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Live2Dive
USA
573 Posts |
 Posted - Mar 03 2010 : 10:15:34
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We have some friends coming down in a few weeks for about five days. We were thinking of running up to St. Augustine. We drove through there by car a few weeks ago, and it seemed like a nice town to poke around for a few days.
Any recommendations as to which marina to stay at? Are there any good anchorages near by? 53' foot boat, 4'9" draft.
What's your favorite thing to do or see in St. Augustine?..
Thanks again... |
Mark
Carver 530 Voyager
Turtle Time
"But my chart plotter says the rock is over there..."
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PascalG
USA
17076 Posts |
Posted - Mar 03 2010 : 10:31:26
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St Aug Municipal is nice, but a little pricey at $3 a ft. but it's within walking distance of the old town which is really the main attraction there. There is anchoring room in the river/icw just south of the marina, although the current is pretty strong and you need to be sure your anchor resets on tidal change.
i've also anchored off the ICW north of the St Aug. Inlet, it's pretty wide there, just before the first bend and the shoal south of the bend. but too far to dinghy into town.
There is another marina in the bay to the east of the ICW, access north of the Bridge, never stayed there, it's a longer distance from town. |
Pascal
1970 Hatteras 53 MY
12' Westphal Catboat
16' Hobie Cat
2007 Sandbarhopper 13
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Robyns Nest
5427 Posts |
Posted - Mar 03 2010 : 11:08:29
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| City/Muni dock like Pascal said above. Nice newer clean marina, (very) high speed diesel fills, right there in heart of old town. |
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1998 48 Ocean Super Sport
2003 26 Triton 2690
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"The future ain't what is used to be."
- Yogi Berra
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Edited by - Robyns Nest on Mar 03 2010 11:08:53 |
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gcolton
USA
7909 Posts |
Posted - Mar 03 2010 : 11:37:48
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All the little shops of old town are great. The old fort is right on the water and is also a very nice visit.
I highly recommend this resturaunt
Doing Business As : LE PAVILLON
Merchant Address : 45 SAN MARCO AVE
SAINT AUGUSTINE
FL
SAINT AUGUSTINE
32084-3276
UNITED STATES
We ate there in December and it is great. It is very near the old towne shops.
George
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If you are not boating or golfing you are wasting your day. |
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caltexfla
2606 Posts |
Posted - Mar 03 2010 : 12:33:51
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If they are done working on the Bridge of Lions project by the time of your visit, then the muni marina is a good spot for the reasons noted above. We have stayed there twice, but the bridge work was extremely intrusive and went on all night. I think they are down to the removal of the temporary bridge, and last time I checked there were stretches when the waterway was closed. Check the LNM for current status.
You can anchor off north of the bridge too, just below the south of the fort. The muni marina has a large dinghy dock. We have not stayed there, but people speak very highly on Comanchee Cove on the north side; check with them about getting into Old Town. We like the local branch of Columbia restaurant in Old Town for Cuban, mojitos, and atmosphere.
EDIT: here is the link to the LNM with the bridge project schedule attached at the very end. Current LNM refers back to this:
http://www.navcen.uscg.gov/lnm/d7/lnm07072010.pdf
George
Hatteras 56MY
Boston Whaler 130 Sport |
Edited by - caltexfla on Mar 03 2010 12:50:18 |
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PascalG
USA
17076 Posts |
Posted - Mar 03 2010 : 12:56:17
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If you are heading this way watch out for shoaling at the
matanzas inlet although with your boat you should be fine. Still take it slow and feel your way thru. I don t have my notes handy but center of just red of center is best. Try to go thru with some tide. The worst spot is just at the bend
south of the inlet where the floaties are |
Pascal
1970 Hatteras 53 MY
12' Westphal Catboat
16' Hobie Cat
2007 Sandbarhopper 13
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sortie
USA
1146 Posts |
Posted - Mar 03 2010 : 16:21:26
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No question Mun.marina, closer to what you want, very easy to access everything from that spot. It is a nice facility. Great town to visit. On your way back stop in Ponce and check out the lighthouse,excellent tourist sight.
John |
Life is To Short To Own An Ugly Boat |
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gaineso
2508 Posts |
Posted - Mar 03 2010 : 18:31:03
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There is so much history and so much to see it's hard to pick just a few. The Muni Marina is a good choice for convenience to everything. La Pavillon is very good. Lots of other great restaurants too. Columbia of course at the corner of Hypolita and St. George. St. George is the pedestrian street where all the shops are. A1A Ale Works across from the Marina has a great menu, sit out on the balcony and 5 different micro-brews. 1888 building.
