The Lantana Avenue drawbridge with a closed vertical clearance of 12ft was closed to roadway traffic on March 18 and will be replaced with a new drawbridge with a vertical clearance of 21ft reducing the required openings by 40 percent. The new bridge is scheduled to be completed in November of 2013.

The bridge is being replaced & is in the open position until they build a new bridge.
George Grafer

Click Here To View the Cruisers’ Net’s Eastern Florida Marina Directory Listing For Lantana Avenue Bridge

Within ten minutes of receiving the important message below from Captain Hyde, the Salty Southeast Cruisers’ Net was on the telephone with Wise Gas, Inc. to determine their area of service. That’s one of the advantages of being a “non-wicki,” professionally moderated web site. Anyway, what we discovered is a potential boon for cruisers in southeastern Florida. More on that in just a second.
So, why is a ready source of CNG such big news for the cruising community? Quite simply, CNG is a superior fuel for all on-board cooking and heating purposes, as compared to propane/LPG. As many of you already know, LPG/Propane is heavier than air and, should there be a leak, can accumulate in bilges or a low place in a boat, leading to a potentially explosive situation. Conversely, CNG is lighter than air, and tends to naturally disperse.
The problem is, as we so clearly learned while formulating the SSECN’s LPG Availability Directories, that CNG is hard to obtain. Quite simply, there are very few dealers to which cruisers have easy access where their CNG tanks can be refilled.
Back to Wise Gas, Inc. Our telephone call revealed that this company will pick up, refill and deliver back to your vessel, CNG tanks from the “tri-county area” of southeastern Florida, which is comprised of Palm Beach, Broward and Dade counties. Additionally, WITH ADVANCE ARRANGEMENTS, sometimes the same procedure can be undertaken along the west coast of Florida, particularly in the Tampa Bay region.
So, while it’s still not a perfect solution, nor one so broad ranging as we would like, at least now from North Palm Beach to Miami, cruisers can be sure of having a source to refill CNG tanks. It’s a start!

Claiborne –
On your recent visit to Punta Gorda, Florida I mentioned to you that if I was ever able to locate a source of CNG for those using the gas onboard their boats, I would let you know. I have finally found a source. Wise Gas, Inc., 1058 Bluewood Terrace, Weston, FL 33327 is source of CNG for vessels and vehicles in south Florida. Its website advises the following:

“At present time, Wise Gas, Inc. is offering CNG tank refills to marine boaters in the South Florida area only. We do anticipate expanding this service in terms of geography and service options in the future. Call Wise Gas, Inc. in advance at (954)-636-4291 to coordinate a CNG refill. A member of our team will meet you, pick up your current, approved cylinder in good condition and refill it for you and deliver it back to you.”
The cost of this service varies based on cylinder size and location. Call in advance to schedule your refilling needs.
E-mail: info@wisegasinc.com
Phone: (954)-636-4291

I recently met with a Wise Gas representative who was in Punta Gorda making deliveries on the west coast and exchanged my empty tank for a full one. It was a smooth and convenient process. The cost was $40.
I would advise your readers to visit the Wise Gas website at http://www.wisegasinc.com for all the information. I hope this helps and thanks for a great presentation to the boaters of Punta Gorda.
Noel Hyde
s/v Kismet

The waters comprising the Lantana Anchorage lie just south of the Lantana Bridge (itself just south of West Palm Beach), and off the AICW’s western flank. Protection is only fair here, and you are subject to the wake of passing vessels.

ANCHORED HERE 2 NIGHTS, I DRAW 7 FEET, NO PROBLEM. JUST KNOW THE DEPTH AND TIDES U REQUIRE.
DINGHY TO OLD KEY LIME RESTAURANT OR BOAT RAMP.
BILL

Anchored there on way south and again on our trip back north last year. One of our enjoyable stops. We draw 5ft and had no problem but there are some high spots to avoid so I would advice circle around before dropping anchor and be mindful of tides. Enjoyed Old Key Lime restaurant and meet up with an old friend there I had not seen in more years then I want to say…LOL…a great stop if weather is right.
Susan Dawson aboard S/V Colleen Mae

Click Here To View the Cruisers’ Net’s Eastern Florida Anchorage Directory Listing For The Lantana Anchorage

Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Lantana Anchorage

Boca Raton Anchorage on the northeastern section of Lake Boca Raton, east of flashing daybeacon #65, but, as Capt. Smith discovered, the preferred entrance channel seems to be on the north side of marker #65.

