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Please Note That Postings Below From Fellow Cruisers Are Listed in Chronological Order, Based on Publication Date
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Cocoa Village Marina - Click for Chartview
Cocoa Village Marina occupies the mainland side of the Waterway, just north of the Cocoa bridge and only a few quick steps from the downtown Cocoa business district!
Stayed at Cocoa on our way south in April 2013 and were most impressed, the club house and facilities are great, and the marina is well kept and well run. The staff were kind and considerate. Access to town is easy, and we had a good dinner there.
Entry is a little strange, but they guide you in well, so listen and make sure you understand. We had no issues and loved out time there.
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Titusville Municipal Marina - Click for Chartview
Located south-southeast of AICW marker #27, Titusville Municipal Marina is one of the best medium-sized, municpal marinas on the Eastern Florida coastline.
Stayed a night mid May 2013, as we did a couple of years back, and it was still as good as we remembered. The facilities might be a little dated, but are well maintained and are spotlessly clean. There is good access to town and shops, well within walking distance, and public transport if you don’t care to walk.
We were initially unhappy with the floating dock assigned to us, so they immediately accommodated our wish and moved us to a fixed dock.
Good ships store and good fuel dock. Great staff. Easy in and out from the ICW. Maybe not many frills and fancy’s but a good, solid, safe, well-run marina.
William Lawrenson
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Titusville City Marina
Melbourne Harbor Marina - Click for Chartview
The Melbourne Harbor Marina entrance channel cuts west, abeam of unlighted daybeacon #6, south of the Melbourne twin, high-rise bridges.
Claiborne,I am traveling northward from Fort Pierce, FL. to Morehead City, NC. aboard the MY Twilight Time, a WC Hyatt 53′. Having stopped at Melbourne Harbor Marina twice within the last three months, I could not help but notice how rundown the men’s’ shower has become. It really is in a sad state. While true, Ichabod’s, is still around, the new crown jewel in dining is only one block away, The Mansion in Melbourne. Food, atmosphere, spirits, shopping. deli and a beer garden and rooftop terrace dining with a view of the ICW. Check it out at www.thebigmansion.com More as we travel northward. Kindest personal regards, Harold
Harold “Cap’n H” O’Briant
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Broken Marker #86 - Click for Chartview
This broken daybeacon lies east of Merritt Island and south of Cocoa, FL, on the west side of the channel in a straight stretch of the Waterway.
FLORIDA-INTRACOASTAL WATERWAY-TOLOMATO RIVER TO PALM SHORES-INDIAN RIVER NORTH SECTION: Hazard to Navigation.
Indian River (North Section) DBN 86 (LLNR 42230) is reported broken in half; the wood piling is broken above the waterline. Mariners are advised to exercise extreme caution while transiting the area. Chart 11485
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Marker 13 - Click for Chartview
The information concerning the hazard to navigation, described below, was sent to us by our good friend, Captain Chuck Baier. The missing aid to navigation normally lies on the east side of a narrow channel in the Indian River, north of the NASA RR Bridge and Titusville.
Green Daymarker 13 has been knocked over and the remains are below the water at high tide. The marker is off Black Point just north of Statute Mile 875. Use caution when transiting the area. If any kind of chop is on the water, even at low tide when it’s partially exposed, this will be hard to see.
Chuck Baier
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To A “Navigation Alert” Position at Statute Mile 875
Space Center Bridge - Click ofr Chartview
The Space Center Causeway Bridge crosses the AICW at Statute Mile 885, south of marker #43. The change in this span’s opening schedule, detailed below, extends the restricted opening hours by 30 minutes both AM and PM.
FLORIDA – ATLANTIC INTRACOASTAL WATERWAY – PALM SHORES TO WEST PALM BEACH – INDIAN RIVER – NASA PARKWAY/SR 405 BRIDGE: Bridge Repairs.
