Huckins Boat Yard is located on the northern shores of the Ortega River off the St. Johns River, just upstream of the Roosevelt Boulevard Bridge with a 45ft vertical clearance.
If you are going to be in the Jacksonville area on the Ortega River and need boat yard services, give Huckins Yacht Corporation a good look. We just finished a week of annual underwater hull maintenance and would have to proclaim this was the best boat yard experience we have had in over 15 years of boating. The yard hauled us out on the day scheduled, and then splashed us on the day promised, with everything on the original list completed plus adding another large amount of work that was unseen so not anticipated. The quoted costs on those things we could estimate were honored and the additional work was quoted as we went and that was honored. Then, to top it off, the yard spent 3 hours washing our boat before casting us off. This is a job I always hate to do when first leaving a yard with the usual dirty decks and Huckins included it in the packaged bottom job. As not having any incentive from Huckins except a very happy customer, I do highly recommend them. Call Deb Grant, one of the service managers, and tell her that we sent you. Stay safe, Tom
Huckins builds one of the best boats on the water too. Timeless classics with incredible quality. Brad Hines
Ditto this positive review of the Huckins Yard. They are a longtime custom boat builder with extensive facilities and equipment. They have weathered the down market in custom new-builds by cultivating their service operation. The workers are high-skill and conscientious, and management is on-site and responsive. Huckins has a reputation for being pricey, but their hourly rates are in-line with many yards, they go the extra mile to serve a customer, and their quality is such that you get full value for every dollar. They have worked on my boat several times, and I always leave satisfied.
The recent closure of the Great Bridge Lock, which temporarily made the Dismal Swamp Canal AICW Alternate Route the only inland option, prompted this discussion of the Dismal Swamp versus the North Carolina – Virginia Cut (a. k. a. the Albemarle and Chesapeake Canal) on the AGLCA Forum.
Obviously each boater makes their own decisions but the Dismal is my absolute preference over the Va Cut. that said I am a shallow draft boat (3′) and have keel protected props. I have found that there are different risks for both routes depending upon your individual boat. We always thump something coming thru the Dismal but so far no damage, and also the Pungo for that matter. The Va Cut bridges are difficult for us to time, as we are a slow boat so we are often waked badly by inconsiderate captains on large yachts transiting the Va. Cut making a schedule. There is commercial traffic on the cut as well and the long narrow channel reach across the Carrituck Sound in weather can be a real bear. I also find that the approaches to the bridges on the upper end of the Virginia Cut has it’s dangers with the stumps lining that narrow channel. Often not visible until they poke out from a wake trough. So for us the very protected easy relaxing transit of the Dismal is the attraction and it has many more anchoring/docking options than the cut. When weather blocks the crossing of the Albemarle we often hang out at Elizabeth’s (sometimes referred to as Robert’s) Dock between the Swing bridge and the deep creek lock chamber. Deep water extremely protected free dock with easy walking to the town that has everything the cruiser could require in the adjacent shopping Center. No electric and sometimes you can get water if the tap is on. We prefer this spot to trying to jam into Elizabeth City among a backlog of boats trying to wait a weather window. Again the decision is of course dependent upon your situation and boat. cruise safe, stay warm but have fun
We agree whole heartedly in preferring the Dismal Swamp route over the Dreadful Currituck Sound route. In our dozen cruises along the east coast we’ve visited the canal 10 times (leaving 2 for the Dreadful route). Same reasons mentioned in the above article, plus the canal and the river leading to it from Elizabeth City is beautiful and unhurried. We’ve never had an issue with our four foot draft. The new nature center is worth a visit. Bob McLeran/Judy Young
Absolutely agree with the comments above. Add that a visit with Robert Peak, lockmaster at Deep Creek is one of the pleasures of the trip. For a small adventure, take the dinghy, canoe or kayak up the feeder ditch, use the marine railway to get it to lake level and enjoy the almost perfect roundness and natural beauty of Lake Drummond (just be sure to note a landmark so you can find your way back off the lake). If you visit the state park and walk or bicycle on the trails, take seriously the warning about Lyme disease carrying deer ticks. We didn’t and had multiple tick bites resulting in a round of antibiotics when we reached home a few days later. Jean Thomason
Southport, NC, which plays to three SSECN sponsors, Southport Marina, Zimmerman Marine and Carolina Yacht Care, is a delightful riverside community with which I have long lasting, personal ties. It was on the banks of the “Old Basin” that I had the good fortune to live aboard my parents 48-foot wooden sportsfishermen during the summer months, between the ages of 10 and 15. Talk about an idyllic existence. My father had a good friend and local skipper here, Captain Sonny Potter. If Captain Sonny couldn’t find where the fish were biting, it was time to return to the dock. We had many a rare day fishing off the Frying Pan Shoals at the mouth of the Cape Fear River. While today, Southport is far more frequented by visitors than was true during my boyhood days, this delightful community’s charms remain very much intact, and it is one of my very favorite personal ports of call. And so, when SSECN strategic partners, Captains Susan Landry and Chuck Baier, filed their delightful article below, it was with much pleasure that I set their account up to be published here on our web site. We are once again greatly indebted to Captains Susan Landry and Chuck Baier, owners of Beach House Publications, publishers of “The Great Book of Anchorages,” (http://www.tgboa.com) for providing the superb, in-depth article and copious photographs, set below! THANKS CHUCK AND SUSAN!
