Annual First Coast Nautical Flea Market
HOSTED BY SAILORS EXCHANGE, INC
DATES: NOVEMBER 3 & 4, 2018
TIMES: SATURDAY 8 AM – 4PM SUNDAY 9AM – 3PM
LOCATION: 7 ½ SAN BARTOLA DRIVE, ST AUGUSTINE, FL 32086
**$20 SELLERS 10X10 SPACE**
RESERVE YOURS NOW SPACE IS LIMTED
CALL JOHN @ 904-808-0667 M-F: 9AM-5PM Sat: 9AM-2PM
SUBMITTED BY:
LINDA ALLEN
SAILORS EXCHANGE, INC
222 West King St
St Augustine, FL 32084
904-827-9135
Sadly, as Steve Ramsay bewails, what seemed unthinkable ten years ago is now a reality, not only in Florida, but along much of the east coast: free, public anchorages are becoming pay-for-use municipal mooring fields. (Enter “mooring” in the Search window above for a perspective on the battle that was waged against mooring fields in Florida several years back.) While welcomed by some who see the moorings as an alternative to ever rising dockage fees, those of us who boat on a budget and find the moorings restrictive, along with the prohibitive cost of boating in general, are in agreement with Steve, to the point that we can no longer afford to spend much, if any, time cruising. Steve is replying to A Disturbing Message about Anchoring.
Like so much of our culture today, it is a case of the “HAVEs” versus the “HAVE NOTs.” We hear you Steve!
I moved here from New England and as a boater since age 2, I am very disappointed with the availability of moorings here (Tampa area). Boating is such a healthy outdoor activity for the whole family. Go to New England, you will see boats on moorings as far as the eye can see, and they only have a 4 month season. I had planned on buying a 24 ft. sloop, but I am afraid I will have to abandon the idea altogether. Personally, at $400 per month for a mooring, I am forced to leave my favorite past time to a high end class of people who will continue to enjoy sailing as much as I did. I have been priced out. It seems like boating here is discouraged rather that encouraged and fully advocated for.
It seams to me that the big marinas are really controlling the cost of docking more so than ever, in St. Petersburg the safe harbor group will get control of the city docks soon, that means they have a monopoly controlling all the docks and moorings in St. Petersburg.
As for anchoring I don’t have any problems with this except that Most anchorage’s have bad boat that are in kept and in danger of abandonment also there is a problem with pumping out this is a federal regulation that is always over looked
Anchorage for transit moorings and dingy docks is a good idea for everyone at a minimum price if not totally free.
You are absolutely correct,Steve. I traveled in a trawler from North Carolina to Louisiana for many years and enjoyed the many towns and anchorages along the way. Not nearly as many anchorages as there used to be. And many more restrictions on the ones that are left. Florida, especially , seems to discourage boating. Especially transient boating. I got tired of the hassle and high cost of marinas, moorings, and dockage and got out of boating. It’s not affordable for the average pocketbook anymore. It’s just one more thing that belongs to the people with a lot of money. The middle class will soon be no more.
My opinion,
Jerry
Our thanks to Rebecca Maxwell for this report and anchorage recommendation. The Bingham Islands mentioned as a possible anchorage are on the eastside of the ICW immediately south of the bridge. Flagler Memorial. Royal Park and Southern Blvd bridges were under schedule deviations earlier this year. See Directory Listing below for background information.
Bridge is under construction. Clearance is 65’ at lo tide and variance can be 3+’. Bridge openings are on :15 and :45. Our 63’ mast kept us on the southside awaiting low tide. We anchored overnight in 7’ just north of a small cut off Bingham Island. We were far enough out of the waterway for traffic and the holding was good. If you get caught on the southside of this bridge waiting for the next opening, this is a welcome anchorage.
Rebecca Maxwell
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window Zoomed To the Location of Southern Blvd Bridge
The temporary bridge will have a vertical clearance of 14 feet in the closed position and 65 feet in the open position with a 125-foot wide navigable channel. The bridge will maintain an opening schedule of twice per hour at 15 minutes and 45 minutes past the hour. There may be half-channel closures during construction.
Subject line should read “Southern Blvd Bridge” And this is a temporary lift bridge, with two vertical clearance distances — one in the down position and one in the up position. See photo in website link below
It’s a fascinating cruise of some 140 nautical miles from the St. Johns River’s inlet at Mayport, to the city of Sanford on Lake Monroe. And here, cruisers will discover Monroe Harbour Marina, a long-time, cruiser friendly spot!
