NEW YORK - Notations northbound from Manasquan Inlet

O/S 51.0 SM from Manasquan Inlet to Liberty State Park, Upper NY Harbor
Highly Recommended
Well marked channel, plenty of depth (7' at low spring tide), anchor in 12'-15'. Not safe place to leave boat or dinghy unattended as small boat ramp nearby in not so desirable part of city, but otherwise good. No protection from south winds. Can see statute over the trees.

9.5 SM from Liberty State Park to 79th Street Boat Basin Mooring
Highly Recommended
Moorings $30 a night - includes dinghy dockage, washer/dryer, showers. LOTS of boat wake and Hudson River current is very strong. Marina personnel were great, states no internet but let us plug in our laptop for e-mail and have parts shipped there. Close to subway (79th and Broadway), marina personnel on property 24 hours a day, gated marina. No transient dockage unless booked months in advance - 5 year waiting list for slip there.

58.9 SM from 79th Street Boat Basin to Nautical Mile, Freeport, Long Island
Highly Recommended
New York State Boat Channel (NOAA Chart #12352). Found free dock between Woodcleft canal (Nautical Mile) and Randall Bay. Docks were put in June 2006 - didn't get a completion date from workers there. No electric. We tied up for two days and no one bothered us. Plenty of night life and good restaurants, old fishing community with lots of nautical history - either on display along street or in museum next to Evinrude dealer (and repair). Approx. 2 miles to Long Island Railroad. Several well stocked and knowledgeable marinas on strip.

28.2 SM from Freeport, Long Island to Ocean Beach, Fire Island
Highly Recommended
New York State Boat Channel (NOAA Chart #12352). Anchor between R12 & R14 in 9'-15' as shown on chart. Can land dinghy at any restaurant (if you're going to eat there) or anywhere on the beach. Lots of boat wake, dies down at night. 1/2 mile walk to ocean side beach. No threat of theft of dinghy if no place to lock it up. Lots of different restaurants, nightlife, bakery, shopping (including grocery) but all is expensive. Fire Island is only accessible by boat, ferry or helicopter.

14.4 SM from Ocean Beach to Connetquot River, Long Island
Great South Bay - NOAA Chart #12352. On mainland shore of Long Island at Nicoll Bay. Turns towards shore at G9, follow charted deep water until you hit 6' and then make port turn into river. Stay in middle of channel as it is only 4'-5' throughout. Anchor out of channel to port across from marinas and restaurants. Do not anchor past Snapper Inn as it drops to 3' quickly. Not recommended if you draw more than 4', however very protected from weather.

57.6 SM from Connetquot River to Dead Horse Bay at Rockaway Inlet, Long Island
(NOAA Chart #12350-Jamaica Bay & Rockaway Inlet). Rockaway Inlet entrance and channel well marked throughout. Take Plum Beach Channel until G9 and R10 then head towards marina in private marked channel. Before entering marina, turn to starboard and follow next to floating docks until you see the mooring balls. Anchor north of mooring balls in 15'-18'. Fair weather anchorage - less protection that chart indicates. This anchorage is on north side of approach to New York harbor and good alternative to Sandy Hook which is on south side.

OFFSHORE ROUTE - DELMARVA COAST - Notations northbound from Norfolk

Virginia

Great Machipongo Inlet (54.6 SM from Little Creek-SM 191.8) (422421)
The Coast Guard at this time (August 2006) has removed all of the buoys except for the one right at the inlet entrance. There are breakers on both sides upon approach to inlet. Not recommended for the inexperienced helmsman and/or navigator. Requires accurate GPS plotting of courses. Haze at this time of year limits visibility. Inside the entrance the channel is well marked, however many times the deep water was just outside the channel. It is approx. 8 miles to a protected anchorage nearby the first trees you come to, in 15'-18'.

Chincoteague Inlet (51.1 SM from Great Machipongo Inlet) (432122)
Well marked approach channel and entrance. Channel well marked (consult inset of NOAA 12210) but as there are multiple routes, consult chart and follow main channel. Anchor approx. 1 mile around bend just outside channel in in 12'-15'. Coast Guard station nearby, some marinas. A lot of shrimp boat traffic.

