Reviews: Palatka City Dock

Review for Palatka City Dock

Reviewed by: david kanzler, Hygge, on Feb 24, 2024
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 29'
Draft: 2.5'

Rating: 4

Free dock. No power to the pedestals but they did have water. Limited spots for bigger boats on floating docks, more on fixed docks. Yes, bird poop on docks ,but instead of just posting a complaint, we cleaned it off near our boat. Great State Park 1.5 miles away: Ravine Gardens State Park. Park is a great place to hike. Several trails of varying length and difficulty. Nice town park and we hit a classic car show!

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Review for Palatka City Dock

Reviewed by: Capt Maria Langer, Do It Now, on Feb 12, 2024
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 32'
Draft: 2.5'

Rating: 2

The dock was open with one decrepit sailboat parked in a slip. There were hundreds of birds on the dock when I arrived and they took off when I backed into a slip, leaving a dock absolutely covered with bird droppings and chicken bones. (I guess they eat garbage?) A new security gate with a lock that is completely inoperable is at the end of the dock -- perhaps to keep dockwalkers away? The "historic downtown" is depressed, with many closed storefronts and a handful of shops and restaurants between them. I kept walking up the main street, hoping to find something worth spending some time at but gave up right after the DQ and walked back. The park near the docks was the only lively part of town on that Saturday afternoon; it looked well maintained and was full of families in the playground. The adjacent boat ramp was busy with small boats being launched and retrieved. Boaters had no consideration and sped around the area, spreading their wake. I found the place so dismal that I left after just an hour and a half. A free dock is nice, but not when there's nothing worth sticking around for. I never even checked to see if the power pedestals or water worked. I will not be back and cannot recommend it.

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Review for Palatka City Dock

Reviewed by: Keith Palmer, Odysea II, on Nov 7, 2023
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 31'
Draft: 3.0'

Rating: 4

Dock was open and we were able to dock in a slip in our 31' boat without issue. The finger piers are short but adequate.

We walked to Angel's diner for a burger and shake.

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Review for Palatka City Dock

Reviewed by: Steven Koch on Mar 25, 2023
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 49'
Draft: 5.0'

Rating: 1

This dock is closed to boats as of March 24 2023

• WG Editor Comment:
  

  Waterway Guide will contact the city to determine why and duration.

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Review for Palatka City Dock

Reviewed by: Lawrence Wolfenden, Gracefull, on Nov 27, 2022
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 38'
Draft: 4.0'

Rating: 4

The piers here are are in decent condition. Power may be available on the main, fixed pier if the 15amp outlets haven't been broken or breaker tripped, but they are simple household-style fixtures, not at all what one would normally use for shorepower. Similarly, water may be available.

During shrimping season, late July through September, the main pier will be filled with locals throwing nets until late in the evening. Fishing and cast nets are not permitted on the floating dock, but there's typically not anyone policing that.

The riverfront adjacent to the city dock includes an environmental education center. There is a public boat ramp beside the pier. Bass fishing tournaments are routinely held, so there's a lot of activity during those weekends.

Signs on the pier indicate that one needs to contact the city for permission to stay overnight. In 20 years of using this facility, I've never been asked or challenged on this. (At least one attempt to actually make such a reservation was futile: numerous calls went unanswered and when I finally spoke with someone at the city, they couldn't direct me to anyone who could provide permission to stay.) It appears the rule is primarily so that the city can force the occasional derelict/vagrant boat to leave.

There are typically a half-dozen or fewer boats anchored out just to the east of the pier.

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Review for Palatka City Dock

Reviewed by: David Rowe on Sep 5, 2022
LOA: 38'
Draft: 3.5'

Rating: 5

As always, it's hard to complain about a free dock. There are two free docks in Palataka. This is the one to use if your boat is over 17' LOA. The one to the northern side of the park is for vessels 17' and under. For larger vessels that don't fit in the finger piers, you can dock on the t-head or against the wooden, non-floating dock. There is no power, but that's of little concern when the dock is FREE! Great stop on the way up river. Highly recommend trying Angel's Dining Car, a short walk away. It's purported to be Florida's oldest authentic diner, and the burgers and fries are to die for, if you like a good diner gut grenade.

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Review for Palatka City Dock

Reviewed by: David Burnham, Sweet Life, on Oct 28, 2018
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 28'
Draft: 4.0'

Rating: 4

Newly refurbished dock. Both fixed and floating berths. Exposed to a strong easterly wind but otherwise a good place for a temporary tie up.

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