Subject: NC Senate Bill 43
Cruising News: The North Carolina Senate is considering a bill that will mandate compulsory boating education. It is currently working its way though the house and senate. Over a persiod of years it will phase in the reuqirement to pass a NASBLA approved boating course.
John Oberholtzer
Wow, sounds really good Captain Jane. After that linguini with white wine and garlic sauce, I guess you were safe from vampires for awhile!
Click Here For More Information On South Harbor Village Marina
Looks like things are looking up at Beach House Marina since I was last there. This marina is accessed by a canal which cuts south from the Waterway, immediately northeast of the Surf City bridge.
To update your book, Claiborne: Beach House Marina has clean, modern toilets, showers and laundry facilities!
A new restaurant a few short blocks from the marina and just beyond the supermarket is called Just Baked. It has a promising and creative menu. Unfortunately, it is only open for dinner on weekends and we are here on a Tuesday. I don’t know if that’s just off season. They have fresh baked goods in the morning and a nice looking salad and sandwich menu for lunch.
Almost adjacent to the marina on the waterway side is the Crab Pot. We poked our heads inside, but the cigarette smoke was too strong. There is another restaurant just beyond Crab Pot but it is only open I think Thursday through Saturday. Indigo is part of its name.
We then walked to Mainsail, the restaurant you mention in your book but at publication time you hadn’t yet sampled. Mainsail is immediately to the left of the marina and from our experience this evening, we think it’s first rate. They serve local seafood and we can vouch for the fried flounder and oysters. The flounder was lightly dusted with flour and couldn’t have been better. The oysters big and juicy and just the right amount of crispy outside. This is fried seafood the way it’s supposed to be.
Very nice people, too; our server volunteered that the kitchen could customize a vegetable side as I have a food allergy, so it seems that food is made to order.
I asked the server if you need reservations in peak season. She said that from mid-June until kids go back to school it can be a two-hour wait so if you want to eat at a particular time a reservation is a
good idea.
Reading over this email before sending, I realize I discuss toilets, showers and laundry before food. I think that means I’m a real cruiser, now.
Jane
SV Lady Jane
As Captains Jackie and Lynn note below, Joyner marina has risen from the one-time location of Oceanic Marina. This location is found almost due east of the AICW's easterly entrance into Snows Cut.
For those who are planning on coming up the ICW through NC, the old Oceanic Marina has been totally rebuilt and very modern with new floating docks, fuel, pump out, marine supplies, free Wi-Fi, cable, etc. The marina is now named Joyner Marina and the phone number is 910-458-5053. Their web site is www.joynermarina.com . If you dock there, I would recommend that you not dock on the fuel dock as considerable boat traffic goes by but they have good access to well protected docks inside the bulkhead and rock jetty.
I have no association with the marina but with the Carolina Beach State Park Marina not operational this year, Joyner marina and Federal Point Yacht Club would be good choices.
Hope the info is helpful.
May you have fair skies and calm seas,
Capt. Jackie and Capt. Lynn Millikin
Nauti Dreams
Great weather advice from Gary Riss, our Western Florida correspondent!
The weather probably played a significant role in the tragedy off Clearwater in which three people are still missing. Florida weather frontal patterns must be considered when planning a boat trip.
The United States Power Squadrons offer both a multi-week course for interpreting weather and a short seminar. The seminar, which is available to the public, is held by many of the Squadrons on the West Coast. Check with your local Squadron for times and places as these will give you the basics for interpreting the weather and forecasts.
There are a number of easy ways to check on weather. Even your local radio or television station weather person gives some basic information.
In addition, the marine weather radio channel on your VHF radio has up to date predictions. There are several good websites on the internet for obtaining weather forecasts. Some of the sites are government sponsored and some are private. Some that have been useful to me in the past are www.nws.noaa.gov , www.wunderground.com, www.ndbc.noaa.gov/.
Many of the sites will provide wind and wave heights in addition to forecasts. Remember to check the weather and most importantly, to file a float plan before you begin any boat trip. This is an important safety step even if the day is bright and sunny.