Maryland

Ocean City Inlet (44.6 SM from Chincoteague Inlet) (432123)
Highly Recommended
Inlet approximately 200 yards across, but markers for channel entrance narrower. Take at slack water! Upon entering entrance you turn to starboard and there is a bascule bridge (18'). Continue through bridge and just east of the first red channel marker - take marker on port side to find a large pocket of deep water, room for several boats in 12'-15'. A lot of small boat wake. The problem here was dinghy docking as this is a resort town with private vacation homes lining waterway. Dinghy to Fish Tales restaurant (north of anchorage in bight), dockage free with meal. Otherwise dinghy back towards bridge to basin near the concrete plant. Shrimp/crab boats come in here at night but plenty of room to tie up. There is a ladder to offload but if there is a boat in the way - it's challenging to get out of dinghy. Town offers everything! Restaurants, shopping, 2 mile long boardwalk, amusement park, great beach, United States Lifesaving Service Museum (predecessor to the USCG).

NEW JERSEY STRETCH

We ran this area in August 2006. We will not do it again. Many places charted at 5' had 4' or less and we touched bottom several times (drawing 4'). Some anchorages in the book have become less than desirable (as noted below this section) - forcing us to find new anchorages. The below listed special notations were major problem areas.:

0 to 5 Point Pleasant Canal and Manasquan Inlet.
These waters have opposing currents so if you are a slow moving boat, timing is difficult because you may have to wait up to 3 hours for slack at inlet if you take canal at slack or slight outgoing (if traveling northbound). You can anchor outside the channel at R2 just inside the inlet in 8' if you need to wait for lesser current or slack at inlet. Anchoring in Will's Hole Thorofare is not recommended as it is extremely crowded with both pleasure and commercial craft. The railroad bridge (usually open) is extremely narrow as span does not open all the way. Large boats 35' or greater must pass through here 1 at a time.

45.8 Mordecai Island.
4' spot on chart next to 'LB' is less than charted. We bumped for about 15' continuously over this area at 3.8' at mid-tide thinking we were going hard aground as this is sand bottom. Upon getting fuel at Beach Haven Yacht Club, found out locally that no boats drawing more than 4' go through this area anymore, they by-pass it and follow private marked channel around Mordecai Island which now opens up at south end.

54 Great Bay
This area is so bad that Sea Tow and Tow Boat U.S. are on constant patrol. As much as 2' below charted depths were encountered and many local boaters were spotted aground in this area.

71.2 Dorset Ave. Bascule Bridge
When northbound, bridge is after a blind corner with little room to manuever while waiting for a bridge opening (especially when current is behind you).

80 Great Egg Harbor Inlet
Coming from south, last marker is R252. This entire area is poorly marked - no markers to show where to cross to Broad Thorofare, lots of shoaling. Following the ICW courseline on NOAA Chart #12316 almost ran us agound as we hit less than 4' going across. Once across we found new ICW buoys coming from Broad Thorofare but it is not possible to see them coming from the south from Beach Thorofare. Also, coming from the north and following these new buoys, make your turn for crossing before the last set of R and G (these are buoys #1 and #2 for Ship Channel). Make your crossing direct to other side, do not plot your course to R252 to avoid shoal area.

81 Broad Thorofare.
Less than 5' as charted.

100 Gull Island Thoro.
Less than 4' in channel at mid-tide.

NEW JERSEY STRETCH ANCHORAGES

4.7 Bay Head (not previously noted) (433121)
When northbound, turn to port between G3 and R2, anchor in 8'-12' outside Metedeconk River channel as shown on Bay Head Inset on chart #12324. This is a no wake zone but we didn't experience any boater acknowledging it.

6.3 Mantoloking Bascule Bridge.
New bridge complete, 30'

25.9 Barnegat Inlet (423233)
Crowded but convenient to inlet and protected. Many boats on moorings which limits swing room if on anchor. Anchor in 8'. Lots of wake as many boats go through anchorage instead of in the channel to get to marinas.

39.0 Rum Point (444444)
Highly Recommended Entrance to anchorage missing private red marker which marks shoal. Stay to port through small entrance channel. Follow canal around to end basin, anchor in 15'-20'. Private homes line edge, can land dinghy at lots with docks and no house. We stayed 3 days and were not bothered. Can land dinghy on shore (marshland) but sticky. Bus stop across from Dunkin Donuts to Atlantic City: $1.75 every hour on the half hour and stops at all major casinos. Last bus at 3:45 a.m. Short walk to boardwalk. Stay in tourist areas as surrounding area is the ghetto. Shopping center across street has everything except hardware and laundry which is approximately 1 1/2 miles down the main street.

42.0 Ham Island (not previously noted) (422221)
When northbound, turn to starboard at R94 and proceed into the private marked channel in 8' before turning to port and running along shore to 12'-15' as on chart. Fair weather anchorage.

