Our thanks to Skipper Newsome for the link below showing the placement of markers in June of 2013. Since that date an additional red marker has been added, see /?p=145360. With other possible changes in mind, the report Buoy Assessment is a handsome report and still well worth the time to read.
The link below to a power point presentation title STA Inlet Buoy Assessment 01-Jun-2013 seems to correlate to the April 16, 2013 meeting notes and provides a good visual and reference to the buoy positions and inlet in general.
The two St. Augustine mooring fields are north and south of the Bridge of Lions in the heart of St. Augustine. The northern mooring field is nearest the St. Augustine inlet and is more often subject to wind and wave action. Skipper MacKay is responding to inquiries about maximum vessel length in the mooring field. St. Augustine Marina states that the field is designed for vessels up to 120ft.
Anchored just [south] of the Castle last week (Nov, 2014) at the advice of harbor staff since there were no moorings available. No problems. As for size in mooring field, I’ve seen some 60 plus foot boats in there. Shouldn’t be an issue. John MacKay
Because of its shifting channel and the required frequent dredging, Green Only markers in the St. Augustine Inlet have sometimes been a source of confusion. This new lighted red marker will be a big improvement. Our thanks to Commissioner Jay Bliss for his Port Meeting report and to Chuck Baier and Susan Landry for the article below by Stuart Korfhage in the St. Augustine Record.
Selected proceedings at yesterday’s Oct 14 2014 Port meeting: USCG Chief Bosun Mike Tomasi reported our USCG has finally been able to allocate a Large LIGHTED RED channel marker #6 for the StAugustine Inlet channel. Until last Thursday, mariners entering our inlet at night had no red lighted markers, only green ones. Thus a few unintentional landings on Porpoise point over the years’¦. Jay Bliss
New illuminated marker should make for safer boating in St. Augustine Inlet Posted: November 5, 2014 – 10:54pm By STUART KORFHAGE stuart.korfhage@staugustine.com Master mariners might still use the stars to chart their course, but boaters slipping through the St. Augustine Inlet at night now have an even better aid. Last month, at the urging of the St. Augustine Port, Waterway and Beach District, the U.S. Coast Guard added a lighted red buoy (No. 6) to keep boaters from accidentally running aground at Porpoise Point. There are already reflective red markers and lighted green markers that show boaters the safest way to enter the Inlet. But without the illuminated red marker, night trips by those unfamiliar with the area have led to costly failures to navigate the Inlet. `The Inlet is not a good inlet to go in and out of without local knowledge, and it’s more challenging at night,’ said Sam Adukiewicz, harbormaster at the St. Augustine Municipal Marina. `The new marker will definitely make it better.’ Commissioner Jay Bliss of the St. Augustine Port, Waterway and Beach District said one of the dangers of the old setup was that captains would sometimes line up between the green markers of the Inlet and illuminated marker No. 60. The problem with red No. 60 is that it’s actually in the Intracoastal Waterway, not the Inlet. And lining up with the Inlet greens and the ICW No. 60 will put a boat right into the sand. `You see green on the left, and on the right side you don’t see squat at night,’ Bliss said of entering the Inlet before the new marker. `A lot of people have wound up landing at Porpoise Point, and it’s been a pretty tricky maneuver.’
This very welcome information on the navigation aids in the St. Augustine Inlet and on area events is sent to us by our good friend and supporter, Port Commissioner Jay Bliss. During his tenure, Capt. Bliss has provided valuable and timely information on the St. Augustine area. Thank you Jay!
