Sebastian River Marina and Boat Yard lies on the western side of the Waterway, north of Sebastian Inlet and Vero Beach. Its entry channel cuts to the west, southwest of unlighted daybeacon #55.
I heard boatyard and thought bad things immediately. Yes it is a boat yard but Doug (owner) was a friendly host. We have a 21 foot beam CAT which made turning in the basin a challenge but several people came out to help us tie up. Happy Hour just north of there (5 minute walk) and it was a great visit. Rest rooms were clean and MUCH better than the boat yard I usual go to. Bill Charleston
Nettles Island Marina, in the Indian River north of Stuart, FL, lies east of the Waterway with a private channel marker #1, beginning a few yards north of Waterway marker #215, .
We stopped here two years ago and got the same friendly, great service again. Other people were friendly and the restaurant was great too. Definitely a place to stop for a few days to take a break. Bill Charleston
A phone call to Quality Inn and Suites Riverfront on the St. Johns River in Palatka, FL, confirmed Captain Siff’s information that the slips at this Quality Inn are for the use hotel guests only and are free when you rent a room. But should you wish to tie-up your boat and have a night in a bed that doesn’t rock, here is their webpage for location and phone: http://www.qualityinn.com/hotel-palatka-florida-FL783
I visited this marina owned by the Quality Inn Hotel by land to check it out this past weekend on a car trip from Tampa to Jacksonvville. I asked about the rate per foot per night for transient dockage and was told by the front desk clerk that the docks are not rented out for transients but that dockage is free if you book a hotel room. There was not a boat at the marina dockage. I did not check out the Palatka City Dock but it may be an option. A call to the Quality Inn Hotel management may further clarify what I was told on my brief visit. William Siff
Cooley’s Landing is one of three City of Fort Lauderdale owned and managed dockage facilities. Cooley’s Landing is the most upstream (on New River) of these three facilities. A host of restaurants are within easy walking distance!
Check out “The City of Ft. Lauderdale at Cooley’s Landing” It is inexpensive – $1.25/ ft. $0.12/kw electric after a one time charge of $10 or $15) It is convenient to a lot of restaurants. There is current, but if you are going to be there for a while check with the dockmaster and they will tell you when the current will be slack for the easiest docking. There is a pleasant waterfront walk to lots of activity and you are far enough from the activity for it to be quiet at night. You also get a great tour of the New River on the trip up the river and you can take the dinghy another couple of miles upriver for more interesting sights. We have stayed there several times and will stay there again. Mitch & Carole Brodkin
One of three municipal docks in Fort Lauderdale, the Las Olas docks lie off the Waterway’s eastern shoreline immediately north and south (mostly on the north side) of the Las Olas bascule bridge. The report below is from the AGLCA Forum.
We stayed at Las Olas [Municipal Docks] when we passed through Ft. Lauderdale. We really like the facilities, and the beach was a walk or easy bike ride away from the marina. I needed diesel oil and had a ride of about 15 miles round trip to find it. We rented a car for a couple days and enjoyed Ft Lauderdale. We tried to leave for the Bahamas from there on a good day, but came back to tie up because our radar stopped working as we left the harbour. Dave Sea Ya – Tolly 44 M/Y
Cooleys Landing is one of three City of Fort Lauderdale owned and managed dockage facilities. Cooleys Landing is the most upstream (on New River) of these three facilities. A host of restaurants (including the memorable “Shirttail Charleys”) are within easy walking distance!
Las Olas Municipal Docks - Click for Chartview
One of three municipal docks in Fort Lauderdale, the Las Olas docks lie off the Waterway’s eastern shoreline immediately north and south (mostly on the north side) of the Las Olas bascule bridge. The report below is from the AGLCA Forum.
There are two centers for marinas in Fort Lauderdale. You have to decide if you prefer to stay near the beach or downtown which is two miles up New River. Cooley’s Landing is the municipal marina downtown on the New River. I believe Cooley’s Landing has a 50 foot limit and may be tight for your 49 foot boat. Las Olas is the municipal marina on the ICW near the beach. Las Olas can accommodate larger boats on the ends of their Tee-docks. Las Olas has gated security on each dock. The Water Taxi stops close to both marinas. We have stopped at both of these marinas. Of course, there are dozens of other marinas! Alan Lloyd Author, Great Loop Navigation Notes http://www.NavigationNotes.com
Broad Causeway Bridge, located just north of Miami, and with a closed vertical clearance of 16ft and a horizontal clearance of 80ft, crosses the Waterway at Statute Mile 1081.5, south of marker #13.