45.8 Mordecai Island.
We passed here approx. mid tide and because it looked shallow we obtained local knowledge from the Beach Haven Yacht Club Marina and an instructor from the sailing school in the anchorage and was told that there is 4' or less at low tide.

88.0 Middle Thoro (not previously noted). (421221)
Turn towards bridge to the east just before R310 and G309 (if traveling northbound). Anchor in charted deep water. Fair amount of small boat/jet ski traffic but dies down at dusk. Anchor in 18'-20'. Room for several boats, plenty of swing room.

89.8 Main Channel.
Not recommended. Directions accurate except that the 7' area is now larger/longer. There are floating buoys making the shallow areas. The deep water was in the channel where the Main Channel and Flat Channel channels come together, thus a lot of boat traffic.

109.0 Schooner Island Marina.
$2.50/ft (Aug. 2006). Now has 3 washers/3 dryers by pool area - $2.00 each

110.2 Ephraim Island-Sunset Lake (433212)
Lots of boat wake from jet skis and marinas. Less jet ski traffic if anchor to the port of the channel opposed to starboard but with so many it really doesn't make much difference. No convenient dinghy dockage. Owner of nearby jet ski rentals will let you leave dinghy at end of dock with permission.

DELAWARE BAY

34.0 Cohansey River (421421)
No markers for approach. Only markers are on land at entrance. Favor green. There is one mooring ball across from first boatyard and past Greenwich Boat Yard there is another mooring ball. Anchor anywhere past Boat Yard in 20'.

C&D CANAL

13.7 Chesapeake City (444322)
Great protection from weather. City is old and renovated with lots of gift shops, 3 restaurants and a bakery. People very friendly here and will take you to laundry, groceries, hardware which is a few miles away. C&D Museum was good history. There didn't seem to be a limit on the 24-hour stay at free dock or 72-hour limit at anchorage as many we talked to had been there for several days after that. (Sep 2006)

CHESAPEAKE BAY

18.0 Georgetown (444141)
Lots of boat wake and bridge opens frequently, can land dinghy by public boat ramp. No shopping within walking distance of anchorage other than small gift shops and marinas. Each marina had restaurant, parts. Sleepy town.

25.5 Worton Creek (444431)
Great place to hold up for weather. Marina furthest in had decent parts store and other general merchandise. Diesel was $2.91/gl. (Sep 2006) Quiet, nice.

38.4 Baltimore, Fells Point (not previously noted)
Highly Recommended
Free dock. Almost to Inner Harbor on starboard side where the 'City Pier Broadway' building is a basin prior to building. This is the old water taxi dock. The water taxi is now located in the basin after the building. Pull up to wall (you will see large cleats and bitts) on your starboard side in front of the Kamikaze Japanese Restaurant and the French Bakery. No electric/water. It says 'no docking' but local police told us it was OK. We stayed 4 days. Convenient to nightlife, restaurants, shopping, laundry was 3 blocks, free Wi-Fi at Daily Grind directly across from basin. 1.5 mile walk to Inner Harbor or $8.00/day for unlimited use on Water Taxi. Safeway grocery, Blockbuster, Pharmacy, West Marine was 1/2 mile walk from the Korean War Memorial stop on the Water Taxi Route. 1.8 mile walk from Fells Point at Camden Yards is the MARC train station to Union Station, Washington, DC for $7.00. Bus fare in DC was $1.25.

38.5 Rock Hall Harbor (444331) (not previously noted)
All the way in past last marina, room for one or two boats, not a lot of swing room, basin built out with docks, however close to restaurants and downtown Rock Hall. Anchor in 8'.

45.0 Magothy River (434341)

53.0 Annapolis (344423)
Up Spa Creek past Bascule Bridge. City moorings have taken over Spa Creek. Immediately past bridge at first mooring field (boats up to 35'), posted no anchoring. Proceed to 2nd City mooring field (mixed moorings for up to 35' and 45') and anchor in front of mooring field. Room for 6 boats, in 8'. More City and private moorings at next bend up creek. All moorings were $25.00/night. (Sep 2006) City has free wi-fi - anywhere in the waterfront area - it was hit or miss in the mooring fields beyond the bridge but great in the mooring field before the bridge.

