Bridge comment on Dr. Sally Ride Memorial (NASA Causeway) Bridge

Comment by: Paul Hoffman, Changes in L'Attitudes, on Jun 24, 2023
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 41'

Traffic has been diverted to the new fixed bridge.
Per LNM - The original bridge will be locked in the open position but the channel may be partially obstructed by up to 50 feet during the hours of 7:30 am until 5:00pm with a 2-hour advance notice needed for removal to clear the channel. Vessels which can pass can do so at any time. From 5:00 pm to 7:30 am each day the channel would not be obstructed.

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Marina Review for Delray Beach City Marina

Reviewed by: Paul Hoffman , Changes in L'Attitudes, on Jun 21, 2023
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 41'
Draft: 3.8'

Rating: 4

A relaxing stop in a busy part of the FL AICW. Just south of the East Atlantic Avenue Bridge, so typically no issues with wakes. Backing into a slip can be a bit of a challenge when the tidal current is running strong. Floating docks with long rolling ramps to shore can limit mooring options that afford an easy on and off. We found we couldn't stretch our 50ft shore power cable to the power pedestal when we went in bow first. Next visit we backed in and had no issues. Working through Ms. Patrick was easy - ensure you're email is in her inbox as early as possible on a work day, so you can finalize your reservation by the end of that work day. The availability of transient slips depends on how many folks who call the marina home are away. There's always locals there to handle lines, and one of them will have your 'welcome' information and key card (Ms. Patrick will supply you with their cell #). Showers and laundry faculties are clean and well kept. The laundry was free - that's a great bonus. Easy one day transit to/from the Miami area even with the bridges.

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Marina Review for Jensen Beach Mooring Field

Reviewed by: Paul Hoffman , Changes in L'Attitudes, on Jun 21, 2023
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 41'
Draft: 3.8'

Rating: 3

Arranging a ball was no problem, good communication through online form/email with harbor master. Balls and pennants are in good shape. Field is almost completely built out. Enter from the south. Dinghy dock has less than 100 feet of usable space on the protected (north) side. Several live abords in the field who 'commute' daily means things get crowed. Shower and laundry facilities are in the public park area, but only accessible with field provided code. Dinghy dock has a coded gate. The field is very open to the prevailing easterly (and in spring/summer) southerly winds - long fetch can make things bumpy.

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Marina Review for Loggerhead Marina - Vero Beach Marina

Reviewed by: Paul Hoffman , Changes in L'Attitudes, on Jun 21, 2023
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 41'
Draft: 3.8'

Rating: 5

Our first transient stop on southbound trips, and last stop before getting home when returning on the northbound leg. Easy in and out from the AICW (just mind the wind/crabbing as the channel is a bit thin. Professional dock hands. Nice pool, shower and laundry facilities. Docks are in great shape. Quick fueling and pump out before getting into our slip. Ask about fuel and slip discounts. Strong WiFi signal supports streaming. Ensure the marina desk calls the community gate house and give the guard your name if you intend to Uber/Lyft out into town. Inform your ride share driver to use the south (Grand Harbor Blvd) - it's the manned/guard gate.

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Bridge comment on Dr. Sally Ride Memorial (NASA Causeway) Bridge

Comment by: Paul Hoffman, Changes in L'Attitudes, on Jun 5, 2023
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 41'

Traffic will soon be diverted to the new fixed bridge (65ft clearance) and the draw bride spans will be removed.

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Marina Review for Harbortown Marina - Canaveral

Reviewed by: Paul Hoffman , Changes in L'Attitudes, on May 17, 2023
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 41'
Draft: 3.8'

Rating: 4

New restaurant, Dixie Belle's Grill and Bar, is now open. Had lunch there yesterday during their soft opening. Good food ,attentive service.

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Marina Review for Marina Del Mar Resort and Marina

Reviewed by: Paul Hoffman , Changes in L'Attitudes, on Apr 22, 2023
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 41'
Draft: 3.8'

Rating: 5

Unfortunately, we only had a one night stop over at MdM, it really looks like a great place. Staying on your boat makes the use of the amenities of the three resorts a bargain that you just can't find elsewhere in the area. The marina offers a couple of different options for docking - including side ties against the canal wall, and slips with finger piers. Bulkheads, finger piers, and shore power/water pedestals are in good condition. The Dockmaster, Daniel Watson is is top notch and did a great job handing our reservations (including a change due to weather) and was there to great us and assist in docking when we arrived. He then provided a full run down on what the marina and resort had to offer and answered all our questions. Hopefully next time we'll be able to stay a bit longer and enjoy more of the resort.

Be mindful of the email sent to you describing the approach (with shallow spot at the canal entrance) and required Securite Calls.

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Marina Review for Safe Harbor Marathon

Reviewed by: Paul Hoffman , Changes in L'Attitudes, on Apr 21, 2023
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 41'
Draft: 3.8'

Rating: 4

Easy in and out, right off the channel before you enter the harbor. Watch the shallows, check Waterway Guide alerts. East, E Docks, are perfect for short stay transients. The E docks are floating. The E dock slips feature the Aqua Lounge (bathhouse) and a small office and store that can fulfil all quick stop needs. Longer stay amenities such as the bar/restaurant, pool, gym, and laundry are better served from the western docks.