The safest place I can think of is almost anywhere on the St. Johns river. Monroe Harbour marina is one that I like. It is located in Sanford, which is about 20 miles from Orlando.
Dick
M/V “Ladyhawke”
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Monroe Harbour Marina
DERELICT VESSEL REMOVAL GRANT 2018-2019 OPPORTUNITY ANNOUNCEMENT
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) is announcing the first opportunity to apply for Derelict Vessel Removal Grants for the 2018/2019 budget year. The application period for the Bulk Derelict Vessel Removal Grant Program will begin on September 3, 2018, at 8:00 AM (EST), and end on October 17, 2018, at 5:00 PM (EST). Applications received after October 17, 2018, will not be eligible for consideration in round one. All removal applications must be complete and authorized for removal in the Statewide Derelict Vessel Database as well as demonstrate proof that due process was provided for each vessel’s owner. At a minimum, this would include an opportunity for the vessel owner to challenge the derelict vessel determination, either in criminal court or in an administrative hearing. Vessel cases not demonstrating that these opportunities have been offered to the owners of the vessels will not be considered for state funding assistance. A Letter of Authorization to remove and dispose of the vessel, issued by a law enforcement agency must be included in the application. Should funding be available for a second or subsequent round of applications, new announcements will be made. The grant guidelines and application form may be downloaded at: http://www.MyFWC.com/DVGrant.
You may also receive the guidelines and application by contacting Phil Horning at (850) 617-9540 or email DVGrant@MyFWC.com.
Applications that meet the requirements for the Rapid Removal Grant Program may be submitted at any time after the opportunity announcement start date, but no later than November 23,2019, at 5:00pm (EST) (based on available funding). Rapid removal cases must meet requirements of published guidelines as well as due process requirements. Total funding allocated for derelict vessel removal for fiscal year 2018-2019 was $1,000,000. Applications may be mailed to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, Boating and Waterways Section, Derelict Vessel Grant Program Administrator, at 620 S. Meridian Street – Room 235, Tallahassee, Florida 32399-1600 or emailed to DVGrant@MyFWC.com.
For further information, please contact:
Phil Horning, Derelict Vessel Program Administrator, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, Division of Law Enforcement, Boating and Waterways Section, (850) 617-9540 or email Phil.Horning@MyFWC.com
At the intersection of the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway and the Okeechobee Waterway, Martin County, A CRUISERS’ NET SPONSOR, is a hub of boating activity and of events of interest to boaters.
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The new Brightline rail service, begun in 2017, see https://cruisersnet.net/168686, has been a bone of contention and debate for boaters well before the service began due the increased number of RR bridge closings over major eastern Florida waterways.
Is Brightline bad for South Florida boating business?
Banana River Marina, off the Waterway via Canaveral Barge Canal, flanks the Banana River’s western banks near unlighted daybeacon #24 . Our thanks to Cap’n Parky for this news.
You might like to advise boaters:
Banana River Marina (just south of Cape Canaveral) has been acquired by one of these Developer / Building Contractor outfits. The new owner intends building houses and possibly also sell such buyers a boat slip. Thus we lose one of the lowest priced marinas on the ICW – $7.50 per ft per month. All boats (above 100) have been told to leave by the end of July.
Mind you the Banana River has problems for many boats.
The three bridges on the river have only 43 ft clearance – much too low for many sailing boats.
The river is full of unmarked shallows – less than 4ft. Any boat with a higher draft – or have their propellers below the keel – should go very slow with maximum caution . The channel markers also are very poor and depth of the channel is at best around 5 to 6ft. Bluewater ocean sailors with 6ft or more keels should not even try it.
I’m one of those leaving soon – bound for Savannah. Evading – I hope – hurricanes 😊
Best wishes,
Arnold Parkinson
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Banana River Marina
It will be interesting to see how many boats the new owners of the marina will end up with (as in abandoned) and have to pay to have removed at great expense. I’d guess that more than 75% of the boats in that marina haven’t moved in the 16 years I’ve been familiar with the marina (and former boat yard).
