbor Marina is the best, in our rather-experienced (google "Elena and Meg") opinion.

WATERWAY/OCEAN ACCESS -- The marina's proximity to LAKE WORTH INLET: a deep-water ocean/waterway access point is perfect for vessels (under 65 feet in height) transitioning from the waterway to the ocean and vice-versa. It makes it an excellent provisioning and departure point for Bahamas or the gulf stream (no drawbridges between the marina and ocean inlet).

GROUNDS -- The marina property and grounds are meticulously well kept with a park-like ambiance. The setting is waterfront, mid-density residential and unbelievably quiet. Although situated in a notoriously "bad neighborhood" the property isn't defined by caged-in gating, and offensively blatant security measures. In fact, it is wide open. There are million dollar boats, and dock gates wide open. Kids play on lawns, people walk dogs, play tennis, say hello. Nobody is afraid. Although it feels like magic, it's a community effort, along with unobtrusive, 24/7 human security. We had absolutely no qualms about leaving our boat, or even enjoying the area, the local city park, and tennis courts. The municipality of Lake Park has done an amazing job of rejuvenating and revitalizing, not just the marina but its entire waterfront.

SHOPPING/PROVISIONING -- That said, shopping/provisioning is only possible with wheels, or serious walking in the Florida heat. There is one Publix grocery store within about 2 miles. For anything else there's Uber. Trader Joe's on PGA blvd (5 miles north) will run you about $12 one way. West Marine is a similar ride to the north. An Enterprise Rent-a-car is a good 30 minute walk (although they do pick up... but don't count on it!).

MARINE SERVICES -- Services at the marina are top notch. Divers, mechanics, detailers, trades are right there, competitive and competent. If you can't find someone right there, marina staff will have you hooked up to the right technician or trade for the job in a flash.

INTERNET -- WiFi is very subject to your proximity to the marina office. We were unable to hook up to the marina's network on the south side, no more than 500 feet from the antennae. This is a problem of interference. There are simply zillions of stations competing for a handful of frequencies in a very small space. Signals from homes on the south side completely disrupt the signal from the office. Of course, if you are a WiFi hacker with a Pringle's can, you can get around this... otherwise, abandon all WiFi hope, ye who enter the south side.

MARINA -- 100% functional. 3-4 foot tides. Extensive, strong, wide, floating, concrete docs on the south side with water and power. No brown outs or power failures, or water pressure loss during our stay. North side includes a mix of quay, piling and floating ties. Assuming a competent utility supply there, based on experience on the floating docks. Docks, foreshore, walkways are clean (pressure washed), and perfectly maintained. Docks have big, strong cleats (three per finger, two on the dock) and pilings (with mooring lines) between slips and in front of the finger to further secure the vessel. We were informed that this marina stays open during named wind-storms.

WAKES -- The Intracoastal Waterway is not speed restricted in front of this marina. Although well off the marina, and the marina has breakwaters, large wakes from the waterway are an unfortunate detractor, and a serious consideration! Dock lines will chafe, even snap, when less than considerate large-powerboat owners let-er-rip. After watching a Hemingway wannabe gun his 70 foot tuna-tower up to 45 knots on his way to North Palm Beach, don't leave your martinis on a polished cockpit table. Same thing goes for tying up and leaving the boat to surf the friendly wakes on its own. Best advice, make it look like the vessel was attacked by Spiderman, and give it lots of room between expensive surfaces and the dock.

MARINA TENANTS -- there are both commercial and (shush, furtive glance over the shoulder) residential tenants. They are all, quite literally, in it together. And they, in combination with the staff, make the place fantastic. If you haven't skimmed my wordy review, and you recall my alluding to magic (under the heading, grounds, above) this is where the magic comes from. It also mitigates the wakes. If you aren't there, watching out for your boat, others will. And NO, this is definitely NOT a live-aboard marina (ie: floating shanty-town/trailer-park/scary place -- hey, someone has to say it). It is a very well kept, polite, professional, respectful, and vetted community. If that's important to you, and how you treat your vessel, then this is your marina. If we're ever by Southeast Florida with the boat again, let's hope there's still room for us.

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Marina Review for St. Augustine Municipal Marina

Reviewed by: Elena&Meg on Feb 11, 2018
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 46'
Draft: 6.0'

Rating: 4

Stayed first week Feb 2018:

Marina: 1 star. (See proviso, below)
Moorings: 1 star.
Marina shore amenities: 3 stars.
Marina staff: 5 stars.
Ambiance: 5 stars.
Shopping: 1 star.
WiFi: 1 star. (See proviso)

(Proviso) I was agonizing over the one-star rating for the marina. They are likely a 5 star facility, especially for transients/tourists, there to enjoy the town, and not worry about their boats, but at the time we were there, I have to call it like I saw it: severely restricted capacity. The damage/destruction is heartbreaking, and I feel for the loss of tourist revenue from transient boaters that downtown St. Augustine must be experiencing. With that in mind, please consider my one-star rating for the floating assets of the marina, applicable only to the time of our stay: the beginning of February 2018. We were informed that reconstruction would begin in March, 2018.