58.6 Church Creek (444431) (not previously noted)
Proceed up South River until G15 is abeam. Crab Creek and Church Creek share same entrance - when entering Church Creek stay just starboard of center to avoid shoal on port side of entrance. Anchor in first basin to port, in 10', room for 4-5 boats. On southern shore near G15, visit Londontown, a 400 year old tobacco/ferry town which includes the William Brown house built in 1684 and the restored Lord Mayor Tenament House. The old house is visible from the water. Just prior to G15 on port side when you see house proceed directly to dock, carries 10' until dock which is 7'. Tie up for free while visiting site.

67.6 Back door to St. Michaels (444232)
Up San Domingo Creek. Only drawback is early morning boat wake from watermen. In town visit the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum - 9 buildings including the fully furnished Hooper Strait Lighthouse. Cheap liquor store at the intersection of Chesnut and S. Talbot Street. Grocery store was approximately 7 blocks, they will let you borrow cart back to dinghy dock as long as you return it. Town offers many shops, restaurants.

81.2 Cambridge (444422)
Local bus fare is $2.00 (Sep. 2006) to Wal-mart, hardware, dollar stores, groceries, mall. Free dock is good, just use fenders as it is a concrete bulkhead. Can get water from county office building, must ask for it inside building to get fitting for spigot. Southern end of dock (nearest to county office) is 4' at low tide, 7' towards northern end. Wi-fi at library for one hour time blocks if you use their computer or bring your own for unlimited use. Snappers Restaurant has one free slip for use while eating at restaurant, if you arrive late, ask owner and if not busy he will let you spend the night (no electric/water).

81.2 Oxford
Option 2) Town creek has lots of dockage. Anchoring NW of G7 and G9 is in close proximity of boat slips.

$2.00/ft at Oxford Boat Yard (Sep 2006). No amenities.

Free dock. On starboard side past R2, is Oxford Ferry Wharf and public boat ramp. It is posted 3 hour limit, however upon talking to ferry captain were allowed to stay overnight. Dock at end or on the side of public boat ramp. Carries 9'. Room for 2 boats. Can also anchor near ferry dock and mooring field with 9'-12'. Ferry dock is by Robert Morris Inn.

Great crab cakes at the Robert Morris Inn (c. 1700's). At this time (Sep. 2006) the museums were closed, some restaurants, and the majority of the gift shops. Small grocery and a couple of antique shops were open.

97.5 Back Creek, Solomons Island (434422)
Option 3) Holiday Inn charges $2.00 day (Sep. 2006) for dinghy dockage/trash disposal. Free Wi-fi from Holiday Inn and had good signal in anchorage.

122.0 12 miles up Potomac River in the Yeocomico River, Lodge Creek, Olverson's Marina
Highly Recommended
Very well protected 200 slip marina with transient slips, fuel, laundry, heated pool in summer months, several courtesy cars, pumpout. Owners Cas & Fred Olverson very accomodating to cruisers as they make the trek to Florida every year.

181.0 Sarah Creek. (444322)
8 miles up the York River, (directly across the river from Yorktown) Well marked channel, protected, 8' depth AD, anchor in 7'-8' directly across from Yachthaven marina.

181.0 Riverwalk Landing Marina, York River.
8 miles up York River, across from Sarah Creek just before bridge on portside. Deep channel and tie up to concrete floating docks. Beach next to marina. $1.75/ft (Sep. 2006) including electric/water. No pump-out or laundry. Historic city has free trolley to all sites in town. Buy entry tickets to historic sites at Visitors Center. If you buy combo ticket to also visit Jamestown, Yorktown, and Williamsburg (all within 20 miles), you will get a pass for the free bus to the other towns. Free Wi-fi at Ben and Jerry's across from marina. Marina staff very helpful, mooring balls also available but were further away and strong current in York River. Well worth the stop.

191.8 Little Creek (434121)
Directions confusing. The anchorage is in the bight immediately after the first marina on starboard side (not 1/4 mile past first marina) where the ferry (wreck no longer there) used to dock in front of the beach. Room for 2 boats in 15' of water. A lot of boat and plane traffic. This anchorage is located directly across from the docks of the Navy's Higgins boats. Good stopping point if you are going to run north up the Delmarva Coast.

196.2 Hampton River (444222)
Free Wi-fi from City of Hampton. Anchor in 8' above bridge to east side to channel. Dinghy to small floating dock near bridge at the park.

ICW NORFOLK AREA - VIRGNIA

0 Hospital Point (432222)
Take the #20 bus ($1.50) from MacArthur Center to West Marine near Military Circle 10 miles away on Norfolk side. Dinghy landing at Nauticus, however they are building a cruise terminal there and you have to weave your way around the stationary barges to get to the wall.

