I have copied the discussion below from the MTOA Mailing List. I hope no-one minds, as there are just too many people involved to seek individual permssions. Anyway, there is soooo much useful info in this string, which will be VERY useful to anyone traveling the Atlantic ICW, that I have taken the liberty of repeating the string here. Further coments on cruising the Waterway are certainly invited!

We will be leaving Wilmington, N.C. sometime the 1st week of Sept.7 [and] heading south to somewhere along the Florida east coast.? We have absolutely NO schedule and want to take our time stopping along the coasts of S. Carolina, Georgia and Florida along the way.? We have been to many of the costal towns by car, but never by boat.? We are not even sure how far south in Fla. we will go.? We want to find a reasonable place to store the boat for Dec. and Jan.? We will go back to Fla. in February and take her south to the Keys.
Is there anything of particular interest we should know (places of interest, activities, good/bad things) we might like to know about?? We will have our small motorcycle on board so we can venture away from the boat to see things, etc.? Our only
schedule is to be back in Kentucky by Christmas!? Since we have traveling cats we will rent a car in Florida and drive back to Kentucky. We will have our computer with us so we can get/send emails along the way.? In case something "special"comes along that we should know about.
Everyone in MTOA has been so helpful, I thought we would "pick your brains" just one more time.
Ben and Barbar Falmlen
Two Cats Too

We talked to Halifax Harbor in April about a slip for this coming winter and they had a large waiting list. Not sure if the economy will change that as we get closer but you might also talk with Daytona Boatworks. Also check out the Active Captain website for a complete list of all the marinas in the area.
Jim

Ben and Barbara,
We love Savannah and visit several times per year — all but one trip have been via car. We stayed on the Intracoastal at a marina that was OK. I'm sure you will find several listed in the guide books. You might consider tying up near downtown on the River. There are several docks, both the Westin and the Hyatt have space. The Westin is on the wrong side of the River and is inconvenient, needing to use the ferry to get to the sights, etc.
A must see is Kevin Barry's Irish Pub, especially if Harry (Traci's husband) is the entertainment that evening. You will be close to several of the Historic areas. Tours are available right on River Street by bus or carriage. This area is several miles up the river from the Intracoastal but much closer to many of the areas of interest. Provisioning might not be handy, but maybe not a problem for you with the motorcycle. I don't think the marinas along the Intracoastal are much more convenient for provisioning, but I may be wrong. Sounds like a fun trip. Let us all know how it goes. Feel free to contact us for more info, etc. Ron and Barb Smith
The Lazy B

Last November we left Charleston with a destination of Key West and returned in March. Just take your time as it sounds like is your plan. For a storage slip, I would suggest you look in the New Smyrna Beach – Ft. Pearce area for docking space, but do it now. We truly enjoyed Ft. Pearce and it has several friendly marinas. Read Claiborne Young's book on the FL East coast, it is the best in my opinion and regularly review his web site. Enjoy your trip South with no schedule and take advantage of the many, many spots to anchor between marinas.
Toby Clark
M/V Consort

Good morning all:
We spent some time in Fort Pierce 2 years ago, good spot, very helpful and central. No DIY!
We are now on the hard in Titusville at Westland Marine, it is a DIY yard, very economical and central.
We just purchased a Marine Trader 34' in April and are doing some major overhauls so the spot is perfect for us. Some good contractors available that have done wonderful work. We brought the boat through from Fort Myers and quite pleased with the decision.
We will launch mid October and take off south to the Keys. Hope to see some faces to go with all these e-mails.
Laurel and Murray Thompson
Northern Magic

One place you want to add to your list of stops is St. Augustine, FL which is especially beautiful from Thanksgiving through January with the whole city lighted for the holidays. For a nice description of the area see this article by Tom Neale – http://www.boatus.com/cruising/TomNeale/article_96.asp. We have spent the past two winters at Camachee Cove Yacht Harbor and have thoroughly enjoyed the city and our stay at the marina. Marina has all the amenities you could want including a very nice restaurant – The Kingfish Grille – pool, courtesy car, and great showers. I'm not sure about a long term stay, but there is usually always room for transients.
Mimi and Sam Cooper
No Agenda
Mainship 43 T

Ron and Barb,
Thanks for taking the time to give us such good and detailed information.? I am saving it so I will have it handy as we get closer to Savannah.? The last time we were in Savannah it was by car and we had dinner at The Lady and Sons. What fun!
Ben and Barbara Falmlen
Two Cats Too

As mentioned earlier, St Augustine has much to offer. Two expamples being the Lighthouse and its museum and working boat shop, and of course, the Castillo de San Marcos. Note that Camachee is a couple of miles from downtown, but does have most everything you need, and lots of people around. Though nothing is cheap here, try Oyster Creek or even closer in, Oasis Boatyard and Marina. The latter is a working boatyard (very good one) but is only a few blocks from downtown. No matter where, except City Marina (most expensive) you'll need the scooter. And how do you carry a cycle on an MT36?
Fair Winds…
Dennis & Bettye

Shirley:
Well, how far "south?"  Sanford, FL?  Near Jacksonville?
There are delightful places to keep a boat a month or so on the St. Johns.  We would suggest the Ortega Yacht Club Marina (or any of the two or three in the same area), or go all the way to Lake Monroe at Sanford.  Stay at the Monroe Harbor Marina.  Several livaboards in the marina to give your boat a little extra security.  Nice town, too.  About 17 miles from Orlando if you need to fly out.
Sanford is the end of a most delightful cruise up (south on) the St. Johns.
For more information on the area, pick up any cruise guide and read it.
Bill

I have copied the discussion below from the MTOA Mailing List. I hope no-one minds, as there are just too many people involved to seek individual permssions. Anyway, there is soooo much useful info in this string, which will be VERY useful to anyone traveling the Atlantic ICW, that I have taken the liberty of repeating the string here. Further coments on cruising the Waterway are certainly invited!