Greetings Port Observers, Selected proceedings at yesterday’s Oct 14 2014 Port meeting: USCG Chief Bosun Mike Tomasi reported our USCG has finally been able to allocate a Large LIGHTED RED channel marker #6 for the St Augustine Inlet channel. Until last Thursday, mariners entering our inlet at night had no red lighted markers, only green ones. Thus a few unintentional landings on Porpoise point over the years’¦. Your Port board approved $6500 for the annual Regatta of Lights, which the St Augustine Yacht Club organizes and hosts. This year it will be Saturday December 13th. This evening event provides a spectator draw that closes down the Bridge of Lions and packs the bay front with residents and visitors enjoying the boating parade of lighted craft celebrating Christmas holidays. Always you’ll find on the Port website a full set of the minutes of any past meeting! My commission with the Port expires 13 November 2014. It’s been a pleasure to serve. Two very able individuals, Tom Rivers (who has been on the board before) and Conch House Dockmaster Mark Helman will fill board seats 1 and 5. YOU get to decide the one contested seat 3 on your ballot. I’d urge you to vote for Herb Rippe. He brings balanced judgement and an even disposition as Chairman, an objective viewpoint, and is dedicated to the task. Our community is favored with a distinguished group of contenders for City Commission seats. We can salute them all, challengers and incumbents alike, for their contributions. That said, this voter prizes the organizational and leadership skills, the integrity, and the data-based objectivity that Nancy Shaver has already brought to our community. She offers her service as candidate for City Commissioner and Mayor. She has our vote. Respectfully, Jay Bliss St. Augustine Port Commisioner
Inlet Marina, A SALTY SOUTHEAST CRUISERS’ NET SPONSOR! borders the eastern banks of the AICW, immediately south of the Vilano Beach high-rise bridge. We continue to hear good things about Inlet Marina and their personal service.
Hey Jay’¦.Once again it was nice to see you again . (May 2014) If you boaters north and southbound don’t stop at the Inlet Marina and see Jay, you are missing a great Guy and a nice boating experence. Jay, see you in 2015!!! Ray & Bernie Smith ‘“ `Fire Dog’
Inlet Marina, A SALTY SOUTHEAST CRUISERS’ NET SPONSOR! borders the eastern banks of the AICW, immediately south of the Vilano Beach high-rise bridge. As you can see, Skipper Reese was definitely pleased with the service!
Just fueled up@ Capt. Jay ‘s Inlet Marina. Great service from Capt Bob! Sonny Reeves
Rivers Edge Marina in St. Augustine, FL, is found well off the AICW, on the San Sebastian River, near this body of water’s upstream cruising limits. Our thanks to Skipper Reeves for this report and photo.
When we travel the ICW to visit St. Augustine we stay at Rivers Edge, back when it was Oyster Creek we stopped in our sailboat. Why do we stop here for overnights rest and relaxation? Easy in and out, Quiet, No or little current. Paul the dockmaster is the best! Sure the docks are old and the walkways are some what tricky. Watch you step type of tricky. But there is a fresh fruit and veggies market around the corner with great prices. Hurricane Patty’s is on the site with a discount for boaters that Paul will give you. Low price fuel delivered by truck, Call Paul before hand. Stores and Sailors Exchange in walking distance or ride your bike. The old city is a long walk or a shot bike ride away. Enjoy! Sonny Reeves
The San Sebastian River departs the Waterway to the northwest at statute mile 780. The new facility will be upstream on the western shore across from San Sebastian marker #20. Land address is 255 Diesel Rd, St. Augustine 32084. For the full story, go to: http://www.staugustineshipyard.com/
St Augustine Shipyard is part of a proposed Merchant Marine Community located on the west bank of the San Sebastian River, southwest of Historic Old St Augustine. In addition to the marina, commercial development plans include a pedestrian `promenade’ offering a variety of shops, restaurants and lodging. The Shipyard Marina is under construction with restaurants, shopping and offices in various stages of planning and approval and is scheduled to open in September 2014.
A SALTY SOUTHEAST CRUISERS’ NET SPONSOR, Camachee Cove Yacht Harbor is located just off the Waterway’s western shoreline, south of unlighted daybeacon #7 and north of the Vilano Beach Bridge.
Good protected dockage, marine services, full service yard with haul out, restaurant/bar, and sailboat school/rentals at Camachee Cove Marina on the north side of St. Augustine. Capt. Alex
The two St. Augustine mooring fields are north and south of the Bridge of Lions in the heart of St. Augustine. The northern mooring field is nearest the St. Augustine inlet and is more often subject to wind and wave action.
Stopped twice in Nov on the way south. Both times the mooring field was quite uncomfortable from sustained hi winds. Great town to visit but long term on a mooring would not be ideal. xort
Took my family to Cellar 6 for dinner tonight. By far the worst dining experience I have ever had in the 12 years of eating out in St Augustine. Extremely disappointed, especially since we enjoyed the drinks when we went there for happy hour with the net [St. Augustine Cruisers net]. Needless to say will never go back. Johnathan Hughes
Please note the time change and new Facebook address !
