Reviews from John PARKS (14)

Marina Review for Downtown Sanford Marina

Reviewed by: John PARKS , Carma’s Reward, on Jan 17, 2026
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 48'
Draft: 4.0'

Rating: 5

Great Marina. Stayed for a month over the Holiday Season in a covered slip, not all slips are covered but we got lucky. The marina staff is very helpful and accommodating. Showers are available for use by only marina boaters. Great access into downtown with a small grocery store a few blocks away. The Publix is about 5 miles there are Uber/Lyft around. An Ace Hardware is about a mile. Would stay again.

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Free Dock Review for Welaka City Dock - Bryants Landing

Reviewed by: John PARKS, Carma’s Reward, on Jan 17, 2026
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 48'
Draft: 4.0'

Rating: 4

We had a great stop in Welaka. We stayed on the T-head, a little challenging to get off the boat because of the pilings at the end of the T. There is an inside long dock but difficult to get into with a 48' boat. Also there is a current, so the inside long dock may be difficult to get out off as the current is usually flowing north. There are restrooms up the hill a half a block and more at the park on top of the hill. A cold water shower is at the park. Walked to Shimp R Us and had a great meal at a reasonable price. Would stop again.

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Marina Review for Boathouse Marina

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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Marina Review for PORT 32 Jacksonville

Reviewed by: John PARKS , Carma’s Reward, on Dec 11, 2025
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 48'
Draft: 4.0'

Rating: 5

We stayed two nights. The marina staff was very friendly and helpful. We had an issue with getting into the first slip that was assigned to us and they quickly found another slip. The restrooms are very clean and well kept. There is a pool/hot tub, we did not use, and an area with a grill. The Publix is around a 1/4 mile away with the West Marine in the same shopping area. There is a 9' high bridge that you need opened, but it is open on demand. There is a small tide, at low tide, there was 7' of water for Dock A where we were at. Great stop and highly recommended.

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Marina Review for Strouts Point Wharf Company

Reviewed by: John PARKS , Carma’s Reward, on Aug 20, 2025
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 48'
Draft: 4.0'

Rating: 5

We were out in the mooring field for a couple of nights. Great stop! The staff is very helpful. The town is small but about 3 miles from Freeport, which we rode our bikes to. There are well kept showers. Would stay again. It is a full-service boatyard with the adjacent boatyard owned by the same Owner.

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Anchorage Review for Round Pond

Reviewed by: John PARKS, Carma’s Reward, on Aug 15, 2025
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 48'
Draft: 4.0'

We did not stay at this location but did try and go in to anchor, so a couple of notes. The mooring field is limited to 40' boats. This location, in my opinion, is full of mooring field and seemly permanent anchored boats. The only reason we did not stay was we couldn't find a good location to anchor that would give us swing room during low tide. Looks like a great spot if you can get in and find a location to anchor.

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Anchorage Review for Witch Island

Reviewed by: John PARKS, Carma’s Reward, on Aug 15, 2025
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 48'
Draft: 4.0'

We anchored just north of the mooring field, which is indicated by the anchor symbol. Great spot with good holding. We didn't go to shore but looks to have easy access from Fisherman's CoOp.

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Marina Review for Belfast City Landing

Reviewed by: John PARKS , Carma’s Reward, on Aug 8, 2025
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 48'
Draft: 4.0'

Rating: 4

Great spot for moorings and dockage. As others indicated, easy access to town. There are showers with an access code in the public restrooms. Very helpful staff.

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Marina Review for Eaton's Boat Yard

Reviewed by: John PARKS , Carma’s Reward, on Aug 8, 2025
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 48'
Draft: 4.0'

Rating: 4

An update from the previous post. The marina hasn't changed, very welcoming and helpful. They have water, power (50 amp), diesel and gas. The public restrooms are a short walk (no showers). In town and very walkable.

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Marina Review for Bar Harbor Municipal Pier

Reviewed by: John PARKS , Carma’s Reward, on Aug 3, 2025
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 48'
Draft: 4.0'

Rating: 5

Great Harbor! We stayed there for four nights. The harbor master was very helpful getting into the mooring field and location the mooring ball. Town dinghy dock with downtown right at the dock. CAUTION! for the lobster pots in the mooring field. Recommended stop.

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Marina Review for Gloucester Inner Harbor Mooring Field

Reviewed by: John PARKS , Carma’s Reward, on Jul 24, 2025
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 48'
Draft: 4.0'

Rating: 5

We had a mooring ball on the Inner Harbor, there are other locations around the harbor. The mooring was good. Easy access to the dinghy dock with your own dinghy or using the free launch service. The main parts of town are within easy walking distance with shopping and restaurants. Their working VHF channel is 14 for contacting the harbormaster and for mooring assignment and 72 for launch service. The restroom and boaters lounge are new and well maintained.

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Anchorage Review for Cinco Bayou - Fort Walton Beach

Reviewed by: John PARKS, Carma’s Reward, on Feb 27, 2025
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 48'
Draft: 4.0'

We did not anchor at the symbol location as it seemed too close to shore and the main traffic flow under the bridge. We moved directly across the bay and anchored in front of the condo/apartment complex, so the ratings are based on that location. Deep anchorage 23'; could have gotten a little closer to shore. If you are under 18' air draft, recommend going under the fixed bridge and anchor in that bay. We dinghy to AJ's, they have a dock for small boats. Walked to Publix, about a mile. AJ's is a nice bar/restaurant and just had appetizers.

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Marina Review for Ashland City Marina

Reviewed by: John PARKS , Carma’s Reward, on Oct 14, 2024
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 48'
Draft: 4.0'

Rating: 5

Welcoming staff and a great spot to stay off the main channel. A great price for the night and a great price for diesel fuel with the ALGCA discount and we filled the water tanks for our next stop, Nashville.

We stopped on a Sunday afternoon and the stores in town were closed but we walked (you can dingy) to the restaurant across the river, The Riverview Restaurant and Marina. They offered a wonderful catfish dinner.

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Anchorage Review for Sandy Bay

Reviewed by: John PARKS, Carma’s Reward, on Jul 30, 2024
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 48'
Draft: 4.0'

Beautiful anchorage. Anchorage can hold 4-5 boats easily. Anchored in mud with no weeds. Poor cell service T-Mobile had poor signal, AT&T had 1 bar of 4G. No access to shore as this is native lands. Posted signs for access restrictions. We have no pets so did not need to go ashore

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