Southport Town Dock - on the Old Dockage Basin
Southport, NC by Chuck Baier and Susan Landry Southbound from Wrightsville Beach, it can be an easy run down the AICW and the Cape Fear River if you have the right wind and tide conditions. On the day we made the trip, it could not have been better. It was anchor up at 0730 in Wrightsville and we were tied to the town dock in Southport at 1045. Light winds and the outgoing tide made for a fast, comfortable trip and as we entered the basin at Southport, it was like seeing an old friend once again. The basin is just off the AICW channel as you make the turn off the Cape Fear River. This is a small basin with room to anchor a few boats, and several free docks available at some of the restaurants: The Provisioning Company, Fishy Fishy Cafe and The Yacht Basin Eatery. They allow overnight dockage if you eat at their establishments. There is no power or water at the docks and these are floating docks. The tidal range here is about 5 feet.
Southport Visitor's Center
At the end of a long dock at the west end of the basin is the town dock where you can tie up for free for 48 hours. There is water on the dock and a 20-amp power outlet if you can make it work for the boat. Depths at the town dock can be 4 feet at low tide and with the tidal range, climbing onto the dock at low tide can be a challenge. Boaters do offer to allow others to raft up at the dock and it is much deeper even just a boat width off. Don’t be surprised if you get a visit from Bob and Kay Creech, a very nice couple that lives across the street from the town dock and offers to provide any service you might need. Bob and Kay are Port Captains for MTOA (Marine Trawler Owners Association) and have their boat docked inside the basin. They are very knowledgeable about the area and are also very experienced boaters.
We have eaten at many of the restaurants that surround the basin at one time or another, including the newer Frying Pan, and found them to be excellent. The atmosphere ranges from funky outdoors to the magnificent view at The Frying Pan. The menus are typical fresh seafood, burgers and sandwiches to steak and salad dishes. One important establishment is Flava’s Ice Cream Shop. We never miss it when we stop here. They were, however, about to close for the season on November 1st and had a limited number of flavors. They will open again in the spring.
Southport Shops Along Howe Street
Just a couple of blocks walk from the waterfront is downtown Southport. You will find another typical historic Carolina waterfront community with many shops, restaurants, galleries, antique shops and boutiques. From the town dock or anchorage, walk down Yacht Basin Drive to either Bay or Moore streets, and then head east. You may want to make your first stop at the Fort Johnston/Southport Visitors Center to pick up information before you set out on foot to explore. The friendly ladies at the center will assess your needs and provide you with brochures and pamphlets to guide you on your exploration of Southport. The beautiful building that now houses the Visitor’s Center, built in 1810, provided living quarters for military officers and belonged to the U.S. Army until 2006.