0.6 Portsmouth
Free dock in South Basin. Stayed overnight no problem, however boat tied behind us had bicycles stolen off boat in the night. Free WiFi.

DISMAL SWAMP ROUTE

28.0 North Carolina Welcome Center.
Highly Recommended
Nice docks and 1/4 mile walking trail. Internet is available during open hours of center. A lot of horse flies in summer. No electric, water located under dock at north end of dock.

51.0 Elizabeth City.
Highly Recommended
Great place. Free Wi-Fi at city docks. Riverwind Fitness Center. $5.00 per person/day (July 2006) if you mention you are a boater - gives you full access to all facilities: weight room, raquetball, pool, showers, jacuzzi, etc. Walking distance to restaurants and hardware. Within 5 miles (bike ride) all shopping available: mall, several auto parts and fast food, CVS pharmacy, Dollar Store, Payless Shoe Store. Dominos will deliver to marina. No marine store closeby. At kiosk in parking lot, get # for Farm Fresh grocery store - they pick you up in a van within 30 minutes and take you to store and bring you back. Much better pricing than Food Lion (which is a 1 1/2 mile walk). Sign posts 48 hour stay limit, however you are asked to stay in bad weather by dockmaster or Fred Fearing. Elizabeth City has changed drastically since my last visit. Fred Fearing has died and we saw no trace of any other Rose Buddies. Riverwind Fitness Center has closed down but we were able to use the pool and rock climbing at the YMCA by the hospital. Farm Fresh still picked us up for provisions and the movie theater was still in full operation.

NORTH CAROLINA

Sounds Route

Hatteras Landing Marina, Hatteras Village
Highly Recommended
Approach via Rollinson Channel. Located adjacent to Hatteras Inlet Ferry terminal and across the channel from USCG Motor Lifeboat Station Hatteras Inlet. Well maintained facility. The marina’s Dock Master, Billy is very friendly and helpful. Dirty Dick’s restaurant on site has great food and an extremely friendly staff. Also on site are a pizzeria, deli, ice cream, bakery and clothing stores. Hour bike ride to Cape Hatteras Lighthouse. Fuel and pumpout is available at the marina.

Roanoke Sound
Anchor in between Engagement Hill and the north end of Roanoke Island in 7’-8’ near day marker 36. Fair weather anchorage but plenty of swing room.

Pirates Cove Marina, Manteo
Entrance to the marina is adjacent to the north end of the Washington Baum bridge. NOT RECOMMENDED due to extremely unknowledgeable and unfriendly staff and lack of good business practices.

Private Slip, Manteo Waterfront
Stayed at a private slip but public slips are also available in the Manteo Waterfront area. Great sandwiches at Poor Richards. Cheap groceries available ½ mile away. Many sites to see at Festival Park including plays, films, a museum and replicas of the barque Elizabeth II and the Roanoke Colony.

ICW

102.2 Alligator River (424241) Good holding, quiet. Not good protection if you get east winds. Stayed here again in 2008 with no changes to the anchorage worth noting.

127.5 Pungo River
Stayed at a private slip but plenty of good anchoring spots in the non-ICW part of the river up to the bridge.

159.8 Hoboken Cut (434221)
Early morning boat wake from fisherman. Plenty of swing room, room for 5-6 boats, anchor in 7'-9'.

181.5 Oriental Town Dock
Really only room for 2 cruising boats with no rafting allowed. Tiki Bar next to town dock and an excellent sailmaker in town approximately 1 mile away.

204.0 Taylor Creek
Excellent holding but extremely crowded and very limited swing room. Dinghy to public pier at Gordon Street (Fisherman’s Park). Dinghy to Carrot Island to see the wild horses or to go to the beach on the opposite end of the island.

205.1 Morehead City anchorage. (421221)
Room for three boats, anchor in 10'. Lots of small boat traffic, dies down at night. Wind protection is from north (shore side) and south (unnamed island). Strong current .

Portside Marina. Not recommended. $1.16/ft with Boat U.S (July 2006). Strong current, only wind protection is from north (building), no sea protection from inlet. Transient slips are behind floating T-dock - when windy (20 kts) seas splashing over dock and is unstable. Laundry is one (1) stack unit in an outside small storage unit (no place to fold) which you can only use either the washer or dryer, not both at the same time.

Enterprise Rent a Car will pick you up from marina and it's drop-off point is 1/4 mile from Super Wal-mart/Lowes. Extremely boater friendly - and even has a map of the city specifically for boaters. Cab fare from Wal-mart to Portside was $12.00 one way (approx. 6 miles).

