Free Dock Review for West Palm Beach (Clematis Street) Municipal Dock

Reviewed by: Richard Davis on Aug 17, 2024
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 58'
Draft: 4.0'

Rating: 5

This is a great dingy dock. Easy access to all of downtown West Palm. DockMaster is normally there and we have never had any issues leaving our tender here while going for provisions or to eat at the may great restaurants that are within a 1/4 mile of the dock.
It is great to see that West Palm Beach wants boaters business, unlike Miami.

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Marina Review for New River Downtown Docks/City of Fort Lauderdale

Reviewed by: Richard Davis on Oct 29, 2023
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 58'
Draft: 4.0'

Rating: 4

Good marina with good power and water. The location is great for those that like to go to restaurants and people watch.
The current is this river can be very tricky. Monitor Ch. 9, and report if you are going into tarpons corner. Between day beacon 11 and 12. The currents can easily push you off-course and if not careful into a wall. Lots of traffic when we were there, but it was during the Fort Lauderdale Boat show. Helpful dock attendant. Make special note of the bridge opening times for the 3rd street bridge.

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Anchorage Review for Dusenbury Creek

Reviewed by: Richard Davis on Feb 13, 2023
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 58'
Draft: 4.0'

This is a very open North-West through North-East. The bottom is mostly grass, with mud/sand mix. Our anchor set easily and buried until it stopped us from backing on both engines. Kings Kamp RV park offers a dinghy dock, bathrooms, and a place to park a car for $400 per month currently.
Nice docks and a safe place to dock your dinghy. We plan on staying here for about a month so I will update this post later in the month with our discoveries.

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Anchorage Review for Windley Key Anchorage

Reviewed by: Richard Davis on Feb 12, 2023
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 58'
Draft: 4.0'

This is an anchorage with several permanent boats moored. The bottom provides good holding and we stuck firm in 24 knot wind directly out of the West where there is very little protection. With a multi-day West wind we would have anchored on the North-West side of the anchorage to cut down on the bouncing. The best thing about this anchorage is the shore access provided by the Ocean View Restaurant. Good bar and food at this Restaurant and you can dock your dinghy here for free and use FreeBee to get to the stores for supplies.

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Anchorage Review for Tarpon Basin R48A

Reviewed by: Richard Davis on Feb 7, 2023
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 58'
Draft: 4.0'

Not sure how a county building paid for with county funds with a dock gets that dock fenced off by the city or Key Largo. Will not be spending a penny on any business in Key Largo until this is resolved. No good shore access in this area. Locals tie up in the mangroves and climb through them to get to shore.

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Marina Review for IslaMarina

Reviewed by: Richard Davis on Jan 30, 2023
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 58'
Draft: 4.0'

Rating: 5

Even though this marina couldn't accommodate us, they don't have docks, just rent boats and have a convivence store, it is one of the few marinas in Islamorada that didn't treat us like we were lepers when we called and asked about dinghy dock. The lady was very helpful and recommend that we dock the dinghy and Library park, but recommended that someone should stay with the dinghy while docked and the other person go and get supplies.

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Marina Review for Tavernier Creek Marina

Reviewed by: Richard Davis on Jan 30, 2023
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 58'
Draft: 4.0'

Rating: 1

We are too big for this marina. When we asked if they had a slip that we could rent for the day to bring our dinghy in to go get supplies they said they had nothing like that.
They didn't even ask about the size of the boat. They don't want to cater to cruisers, so I say we avoid them.

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Marina Review for Mangrove Marina

Reviewed by: Richard Davis on Jan 30, 2023
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 58'
Draft: 4.0'

Rating: 1

Not courteous to cruisers. Our boat won't fit in their marina and when I asked if they had dock space for our dinghy to park for the day and go get supplies he abruptly said No. We have no services for dinghy's.
They are very nice when they answer the phone and then treat you like your a bum when you ask about bringing in a dinghy.

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Anchorage Review for Ligumvitae Key Moorings

Reviewed by: Richard Davis on Jan 25, 2023
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 58'
Draft: 4.0'

This is a state park. There are No Trespassing signs on the West side of the key but I guess they only want you coming in on the pier on the east side.
We grabbed a mooring ball here for a couple of nights. Very peaceful except for the late afternoon Jetski tour, but that is not too bothersome. We had 18knt winds out of the North and North east pick up over night and there is no protection on the mooring balls from a West to NNE wind. Mooring balls appear to be in good shape and held well. Didn't go into the state park on the key because it is closed on Tuesday and Wednesday.

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Anchorage Review for Lignumvitae Key Moorings (FREE)

Reviewed by: Richard Davis on Jan 23, 2023
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 58'
Draft: 4.0'

Stopped here on our way to Biscayne Bay.
Some Jet ski traffic during the day, but not bad. Moored to a mooring ball on the West side. Wind turned out of the North after 8:00 PM. a little bumpy but not bad. Wind is supposed to shift to the North West after 11 and the cay should give us some more protection.