Be careful entering this anchorage! We anchored here last night (2/28/12) and it is tricky to get into the anchorage. We entered just south of Marker 65 and almost went aground. The anchorage was crowded but everyone entered North of marker 65. We left the anchorage this morning North of the marker and had plenty of water. Nice anchorage It was crowded until dark with locals but we had a nice, quiet night.
Steve and Regina Smith

Good going on giving advice when entering Lake Boca. You can add that the depth is 6 plus all around the perimeter of the lake and the best depths is in the northeast end.
Advice from a resident of Boca for 22 years.
Harold Egor

Click Here To View the Cruisers’ Net’s Eastern Florida Anchorage Directory Listing For Boca Raton Anchorage

Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Boca Raton Anchorage

The Local Notice to Mariners for week 04/12 has a long list of Florida bridge closures for upcoming charity events. Some are only 30-45 minute and some are several hours. Make notes on your calendars and plan accordingly. Some of the listings duplicate earlier LNMs. NB: Main Street Bridge in Jacksonville is US 1, US 17.

FLORIDA – ST. JOHNS RIVER – MAIN STREET BRIDGE – JACKSONVILLE: Bridge Closure.
The Main Street (US 17) Bridge across the St. Johns River mile 24.7, Jacksonville, Duval County, Florida will be closed to navigation from 2:00 p.m. to 2:45 p.m. on January 28, 2012 to accommodate the “Run 5 Keep Kids Alive” event.
Chart: 11491 CG File: 2715

FLORIDA – ST. JOHNS RIVER – MAIN STREET BRIDGE – JACKSONVILLE: Bridge Closure.
The Main Street (US 17) Bridge across the St. Johns River mile 24.7, Jacksonville, Duval County, Florida will be closed to navigation from 8:30 a.m. to 9:15 a.m. on February 18, 2012 to accommodate the “Sulzbacher Center 8k and 1
Mile Run/Walk” event. Chart: 11491 CG File: 2715

FLORIDA – ST. JOHNS RIVER – MAIN STREET BRIDGE – JACKSONVILLE: Bridge Closure.
The Main Street (US 17) Bridge across the St. Johns River mile 24.7, Jacksonville, Duval County, Florida will be closed to navigation from 8:30 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. on March 10, 2012 to accommodate the “Gate River Run” event.
Chart: 11491 CG File: 2715

FLORIDA – ST. JOHNS RIVER – MAIN STREET BRIDGE – JACKSONVILLE: Bridge Closure.
The Main Street (US 17) Bridge across the St. Johns River mile 24.7, Jacksonville, Duval County, Florida will be closed to navigation from 7:00 p.m. on July 4 through 1:00 a.m. on July 5, 2012 to accommodate the “Freedom, Fanfare & Fireworks” event. Ref: LNM 01 and 02-12 Chart: 11491 CG File: 2715

FLORIDA – ORTEGA RIVER – ORTEGA RIVER BRIDGE – JACKSONVILLE: Bridge Closure.
The Ortega River Bridge across the Ortega River mile 0.3, Jacksonville, Duval County, Florida will be closed to navigation from 8:30 a.m. to 8:45 a.m. on February 25, 2012 to accommodate the “Daily’s Ortega River Run” event.
Chart: 11491 CG File: 2376

FLORIDA – BOCA RATON INLET – OCEAN BOULEVARD (SR A1A) BRIDGE: Bridge Closure.
The Ocean Boulevard (SR A1A) Bridge, Boca Raton, Palm Beach County, Florida will be closed to navigation from 7:10 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. on Sunday, April 15, 2012 for the Annual Wellness Triathlon. Chart: 11467 CG File: 2304