244.5 Mile Hammock Bay. (434431)
Plenty of room/depth, protected from wind on 3 sides. Drawback: The military maneuvers at night are VERY LOUD and continue off and on for several hours. This night in July from dusk to midnight. Would not stay here if you suffer from post traumatic stress disorder. Stayed here again in 2008 and experienced the same late night military maneuvers as my previous 2 stays. Lack of a suitable anchorage in close proximity in either direction make the noise tolerable.

263.8 Sloop Point. (422221)
Option 1. Incorrectly noted. If you anchor east of G21 and G19 you are anchored in the channel. The anchorage is west, just outside and between these two markers. Room for two boats, a lot of boat wake, no wind protection. Option 2. The directions were good to get into this anchorage, however at 3/4 to high tide the entrance on the west side (the only side you can get into) was 5'. There is deeper water after this but we didn't stay as we were afraid we wouldn't be able to get out at low tide. Not recommended.

297.1 Carolina Beach State Park (444421)
Highly Recommended
Entrance channel well marked. $20 night including electric and water (Oct 2006), approximately 40 boat slips (several with 14' width), 2 T-docks, all floating docks. At low tide, 5.5' depth at T-dock, 7' throughout entrance channel. Marina has one washer and one dryer for use, showers and small marine/food store. Stayed here again in 2008 ($20/night) and had no problems getting into the basin at high tide drawing 5’. Stayed an extra day this time to try out the hiking trails. Some trail sections were closed but most were still open. No West Marine is still in business on the entire island.

311.0 Pipeline Canal (444221)
Directions into anchorage were good. 10' depth through canal at high tide on quarter moon. 6' upon entering basin and then 9'-10'. A lot of boat wake from nearby boat ramp but dies down at dusk. Well protected, lots of trees.

SOUTH CAROLINA

354.4 Barefoot Landing Marina.
Highly Recommended
No longer free but worth the stop. New floating docks, no fuel. $1.25/ft including electric/water/tax (Oct 2006). We didn't require electric or water and paid $1.00/ft. In no wake zone, but use fenders for those that don't observe it. Outlet mall great for all types of shopping except marine/groceries. Bus schedule drastically changed. Only every two (2) hours from the Landing beginning at 9:13 a.m. Last bus (depending on where you go) at 6:00 pm or 7:00 pm. Still goes by Library, Home Depot, Wal-Mart Super Center. All fares are $1.00. Not the best at keeping their own schedule however, usually late. Stayed here again in 2008, price was raised to $1.50/ft.

415.5 Minim Creek (east side of ICW) (421331)
Lots of crab pots and horse flies but plenty of depth, great holding, scenic and quiet. Incorrectly noted - the east side of the creek runs north and south. Trees are on the west, the only wind protection is from these trees. Stayed here again in 2008 with no changes worth noting.

464.1 Charleston Maritime Center. $1.20/ft (Boat US) (Oct 2006).
Highly Recommended
Stayed here again in 2008 with no changes worth noting.

471.1 Wappoo Creek (441221)
Stayed here again in 2008. Encountered an unfriendly homeowner who demanded that we move our boat. As this is the best place to wait for slack water at Elliot Cut we just ignored him and nothing further became of the matter.

530.4 Brickyard Creek (423421)
Did not find charted deep water (25'). Bottom depths inconsistent. Anchor in 8'-9'. Do not enter from northern entrance and do not anchor near northern entrance. There is a very large (3' diameter) upside tree whose root structure is just under the surface. It is only visible when wake breaks over it. Stayed here again in 2008 and entered the south entrance at an extreme low tide. I again found the bottom depths to be inconsistent with the charted depths, some as low as 5 feet. I could no longer see the submerged tree at the northern entrance previously spotted in my 2006 trip and it has most likely been removed. Good holding makes this a useable anchorage, just don’t expect to see the charted depths.

535.9 Factory Creek (422223)
Didn't have any no-see-sums or mosquitos in July 2006. Plenty of depth and room for several boats.

GEORGIA

583.2 Thunderbolt Marina. $1.25 ft/ $10 50amp (July 2006)
Only available transient dockage was behind fuel dock. Their other transient dock was severely damaged in storm. Repair work scheduled for sometime in 2006. Floating plywood fuel dock was in fair condition and not level. Lots of current in this area.

