Subject: Replacement Autopilot Linear Drive
Cruising News: Desperately seeking replacement (new or used) Simrad HLD2000L linear drive for autopilot.  NAvico has had mine for 1.5 months and is still waiting for parts.  Need in hand by June 14 for Solo Race.
John Jobimir

Email Claiborne at CruisingWriter@cruisersnet.net   to respond to this posting

Cruising News:  Hi;
Where would be a good place to find info on marinas or boat yards on the South East Coast US that can haul and store a boat that is 18\'8\" wide?  I\'m looking for something cheap.
Thanks
Jenni

Email Claiborne at CruisingWriter@cruisersnet.net   to respond to this posting

I will be traversing the Okeechobee Waterway next week. I plan to stop in Stuart inroute to Miami. Does anyone know the best marina to overnight there.
Al Hackett

Stuart has a great city dock. We draft 4' and were able to tie up and walk downtown. Nice places to visit and eat. They recently put up no overnight docking……so we just pushed off the dock and anchored in 6-7 foot of water
Bill

There is a new marina and mooring field in downtown Stuart called Sunset Bay used to be Southpoint Anchorage. Also there are several marinas in Manatee Pocket about 1-2 miles west of the Saint Lucie Inlet – one that comes to mind is Pirate's Cove. We are traveling now (on a road trip) so cannot look up the others. If you come through after June 28, we will be home if you need anything.
Fred and Elaine DeFoor
Castaway – Eagle 32 Tug

Email Claiborne at CruisingWriter@cruisersnet.net   to respond to this posting

Subject: Boca Grande Swash Channel
Cruising News: Does anybody have any detailed information on transiting the swash channel going north out of Boca Grande pass?  I have went out & in the Pass many times but never used the swash channel.  It would cut off a lot of time when headin to of from the north.
Thanks
Harlin

Responding to the question about the Boca Grande Swash Channel posted May 22^nd in the Ask Your Neighbor section.  I have used that channel for decades, the last time being May 17, 2009.  When exiting the pass heading north read the water and stay close to the beach staying just off the concrete remains of the old fishing pier.  We draw 4.5 feet and I had two or three feet under me through that point.  North of the old fishing pier (now just concrete pilings) the swash channel is shoaling.  I found that the deepest water was to continue to run parallel along the beach for another quarter of a mile or so past the pier before veering offshore.  Even then I had a few reading of less then a foot under my keel.  This is considerably shallower in this northern portion of the swash channel then in the past and the shoaling appears to be coming from the west towards the shore.  I may have to alter my waypoint I use when coming down from Tampa Bay a bit to the east to pick up the deeper water on the north end of the channel.
Brad Hines

Thanks Brad,
I appreciate your reply.
Harlin

Email Claiborne at CruisingWriter@cruisersnet.net   to respond to this posting

Subject: Ocean Reef Yacht Club, Grand Bahama
Cruising News: Has anyone entered this marina lately. I was wondering about the depth of the channel. I got 5\'6\" ft. Any info would be great
Thanks Wayne

Email Claiborne at CruisingWriter@cruisersnet.net   to respond to this posting

Good Day….can anyone advise if they have left their boat in Nassau for an extended period  of time unattended…and at which marina they would recommend?
We will need to leave our 45' trawler there for approx 2 weeks at the end of June.
Appreciate any advice
CG

Gracie,
My advice is to make a different plan!
Nassau is a very tough town.  Marinas, marine stores, and many other businesses there have buzzers that allow customers in *and out*.  Property crime is obviously a problem there.  Last month, we stayed at the Nassau Yacht Basin for 4 days.  It was expensive, and I would not have wanted to leave my boat unattended there.  There is a security guard, but we often found the "back gate" open and unlocked.  The only place I would personally trust in Nassau would be Paradise Island (Atlantis Resort).  That property is very well controlled, and it's an island.  But, I'm sure that would be very expensive.
If you're flying in/out, consider Marsh Harbour (MHH).  You can fly from Marsh Harbour airport, and if it were me, I'd feel much better about leaving my unattended boat there.  Boat Harbour is on the south side of Marsh Harbour, expensive, and largely empty.  Security is good; the location is out of town and somewhat isolated.  Conch Inn is in the Harbour, less expensive, mostly occupied, with several liveaboards.  We stayed there twice over a couple of weeks.  Security seemed good, and there's a built in "Neighborhood Watch" community.
Jim
Peg and Jim Healy aboard Sanctuary,

