Reviews from R H (4)

  • Marina Review for Bluewater Bay Marina

    Reviewed by: R H on Sep 29, 2021
    Vessel Type: Power
    LOA: 28'
    Draft: 2.0'

    Rating: 4

    I will only be here a couple of days, but I see lots of positives: friendly, helpful staff and comfortable, pleasant ambiance. Clean bathrooms and showers with AC. Full calendar with a variety of fun activities for the marina and Bluewater locals while still maintaining a low key vibe. Shady hangout and activity area that becomes dining area at night.
    I recommend Bluewater Bay even with the few negatives: the lone washing machine wasn't working at the time and had a rain leak over the area, and the loaner car was in need of some repair. There are no recycling bins. But altogether a very cool place to stay and nice people to meet.

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  • Marina Review for Pilot House Marina & Restaurant

    Reviewed by: R H on Jun 28, 2021
    Vessel Type: Power
    LOA: 28'
    Draft: 2.0'

    Rating: 4

    The two negatives up front are that the bathhouse could sure use a professional cleaning and regular improved cleaning in addition to maintenance of dispensers and etc. Second, there are no recycling bins for tenants even though there's a recycling dumpster just outside the boat yard. (I spotted one very overfull small recycling wastebasket that sat for days and eventually a charter skipper just dumped it in a trash bin). Otherwise, this is a very protected, mellow marina with nice, helpful staff in a terrific location to snorkel reefs. Canal to enter is narrow but radioing upon entry or exit is common. The captain's lounge has good books, chill air conditioning, a microwave and comfortable seating. Bonus - free ice!

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  • Marina Review for John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park

    Reviewed by: R H on Jun 25, 2021
    Vessel Type: Power
    LOA: 28'
    Draft: 2.0'

    Rating: 3

    Well ... the location is protected and is convenient for getting out to good reefs and you can drop a kayak in to paddle the mangroves. Price is low for the area. However, for tying up, the slip was on a fixed dock with two poles and a walkway/dock perpendicular to the boat so you go bow or stern in and have to figure out how to get off the boat and onto the dock at low tide. No walkway beside the boat. The two poles to tie off to at either bow or stern were kinda sketchy as some were wobbly. Facilites are clean but rather rustic and the showers are a quarter or third of a mile round trip depending on which end of the adjacent campground you walk to. The only recycle bin was at the far end of the parking lot at an entrance to the campground, but one of the rangers said there had been more in other locations and they were planning to reinstall them. Big negative was that the no see ums (biting midges?) were so bad we couldn't sit outside on the boat or dock in the evenings without heavily spraying ourselves. Positives in addition to location: staff was nice, the boat ramp is right at the marina and there is ample space to leave your trailer. There are laundry machines and access to ice. The nearby Wild Tamarind 1.5 mile trail was nice - lots of info about the trees. (Wear repellent.)

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  • Marina Review for St. Johns Yacht Harbor

    Reviewed by: R H on Oct 2, 2020
    Vessel Type: Power
    LOA: 28'
    Draft: 2.0'

    Rating: 5

    Ditto the review below - would give 6 stars if I could! Wonderful staff - Stan, Steve and E went above and beyond to help us and had great recommendations for the area, and are truly friendly people - and the bathrooms/showers were so nice I could’ve slept there lol. Same care with laundry room ($1 machines)! Free pump outs either at the fuel dock or served by the pump out boat. There’s a nice pool, and post Covid I’m sure the other gathering spaces will be lively. The night time lighting was comfortable and not glaring.
    The location was fairly low on boat traffic, so not a lot of rocking, had such easy boating access to waterways, anchorages, islands, beaches and creeks that we will go back for more exploration. A walk from the marina between the only two nearby neighborhoods passes a bird filled marsh and was a nice way to start my day.
    Courtesy car, easy access to shopping (Muddy Waters Coffee and Normandy Bakery; both two thumbs up!), and of course all the attractions of the Charleston area are a bonus.

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