Brunswick Landing or Morningstar Golden Isles?

[bigbrownpilot]

We just bought a Hunter 380 and are moving to St. Simons Island within the year. We need to move our new boat up from St. Mary's Island and are undecided as to whether we want to keep it at Brunswick landing Marina or Morningstar Golden Isles. The difference is about 10 minutes further drive to Brunswick from our house on SSI, but probably at least an hour to open water by boat. BLM is slightly cheaper and offer more "free" amenities. Any opinions from people who have had experience at either/both marinas? Any thoughts on the social aspects? Customer Service? We plan to be in one or the other by the second week in April.

Thanks,
Dave
H380

(anyone want to buy a great H306 on Lake Lanier?)

[Finistere]

Stayed at BLM for about a week a couple of years ago. Great marina, good pizza close by, farmers market on Saturday. Understand you don't want any work done on your boat by them.

[skipmac]

Also no experience with MGI but kept my boat at Brunswick Landing for three months and was very happy with the stay. Management was friendly and laid back, prices very reasonable, facilities were clean.

The only negative, the place is huge. If you're on the last dock towards the end of the pier it's a bit of a hike to the restrooms or even the parking lot.

Have also heard that this is not the best place to get boat work done.

[Dale Hedtke]

I suggest a couple of cheap bicycles for the commute to the showers, etc. You can find them for ~$10 at GoodWill, yard sales, etc. We have had a pair of bikes passed around our marina for years. Kind of fun to track where they end up.

[skipmac]

Problem going to the Brunswick Landing showers, the hike is mostly down a really long pier (at least if you're on the last dock up the river) so not a good place to ride, even if allowed by the marina (most don't).

[psneeld]

Have stayed at both...

Morningstar is a hike to the showers/restrooms too.

BLM is closer to shopping I believe but still a mile from grocery, West Marine. A car is the equalizer and I believe Morningstar has a loaner (on a tight leash).

I've never spent more than a night at Morningstar so I don't have a feel for the residents of the marina...BLM has a large nmber of regulars and a local sailing association out of it for a whole gang of friends and activities (my friend in current commodore).

[bigbrownpilot]

When we spoke to the lady who is dock master at BLM she indicated that the former Yard Manager is no longer in that capacity and they have a new one who is great. They were aware of the reputation for bad customer service on having work done and have tried to address it.

Thanks,
Dave

[FSMike]

Spent quite a bit of time at Morningstar Golden Isles off and on, I like the staff and it's really convenient for a day sail.
Good restaurant on the premises plus I like St. Simons Island more than Brunswick.

[valhalla360]

We spent a couple months at BLM a few years back:
- If you are concerned about the hike to the showers, ask for a slip closer up or at least compare slip locations they are suggesting in both marinas. Odds are there isn't a huge difference.
- We looked at GI but without a car it's pretty isolated. BLM won out for convience to walk to things. (if you have a car this may be less of an issue).
- BLM is better protected. We tried to anchor near GI one time and with a strong south wind, it looked pretty bouncy.
- BLM has the advantage of being right next to the shrimp docks and farmers market.

GI's big advantage is distance to the open ocean for a sail boat. If you are weekending and have a car, that might win out.

[gonesail]

for me BLM has the worst mosquito problem i have ever experienced. the facilities are so so. the surrounding neighborhood is very questionable .. especially if you stray from the common paths. i would go with st. simons island

[bigbrownpilot]

Thanks for all the good information. We will probably stay at BLM as soon as we move the boat up from St. Marys. It's on a mooring down there and the seller/owner will let us stay as long as we need to. Thinking probably second week in April to sail to Brunswick. After that, we will probably be coming down from ATL on long weekends to sail, so it really doesn't matter whether we are based at BLM or GI over the next several months. When we start living in SSI, (part-time at firs and full-time when we retire), we may decide to move to GI. But BLM seems to have a lot gong for it, other than a 10-minute longer drive to our house and being closer to the ocean.

Don't know if there is a tax advantage to a lower local millage rate on the GA personal property tax.

[bigbrownpilot]

Got a looong and detailed reply from Chris Ferguson at MGI. He really wants our business. Hmmm. More to consider.

Dave

[riggear]

The tidal currents are not as bad at BLM. They race thru Golden Isles, so docking in and out can be CRAZY at certain times

[FSMike]

Originally Posted by bigbrownpilot

Got a looong and detailed reply from Chris Ferguson at MGI. He really wants our business. Hmmm. More to consider.

Dave

I somehow missed this post when it first came up.
Chris Ferguson went out of his way to accommodate me once when I needed it. He and the staff at MGI make this marina special.

[The Way]

Originally Posted by gonesail

for me BLM has the worst mosquito problem i have ever experienced. the facilities are so so. the surrounding neighborhood is very questionable .. especially if you stray from the common paths. i would go with st. simons island

I found the town of Brunswick rather shabby and depressing. However, Basil Thai and Sushi restaurant near the marina was terrific -- except for the large-screen TVs everywhere! That was over a year ago, so not sure if it's still there, or if they have the same sushi chef.

Fair winds,
The Way