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    • Sep 28, 2016by:   Larry Dorminy 2 Comments 29.0606,-80.91899999

      Skipper Seeks Information on Ponce de Leon Inlet Area, near AICW Statute Mile 840-843


       View In Chartview

      The “Ponce” is a popular, heavily traveled inlet which intersects the Waterway at Statute Mile 839.5, with a second southerly intersection near St. M. 843. Other than the Nav Alerts currently posted on SSECN, Rick is asking for “local knowledge” for the area around the Inlet. If you are a frequent navigator of the Inlet and the ICW/Inlet intersection, let us hear from you.

      Thanks for your quick reply. A few years ago we were traveling around Ponse Inlet or New Smyrna Beach where there was reported shoaling and frequent marker relocations, is this still a problem and can the area be identified?
      Thanks again
      Rick Scheinert
      43’ Tiara “Rock On”

      SSECN’s answer:
      Hi Rick,
      There were reports of groundings in the Ponce back in July (/157074) which resulted in our posting a Nav Alert (/158393) immediately after the initial report.
      Note that these groundings are in the ICW west and south of the Inlet proper. We have not received reports of shoaling in the Ponce Inlet itself.

      Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Ponce de Leon Inlet

      Comments from Cruisers (2)

      2. Captain Richard Holtz -  September 30, 2016 - 3:22 pm

        Ponce Inlet South to New Smyrna Beach is fine. Once you turn South best water is closer to the eastern shore We are local and this wasn’t as if last weekend

        Reply to Captain
    • Sep 25, 2016by:   Larry Dorminy No Comments 26.6315,-82.06399999

      Report on Olde Fish House Marina, Matlacha Pass, Little Pine Island, off the GICW


       View In Chartview

      Olde Fish House Marina sits on the northwest side of the Matlacha/Pine Island Bridge in the middle of Matlacha Pass, east of the GICW. This marina has not been listed in SSECN in the past, because they did not offer transient dockage. Now a few slips up to 40ft are open to transients on an available basis. They have non-ethanol gasoline and diesel is available via delivery truck.

      Olde Fish House Marina in Matlacha welcomes cruisers.
      Transient slips on a limited basis. $1 a foot per night! Safe protected dinghy dockage available for $5 a day (hot showers too!) See Pine Island Anchorage,
      Ethanol free gas,bulk ice by the basket (it’s a working Fish House),Fresh seafood market (Really), quality restaurant on site and many more within walking distance. Art galleries, gift shops, Publix is about a mile and a half away,post office,public park, bars with nightly entertainment…

      Talk to Lisa about dockage 239-321-3281

      As far as draft goes; I’ve been through the North channel on vessels with a 7′ keel on all but low tide.
      The south channel from Matlacha bridge to the miserable mile can be done in my boat with a 4.6′ draft. The trouble spots are at markers 22 and 38. There’s a big hump @38 that can be avoided by staying West of the marker 100′ or so. Marker 22 should be given a wide berth as well, but only 30′ or so.
      As far as the power lines are concerned ; I have a 44′ mast and I only get a mild shock during extremely high tides. (That was a joke). My chart reads 47′ over the channel. I hug the power pole on the west side and gain another 6-8′.

      Slow down. Make sure you’re in the channel, and come explore a town that most cruisers bypass. I changed my homeport from Key West to Matlacha 20 years ago.
      Syd

      Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Olde Fish House Marina

      Click Here To View the Eastern Florida Cruisers’ Net Anchorage Directory Listing For Pine Island Anchorage

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

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    • Sep 25, 2016by:   Larry Dorminy 1 Comment 34.4312,-77.54829999

      NCDOT Approves Funding to Replace Surf City Swing Bridge, AICW Statute Mile 260.7, Surf City, NC


       View In Chartview

      For some of us older Waterway cruisers, the continuing replacement of swing, bascule, lift and pontoon bridges with high rise fixed spans is a loss of history. On our family voyages, each bridge we encountered was an experience – an opportunity to deal with current, with timing, and to communicate with an unknown, often unseen Waterway tender serving boaters with their own personalities and special ways. I know it’s progress, but it is also a sterilization process, like old mom and pop shops being replaced by malls. And, like malls, once you have seen a high rise bridge, you have seen them all. Thanks to Tom Beaty for submitting this notice from wral.com. See also /157769

      NCDOT approves funding to replace Surf City swing bridge

      SURF CITY, N.C. — The days are numbered for the iconic swing bridge connecting Topsail Island and the mainland at Surf City on the North Carolina coast.

