Captain Bell provides information concerning a discussion of vertical clearances of Daytona’s Waterway fixed spans that has been ongoing for the past year. See /?p=105885

The clearance gauges for the fixed bridges in Daytona read “Minimum Clearance”. It is the shortest distance measured down to the water within the bridge span between the opposing piers. In other words if you pass through at the center of the arched span you can add the additional clearance the arching beam provides. Example. The Twin Bridges gives you at least another 1 1/2 feet at the center. Safe cruising.
Dave Bell

The marina review below is excerpted from Captains Mike and Mary Dicken’s, owners of SALTY SOUTHEAST CRUISERS’ NET SPONSOR, Paradise Yachts, web blog. These various accounts are recorded when this well-oiled nautical team helps new boat owners deliver their recently purchased craft to home port, or undertake yacht deliveries themselves for the same purpose. Wow, talk about service AFTER the sale – it doesn’t get any better than this. You will be seeing LOTS of excerpts from Captains Mike and Mary’s web blogs here on the SSECN. This is superb info, and we are glad to have it available to our readers.
The particular collection of blog entries from which the article below is excerpted is an account of a cruise from Fort Lauderdale, FL to Fernandina Beach, FL, assisting the buyers of a 42′ Novatec used trawler. You can read this entire set of blog entries at http://www.paradiseyachtsales.blogspot.com/2013/03/assisting-customers-service-after-sale_26.html.
Halifax Harbor Marina lies along the AICW’s western flank, in the heart of downtown Daytona Beach. Not only is this a mammoth marina, but any number of dining and entertainment opportunities are found within easy walking distance. Just be sure to call ahead, particularly doing spring or fall transient season, as the available transient slips tend to fill quickly.

We are staying at Halifax Harbor Marina which is a beautiful facility. Halifax Harbor Marina in Daytona Beach is a first class facility with several clean bath houses, 7-8 foot depths along side floating docks, locked bath houses and docks and a West Marine on site. Many restaurants are within a block away.
Captains Mary and Mike Dickens

Click Here To View the Eastern Florida Cruisers’ Net Marina Directory Listing For Halifax Harbor Marina

Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Halifax Harbor Marina

Here’s a brief and very laudatory review of the largest marina between St. Augustine and Fort Pierce, Florida. We have always found Halifax Harbor, lying in the heart of downtown Daytona Beach, to be a totally first class operation.

Halifax Harbor in Daytona Beach, Fl is a great live aboard marina: well maintained, choice of floating or fixed, 24 hr. security, clean and well protected weather wise.
Don R,
m/v Andante

Click Here To View the Eastern Florida Cruisers’ Net Marina Directory Listing For Halifax Harbor Marina

Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Halifax Harbor Marina

Halifax Harbor Marina - Click for Chartview

Halifax Harbor Marina is not only the largest marina facility in Daytona Beach, but one of the largest in all of Florida. It guards the western shores of the ICW/Halifax River, south of AICW marker #39A.

We stayed at Halifax Harbor Marina in Daytona several times. It’s very secure, has locked security gates, floating cement docks, and very well protected just off the ICW.
Barbara, Jim, and “Lily” Benjamin

The facility is still great, and so is the staff. Prompt attention to your docking needs and you have to love the attendant with the fishing net to catch the keys you have forgotten to return as you depart past the fuel dock. It is great to have floating docks in Florida that are full length.
The biggest surprise is that it has many vacancies. I remember when you better book well ahead as a transient, and there was a two year waiting list for full timers. Still a great marina.
William Lawrenson

Click Here To View the Cruisers’ Net’s Eastern Florida Marina Directory Listing For Halifax Harbor Marina

Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Halifax Harbor Marina

On 4/22/13, as part of a NE Florida – Georgia Wish List, we posed the following question:

Statute Mile 809.5 ‘“ Has anyone tried anchoring in the so-called, `Concrete Plant Anchorage,’ on the westward running stream, north of marker #13? For awhile, the concrete plant was closed, and this was a good anchorage. Then, there was word the plant was operating again, and barge traffic precluded dropping the hook here. Anyone have recent, personal experience with anchoring here?

