A lot of you have probably been in the same situation as Skipper Len. If you have recommendations for storage of his 28ft sailing vessel, let us hear from you or you may contact Len at his email below.

Searching for affordable dry or wet storage for 28 ft. sailboat from st. Marys to Charleston and points in between.
Or a boat yard with crane for loading sailboat on trailer and use a rv storage facility.  lencad@gmail.com
Thanks, Len

Lang’s Marina in St. Mary’s GA is a good option. I’ve not used this boatyard but understand they will allow owners to work on their boats there, which is a rarity in GA.
http://www.langcharters.com/Lang_s_Marina.html
Morningstar Marina at Golden Isles is an excellent dry and wet storage marina with a public boat ramp across the road from the marina. They do not normally lift sailboats but can handle boats in your size. The staff is awesome. Just ask for the manager, Chris Ferguson. He is very nice. This is my home marina.
http://www.morningstarmarinas.com/golden-isles
Probably the least expensive option is Two-Way Boat Yard near Darien. This is where I have my boat work done. It’s not pretty, but they do good work and will work with you better than any place I’ve dealt with.
http://www.twowayboatyard.com/
James Newsome

Click Here To View the Georgia Cruisers’ Net Marina Directory Listing For Langs Marina

Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Langs Marina

Click Here To View the Cruisers’ Net’s Georgia Marina Directory Listing For Morningstar Marina at Golden Isles

Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Golden Isles Marina

Click Here To View the Georgia Cruisers’ Net Marina Directory Listing For Two Way Fish Camp

Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Two Way Fish Camp

Sunbury Crab Company Marina – Click for Chartview

Sunbury Crab Company Marina, A SALTY SOUTHEAST CRUISERS’ NET SPONSOR, lies off the AICW along the western shores of the Medway River, on the charted Sunbury Channel, north of Dickinson Creek.

Although my visit to Sunbury Crab Company and Marina has been over a year ago, I feel compelled to submit kind words and a hearty recommendation for this excellent marina and restaurant whenever I find the opportunity.
Everyone is always looking for a little local knowledge and treasured stopovers when traveling the ICW. Sunbury is one such place that flies below the radar of most cruisers. Located along an isolated stretch of the GA coastline and several miles up the mostly uncharted Medway River, the marina & restaurant are not well known. One trip there and you will never pass this stretch of the ICW without making Sunbury Crab Company & Marina a regular stopover.
The marina & restaurant are owned and run by Elaine and Bernie Maley and their sons. They literally catch the crab from the river, cook them, bring to your table, mix your drink, and do it all! During weekend visits I think Bernie even plays in the band. I wrote a review for TripAdvisor and called this place a little piece of heaven and the keys all bundled together. For Elaine and her family it is their paradise, and they are willing to share with everyone who stops by.
I suggest calling ahead to make reservations. Calling is much better than email for some reason. After the first couple miles off the ICW the Medway River is not marked. There is a tricky crossover point with 5′ or less water at low tide. After my visit there I marked the channel on a chart and sent to Elaine. It is now posted on their web site.
There are many good articles and reviews about Sunbury Crab Company on the facility’s web site. Believe every word you read! While the crabs are excellent, I think the boiled shrimp are the best I’ve ever eaten – and believe me I’ve eaten a lot of shrimp!!
James Newsome
Contributing Writer – SOUTHWINDS Magazine

Click Here To View the Cruisers’ Net’s Georgia Marina Directory Listing For Sunbury Crab Company

Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Sunbury Crab Company

Brunswick Landing Marina – Click for Chartview

Morningstar Marina at Golden Isles – Click for Chartview

Recently, SSECN has received reports and opinions on Brunswick Landing Marina and Morningstar Marina at Golden Isles (http://cruisersnet.net/?p=135526 and http://cruisersnet.net/?p=135528) Now Skipper Newsome provides a fair and comprehensive comparison of the two facilities.