Feb 2018 - Marina: Barely operational: There are sort-of two serviceable slips for larger boats. The staff have cobbled together extension cords and hoses for power and water from the fuel dock. We were lucky to have a slip for two nights. South wind against a flood current whips up 2 foot waves in what's left of the marina. Nerves of steel (and a current out of the slip) are required to get into the slip. Once stopped, it's great. The staff go to heroic lengths to accommodate.

Mooring Field: Spent 1 night. Exposed to wakes and south-north wind. 1-2 foot chop with wind opposing a strong current. Boats grind on the buoys in these conditions: Current points the bow at the buoy; wind pushes (sails) the boat forward, overtaking the buoy; buoy snugs up against the hull and grinds up and down against it as the boat porpoises in the chop. Lighter vessels and those without deep keels ride right over the buoys and fishtail like crazy. Watched a catamaran in 15 knots of south wind, cracking the whip, and keel-hauling the buoy from under one hull and then the other.

Old Town - Downtown: Beautiful, as far as you can easily walk. Great dining! Breathtaking architecture and sightseeing. But touristy shopping, only. Practicalities (groceries, hardware, clothing) require wheels. Although, near the St. Augustine distillery (a fun free tour - but not-so-great spirits) there's a Rype & Readi Downtown Farm Market for fresh veggies, organics, eggs, pasta, and dairy, for light galley provisioning.

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Marina Review for Morningstar Marinas Golden Isles

Reviewed by: Elena&Meg on Feb 2, 2018
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 46'
Draft: 6.0'

Rating: 5

Well kept, efficiently run, clean, maintained facility. Helpful and friendly staff. Marina courtesy car available for one hour errands. Strong current requires timing for safe access to slips. Really IS in the middle of nowhere, good thing there is a marina SUV available and gassed up for transients. Dive shop and divers available on site, along with other light marine services. BG and N band WiFi (excellent wireless LAN) but suspect their backbone to the net is a choke point. Cellular broadband was an issue for us (like a black hole, for T-Mobile, AT&T was so-so). Otherwise, we highly recommend Morningstar Marinas at Golden Isles.

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Anchorage Review for South Altamaha River

Reviewed by: Elena&Meg on Dec 31, 2017
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 46'
Draft: 6.0'

The anchorage is large but the current tears through it. Recommend using two anchors. Shrimp boats use the river, but it's large enough not to worry about them. They also slowed, going passed us. Amazing sunset and sunrise views, there's a gorgeous, sandy beach and pine tree covered bank -- easy access by tender -- where the river enters the waterway.

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Marina Review for Sunbury Crab Co. Restaurant & Marina

Reviewed by: Elena&Meg on Dec 29, 2017
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 46'
Draft: 6.0'

Rating: 5

First and foremost, if you are a foodie you need to stop at the Sunbury Crab Co., tie up your boat, tie on a bib, and have about the best, quintessentially American, dining experience this side of Key West! This is no blathering superlative: this place is great. Elena had the local, marsh shrimp (caught by one of the sons that morning), fire-grilled to perfection by another son, and served by his girlfriend. I had mahi-mahi, fresh caught, and grilled and seasoned so exquisitely, all I can say is, I have never before (not in Paris, San Francisco, New York, or other pinnacle of haute cuisine) had a better fish dish.

The decor is hurricane-ravaged authentic, Ernest Hemingway, beach-shack local. Open rafters and framing, blistered and peeling, bright enamel paint on the inside of clapboard siding, exposed wiring and naked (actual tungsten) lightbulbs, real family photos and memorabilia, neon, bent nails, gritty floors, plank tables. 80's music reminds of crazy days with a board on the beach and an appetite for life and love. There is zero pretense here. This is as real as it gets. This is the end of Earth, backwoods, deep south... Georgia.

Locals crowd the other tables. Laughter fills the air. That down suth accent reaches into your heart and just kind of reminds you to let loose, cuz y'all among friends now, heck, this here's Georgia! The family and their girlfriends, and cousins and kids, run the place. As we finished our dinner, Elaine, the matriarch and proprietress of this fine "seafood dive" joined us for some yakking about almost everything but politics, religion, and the civil war. That's kind of a rule, by the way. We learned that the fine young man who handled our lines, pumped our diesel and got us into a slip, was also the catcher of our shrimp and sometimes cook, unless it's his brother's turn in the kitchen. The boys learned their "cooking" at home, trying things out in endless ways until it was just right. And did they ever hit it, just right.

