Please note – the discussion below about the St. Johns River was copied from the MTOA List-Serv
As for the infamous Shands Bridge at Green Cove Springs, I myself would never try to take a sailcraft with a 46.5 mast under this span. That is truly flirting with disaster!
I’m glad to hear (see below) that a new 65-foot high rise bridge is currently under constructions to take the place of the current 45-foot (official clearance) Shands Bridge. This span has long been a barrier for sailors who want to enjoy this magnificent body of water.
Conversely, cruising the St. Johns River may just be the best cruising offered by the eastern shoreline of the Sunshine State, at least north of Miami. The river is not only beautiful, but if you enjoy anchoring off, you may think you have died and gone to cruising heaven.
Diesel fuel is a bit scarce along the course of the St. Johns, so fill up at every opportunity. Otherwise, ENJOY!

My wife and I are planning a trip in the winter of 2010 to St. John’s River. Another couple with a sailboat plan to join us, but have a problem with the Shands Bridge’s 45 foot clearance. Their mast height is 46.5 feet. Is it likely that wind induced variations in water levels will make it possible for them to pass, if we wait for such variations? It appears that the normal tide range at Green Cove Springs is only about 0.7 feet.
Thanks for any information.
Norman Mason
Monk 36, “Peggy Sue”

We went about half way up the St. Johns River in March, 2009. I don’t know about getting under the Shands Bridge.? Do you have a cruising guide? We used mostly Doziers Southern 2008 Waterway Guide. We stayed a few days at Ortega Yacht Club Marina (we had family near there and it was convenient for us and them).? At that time it was 125. per foot. We also used [Claborne Young’s] guide and if I can find it I will email you that one. How can you not find things on a boat!?!?!?> He has MUCH more information on where to anchor and great little out of the way restaurants up little creeks, etc. I don’t know if your sailboat friends can go up these small rivers. You may have to anchor the sailboat out and take your trawler…we had no trouble with Two Cats Too.
Good Luck! The St. Johns is BEAUTIFUL…someday I want to go all the way to Palatka!

Ref the info you asked about for your friends mast passing under Shands Bridge. We live in Green Cove Spgs and pass through Shands on regular basis. 45 ft max height is stated and you can get more clearence with heavy tidal flows but you should not count on it. Heavy rains can keep water higher than normal. Also, Shands like other bridges has a stated 2′ “higher” center clearence. We pass under Shands this morning at low tide and noted that clearence markers gave “46” ft of clearence. Other option; lower mast and cruise all of the river up to Sanford Fl, 150+ miles, many are narrow creeks with deep water, great cruising, but NOT for blowboats!!!
Enjoy the river, you will love it.
Gary

They are building a new 65 foot bridge there. Check Cruisersnet.net to check on progress. The St. John’s has no “tide” variation with or without wind!! We boated on the river for over 20 years. Beautiful!
Judy

We have to pass under the Shands Bridge later this week with a 47′ mast (Hunter 30). Gary’“if you’re out there’“can you give us the latest reading on the clearance markers?
I bought a laser measuring device at Lowe’s & plan to point that up at the underside of the bridge. I’ll be prepared to follow the methods of the `mast tipper’ & heel the boat if necessary. Any other suggestions are most welcome.
Ted Johnson

Wow, talk about a ringing endorsement!

10/09 update. We came to Acosta Creek to look at a boat for sale & were so impressed we immediately moved our RV here & now are buying a boat in the marina. The marina is small & remote but peaceful and charming. The owners, kathy & Jay, are delightful. Transient slips are available as well as the services mentioned above.
Ted Johnson/BJ Hawk

Click Here For The Cruisers’ Net’s Eastern Florida Marina Directory Listing For Acosta Creek Harbor

Boy, this one is news to me. Fort Caroline overlooks the southern shores of the St. Johns River from a high earthen cliff, upstream of Mayport. I don’t remember any sort of dockage here, but clearly that has changed since I last researched these waters. From Captain Thomason’s description below, sounds like this would be a great stop, assuming you can drop the hook nearby, within dinghying distance.

We don’t have an up-to-date East Coast Florida guide either but the 2000 edition says one cannot dock at Ft. Caroline (and this was the case about 4 years ago when we stopped by). So maybe you already know this but the dock is now open to the public. There are two 28 ft slips on the land side of the dock. The depths are 8 ft or so but the distance from the slips to the rip rap shoreline is not great. A small run-about could dock there but nothing bigger. We anchored just north of the dock in 20 feet of water (just opposite the fort fence) and took the dinghy in to the dock. Like Kingsley Plantation there is a 59 minute docking limit but this is obviously not enforced, especially for a dinghy. There are nice exhibits in the visitor’s center and there is a Park Service constructed fort to give one an idea of what the fort looked like. It is not on the site of the original fort (which is unknown). The memorial column is not walking distance away, according to a ranger. This makes a nice stop coming up the St. John River.
Jean Thomason (DOVEKIE)

The praise keeps rolling in for this fine facility, located on the Ortega River, just upstream from downtown Jacksonville.

If you are considering staying a night or a few months in the JAX area this winter, I strongly suggest you consider Ortega Landings. Great staff, super friendly and helpful. Friendly live aboards. Very aafe and secure. Great boater’s lounge. Dockside pump out. Floating concrete docks. Pool. Free washers/dryers. Very clean and bright restrooms/shower facilities. Nice mall within 2 residential blocks of the marina with Publix, CVS, two marine stores, department stores, several fast food/coffee shop/casual dining places, two banks. Nice park near by for evening walks. I think this place would make a great ‘˜destination’ marina for snow birds who are looking for some place more laid back than the south Florida scene.
Rick Parish

Ortega Landing is a great marina anyway you want to judge it. The staff is very helpful and very professional. The facilities are new and beautifully organized. The pricing is very competitive. Walking distance to good resturants, grocery stores, UPS Store and a West Marine. We are extending our stay and plan to make this an annual stop. I would recommend this facility to anyone.
Marsha and Bob
M/V `Threadbare’

Click Here To View the Eastern Florida Cruisers’ Net Marina Directory Listing For the Marina at Ortega Landing