One of the pamphlets provided allows you to take a self-guided tour of historic Southport. The Visitor’s Guide points you toward major historic sites and the innumerable shops and restaurants along Howe, Moore and Nash streets. It also lists the many events that occur annually in the seaside village including the Southport Spring Festival held every Easter weekend on the Friday and Saturday before Easter Sunday. Also, the Waterfront Farmers Market is held every Wednesday from 8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. (between May and September) on the grounds of the Visitor’s Center on the Garrison Lawn at Fort Johnston. Southport holds 3rd Fridays between May and August from 5:00 – 7:00 p.m. with music and food. Stores also stay open during those hours and the atmosphere is quite festive. Other local events include a wooden boat show in late September, tours of historic homes, fishing tournaments and a Christmas boat parade. A recent claim to fame for Southport is being the location for the filming of the popular television series “Under the Dome,” based on a Stephen King novel.
Fishy Fishy Cafe and Docks
If the anchorage and docks in the basin are full, Southport has a couple of great marinas available. Southport Marina is just to the west of the town basin in its own protected basin. It only takes one a few minutes longer to walk from there to the downtown area. They also have a service yard if you are in need of repairs. A bit farther down the waterway is South Harbour Village Marina, where we have stayed on occasion. We have always been offered a ride to the store or a vehicle to use while there. They also have a couple of eateries on site if you don’t feel like cooking. Unfortunately, downtown is not walking distance from South Harbour Village. Other than major provisioning, which will likely require a cab, loaner car or long bike ride, Southport is truly a walking town. We enjoy our visit each time we stop here and have difficulty passing it by.
Our good friends, and SSECN strategic partners, Captains Mark and Diana Doyle, founders and owners of “On The Water ChartGuides” (http://www.onthewaterchartguides.com/), give us an updated, graphic report below, relaying what they discovered as they navigated through the AICW Hell Gate Problem Stretch on 11/20/13! Note that the Doyle’s soundings were taken near high tide, so to calculate MLW depths, you must subtract 7.8 feet from their figures. Applying this correction, Diana and Mark noted “multiple soundings around 5 feet at MLLW, southward toward R90.” PERHAPS THE MOST USEFUL PART OF THE DOYLE’S REPORT, IS THEIR DISCOVERY OF A NEW, UNCHARTED MARKER, #90, LOCATED BETWEEN CHARTED MARKERS #89 AND #91! Be sure to observe the new #90 marker as you cruise through! Incidentally, Diana and Mark have recently published a new edition of their immensely popular “ICW CruiseGuide.” Click on the book graphic to the above left for more details, and to place an order!
Hi Claiborne, For those transiting Georgia, Hell Gate has a new, uncharted navaid that should help passage through the shallower sections of this perennial ICW Trouble Spot. I’ve attached a printable high-resolution file of our November 20th survey report and depth-annotated track. Hopefully, SSECN readers cruising this area will find the report useful. Best and hope to see some of the Cruisers’ Net gang at this year’s St. Marys Cruisers Thanksgiving! Captains Mark & Diana Doyle m/v Semi-Local http://www.OnTheWaterChartGuides.com
Just transited Hell’s Gate on 11DEC2013. Delivery of 58′ power vessel with 5’4’³ draft. Passed through at 0620, with tide at approx +2.2. Minimum depth noted was approx. 2.5′ under under running gear. Captain Rob Welling
Our thanks to Captain Mary Dixon, for sending us this good news for cruisers visiting SALTY SOUTHEAST CRUISERS’ NET SPONSOR, Punta Gorda, on Western Florida’s Charlotte Harbor/Peace River.
11/20/2013: The pumpout boat is now operational. To see the schedule and locations, go to: http://www.ci.punta-gorda.fl.us/leis/boating.html Would be a good idea to check with the marina since the schedule may be adjusted based on demand. Mary Dixon
Little Shark River Outer Anchorage - Click for Chartview
Little Shark River is an interesting, but sometimes very buggy anchorage that lies well south of Everglades City and a short hop north of Cape Sable. It is one of the most backwater cruising possibilities in all of Florida. The SSECN recommends three Little Shark River anchorages in our Western Florida Anchorage Directory, but there are actually several dozen spots you might choose to drop the hook. As beautifully described below, Captain Libby chose the Little Shark River Outer Anchorage.