Responses follow:

Yes, we anchored there back in January 2013. All was well. Boat plant was active. No barges that we saw, just an old sail boat. Was still a nice anchorage!!!
Raymond W. Smith
“Fire Dog”

I anchored at the old cement plant in February and the only activity I saw was at the Sea Ray plant – and I had read somewhere that facility had folded. It hadn’t as of early February. There is room for a few boats at the end of the
canal just at and past Sea Ray. Total protection, but no land access save a possible place to walk a dog, cat or parrot on the north side of the anchorage.
Peter

Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of the “Cement Plant Anchorage”

On 4/22/13, as part of a NE Florida – Georgia Wish List, we posed the following question:

Statute Mile 802 ‘“ anyone spend a night or two at the Marina at Hammock Beach, on the Waterway’s eastern shore, opposite Palm Coast? What did you experience here? Is this a really first-class facility?

Responses follow:

Yes, it is a first class facility, from the marina to the hotel and amenities. The marina, however, isn’t in walking distance to the hotel and its many amenities. When we were there two years ago, we had to rely on hotel transportation to and from the marina. They had no fuel on site, but were close to other facilities with fuel.
Mike and Judi Wisniewski

If you want luxury this is it. The marina guests have full access to all the luxury resort facilities, which are located on the beach about 1.5 miles away. We just finished our 4 day stay and enjoyed the whole facility ‘“ yes they took us to the main area in a Lincoln Towncar ( at no cost).
Showers are natural stone and granite abounds. Don’t bring a towel, there are piles of towels there, as well as shampoo, soap and all the fixings,(it’s a luxury hotel).
There is a pool at the Marina, and many others at the main resort which also has a water slide (Don’t need towels there either as they have them). The lounge is a common owners lobby and is as good as any luxury hotel I have seen.
No it is not near shops and there is no gas (it’s nearby) but if you want to get a massage at a 5 star resort spa at a low cost and have a boat, this place is for you. It is relaxed and just fine for a few days R&R, so enjoy.
William Lawrenson

Click Here To View the Eastern Florida Cruisers’ Net Marina Directory Listing For the Marina at Hammock Beach

Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of the Marina at Hammock Beach

On 4/22/13, as part of a NE Florida – Georgia wish list, we posed the following question:

3. Statute Mile 796- I know that many of you have visited with, and had a good experience at Marineland Marina, north of maker #89. Please let us hear what you found so special about this facility.

Responses follow:

Our boat is presently at Marineland. We were there a few days before having to come home for a month and enjoyed it so much will stay another 4 days or so before we head north. If you love walks on the beach or on trails, kayaking and nature you will love Marineland. The staff are wonderful!
Tom and Jan Hines on Laughter

We love Marineland Marina. Everyone there is most helpful and makes sure you have everything you need. They will lend you a car to provision at Publix and get supplies at the hardware store. The bathrooms are kept clean and tidy, laundry is free, and you even get discounts on Marineland tours and kayaking ecotours with Ripple Effect. You can walk in the maritime forest, cross the street to a beautiful deserted beach, and hear the ocean from your boat. Dolphins come and feed each evening in the marina basin. We were treated like family and plan to make a trip to Marineland part of our journey each year. Bravo to Chris Kelley for providing cruisers with a wonderful haven.
Dick and Sue Schneider

The staff is professional and though they do not have all the frills (fuel, captains lounge) they do have free pump-out and the beach is across the street. If you’re looking for a restful stop-over, this is the place to be and the price is right.
Robert & Carolyn Wilson
MY Sea Island Girl

We spent a week at this facility on our way south and are spending a month here on our way north. Chris, the dockmaster, and his staff are friendly, helpful and go out of their way to make cruisers feel welcome. It’s the kind of place where cruisers may stop intending to stay for a day or two and end up staying much longer. There are beautiful beaches, walking trails and mangroves to explore by dinghy. This is a marina for nature-lovers — there are no restaurants within walking distance and nothing to “do” other than enjoy the natural surroundings. Dockage rates are a steal — $1.00/foot per night and tempting rates for weekly or monthly stays. If you draw more than five feet, however, getting into and out of the marina would be difficult.
Captain Mary
S/V Intermezzo