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Marina Review for Boot Key Harbor City Marina

Reviewed by: Richard Davis on Jan 11, 2023
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 58'
Draft: 4.0'

Rating: 3

Don't expect to get on a morning ball if you are over 45 feet. There are some that take up to 60 foot boats, but in the two years we have been cruising around this area there has never been one open.
Anchorage in the harbor in the designated anchorage areas is free, but normally crowded, with many boats that don't seem to have anyone on them. We were lucky enough to find a spot that was good for all except a south wind which put our stern about 8 foot into the channel. Fortunately there is hardly ever a south wind.
the monthly dingy dock fee is a little over $240 currently. That gives you a parking space, access to the bathrooms and showers, and one weekly pump out by the pump out boats. You want to keep your scope as short as possible, but please back down and set your anchor good. We saw two sailboats drag into other boats in a week with less than 20 knot winds. Staff was friendly and helpful. I would have given them 5 stars if they would keep the derelict boats out of the anchorage.

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Marina Review for Sombrero Marina Dockside

Reviewed by: Richard Davis on Jan 11, 2023
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 58'
Draft: 4.0'

Rating: 3

Modifying my original review on 6/22/2021.
This marina has declined significantly . The docks are dire need of repair and we even had a finger pier give way and almost dumped us into the water.

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Marina Review for Vice City Marina

Reviewed by: Richard Davis on Dec 26, 2022
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 58'
Draft: 4.0'

Rating: 1

Tried to chat with someone on their website that just told me to book it on their website. There is no information until you put in your info. Essentially the price per foot for a 58' boat comes out to $8.55 per foot per night. 1.5 times the prices of marinas just a few miles away.

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Anchorage Review for Tarpon Belly Keys

Reviewed by: Richard Davis on Aug 24, 2022
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 58'
Draft: 4.0'

Good anchorage. Current is strong. Water is clear. T-Mobile and Verizon cell coverage is great. Best diving and snorkeling is about 3.5 miles up Cudjoe channel.

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Marina Review for Boat House Marina

Reviewed by: Richard Davis on May 19, 2022
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 58'
Draft: 4.0'

Rating: 1

very restrictive policy on staying on your boat. No more than 5 consecutive days. No Liveaboards allowed.

• WG Editor Comment:
  

  That policy is posted in their marina listing.

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Anchorage Review for East Sister Rock

Reviewed by: Richard Davis on May 19, 2022
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 58'
Draft: 4.0'

This is one of our favorite anchorages with a North or West wind. No protection from the East or south. Good holding in the sandy bottom with a digging anchor. Be careful of the soft corals and sea grass. Some boat traffic during the day, very little at night.

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Anchorage Review for W Sister Rock

Reviewed by: Richard Davis on Aug 9, 2021
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 58'
Draft: 4.0'

This is a very tricky anchorage to get into. At low tide we couldn't event make it to the marker. Mostly an east wind in the summer and you can't get behind this Island with anything that drafts over 2 feet. No wind protection, Entrance to Sisters Creek is just to the East and there is a lot of boat traffic. Much better anchorage just East of East Sisters Rock.

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Marina Review for Sombrero Marina Dockside

Reviewed by: Richard Davis on Jun 22, 2021
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 58'
Draft: 4.0'

Rating: 5

This is a very well protected dock and one of the least expensive marinas in Marathon. This is not a resort; this is a dock. The docks are fixed, and you can expect a maximum of 2-foot tide most days. The staff is very helpful and pleasant, even going above and beyond to bring our packages to us at the boat. They also pump out your boat for you once a week at no cost. The docks are in good shape for the most part. This is a marina where all the slips are owned by individuals. They lease them out when they are not using them. There is a small liveaboard community here that stay year around. Some people just own the slips and do not have a boat in them, so they are available for lease all of the time. You have easy access to the Atlantic via the main entrance to boot harbor or a short-cut to go North in the Atlantic through Sisters Creek. There is a nice restaurant right in the middle of the marina that has live music almost every night. Ample parking right in front of your boat and a 9-hole golf course across the road. Publix and Winn Dixie are less than 1/2 a mile from the marina. The only thing that this marina lacks is a pool, but if that is not a deal breaker for you then this is the best marina for the price in Marathon.

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Anchorage Review for Pelican Bay

Reviewed by: Richard Davis on Apr 19, 2021
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 58'
Draft: 4.0'

This is a great anchorage. You must pay attention entering the anchorage and stay about 100 yards off of the park side bank for the deepest entrance. We noted 5.9 feet coming in and 6.2 feet leaving. This entire bay is a fairly active manatee area and therefore a no wake zone. We ran the dinghy all around the shore and 50 yards out we had 4 foot or better in most cases. The state park tram is currently limited to only people coming in on the ferry and it is a 1 mile hike across the island to the gulf. There is a little gift shop in the state park that sells drinks and standard convenience store items. We saw manatees while sitting on our boat. Water clarity was about 5 to 6 feet when snorkeling.

