The Colee Cove – Pacetti Point Anchorage is located on eastern banks of the St. Johns River, south of Green Cove Springs. Look out for the piling discussed below by Captains Rex and Jimmie!
The submerged piling shown on chart is still there and SOLID.
N29 56.569 W81 35.079
ALSO’”- The row of pilings shown in bottom of cove (east) many are still there and solid!!
Rex & Jimmie
Ortega River Marina is the first facility you will encounter as you enter Ortega River from the St. Johns River, just upstream from downtown Jacksonville.
You really need to check out this marina if you are in the area!!! Facilities are as good as you can find in N. E. Florida.. Staff is great! and location is a good `bad weather hideout’, and you can walk to stores, banks and restaurants. Ortegaa Landing is right in the middle of Jacksonville’s boating community here. This weekend sounds like a blast.
A FIRST CLASS MARINA !
Rex & Jimmie,
M/V `MY HARLEY’
Lambs Yacht Center is one of the fine facilities located on the Ortega River, just upstream on the St. Johns River from the downtown Jacksonville waterfront. These good people are Salty Southeast Cruisers’ Net sponsors.
More on this facility at: /6-lambs-yacht-center
Lambs is a first class facility. They have some of the best mechanics and repair facilities available in this area. Very protected location on the the Ortega River. This place gets my highest recommendation.
Bill Batelco
We are now at Lamb’s Marina on the Ortega River. The marina is probably not the ritziest facility for transients (no laundry and the showers are a long walk from the dock and not climate controlled)) but there is extensive shopping at the mall nearby and the staff at Lamb’s knock themselves out to be helpful. (The Chief Administrative Officer is going to drive us to the airport and someone will drive me to a laundromat and get me back.) There is an extensive repair facility which we are making use of. The slip fee for monthly stay on the uncovered dock is $8.50 per foot plus $36 electric. This is most reasonable for Florida. The covered dock is more and has metered electric. There is a security person who checks the docks at night.
Jean Thomason (DOVEKIE)
Click Here For The Cruisers’ Net’s Eastern Florida Marina Directory Listing For Lambs Yacht Center
The note below is copied from the Net’s “Ask Your Neighbor” page (/ask_your_neighbor/ask_your_neighbor/). All of us are always looking for a good detailer, so I thought I would post this info here.
Subject: Detailer in Jax / St. Aug Area
Cruising News: The one used most by boaters in this area is Northstar Detailing. They come to you with 3-4 guys and will do what you want/need! wash, wax or compound.
I use them 3 times a year on our boat!
Ph. 1-904-687-4755 – Ask for Scott.
Rex
Below are a couple of items from the Net’s “Ask Your Neighbor” page (/ask_your_neighbor/ask_your_neighbor/). There is so much good info in Captain Doug’s reply about Lambs Marine (A SALTY SOUTHEAST CRUISERS’ NET SPONSOR), downtown Jacksonville and cruising the St. Johns River, I thought it a good idea to put this data here also.
Can anyone recommend a detailer (buff & wax) and/or marina in Jacksonville, FL. We are currently in St Augustine and plan to be in Jax for a week or
two.
Jerry & Lynn
Sea la Vie
Lambs Marina is pretty good and they have buff & wax services. You can also stay at the free docks right downtown in Jax. We did and enjoy it, except when a fire boat went through the no wake zone there and waked everybody. It’s right downtown and an easy walk to lots of interesting things. It’s also lots of fun to go up the river from Jax. A fun side trip is to go to The Outback Crab Shack 2 days upriver, free doclk, etc., and very interesting to go through Murphy’s Creek behind Murphy Island on the river. It’s like a Disney Jungle Cruise.
Doug
Click Here For The Cruisers’ Net’s Eastern Florida Marina Directory Listing For Lambs Yacht Center
As I've said many times, I don't think any cruising grounds in Eastern Florida can compare to the wonderful St. Johns River!
First off, don't be discouraged by the river run to Palatka–wide, fairly featureless…it gets MUCH better the further you go beyond Palatka.
Silver Glen Springs and Blue Springs Parks are fascinating places— for your draft, anchor on the west side of Lake George and dinghy in to Silver Glen, water like champagne, a nice park, too. At Blue
Springs, anchor in the river , avoid the manatee-only zones, dinghy ashore to the little "beachlet" and walk the boardwalks to see the manatees. Pretty spot.