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Bridge comment on Boot Key Harbor Bridge

Comment by: Paul Hoffman, Changes in L'Attitudes, on Mar 30, 2023
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 41'

The bridge deck is removed. Narrow entrance into Boot Key Harbor.

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Marina Review for St. Augustine Municipal Marina

Reviewed by: Paul Hoffman , Changes in L'Attitudes, on Feb 5, 2023
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 41'
Draft: 3.8'

Rating: 5

Arrived 10 JAN Departed 12 JAN 2023. Reserved slip about a month out.

First visit here in a slip. Second stay here ... first time was on a ball on New Years Eve (31 DEC 2020). No issues with that stay.

Arrived from the south about an hour earlier than desired (slack is about 35-40 minutes after high/low tide). Ebb current was running pretty good out in the channel, but was easily managed with engines in the marina's north basin.

Excellent comms from the dock office (south end of fuel dock) who had us stand off while they got a big cat u/w from the fuel dock. After the cat had cleared we were called to head right in.

No issues on docking. One line handler quickly took our forward running spring and we backed easily into slip 27 (north basin facing north).

Check in at the office was quick and easy. Received gate/bath house keys.

Stay was relaxing. Plenty to do within walking distance. Marina has good security and the area outside the gates seems very safe. There is a stop for the Old Town Trolly a few steps from the marina.

Departure was easy. Turned in key cards, handled lines ourselves. Checked with dock office on VHF to ensure no active traffic at the fuel dock prior to casting off lines. Slight ebb as we got underway posed no challenge to negotiating the basin.

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Bridge comment on Southern Boulevard (SR 700/80) Bridge

Comment by: Paul Hoffman, Changes in L'Attitudes, on Dec 4, 2022
LOA: 41'

Southern Blvd Bridge (mm 1024.7) single leaf openings only.
Source: USCG District 7 LNM 48/22
= = = = =
Due to emergency repairs, the Southern Blvd Bridge will provide a single-leaf opening per drawbridge operation regulation 33 CFR 117.261(w) until further notice. A full opening will not be provided. The single-leaf opening will provide at least 60 feet of horizontal clearance.

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Marina Review for Harbortown Marina - Canaveral

Reviewed by: Paul Hoffman , Changes in L'Attitudes, on Oct 2, 2022
LOA: 41'
Draft: 3.8'

Rating: 4

Haul out pit has side wall damage (undercutting from heavy rains in mid September, not Ian related) that precludes haul outs until repairs to the pit are completed.

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Anchorage Review for Indian River R40

Reviewed by: Paul Hoffman, Changes in L'Attitudes, on Apr 29, 2022
LOA: 41'
Draft: 3.8'

Overnight 26/27 APR for SpaceX launch of Crew 4. Dropped anchor slightly south east of WWG icon at 28 32 35.13N 080 45 41.65W.

Light (5-10kt, gusts ~15kts) easterly wind in the late afternoon of the 26th, veering overnight to a southwesterly wind by the morning of the 27th.

No drag with sixty five pound Mantus 1 and seventy feet of chain in eight feet of water. Perfect 'smile' on overnight anchor watch 'track'. Chain came up clean. Anchor came up with easy to spray off mud & light shell mix.

Cell phone reception (Verizon) supported YouTubeTV streaming on Roku.

Launch viewing was excellent with rocket departing SLC 39A.

Probably not the best area if there are any appreciable winds from any direction than the east.

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Marina Review for Halifax Harbor Marina

Reviewed by: Paul Hoffman , Changes in L'Attitudes, on Apr 16, 2022
LOA: 41'
Draft: 3.8'

Rating: 5

Halifax Harbor Marina is a large, first class city owned marina. We stayed, early April 2022, in the southern basin on I dock.

The docks in the southern basin (sorry, can't speak to the northern basin) are floating concrete docks. Wide, very well maintained and stable. Easily accessible water and power. Each slip also has a lockable (use your own lock) box. Access to the docks, bath houses, and laundries are via a wireless nearfield key card. All facilities were very clean. Dockhands were available as requested and professional. We arrived on an extremely windy day (15-20 knts, gusts to 35) but the wide slips and skills of the line handler made backing in easy.

Price was, IMHO, very reasonable for a stop on the AICW right near a budding entertainment district. Several restaurants, clubs, and the historic Jackie Robinson Baseball Park are within easy walking distance. Ride share is available for further trips, and to go over to the beach side.

An easy access fuel/pump out pier is in the southern basin. There are no haul out facilities, but owners/contractors are permitted to work on boats in the slip. More than ample parking.

I'd certainly recommend Halifax Harbor for an overnight or longer stay.

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Bridge comment on Christa McAuliffe Drawbridge

Comment by: Paul Hoffman, Changes in L'Attitudes, on Dec 18, 2021
LOA: 41'

One of the spans (the north west span - southbound traffic lane) has a broken motor. So, until repairs are completed you'll have to tuck/cheat towards the south side. At half width, that makes the channel about 45 ft wide. When I spoke with the bridge tender today, he implied repair work won't be happening until around FEB 2022.