Gary Riss
"The Gar"
McCotters Marina and Repair Yard is located on Broad Creek, a few miles downstream of the Washington, NC waterfront. McCotters is one of the largest marinas in North Carolina, and its repair capabilities, as you will see below, are impressive. And, they are a SALTY SOUTHEAST CRUISERS’ NET SPONSOR!
Hello Claiborne:
Just want to let you and everyone know that we just had some repair work done at McCotters Marina in Washington, NC. We could not be happier with the work, Everything was finished on time, and the price was fair. That’s a good recommendation for any repair yard. These good folks receive our hightest recommendation.
Skipper Fowler
Many thanks to Captain Bob for clueing us in to the neat web site he links below. Using this site, you can determine the position, speed and course of large, commercial ships. Should be very helpful when navigating around major ports. One word of warning, this site can be very slow loading!
http://www.marinetraffic.com/ais/default.aspx?centerx=30¢ery=25&zoom=2&level1=140
New Bern’s newest pleasure craft facility, Galley Stores Marina, is located on the Neuse River side of New Bern. And, I’m also glad to note they are a SALTY SOUTHEAST 
CRUISERS’ NET SPONSOR!
Announcing the opening of Galley Marina at Skipjack Landing, New Bern, N.C. We are now open specializing in transient boaters and we wanted to let all you know. We have more then 900 feet of protected dockage, pump out at 10 slips, fuel, a full market for provisioning and shower facilities. We also have decided to lease 12 slips of 45 our slips for permanent dockage. If you are interested in moving your boat for long term or for just a few days let us know. Additionally we have a unique opportunity for groups. We have on our staff, an executive chef who can cater on the dock group meals or individual get always, great for day trips or larger gatherings. Give us a call or contact us at www.galleystores.com.
The "Ace Hardware" store described below is within easy walking distance of Morehead City Yacht Basin (A SALTY SOUTHEAST CRUISERS' NET SPONSOR), or several other marinas along the downtown Morehead City waterfront. I agree with Captains Ron, Peg and Jim. This is an excellent hardware/marine store, in a very advantageous location for cruisers.
There is an amazing Ace Hardware [in Morehead City, NC] which is really a marine store. Perhaps the phrase "commercial chandlery" is more appropriate as they appear to support the local fishing trawlers."
Ron Rogers
Business's name is "Ace Marine and Rigging." Their "primary" business is 1/2" and bigger wire rope and fittings for commercial fishing, workboats and dredges. Manager is Mel Smith. Business location is 600 Arundel Ave, MC, NC, 28557. Contact number is (252) 726-6620, or (800) 622-7592. Excellent stock of 316 SS connectors at the best prices I've seen anywhere; i.e., 5/8" 316 SS bolt 'n pin shackle for $25 bucks. Also great prices on large boat cable in 2-0 and 4-0 sizes, Racor filters ($6 for the 500 size) and oil diapers. They have excellent stock and pricing on bulk 3-strand nylon line for anchor rode and homebrew dock lines, and on chain. It's also a full line ACE Hardware, complete with very large size tap and die in stock. Call them if you know what you want, and Mel will ship. He's a superb guy. Ron is right! It's a unique and amazing place!!! By far the best on the east coast.
No connection; just a very happy customer.
Peg and Jim Healy aboard Sanctuary,
The message below comes to us from Captain Keith Mackey, owner of CC Yacht Delivery (A SALTY SOUTHEAST CRUISERS’ NET SPONSOR, http://ccyachtdelivery.com ). PLEASE patronize Captain Mackey’s service whenever possible.
Spooners Creek is my OLD home base on the North Carolina coastline. The facility is very different now than it was in the days when Bruce, Rene and John Fetzer manned the bastions here, but the new icarnation is very nice as well, and they are also a SALTY SOUTHEAST CRUISERS’ NET SPONSOR (http://www.shoresatspoonerscreek.com/bogue-sound-marina.php)! Spooners Creek’s entry channel lies off the southern flank of the AICW’s run through Bougue Sound, as short hop west of the Atlantic Beach high-rise bridge. See you there!
