Reviews from Aaron Reignier (6)

Marina Review for Oasis Marinas at Fernandina Harbor

Reviewed by: Aaron Reignier on Jan 3, 2021
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 50'
Draft: 5.5'

Rating: 4

The marina moorings were open with quite a few available in late December, 2020. We got a mooring for one night & anchored north of the mooring field for several more days. The anchorage had great holding, we were able to ride out 45 knot winds from the west and didn't budge.
Although the fuel dock was not yet open (should be open by February 2021) we were able to get a pump out and fill the water tanks. The dock hands were very accommodating, friendly and helpful. The marina facilities (laundry and showers) are clean and pleasant and are included with the rental of a mooring ball. They also permit you to use their address to have mail delivered and were nice enough to bring our mail down from the office to us while we were filling the water tanks. The dinghy dock provided quick and easy access to down town. There was no Uber or Lyft services in Fernandina but we were able to get a reasonably priced taxi to and from the fort (Jason P. Sears/Lifestyle's Executive Transportation 904-335-0863). There are a lot of options as far as restaurants and bars and quite a few have very good live music which we always enjoy.
There is an Enterprise rental car that will pick you up and a small hardware store in walking distance from the dinghy dock.

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Anchorage Review for Cole River - Ocean Grove Beach

Reviewed by: Aaron Reignier, SV Kismet, on Sep 21, 2020
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 50'
Draft: 5.5'

We ducked in here to try to escape some southerlys. We were able to get out of the swell but the wind was still getting through. Good holding and it looks like you could get to shore at the Cole River bpat ramp.  Doesn't look like much to do onshore other than a beach and the Happy Clam Bar and Grill. Another anchorage to look at if considering this one is Kickamuit River. Kickamuit anchorage may give you more protection.

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Marina Review for Bristol Marine

Reviewed by: Aaron Reignier , SV Kismet, on Sep 21, 2020
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 50'
Draft: 5.5'

Rating: 5

We were here for 3 weeks on the hard getting repairs done from a leaking rudder stuffing box and PSS.  While we were hauled, we did a bunch of other boat projects.  The guys at Bristol Marine were great! Greg and Andrew were very knowledgeable and did quality work.  They let us stay aboard during the work projects because we are liveaboards which was very nice! There is a great park to walk to with lots of wildlife, bike trails, tennis courts, baseball fields and a beach. There is also an ACE, laundromat and grocery store a 15 min bike ride away. A short dinghy ride across the bay and you are in Bristol which has lots of great restaurants, Americas Cup museum and some parks. There is also a bike path that will take you 12mi. to Providence. We were very happy with our time at Bristol Marine and will return here for future boat projects.

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Marina Review for North Hempstead Town Dock

Reviewed by: Aaron Reignier on Aug 12, 2020
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 50'
Draft: 5.6'

Rating: 5

There are 20 moorings available for transient usage. The first 24 hours are at no charge, subsequent nights at the cost of $25/night. They have a free water taxi service for those renting the moorings who will drop you off at Louie's Waterside restaurant, the Town Dock or the North Port. Town Dock provides access to the downtown and Main Street which has a variety of restaurants and shops. Further up Main Street we found a Mail Room store front who allowed us to ship packages there for a small fee ($5 per package).
The North Port dock provides easy access to the Stop & Shop which is a large grocery store with a good selection of fresh and organic foods. This area also has several restaurants, a Home Goods store and an Urgent Care clinic.
This dock is also in walking distance to the West Marine, Target, Walgreens, Ace Hardware & laundromat.
We really enjoyed our stay here, the water taxi drivers were very friendly and infinitely helpful with directions and information.
We stayed on the mooring while tropical storm Isaias blew through and the mooring held perfectly.
There is a pump out boat available on call and the cost is included in the mooring fee, there is also free pump out at the town dock as well as water. There is an easily accessible fuel dock at the marina.

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Anchorage Review for Echo Bay

Reviewed by: Aaron Reignier on Aug 10, 2020
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 50'
Draft: 5.6'

Small harbor with room for about 3 boats to anchor. No protection from the south which made for a rolly anchorage. No public dinghy dock in the marina though a local said you could probably talk to manager of the marina about tying up behind the fuel dock. Town was a 15-20 minute walk uphill though once in town there were a number of restaurants and other stores. There was shore access on the north east side at the 5 islands park where you could probably grab an Uber from if you don't want to walk into town. It's a very small harbor mostly serving the local marina which has a tight fuel dock that gets very busy on the weekend. Not recommend for larger boats.

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Anchorage Review for Chesapeake City

Reviewed by: Aaron Reignier on Jul 17, 2020
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 50'
Draft: 5.6'

Coming into the Anchorage we saw very shallow depths of 5'2" at low tide at the opening but then it opened up to 10-12 ft. Not a lot of room but can fit 5-6 boats if they're anchored right. Ease shore access and dinghy dock to the bars and restaurants. There's also a free dock on the starboard side as you enter the anchorage but it can only hold about 3 boats. Easy access across the canal to fuel/pump out etc. Beware of fast currents as you exit the anchorage.

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