Both BLM and Morningstar at Golden Isles are great marinas. Over the past 14 years I’ve spent 6 years at BLM and 8 total years at GIM. I’m currently located at GIM and overall prefer it, but it is strictly a personal preference as to what you are looking for in a marina.
DIFFERENCES:
Pool– GIM has a pool, BLM does not. this is very important to us.
Captain’s Lounge – BLM has a newly expanded GREAT Captain’s Lounge with free laundry facilities. GIM does not have Captain’s Lounge but does have an open air Observation Deck with covered roof and grill. There is a laundry room, but it is coin operated.
Restaurant – BLM has no restaurants on the marina property, but there are a few in the downtown area. The walk from the marina to the downtown is reasonable if you’re on the first few docks, but not so much if you’re on the docks closer to the Captain’s Lounge. GIM has a restaurant, Coastal Kitchen, on the property. It is very good, but a little pricey.
Staff – This is the real difference in my opinion. BLM has recently hired marina manager who was the Commodore of the local sailing club. He is doing a great job, but otherwise the staff there is limited to one lady. I have pulled up for gas there and never had her put down the cell phone or quit smoking cigarettes to even help me dock, pump gas, or cast off. GIM has a highly professional staff who are on duty 7 days a week from 7am until 6pm or whenever is needed. I’ve seen them leave after 9pm because they were waiting on a transient to arrive.
Current – No comparison here either. BLM doesn’t have a current, it’s all over at GIM. Depending on your docking skills this is important. While it’s nice not to have a current to deal with, I personally prefer a current. I’m a better skipper because of learning to deal with current at GIM.
Docks – Top notch concrete docks at BLM, and well maintained wooden docks at GIM. No dockboxes at BLM. Large dock boxes at GIM.
Managers – Both marinas have excellent managers. I know both personally, and suggest that you contact them for a tour of their facilities.
Golden Isles Sailing Club – I’m a member and there are members at both marinas. If you’re a sailor then I invite you to join. Great activity all year long with excellent racing opportunities. Some of the member will appear to be a little standoffish, but most are very friendly. It’s one of those things where you just have to walk up, introduce yourself, and then go make your presence known on the race course.
Parking – More than enough at BLM. Not enough at GIM, but you can always find parking.
Access to St. Simon’s Sound – As already pointed out you are very close to open water at GIM. It is a haul from BLM, but not unreasonable. Because BLM is located further inland it is more protected from strong ocean wind. BLM is also very hot in the summer. At low tide you are below the level of the land and it can be like a sauna. GIM is closer to the ocean so if there’s a breeze you will feel it.
Social – Both marina do have active boat owners who are regular visitors to the docks. Social interaction depends a lot on which dock you’re on. I was located on Dock 9 at BLM and for some reason there were very few active boaters there. Seemed like most were just moving up from Florida during hurricane season. I’ve found a much more active social interaction at GIM, but I know it exists also at BLM. In particular the GISC (Golden Isles Sailing Club) members tend to occupy two or three of the finger docks.
There are other differences but these are the ones I consider important. Hope this helps.
James Newsome

To be fair, BLM has TWO full time staff, and is single handed only two low traffic days a week. Our arrivals and departures and pump outs have all been handled by both staff together.
Secondly, BLM has virtually zero current. GIM extends well across a tidal channel that makes all but slack water arrivals a big challenge — not really an issue if one doesn’t come and go.
Chris

Click Here To View the Georgia Cruisers’ Net Marina Directory Listing For Brunswick Landing Marina

Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Brunswick Landing Marina

Click Here To View the Cruisers’ Net’s Georgia Marina Directory Listing For Morningstar Marina at Golden Isles

Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Golden Isles Marina

Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway Crisis
How Did We Get Here And What Can Be Done
A MAJOR Salty Southeast Cruisers’ Net Editorial
by
Claiborne S. Young

Fellow cruisers, the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway faces a maintenance crisis, the likes of which we have not seen since the mid 2000’s. Portions of the AICW in South Carolina and Georgia are now all but impassable at low tide for the vast majority of cruising sized vessels. Something must be done about this state of affairs, and done SOON!

Of course, all of us at the Salty Southeast Cruisers’ Net are well aware that the Waterway has shoaling problems. A goodly portion of every day is spent researching, geographically cataloguing and publishing reports from members of the cruising community about waters along the AICW which have less than ideal depths, sometimes grounding depths. Four weeks ago, however, we discovered that we were missing the forest for the proverbial trees, or, put another way, we weren’t really in touch with the big picture of Waterway problems. Now, all that has changed, and changed in a big way!

This process began wtih a telephone call from Skipper Chase Fields, dockmaster at SALTY SOUTHEAST CRUISERS’ NET SPONSOR, Isle of Palms Marina, located directly off the Waterway, north of Charleston, SC. Chase expressed concern about low water depths along the AICW stretch which passes just north and west of his facility. And, with good reason!