I did a short little delivery trip on the ICW this past Sunday (1/24/09) from Morehead City to Wrightsville Beach. I had my first opportunity to visit Spooners Creek Marina. While I picked the boat up from a private residence back in Spooner?s Creek, I did have an opportunity to check out the marina before I departed. This is a class “A” facility. The entrance is deep and well marked. The yacht basin is also very deep and the docks and facilities are new and top of the line. While the marina is not on the main strip in Morehead City, it is a very reasonable walk (about a mile or so through the neighborhood) up to HWY 24 where the Super WalMart is located and an Outback Steakhouse is just another 2 or 3 blocks. The marina is directly off the ICW and is well protected.
I hope this is helpful. With kind regards,
Capt Keith
For as long as I’ve been penning my North Carolina cruising guide (1983), there has been a real problem at the AICW/Bogue Inlet intersection, just north of Swansboro near Statute Mile 227. It is EASY to mistake the northernmost Bogue Sound Inlet marker as a Waterway aid to navigation. Doing so can often result in groundings, as that suffered by my late, great friend and graphic artist who drew many of the maps in my cruising guides, Carol Deakin.
Now, below we hear from Captain Dave that there is a new, uncharted Bogue Inlet marker to worry with. The trick is to carefully sort out which markers below to the AICW, and which belong to the Bogue Inlet channel.
Subject: Extra marker
Cruising News: Yesterday while southbound on the waterway around Bogue Inlet, mile 227, just north of marker 45A we ran out of water. The problem occurred due to a uncharted bouy. This bouy is marked red, number 20 and does not show up on either the chart or my chartplotter. At first I thought that this was a temporary waterway marker and planned to pass it on the port side. It quickly became apparant that this was a poor idea and the water shoaled to about 3 feet. I realized the error and was able to advoid going aground, we draw 4- inches. No one that I talked to knows where this bouy came from, however I did not check the Notice to Mariners. In any event, pay attention in this area. There are no waterway markers between 46, 45A and 45. Ignore the red number 20!
Dave Boxmeyer
Wow, check out the attached photo. I bet Bob and Becky wish they were in Florida at this point!
Sounds like a great place for those who want to rest ashore, with solid ground under their feet, for a night or two!
The following, rather lenghty thread, recently appeared on the T&T (Trawlers and Trawlering) List. As you will see, there were many authors. So many, in fact, that it is impossible for me to secure indivicual permissions, so I have omitted names.
With that being said, there is MUCH good information about the AICW in this thread, and I am posting it on all the pages whose coastlne is a part of the AICW!
I'm looking for input from Listees who have cruised the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway.
I'm thinking of running my TomCat to the Florida Keys from Lake Ontario in the fall. I've never cruised the ICW and I don't own a truck; thus, the idea of running the 1,800 miles on its own bottom.
(The TomCat is a 24-foot trailerable powercat with a pilothouse and cruising accommodations. It's powered by twin Yamaha 100 outboards and can easily run at 20 knots all day, if conditions permit.)
The idea is a cruise, not a delivery south. I'm thinking of being under way three to fours per day about five days a week. That might make 300 miles per week or six weeks for the distance. I'd leave Lake Ontario in early October.
Am I being too ambitious or too timid about the rate of progress?
The great thing about the ICW is you can take it at your own pace. The only issue I see with your boat is the trip north of the Chesapeake. From there on take as much time as you need. I suggest you get Dozier's Waterway guides for lots of information along the way. You can also find a lot of info at http://www.cruisersnet.net/index.php from folks that have recently been down the ditch. We have made about 10 trips and still love it. Leaving as far north as you will in October is going to be a challenge weather wise on your boat. You will probably spend considerable time waiting for the right weather to make some passages. So you will need a good source to be able to access weather along the way.
Good luck,
We aim for 60 nm a day about 4 days a week (touring, adventure, or weather usually eat the other 3 days on average).
You'll have no draft concerns with the TomCat throughout the skinny,problem areas. None of that should be a concern to you at all. Youcould even skip most of the offshore parts of NJ by staying inside withyour draft (and some minor planning).
The only thing that I'd think twice about with your plan is your October start. I'd sort of want to be in the Chesapeake by the beginning of October and follow the nice weather south. Otherwise, you'll have some chilly days and nights and some worse weather to deal with.