The Broad Causeway bridge south of Baker Haulover inlet, south of MM1080, has only one span operational. I was told by bridge tender if you need full opening you need to give them a THREE hour notice. He also said repairs on bridge would last a month or two. Denny DeRanek
Flagler Memorial Bridge, with a closed vertical clearance of 17ft, crosses the Waterway and Lake Worth at Statute Mile 1021, south of unlighted daybeacon #10. The former openings were twice hourly. Royal Park Bridge, with a closed vertical clearance of 20ft, crosses the Waterway at Statute Mile 1022.5, south of unlighted daybeacon #14. The former openings were on the hour and half-hour. Southern Boulevard – S.R. 700 Bridge, with a closed vertical clearance of 14ft, crosses the Waterway and southern Lake Worth at Statute Mile 1025, south of unlighted daybeacon #20. A big Thank You to Captain Healy for alerting us to these schedule changes. Now, even these schedules seem to be changing almost daily. See /?p=127999
Flagler Bridge (StM 1021.8): As of early November, 2013, bridge restrictions have changed. WORSE! MUCH WORSE! The bridge now opens hourly at the top of the hour. That’s it. Massive construction involving foundation rehabilitation is taking place at this bridge. Much heavy construction equipment is on scene. Saturday, 11/16/2013, the span was continuously open. Not sure if that’s the case all the time. Plan very carefully in this area!
Royal Park Bridge (StM 1022.6): As of early November, 2013, bridge restrictions have changed. Hopefully temporary. WORSE! The bridge now opens hourly on the quarter hour. Weekdays, it skips the morning opening at 08h15 and the evening opening at 16h15. This works well for Southbound traffic, but not at all well for Northbound traffic. That’s it.
Southern Boulevard Bridge (1024.7): As of early November, 2013, bridge restrictions have changed. The bridge now opens twice hourly on the hour and half-hour. Jim Healy
The North Lake Worth anchorage dinghy landing (just a small beach north of Little Lake Worth bridge) was the cause of much discussion in August of 2012 (see /?p=93324). Captain Kat is asking for advice from anyone who might have used the landing recently.
Hi everyone, What is the current status of this dinghy landing? We will be heading that way soon and it is a very important spot for last minute stores. What if anything is the alternative? Kat
As of Nov. 17th, 2013, the beach in the creek which flows into the North end of North Lake Worth anchorage, remains the same as it has been, a reasonably good dinghy landing. Probably best to lock your dinghy. Publix close by and a BIG West Marine just 1 block South of PGA Blvd (moved from old location North of PGA Blvd). Regards, Mike, Carolyn & Catcher the cat On NAVIGATOR
The Titusville mooring field lies south of the Titusville harbor entrance channel leading to Titusville City Marina, A SALTY SOUTHEAST CRUISERS’ NET SPONSOR!
This is not a great place in a Norther . We were working on our boat in Westland Marina and on the morning of the 13th of Nov saw that 3 sailboats had been blown ashore and the rest on the moorings and in the anchorage were having a wild time of riding the storm . So if you have to be in Titusville, when a Norther is forecast, anchoring is not a good idea; picking up a mooring is safer, but the The Westland Marina would be your best choice for comfort since even the Municipal Marina can be a bit rolly facing the channel entrance. Galley Slave Kat
Captains Mike and Maura Mulcahy have had a wonderful, quiet southern migration until the last two stops, see /?p=127292 and the report below. Our tall masted readers are sure to enjoy this latest episode of the Mo and Mike saga. Lake Sylvia lies to the south, southeast of marker #13, itself just south of huge Bahia Mar Marina.