As reported in an earlier SSECN posting (see http://cruisersnet.net/?p=125717), the latest US Army Corps of Engineers survey shows 2 ½ foot MLLW depths on portions of the Waterway channel as it passes north of the Isle of Palms and east (you can think of that as “north”) of the Ben Sawyer Bridge. Yikes

Skipper Chase asked us what the chances were of getting this stretch dredged in 2014. This was our “call to action,” not only to answer Chase’s question, but also to discover how the Waterway had come to this point.

And so, we set off to interview Brad Pickel, Executive Director of the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway Association, various officials in the USACOE, and other US Congressional sources who have asked us not to reveal their identity.

What we learned is not only very interesting, but it is also VITAL KNOWLEDGE for each and every cruiser who ever intends on cruising the length of the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway. Let’s start with how the Waterway got into this condition.

Prior to 2008, the AICW was also having some real shoaling issues. Then, along came the “stimulus package” which the first Obama administration was able to push through Congress. Whatever you may think of this bill, it did funnel more moneys than had been available for years into the USACOE coffers, and the AICW received a whole raft of much needed dredging. Except for two trouble spots in southern Georgia (Little Mud River and Jekyll Creek are special situations), the Waterway was, all of a sudden, in the best shape it had enjoyed since at least the early 1990’s!

And, for the next year or two, some additional dredging took place courtesy of what’s known as “earmarks.” These are, or more precisely, “were,” additional funding appropriations which were inserted into bills which had nothing whatsoever to do with the projects that were funded.

Then, as part of the so-called reform movement in our Congress, earmarks were abolished. Now, the Waterway had to sink or swim on specific bills introduced and passed to maintain its depths. Quite simply, no such bill has ever made it through either the US House or Senate since the abolishment of earmarks!

Needless to say, we asked, “Why?” and were somewhat taken aback by the answer. From sources whose identity we will exercise our First Amendment rights to protect, we were told that the lack of funding for the AICW is an up close and personal example of the total, partisan gridlock now logjamming the US Congress!

We’ve all heard about this sorry state of affairs on the news, so amply sponsored by BOTH political parties, but, WOW, talk about bringing a situation to light in a venue that really HURTS; that’s just what we have front and center with this lack of Federal funding for AICW maintenance.

Furthermore, the Salty Southeast Cruisers’ Net has been informed that there is 0% CHANCE OF BREAKING LOOSE ANY FEDERAL MONEYS FOR WATERWAY DREDGING DURING 2014, AT LEAST! And, the future of any Federal Waterway funding seems problematical, to say the very least!

So, we have the following “AICW Problem Stretches” which are simply going to get worse and worse:

AICW Channel South of McClallanville, SC to Awenday Creek (see http://cruisersnet.net/?p=56218)

AICW North of Ben Sawher Bridge to Isle of Palms Bridge (see http://cruisersnet.net/?p=101792)

Ashepoo – Coosaw Cutoff (see http://cruisersnet.net/?p=5480)

Intersection of Wright River and Northern Fields Cut (see http://cruisersnet.net/?p=5487)

Fields Cut (see http://cruisersnet.net/?p=5479)

Hell Gate (see http://cruisersnet.net/?p=5478)

Little Mud River (see http://cruisersnet.net/?p=5477)

Jekyll Creek (see http://cruisersnet.net/?p=5476)

AICW Channel Through Cumberland Dividings (see http://cruisersnet.net/?p=36781)

Now, those who are very perceptive may have noticed that none of the “Problem Stretches” listed above reside in the states of Florida, or North Carolina. Herein lies HOPE for the future of the AICW!

Since the 1930’s Florida has had a state agency known as the “Florida Inland Navigationa District (or “FIND”), which is funded by a portion of the taxes collected from all state citizens. Put in its simplest terms, where the Federal government does not dredge the Florida portion of the Waterway (and other coastal waters such as inlets), “FIND” does!

Far more recently, my home state state of North Carolina made a bold move in 2013 to improve both maintenance of the AICW and inlets along the Tar Heel coastline. A new bill was passed by the legislature in Raleigh which diverts a portion of the revenues collected by both boat registration and taxes paid on marine fuel purchases, into a fund to dredge coastal waters. Along with some Federal hurricane relief moneys courtesy of Hurricane Sandy, this new law has resulted in currently underway dredging projects which will address ALL AICW Problem Stretches along the North Carolina portion of the Waterway. A completion date for all this dredging activity is slated for early April, 2014 (see http://cruisersnet.net/?p=135383).