The ICW is a wonderful trip and makes you truly appreciate the east coast of the United States. There are many adventures along the way and a tremendous amount of exploring that is possible. Leave early, take your time, and don't have any schedule to keep.
You can do it at the pace you suggest or a little faster in some areas or slower… any pace works on the ICW.
Leaving early october should work, although it gets a little chilly then, but being from Ontario that shoudln't be a problem for you… 
at 24' you may have to wait for decent weather to do the short run from cape May to the Jersey ICW, which you will be able to take with your boat.
The next hurdle will be the run up the delaware bay, it can get nasty with short steep waves…
After the Cheasapeke you will have a handful of open stretches like the Albermarle Sound and aligator river, the Neuse River, etc the rest is pretty much inland waters and shouldn't be a problem.
Salty Southeast Cruisers Net and Active Captain are good resources, for marinas
IT's a great trip, so much to see, so much to do!
We cruised the AICW for the first time this past year. Many list members have much more experience than I do, but I'll share my thoughts so you can evaluate how they apply to your trip. First, I too wondered how much distance we could make each day and what a comfortable day was. In our 7 knot boat we averaged 8 hours a day, with a handful of 12 hour days. Some would say this is way too fast, but for Marian and I it worked. With your speed you can stop at the same places we did, yet spend a fraction of the time underway. We faced draft issues at 4 spots along the way. Your cat
will not have any issues, so your unencumbered by the tides. That will mean you have no reason to make a 12 hour day. The biggest issue you will need to address is the areas where your exposed to significant fetch, which in bad weather may cause sea state issues. For many the voyage from NY to Cape May must be done outside, but again, you may have the option of going inside. In that case you have the Delaware Bay, Chesapeake Bay, Albemarle & Pamlico Sounds, Cape Fear River and a few places where the ICW is exposed to the ocean swell to be concerned about. We opted to have our boat 2/3rds of the way up the Deleware Bay by Oct 1 to insure we didn't get stuck with weather issues. This was a good move, but even with this timing we got pinned down 4 times during our trip south. Some long time cruisers of the AICW said this year was worse than past, but others said it was typical. If I didn't have the agenda of viewing the Fall Colors by RV I would have started our trip south a bit sooner, and perhaps gone slower. It seems that most people try to time their arrival at the FL/GA boarder with Nov 1, the end of the most insurance policies hurricane exclusion period. If you don't have such concerns than you can leave later, just realize your more likely to get delayed. Of course with a 20 knot boat you can make some serious distance in a long day, something we couldn't even consider. The other concern I've heard about leaving later is fuel availability, again, not a concern for us as we only filled a half dozen times from Seattle to Boston and back to FL. The only other thing I'd throw at you is to ask what speed your comfortable navigating at. In some of the trouble spots (Lockwoods Folly, Jekyll Island…) I slowed to idle speed. The thought of moving through much of the AICW at 20 knots is foreign to me, it would increase the stress a bit. Anyway, I don't know that this helped, just my thoughts.
Good Luck, I'm sure you will have a wonderful trip.
300 miles a week on the ICW is fairly leisurely, especialy with a 20 kt boat. We usually make 250 to 300 SM (get used to it, everything is in statute miles on the ICW) a day on Pooh, making 7 kts (8 mph). I agree with the other posters who suggested leaving a bit earlier than Oct 1, I'd try to get to Cape May, NJ by then.
My favorite navigation guide is still Skipper Bob's "Anchorages along the ICW". Everything I need, nothing I don't.
Using 10 hours of daylight, you really can't and should not travel the ICW at night, for you to cover 250 to 300 miles per day obviously means traveling 25 to 30 MPH, not 8 MPH. We generally cover 50 to 75 miles per day on a leisurely pace and that places us at good anchorages along the entire route.
My heart started to race when I read you wanted to do the ICW. We, inspite of all the effort required, look back on our journey up and down the ICW and realize that we loved every minute. Can we come with you- please… please.
