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01-10-2005, 03:29
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#1
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Registered User
Join Date: May 2003
Location: Western PA...boat on Chesapeake Bay
Boat: Tartan 33 "Radiant"
Posts: 33
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ICW marinas to avoid?
I'm heading down the ditch next year after 'cane season to Abacos next year with the Admiral, who likes a few "real" showers. Would appreciate a heads up on any marinas to really AVOID from Chesapeake to GA either due to extreme high prices, bad attitude, or/and any other problems a transient might encounter. Thanks in advance. Jim
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01-10-2005, 14:44
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#2
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Registered User
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: Toronto
Boat: CS36Merlin, "La Belle Aurore"
Posts: 7,557
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halyardz,
I avoid all of them so can't really tell you which ones to avoid . I can tell you that I've stayed at Brunswick Landing in Brunswick, GA and they have excellent facilities at good rates, especially if you want to leave a boat there for a few weeks. They also have a free laundry there!
__________________
Rick I
Toronto in summer, Bahamas in winter.
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01-10-2005, 18:51
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#3
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Registered User
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Raleigh, North Carolina
Boat: Privilege 37
Posts: 1,036
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There is a publication call "Marinas along the Intracoastal Waterway" by Skipper Bob. It is invaluable. It tells what kind of amenities and the prices of, as far as I can tell, all the marinas along and acessible to the intracoastal waterway.
I suggest you snag a copy of that.
Keith
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02-10-2005, 09:05
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#4
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Registered User
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Currently based near Jacksonville FL; WHOOSH's homeport is St. Pete, FL USA
Boat: WHOOSH, Pearson 424 Ketch
Posts: 591
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Hal, given your plans perhaps we should be offering one general comment in case you're not sure about it. On arrival at any port, you should feel comfortable pulling into a designated guest slip, the transient dock or, if there is no such place, an open slip that does not appear to have dock lines in place. If first hailing the marina by VHF, ask where you can temporarily tie up to see the facilities. Assuming it isn't blowing like stink, do a temp tie-up, and you & the crew get out and visit the office. Inquire about rates, visit the showers, and ask what other amenities are included with the slip. This is just as appropriate as e.g. examining a motel room before signing up for it.
Skipper Bob, C Young and similar guides can be useful but, like all guides, you can't expect them to reflect current conditions...and their opinions may not concur with yours. If convenient and the 'marina stop' is important to you or the crew, pulling in and visiting the office for info/rates/a look around is entirely OK.
Jack
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02-10-2005, 13:14
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#5
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Registered User
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Raleigh, North Carolina
Boat: Privilege 37
Posts: 1,036
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Definately eyeball the place before you pull in, so I agree fully. But, it really does help to know where the marina's and/or anchorages are. It can be annoying when it is 7pm and the next marina is 20 miles up the way. Might make dinner late
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02-10-2005, 23:50
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#6
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Registered User
Join Date: May 2003
Location: Western PA...boat on Chesapeake Bay
Boat: Tartan 33 "Radiant"
Posts: 33
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I've got the Skipper Bob book on anchorages along ICW. Guess I should get the marina one too. I talked with him (phone) briefly, a couple of years ago, seemed like a very nice guy.
I agree...check it out...if it doesn't feel right, don't stay.
A writer buddy of mine in FLA has surveyed a number of marinas there and found everything from hideous bathroom facilities to mortgage your home transient rates. Just wondered if there were specific ICW places that might fall into the "don't go there"
category. JR
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03-10-2005, 06:29
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#7
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Registered User
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: Toronto
Boat: CS36Merlin, "La Belle Aurore"
Posts: 7,557
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[QUOTE] halyardz once whispered in the wind:
I agree...check it out...if it doesn't feel right, don't stay.
JR [/B][/QUOTE
One of the problems is that it gets dark fairly early on the way south (even with the new daylight savings time that's coming in) and it's not adviseable to travel at night on many (most) stretches of the ICW. You will not have time to check things out and go on to the next marina. With a Waterway Guide or Skipper Bob's book you'll have the phone numbers - phone ahead and ask questions. If you're not going into marinas every night plan ahead to spend a night in an area where there's more than one marina.
__________________
Rick I
Toronto in summer, Bahamas in winter.
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03-10-2005, 13:19
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#8
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Senior Cruiser
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: Thunder Bay, Ontario - 48-29N x 89-20W
Boat: (Cruiser Living On Dirt)
Posts: 49,139
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And don't forget the anchoring option.
See Tom Dove's guide:
http://mysite.verizon.net/tomdove/icw.html
__________________
Gord May
"If you didn't have the time or money to do it right in the first place, when will you get the time/$ to fix it?"
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04-10-2005, 08:02
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#9
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Registered User
Join Date: May 2003
Location: New Bern, NC
Boat: Prout Manta 38' Catamaran - Sunspot Baby
Posts: 1,521
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I think the Skipper Bob Marinas book is a must. We have several guides and his is the best for being concise and easy to use. The is a nice on line guide at http://www.cruiseguides.com/iwfg/StateSelect.asp
Trouble is, when I’m underway on the ICW I’m not on line. If you have preplanned your route, you may be able to select a couple of options and pre-print the info.
Sunspot Baby
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10-10-2005, 17:16
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#10
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Registered User
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Cruising NC, FL, Bahamas, TCI & VIs
Boat: 1964 Pearson Ariel 'Faith' / Pearson 424, sv Emerald Tide
Posts: 1,531
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Skipper Bob's
Another plug for Skipper Bob's,
I have met the guy, and used his guides. He is on the money.
As for updates, log onto his website prior to getting under way.
He provides updates on all his stuff and has much of the info before you can get it from other sources.
Here is the link to Skipper Bob's Web site
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