Ortega River Yacht Club (Jacksonville – St. Johns River)

On 7/17/08, as part of a “St. Johns River Wish List,” I posed the following question:

7. Also, on Ortega River, Ortega Yacht Club (really more of a commercial marina than a yacht club) lines the northwestern banks, just short of the second bridge. I’ve always found this to be a transient friendly marina. Anyone stayed here lately? What did you discover?

Responses follow:

OYCM is fine if you can get in. They are always full. They no longer sell fuel.
Les Rothman

We were at the Ortega Yacht Club for several months last summer and fall. We left in November for the Florida Keys. VERY transient friendly if you can get a slip. They only have one or two slips available. But after being there a couple of weeks we decided to stay a bit longer and getting a long-term slip wasn’t a real problem. It is a gated marina with nice showers, a small but clean laundry room and very friendly dockmaster who is a fellow boater. Can walk to Pier 17 right next door, if they don’t have it, as a boater, you don’t need it. Also within walking distance is a West Marine, a huge Publix, CVS drug store and over a dozen restaurants. Right around the corner is the Chamblin’s Book Mine…one of the largest used bookstores on the east coast.
Lee Ann
“Oh, dolce far niente!”

Exchange Island Anchorage (St. Johns River – short hop east of downtown Jacksonville)

On 7/17/08, as part of a “St. Johns River Wish List,” I posed the following quesiton:

3. The only really good anchorage near downtown Jacksonville is found on the waters east of Exchange Island, near the charted location of “Arlington.” Anyone dropped the hook here recently? What did you find, and what depths did you observe?

Responses follow:

A large group of boaters anchored behind Exchange Island in the spring of 2007. They reported all was well. I did not stop as I was headed only a few more miles to my home port.
Les Rothman .

Mill Cove Anchorage (St. Johns River – east of Jacksonville)

On 7/17/08, as part of a "St. Johns River Wish List," I posed the following question:

2. Has anyone tried to anchor on the northern portion of Mill Cove, south of flashing buoy #43? What depths did you find, and did you find this spot to be a comfortable overnight haven?

Responses follow:

Mill Cove on the chart opposite Blount Island is used often by cruising friends of mine.  They say both the holding and depths are fine.  I suspect that wakes would roll in from the river traffic.
Les Rothman

Mill Cove anchorage – We didn't find the charted depths but did find 6 to 8 feet with good holding.  Interesting to listen to the docking pilots and tugs bringing ships into Blount Island directly opposite.  Last year they were working VHF Channels 1 and 2, I think.
Randall and Susan Moring

Palatka, FL Facilities (St. Johns River)

On 7/17/08, as part of a "St. Johns River Wish List," I posed the following question:

17. The city of Palatka marks the point where the St. Johns finishes its evolution from a brackish to a fresh water river. There are three possibilities for pleasure craft dockage in Palatka. North of the high-rise bridge, a hotel, which used to be a Holiday Inn, but is now something else, I think, has a dock. South of the span, also on the western banks is the Palatka city dock, followed by Boathouse Marine. PLEASE comment on any or all these facilities. Also, any dining recommendations in Palatka would be welcome. Does anyone know if Angel's Diner is still open?

Responses follow:

The motel north of the bridge is now a Quality Inn. I can't comment on depths there.
The Palatka city dock seems adequate for up to 6' draft, at least at the outer end. Last winter, the dock was occasionally used for fishing derbies, mostly on weekends, and was completely dominated by outboards and 2-cycle smoke when it was. The majority of the time, it would be suitable for short stays by cruisers, but has no facilities except for public bathrooms and an adjacent parking lot.
Longer stops in Palatka would be better spent at the Boathouse Marina next to the city dock. I kept my sailboat there for most of the '07-'08 winter. The new owners welcome cruisers and have been trying to improve a marina that had been run down under previous ownership. Most of their slips seemed to be rented year-round to locals or winter residents like me, but some shorter-term cruisers came and went while I was there.
Access to the dock was by entry code at a gate. There was a soda machine, ice available, on-site laundry and clean bathrooms.
Angel's Diner was still open when we left in June, We ate breakfast there a few times. There is a Subway right next door to Angel's, which is on Reid Street, the roadway that comes acxross the bridge. In my opinion, a much better choice for breakfast or lunch is the City Cafe, a few minutes walking distance of the river, located on St John's Ave., the main street of the old downtown area.
Neil Woodside
Swans Island, ME
SV "Undine"

Palatka.  Carmen Cove on the north west shore just before reaching the SR 100 bridge is a very good anchorage.  Find 7 feet in good holding.  Wind Protected N.E &S. but I've been there in blows from other directions and had no problems.  The docks across from Carmen Cove by the Hotel are in very poor shape but the price may be right for some and the restaurant is tolerable.  Boathouse Marina is being upgraded by new owners and an easy and safe stop if they have room for you.  If you arrive after they close, they work the tie-up on the honor system.  Easy walk to town.  Angles Restaurant appears to be still open.
Les Rothman

Crystal Cove Marina (St. Johns River, north of Palatka, FL)

On 7/17/08, as part of a "St. Johns River Wish List," I posed the following question:

16. Crystal Cove Marina guards the St. Johns western banks, south of Rice Creek. This is one of the few places that Diesel Fuel can be purchased on the St. Johns south of Jacksonville. SOME OF YOU PLEASE COMMENT ON WHERE DIESEL FUEL CAN BE PURCHASED BETWEEN JACKSONVILLE AND SANFORD!!! Have you tried to purchase fuel at Crystal Cove? What depths did you find, and how difficult was their entrance channel?

Responses follow:

Crystal Cove Marina; I haven't bought fuel there but did motor a 4' draft sailboat in and out of there a few times last winter. The private markers were adequate to keep us in their dredged channel, which, at that time, had 6 ft. near high tide, with a few slightly shallower spots.
Neil Woodside
Swans Island, ME
SV "Undine"

Crystal Cove Marina has a long and shallow channel to enter and shallow by the fuel dock.  I would not recommend it with a draft over 5 feet.  Georgetown Marina on the north side of Lake George sells diesel fuel too.
Les Rothman

Crystal Cove Marina – The channel is straightforward and easily carries our 4 feet, perhaps more.  The fueling dock is south of the main docks and actually extends out from a concrete boat ramp.  Surprisingly good water off the ramp!
Randall & Susan Moring