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Bridge comment on Sanibel Causeway Boulevard 'C' Span Bridge

Comment by: Richard Davis on Apr 15, 2021
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 58'

We have a 24 foot air draft and were able to get under this bridge with our antennas lowered. The clearance boards on the bridge are visible from about 200 yards out. There was not much current on the day and time that we went through the bridge but others have commented that you have to be careful of the current on the approach and maintain adequate steerage speed. There were several fishing boats around the bridge so you must go through without causing a hazardous wake.

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Bridge comment on 10th Street/Steinhatchee River Bridge

Comment by: Richard Davis on Mar 7, 2021
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 58'

This is a fixed bridge. It is listed at 25 feet, but when we were there we had 27 feet of clearance. There are clearance markers on the starboard side of the bridge that tell you the current height.

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Marina Review for Steinhatchee River Inn and Marina

Reviewed by: Richard Davis on Mar 7, 2021
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 58'
Draft: 4.0'

Rating: 5

Great little marina with a very helpful staff. They have a nice little ships store and a bar and grill at the pier. Good food and great dockage prices. There is a fixed bridge that you have to get under. When we were there we have 27 feet of clearance. Mostly small boats here, but they let us stay on the T-Head of the fuel dock. We had water and 50 AMP power. Current dockage rates are $.50 per foot per day and a $3.00 per day electric charge. Very friendly people that we met her. We will definitely stay her again when we get back this way.

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Marina Review for C-Quarters Marina

Reviewed by: Richard Davis on Mar 3, 2021
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 58'
Draft: 4.0'

Rating: 3

There are some inconsistencies about the size of both this marina can handle. The printed waterway guide says 100 ft, the website says 53 ft, but when you call and talk to them they say Max 47 ft. So I think it really needs to be updated in the waterway guide to reflect 47 ft Max.

• WG Editor Comment:
  

  Waterway Guide will review all listings and correct where necessary.

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Marina Review for Scipio Creek Marina

Reviewed by: Richard Davis on Feb 28, 2021
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 58'
Draft: 4.0'

Rating: 1

Nothing available when we called for our size. No suggestions didn't seem to care.

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Anchorage Review for Calcasieu River Oxbow

Reviewed by: Richard Davis on Jan 17, 2021
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 58'
Draft: 4.0'

Good Anchorage. Very industrial. Easy entry made more difficult at night by all of the back scatter from the chemical plants. The night we stayed there was no wind and there is apparently no current. Soft mud bottom.

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Marina Review for Kemah Boardwalk Marina

Reviewed by: Richard Davis on Jan 12, 2021
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 58'
Draft: 4.0'

Rating: 5

This is the very definition of a 5-star marina, although that does come with a 5-star price. We were given detailed, helpful instructions on docking prior to entering the marina and the harbor master with an assistant met us at our docking location and helped us get secured. They not only helped with the lines but even helped get water and electricity connected to the boat. The day we docked there was a small craft advisory in the bay and a good 20 knot north wind blowing. This marina is sheltered from a north wind by a multi-story parking garage and is about the only marina on Clear Lake that I would trust with the tide as low as it was. The staff was always professional and courteous. The floating docks are in good shape and well maintained. The staff appear to walk the docks at least once every day checking on the status of every boat and will call you if they see something out of the norm. The restrooms were always spotlessly clean. We had several packages delivered during our 1 month stay here and were always informed that packages had arrived with several of the smaller ones brought to the boat. This is a very secure marina, completely fenced with card entry onto the property. There are more places to eat around this marina than can be sampled in a month. There are a multitude of marine suppliers in this area with West Marine, Blackburn Marine, and Kemah hardware all within 2 miles of the marina.

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Marina Review for South Shore Harbour Marina

Reviewed by: Richard Davis on Jan 12, 2021
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 58'
Draft: 4.0'

Rating: 1

Very unhelpful staff. We were actually asked to dock somewhere else, rent a car, and drive to the marina to fill out paperwork before docking. Apparently they never heard of the Internet or email.
Don't even try to get into or out of this marina during the winter with a North wind. The entrance to the marina is silted in. Our call to the "Harbor Master" to ask for the normal depth of the entrance channel, which is not marked from the main channel, was "I don't know". The best we could determine was at normal low tide the entrance to this marina is about 4 feet deep before you start plowing through silt, with a North wind blowing we couldn't even turn out of the channel without touching mud.

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Marina Review for Pelican Rest Marina

Reviewed by: Richard Davis on Dec 8, 2020
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 31'
Draft: 3.0'

Rating: 5

First class Marina with all of the amenities you would expect. Fuel prices are on the high side for the area. Very helpful staff, and it is appreciated on windy days as there is no relief from the wind when trying to dock. We take the small boat here frequently to get take out from the Number 13 restaurant on site.

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