OC Whites is also across from the marina with very good food and it's and 1840s building made of coquina and moved 2 blocks from it's original location. The wartime home of the family of General Worth who Lake Worth, FL and Fort Worth, TX are named for.
The Castillo is the oldest stone fort in the USA and was never captured in battle. Completed in 1695. Flagler College was the Ponce De Leon Hotel opened in 1887 by Henry Flagler. Tours at 10:00 and 2:00 and the largest collection of Tiffany glass in the world. Across the street is the Lightner Museum which was Flagler's "Casino" hotel the Alcazar. 3 or 4 hours to go thru but it's really incredible.
Zorada Castle was Franklin Smiths winter home in 1883. It is now a museum of mostly Moorish articles. Very interesting. Tour maps are available everywhere and will direct you to whatever you want to see. Fortunately the actual historic area is fairly small, it was essentially a presidio to protect Spanish treasure ships, so walking is easy.
And I have been a tour guide in The Oldest And Most Beautiful City In The USA for 6 years now.
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April 19, 1775. The BIRTH of Liberty.
January 20, 2013. The REBIRTH of Liberty.
Live Free!! Die Well!! |
Edited by - gaineso on Mar 05 2010 08:19:21 |
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jeffk
USA
1176 Posts |
Posted - Mar 04 2010 : 19:12:59
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| I have stayed at camache cove. Nice place. It is a bit of a walk to get onto town. |
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Live2Dive
USA
573 Posts |
Posted - Mar 04 2010 : 20:09:09
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| Thanks again for all your Input. Municipal marina looks like the spot. I'll let you know how it works out. |
Mark
Carver 530 Voyager
Turtle Time
"But my chart plotter says the rock is over there..."
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rnbenton
2589 Posts |
Posted - Mar 04 2010 : 20:19:00
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What Pascal said on both counts. If you want to do a walking tour of old St. Augustine then Municipal Marina is the only choice. Nice docks, very nice and clean restrooms and LOTS of restaurants and pubs near by. I highly recommend O.C. White's which is right across the street.
If you make a reservation request a face dock instead of one in the interior. The current really rips though there and entry and exit is much easier from the face dock.
All of the heavy work on the Bridge of Lions is completed so night noise and activity is finished. All the barges and work boats are pretty much gone.
As others have said, there is a wide area just north of the Bridge of Lions where a lot of boats anchor. But, if there is a north or northeast element to the wind you will get pushed around, plus the current.
The shoaling around Matanzas Inlet has gotten even worse since Pascal came through with "Charmer". (I was through there today in my fishing boat) As he said, keep to red side of center, especially around the bend marked with the green floaties, but be very careful as the channel is quite narrow.
When you head this way give me a heads up. Beers on me!
Bob
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Carver Voyager 28
Twin Yanmar Diesels
"Jimbo Song" |
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caltexfla
2606 Posts |
Posted - Mar 05 2010 : 06:42:59
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Bob, if the work is done, what are there multiple day closings of the channel 3/22-3/27, 3/29-4/3, plus overnight closings 4/4-4/10 and 4/12-4/17??
X2 on the current by the way; I had to squeeze my fat Hatt between work barges by the bridge, which is right next to the slips and several larger boats in slips (including a reproduction of the "Nina") the times I went in there. Made things "sporty" as they say. One of those times having a thruster was nice, and inspired me to actually use it.
George
Hatteras 56MY
Boston Whaler 130 Sport |
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rnbenton
2589 Posts |
Posted - Mar 05 2010 : 07:01:21
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quote:
Originally posted by caltexfla
Bob, if the work is done, what are there multiple day closings of the channel 3/22-3/27, 3/29-4/3, plus overnight closings 4/4-4/10 and 4/12-4/17??
X2 on the current by the way; I had to squeeze my fat Hatt between work barges by the bridge, which is right next to the slips and several larger boats in slips (including a reproduction of the "Nina") the times I went in there. Made things "sporty" as they say. One of those times having a thruster was nice, and inspired me to actually use it.
George
Hatteras 56MY
Boston Whaler 130 Sport
George, wow, wasn't aware they were going to do that. I went under the bridge yesterday and everything was clear on the old bridge side, most of the crap gone and the dockmaster said they weren't working at night at all.
But, then again, in retrospect, it didn't look like they had begun taking out the temp span.
I'm going up there again this week end and will see what I can find out and report back more accurate info. But, I do know we spent two nights in the muni marina in December and it was all quiet at night. Busy and noisey in the day time but didn't bother us because we were out and about. But, at sundown they stopped work completely.