Update – we BASHED out of the Palm Beach Inlet in heavy swells two days ago – headed south into what we read were to be 2/4 ‘ waves and 12-15 kt winds… WRONGO! We had 6-8 EASY and 17-22 kt winds. The winds were great but the occasional 9′ swell/wave on our port after quarter were nasty! Some friends said the gulf stream is real close / narrow here and we may have encountered it. It was a bumpy arse ride for 9 hours. Not pleasant. Our water pump crapped out just as we approached Port of Everglades inlet. We were sailing just fine – closer to sure and the waves subsided. However, we did call TowBoat US (Mike’s a TowBoat US Captain) and they were kind enough to tow us to Lake Sylvia – Sylvia Lake. You have to hug the seawall to the north to get in but once you are in here it’s wonderful. 7-10’ depths. Nice protection (especially for this week as we are holing up here til Sat/Sun). We are one of 6 sailboats here. Quiet so far aside from a party in one of the mansions ashore last night which ended early. Nice thing about this anchorage – we can dingy to the Southport Raw Bar in 15 minutes. Anchor our dingy and hit up a Winn Dixie, Walgreens and there is also a couple nail/hair salons and a dry cleaner. Not sure if it’s a laundromat also. Southport Raw Bar DOES NOT ALLOW DOGS ANYMORE. Girl there said a wait staffer had been bitten… stinks! :-(( For $20 we can head North to the City Marina and do laundry, showers, wifi etc. or we can check out the Cabana Club nearby where Mike just walked the dogs today. Ok, that’s the report so far. Finally recovering from the 9 hour beating. Guess I’m a wimpy sailor – we were safe, just stressful and physically demanding. Peace, Mo
Lake Worth Inlet Anchorage lies in the deep water south of the Lake Worth Inlet approach channel’s flashing daybeacon #11. Loggerhead Riviera Marina is a dry storage facility located north of Riviera Beach Bridge (Blue Heron Blvd) on the western side of the Waterway, southwest of Marker #36. See http://www.loggerheadrivierabeach.com/contact.htm
Greetings! Anchored here now. Been gusting to 30 plus NE most of the night and lots of freighters coming in and out. I’d prefer we anchored south more further from the inlet but we found a spot with 13′ and liked it. Holding well with 85 or so feet of chain out but bouncy (which is why I’m writing this at 12:44 but that’s just me. Further south about 20 vessels. Near us 5 and 3 appear to be locals. We dingied to Loggerhead Marina ‘“ just beyond Blue Heron bridge and bought drinks and used their dock to walk 2 mins to Publix. It was a wet dinghy over but saved us from going to Riviera Marina, paying $10 and walking a mile to Publix. Moving to a more protected area today or just more south. Mo and Mike
Be wary of in the main Lake Worth anchorage when you have strong S or N wind, which will set up wind-against-tide. I have dragged (and watched others drag) after a day or two of piouretting around the anchor in such conditions. What happens is that the motion wraps a chain ball around the anchor’“any kind of anchor’“and then off you go. This is the only anchorage where I routinely anchor bow-and-stern for exactly that reason. Larry Shick
Seven Seas Marina & Boatyard lies east-northeast of unlighted daybeacon #56, and just north of the Port Orange high-rise bridge. And $1.00 per foot is almost unheard of these days!
A `GREAT’ marina!! The set up is nice and so are the people. Lots of beautiful flowers and trees, they give you rides to Publix to stock up, found everything I needed in the [ship’s] store up front to do a few repairs to the boat, Pats Cafe for a delicious breakfast, and OMG’¦ the sunsets. Went for a nice walk on the beach (close by). Cheap rates too ($1.00ft). Very happy!! Marina Mike
The Titusville mooring field lies south of the Titusville harbor entrance channel leading to Titusville Muncipal Marina, A SALTY SOUTHEAST CRUISERS’ NET SPONSOR!. This report and photos came to us from Captains Mo and Mike.