584.4 Herb River
Significantly more swing room and a lot less crowded than Turner Creek. The disadvantage over Turner creek is that there is no place to dinghy ashore and reprovision. If you carry long enough rode, anchoring in the deepest section of the river gives you the most swing room.

585.5 Turner Creek (433323)
We entered creek at low tide with 11' at entrance. Anchor past shrimp boats before bridge in 10'. We met other cruisers on this journey that said they had been kicked out of creek by local Police. We talked with a year-round liveaboard in this anchorage found out that the local authorities are trying enforce Georgia's law of no liveaboards. This has obviously caused friction that is sometimes passed on to cruisers. The other issue is anchoring in the channel blocking traffic to the bridge (by the public boat ramp). All of the year-round boats in this anchorage have bow and stern anchors. We stayed here with one other cruiser, both of us used a bow and stern anchor to the port side of channel and were not approached by authorities.

619.0 Walburg Creek (432341)
At north entrance: The 'C' buoy was missing (July 2006) and area between 4' section and 3' section at middle ground is now shoaled in. Only wind protection is on east (ocean) side from trees.

625.5 Cattle Pen Creek (422331)
6.5' bar at entrance. There are trees (not on immediate bank) that protect from ocean winds. Stayed here again in 2008. The delta failed to set on its first attempt. Very soft mud came up on the anchor when we pulled it up.

668.0 Fort Frederica (431341)
Highly Recommended
Anchor approximately 150 yards south of fort in 15' at LW between fort and landing dock with ladder. Plenty of swing room (we used 100' ft of chain). Tall trees protect against east wind. Abundant with a variety of birds, lots of squirrels and deer at fort park. Can only dinghy into dock/ladder at high tide. Great place. Stayed here again in 2008. Walked out to the front gate to see what else there was on the island but saw nothing in close proximity.

712.0 St. Mary's. (321322)
Only drawback - when wind is opposite the current boat rides the anchor chain at an undesirable angle. Sleepy town with not much to do but submarine museum (good) and a couple of gift shops and a restaurant. Free Wi-Fi at the Used Bookstore/Coffee Shop located across from Town Hall. Most businesses are closed on Monday’s. 719.8 Amelia River (333421)
Only drawback is NE wind - strong odor from plant across river.

FLORIDA

735.0 Fort George River (422221)
There is a small area just east to R2 that carries 7'. Room for 1 boat. Stayed here again in 2008 to wait for the flood tide so we could start down the St. John’s River. Ideal place to wait when coming from the north.

744.2 Pablo Creek (421321)
This anchorage has a very strong current, limited swing room and deeper than previously noted. We anchored in 30' mid way between islands.

747.5 BB McCormack Bridge
New fixed bridge completed but still showing the clearance boards from the old bridge. We have an air draft of 43’7” and cleared the bridge with atleast 20’ to spare.

778.1 St. Augustine (421123)
Highly Recommended
South of Temporary Bridge of Lions (26'). A lot of boat wake, more so than usual because of commercial traffic working at bridge. Noise from construction starts early but ends early. Dinghy charge from Municipal Marina was $10.60 per day (July 2006), includes showers/laundry/trash disposal. We needed to have our bimini restitched while here - St. Augustine Marina Canvas & Upholstery (904) 826-3591 gave us same day service - approximately a 5 mile bike ride from Municipal Marina. Stayed here again in 2008 and everything was pretty much the same. Dinghy dockage price had not changed. Anchorage was still very crowded with almost everyone anchored Bahamian style making it difficult to get away with using a single anchor or more than a 5:1 scope ratio.

792.4 Fort Matanzas (421331)
Highly Recommended
Had 8' crossing bar when leaving ICW at low tide. Strong current but good holding. Visitor Center also has 1/2 mile nature trail. Stayed here again in 2008, this time with a draft of 5’ instead of 4’ like my previous 2 stays. Ended up aground at max low tide with a half moon while anchored directly off the fort and in the dead center of the river. Depth gradually increased as we headed back towards the ICW.

831.4 Daytona Beach (433321)
Directions to deep water pocket great. Dinghy through Halifax Harbor to restaurant for free dockage. Restaurant was open but no longer a local hotspot/hangout (new owners), West Marine located in same shopping plaza. Only close shopping is convenience store.

846.2 New Symrna
Free dock: Northern circle dock is no longer accessible. Signs posted Water Taxi (to Ponce Inlet Lighthouse) docking only. Stayed overnight at southern circle dock and was not approached to leave. Lots of people fishing until late at night on docks. Advise locking items subject to theft. Stayed here again in 2008 and squeezed 3 boats onto the southern circle dock. Definitely no room to fit 4 boats. As with my previous 2 stays nobody bothered us about docking overnight or asked us to leave. A windsock was stolen off of our boat in the middle of the night.