Email Claiborne at CruisingWriter@cruisersnet.net   to respond to this posting

Can anyone recommend a detailer (buff & wax) and/or marina in Jacksonville, FL.  We are currently in St Augustine and plan to be in Jax for a week or
two. 
Jerry & Lynn 
Sea la Vie

Lambs Marina is pretty good and they have buff & wax services.  You can also stay at the free docks right downtown in Jax.  We did and enjoy it, except when a fire boat went through the no wake zone there and waked everybody.  It's right downtown and an easy walk to lots of interesting things.  It's also lots of fun to go up the river from Jax.  A fun side trip is to go to The Outback Crab Shack 2 days upriver, free doclk, etc., and very interesting to go through Murphy's Creek behind Murphy Island on the river.  It's like a Disney Jungle Cruise.
Doug

Subject: Detailer in Jax / St. Aug Area
Cruising News: The one used most by boaters in this area is Northstar Detailing. They come to you with 3-4 guys and will do what you want/need! wash, wax or compound.
I use them 3 times a year on our boat!
Ph. 1-904-687-4755 – Ask for Scott.
Rex

Email Claiborne at CruisingWriter@cruisersnet.net   to respond to this posting

Subject: Okeechobee reports
Cruising News: Looking to cross west-bound in a couple of days.  “Mangos” has 3 1/2 ft draft.  Any observations or recent cruiser experiences for route 1? 
Fitz

I know for a fact that a 33 Morgan OutIsland with a 3′ 11″ draft will make it from Port La Belle to Ft Meyers. I can’t tell you about the East half of the waterway.
Rick

Email Claiborne at CruisingWriter@cruisersnet.net   to respond to this posting

Subject: varnishing water damaged interior
Cruising News: Has anyone repaired water damaged interior by revarnishing and if so how was it done?  Would appreciate any info.
John Livingston

Email Claiborne at CruisingWriter@cruisersnet.net   to respond to this posting

Is there good water between the ICW in Wrightville Beach and on out Masonboro Inlet? How is Masonboro Inlet? We draw 5' on a 55ft boat.
Thank you in advance for your assistance.

The Masonboro inlet is a fine inlet. We are local. Just be careful to follow bouys, etc.
Miss Liberty

You can safely take the direct route out the inlet if headed north or go through the Wrightsville town area On the direct route be careful at the ICW intersection especially on point at the north side
Everywhere there Low tide is a problem
Greg and Susan Han

Email Claiborne at CruisingWriter@cruisersnet.net   to respond to this posting

Hi All,
We were thinking of doing the Dismal Swamp in a few  days.  Has anyone transited this area lately?  We draw 5 ft. and were  wondering about the depths.  Any thoughts would be  appreciated.

Jeff and Susie Parker
Idyll Time

You might want to go the the web site on Salty South East at www.cruisersnet.net and they have some posting of travel through the canal.  Also you might call the Dismal Swamp Canal Visitors Center 252-771-8333.  Penny is the manager and is very help full with information on the water levels and Lock opening times etc.  She communicates the locks on a daily basis.  It was worth the trip to us as we have traversed several times now. 
Larry & Theresa V.

Havn't been that way yet this year but this is about the best time for a 5' draft boat to make it through. We have had more than enough rain. Can't speak for exact levels but you should be able to get through without any problems.
Angus

We are sitting at the visitor center as I write this. We draw 4' 8". We tapped a couple of submerger logs (?) but by staying in the middle there has been enough water (so far).
Jim G
Footloose

We're thinking about doing it too. We've heard it's beautiful. We draw 4'6 in saltwater in our 65 foot Marlow. How hard were the "taps?" Did you have any trouble with passing other boats?
Mell and Michael on Tortuga

We did it last year and are in Elizabeth City now and will go through most likely on Tuesday the most important thing I can say is go slow and do not follow to close behind any other boats as they tend to stir up the dead heads. I would try to stay 1/4 mile behind someone if you can that's what we did last year and had?no problems very nice trip enjoy it.
Larry & Margie Ross
Wanderin' L&M
55' Hampton

Email Claiborne at CruisingWriter@cruisersnet.net   to respond to this posting

Is there good water between the ICW in Wrightville Beach and on out Masonboro Inlet?  How is Masonboro Inlet?  We draw 5' on a 55ft boat.
Thank you in advance for your assistance.
Pawsforlife

