Anchorage Review for Bethune Park

Reviewed by: Brent Massey, True Story, on Jan 22, 2023
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 40'
Draft: 5.0'

Echoing some other reviews, the shore access for our pup is what drew us to this spot. We didn't venture too far into the anchorage because of the many permanent residents here, but found a good spot off the channel and dropped the hook in about 8-9 feet of water. Holding was excellent! We even brought some of the thick mud/shell mix up with our anchor the next morning. There are multiple options for shore access here, but we opted for the floating dock at the park's boat launch. Be cautious: there is a submerged sailboat on the southern dock with only the mast and rigging visible. Plenty of room to tie up on the north side of the dock though. The park was really nice, with plenty of greenspace to play ball with the pup and for the humans to stretch their legs.

Weather was calm during our stay, but I wouldn't want to spend time here in a strong N or S wind. There is nothing to block the wind or wave action from those directions. Would definitely stay here again.

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Marina Review for St. Augustine Municipal Marina

Reviewed by: Brent Massey , True Story, on Jan 22, 2023
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 40'
Draft: 5.0'

Rating: 3

Spending a few nights at the foot of the Bridge of Lions, and within sight of the old Castillo, seems like a right of passage for sailors. And unfortunately, it seems that the marina staff knows that. Our dockhand was less than helpful when we were trying to dock in the strong current. He seemed more interested in barking useless orders than he was in catching our lines and helping us into our slip. I think that the marina should be more forthcoming with the fact that the current runs TOWARD shore as well as toward or away from the Bridge. That pearl of wisdom would have been helpful while planning my docking approach, not while trying to recover from a failed attempt.

I had one other interaction with a staff member after our key cards to the heads stopped functioning halfway through our stay. The staff member in the office was very rude to me when I asked for help and seemed to accuse me of some malfeasance. I don't know why they stopped working, and I assumed it was a simple clerical error. But I was treated as if I was trying to get something for free, or trying to scam my way into the bathroom!

The docks are nice, the location and convenience to town are unmatched and I think that is the only saving grace for this marina. Otherwise I have have stayed in much nicer facilities, with much nicer staff, for far less.

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Anchorage Review for Fort Matanzas G81A

Reviewed by: Brent Massey, True Story, on Jan 22, 2023
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 40'
Draft: 5.0'

Well protected anchorage. We didn't go all the way to the anchor marker, but stopped closed to the ICW. Found 10-13 feet of water near the southern shore and stayed two nights. Our Mantus kept us securely attached to the sandy bottom the entire time, and came up clean when we pulled it. Dolphins are frequent and the sunsets were beautiful! There were as many as 9 boats anchored here, and room for a few more. As others have reported, the current does rip through here on the rising and falling tide!

A word of caution: Follow the Bob423 side track into the anchorage, by hugging Green 81 and staying near shore. In 48 hours we watched 10 boats run aground by trying to run down the visual center of the inlet.

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Marina Review for Safe Harbor Beaufort

Reviewed by: Brent Massey , True Story, on Dec 9, 2022
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 40'
Draft: 5.0'

Rating: 4

The mooring we grabbed was in great shape, and we felt safe and secure all night. We caught some wake from passing boats, but it was infrequent and died down overnight. It wasn't immediately clear where the dingy dock was, but we found it along the shore next to the boat ramp, and there was plenty of room for us there.

We met Emily in the Ship's Store and she was a just the kindest person I've met in a while! She answered all of our questions and gave us the lay of the land and the facilities. She even offered to help get us a ride for provisioning if we needed it. There are beautiful parks along the water, plenty of restaurants and shops all within a comfortable walking distance. We truly enjoyed our stay.

The heads have clearly been updated fairly recently. Unfortunately the exhaust fan in the men's head was not working and it was a bit of a musty sauna in there after so many hot showers. It wasn't a dealbreaker for me, but it had clearly been that way for some time and I would expect Safe Harbor to keep up with that type of maintenance. The captain reports that the women's room was "not fancy, but very clean and comfortable."