Unfortunately, as I have been preaching for the last 15 years (at least), if the AICW becomes unnavigable in one place, that disrupts the entire semi-annual “snowbird migration” cycle. And, the entire Southeastern USA pleasurecraft industry, including marinas, repair yards, boat manufacturers and equipment suppliers, is predicated on this twice a year movement of vessels north or south on the AICW.

So, no matter how good the condition of the Waterway in North Carolina and Florida might be, there are still two other states in the middle. If the AICW deteriorates in SC and GA, the migration will be disrupted, and we are back to proverbial “square one.”

What must be done is to convince the state legislatures in South Carolina and Georgia to undertake a similar plan of action as that adopted by North Carolina in 2013. Until and if the situation in Washington is straightened out, our sources tell us this is the only viable plan of action.

How can members of the cruising community help? First, as you are cruising south or north on the Waterway, or just doing some in-state exploration of your home waters, and you observe depths that are less than what is expected on the AICW, SEND THE SALTY SOUTHEAST CRUISERS’ NET THAT INFORMATION AT YOUR EARLIEST OPPORTUNITY. We will not only make sure fellow cruisers share in your observations, but, working through the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway Association, we can use this data as “ammunition” with the South Carolina and Georgia legislatures.

Secondly, we urge you to spend a whole, whopping $25.00 and join the Atlantic Intracoasal Waterway Association (“AIWA,” http://www.atlintracoastal.org/join-aiwa). These good people are taking the LEAD in lobbying the Palmetto State and Peach State legislatures to do their part in taking care of the AICW. THE AIWA DESERVES THE SUPPORT OF EVERY CRUISER WHO PLIES THE WATERS OF THE ATLANTIC INTRACOASTAL WATERWAY!

Finally, and on a personal note, so my late Mother told me, I have been cruising the Waterway since I was 2 years old (really don’t remember that first trip or two), and I grew up making the semi-annual trek from North Carolina to Fort Lauderdale in the fall, and then reversing the process come spring time. I can’t imagine Southeastern USA cruising without the AICW, and I bet you can’t either.

Let’s all do our part to preserve this magnificent resource, and save it for future generations of cruisers.

Thanks so much for your time and attention. Good luck and good cruising to all!

Great article. Thanks for bringing this important issue to light. We are Florida residents and understand the positive impact that FIND has had on maintaining the intracoastal waterways for use by all.
For the last 20 years, FIND has been very proactive by purchasing land for dredge material management sites that will be needed in the future to provide for proper maintenance of the ICW. The taxes are actually collected only from residents of the 12 counties located on the east coast of Florida. The board of FIND is comprised of a member from each county. FIND has been doing great work, and is an excellent example of how government agencies, when properly run, can have positive benefits.
Thanks again for your article.
Lenny Schelin

Claiborne,
On behalf of the AIWA Board of Directors (who are copied on this email), we truly appreciate your efforts to raise awareness of the challenges facing the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway in your major editorial (link #1 in the alert below). We also appreciate our partnership in spreading the word in other emails and newsletters.
Please let me know how I can be of further service to you and our waterway cruisers.
Respectfully,
Brad
Brad Pickel
Executive Director
Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway Association

What used to be somewhat lovingly called “The Ditch,” is rapidly become “a ditch.” Where I grew up, that was wadin’ water.

We no longer bother going north of Brunswick and once we can get insurance in FL we probably won’t even go that far north. We would rather pay the outrageous premiums than persistently endanger the boat traveling farther north. We don’t expect the waterway to be an amusement park tunnel of love, but we do expect national infrastructure to be managed for national benefit. At this point a new magenta line is moot unless it comes with the caveat, “use only at highest tides.”
Chris

We had planned to go from New Bern to Cumberland Island, and return in March and April. It now looks like it will be trouble than it is worth. A few trips to Ocracoke and other “local waters” will probably be it.
Sorry South Carolina and Georgia will get no revenue from us this spring.
John and Georgie

We sail from Fernandina to Beaufort, skipping all the problem spots. Taking all our money with us.
Ted