We were one of the first boats to stay there when they reopened. The two staff guys are amazingly great. We have been there several times now and at $1/ft, given the location, it is tone of the best deals going. Just across the street is the beach, Marineland itself where you can see dolphins and a snack bar. Provisions are difficult to obtain but sometimes Eric’s car is available, even though it is not the marina’s courtesy car (it is his personal car) he often is seen loaning it out. If you borrow it,please fill it up for him. Also, dink across the waterway to see one of the largest protected lands in all of the USA where you can see all kind of critters. Also, at Marineland, they have a group that will take you over on kayaks. This is an example of if marinas do not overcharge, they will always have business. As we have traveled FLA these past two years (from our home port in NC), we see many empty marinas that are charging $2 or more and have few boats in them.
John Winter

Stayed here 4 20 13 Well received and clean, easy to get in and out. Would stay here again.
Greg and Donna on
Lady in Red

The dockmaster and assistants are excellent, very friendly and there is nothing that they would not do for you. At $1/ft with free laundry and excellent, clean restrooms you simply cannot go wrong. Stay three nights and the dockmaster will lend you his personal car to go grocery shopping.
Werner & Kathie Steuernagel

Claiborne,
We spent some time in Marineland Marina recently and found them to be exceptional people. If they didn’t know your name by the time your dock lines were secured, you probably stayed inside for that docking. This is a small marina but lots of helpful people. It is well protected in winds and storms. When we experienced a medical emergency, the staff did everything possible to make a bad situation as good as anyone could expect. We feel they are now part of our boating family and we won’t miss an opportunity to stop to say hello whether by land or sea.
Tom Conrad
m/v True North

We are here now…stopped in to wait out the winds..rates are great…power and water. Chris and all the marina crew are terrific..great help coming in, free pumpout, nice laundry and showers..like new..marina is very clean and dolphins play in the harbor.
Visited the Matanzas fort, had a great lunch at the Matanzas inlet restaurant, spent earth day at Washington Oaks Park, beautiful beach across the street you can walk with your dog, Marineland Dolphin Center and took a sunset eco kayak tour with Brandon..like a mini holiday..bikes help but you can use a loaner car to get to Publix or further out
Slomocean..Karen and Gary Holtze

We stayed two nights at this little marina after leaving St. Augustine in January. Although w have had lots of helpful folks at many marinas, these guys win the prize for the most helpful. As rookies we needed all the help we could get, especially getting into tight places. It is a pretty spot to walk around, and they took folks into town once a day to get groceries. We got a free pass to the marineland center as well. The marina and the surrounding environment was very clean, and they sponsored kayak nature excursions. The beautiful beach was right across the road from the marina.
Tim and Lisa Keith-Lucas
Santa Catalina de Guale

Bad weather forced us in to Daytona and up ICW as we were heading north after wintering in the Keys. Stayed at Marineland as we are familiar with it. Eric and other staff are super, from tying up to helping us visit Publix which is about 5 miles away. We had to stay 3 nights due to storm but there is no better deal on the ICW. The secret seems to be out about how good everything here is as it was packed. The price and `laidback atmosphere’ are hard to beat.
Bill Charleston,
S/V Frolic

Click Here To View the Eastern Florida Cruisers’ Net Marina Directory Listing For Marineland Marina

Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Marineland Marina

Palm Coast Marina - Click for Chartview

We continue to hear laudatory reports about the good management at Palm Coast Marina. This facility is found on a small canal which indents the Waterway’s western banks south of St. Augustine and north of Daytona Beach.

We stayed at Palm Coast, and found the staff very friendly and helpful. They went out of their way to fit us in, and make our stay enjoyable. Nice facility, worth a visit.
Chris Roberts

Click Here To View the Cruisers’ Net’s Eastern Florida Marina Directory Listing For Palm Coast Marina

Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Palm Coast Marina