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Old 01-10-2005, 03:29   #1
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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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Old 01-10-2005, 14:44   #2
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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!
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Old 01-10-2005, 18:51   #3
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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.

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Old 02-10-2005, 09:05   #4
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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.

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Old 02-10-2005, 13:14   #5
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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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Old 02-10-2005, 23:50   #6
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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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Old 03-10-2005, 06:29   #7
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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.
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Old 03-10-2005, 13:19   #8
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And don't forget the anchoring option.
See Tom Dove's guide:
http://mysite.verizon.net/tomdove/icw.html
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Old 04-10-2005, 08:02   #9
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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.

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Old 10-10-2005, 17:16   #10
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Thumbs up 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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