Suggest you also submit your letter to several boat magazines to see if one or more might publish them. Southern Boating comes to mind as well as Soundings.
Tom Wemett

Claiborne, excellent article and I hope the powers that be pay attention to it, but as one who does the ICW twice yearly at a minimum, the ICW is not (yet) impassable, despite comments such as I see here from others.
With proper planning, the trouble spots in SC and GA are easily passable, even by deep draft boats. It shouldn’t require this level of caution, no – but for those such as John and George, or Chris, above- perhaps it’s better that they remain in their local waters and spare the rest of us the difficulty of saving them when their lack of navigational skills lands them in trouble.
Regardless of all this, SC and GA do need to ‘get on board’ and dredge their waters as required.
Wally Moran

Joined AIWA today…great suggestion.
Wonderful eulogy for Jack Dozier…he was one hellva good guy.
Jim Schofield
BoatU.S. (retired)

There is a huge difference in the support for maintaining the ICW between Florida and Georgia and the Carolinas because of the fact that the ICW is what gives millions of Floridians waterfront property. Anyone who has traveled the coasts of Florida’s knows that much of it is a channel between rows of waterfront homes. Those homeowners provide lots of political clout and lots of tax dollars for maintaining their lifestyle, whereas there is no significant political or monetary constituency for the Little Mud River area in Georgia. You’ll note that the more populated the area the better maintained the ICW is, in general. In the past the ICW was much more of a commercial highway for barge traffic. As recently as the 1980s, when I first started doing the ICW, a lot of the excitement was dodging enormous barge strings. That business has gone away, and with it the political clout those large businesses had. Sportfishing is still big business, but many of those folks are much less concerned with shallow channels than cruising boaters, which are such a tiny group that they have no political clout. Not sure what the solution is.
John Kettlewell

I could be wrong but have felt that South Carolina and Georgia have also been parsimonious on the waterway marker expenditures. In so many spots it is just an educated guess as which side of the ditch to favor.
Beverly Feiges

Brunswick Landing Marina – Click for Chartview

Brunswick Landing Marina, a very popular facility with long term resident cruisers, actually sits well off the direct path of the AICW, flanking the eastern banks of Academy Creek, just off Brunswick River, near the heart of downtown Brunswick, Georgia. The discussions below, comparing Brunswick Landing with Morningstar Marina at Golden Isles, were copied from Cruisers Forum (http://www.cruisersforum.com/).

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

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.
Finistere

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.
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).
Skipmac

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.
Dale Hedtke

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).
pseelnd

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

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.
Valhalla360

Click Here To View the Georgia Cruisers’ Net Marina Directory Listing For Brunswick Landing Marina

Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Brunswick Landing Marina
________

Morningstar Marina at Golden Isles – Click for Chartview

Morningstar Golden Isles Marina is located on the Frederica River, between Lanier and St. Simons Islands, south of the charted 9 foot bridge. Depart northward from the Waterway south of ICW marker #247 and Frederica River marker #1. The comments below come to us from Cruisers Forum (http://www.cruisersforum.com/).

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.
Sail Fast Live Slow

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.
Valhalla360

I have docked my sailboat at MSGIM for 7 years. They have a top notch staff and an outstanding sunset without the mill. The restaurant is fine dining. Dunbar Sales (on site) provides excellent service, especially if you do not live in the area.
Russell Wright
S/V Tuesday

Click Here To View the Cruisers’ Net’s Georgia Marina Directory Listing For Morningstar Marina at Golden Isles

Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Golden Isles Marina

Savannah Waterfront – Click for Chartview

Ice cream is often the most sought after commodity whenever going ashore, regardless the time of day. When in Savannah, enjoy the recommendation offered by Skipper Susan Landry, co-owner of Beach House Publications, publishers of “The Great Book of Anchorages,” (http://www.tgboa.com)

It is well worth the trip up the Savannah River to sample Leopold’s Ice Cream. They have been in business for almost 100 years and all of the ice cream is made on the premises from their own secret recipes. A short walk down Abercorn to Broughton Street from the waterfront will have you there in no time. This place is a feast for the eyes and ears as well with 10 cent jukebox and original décor.
Susan Landry

Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of the Savannah Waterfront

Marker #32 – Click for Chartview

Much discussion has taken place regarding Marker #32 at statute Mile 690 in St. Andrew Sound, most of which has involved alternate routes to avoid Marker #32. Below, John Hersey, ARGUS Project Leader for SURVICE Engineering Company offers two ARGUS perspectives of the waters surrounding Marker #32.