Live2Dive, one other thing, there is a dock restaurant right next to the marina (I forget the name) that "looks" realy nice. It sticks a few humdred feet out into the water and the view is really nice. Problem is, the food really sux. Go there for a beer or drink? OK. But I would not recommend ordering any of the food. 
Bob
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Carver Voyager 28
Twin Yanmar Diesels
"Jimbo Song" |
Edited by - rnbenton on Mar 05 2010 07:03:43 |
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gaineso
2508 Posts |
Posted - Mar 05 2010 : 08:11:47
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| That's the Santa Maria. Sucks is being nice. It stays open because tourists go once. And there are always new tourists. I don't know why it is not closed down by the city. |
April 19, 1775. The BIRTH of Liberty.
January 20, 2013. The REBIRTH of Liberty.
Live Free!! Die Well!! |
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boatbum
USA
11028 Posts |
Posted - Mar 05 2010 : 08:28:18
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| Across from Flagler college you'll find the Lightner Museum. We enjoyed it as well as all of the above. We had a great sandwich at the A1A on their balcony. We stayed at Camache and it's too far to walk and then enjoy the old town. However if you pick them up and drive it's a reasonable stop that is well protected. |
Dan |
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caltexfla
2606 Posts |
Posted - Mar 05 2010 : 10:54:53
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| Bob, I got my info from the latest Local Notice to Mariners, FYI. I believe it is related to the removal of the temp bridge. |
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rnbenton
2589 Posts |
Posted - Mar 05 2010 : 11:37:35
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quote:
Originally posted by caltexfla
Bob, I got my info from the latest Local Notice to Mariners, FYI. I believe it is related to the removal of the temp bridge.
OK, I will check it out this week end and talk to the marina dock master and some locals, some of which are involved with the bridge project.
BTW, are you still coming to this area this year?
Bob |
Carver Voyager 28
Twin Yanmar Diesels
"Jimbo Song" |
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caltexfla
2606 Posts |
Posted - Mar 05 2010 : 16:43:56
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| Yes, the plan is to come down in early November. The "let's stay in North Carolina this year" plan was not such a great idea, beyond saving a few bucks; life's too short. |
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Silver Lining
126 Posts |
Posted - Mar 05 2010 : 18:40:48
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St Augustine was one of the highlights from our outside run down the FL coast. A lot of genuine history and things to see. We ate at the Columbia restaurant, a 100 year old spanish restaurant with authentic ambiance an cuisine. Other than the prime rib in Coinjock, that was the best restaurant experience on the FL run.
George, your statement "beyond saving a few bucks; life's too short." is full of wisdom and very motivational... |
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PascalG
USA
17076 Posts |
Posted - Mar 05 2010 : 19:14:53
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i think the Coinjock Prime rib is over rated.... but that's just me.
the best restaurant at or close to a marina in my opinion is the Coastal Kitchen at golden Isles Marina, St Simmons! |
Pascal
1970 Hatteras 53 MY
12' Westphal Catboat
16' Hobie Cat
2007 Sandbarhopper 13
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jeffk
USA
1176 Posts |
Posted - Mar 05 2010 : 19:52:32
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| The food is average but the choclate cake at Barbara Jeans in St Simons is unreal! |
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Silver Lining
126 Posts |
Posted - Mar 05 2010 : 20:12:52
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| The prime rib was good enough that on the way back we had visitors with us and I phoned ahead to make sure they held two 32 oz rib eyes for us. My ordinarily healthy brother in law was scouring his plate.... Its a pretty small town (10 people?), but my 11 year year old says "the restaurant really hits the spot" after traveling through the desolate Pimlico sounds. |
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caltexfla
2606 Posts |
Posted - Mar 05 2010 : 20:41:38
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A little thread high jacking here, but I'll put the Cargo Portside Grill in Brunswick GA (near Brunswick Landing) up against just about anything in the country, near a marina or not. Dusts anything on St. Simons. The one time we bypassed Brunswick on the boat, we made sure we detoured off 95 when we brought the cars back.
Honorable mentions: TW Graham's in McClellanville SC , though a bit of a walk, but the guys at Leland's will drive you if 7 blocks is too much. . Front Street Grill at Sweetwater in Beaufort NC is no slouch either. Floyd's, and a little further Windandsea in Morehead City. Tubby's Tankhouse in Thunderbolt for sea food. The 219 in Norfolk a few blocks from Waterside.