Cruising News: Announcing the St Augustine Cruisers Net Start Date: Saturday, Oct 20, 2012 at 8:00am everyday on VHF Channel 72. Find us on https://www.facebook.com/groups/staugustinecruisersnet/ The net will cover things such as: Welcoming new boats to the harbor/saying goodbye to departing vessels Announcements, events, and local happenings Questions and requests for assistance and problem solving Buy, sell, trade, and giveaway gear Weather and tides. So when you’re in the port of St Augustine, turn your VHF channel to 72 at 8:00 am each morning. Linda R. Allen
Note the change in time. It’s now (as of January 2014) 0900 daily. Not 0800.
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Comments from Cruisers (2)
Michael Sissenwine- January 11, 2015 - 9:20 pm
Hi, I am cruising on Endless, my 43′ Morgan (Nelson Marek design). I am currently docked at the Conch House. I look forward to meeting fellow cruisers. Mike
Thanks for posting our notice, we are very excited to be launching the St Augustine Cruisers Net for the boaters living and/ or passing through the port of St Augustine waters.
Back on 12/16/13, we published a really “fun” article about how members of the St. Augustine Cruisers’ Net Facebook group (https://www.facebook.com/groups/staugustinecruisersnet/), were searching for the best margarita in St. Augustine (see /?p=129816). At that time, it look as if Hurricane Patty’s restaurant, at River’s Edge Marina (69 Lewis Blvd, 904-827-1822) was the winner. However, in the never ending, “arduous” task of finding the best of these Mexican concoctions in historic St. Augustine, we have another entry. Looks MARVELLOUS. I’m going to be in St. Augustine next week, and will do my very best to give a personal report. Again, such onerous duty!!!
Annnnd… We may have a winner, but disqualified for a technicality. You need a car to visit Rachel’s excellent suggestion. The research must go on. ‘” at La Cocina Mexican Restaurant [290 Us Highway 1 S Ste D, 904-794-1610). Dan N Jaye
While Captain Lee doesn’t specify a particular stretch of the Waterway, his admonition to keep a sharp lookout for crab pot buoys is a good one to heed, as all you cruisers from the Chesapeake will verify! From St. Augustine Cruisers Net, https://www.facebook.com/groups/staugustinecruisersnet/ Just a reminder to anyone cruising south of St Augustine on the ICW. The locals have been putting crab pots out in the channel. Be careful you don’t foul a prop. Stan Lee
Call FWC and have them removed. Pots in the marked channel are illegal state wide. Dave Bell
For everyone who is a fan of Margaritas, not to mention other “adult beverages,”there is a really good discussion about the “best” spots on the St. Augustine Cruisers Net Facebook page at:
Once I looked at the map on Hurricane Patty’s web site, I realized this is the restaurant/bar/really fun dining attraction that’s located on the grounds of River’s Edge Marina (see /oyster-creek-marina/). This facility and restaurant are located on the western side of the San Sebastian River. That means that those docked at the city marina, or in the city sponsored mooring fields, will have to walk a good six or seven blocks to reach Hurricane Patty’s, but after reading the discussion on the St. Aug. Cruisers’ Net, the effort sounds more than justified!!!
Anchorage Inn and Marina is located just south of the eastern end of the Bridge of Lions. For information on transient rates and amenities, see http://www.stayatanchorage.com/
Consider also The Anchorage Inn and Marina. Mark and I took a slip there last May to do major washing, waxing, etc. that is hard to do on anchor. The current is swift, but once you’re in and planning on working, no problem. The staff is great, and you can look west to the city and sunset. Gwyn Vernon
The following restaurant review was posted by Captain Skip Gundlach in the St. Augustine Cruisers Net. The American Legion Post 37 is located at 1 Anderson Circle just north of the Bridge of Lions and within easy walking distance of the City Marina.