Marker #32 - Click for Chartview

Captains Chris and Janet are responding to a recent posting relating a very rough passage that adhered strictly to the magenta line through St. Andrew Sound (http://cruisersnet.net/?p=130811). Their suggested route below comes complete with a chart. We would like to hear from others who might have made a similar cut close to Horseshoe Shoal to the west of Marker #32. Note Chris and Janet’s very wise tracking of tide during their crossing.

Unless seriously constrained by draft or schedule, a 6 kt boat passing through Jekyll Creek at high tide can cross the outer end of Horseshoe Shoal well to the west of both #31 and #32. We made our first transit of this area 30 minutes after high tide at the Jekyll Marina Station and never saw less than 12 feet on the shoal with wave conditions moderated.
Heading south [from Jekyll Creek], when the magenta line crossed Latitude 31 on the chart, we turned for the old tower on Little Cumberland Island. When the water depth plummeted (west of #32 by 0.6 nm) we turned to intercept the magenta line off #33. This became our standard route.
Caveat, we are unhurried cruisers with 5.5 foot draft. We arrange our days to pass Jekyll, Crooked River, Amelia River #1, and Sawmill Creek #49, each, an hour before high tide.
Chris and Janet

We have taken a similar path six times across Horseshoe Shoals with our 3ft draft Great Harbour trawler. Our route is more north/south right along 081 25.0 W. We’ve always seemed to transit at half tide or better on both ebb and flood tides and are careful to not let the strong current set us east or west. Correcting for the tide we’ve always seen depths that concur with those charted (7 to 8ft mlw). We don’t turn away from our N/S heading until the depths drop off. Have been hesitant to share this as we are each responsible for our on navigation and have different risk tolerance. With a 3ft draft we are probably more tolerant of 7ft charted depths even in area’s where the significant tidal currents can change the bottom quickly.
Roger Arrowood

Hi All,
I think Capt Chris and Janet have my chart plotter
That is the course I take every crossing of that sound. Good job explaining how to BTW. As always you are welcome to call for local knowledge at Jekyll Harbor Marina or Tow Boat US. We have several Captains that cross the sound each day ferrying clients to Cumberland and can report on conditions. Hope this helps!
Sonny Reeves

Jan 18 2014
We can confirm the above comments on this route.
Came thru 1 hour before high tide with 5.5 ft draft and never saw less than 12′ of water.
Randy Tice

We have crossed this path many times most recent was Jan 12 going South. Always cutting the corner at the angle shown. As soon as we pass R30 we start turning to the light house. We draw 4 ft and have crossed at low tide.
Sonny Reeves

Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of St. Andrew Sound

St. Marys Entrance Channel - Click for Chartveiw

This dredging project is in the St. Marys Entrance Channel into Fernandina Harbor and should not affect Waterway traffic. If you are navigating the Inlet, take note of the relocated lighted daybeacons listed below.

GEORGIA AND FLORIDA-CUMBERLAND SOUND-FERNANDINA HARBOR TO KINGS BAY: U.S. Naval Station Kings Bay, Maintenance Dredging, Entrance Channel, 46-foot Project.
Great Lakes Dredge & Dock Company will be conducting dredging operations February 15 through March 30, 2014 in Kings Bay Entrance Channel.The project consist of excavating material from the entrance channel and disposing at both Fernandina Ocean Disposal site and pumping materialashore to north Fernandina Beach. Dredges Terrapin Island and Liberty Island along with Survey Vessel East River will be on scene monitoring
Marine VHF Channels 13 & 16. Operations will be 24 hours per day, 7 days a week.Material will be excavated from Kings Bay Entrance Channel at STA 170+00 to 200+00 and STA 242+00 to 325+00. Material removed from STA
170+00 to 200+00, between St Marys Entrance LB 16 (LLNR 6600) and LB 14 (LLNR 6590) will be placed at North Beach Disposal Area, throughfloating hoses, and submerged pipeline. Material removed from STA 242+00 to 325+00, between St Marys Entrance LB 8 (LLNR 6560) and LB 12(LLNR 6580) will be transported and bottom dumped at the Fernandina Ocean Disposal Area. Project POC: Bryan Dast, Project Manager 630-699-9995. Mariners are advised to transit the area with extreme caution.
The following aids have been repositioned to facilitate dredging:
St Marys Entrance LB 10 (6570) relocated to 30-42-44.448N/081-21-33.552W
St Marys Entrance LB 11 (6575) relocated to 30-42-37.947N/081-21-33.278W
St Marys Entrance LB 12 (6580) relocated to 30-42-42.923N/081-22-23.203W
St Marys Entrance LB 13 (6585) relocated to 30-42-35.969N/081-22-23.155W
Chart 11503 LNM: 03/14