Royal Bridge Incorporated has advised the Coast Guard that they will be painting the NASA Parkway/Addison Point/SR 405 Bridge across the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway mile 885, Canaveral, Florida from April 1 to May 29, 2013. This office has been advised that only one of the four spans is open; therefore, the mariner will need to request a normal bridge opening at this location.
Starting May 9, 2013, the curfew period for the John F. Kennedy Space Center bridge, mile 885 at Addison Point will be extended to read:. The draw shall open on signal; except that, from 6:00 a.m. to 8:00 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays, the draw need not open. This portion of the work will be completed on June 21, 2013.
NASA, the bridge owner, has advised that they will be scheduling work on this bridge that may require single-leaf operations from Monday 13 May through Tuesday 2 July 2013. The details for double-leaf openings will be published in a future Local Notice to Mariners. Ref: LNM 08 through 19-13 Chart: 11485
We anchored south of the bridge last night (May 13). We were aware of the normal restricted opening schedule (closed 6:30 am to 8:00 am and 3:30 to 5:00 pm). We called the bridge tender to verify this schedule and were assured that we could get through before 6:30 am. When we called the bridge this morning to request an opening, we were informed that they are on a new schedule (since May 9) due to construction: closed 6:00 am-8:00 am. We did not ask about the afternoon schedule.
Walter Smith
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Many AICW cruising veterans stop year after year in Titusville, just to sample the bill of fare at Dixie Crossroads Restaurant. It doesn’t hurt to mention them anew, however. So, if you have never satisfied a healthy appetite here, do you and your taste buds a BIG favor, and remedy that oversight SOON!
Many will find this dining attraction to be an easy walk from SALTY SOUTHEAST CRUISERS’ NET SPONSOR, Westland Marina, or the city docks.
Dixie Crossroads, Titusville, FL – Excellent seafood; about a mile from the Titusville Municipal Marina on US-1; taxi, or arrange a ride locally.
Peg and Jim Healy aboard Sanctuary
Click Here To View the Eastern Florida Cruisers’ Net Marina Directory Listing For Westland Marina
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Westland Marina
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Titusville City Marina
Brunswick Corporation manufactures a number of brands including Hatteras, SeaRay and Boston Whaler, as well as Mercury outboard engines. For the full story of this closure, excerpted from Boating Industry.com, see the link below.
Brunswick Corporation (NYSE: BC) announced today that it will consolidate its yacht and motor yacht production at its Palm Coast, Fla., manufacturing plant. As a result, Brunswick will suspend manufacturing at its Sykes Creek boat manufacturing facility in nearby Merritt Island, Fla., at the end of June. The Brunswick Boat Group’s (BBG) Product Development and Engineering center, located adjacent to the Sykes Creek plant, will remain in operation. In addition, BBG will continue to utilize the existing customer reception facilities, sales and customer service offices, and wet slips located on the Merritt Island campus.
There is a lively discussion taking place on the AGLCA list, about the best spot to anchor, and pick up a slip to watch space shots from Cape Canaveral. For years, if the weather cooperated, we always anchored in the wide section of the Indian River, just south of Titusville. There’s TONS of swing room, and 5 1/2 to 6 foot depths, BUT absolutely NO shelter from fresh breezes or foul weather. To learn more about this possible vantage point, go to, http://cruisersnet.net/?p=4356 !
We had a great view from the anchorage just south of the railroad bridge near mile 877. There’s a little silt bar right off the channel (6 ft., if I remember correctly), but then deep water almost to the shore to the east,
with lots of manatees and jumping fish. Excellent protection from the N and E. Only one other boat came in to anchor for the launch, and then left right after.
Micheal Ahart
Mooring field at Titusville Muni Marina would be good.
Darrell Grob
The ICW does not close. Only the banana river and the mosquito lagoon have restrictions during launches. The best place to watch is between the Titusville bridge and Addison point bridge. Sorry we are at Trawlerfest and don’t have our charts in front of us. It is an amazing thing to watch a launch from just south of Titusville. We’ll Try to see it from Fort Lauderdale after we graduate the latest University class of Building Cruising Confidence As A Couple. Go NASA!!