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Marina Review for New Smyrna Beach City Marina

Reviewed by: Paul Hoffman , Changes in L'Attitudes, on Oct 24, 2021
LOA: 41'
Draft: 3.8'

Rating: 5

Cruised up for a two night 'hurricane season nearby stay-cation'. Reserved slip one week out in mid October. Floating docks. Website has slip map showing the seven transient slips. Easy in and out from the AICW. Good VHF comms with office & greeter/line handler (16, switch to 68). Went stern in for slip 28 (eastward facing, short finger pier on southside of slip). No issues with power (50A), or WiFi. Bathrooms and showers were clean and well maintained. Trash and recycle bins at office. Gate is not locked, but felt secure. Too many quality places to list for food and drink. Canal Street entertainment district is within walking distance. Low cost Ubers to other locations.

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Marina Review for Cocoa Village Marina

Reviewed by: Paul Hoffman , Changes in L'Attitudes, on Aug 14, 2021
LOA: 41'
Draft: 3.8'

Rating: 5

Overnight staycation/night on the town for us. Excellent staff both office and out on the docks. Very clean facility. BoatUS discount. Easy walk to bars/restaurants in Cocoa Village. We stayed on the central basin T-head, no wake issues, dock was fendered well. Easy in/easy out, plenty of room to maneuver in the basin. Channel showed 7+feet.

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Anchorage Review for Bethune Park

Reviewed by: Paul Hoffman, Changes in L'Attitudes, on Jan 5, 2021
LOA: 41'
Draft: 3.8'

Big fan of Robert Sherer so this was a no brainer place to stop. We don't have a dog, so we only came about two hundred yards north of Halifax River DB 44 and about two hundred yards west of the channel to support quick in and out - while keeping enough distance from the channel to minimize rocking from wakes. Stopped here twice (end of DEC ' 20 and early JAN '21) and both times it was very windy from the south/southeast. Mud/clay bottom really made for strong holding - we didn't drag at all. Bit of a pain to clean off in the morning - had to scrape a bit because the wash down hose just couldn't knock some of it off.

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Bridge comment on L.B. Knox Bridge

Comment by: Paul Hoffman, Changes in L'Attitudes, on Jan 4, 2021
LOA: 41'

Was only opening single span (east side) on our passages on 31 DEC '20 and 01 JAN '21. Operator was very professional.

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Bridge comment on Bridge of Lions (SR A1A)

Comment by: Paul Hoffman, Changes in L'Attitudes, on Jan 4, 2021
LOA: 41'

Current moves pretty good through here. Ensure you have a good stand off distance before making your run through if there is opposing traffic. The west side (marina to the south/mooring field to the north) have good water.

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Marina Review for St. Augustine Municipal Marina

Reviewed by: Paul Hoffman , Changes in L'Attitudes, on Jan 4, 2021
LOA: 41'
Draft: 3.8'

Rating: 4

We were late settling on a place to stop over for New Year, and didn't request a reservation until the morning of 30 DEC. Mooring field and marina were booked and we went on the waiting list. We received a call just a few hours later telling us a ball had opened and we were in!! On arrival we were given our ball assignment (north field), but found the ball occupied. Hailed the office on VHF and they sent their shuttle/small boat out to chase the boat off the ball (seems he's a local that brings his friends/charters out and ties up to empty balls to eat). Easy tie up to the ball. Ball and painter in good shape. City looked great lit up for the holidays. Pretty good current runs through the area. Only draw back we had was concerns about private boats and professional charters that come through the mooring field fairly regularly. Not sure if this is a 'only during the holiday light period' or a more year round occurance.

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Marina Review for Titusville Marina

Reviewed by: Paul Hoffman , Changes in L'Attitudes, on Jan 4, 2021
LOA: 41'
Draft: 3.8'

Rating: 4

Quick overnight stay on a ball in the mooring field. Easy communications with the office, credit card info passed by phone. Military discount. Mooring ball, and painter were in very good condition - no growth on painter.
Only drawback we experienced was a lot of car noise coming from shore - seems to be near a local hang out for doing burnouts and short acceleration runs.

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Marina Review for Westland Boatyard & Marina

Reviewed by: Paul Hoffman , Changes in L'Attitudes, on Jan 4, 2021
LOA: 41'
Draft: 3.8'

Rating: 4

Yard manager Chase, and the yard crew at Westland really made my month long refit period on the hard very easy. Very safe and professional lifts, well maintained equipment, and reasonable price combine to make Westland a good place to get your work done. The only drawback I experienced was the lack of 30 or 50 amp power in the work area. I fashioned a three prong edison plug to 50amp plug adapter (which I'd plug in when I was at the boat working) to keep my batteries freshly charged and ready to go when we splashed. I splashed late in the day and was planning on just heading out for a mooring ball that evening, but the crew hooked me up with a tie up right at the haul out pit at a really reasonable price.

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