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

Jekyll Harbor Marina - Click for Chartview

Jekyll Harbor Marina, A SALTY SOUTHEAST CRUISERS’ NET SPONSOR!, lies along the easterly banks of the AICW’s passage through Jekyll Creek, immediately south of the 65-foot fixed bridge. All Waterway cruisers, north or southbound, will pass Jekyll Harbor Marina.

Jekyll Harbor Marina is a great spot right on the ICW to spend the night, or spend several months. We are spending the winter here. Great facilities – pool, restaurant, bicycles available, dog friendly, the staff is friendly and always ready to help, and the General Manager, Scott Todd, makes it all run like a well oiled machine. If they don’t have what you need just ask and they will do everything they can to make your visit a pleasant one.
The Island is not to be missed – oozing with history, awesome dog friendly beaches, beautiful golf courses and miles of scenic bike paths.
Alan /Kathy Morris

Click Here To View the Cruisers’ Net’s Georgia Marina Directory Listing For Jekyll Harbor Marina

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

Thunderbolt Marine - Click for Chartview

Here are good words for Thunderbolt Marine as originally posted on Trawler Forum, http://www.trawlerforum.com/. Thunderbolt Marine flanks the Waterway’s southwestern shores just northwest of the small, charted square cove, south of AICW marker #35.

Thunderbolt Marina is only in walking distance to Tubby’s Tank House. However, they may still have donuts in the morning for transients. Out at Thunderbolt cabs would be my preference to get into town. They may have city bus service out there. I don’t know that they have a courtesy car.
Don on “Monstruck”

Click Here To View the Georgia Cruisers’ Net Marina Directory Listing For Thunderbolt Marine

Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Thunderbolt Marine

Isle of Hope Marina - Click for Chartview

Here are good words for Isle of Hope Marina as originally posted on Trawler Forum, http://www.trawlerforum.com/. A SALTY SOUTHEAST CRUISERS’ NET SPONSOR!, Isle of Hope Marina lies along the northwestern shores of the Waterway in the body of a hairpin turn northwest of AICW marker #46A.

Isle of Hope is a good marina, and sometimes has a loaner car, but walking distance to nowhere.
Don on “Moonstruck”

Click Here To View the Cruisers’ Net’s Georgia Marina Directory Listing For Isle of Hope Marina

Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Isle of Hope Marina

Savannah Waterfront - Click for Chartview

Here are good words for River Street Market Place Dock as originally posted on Trawler Forum, http://www.trawlerforum.com/. River Street Market Place Dock is located on the Savannah River in downtown Savannah.

If you want to be downtown, the River Street waterfront is best. Just fender up, put away, lockup and enjoy. You will not lack for activity both on the water and in town.
Don on “Moonstruck”

Click Here To View the Georgia Cruisers’ Net Marina Directory Listing For the River Street Market Place Dock

Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of the Savannah Waterfront

Marker #32 - Click for Chartview

In addition to Umbrella Cut (see http://cruisersnet.net/?p=128619) and other alternates (see http://cruisersnet.net/?p=118925) to avoid the infamous R32 in often turbulent waters, Captain Ehlen offers the following suggestion that is an “around your elbow” route, but seems straight forward.
THE SALTY SOUTHEAST CRUISERS’ NET WANTS TO MAKE IT CRYSTAL CLEAR THAT WE ARE NOT ADVOCATING THE ALTERNATE ROUTE SUGGESTED BELOW BY CAPTAIN EHLEN. However, now that we have a first-hand account from Captain Richard Ross, cruising aboard the ARGUS cooperative research vessel, Chez Nous, this route is CERTAINLY on our radar to research in the near future!
Even the adventurous among us should not have the tiniest thought of trying to run the channel east of #7 without an up to date and well functioning GPS chart plotter aboard.