This week a reader, Jim Tracey, brought up an interesting topic of discussion: is the upstream portion of the St. Johns River, which flows south to north, properly called Lower St. Johns, due to its southern location or Upper St. Johns, due to being upstream of the mouth in northern Florida?
If you have cruised or are planning to cruise the St. Johns, and especially if you are a Floridian, we would invite you to weigh in on this “north versus south” topic. Keep it civil please!
CLICK HERE FOR:
Cruising the Upper St. Johns River – Palatka to Sanford (Lake Monroe) by Claiborne Young, February, 2013
Lower St Johns typically means that area north of the fixed bridge at Palatka which restricts most sailboats. Upper St Johns is the segment from Palatka south to the head of navigation just east of Sanford.
I believe upriver and down river should only be used. Less confusing. The Shands bridge at Green Cove Spring has 45′ clearance while the Memorial bridge at Palaka has 65′ clearance.
Excellent suggestion. How completely understandable. Thanks Sean.
Recent news of new public floating dockage at Hugh Taylor Birch State Park opposite Sunrise Bay (see https://cruisersnet.net/173090) raises the question as to why this attractive water expanse is not a listed anchorage. If you have anchored in Sunrise Bay and can address the pros and cons, please let us hear from you.
Yes, you may anchor at Sunrise Bay but be aware of the impact of wakes from the ICW. You will experience less wake impact the further away you are anchored from the ICW.
Other anchorages in the area are Lake Sylvia in Fort Lauderdale, Lake Santa Barbara in Pompano Beach and Boca Lake in Boca Raton. As locals, we have used them all.
Would this be a viable location for a liveaboard or only for an over night?
If not viable could you recommend somewhere nearby with free Anchorage?
Thank you in advance for any help
Jason
Our thanks to Phillip Decker for this article on new public dockage in Fort Lauderdale.
Hi, I ran across this story today about a new floating dock that has just been completed at Birch State Park, in Fort Lauderdale. Birch State Park has lots of room to walk your dog, take advantage of recreational activities, and even enjoy the ocean beach. The dock is directly across from Sunrise Bay, immediately north of the Sunrise Blvd. Bridge. Great anchorage, never crowded. The park has a $2 per person fee, but the office is at the other end of the park from the dock.
Phillip Decker
Hugh Taylor Birch State Park Opens Public Floating Boat Dock And Pavilion by Holly Gambrell in Fort Lauderdale Daily
Captain A.J. Hammer has given Cruisers’ Net permission to share excerpts from his blog, Adventures of OLOH. In these logs you will find beautiful photographs of and comments on the sights and scenes along the waters plied by the M/Y OLOH.
FROM: The Captain –
Conditions_ Sun and clouds.
Winds from the southeast 10-15 mph. Seas 2-3 feet.
Distance traveled_ 56 nautical miles
Time underway_ 7 hours 33 minutes
Key Largo to Fort Lauderdale, April 28, 2018
Old Port Cove Marina, A CRUISERS’ NET SPONSOR, is located on the western shore of the northern Lake Worth channel, near unlighted daybeacon #7. North Palm Beach Marina is found on the southwestern banks of the Waterway south of the North Palm Beach/Parker Bridge.
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Old Port Cove Marina
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of North Palm Beach Marina
With the release of the 2017 Boating Accident Statistical Report, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) encourages boaters to focus on simple, effective steps that make boating safer.
2017 boating accident statistics provide an opportunity for boating safety reminders
Jeff has been acting on an older Cruisers’ Net posting re compressed natural gas. If you can direct Jeff to a source for CNG , let us hear from you!
Unfortunately, it seems this is a dead end. I have called the number above and getting no answer and a voicemail box that is full. I feel like I’m the only one that has CNG on my boat. No one seems to know where or how to get these refilled. If anyone has any updated information about this, please let me know.. Thanks Jeff Sawyer
Additionall, here is a map of fueling stations throughout the state of FL…
Attached is a map of fueling centers for CNG in Broward County…
Our thanks to Norman Mason for this survey of available sources of diesel fuel on the St. Johns River upstream of Jacksonville, FL.
There is no diesel fuel available south [upstream] of Doctor’s Lake Marina on the St. John’s River, including at Monroe Bay Marina in Sanford. Waterway Guide’s 2018 Southern edition shows it available at several places.
Trout Creek Marina near Palatka is accessible if you can get under a 17 foot fixed bridge. This is the listed height on the NOAA chart, however some resources say the clearance is 14 feet. This marina told us their credit card machine was not working and they would only accept cash.