The hurricane ravaged patina of the marine facilities is authentic. Sadly, the docks and supporting services took a really hard hit last fall. The family is running the place heroically, given the level of damage. Don't let that stop you, they will get you fuel, water and and electricity any way they can. The place isn't tickety-boo yacht-club pahhhhhwheeeze... it's the real thing: raw and beautiful. For us, doing just about the entire Atlantic ICW, our stay and dinner at the Sunbury Crab Co. was the highlight.

No matter where you are going on the ICW, if you are anywhere near St. Catherines Sound, just south of Savannah, dial up Elaine, pull on in, and let the Sunbury Crab Co. define your waterway experience.

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Anchorage Review for Redbird Creek

Reviewed by: Elena&Meg on Dec 28, 2017
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 46'
Draft: 6.0'

An unexpected, but beautiful, stop after being turned away from a Savannah marina for flying "the colors" (LGBT pride). Quiet, with wide open marshland views, and great bird watching. Cell service: AT&T-poor, T-Mobile-poor to nonexistent.

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Anchorage Review for Port Royal

Reviewed by: Elena&Meg on Dec 25, 2017
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 46'
Draft: 6.0'

This shouldn't be an anchorage at all. Anchor turned into a ball of clay and plant debris and dragged. Several derelict boats take up all the viable room.

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Anchorage Review for South Edisto River-Sampson Island North

Reviewed by: Elena&Meg on Dec 24, 2017
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 46'
Draft: 6.0'

Absolutely beautiful place to stop on a sunny afternoon. Closed area (wildlife refuge) to the north. Be warned: at night hunters tear around with small unlighted outboard vessels (and in thick fog), and in the morning they wage war on anything they may (or may not) actually see -- also in thick fog. Make sure you are visible (and audible in fog).

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Marina Review for Toler's Cove Marina

Reviewed by: Elena&Meg on Dec 18, 2017
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 46'
Draft: 6.0'

Rating: 3

Service: Excellent
Docking ease: Excellent
Ambiance: Pleasant marsh views
Close to things: Poor
Depth: Abominable
Price: Average
Cellphone coverage: No problem
Great staff! Super easy to side-tie with provided assistance. $12(incl tip) Uber ride to Trader Joe's in Mt. Pleasant. Entrance silted up something fierce! Less than 3 ft at LW. We dredged bottom for 75 feet starting at entrance markers and again on the way out 2 hours before LW.

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Bridge comment on James Island Expressway Bridge

Comment by: Elena&Meg on Dec 18, 2017
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 46'

No tide-boards. Oysters, and marine growth on structure provide a good gauge of tide.

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Marina Review for Bald Head Island Marina

Reviewed by: Elena&Meg on Dec 16, 2017
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 46'
Draft: 6.0'

Rating: 4

New, well kept facility. We visited in the off-season: place was deserted. Ambiance is 5 stars - if you like tranquility. The island has NO cars, people in golf carts offer lifts. The natural beauty is off the charts! Best maintained hiking trails, boardwalks, and humanly accessible nature this side of Key West! One star off for scary approach (with swells and surge - keep the throttles hot), and a surge in the marina. Side note: The grocery store has a wine collection that will satisfy (and surprise) many a connoisseur. BHI = nature & civility at its finest

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Anchorage Review for Motts/Banks Channel Bight

Reviewed by: Elena&Meg on Dec 14, 2017
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 46'
Draft: 6.0'

Holding: Excellent, fine sand - actually, muck. This is a crowded anchorage that is relatively deep (sailboats without chain put out miles of rope to swing on - thus taking up a lot of room, and currents swing boats in random directions), windy and choppy. Lots of traffic, crab pots. Leave mooring AND NAV lights on at night, lots of fast moving smaller boats at all hours that might not be looking up in the sky for tiny little lightbulbs. Also lots of vessels show up after dark to drop anchor with limited visibility and questionable sobriety.

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Marina Review for Casper's Marina

Reviewed by: Elena&Meg on Dec 5, 2017
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 46'
Draft: 6.0'

Rating: 5

Great price for dockage and diesel. Helpful staff. Deep water. Clean and well kept. They thanked us for paying! (Apparently, there's a problem with boats tying up after hours and skedaddling without paying). Very convenient access to old-town shops, pub, and restaurants. Would definitely stop here again.

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Anchorage Review for Swansboro

Reviewed by: Elena&Meg on Dec 4, 2017
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 46'
Draft: 6.0'

This is the only anchorage we've ever experienced where the anchor didn't grab at all; gave up after 4 tries. Current rips like crazy.

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