FLORIDA – MIAMI RIVER – BRICKELL AVENUE AND 2ND AVENUE BRIDGES: Bridge Closure:
The Brickell Avenue and 2nd Avenue Bridges across the Miami River, Miami, Florida will be closed to navigation from 6:15 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. on April 26, 2012 for the Miami Corporate Run. Chart: 11468 CG File: 2591

FLORIDA – ATLANTIC INTRACOASTAL WATERWAY – WEST PALM BEACH TO MIAMI – HILLSBORO BOULEVARD BRIDGE: Bridge Closure.
The Hillsboro Boulevard Bridge across the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway, Hillsboro, Florida will be closed to navigation from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, February 18, 2012 for the Annual Founders Day Celebration.
Ref: LNM 02-12 Chart: 11467 CG File: 2179

FLORIDA – ATLANTIC INTRACOASTAL WATERWAY – WEST PALM BEACH TO MIAMI – EAST LAS OLAS BRIDGE: Bridge Closure.
The East Las Olas Bridge across the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway, Fort Lauderdale, Florida will be closed to navigation from 6:00 a.m. to 7:00 a.m. on Sunday, February 19, 2012 to facilitate the Annual Fort Lauderdale A1A Marathon. LNM 02-12 ssbnmChart: 11467 CG File: 2444

FLORIDA – ATLANTIC INTRACOASTAL WATERWAY – WEST PALM BEACH TO MIAMI – NEW RIVER – SE 3RD AND ANDREWS AVENUE BRIDGES: Bridge Closure.
The Southeast 3rd Avenue and the Andrews Avenue Bridges across the New River, Fort Lauderdale, Florida will be closed to navigation from 7:00 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. on Saturday, March 24, 2012 to facilitate the “Riverwalk Run” event.
Ref: LNM 51-11 through 03-12 Chart: 11467 CG File:

FLORIDA – ATLANTIC INTRACOASTAL WATERWAY – WEST PALM BEACH TO MIAMI – NEW RIVER – SE 3RD AND ANDREWS AVENUE BRIDGES: Bridge Closure.
The Southeast 3nd Avenue and the Andrews Avenue Bridges across the New River, Fort Lauderdale, Florida will be closed to navigation from 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Thursday, March 29, 2012 to facilitate the “Fort Lauderdale Corporate Run” event. Chart: 11467 CG File: 3017/2128

FLORIDA – ATLANTIC INTRACOASTAL WATERWAY – WEST PALM BEACH TO MIAMI – ING MIAMI MARATHON: Bridge Closures.
The East Venetian Causeway Bridge across Miami Beach Channel will be closed to navigation from 6:00 a.m. to 9:24 a.m., the West Venetian Causeway Bridge across the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway will be closed to navigation from 6:10 a.m. to 9:56 a.m., the Brickell Avenue (US 1) Bridge across the Miami River will be closed to navigation from 6:25 a.m. to 12:45 p.m., and the South Miami Avenue Bridge across the Miami River, Miami, Florida, will be closed to navigation from 6:25 a.m. to 10: 35 a.m. on Sunday, January 29, 2012 from the ING Miami Marathon Event. Ref: LNM 51-11 through 03-12 Chart: 11468 CG File 2591/2351B/2351A/2118

FLORIDA – ATLANTIC INTRACOASTAL WATERWAY – WEST PALM BEACH TO MIAMI – MIAMI BOAT SHOW: Bridge Closures.
Due to the high volume of vehicle and vessel traffic movement during the Miami Boat Show the East and West Venetian Causeway Bridge, Miami, Florida will be placed on a half-hour schedule. The bridges will open on the top of the hour and bottom of the hour from 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. daily, Monday, February 13 through Tuesday, February 21, 2012. At all other times the bridges will open on demand. Vessels that may pass without an opening may do so at any time.
Ref: Docket Num USCG-2012-0002 Chart: 11468/11467

Recommendations from fellow cruisers of this type are the best data anyone can possibly have in their hip pocket!