We did not check with Mandarin Holiday Marina, but it is just across the river from Doctor’s Lake.
Georgetown Marina, at the north end of Lake George, told us their diesel system was destroyed by the hurricane. Not sure which one, but no indication it would change.
St. John’s Marina South, north of Hontoon Island, told us their diesel pump was not working, with no indication it was going to be fixed anytime soon.
Sanford Boat Works, which is south of Sanford, may have it available, but there was no answer when trying to contact them on a Saturday. Access to this facility is questionable for deeper draft cruising boats, according to several we talked to.
Anyone cruising the St. John’s should know this, and be sure to fill at Doctor’s Lake Marina, before heading farther south.
Norman Mason
Peggy Sue, Monk 36
California, MD
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Doctors Lake
If anyone is planning on going south on the St.John’s river as far as Sanford and will require diesel to return, you can call the Monroe Harbour Marina in Sanford (407) 322-2910 in advance, they will call for a fuel truck to be there at their fuel dock. I was on a 57′ Hatteras last week that filled up for a trip to Panama City. The marina called Gentry’s fuel in Deland the day before and we met the truck at the fuel dock at 9:30 in the morning. Several years ago I was buying diesel from Sanford Boat Works at the east end of Lake Monroe in Sanford, and also at the Georgetown Marina at the north end of Lake George, but I don’t know if either of them is still selling diesel. Also, Pier 44 in Deland used to have diesel but I never bought any from them. It might be worth a phone call if you really would like to cruise the southern part of the St. John’s as you’ll find that from Palatka south is the prettiest part of the river.
Cruisers Net shows that Sanford Boat Works is still reporting diesel fuel prices as of April 2018. Vessels going up river may want to call them for latest availability.
Renegades, an upscale RV campground and marina is said to have diesel. Renegades is located on the east side if the river south of Welaka and north of Georgetown near Fruitland.
Click for Chartview
San Pablo/Atlantic Boulevard Bridge crosses the Waterway at Statute Mile 744.5. Having seen the currents here for myself, I can tell you that Captain Ising isn’t kidding nor relaying inaccurate data. The water movement can be fierce!
In recognition of that fact, we are establishing an SSECN Navigation Alert for these waters!
We just passed through on 16 Sep 2012 at what was likely max ebb and barely made 1.0 kts SOG. Our boat under full power will do about 6.2 kts, so I estimate the current can get as high as 5+ kts. It was scary with boats ahead and astern wondering if we were going to make it.
Duane Ising
In all of Jacksonville that bridge has the strongest current first only to the Main Street bridge on the Saint Johns river In downtown Jacksonville. The travel under this bridge must scrutinized according to the tides as it is a truly powerful funneling of water through a narrow gap. Water flow can exceed 6 knots.
Dave Bennett
My boat is at Harbortown Marina right there at Atlantic Blvd and the ICW, and yea, I can’t go anywhere when she’s running strong. The current is just as dangerous two miles north where the ICW crosses the St.John’s River, stay well away from the jetty and watch your sideways set action.
Keith Blankenship s/v Renasci
We came through this bridge about the 13th of Nov. 2012 and it was horrible !! Outgoing tide and we had all we could do get through ‘“ my guess is that we were doing no more than 1 ‘“ 1.5 knts; plus the turbulence approaching and under the bridge was like a washing machine. This is an extremely dangerous situation and most expecially when you some idiot approching from the opposite direction with the current, can obviously see that you are having a major control problem and continues to enter the bridge.
Pat Kenefick
If you go to the http://www.deepzoom.com website you can easily see that the Atlantic Avenue Bridge has the strongest daily currents on the entire US East Coast. Use caution and timing and enjoy the push, but wait out the adverse current if you cannot maintain over 7 kts…:D
I sent an email to Deep Zoom to ask if they no longer support the AICW…hmmm
Palm Bay is a city on the Indian River in Brevard County, Florida, between Melbourne and Malabar.
Florida Inland Navigation District to deepen Intracoastal Waterway through Palm Bay from Florida Today
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window Zoomed To the Location of Palm Bay
Enjoy this story from Southern Boating Magazine.
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Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To A “Navigation Alert” Position at San Pablo/Atlantic Boulevard Bridge
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