Marina Review for Morningstar Marinas Golden Isles

Reviewed by: Captain Bulldog on Feb 23, 2022
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 40'
Draft: 5.0'

Rating: 5

Chris,
Caution noted. AICW Green Day Marker is "249" not "149" as I mistakenly reported. Keep it to starboard when approaching the marina from the big ship channel.

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Marina Review for Morningstar Marinas Golden Isles

Reviewed by: Captain Bulldog on Feb 22, 2022
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 40'
Draft: 5.0'

Rating: 5

Love this place. Great facilities and restaurant though you must make lunch and dinner reservations. Coming off the big ship channel just know the big green day marker "149" is a Green AICW marker so be sure to take it on your starboard before picking up the channel markers.

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Marina Review for Morningstar Marinas Mayport

Reviewed by: Captain Bulldog on Feb 22, 2022
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 40'
Draft: 5.0'

Rating: 2

This place needs an infusion of money to improve its docks and facilities. Location makes it key in that its an easy in and out when running the Coast and I love funky Singleton's shanty restaurant next door. Wicked current and very bad boat traffic plague this place. If you get a spot on the face dock outside be sure to borrow big fenders to protect your hull from the dock.

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Marina Review for Pelican Yacht Club

Reviewed by: Captain Bulldog on Feb 22, 2022
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 40'
Draft: 5.0'

Rating: 5

Great staff though in strong winds it gets a little chopping by the slips. Big advantage is location...easy in and out to running the Coast. Great restaurant at the YC on premises. Just dress nice. No cuts off or grungy t shirts.

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Marina Review for Cape Marina, Port Canaveral

Reviewed by: Captain Bulldog on Feb 22, 2022
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 40'
Draft: 5.0'

Rating: 5

Floating docks, Great fuel prices, well protected. This is where you want to stay in Port Canaveral

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Marina Review for Windward at Camachee Cove Yacht Harbor

Reviewed by: Captain Bulldog on Feb 22, 2022
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 40'
Draft: 5.0'

Rating: 5

Excellent marina.

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Marina Review for St. Augustine Municipal Marina

Reviewed by: Captain Bulldog on Feb 22, 2022
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 40'
Draft: 5.0'

Rating: 5

Great stop with restaurants close by. Watch your approach. From Bridge of Lions come right in. Don't drift south or you may find yourself on rocks. Little bit of current by the docks when the tides are running.

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Marina Review for Bay Point Marina

Reviewed by: Captain Bulldog on Feb 22, 2022
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 40'
Draft: 5.0'

Rating: 4

Little Creek is the best place to pull in short of going outside the Outer Banks, much better than Lynnhaven or running in all the way to the Elizabeth River. Just pay attention to the restricted military areas.

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Marina Review for Lynnhaven Municipal Marina

Reviewed by: Captain Bulldog on Feb 22, 2022
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 40'
Draft: 5.0'

Rating: 3

Do not enter Lynnhaven or Rudee's without local knowledge. Dangerous shoaling exists once you come in under the bridge zimmediately turn hard left and run along the bridge supports until coming to the Pilot Boats station then follow the Eastern side near the restaurants to proceed into the marinas. Nav Aids are sparse here.

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Marina Review for Sunset Marina

Reviewed by: Captain Bulldog on Feb 22, 2022
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 40'
Draft: 5.0'

Rating: 3

This Marina is happening place with parties, loud music and good food. The Marina is 5 Star worthy but what reduces its classification is the fast currents in the Inlet and constant shoaling. Entrance to this can be marina difficult. Upon entering the Inlet keep an eye on the submerged breakwater to your South and watch the jog to keep red "8" and "10" to starboard. Then watch from RG "OC" and follow it into Sunset. You are surrounded by 1 and 2 foot water and swift cross currents. For this reason primarily I prefer the Fisherman's pier straight in from the channel. Then eat at the open air restaurant I think called The Wreck on the south side. Order the OC Orange Crush.

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Marina Review for Atlantic Highlands Municipal Harbor

Reviewed by: Captain Bulldog on Feb 22, 2022
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 40'
Draft: 5.0'

Rating: 4

Usually the lowest fuel prices for 300 miles. Please enter the breakwater on the Eastern side. Abandoned pilings on West side are perilous and have hung up hundreds of boats at mid to high tide.

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Marina Review for Utsch's Marina

Reviewed by: Captain Bulldog on Feb 21, 2022
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 40'
Draft: 5.0'

Rating: 5

I love Charlie Utsch's family run marina. Probably my favorite anywhere. Just important: Go to day marker "16" then turn into and run along the bulkhead until you get to the Dutch Windmill or you will stray into 2 foot waters!!! Convenient to The Lobster House and Lucky Bones restaurants. The Utsches will spoil you with service. Very clean restrooms.