I just had an insurance survey done in that area (Lantana). A very knowledgeable friend referred me to the surveyor, and I was very satisfied with the outcome.
The surveyor’s name is Mark Rhodes, of Rhodes Marine and Consulting. His business address is in Port St. Lucie. His contact cell phone is (954) 646-3760.
Mark is certified, and I found him reasonable and easy to work with. Turnaround for the report was very timely. The focus of a pre-purchase survey
is different from an insurance survey, but I would definitely use him again.
Jim

Delray Harbor Club Marina guards the Waterway’s western shores, a short hop south of the Palm Beaches.

We stayed at the Delray Harbor Club Marina (mm 1040.7) last night. They are now very Dog Friendly (Treats and poop bag provided) Transient rate is $2.00/ft. Electric included. No Facility Fee was charged.
A large mall across the road has a Publix, Marshalls, Radio Shack, Books a Million, Staples, McDonald and lots more. Showers are on the dock as well as a swimming pool. Marina people are nice. Docks are floating but low and very narrow.
Mitch & Carole Brodkin (with Annie)
on Serendipity

Click Here To View the Cruisers’ Net’s Eastern Florida Marina Directory Listing For Delray Harbor Club Marina

Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Delray Harbor Club Marina

Below, I have copied an interesting discussion from the T&T (Trawlers and Trawlering) list about bottom jobs and repair facilities in southern Florida. There’s a wealth of good info in these messages from fellow cruisers.

Looking for a Boat Yard in Southern Florida, preferably east coast that someone has had a good experience in recently. I’m not picky I just want a H & L and ablative paint bottom job that does not cost $3000 to $ 4000. I would consider as far north as Fort Pierce.
Thanks Duane
MT44

Hi Duane
In Fort Pierce, CrackerBoys (also a yard in Palm Beach, I believe) is good, but a cheaper price can probably be had at Riverside. If having Riverside does it, stay and be observant.
Rudy
Briney Bug

I’ve had good luck with Calusa Island Marina in Goodland FL (next to Marco). After years of feeling I was hosed at various marinas, its a pleasure to do business with either Andrew or Suzy. Tel# is (239) 394-9403. (No financial connections, just a satisfied customer.)
Paul

I recently had a good experience at Barry Brown Marine in Ft. Lauderdale with my boat, a Sea Spirit Passagemaker 60.
Their web site is: http://www.bbmmarine.com/index.html
I had ablative bottom paint done (Interlux Micron Extra), as well as some minor electrical work, and I had them strip all the varnish off my teak handrails. There were also a few “bits and pieces” of other work to be done, and they handled it all reasonably.
Dan

I have researched and inquired about good marinas for bottom painting and here is what I found out. The best work is Merritt Marina, in or near Pomano Beach, higher cost, but they are supposed to be the best. For lower costs, but good is Murrelle Marine in Lantana. 3 plans (to 45′) $32-35-38 per foot depending on which paint. I do not have pricing for Merritt.
Kevin

Heed this warning fellow boaters! And be aware that In Claiborne’s non-lawyer opinion the below described Boca Raton actions are illegal under Florida’s new anchoring law.

Earlier this week, while anchored in Boca Lake, we were approached by a Boca marine police officer. He said the town has imposed a 72 hour limit on anchoring. When we asked about how this squares with the recent news about State laws concerning anchoring, he said Boca Lake is a park and therefore covered by different laws. The office was very polite and cordial.
Dave Coviello

Click Here To View the Cruisers’ Net’s Eastern Florida Marina Directory Listing For Lake Boca Raton Anchorage

After the message above was featured in a Salty Southeast Cruisers’ Net Alert on 8/3/10, we received the flood of input below from the cruising community:

Not a chance in Hades that this will get by. That section of the waterway is clearly an extension of the waterway and NOT a ‘lake’. I’ll be contacting Boca Raton for the boating publications I write for and asking for a full explanation from their mayor. I’ll post the results as I receive them.
Wally Moran

