Anchorage Review for Corrotoman River - Sandy Point

Reviewed by: Matt Claiborne, Cruising Editor on Sep 24, 2020
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 38'
Draft: 5.0'

Beautiful setting with lots of great paddleboarding, dinghy, or kayak exploration possibilities. Unlike many areas of the Chesapeake, quite a bit of the shoreline around this cove is unassociated (or at least far removed) from any private property. The spit of land has a lovely beach on both sides, with clear water and lots of wildlife. Cell service was very good with our booster (Verizon and AT&T). Good holding in mud. Many locals come to the sandbar with their kids or fur-kids for swimming and romping. A few wakes but nothing bothersome. Aside from the beach, there is no land access or services of any kind.

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Nav Alert comment on Sunnybank Ferry

Comment by: Matt Claiborne, Cruising Editor on Sep 23, 2020
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 38'
Draft: 5.0'

According to Virginia DOT, the Sunnybank Ferry is not currently in operation as of 14Sept2020. You can check https://www.511virginia.org to see if the ferry is in operation.

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Marina Review for St. Augustine Municipal Marina

Reviewed by: Matt Claiborne, Cruising Editor on Apr 26, 2020
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 38'
Draft: 5.0'

Rating: 5

St. Augustine is an amazing port for cruisers. Walking distance to nearly everything you need, and easy access to Uber and rental cars.

If planning to dock at the marina, know that slack current occurs 20-35 minutes AFTER high and low tides. It is well worth timing your approach here for slack water, as noted in other reviews. It is not an uncommon sight to see boats pinned by the current.

If planning to stay on a mooring, know that they are all exposed to wakes. Busy weekends can make the river very choppy. The south field (Menendez Moorings) is slightly more protected than the north side of the bridge (San Marco Moorings). The north side is downright uncomfortable in a north wind/frontal passage.

As of 2020, the marina launch operates on the even hours from 10 a.m to 6 p.m. The pump-out boat operates every morning at about 9 a.m.–tell the office the day before you need it to get on the list.

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Marina Review for Lyford Cay Club Yacht Harbour -PRIVATE

Reviewed by: Matt Claiborne, Cruising Editor on Mar 5, 2020
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 38'
Draft: 5.0'

Rating: 5

The Lyford Cay Property Owners Association wishes to advise boaters approaching the Lyford Cay Marina that an automated security barrier has been installed and will be operational between dusk and dawn. Boaters are advised to contact the Harbour Master on VHF 16 or phone either the Harbour Master at (242) 362-7566 or 67 or Lyford Cay Security at (242) 362-4444. A protocol has been established to facilitate quick response and entry for boats seeking to dock at the marina on the northwestern coast of New Providence.

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Bridge comment on Ben Sawyer Memorial (SC 703) Bridge

Comment by: Matt Claiborne, Cruising Editor on Feb 25, 2020
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 38'

The definition of "federal holiday" is apparently at the discretion of the bridge tender. We were informed by the bridge tender that President's Day is "a federal holiday, but not a real holiday." And so we waited until 9 am for an opening. Call for clarification on the restrictions if in doubt.

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Anchorage Review for Seven Reaches Creek

Reviewed by: Matt Claiborne, Cruising Editor on Feb 25, 2020
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 38'
Draft: 5.0'

This creek is extremely narrow and has an extreme amount of tidal current. When the current is ripping, there is little room to maneuver a cruising boat. There is a dock mid-creek that complicates matters. Two anchors are a must here, but I'd recommend trying the anchorages just north off of Dewees Creek first.

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Anchorage Review for Dewees Creek - Unnamed Creek

Reviewed by: Matt Claiborne, Cruising Editor on Feb 25, 2020
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 38'
Draft: 5.0'

Wide-open creek with lots of options, though the low-lying marshes provide no wind protection. Swift tidal current. Excellent holding in sandy mud, avoid the deep spot on the corner and pick your spot based on wind direction in 18-20' MLW. No shore access. A few passing small-boat wakes. Easy in and out from the ICW, charts are accurate.

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Marina Review for Oasis Marinas at Fernandina Harbor

Reviewed by: Matt Claiborne, Cruising Editor on Feb 25, 2020
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 38'
Draft: 5.0'

Rating: 3

As of February 25, 2020, the marina moorings are still not open. There are several derelict moorings here, however, making anchoring challenging. There is room NW of the mooring field for a few boats to anchor. The shallow area south of the mooring field has several small local boats on private moorings/permanent anchors.

The dinghy dock at the marina is now open for $4/day.

Another anchorage option is north of the factory/paper mill, north of the ICW channel between R14 and R16. Use the Army Corp survey charts to find your way in between the two shallow spots, no less than 10'MLW. Good holding and wind protection from the south. No wake protection and strong current.

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Anchorage Review for Fernandina Beach - Bells River

Reviewed by: Matt Claiborne, Cruising Editor on Feb 25, 2020
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 38'
Draft: 5.0'

Holding is excellent in thick sandy mud. The low marshes do not provide any wind protection, but there is little fetch and the only wave build-up occurs when wind directly opposes current. We have ridden out several days of 30kt gusts and a 50+kt squall here with no problems. The current moves and the boat will sit on the current. There is a lot of room to swing, though. The dinghy ride to town is a bit long at 1-1.5 nm, fine in calm weather but wet in a chop. Dinghy dockage is at the Fernandina Harbor Marina with easy access to town, shopping, and dining.