To allow us a few thoughts not mentioned so far, on other posts:
Traveling the ICW, like everywhere is determined by the weather; something we all probably acknowledge, but often ignore. In the ICW, since it is a "protected" body of water, it is easy to ignore this, but when approaching inlets and the larger bodies of water, the weather is a big consideration.
The time available to travel is usually determined by the daylight available (which can be determined by looking in the Nautical Almanac). However, there were several times when we extended our distance by traveling through dark or fog- this does require close attention to dead reckoning, but for us the challenge (with no electronics) made it fun. The distances went minutes to minutes, instead of the greater distances expected when in more open bodies of water. The fun was exaggerated even more so, in the areas that snaked around. Ironically, we never were "delayed" when traveling like this, probably because we paid attention to details, like staying in the channel!
Often asked how we did it, we explain that we used basic dead reckoning- course to steer, time to next mark (distance divided by our speed), a clock (and at times, a timer) at the helm and having the chart person telling the helmsperson, what to expect- straight, curves, the next marker's characteristics, dangers, etc. When in doubt, we stopped or slowed down until the uncertainty was resolved. This is even easier with a full moon, but much more fun with a new moon, especially in the fog.
With a perusal of your charts, you will probably notice many potential anchorages not included in anchoring lists, that could be of use to you, since you have a boat that has less draft than most. Just because they are not listed, does not mean that you cannot use them. For us not to use a spot for an anchorage, we would have to identify a reason that would suggest not anchor there.
When we choose to anchor at night and want it more likely that we will be seen, we keep more than our anchor light lit. We never hesitated to light our steaming light and our stern light. As far as we know, nothing prevents the use of more lighting (white); your imagination sets the limits. (Since inland regs, unlike in international waters, identify a strobe light as a distress signal, this is an option that we do not use.)
With very few exceptions, there are few designated anchorages along the ICW and having the appropriate day shape, though something seldom seen used, could prove important. The concern here is more legal than practical. We did see a tug/barge run over an anchored boat who was not exhibiting a ball, a situation which probably would have been avoided, under the circumstances, if the tug's captain could have recognized that the boat was anchored. We suspect that the anchored boat, being out of, but beside the channel, will probably share some of the fault, since he was not showing the proper day shape.
Anchoring- mud is the type of bottom that you will find most of, if not, all the way until south of St Augustine, Fl. So, ground tackle and anchoring techniques will need to conform to this.
We found good use for both the Current Tables and the Tide Tables, although Jill found use for the tide tables more often since her "delays" were "bigger" than mine.
Other than "high" winds (what parameters to put on high is dependent on you and your boat), the only consideration we gave to the wind was when they conflicted, in direction, with the current, even though the ICW is "protected" waters. We crossed one inlet, when, halfway through, a minor turn in the channel allowed the current to oppose the wind and we found ourselves in 4 foot seas breaking on our beam, with no opportunity to turn around. Once again we learned something!
Even though it is difficult to correlate the currents with the current tables in areas where the Atlantic ICW was interspersed with inlets, the general rule that we found useful, was that tidal changes start north and progress south. It was this pattern that governed the direction of the currents more so than the distance to the next inlet. This was particularly notable in areas that aligned north/south. In the areas that aligns east/west, the current tables seemed to relate more accurately to the currents. Even with this concept, the best we could do is anticipate what we would find, not what time or in what location we would find it. Logic would assume that the current would change half way to the next inlet, but this does not happen. The direction of the current in the ICW, from the inlet immediately to the north of the segment being traveled, seems to dominate until close to, or at, the inlet to the immediate south. (Hope this makes sense, as we seem
to have difficulty explaining it.)
I have a couple of points to add about the ICW experience for yourconsideration. We haven't done the trip recently, so listees reading this might want toupdate these points.
a.. Navigation. Life became much easier when we converted to computer aided navigation. A notebook powered by a pocket inverter using raster charts enabled us to see our 'little red ship' following the magenta line. We also used the NOAA small craft charts which are the exact charts shown on the computer. Key to all of this is to mark your location frequently so you always know where you are. Some do this with a clothes pin, others by marking the chart with a pencil. Understanding the ICW marking system, which is explained in most Waterway Guides is also vital.
b.. Parties. Find out where they are and try to be there! Thanksgiving in Vero Beach used to be the best one. SSCA has a Gam that is worth visiting and Halloween is more fun in some places.
c.. History. The areas you will be going through have a rich past. It takes some research but it is fun to follow some of the story lines as you travel the ICW. We recommend that people start with "The Boy, Me and the Cat" by Henry Plummer which is a story about a 1912 ICW trip. One of our highlights was meeting the 'boy' in his late eighties not too many years ago.