Recently enjoyed a wonderful 2-week cruise from Cape Coral, FL to Boot Key Harbor, Marathon, FL late Oct/early Nov. 2013. Anchored in Little Shark River off Red “4” and it was an incredible experience! Unbelievable fishing, dolphin feeding frenzy, and manatees everywhere enjoying the tidal feast! Offered the most incredible sunsets, brilliant star gazing and sunrises I have ever experienced. Winds were N so I can only guess they blew the mosquitoes away as we were prepared for them and only a few show up on our screens. Tidal swing is strong but a solid holding. Happiest thought I have had in a long time and I look forward to visiting and exploring the area when we have more time. Excellent anchorage if you can bear to be without electronic communication devices! Happy thought for me! Glenda Libby
Anclote Key, Anclote River and the charming community of Tarpon Springs lies astride the northern terminus of the Western Florida ICW. So, this is either the jumping off point when headed north across the waterwayless Big Bend region of Western Florida, or the first possible stop when cruising south from Carrabelle, Dog Island or Apalachicola. Turtle Cove is one of the newest marinas in Tarpon Springs. We had occasion to visit here in February of 2012, and were favorably impressed. Most of the dockage for transient craft is located on an artificial island jutting out into the creek, and connected to the mainland by a narrow, but auto accessible neck. Neat concept! I might also add that all the downtown Tarpon Springs attractions, including the MANY superb Greek style restaurants are within easy walking distance, and there is a fresh seafood market literally next door to Turtle Cove. Yummmmmm! These excellent reports come from our good friends on the Great Loop Forum.
We stayed at Turtle Cove in Tarpon Springs, just after our crossing last January. We agree with every nice thing that’s been said about that marina. I would add that there’s a nice bike path, the Pinellas trail, that you can access not particularly far from the marina, and it goes all the way to Clearwater if I remember correctly (but be REALLY careful about riding in front of a stopped car–it might suddenly decide to take off!!!!!) Also, try Hellas Greek restaurant, and order flaming “oopa” cheese! Tarpon Springs was a fun stop, and the marina handy to all it has to offer. Anita & Don “Limelight”
Let me chime in on Turtle Cove. I found it in a cruising magazine while we were sitting in Steinhatchee. We had been to Tarpon Springs twice before by car and knew that we did not want to stay at the city dock area. There was always too much traffic on the water there so we jumped at the chance to get in a more secluded spot. You have to be careful getting back to it and should holler at a local as you move down the canal off the Anclote River to ask about which side the locals hug. Turtle Cove was a treasure. They have this unique circular island with slips all around. I don’t know if it is manmade or not. We could walk or ride our bikes about two blocks and we were at our all time favorite restaurant “Mama’s Greek Restaurant” where they let us bring our bikes inside because they were worried someone might bother them. Mama’s is on the street behind the main drag. We spent several days at Turtle Cove, ate three times at Mama’s and if I could revisit any marina on the Loop it would be Turtle Cove. Rusty Carlisle
To experience the many charms of delightful Dunedin, FL, we would suggest giving the nod to the Dunedin Municipal Marina. The entire downtown business district is within easy walking distance. It’s a bit more of a hike from Marker 1 Marina. However you get there, Dunedin is well worth a visit, and having dinner at Kelly’s Bistro is worth the entire effort!!!! The message below was copied from our friends at the American Great Loop Cruisers’ Association (AGLCA, http://www.greatloop.org/).
When you arrive at either Marker 1 or the Dunedin Municipal Marina be sure to askfor your welcome packet if the dockmaster forgets. If you’re looking for peace and quiet try the Caladesi Island State Park Marina. Caladesi has one of the best beaches in all of North America, or so it’s been rated. Lots going on all around town; restaurants, shopping, farmer’s market everyFriday/Saturday. Dunedin is right on the Pinellas Bike Trail, midway between Tarpon Springs and St. Pete. The Trail is an easy way to get around. On the weekends trythe Jolly Trolley for transportation between Tarpon Springs and Clearwater Beach. Ron & Jan Matuska
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
Comments from Cruisers (1)
Ditto this positive review of the Huckins Yard. They are a longtime custom boat builder with extensive facilities and equipment. They have weathered the down market in custom new-builds by cultivating their service operation. The workers are high-skill and conscientious, and management is on-site and responsive. Huckins has a reputation for being pricey, but their hourly rates are in-line with many yards, they go the extra mile to serve a customer, and their quality is such that you get full value for every dollar. They have worked on my boat several times, and I always leave satisfied.