I haven’t tried this myself, but looking at the charts it seems to me that there is a deep water alternative.
When heading south, at red #2 at Raccoon Key Split, turn to starboard SW above Horseshoe Shoal. Follow markers 3,4,5 and 6, then turn to port after G7. Head east until back on the ICW between FG33 and G33A.
I hope someone has comments, good or bad, about this alternative.
Wade Ehlen

Here’s a posting from “the archives” that describes the route I recently suggested. Posted on 11-02-2011
“We went through the area yesterday. It was beyond awful in the Sound, so we turned to starboard up the Satilla River to marker 8, turned to port and worked our way through the deeper water back to Cumberland River. This is NOT the charted alternate route, but much shorter and worked for us. It was about 2 hours after high tide and we were able to make it through. We draw 5′. Not flat, but the giant elephants in St. Andrews made it a no-brainer for us.
Take a look, and good luck!
Stephanie Wakelin M/V September Song”
Wade Ehlen

And, finally, HERE IS THE FIRST-HAND KNOWLEDGE OF THIS ALTERNATE ROUTE WE HAVE BEEN SEEKING, and from a veteran cruiser, piloting an ARGUS cooperative research vessel, no less. We have pasted a shot of the channel near marker #7, showing the ARGUS soundings. Click on the chartlet to be taken to a Chart View page of these waters, with the ARGUS layer automatically activated!

We have taken this route twice, and it does avoid the worst of marker 32. The charted depths are fairly accurate, and the only shallow spot is a sharp bump just south of marker 7. Take it slow there, as the bottom rises quickly from 12 ft to about 5 feet MLW, then immediately drops back to 12ft. Click on ARGUS to see the exact spot.
Richard Ross M/V Chez Nous

Came though the same route as Chez Vous early December. Winds ENE 15-20. Good alternative… had same observations. Draft:5.5ft
Doug Jacoby

Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of St. Andrew Sound

Marker #32 - Click for Chartview

The unpleasant passage experienced by Captain Gorham and crew is the reason we continue to look for alternate routes to avoid the infamous R32 in St. Andrew Sound (see http://cruisersnet.net/?p=130801). SSECN has heard similar horror stories and has had a Navigation Alert posted for Marker #32 for some time now.

We had a wild ride southbound through the Sound on November 30, 2013 in our 26 foot Glacier Bay cat. Conditions were a lot rougher than I anticipated, and visibility got bad due to spray and the occasional breaking wave over the bow. We shaved marker 32 close on the western side, and had 10 foot depths that dropped very quickly to 35-40 feet almost immediately after we passed the marker. There were solid breaking waves on the big shoal to the east of the marker at the time, so I suspect it was close on to low tide.
Jonathan Gorham
M/V Top Cat

I talked to a ferry captain that crosses the sound twice each day 365 days a year and he advised that a Northeast wind was the worst for the affect on the waves and current. A Northwest wind would be second worst and then next worst would opposing winds and tides, i.e. West winds with incoming tide or East winds and out-going tide. South winds being most favorable.
Sonny Reeves

Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of St. Andrew Sound

Captain Reeves comments are in response to earlier postings on shoaling waters, such as Little Mud River: http://cruisersnet.net/?p=128659, and many other such reports. ARGUS is a great tool in those areas already documented to be shoaling, as well as those where a captain might suspect a shift in the channel.

If the prudent navigator compares the new ARGUS soundings on all problem areas, there is a clear path to take and it is not the red line. I like the ARGUS soundings, because I can zoom in and see the depths and where they are. I don’t cruise the world now days, but I do enjoy the ICW on the Georgia Coast and it is nice to have accurate information and lots of different views.
I do hope cruisers can continue to enjoy the ICW by using the excellent resources here and pay attention to their charts, depth sounders and common sense.
Sonny Reeves, Jekyll Island

As a long time fan of Argus, we have had the system installed on Beach House for the last year as we cruise. We are happy to contribute to the database and find this an invaluable tool for boaters. Thanks for making the information available on Cruiser’s Net.
Chuck and Susan, Trawler beach House

ARGUS Readings through Little Mud River - Click for Chartview

On any SSECN chartview, simply click the ARGUS box at the top of the screen to bring up the ARGUS symbols.

Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To This AICW Problem Stretch