Your question has generated many fond memories of the ICW experience. I have two more points to pass on for your consideration:
a.. Communications. We find that checking the internet daily is helpful. Many marinas have computers set up or a plug in station available but an onboard capability works best. Plan to use wireless and/or an air card. There are several web sites that post daily updates of shoaling, bridge problems and ICW status which are helpful. The internet is also a great weather source. A cellular phone is helpful for making advance reservations and even talking to bridge tenders. VHF radio is vital IMHO, we scan Ch 9, 16, and 13 to follow waterway activities. Talking to Bridge Tenders on VHF or Cell is an art form, requiring diplomacy and tact. Know your air draft and use the clearance markers, if they are there. VHF weather from NOAA often needs interpretation for the ICW. We learned the hard way that NOAA's high wind and sea warnings often do not apply to the protected waters in the ICW. We don't often use them, but there are several popular SSB and Ham Nets that cover ICW weather & condition reports and provide emergency & social contact with fellow cruisers.
b.. Waterway Manners. The ICW is shared by all types of mariners, some slower than others. Wake control is vital. Since we 'matured' from sail to power I find that I am looking aft as much as forward. We are also sensitive not to 'wake' slower craft when passing and to obey speed limits along private property and in manatee zones. The bottom line is that our limitation seems to be about six hours underway a day because of personal fatigue, even with our wonderful autopilot.
In addition to the fine advice you have already received, I would add that Mark & Diana Doyle's "Managing the Waterway" is an excellent book. You could probably do the ICW with that and a flip-chart but we always have at least three guides open…Doyle, Skipper Bob, the Waterway Guide and also Claiborne Young's guides in areas that he covers.
Captain Scott Bulger has graciously allowed me to copy his note below from the T&T (Trawlers and Trawlering) list. His thoughts are truly one of the reasons that many of us are so hooked on the cruisng life!
As I sit in Ft. Lauderdale waiting for Alanui to ship to Seattle I'm caught up reflecting on what a wonderful voyage it's been. Without a doubt the most rewarding part of the journey has been the people you meet along the way. From the other Nordhavn and trawler owners to the crew on various sailboats along the way, we have met some of the most amazing people in our lives.
I'm particularly in awe of those young families that choose to take their children on these adventures. One family we met along the way is the Besemers. David, Kathryn and Alya are telling their story on the internet via blogs and video. www.threeatsea.com is the url where you can follow along. I'm only mentioning this because so many on the list are considering these voyages and I can't think of a better way to see what it's like then through the eyes of a 12 year old.
Anyway, to all of those we have met along the way, please accept our wishes for a joyous and safe 2009.
Scott and Marian Bulger
What a WONDERFUL idea!
Subject: Memorial Waterways?
Cruising News: Good Morning, Claiborne
After arriving safely in Vero Beach for the winter, thanks to your books, cruisernet, and weather underground, I rode the Greyhound back up to Belhaven to retrieve a car for use while we\'re here. I spent a lot of time on I-95, a large portion of which is named the Purple Heart Memorial Highway. I know that many of the bridges on the ICW are named in honor of someone (George Munson) or something (Memorial Bridge). As I was driving on I-95 I wondered if anyone had ever tried to get portions of the ICW named and signed as Memorial Waterways? I also knew that if anyone knew about it, it would be you. As someone whose son has made the ultimate sacrifice and has posthumously been awarded the Purple Heart, Bronze Star, and others, it would be most meaningful and gratifying to cruise the AICW with the addition of signage indicating the nation\'s honor and respect for those who kept us free. I would like to hear your thoughts on the subject of Memorial Waterways.