Chris and Alyse Caldwell
Captain Chris Yacht Services
772-205-1859
We have watched about 3 launches from our slip at the Cocoa Village Marina. Had a party also during the launch a time or two. Check out Cocoa Village Marina, Cocoa, FL.Â
Also you can go to Kennedy Space Center Launch Clock Website but it lags the launch a little so be on deck at 0830, but you can see on the launch clock if launch gets cancelled.
Capt Bob Kovach
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of the Titusville Mooring Field
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Cocoa Village Marina
Cocoa Village Marina occupies the mainland side of the Waterway, just north of the Cocoa bridge and only a few quick steps from the downtown Cocoa business district!
Cocoa Village Marina is centrally located in a quaint area called Cocoa Village, lots to do and everyone is super.
The staff will bend over backwards to make sure your stay is nice and the bathrooms are so clean. I give the Marina 5 stars.
Frank
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Cocoa Village Marina
Westland Marine - Click for Chartview
Westland Marine, A SALTY SOUTHEAST CRUISERS’ NET SPONSOR, in Titusville, Florida is located in the same semi-enclosed harbor as Titusville Municipal Marina (also a SALTY SOUTHEAST CRUISERS’ NET SPONSOR), but whereas the city facility guards the southwestern bank, Westland flanks the harbor’s southeastern shores.
Westland is a pleasure, facilities exceptional & good staff. DIY yard w/ haul out avail. Layed back as you want to be.
Dave
Click Here To View the Eastern Florida Cruisers’ Net Marina Directory Listing For Westland Marine
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Westland Marine
Like Captains Diana and Mark, over the years, we have swung on the hook in the below described Indian River anchorage and watched all sorts of spacecraft being launched, including the now defunct space shuttle. All of these sights are of the “never fogotten” variety.
As Mark and Diana note, there is NO protection on these wide waters, so be sure there is a good forecast in the offing before committing to a stay on these waters. Otherwise, GO for it whenever a lunch is due!
Hi Claiborne,
An anchorage in the middle of nowhere … What’s the big deal?
Yep, Indian River Anchorage is a nondescript stopover with no protection and no shore access — but with the memories of a lifetime!
All you have to do is time your overnight stay with a rocket launch from nearby Kennedy Space Center.
There may be no nearby shore access or services, but you’re talking front row seats for the Cape Canaveral launches!
Fortunately, rocket launches only proceed with perfectly calm conditions, the same conditions you’ll want in order to stay at this unprotected anchorage along the Indian River at STM 882.2.
Located a full two statute miles off the ICW, there is a pocket of 7-foot depths in the middle of the incredibly wide Indian River (see the sample page from our AnchorGuide series below).
We’ll never see another shuttle launch like the one pictured here but there are three more launches currently scheduled for this year, two of them Atlas rockets!
Plan ahead by checking KSC’s rocket launch schedule at: http://www.kennedyspacecenter.com/events.aspx
On November 13th an Atlas V rocket will launch the X-37B Orbital Test Vehicle, a U.S. military prototype spaceplane.
On December 6th an Atlas V rocket will launch a NASA communications satellite.
On December 15 a Falcon 9 rocket will launch the Dragon spacecraft on a cargo delivery mission to the International Space Station.
Pretty exciting stuff for a “boring” anchorage in the middle of the Indian River!
Best and see you On the Water,
Captains Mark & Diana Doyle
http://www.OnTheWaterChartGuides.com
We have had the same great view for the last four launches from our slip at the Cocoa Village Marina. Which usually
includes a launch party at the beautiful Club house.
Capt Bob Onboard ALLEZ!
Cocoa Village Marina occupies the mainland side of the Waterway, just north of the Cocoa bridge and only a few quick steps from the downtown Cocoa business district!