I mean, just to name a few on the southern ICW. Probably need to throw in the Crow's Nest in Venice FL while I'm at it. And no, The Lobster House in Cape May isn't in the same league as these joints, and we like The Lobster House a LOT! Technically an ICW doesn't run through Chesapeake Bay, or north of NJ. |
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rnbenton
2589 Posts |
Posted - Mar 09 2010 : 16:01:09
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Took the boat for a run up to St. Augustine today.
Matanzas Inlet is really nasty now. They have moved the green floaties and have added a few red floaties. The channel is very narrow and at low tide all I saw was 6' max. They moved Green 81 B a lot so you have to pay very close attention or you will miss it. It is much closer to the west bank now. I got a little too close to it and got down to 3' very quickly.
Plus they have added a series of red floaties near the west bank. Going north, after 81B you make a drastic turn to Starboard to pick up 81A.
According to the staff at Municipal Marina they will start taking down the temp bridge in 2 weeks. Had some problems with onw of the span lift motors on the new bridge so it was delayed a bit. There's still a lot of machinery around but the staff said they stop work at sundown.
However, anyone staying there I recommend asking for a face dock or a slip in the southern dock.
Bob
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Carver Voyager 28
Twin Yanmar Diesels
"Jimbo Song" |
Edited by - rnbenton on Mar 11 2010 06:41:16 |
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folieadeux
USA
550 Posts |
Posted - Mar 10 2010 : 13:54:09
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quote:
Originally posted by PascalG
i think the Coinjock Prime rib is over rated.... but that's just me.
the best restaurant at or close to a marina in my opinion is the Coastal Kitchen at golden Isles Marina, St Simmons!
Wow! Pascal you are right about that. We docked there last Friday on the way north from Palm Beach to Savannah and ate a great dinner at the Coastal Kitchen. They just introduced a new menu so you have to return. Do you know Melissa in the dock office at Golden Isles? |
Neal and Barbara
Savannah,GA
"Olive or Twist" 2006 Meridian 391 T-Cummins 380QSB, Onan 9K |
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PascalG
USA
17076 Posts |
Posted - Mar 10 2010 : 14:41:13
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Bob. Thanks for the info... Guess I may to run that stretch outside this spring
Neal. No don't know her. Didnt stop there last trip. Tides didn't work out |
Pascal
1970 Hatteras 53 MY
12' Westphal Catboat
16' Hobie Cat
2007 Sandbarhopper 13
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rnbenton
2589 Posts |
Posted - Mar 10 2010 : 16:48:47
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quote:
Originally posted by PascalG
Bob. Thanks for the info... Guess I may to run that stretch outside this spring
Let me know just prior to your trip and I will go take more soundings at that time for you.
Matanzas is undergoing some dramatic changes. If you look at the charts of the inlet you will see the old Matanzas River bed running just ease of the ICW. It is completely gone now, full of sand and dry.
Inside the inlet itself changes almost daily.
Bob
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Carver Voyager 28
Twin Yanmar Diesels
"Jimbo Song" |
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PascalG
USA
17076 Posts |
Posted - Mar 11 2010 : 08:44:29
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Thanks bob!
I m hoping that by then some of the snowbirds start sending feedback in to Active Captain or saltys
The ICW was supposed to receive some funding in the stimulass but so got not much has happened. Might have to run that section outside. |
Pascal
1970 Hatteras 53 MY
12' Westphal Catboat
16' Hobie Cat
2007 Sandbarhopper 13
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rnbenton
2589 Posts |
Posted - Mar 11 2010 : 09:43:35
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From what I have read in the LNM's, most areas that are regarded as "Low Commercial Traffic" have recieved almost no funding at all for depth maintenance for the foreseeable future. If that keeps up I know of a lot of areas than can get really ugly really quickly.
One area in particular, I don't remember exactly where, either north or south of Cumberland Sound, is a large section of the AICW in South Carolina and Georgia.
Bob
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Carver Voyager 28
Twin Yanmar Diesels
"Jimbo Song" |
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PascalG
USA
17076 Posts |
Posted - Mar 11 2010 : 10:18:53
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| Well what s frustrating is that the problem areas are pretty small. More areoften just a hump no longer than 200 to 500'. It s nit like you have miles and miles of dredging to do. Georgia has bad reputation because 5 spots, maybe 1 mile total out of 100 miles of waterway |
Pascal
1970 Hatteras 53 MY
12' Westphal Catboat
16' Hobie Cat
2007 Sandbarhopper 13
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Topic |
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Where to stay in St. Augustine...