Dave Friedrich
Subject: Memorial Waterways
Cruising News: As a veteran of 24 years military service I fully support this idea. As a veteran of commuting for several years on sections of the Blue Star Memorial Highway in the DC area, I don't think we can stand for the waterways to be that dangerous/neglected.
Chris Wain
This is the second posting we have had here on the Net's "North Carolina" page concerning the Whittaker Creek entrance channel in Oriental. Clearly, this passage calls for caution.
Subject: Whittaker Creek Yacht Harbor (Oriental, Statute Mile 181) – Advice on Navigating The Entry Channel
Cruising News: To add some additional info here. When entering and exiting this channel, local knowledge favors the red markers and uses the range at the back of the channel. Whampoa draws nearly 5 feet and this has worked well so far (knock on wood!) but the channel is thin especially when there have been extended south and southwest winds which tend to blow the water out of the creek. The tide here is predominantly wind driven with N/NE winds driving the water into the creek and S/SW moving the water out of the creek.
We have also seen a few folks inbound turn to port between G#5 and G#7 and many promptly run aground. When inbound keep G#5 to port and don't cut it to close as there appears to be some shoaling close to G#5.
Good luck.
Regards, John
SV Whampoa
Subject: St James Plantation Marina
Cruising News: We really cannot recommend this place except in extremis. We called two days ahead for a reservation. We were told then they had no power cord adapters to lend. The young man on the phone told me what kind we’d need. We bought one at West in Southport. We provided our boat dimensions during the conversation and he repeated them. When we arrived, we discovered they do not have full floating docks, they having floating finger piers. This means one has to spring half the boat. Not a problem except the thumb cleats on the pilings are too high and on the wrong side. Then there is the dockhand who grabs your lines and starts securing the boat with out regard for instructions from the helm. Then there is the information you have just been put in a slip that has too little water for your draft at low tide…”but it’s soft mud…so it’ll be okay.” Then there is the discovery that the young man on the phone has told you the wrong kind of power cord adapter. Then when we arrived in the office the two men there carried on a desultory conversation for nearly two minutes without greeting us. When I pointed out the problem with the adapter, I got the three most hated words in the English language “sorry about that” followed by “I’m glad your not pissed about it.
” (When steam was coming from my ears.) When we were given the slip agreement to sign, I needed my legal counsel. Turns out it appears it’s not truly a marina. It seems to be a dockominium and some portion of your transient fees apparently go to the owner of the slip. Which may explain why we were shoehorned into an unsuitable slip when there were hundreds of feet of
(unsold?) easily accesed deep water docks available. When we asked what they proposed we do for heat on the coldest night of the year so far, they suggested we run our genset in the slip. They said, “there’s nobody here to bother.” However we later discovered the boats both sides of us were occupied. Nice grounds, completely indifferent operations.
Chris
Click Here For More Information On St. James Plantation Marina
The charming, historic river town of Columbia, NC, sits on the banks of beautiful Scuppernong River. This stream, in turn, flows into the southern shores of Albemarle Sound, well west of the AICW’s crossing of this often rough body of water.
Just received a note from Captain Ray Smith, which provided a link to a scanned newspaper article concerning changes to the Columbia town dock regulations. This scan is not really in a form easily displyed here on the Cruisers’ Net, so I’m going to summarize.
Effective immediately, the first three nights at the Columbia town docks are free. Thereafter, a charge of $1.00 per foot, per night, will be levied. Free nights can only occur within the span of a single week. In other words, you can’t leave the town docks for one night, come back, and expect three more free nights.
There is also a charge (as has been true all along) for waste pump-out!
Hope everyone finds this helpful!
Wow, I guess GPS chartplotters and even some paper charts CAN get you in trouble!
Subject: Whittaker Creek Inlet
Cruising News: If entering Whittaker Creek near Oriental, keep the green markers on your PORT side. Most GPS and charts seem to indicate keeping the markers on your starboard side. This is INCORRECT. Boats are grounding frequently due to this incorrect information.
Ken Mahren
Click Here For More Information On Whittaker Creek Yacht Harbor
"Ladys Island Swing Bridge Opening for Sailboat (Beaufort, SC)"
by: Bob Schwerzel