The Admiral and I just returned from a well-kept (well, we didn’t learn about it until this weekend, and we’ve been here 5 weeks) secret: The American Legion Post 37, on the corner at the circle just north of the bridge, is open to the public, with delicious food and drink, all of which are dirt cheap. We tried the leftover prime rib, which had been cut up and put into potato soup. Big bowl, $3, a meal in itself. Pig that I am, however, it was so good I had two. 3 bowls of soup, two beers and a coke ($1, keeps it filled, in an iced glass “glass”) came to $15 with tax. A $5 tip forced it to $20. Easily the best adult-beveraged dinner we’ve eaten here for value, and we loved it as well. Highly recommended. You ask, why were you eating out? The stove is on the saloon sole, and I’m having to CUT out 2 of the 3 burners we’re replacing. So far I’ve broken 6 bits for the Roto-Zip – gonna have to walk to Home Depot tomorrow… Still loving St. Augustine! Skip
You are ABSOLUTELY right about this being a best kept secret. I was a little leery of the article before reading it because I was afraid you were going to recommend the Santa Maria. The Santa Maria is responsible for more people getting sick on the food they serve than any other restaurant known in this area. There is a reason they advertise `You can feed the fish from your table.’ Even the fish won’t eat their food. Capt. Perry
We have enjoyed the legion on several occasions’¦.and you meet some really neat people there, too. Mark and Gwyn aboard sailing cat ALA
Hmmm’¦I’ll admit I don’t eat often at the Santa Maria in St. Augustine however, I’ve enjoyed the ravenous display by the fish eating the scraps dropped from our table. So I haven’t shared Captain Perry’s dining experience or illness from dining at the Santa Maria’¦ I HAVE enjoyed the hospitality of the Legion Post and admit that I have shared the `secret’ with our close friends but now that the word is out to the entire cruising community, everyone can enjoy this `under the radar’ secret. David Burnham
Inlet Marina, A SALTY SOUTHEAST CRUISERS’ NET SPONSOR! borders the eastern banks of the AICW, immediately south of the Vilano Beach high-rise bridge.
Most friendly Marina & Fuel Dock I have ever stopped at. Keep up the good work. Will see you next year ‘“ south bound & north bound. Hope all is well!!! Ray & Bernie Smith – `Fire Dog IV”
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. St. Augustine City Marina has the advantage, and the disadvantage, of being located in the heart of downtown St. Augustine. There are MANY dining and historical sites within easy walking distance, but, as Captain Mary notes below, there are also hordes of landlubber tourists. If you seek something a bit quieter, we would suggest you also consider SALTY SOUTHEAST CRUISERS’ NET SPONSOR, Camachee Cove Yacht Harbor, found off the AICW, just north of the Waterway’s intersection with St. Augustine Inlet, and a hop, skip and jump north of the Vilano Beach Bridge.
We docked at the St. Augustine Municipal Marina. The current here is swift, 3-5 knots, and one must be very aware of this in order to get your boat into the slip. The facility is very nice with 8-10 foot water depths along side floating docks. Many dining facilities are very close. I give this marina a solid A. We arrived in St. Augustine around 2 p.m. and Captain Alan did a great job getting Panacea into her slip. We all had a celebratory beer (tradition) and then we went exploring. St. Augustine is full of history but unfortunately it’s all gotten a little too commercial. There were people everywhere. We went to dinner at A1A Ale House, a favorite of Mike’s and mine. We all enjoyed a delicious dinner and a few drinks. Back to the boat for a night cap and off to bed we west. Captains Mary and Mike Dickens
St. Augustine City Marina overlooks the western shoreline of the Waterway, just south of the Bridge of Lions.
We just love City Marina and St. Augustine. We berthed opposite the new dock area in mid May ‘“ and the new break water and wide access made in and out easy. We live on Hilton Head, so strong tides are just a fact of life with us. Sorry if they worry some, but they are what they are, so go with the flow. The marina has a great location, close to the Fort and Historic Downtown. It is a shuttle stop for the trolley tour and public transportation, and has access to a myriad of restaurants. Cabs are cheap and a trip to Super Walmart (about 6 miles est.) was about $10 each way. The marina is clean, the rest rooms are updated, the internet worked, as do the washers and dryers, and the staff was hard working, kind and pleasant. We stayed three nights. This is our sixth visit to City Marina, including one when we left the boat for two weeks. We have never had an issue and just love the place. The new Bridge of Lions is complete, so there is no bridge construction any more, and the view is wonderful without the cranes and barges. It is well run and is a truly down-town marina. I am sure they will see us again the next time we head south. William Lawrenson
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