The “local Boca marine police officer” is quite mistaken:
1. ALL NAVIGABLE WATERS IN FLORIDA ARE OWNED BY THE STATE, AND THE NEW STATE LAW APPLIES.
2. EVEN IF SOME WATERS ARE NOT OWNED BY THE STATE (Platted private canals, etc.) THE NEW FLORIDA ANCHORING LAW EXTENDS STATE JURISTICTION AND LAW APPLICABILITY TO “ALL NAVIGABLE WATERS” WITHIN THE STATE WHICH HAS CREATED A DILEMNA FOR LOCAL TOWN WATERS POLICE ENFORCEMENT .
Capt. Ken Wright
North Palm Beach, FL

I think I will skip FL this year and spend this winters’ fees at a different location.
Greg Timko

Figures! Boca has a superiority complex and a Barney Fife M.O. I learned this first hand back in 1985 when, without notice, they had my 25′ sailboat (not derelict but in bristol condition) TOWED. I went to file a police report thinking it was stolen but learned from the BRPD that THEY had it moved citing a local ordinance. The towing company lowered the rig and caused much damage, not the least of which was cutting the standing rigging instead of removing the clevis pins at the turnbuckles. BASTARDS!!!! My beautiful sailboat was towed down to a holding slip in Pompano Beach. The BRPD informed me of the location and said I would need to make arrangements with the marina to pay the storage fees and collect it asap. I went down in the dead of night in a power boat and stole it right back! BOOOYAAAAA !!! It has been my policy to not spend a dime in that inhospitable Mayberry.
stillpissedsailor

Hello all
I contacted Boca city hall, spoke to two people there, and outlined some of the issues that Boca would face should they attempt to enforce an anchoring ordinance, i.e. the issues that faced Sarasota, Marco Island and Stuart when those municipalities did so. I also told them I would be using whatever information I discovered as the basis for an article for several prominent publications for which I write.
Not much later, I received a phone message from the Boca Chief of Police. According to him, Boca is not enforcing, nor looking into an anchoring ordinance, although it was considered a while back.
Thus, I would expect that we shouldn’t be hearing about this in Boca again.
Of course, that begs the question as to where next this outbreak of stupidity will break out again, doesn’t it?
Wally Moran

Any local ordinance is superseded by the state’s anchoring law. For a complete summary of the law go to the following link:
http://www.boatus.com/gov/GA005FLAnchoring.pdf
We suggest that boaters print a copy of this sheet and keep it onboard.
BoatU.S. Government Affairs
David Kennedy

Not only is Lighthouse Point Marina a very cruiser friendly facility, but they are one of the only true marinas on the Waterway between southern Palm Beach and Fort Lauderdale.

30 April 2010. A very nice marina, close to Hillsboro inlet, handy for an early morning departure out the inlet. Local knowledge – the dockmaster and personnel on the Boat US boat located there – assured us there was quite adequate depth in a recently dredged, well marked, short channel out to the leading sea buoy, only cautioning not to turn off before reaching it and that currents could be strong. We timed our departure for the trip north to Lake Worth Inlet for slack water, two hours after low water to avoid wind against current in the face of a 15-20 kt SEer blowing up the channel. We had to punch out against a seaway, at half throttle, with no problems except for bouncing the cat out of her forepeak bunk in the incoming chop! After turning north, we had a fast wing-on-wing run to Lake Worth.
Typical of marinas near inlet entrances, the clientele was mostly pleasure fishing boats and we were somewhat of an oddity but the banter between them,– the stink-potters and us, the “rag sailors” – was friendly. As expected, the fish at the on-site restaurant was fresh and cooked well.
The $10 charge for electricity was the highest encountered to date and I declined the service after first trying to strike a deal, pointing out our lack of refrigeration, corroborated by buying 30 lbs of ice from the marina. Pointing out our metered rate of usage averages $.30 per day made no difference. An attempt was made to justify the high price by saying it was a general charge for the facilities available – primarily the swimming pool (no wi-fi) – which as transients we did not have time to use.
We were allowed to decline a power hook-up without being charged, however, unlike at some marinas we have encountered.
Fair winds and following seas,
Austin Whitten
S/Y “Discovery II”, Vancouver 27

Click Here To View the Cruisers’ Net’s Eastern Florida Marina Directory Listing For Lighthouse Point Marina

I’m a bit perplexed by the posting below from Captain John and Susan. We have never had a problem setting the hook here, but granted, it’s been good four to more likely five years since we anchored on these waters. So, I check the “Comment” on this anchorage (follow link below), and discovered no-one else has had such a problem here either, or at least they have not reported it to us. If any of you out there have dropped the hook on Bal Marra, please share your experiences by clicking the “Comment on This Posting/Marina/Anchorage/Bridge” link below.