The approach up the river is accurately charted. Note the bar mid-river on the western bank; keep it to port as you head north. The charted rock is an oyster bar that shows at MLW. South of the bar has several derelict looking vessels, we always anchor north of the bar in 10 feet MLW. The eastern side of the river here is used by fishermen and local traffic, there will be a few wakes but not bad. More anchorage options can be had farther up the river.

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Marina Review for Oasis Marinas at Fernandina Harbor

Reviewed by: Matt Claiborne, Cruising Editor on Feb 25, 2020
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 38'
Draft: 5.0'

Rating: 4

Fernandina Harbor Marina is back in full operation with two exceptions: fuel is still not available, and the mooring field is unavailable. Work is on-going. The marina has a large dinghy/day dock on the south side now, dinghy dockage for anchored boats is $4/day. The brand new floating transient docks on the south side have a new layout that is perhaps more forgiving in the current...all slips are side-to. It still pays to arrive at slack current, of course. The town is as wonderful as it has always been and having the marina back is great news for the Waterway.

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Marina Review for Galley Stores Marina

Reviewed by: Matt Claiborne, Cruising Editor on Jan 31, 2020
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 38'
Draft: 5.0'

Rating: 2

The fuel dock here is not manned, so you must call the Galley Store at 252-633-4648 prior to docking to make sure someone is available. They will not pump fuel unless the right person is there to do it. Plan accordingly. Also, there is no pump out at the fuel dock, only inside the marina.

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Marina Review for New Bern Grand Marina Yacht Club

Reviewed by: Matt Claiborne, Cruising Editor on Jan 31, 2020
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 38'
Draft: 5.0'

Rating: 5

Post-Hurricane Florence, we are happy to see that the NB Grand is still as good as ever. The new G-dock is set to open soon, so more transient space will be available by the spring. The hotel is still closed, but renovations are ongoing and the property has been maintained. The marina restrooms and showers are now located at the sales office at the corner of Front and Craven Sts. Ask around for the current best restaurant choices and current boater favorites.

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Anchorage Review for Beaufort - Taylor Creek

Reviewed by: Matt Claiborne, Cruising Editor on Jan 31, 2020
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 38'
Draft: 5.0'

As previously mentioned, there is now a 10-day limit on anchoring in Taylor Creek–the friendly city police will visit you and make sure you know it. The only vessels you will see here are transients, all derelicts and private moorings have been cleared out. The anchorage has plenty of room for ten or more vessels and good holding in sandy mud. The current is swift and vessels will swing, one modern anchor works fine but if it's crowded and others are using two anchors then that might be the better choice. There is a city dinghy dock adjacent to the kayak launch/sandy beach at the end of Pollock St.–newer, floating, and very nice with trash and water available. There is a designated spot at the sandy launch where you can leave paddle craft (but not dinghies). Now that there is space for visitors to anchor and shoreside access, this could become one of our all-time favorite spots.

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Anchorage Review for Leadenham Creek

Reviewed by: Matt Claiborne, Cruising Editor on Jun 14, 2019
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 38'
Draft: 5.0'

A quiet spot to spend a night or two. No shore access. Easy in and out. Very little boat traffic other than other cruisers, weekend raft-ups, and working watermen. Pick which creek or shoreline to anchor based on the weather; you can find protection for pretty much any wind direction.

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Anchorage Review for San Domingo Creek

Reviewed by: Matt Claiborne, Cruising Editor on Jun 7, 2019
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 38'
Draft: 5.0'

Beautiful anchorage with lots of space, situated in a quiet residential area. Besides a few work boats and the occasional local power boat, there is very little traffic here and few wakes. Good holding in mud and good wind protection from all around, though you may want to pick which creek or shoreline to anchor in based on wind conditions. Good ATT and Verizon coverage. The "dinghy dock" is the seawall of a local park with a kayak launch. The workboat dock is slated to be rebuilt soon, so conditions may change. Possibly the most pet-friendly town we have ever visited. Nearly all restaurants offer outdoor seating and some even have pet menus! In addition to the previously mentioned local brewery and distillery, don't miss Ava's Pizza or the small-batch, in-house roasted Blue Heron Coffee shop just up the street from the dock. For provisioning, the Village Shoppe is a small grocery with liquor, wine, beer, cheese, and some meats and produce.

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Anchorage Review for Onancock Harbor

Reviewed by: Matt Claiborne, Cruising Editor on Jun 7, 2019
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 38'
Draft: 5.0'

One of our favorite stops on the Chesapeake. Holding is very good in mud. Wind protection is good from nearly all directions except NW, which is only fair. Fast and reliable ATT/Verizon cell coverage, and possible wifi from the marina with code. Free town dinghy dock just past the bridge (shared with the kayak launch). Use caution to not anchor near the channel: a 100'+ gravel barge docks often just north of the kayak shop in town. It makes a wide swinging turn around marker G29 on its way in. The barge issues "sécurité" calls on VHF Ch. 16 and may give a 5 whistle warning if space is insufficient. Don't miss the bakery in town or the museum at Ker Place. It's a great town to walk with friendly people and a laid back vibe.

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