Cocoa Village Marina has all the amenities you could ask for. No swimming pool, but super public transportation gets you to all the big box stores, malls, move theaters and the Beach in 15 Minutes. The marina has great facilities, monthly parties in the beautiful club house. Plenty of nice shower facilities and laundry facilities open 24/7.
Capt Bob
Onboard M/Y ALLEZ! MT50 WB Lying Cocoa, FL
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Cocoa Village Marina
The Space Center Causeway Bridge crosses the ICW at Statute Mile 885, south of flashing daybeacon #43.
The answer to Capt. Ehret’s questions from our Bridge Directory:
“Does not open at all weekdays (except Federal holidays) between 6:30 a.m. and 8:00 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. and 5:00 p.m.; at all other times opens on demand.”
Question about the Addison Point NASA bridge.
My ICW Chartbook is unclear.
I understand it is closed from 6:30am-8:00 am and from 3:30-5:00 pm Monday – Friday.
Does it open on demand all other times during the week? And what about Saturday and Sunday??
Thanks to anyone who know the answer.
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Addison Point Bridge
The posting below is excerpted from a discussion string on the American Great Loop Cruisers’ Association Forum, concerning where best to find marinas offering the best hurricane protection along the Eastern Florida coastline.
Cocoa Village Marina in Cocoa, FL. – the West Basin has a concrete wall protecting it. If you come here, you want the West Basin. There is no tide, and any urge will be wind driven on the Indian River. Yes there is a nice fetch from the North from the Hwy 528 bridge.
The Pilings at Cocoa Village Marina are set deep and in great condition. They have cross brace re-inforcing them. I have double springs and bow and stern lines. The slip is wide enough some 21 ft, and I can center the boat in the slip with our 15.5 beam. We are between the Hwy 528 and 520 bridges that go to Merritt Island MM897
Check out Cocoa Village Marina.
Safe Cruising
Capt Bob
Onboard ALLEZ
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Cocoa Village Marina
Harbor Square Marina is located in a small, extremely well sheltered dockage basin, which lies off the south side of the Canaveral Barge Canal, between Indian and Banana Rivers. I have visited this facility many times over the years, and usually I find no-one in attendance at this marina. It has always struck me as a very low key operation!
[Harbor Square Marina is a] Great Place to take your boat when a hurricane approaches.
Gator Ann
The docks are Harbor Square are very short fingers, shore side cleats are flimsy, pilings for lines there are two. No mid ship pilings between you and your neighbor. That is it. It is full of sailboats 30 ft or less. Granted you will not see any “surge” in either
location.
Robert & Helen Kovach
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Harbor Square Marina
Cocoa Village Marina occupies the mainland side of the Waterway, just north of the Cocoa bridge and only a few quick steps from the downtown Cocoa business district! Cocoa Village Marina is A SALTY SOUTHEAST CRUISERS’ NET SPONSOR!
We just spent two nights at the Cocoa Village marina, and have been very impressed with the facility. Everything from the prompt response on the VHF when we arrived, clear directions as to how to enter the harbor, the dock master waiting at the dock, and actually knowing how to tie a boat made the arrival easy. The office, boaters lounge, laundry (4 washers and 4 dryers) and baths are new and clean. Very little tide to deal with, and a well protected harbor. Kennedy Space Center is a major attraction nearby, and the two block walk to the historic downtown area makes it convenient for site seeing and meals. We were told they are new AGLCA sponsors, but I do not see them on the list yet. We highly recommend this stop!
Ken & Pat Goewey
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The Melbourne Harbor Marina entrance channel, mentioned by Capt. Kemp below, cuts west, abeam of unlighted daybeacon #6, south of the Melbourne twin, high-rise bridges.
There is a nice channel into this protected marina but there is boat traffic and road noise in the harbor. The suggested walking route into the historic district took us thru some rather questionable areas. Facilities are very limited and were a long hike from the slip. No dockside internet.
Alan Kemp
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"Early Morning at Snows Cut Bridge (North Carolina AICW, north of Southport, NC)"
by: Captain Sheila Dixon