Overall, a positive experience. We would stay here again.

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Bridge comment on J. Wilton Graves (U.S. 278) Hwy. Bridges

Comment by: Brent Massey, True Story, on Dec 9, 2022
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 40'

Came through yesterday at nearly dead low tide. The Clearance board on the north side of the bridge (as used by southbound vessels) is present, however its broken off at 62', and you have to be nearly under the bridge to see it. We proceeded cautiously, because we were already at low tide and conditions weren't going to get any better. Finally spotted the board at the last minute, and while it is broken, we estimate that we had 68-70 feet of clearance. We didn't notice any drain pipes or hanging beacons that others have mentioned.

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Marina Review for St. Johns Yacht Harbor

Reviewed by: Brent Massey , True Story, on Dec 6, 2022
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 40'
Draft: 5.0'

Rating: 5

Absolutely top notch marina and staff. We had an extended stay to tend to some maintenance and upgrades and we were actually a little sad to leave when the time came! The docks are in great shape, and were getting redecked during our stay. The heads and showers were clean and well kept. Probably one of the better showers I've had anywhere on the ICW, plenty of hot water and pressure. The laundry room is spacious, with a folding counter and ironing boards. The dockmaster's office/ships store is small, but has a great selection of drinks and snacks. Even has a coffee bar with cold brew on tap!

And the staff? You couldn't put together a better crew if you tried. E, Stan, Bailey, Austin, Mitch, Bobby and the rest of the crew made us feel welcome from the moment we arrived and they went well above and beyond to help us. Their generous hospitality was remarkable. I won't stay anywhere else when I'm in the area.

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Bridge comment on John F. Limehouse Hwy. Bridge

Comment by: Brent Massey, True Story, on Dec 6, 2022
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 40'

As stated above, clearance board is located on the north set of pilings, large and clearly visible....once you round the corner. Plenty of room to wave off if you decide that you don't have enough clearance though. We came through an hour after high tide (approx +5.9 feet at the time) and we had 67-69 feet of clearance according to the board.

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Anchorage Review for Awendaw Creek

Reviewed by: Brent Massey, True Story, on Nov 3, 2022
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 40'
Draft: 5.0'

Spent a really nice evening here. The rising and falling tides produce a very strong current through the anchorage. Our Mantus grabbed immediately, held all night long and came up clean the next morning. Bottom looked to be mostly sand. There were 6 boats anchored here with us, with plenty of room for more. Definitely no wind protection here.
Small power boats cut through here all afternoon at high speed, but died down at night.
We have a dog with us, and took a rather long dinghy ride to the north side of the anchorage to a small beach. Not enough room to run or play, but there was enough room to walk about and do his business.

Would stop here again.

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Marina Review for Belhaven Marina

Reviewed by: Brent Massey , True Story, on Oct 31, 2022
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 40'
Draft: 5.0'

Rating: 5

I love Belhaven Marina. My second time staying here, and I'll surely be back.

The showers here are some of the best I've had on the ICW. Always clean, stocked with soap and towels, and plenty of hot water.

And being able to fuel right in my slip with the cheapest diesel around? Priceless.

The location is great too. Right in the heart of town, just a short walk to ACE Hardware, restaurants, bakery, coffee shop, etc.

Thanks Greg and team!

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Marina Review for Oriental Marina & Inn

Reviewed by: Brent Massey , True Story, on Oct 31, 2022
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 40'
Draft: 5.0'

Rating: 5

Great stop. There is almost no tide here, so the fixed docks were no problem. My only complaint is that we pulled bow in, and had to spend a few minutes lassoing the pilings to get a proper stern line attached.

Showers and heads were clean and stocked with towels and soaps. We didn't do any laundry while we were here.

The best part of this marina is the location. Restaurants, a coffee shop and the best small chandlery (Island Provisions) are a very short walk away. Will come back!

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