We will be leaving Wilmington, N.C. sometime the 1st week of Sept.7 [and] heading south to somewhere along the Florida east coast.? We have absolutely NO schedule and want to take our time stopping along the coasts of S. Carolina, Georgia and Florida along the way.? We have been to many of the costal towns by car, but never by boat.? We are not even sure how far south in Fla. we will go.? We want to find a reasonable place to store the boat for Dec. and Jan.? We will go back to Fla. in February and take her south to the Keys.
Is there anything of particular interest we should know (places of interest, activities, good/bad things) we might like to know about?? We will have our small motorcycle on board so we can venture away from the boat to see things, etc.? Our only
schedule is to be back in Kentucky by Christmas!? Since we have traveling cats we will rent a car in Florida and drive back to Kentucky. We will have our computer with us so we can get/send emails along the way.? In case something "special"comes along that we should know about.
Everyone in MTOA has been so helpful, I thought we would "pick your brains" just one more time.
Ben and Barbar Falmlen
Two Cats Too

We talked to Halifax Harbor in April about a slip for this coming winter and they had a large waiting list. Not sure if the economy will change that as we get closer but you might also talk with Daytona Boatworks. Also check out the Active Captain website for a complete list of all the marinas in the area.
Jim

Ben and Barbara,
We love Savannah and visit several times per year — all but one trip have been via car. We stayed on the Intracoastal at a marina that was OK. I'm sure you will find several listed in the guide books. You might consider tying up near downtown on the River. There are several docks, both the Westin and the Hyatt have space. The Westin is on the wrong side of the River and is inconvenient, needing to use the ferry to get to the sights, etc.
A must see is Kevin Barry's Irish Pub, especially if Harry (Traci's husband) is the entertainment that evening. You will be close to several of the Historic areas. Tours are available right on River Street by bus or carriage. This area is several miles up the river from the Intracoastal but much closer to many of the areas of interest. Provisioning might not be handy, but maybe not a problem for you with the motorcycle. I don't think the marinas along the Intracoastal are much more convenient for provisioning, but I may be wrong. Sounds like a fun trip. Let us all know how it goes. Feel free to contact us for more info, etc. Ron and Barb Smith
The Lazy B

Last November we left Charleston with a destination of Key West and returned in March. Just take your time as it sounds like is your plan. For a storage slip, I would suggest you look in the New Smyrna Beach – Ft. Pearce area for docking space, but do it now. We truly enjoyed Ft. Pearce and it has several friendly marinas. Read Claiborne Young's book on the FL East coast, it is the best in my opinion and regularly review his web site. Enjoy your trip South with no schedule and take advantage of the many, many spots to anchor between marinas.
Toby Clark
M/V Consort

Good morning all:
We spent some time in Fort Pierce 2 years ago, good spot, very helpful and central. No DIY!
We are now on the hard in Titusville at Westland Marine, it is a DIY yard, very economical and central.
We just purchased a Marine Trader 34' in April and are doing some major overhauls so the spot is perfect for us. Some good contractors available that have done wonderful work. We brought the boat through from Fort Myers and quite pleased with the decision.
We will launch mid October and take off south to the Keys. Hope to see some faces to go with all these e-mails.
Laurel and Murray Thompson
Northern Magic

One place you want to add to your list of stops is St. Augustine, FL which is especially beautiful from Thanksgiving through January with the whole city lighted for the holidays. For a nice description of the area see this article by Tom Neale – http://www.boatus.com/cruising/TomNeale/article_96.asp. We have spent the past two winters at Camachee Cove Yacht Harbor and have thoroughly enjoyed the city and our stay at the marina. Marina has all the amenities you could want including a very nice restaurant – The Kingfish Grille – pool, courtesy car, and great showers. I'm not sure about a long term stay, but there is usually always room for transients.
Mimi and Sam Cooper
No Agenda
Mainship 43 T

Ron and Barb,
Thanks for taking the time to give us such good and detailed information.? I am saving it so I will have it handy as we get closer to Savannah.? The last time we were in Savannah it was by car and we had dinner at The Lady and Sons. What fun!
Ben and Barbara Falmlen
Two Cats Too

As mentioned earlier, St Augustine has much to offer. Two expamples being the Lighthouse and its museum and working boat shop, and of course, the Castillo de San Marcos. Note that Camachee is a couple of miles from downtown, but does have most everything you need, and lots of people around. Though nothing is cheap here, try Oyster Creek or even closer in, Oasis Boatyard and Marina. The latter is a working boatyard (very good one) but is only a few blocks from downtown. No matter where, except City Marina (most expensive) you'll need the scooter. And how do you carry a cycle on an MT36?
Fair Winds…
Dennis & Bettye

Shirley:
Well, how far "south?"  Sanford, FL?  Near Jacksonville?
There are delightful places to keep a boat a month or so on the St. Johns.  We would suggest the Ortega Yacht Club Marina (or any of the two or three in the same area), or go all the way to Lake Monroe at Sanford.  Stay at the Monroe Harbor Marina.  Several livaboards in the marina to give your boat a little extra security.  Nice town, too.  About 17 miles from Orlando if you need to fly out.
Sanford is the end of a most delightful cruise up (south on) the St. Johns.
For more information on the area, pick up any cruise guide and read it.
Bill