We tried to anchor there today (May 9, 2010) and had NO holding at all. 45 Lb CQR dragged through the black mud like there was no anchor on the chain! It did not jump, grab or anything, just ran along the bottom smooth as can be. We tried three times and gave up. At one point we had 90 feet of chain out. We continued north.
John and Susan

Click Here To View the Cruisers’ Net’s Eastern Florida Anchorage Directory Listing For Bal Marra Anchorage

The waters comprising the Lantana Anchorage lie just south of  the Lantana Bridge (itself just south of West Palm Beach), and off the AICW’s western flank. Protection is only fair here, and, as Captain Sterling notes below, you are subject to the wake of passing vessels.

Good holding, but you may get some wakes. However, the tiki bar on shore is worthwhile, with wifi, and good happy hours. Walk to town (one block) for library, drug store, restaurants.
Captain Sterling

Click Here To View the Cruisers’ Net’s Eastern Florida Anchorage Directory Listing For The Lantana Anchorage

This lake-like body of water makes for a great anchor down spot, in a region where there are few anchorages available. However, as far as I know, there is no dinghy/shoreside access available.

Used this anchorage for the first time and found it to be a great place. Had heard of low water at entrance but found no problem on less than 1/2 tide. Even though it was Easter weekend the wakes never bothered us in here.
Larry and Suzi

Click Here To View the Cruisers’ Net’s Eastern Florida Anchorage Directory Listing For The Bal Marra Anchorage

Lake Santa Barbara is found along the western flank of the AICW between southern Palm Beach and Fort Lauderdale.

Anchored here after a long day of bridges with 20 kts on the nose in the ICW. It was actually quite a pleasant anchorage. We anchored closer to the mouth of the “lake” with plenty of water for our 5 ft. draft. Would stop here again.
s/v MicMac

Click Here For The Cruisers’ Net’s Eastern Florida Anchorage Directory Listing For Lake Santa Barbara Anchorage

The Bel Marra Anchorage, described by Captain Thomason below, consists of a lake like body of water, just a short hop off the AICW, north of Fort Lauderdale. There is some shelter from foul weather, but, as Jean notes below. wakes from vessels passing on the Waterway can be a bit of annoyance.

This is one or our favorite anchorages along this stretch. We are usually the only boat anchored here. Once there was another boat which turned out to be people we knew! At close to high tide the center of the basin is over 13 feet. The only drawback is that boats passing on the ICW send in wakes. This isn’t a problem at night and not much on a weekday. A weekend might be another story. While the shore of the lake is all privately owned, there should be places out on the waterway to land a dinghy and dog.
Jean Thomason
DOVEKIE

Click Here To View the Eastern Florida Cruisers’ Net Marina Directory Listing For The Bel Marra Anchorage

PGA Marina is a smaller facility, hard by the PGA Boulevard Bridge, a short hop north of North Palm Beach.  Captains John & Ellie are spot on when it comes to their description of Carmines restaurant. This place is awesome!

When we were in West Palm Beach we called several places to get fuel prices. PGA marina gave us a great discount from their pump price and easily beat everyone else. They verified we were the ones who called when we got there. They also let us stay tied up while I walked to the bank and Carmines, a boutique grocery store with a fabulous Italian deli and great meat and fish. We had arranged that over the phone prior to going in. We had bought our boat only 2 blocks from there a year earlier. The waterfront cafe on the other side of the PGA bridge is fun with good food but a tough walk from the marina (no place handy to cross a busy street unless the bridge goes up).
John & Ellie
ADIOS
Monk 36

Click Here To View the Eastern Florida Cruisers’ Net Marina Directory Listing For PGA Marina