Email Claiborne at CruisingWriter@cruisersnet.net   to respond to this posting

Subject: Depths in Yacht Channel
Cruising News: We are planning to go from Cape Sable to Marathon and would like to know if anyone has used Yacht Channel recently and what the depths were. We draw 6 feet. Thanks, Louise
Louise McMahon

Email Claiborne at CruisingWriter@cruisersnet.net   to respond to this posting

My little boat Adventure is too small and too slow to safely make the jump from Carrabelle to Tarpon Springs. Has anyone out there actually cruised along the entire (or at least part of) the Nature Coast? Where are the harbors? Facilities? My boat with her centerboard up draws only 9" of water. Could I take shelter in a small river or creek? If so, what is the approach like? Does the Nature Coast get pounded really hard by waves from the Gulf?
Thank you for your time.
Tug Buse

We did entire Big Bend twice and made the crossing from Clearwater Beach to Carrabelle once.  The best crossing may St. Marks to Steinhatchee, which is about 44 miles of Gulf plus 12 miles of rivers or channels on both ends.  Yes, you could anchor in the rivers easily and they twist and turn such that no Gulf waves get in after the first 2 turns or so.  We went in a big boat, but the nature coast is really much more suited for smaller boats due to draft and marinas that can't handle a big boat.
The approaches at the major rivers are well marked and buoyed channels and many of the smaller inlets are marked by "private" bouys maintained by locals.  At 9 inches draft, you can go anywhere you want.  The rather long river cruises from the gulf to the towns and marinas are very interesting.
Steinhatchee, Crystal River, Yankeetown, etc. all have passable marinas.  From Tarpon Springs on South, the marinas are all very nice (and more expensive).
One comment of note:  The "Nature Coast" should really be called "The Biting Bug Coast".  There are hoards of "sand gnats" that bite and leave itchy welts.  They're almost unbearable about an hour before sunset and at sunrise.  By the time you get to Clearwater Beach and Sarasota, there are NO bugs at all.  You can leave your boat open with a light on all night and not attract one bug.  If you do that on the nature coast, they'll drain you dry.  Bring a bug net for your bed.
Doug Shuman

Email Claiborne at CruisingWriter@cruisersnet.net   to respond to this posting

Subject: Where to stop for Dog crossing Marathion to Marco
Cruising News: We are a sailboat crossing from Marathon to Marco with an extremely hose broken dog who resists all efforts to get her to void on the boat, astroturf, pee-pads, real grass, etc. Any suggestions?? Planning to half way ar Shark river (been there without dog many years ago and there is no place there)
Joel

Email Claiborne at CruisingWriter@cruisersnet.net   to respond to this posting

My wife and I are planning to stay aboard a sailboat, on-the-hook, for an extended holiday in the Port Charlotte/Punta Gorda area of Charlotte Harbor, Florida.  We have a mini-van that we would like to keep nearby, but have no idea where we can leave it that is within a reasonable distance from a free dock (dinghy or otherwise).  I am curious about how you guys (and gals) do it.
Thanks for your advise.
Rick

Email Claiborne at CruisingWriter@cruisersnet.net   to respond to this posting

Subject: Repower facility near Charleston, SC
Cruising News: Does anyone have experience, good, bad or indifferent, with Rockville Marine/Marine Propulsion at Wadmalaw Island, SC? Any suggestions for places to repower (twin inboard diesels) in the Charleston area?
Paul Konersman

Email Claiborne at CruisingWriter@cruisersnet.net   to respond to this posting

Cruising News: We're planning on sailing to Marco Island for a long weekend.  Is anchoring allowed there?  What is the status of the ordinance that was ruled unconstitutional by a higher court?  Are the local authorities pandering to the rich people who don\'t want cruisers there?
Bill Foster

Email Claiborne at CruisingWriter@cruisersnet.net   to respond to this posting

At one time I read about a place on the east coast of Florida that had alot of used sailboat parts. I can no longer find that article, but it seems to me it was just north of Daytona. I thought maybe you might know of this place. Can you help?
Thanks
Steve

Email Claiborne at CruisingWriter@cruisersnet.net   to respond to this posting

Cruising News: Does anyone know what the vertical clearance is through Snake Creek between the ICW and Hawk Channel?  Is the Snake Creek bridge still a bascule bridge that opens on demand?  Also — we see overhead power cables indicated on the chart but no indication of what the vertical clearance is.  Anyone know?  We have a 70\' mast and 6\' draft.  Help appreciated!  Thanks.
Ellen