We just cruised down from Ponce on the ICW – nice easy cruise (sans some giant powerboats that were kind enough to share giant wakes with us, then proceed to stop in the middle of the ICW at the turn, then cut in front of us at the bascule bridge!) Ok, enough venting. We traveled on to Titusville and after reading info here and on another site, we learned that the anchorage now has a mooring field HOWEVER, you can anchor North of the mooring field if you draw around 4″6″ as we do. I suspect some boats here draw more. At low tide (.8) we had 5.5″ or better. We just felt our way in and found a nice spot. A tad bumpy in a blow – it’s NNE about 15 today and bumpy but not uncomfortable. You’ll get damp on the way back out however… It’s a bit of a dinghy ride to the marina and about 1/4 mile walk to the little grocery store which was very clean but limited selection. Restaurant under the bridge is Crackerjacks and the fish tacos were great! Monday night is Trivia night – good crowd and very friendly staff. Enjoy – anchor and save your $15/20 [mooring fee] for your cocktails! 🙂 Mo S/V Mi Amante
Titusville Anchorage - Titusville Municipal Marina in Background
Rockhouse Creek is just north of New Smyrna Beach and northeast of Marker #12. This anchorage is not listed in our anchorage directory, but we have received a number of favorable reports. Our thanks to Mo and Mike for their report and the excellent photos.
Greetings, heading down to meet friends in Vero. Currently had a bit of a bumpy ride down from St. Augustine Inlet from Sebastian and we are now anchored in Rockhouse Creek. Great spot, thanks for the advice. Looking to provision between here and Vero and/ or anchor if we just poke along and make it a two day trip. Mo and Mike
Not always the best on weekends. Frequent high speed local traffic. Folks `day anchoring’ often anchor badly given the current and with stereo blasting. Chris and Janet
“One and Only Anchorage” lies on the eastern shore of the Waterway, south of flashing green daybeacon #17, and just north of the San Pablo Bridge. It is considered the only safe anchorage in the Jacksonville Beach area, thus its unusual name.
Anchored here now, Tuesday the 22nd of October. We found the 15′ ish spot that was referenced. It’s on the NE side about 200′ yards away from the bridge near the marsh. We were (well, my husband Mike was) able to walk the dogs for a much needed stop. Yes, the traffic from the bridge is not serenity but it’s a nice spot. Only one abandoned sailboat here on the other shore near the docks ‘“ little Cat 22’ if I’m not mistaken. Men on the bridge (lower bridge) are fishing for trout after work. Current is quite strong it seems. That is the report from here. Day two of our adventure on our new boat ‘“ a 39’ Allied Mistress who’s been so well maintained it’s insane. God bless the prior owners, the Diechtrich’s from Canada! Mo & Mike (or Mike & Mo) from S/V Mi Amante
Just be sure not to anchor too close to the marsh ‘“ it drops off like a cliff! Mo and Mike
River City Marina lies on the southerly banks of the St. Johns River between the Main Street lift bridge and the fixed, high-rise Acosta Bridge. This report comes from our friends of the AGLCA Forum. When I last visited this facility, about two years ago, it had a definite “down on its luck” atmosphere, but at least Captain Kuemmel’s report below indicates the adjacent restaurant and micro-brewery are well worth your gastronomical attention!
We stumbled upon another Jacksonville craft brewery. Directly across the river from Jacksonville Landing, between the Acosta Bridge and the Main St Bridge, is the River City Marina and the adjacent River City Brewing Company. The marina floating docks show quite a bit of wear & tear, and you have to deal with the 2-4 kt river current, but the dockmaster Lee is extremely helpful. The slips have 40-50′ boats staying as liveaboards. We topped off fuel before heading up the St Johns River, so we stayed on the T-face while we ate lunch. Their restaurant has been around 20 years, serves excellent food, and is popular with the business crowd. The brewery is only a couple years old, and their current license allows them to sell their beers only at their restaurant/bar. They are now trying to expand both brewery capacity and distribution. Overall, a very good lunch stop. Jim Kuemmel
Cocoa Village Marina occupies the mainland side of the Waterway, just north of the Cocoa bridge and only a few quick steps from the downtown Cocoa business district!
The folks at the marina are easy to deal with, BoatUS discount and the best Thai food you will ever eat. Thai Thai Sushi restaurant has the best Pad Thai and Yellow Chicken Shrimp Curry you will ever eat. Fun town to visit. Don Brown
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 Titusville mooring field lies south of the Titusville harbor entrance channel and this report was copied from Cruisers Forum ( http://www.cruisersforum.com/)
The Titusville moorings are sitting in the middle of the river and it can get pretty rough when the winds blow from almost any direction. That makes it pretty tough to get in and out of a dinghy and makes for a very wet ride to shore. Chuck
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