Our favorite anchorages were among the Sisters Islands just south of the Amtrak railroad bridge–narrow and deep, use a trip line due to some log snags here and there; also, in the mysteriously named "Hontoon Dead River", about a third of a mile around behind Hontoon State Park, anchor anywhere as there is no traffic. Note that the docks at Hontoon State Park are outboard scale and depth–not for you! Great dinghy exploring among the lillypads in the Hontoon, and the unusual black buzzards add to the otherworldliness of this place. Diesel usually available at Astoria and of course at the nice marina in Sanford.
Olrick
The Saint Johns is a very nice side-trip. I second the comment that it's fun to go 47 miles up to "6 Mile Creek" where you can dock overnight free at The Outback Crabshack's very long dock on the
river. Great food there too. Then go further up past Palatka and take the winding jungle tour through Murphy Creek which is about a hundred yards wide but plenty deep to cruise. Watch your charts and depth finder at the far end as it gets down to about 5 ft. where it rejoins the St. Johns. There are very nice anchoraqges there completely off in the wilds and beautiful.
You can see what we did on our sidetrip there in our blog:
http://dougandkathysboatlog.blogspot.com/2007_03_01_archive.html and scroll down from March 22nd through March 27th.
Have Fun,
Doug
Don't plan a short trip — plan a long trip! Take at least a week, go all the way to Lake Monroe and the nice town of Sanford, FL. Use Skipper Bob, Waterway Guide and Claiborne Young books to research the area. Plan to anchor mostly — there are many, many lovely and protected anchorages. Lots of birds, alligators and other wildlife.
I must urge you to stop at Six Mile Creek, about 15 miles upstream from Jacksonville, tie up at the free 1000 foot long floating dock and eat at the Outback Crab Shack. It is a real experience. You can
stay overnight for free if you buy a meal at the restaurant. A second highlight for us was the Welaka Maratime Museum in Welaka, FL. It is truly one-of-a-kind. If you don't find it in the guides,
email me and I'll tell you how to find it.
You can see the highlights of our trip here: http://tinyurl.com/d2jpc4. Look at days 342 through 351.
You will love this side trip once past Jacksonville.
Bill
Sounds like good cruising advice to me. River City Marina (downtown Jacksonville) has gone through a succession of management over the years.
[Cruisers] heading northward up the east coast of Florida might want to avoid the River City Brewing Co. & Marina in Jacksonville. It looks good in the write up in Dozier, etc, but the bathroom and showers were filthy….chipped paint in the shower off the block walls that had to be a half inch high. Had not been cleaned in days….maybe longer. We greatly enjoyed the trip up the St. John's River….so much different from the hustle and bustle of the coastal areas. Small, county like marinas, friendly and well kept, lots of wildlife….especially alligators. Quiet and peaceful….but do obey the no wake rules in the manatee zones. We are back in Jacksonville now…at Ortega Yacht Club Marina…a very nice facility. Moving northward in the next couple of days. Have a Great Day!!!
John
Lambs Yacht Center (A SALTY SOUTHEAST CRUISERS’ NET SPONSOR) is located on Ortega River (off the St. Johns River), just upstream from downtown Jacksonville, FL. Below, we see one of many reports we’ve had here on the Cruisers’ Net praising the repair arm of this facility!
I have been in Lambs on the Ortega River (just off St Johns). They are located near downtown and offer dockage as well as a boatyard. Their work and pricing have been very fair. Workman ship has been above average. They are about 20 minutes from airport and we use this marina/boatyard as a pick up location when cruising the ST John. Downing Nighingale is contact person.
Joe Hart
“Jubilee”
Click Here To View the Eastern Florida Cruisers’ Net Marina Directory Listing For Lambs Yacht Center
Always good to near about free, municipal sponsored pump-out. Metropolitan Park is located downriver from River City Marina and Jacksonville Landing.
Morning All,
As we headed through JAX this past week we were told, and saw, the free pump out at Metropolitan Park……Jacksonville Jaguars Stadium area. The pump out is located at the west end of the finger dock, which is just west of the free slips that are there. Dropped the hook yesterday @ Daytona Beach for the final day of Bike Week, what a crazy time that was.
Todd & Brenda Lanning
Life's2Short
Florence Cove lies along the easterly banks of the St. Johns River just upstream (south) from Green Cove Springs and the Shands Bridge.
Subject: Florence Cove Anchorage (St. Johns River, South of Green Cove Springs)
Cruising News: We live in Florence Cove and welcome cruisers to our area of the river!!
We monitor Ch 16 in the house for river traffic , and often go out to the boats anchored to welcome them. Anchorage N29 59.075 W81 35.232 (7Ft/Hard Sand), N29 59.105 W81 35.084 (6Ft/Mud) In the bottom of the cove are two mooring anchors we use for hurricans for our boats. Anyone wanting to use them for a nght or two is welcome. 5ft min depth normally(125ft+ swing).. soft mud bottom.. ve ry protected on three sides (open to the West)
But if you want to go off the hook, Outback Crab Shack (Six Mile Creek) next cove South, has a great 1,500ft floating dock! They had a 100ft+ in there last summer! To get in.. stay South of Jackwright Island Point Sand Bar. then North of Palmo Point Shoal, large cove, lots of room. The shallowest part is just in front of last three docks to the South as you enter Six Mile Creek (5-6 Ft Soft Mud).
N29 58.167/W81 33.708, N29 58.167/W81 33.634, N29 58.172/W81 33.606
Rex & Jimmie
42 Carver Mariner
Click Here To View the Eastern Florida Cruisers’ Net Anchorage Directory Listing For Florence Cove
It’s getting common place to receive glowing reports about Ortega Landing Marina (A SALTY SOUTHEAST CRUISERS’ NET SPONSOR)! This fine facility is located on the Ortega River, which splits off from the St. Johns River, upstream of downtown Jacksonville. Clearly, this is a GREAT place to spend some time!
Subject: Plug for a marina
Cruising News: We’ve been very impressed with the maring at Ortega Landing in Jacksonville FL. It is up the Saint Johns about 25 mi from the ICW crossing, but worth the trip. Great location, friendly staff and groceries, West Marine and many other shops/resturants within walking distance.
Bruce Fleming
Cruising News: We want to whole-heartedly agree that Ortega Landing Marina is a wonderful facility. We are new to cruising and are so glad that we decided to depart the ICW to come here for a few days. The staff are very helpful, and the marina is gated giving a sense of security with floating docks and wonderful amenities such as pool, hot tub and laundry facilities. The area is very pleasant with convenient shopping center and restaurants within walking distance. We definitely would recommend any cruisers wanting to travel up St. Johns River to come and stay at The Marina at Ortega Landing won’t be disappointed.
Paul and Claudia Peeples
The Peeples Choice
46′ Cheoy Lee Trawler
Julington Creek cuts into the eastern shores of the St. Johns River, just across from Doctors Lake. I did not know there was a good dining spot accessible by dinghy from this body of water. Learn something new everyday here on the Cruisers’ Net.
Just had to share our current anchorage with you, what a fun stop! We are currently anchored in Julington Creek which is about 15 miles south of downtown JAX on the east bank. I will warn you that the holding here is “soupy” at best, we actually put out both the CQR & the Danforth. We have only had 5 to 10 mph west winds so the chain on the CQR has just laid on the bottom, we would only come back here in setteled weather. We are anchored in about 7′ of water, about 300 yards west of the marina, between the sailboats. The reason for mentioning anchoring in the sailboats is that it’s the quietest area for boat traffic, I would not anchor south of the sailboats because that’s the area the boats use to get in & out of the marina, day or night. I guess a person could tie up at the marina but I don’t have info on their operation??
On the north bank just west of the marina is a public launch ramp with a dock which would be a great place to potty the dogs. Now for the funky part………………….
There is restaurant called Clark’s Fish Camp www.clarksfishcamp.com which is on up the river about a mile from the anchorage, take the left fork and you will see Clark’s on your left. What a great place to eat and drink killer Bloody Mary’s, see the menu on their website. See the attached photo I’ve included of the prime rib they serve, it’s HUGE.
I have also included fellow cruisers who might be headed this way so they know to visit if they get in the neighborhood. It would also be a quick drive from downtown JAX if one had a car!
The water gets pretty skinny getting in here but it’s WELL worth the effort!
Brenda & Todd Lanning
M/V Life’s2Short
40′ Oceania
This is only the latest in several postings here on the Cruisers' Net about Outback Crab Shack, on the St. Johns River's Six Mile Creek (southeast of Green Cove Spring, off Palmo Cove). I have yet to sample the bill of fare here, but I can't wait!!!!!
On up the St. John's is Six Mile Creek.? Here you will find the Outback Crab Shack (near 081 32' 30" West/ 29 57' 30" North) Not only do they have the L O N G E S T? pier in the world, but they have the BEST seafood boil we have ever eaten!? Again, we were told we could spend the night at their dock.
As posted on the MTOA listserv by Ben and Barbara Falmlen
Two Cats Too
I have noted the location of Swimming Pen Creek and Whitey’s Fish Camp (see below) in “Cruising Guide to Eastern Florida” for many years. Glad to see some intrepid cruisers like Ben and Barbara are finding there way here! And, oh yes, the anchorages on Doctors Lake are not to be missed, BUT you must be able to clear a 37-foot fixed bridge to access all these attractions!
Off the St. John’s River is a huge lake Doctor’s Lake.? Off Doctor’s Lake is a creek (to us it seemed to be a river) called Swimming Penn Creek (don’t ask me where they get these names!).? Up the creek, just a short way is Whitey’s Fishcamp Restaurant.? It was voted “The best fishcamp restaurant on the St. John’s in 2007.? We were there on Tuesday night when they had? all you can eat boiled shrimp.? Believe me they did not make any money off of us!? They also have Swamp Vittles such as alligator, turtle and frog legs along with a full seafood/chicken menu.? The owner, Luke, invited us to stay at their dock for the night, which we did.? Just outside the restaurant there is a small beauty shop called Susan’s.? I got a shampoo and a badly needed haircut for $15.00.? You can’t beat that!
As posted on the MTOA listserv by Ben and Barbara Falmlen
Two Cats Too
If you enter Ortega River from the St. Johns, moving upstream from downtown Jacksonville, Ortega Yacht Club Marina is the second facility you will encounter on the northern shores. As noted by Ben and Barbara below, there’s lots of shopping and restaurants nearby!
While in Jacksonville we went up the Ortega River and stayed at the Ortega Yacht Club Marina.? We choose this marina since we were meeting family in Jacksonville.? It is a very nice marina with all amenities.? We paid 1.25 pf daily rate.? The marina is 1 block away from the very large Roosevelt mall with a West Marine, Publix and several other large stores and restaurants.? The Pier 17 Marine Supply is right next to the Ortega Yacht Club Marina.? It has absolutely EVERYTHING you could need for your boat…you just have to FIND it.? The owners are a 96 year old delight named Grace and her daughter Cynthia.? If you have the time to look you WILL find what you need and Cynthia has a “general” idea of where things are.? Be sure to tell them “hello” from us!
Ben and Barbara Falmlen
Two Cats Too
If you were ever wondering whether a cruise of the St. Johns River was for you, just read Captain Barbara's note below!
Subject: St. Johns River
Message: We are currently heading south down the AICW and stopped in Jacksonville and decided, after reading, Clairborne's glowing reports of the St. John's to take a side trip and see this beautiful river. Actually, we are on the hook after spending the night in the huge Doctor's Lake, just off the St. Johns. We have encourted absolutely no debris and very little boat traffic. All depths seem to be just as they are charted. If you have the time a trip down the St. Johns is highly recommended…even if it is just a short one to Palatka or Sanford.
Barbara Falmien
Several people have recommended Acosta Creek Harbor. Don't know just how far we will go, befoe we need to turn around and head back "up" the St. John's. We really do not have a schedule, but you could spend the rest of your life poking around all the little creeks and cranies. Come to think of it…what's wrong with that?!?!?
Ben and Barbara Falmlen
Two Cats Too
Outback Crab Shack – Six Mile Creek – St. Johns River
Does anyone know where the "Outback Crab Shack," referred to in Catian Dave's note below, is located? I'm not familiar with it, but it sounds as if it would be well worth finding!!!!
Subject: Outback Crab Shack
Cruising News: Please include the "outback crab shack" in your places to eat off the St. Johns. Really good food at a great price, and the longest dock i have ever seen. A good side trip in with decent depths.
I visited several years ago, but forget the exact location. Somewhere near Green Cove Springs, by land it has a St. Augustine adress.
Dave Chili
And, as usual the cruising community has responded in a big way!
From a little research Outback Crab Shack is on Six Mile Creek, bear approx. 100 degrees from red flashing #22. 1,500 ft dock, 15' depth at dock, some shoaling at entry to creek from Parmo bay, entry to creek is way back in bay.
Dave Chili
Subject: outback crab shack
Cruising News: For Outback Crab Shack; by car take Rte 16 (N. St. Aug) from I 95 West; road T's off at the end and make left on Rte 13 DO NOT cross bridge to Green Cove Springs. Make right into their lot just before first bridge.Go slow as you approach this bridge and go in regardless of what you might think!
Les Glaser
Subject: Outback Crab Shack
Cruising News: Outback Crab Shack is located on 6 Mile Creek which is inside Palmo Cove about 8 miles South of Green Cove Springs on the East side of the St. John River. Unfortunately for sailors the location is also South of the Shands Bridge which has about a 42' clearance.
Jim Schofield
S/V Almost Heaven
Solomons, MD
Claiborne;
Is your poster referring to the Outback Crab shack on Six-mile creek off of Palmo Cove? (St. Johns River). Sterling Kennedy's probably there now as it's a free dock with a good bar. That's why I always stop there!
Donovan Vezin, MVEOS
The Shands Bridge at GCS limits access to the Outback Crab Shack’s 1500 foot floating dock to southbound sailboats with mast heights lower than 45 feet, although at very low tides I have been able to clear the span with the 45′ 9″ mast on the Camper Nicholson 33′. However, I have to “power thru” the muddy shoal at the entrance to Six Mile Creek on the eastern shore with my 6′ 6″ draft fin keel so there are a few 6″ wide “channels” at the entrance of Six Mile Creek leading to the floating dock at the Outback Crab Shack.
I have read a review that pans the seafood and service at this converted bait shop/biker bar, but they probably didn’t arrive by motorcycle or boat, and forgot to order the bucket of beer before ordering their food. I’m not a big fan of crawdads or chicken wings or overpriced seafood but I’ve never left the Shack hungry or sober and the service is better than the average biker bar.
St. Johns River Anchoring Advice
GREAT anchoring advice for the most cruisable river in Eastern Florida!
General Note about anchoring: Many of the anchorages on the southern St Johns (particularly in the cut off bends) are liquid mud. After many frustrating attempts to set a 50-lb CQR, we've learned to set our Fortress anchor on the "Mud setting" and have found that it holds very well in normal conditions. However, the liquid mud is not so liquid when it comes up the next morning — You can often plant crops on your bow! Having a black bow is regarded as a sign of a true St Johns cruiser.
Randall & Susan Moring .
Emmanual Bend Anchorage (St. Johns River, south of Lake George)
I did not ask about the anchorage Randall and Susan describe below in my recent "St. Johns River Wish List," as I thought the list was getting over long. However, I do cover this overnight haven in "Cruising Guide to Eastern Florida," I agree that is is an excellent stop!
Another anchorage we have enjoyed is at charted Emanuel Bend, marker #96. Again, very soft mud. We use the S entrance and favor the N side as charted. Good at least for 4 feet, not sure of depths. Good anchorage for a dinghy trip up the Wekiva River, where we've seen some of the largest gators we've seen in 35 years of Florida living.
Randall & Susan Moring .
Starks Cutoff Anchorage (St. Johns River, south of Lake George)
On 7/17/08, as part of a "St. Johns River Wish List," I posed the following question:
28. Near flashing daybeacon #70, we've found good anchorage behind the island west of charted Starks Cutoff. Anyone else anchored here lately? What did you find?
Responses follow:
Anchorage at Starks Cut-off — We go in at marker #69 and anchor in 6 feet where the chart shows 23 feet! Extremely soft mud (see note below). Many dinghy trips in this area: Snake Creek, the charted canal opposite Snake Creek cut-off, and one at marker #80 — all leading to the Hontoon Dead River. These may be blocked by vegetation from time to time, but persistence will get you through! You can also beach at Blue Spring, another State Park, or kayak/canoe up the Run except during the winter manatee season (Nov. – Feb.?)
Randall & Suan Moring .
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