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Marina Review for Canyon Club Resort Marina

Reviewed by: Captain Bulldog on Feb 21, 2022
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 40'
Draft: 5.0'

Rating: 4

Big boat marina with serious travel lift and repair facilities. Well kept marina and good staff. Boat US store
nearby.

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Marina Review for Kammerman's Marina

Reviewed by: Captain Bulldog on Feb 21, 2022
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 40'
Draft: 5.0'

Rating: 4

This is a working man's marina. They are open and pump fuel year round and now have a great little restaurant on premises in season. Family run they will do anything to help you out very special people safe place in a storm.

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Marina Review for Hoffman's Marina

Reviewed by: Captain Bulldog on Feb 21, 2022
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 40'
Draft: 5.0'

Rating: 5

As a delivery Captain I must have safe and accommodating facilities up and down the Coast. Anything that Larry Hoffman does is first rate. This marina is no exception. Always willing to stay for late arrivals, Great crew, great restaurants. Cons are there are strong currents around these docks so always accept advice and help from experienced dock hands. Many great restaurants within easy walk. Exceptionally clean facilities, Always.

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Marina Review for Liberty Harbor Marina

Reviewed by: Captain Bulldog on Feb 21, 2022
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 40'
Draft: 5.0'

Rating: 4

New York City harbor is very inhospitable towards boaters but this is likely one of its best. A little rocky from passing traffic and awkward to drive into with security, its location makes it a good choice. Water taxis close buy to take you to the city and restaurants. Not cheap but convenient and well run.

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Marina Review for Grand Manor Marina NC

Reviewed by: Captain Bulldog on Feb 20, 2022
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 40'
Draft: 5.0'

Rating: 5

Probably the two nicest things about this marina is Henry, the marina owner and Spoon River restaurant close by.

There is another Belhaven Marina further in town which can be treacherous to approach. River Forest is well marked and the crew is extremely able to secure your vessel even during a gale. Like Coinjock this facility gets filled very fast so always call ahead for a reservation.

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Bridge comment on Wilkerson (US 264) Bridge

Comment by: Captain Bulldog on Feb 20, 2022
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 40'

Mariners please note that for the next few miles the channel markers are intermingled with the AICW markers heading South. So the greens will appear on your right but careful examination will show the greens have yellow triangles denoting that they are red ICW markers.

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Bridge comment on Alligator River (US 64) Bridge

Comment by: Captain Bulldog on Feb 20, 2022
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 40'

Very cooperative bridge operator but just don't cramp this swing bridge too close so that it can swing open. If heading North you will be pleased to know that through November 2021 the troubled Middle Ground shoaling remains well marked and is for the time being no longer a threat to navigation.

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Marina Review for Coinjock Marina & Restaurant

Reviewed by: Captain Bulldog on Feb 20, 2022
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 40'
Draft: 5.0'

Rating: 5

Probablly the most popular stop along the entire AICW. Louie Davis, aka "Wild Thang" from his former dancing days runs an exceptionally operation but you always must make reservations in advance. The long dock fills up quickly. The restaurant is known for its Big Prime Rib which has to be ordered in advance. Loie is also a goldmine for resources on getting divers, repairs, and convenient to run to Home Depot and Walmart for supplies. Stayed here several times from June through November of 2021.

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Marina Review for Atlantic Yacht Basin, Inc.

Reviewed by: Captain Bulldog on Feb 20, 2022
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 40'
Draft: 5.0'

Rating: 5

This is a major and highly regarded big boat marina with an exceptional reputation for excellent work. Had to replace an engine here. Could not be happier with the work done. This is also an excellent place to winter
store your vessel.

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Marina Review for Morningstar Marinas Southport

Reviewed by: Captain Bulldog on Feb 20, 2022
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 40'
Draft: 5.0'

Rating: 5

This is a popular stop once again now that it has reopened after severe past storm damage. Easy in and out off the AICW with several excellent restaurants within walking distance.

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Nav Alert comment on NC: Frying Pan Shoals, slough is navigable with caution

Comment by: Captain Bulldog on Feb 20, 2022
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 40'
Draft: 5.0'

Agreed. The slough is well marked but be aware if you are making the run from Charleston City Marina to Morehead City, NC it's a full 215 nms. Make sure you have enough daylight and fuel to take on this leg. If the weather turns which its famous to do your cutoff options may not be safe. Taken three times in November 2021.

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