878.1 Titusville anchorage (just outside Titusville Municipal Marina) (314121)
South of marina channel is deeper water, no charge for dinghy dockage at municipal marina.

878.1 Titusville Municipal Marina.
Shopping is accessible by bicycle, fast food/NAPA by walking. Found some marina staff to be unfriendly - Ex: We did not need assistance docking but the dockhand yelled at us for not throwing him a line (we docked perfectly) and told us if we hit the boat next to us he'd throw us out of there. When asked several staff about sources in the Cocoa/Titusville area for alternators (ours fried) we were directed to the yellow pages outside the office. A nice person our friends knew who lives in the marina drove me around for 4 hours until I located one in Orlando and had it delivered to the local store. Boat U.S. dockage price was $1.05/ft. (June 2006) Footnote: We stayed here again in October 2006.. They no longer honor Boat US discount for dockage or fuel. Dockage was $1.50/ft. + $5.00 30 amp. Wi-fi is available for $9.95 for 24 hours through Maricons.

897.5 Indian Cove (312224)
Anchor in 7-8'. No protection from weather; boat wake from nearby bridge. Dinghy to Crab Shack Restaurant at semi-broken down docks; suspicious looking area/local people, lock your dingy/engine. Very busy thoroughfare (SR 520), all shopping is available within several blocks if walking - West Marine, Home Depot, Publix, Albertsons, CVS, Office Depot, car repair, liquor store, restaurants, including Merritt Square Mall (bicycle ride).

897.8 Attempted to anchor south of the powerlines that run parallel to the Cocoa bridge but the anchor failed to set on 2 attempts. Lots of shells mixed in with very soft mud came up with the anchor.

918.2 Melbourne (423221)
On south side of Melbourne Bridge, the 10' charted water does not extend as close to shore as shown. The first channel south of bridge goes to a public boat ramp. Lots of boat wake. Better anchorage is just south of 2nd channel (which goes to the Melbourne Yacht Club and Melbourne Harbor Basin). Anchor in 8'.

945.7 Jones Fruit Dock (434121)
Docks rebuilt in 2005. Spent nice time with 87 year old Richard Jones of the Jones brothers that were in the citrus business until Hurricane Irene wiped out their groves - hence fruit is no longer sold. Mr. Jones was born and raised in the house behind the docks - his sole reason for keeping the docks is the people that he meets and gets to converse with. Drawbacks: a lot of mosquitos, no-see-ums and boat wake. Stayed here again in 2008 and everything was pretty much the same. Still a lot of mosquitos, no-see-ums and boat wakes.

992.2 Peck Lake (334341)
Highly Recommended
Great. Signs were posted on the ICW side that the beach was not open to the public. We stayed on access trail - signs posted on the beach stated terns were nesting and not to continue over dune to the ICW side (June 2006). Footnote: Signs posted about tern nesting were gone - beach was open. (Oct 2006) Stayed here again in 2008 with no changes worth noting.

1014.2 Lake Worth (324222)
Several other boats in the area. Did not feel threatened by theft. Wi-fi available for $11.99 for a 24 hour period from nearby marina. No police patrol boat approached us to ask us how long we were staying. Stayed here again in 2008. Our anchor set right away on its first attempt and held well for our entire stay while waiting out a weather window but another seasoned cruiser we were traveling with on another boat had to drop his anchor several times in several different locations before he got a good hold. We hand set a swing anchor later on in our stay and it also set right away and held well for our entire stay. As with past stays we experienced no theft problems and were not harassed by police. WiFi was still $11.99 for a 24 hour period so we went to the library instead. Directions to the library were good. There is a great restaurant on the way called Anthony’s which has excellent food for very reasonable prices. You can rent DVD’s at Publix for $1.

1042.1 Pelican Harbor (444221)
Entrance at LW was 8'. No problem with holding. Anchor in 8'-11'. Room for 3-4 boats. The Harbor is a no wake zone because of the homes, however you get the wake from the ICW from the side entrance.

1056.8 Lake Santa Barbara (344121)
There were three boats anchored when we were there. About 30% of small boat traffic did not slow down.

1064.1 Las Olas Municipal Marina
2 block walk to beach and beachside nightlife from dinghy dock. Several things are listed incorrectly in the guide: