Looking for Liveaboard marina near Jacksonville Fl

[freelandken]

Have been looking at Reynolds Park Yacht Center in Green Cove Springs Fl but found out today they have a 50 person waiting list. Not surprising given their advertised rates.
Does anyone know of another good facility in the same general area for a
Tayana 37 with 5'8" draft?
Thanks

[a64pilot]

Ortega Landing is a good place, plus there are a few other Marina’s on Ortega river.
It’s an off shoot off of the St Johns and I think rather well protected.
Ortega Landing in particular has very tall concrete post for the floating docks, be tough to float over them.
Irma flooded the area, but at Ortega they had about five foot of post left.

I have seen an Amel Super Maramu there, it draws 6’8” but I bet it’s about the limit for depth too.

[freelandken]

Thank you for your reply.
I've looked at Ortega's website but can't tell if they allow liveaboards. I'll call tomorrow.
Ken

[sailingunity]

Not sure why Reynolds would say they have a 50 person waiting list - we are here and there are plenty of open spaces.

[freelandken]

Thanks. That’s interesting. In Md presently and was planning on visiting Reynolds on the way back to Fl . Was told they are closed over the weekends so may delay my return by a day so I can be there Mon.
Would love to talk to you about the place if you’re around on Mon.
Ken

[sailing_gal]

Beach Marine off the ICW in Jacksonville Beach. It is a little pricey, but it is nice. Walking distance to a grocery store and a West Marine. Right across the ICW from it is another marina, I forgot its name, it is a little cheaper.

[hooligan6a]

Ortega River Marina. It is a little cheaper than Ortega landing (next door). Walk to Publix and West Marine. Nice showers. Allow liveabords. No waiting.

[a64pilot]

Originally Posted by freelandken

Thank you for your reply.

I've looked at Ortega's website but can't tell if they allow liveaboards. I'll call tomorrow.

Ken

I’m living there, so they do.
It’s not cheap, but you only pay the cost of electricity that they pay.
Many other Marina’s will buy it at one price and sell it for much more, it’s worth asking what the cost of electricity is, and pump outs too.
Laundry here is free, it may be or may be expensive, another thing worth asking.
Pump outs here at at the slip, and two a month come with the rent, more if you want them cost more, but I forget how much, maybe $10 or so?

[skipmac]

Originally Posted by sailingunity

Not sure why Reynolds would say they have a 50 person waiting list - we are here and there are plenty of open spaces.

I don't know either because I went there a few weeks ago, saw at least 5-6 empty slips, was told by a resident the were indeed empty as in the boat was out for a day or week but empty. Then asked the manager and "no we have no slips available, live-aboard or otherwise". I asked about the empty slips and the answer was, "Well, you see, mumble, mumble, saving for yadda, yadda, BS, BS, BS."

Been the same answer every time I've called for the last few years. I have no clue what's going on there but they sure aren't interested in my business.

[vonchris7]

Ortega Landing will charge you for a 45' slip. I'm 36 foot and that's what they wanted from me since I miss the 35' slip by a foot. Nice place though!

At Beach Marine you'll be stuck in the mud AT LEAST 2 hours before low tide until 2 hours after.

[skipmac]

I went just up the river from Green Cove to Mandarin Holiday Marina. Not the newest, fanciest but the price was right ($330/month for 42' non live aboard) and location was convenient to stores, restaurants and shopping.

Nice heads BUT no shower. Since I have one on board and prefer my own didn't really care about that.

I saw a couple of spots less than 6' coming in at dead low tide but the bottom is very soft mud. High tide should be fine. Marina manager Paul is a nice guy and very helpful.

[a64pilot]

Originally Posted by vonchris7

Ortega Landing will charge you for a 45' slip. I'm 36 foot and that's what they wanted from me since I miss the 35' slip by a foot. Nice place though!

At Beach Marine you'll be stuck in the mud AT LEAST 2 hours before low tide until 2 hours after.

I’m in a 45’ slip and stick out a foot or two.
However I agree with the renting a slip as opposed to charging by the foot, it doesn’t matter if you put a dinghy in it, your taking up the whole slip.
Plus I suspicion that a couple of times I’ve been turned away cause they had a 50’ slip and had rather rent it to a close to 50’ boat and collect more money. Makes sense, why charge different rates for the same slip?
Now renting by the foot makes sense if your tied alongside a dock bow to stern.

[sailingunity]

I know Reynolds will sometimes says they are full this time of year because they have so many boats coming in and staging to be hauled out. They come on the dock and unload, take sails down, etc. They gave me the same two step when I got put in the water at Holland and I wound up staying at Holland's dock for a month while things settled down.

[Fishbone 1]

I'm at Beach Marine...Really expensive and not well kept. Ortega river is better equipped and a little cheaper. there is also Bulls Bay marina on Jullington Creek. inexpensive but a little run down