      Media outlets report that the state Department of Transportation has approved a $53 million low bid from Balfour Beatty Infrastructure of Wilmington to replace the bridge with a 65-foot-high fixed-span bridge.

      The new bridge will also have a path for bicyclists and pedestrians.

      The old swing bridge has been in operation for more than 60 years.

      Construction on the new bridge could start as early as this fall and the new span should be open in 2020.

      Click Here To View the North Carolina Cruisers’ Net Bridge Directory Listing For Surf City Bridge

      Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Surf City Bridge

      Comments from Cruisers (1)

      1. William Shaw -  October 1, 2016 - 7:07 pm

        Due to the restrictions, having in some cases to wait 59 minutes to open , I am happy to see it go. Hope figure 8 island and wrightsville beach are next.

        Reply to William
    • Sep 25, 2016by:   Larry Dorminy 2 Comments 31.8609,-81.08369999

      Reports from Hell Gate Problem Stretch, AICW Statute Mile 602


       View In Chartview

      We hear lot of stories of extreme shallows at Hell Gate, so this report from longtime contributor and experienced skipper, James Newsome, is good news, PROVIDED you take his and our advice to wait for mid to high tide if you draw more than 4ft. See /156050 . And see 9/24 report below.

      I negotiated Hell’s Gate on Sunday 08/28/16 traveling northbound exactly two hours before low tide. High tide was approximately 7.3′ for this day. Therefore, we calculated that we had 1.25′ per hour x 2 = 2.5′ of water over low tide. The least water we saw was 8′ which means the net low was around 5.5′. We steered pretty much down the middle following the magenta line, not favoring any marker.
      I draw 5’8″ to 6′ loaded which means I could have made this passage through Hell’s Gate an hour before low tide and barely had water under the keel. At low tide I could not have made it through.
      Based on the draft of your vessel, Hell’s Gate is only a concern within an hour or two of low tide, and if you only draw 4.5′ you can travel through here any time of the day, unless there is a negative tide perhaps. Just take it slow and easy on the south side of Hell’s Gate. There is some squirrelly current on the southern entrance to Hell’s Gate, but it’s nothing to be too concerned about.
      James Newsome

      9/24 Nelms Graham had a less easy passage, even 3 hours after low tide and in a shallow draft vessel!

      Transited Hells Gate on 09/24/16 three hours after low tide, “bumped” in channel approx. 75ft. from marker “89”, in vessel drawing 2-‘6.
      Nelms Graham

      Click Here To View the Cruisers’ Net’s “AICW Problem Stretches” Listing For Hell Gate

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

      Comments from Cruisers (2)

      1. Fragrante Delicto -  March 5, 2017 - 8:08 am

        You fail to mention what tide station you used. Was it Vernon View?

        Reply to Fragrante
      2. Wally Moran -  September 2, 2016 - 11:43 am

        Hey James – thanks for that information – knowing you, I know it is reliable.

        Reply to Wally
    • Sep 18, 2016by:   Larry Dorminy No Comments 25.9569,-81.73039999

      Opinion: Anchoring Conditions in Smokehouse Bay, Marco Island


       View In Chartview

      Sadly, as in many other Florida anchorages, transient cruisers are being painted with the same negative brush as derelict boaters who do not care for the waters and shores they abuse. Smokehouse Bay lies in the heart of northern Marco Island. This fortunate body of water plays host to Esplanade Marina and a good anchorage. Collier Creek is its entrance channel which leaves the Marco Island-to-Naples waterway west of marker #14. Our thanks to Jay and Katherine Light for this report.

      I’m sorry to report that Marco Island has taken yet another step toward proving that they are the most cruiser-unfriendly port in southwest Florida.

      Many years ago, their Town Council passed an anti-anchoring ordinance that took years to get rid of. In a trial, in which Claiborne Young and the maritime lawyer who drafted the State’s anchoring rules testified, the law was found to be unconstitutional on a whole list of grounds and was tossed out.

      More recently, the management of the Esplanade, the condo-shopping mall and marina in Smokehouse Bay made it clear to “those people” who had the audacity to anchor there that they were unwelcome, even though there was an agreement made with the town when the development was built that they would provide dinghy dockage for vessels in the bay. They continued to provide it – in as chintzy a way possible. You can dock your dinghy there for $10, but you must be back and take it out by 6pm or the access to it will be locked up. This means if you want to go into town for dinner, you’d better be a real “early bird.”

      Just last week, we cruised to Marco and anchored in Factory Bay, a little farther up the river. We had always been welcomed there when it was the Marco River Marina. They charged a reasonable $5 a day for dinghies and you got back when you got back. Now that it’s the Rose Marina, there’s a new sign. The dinghy dockage is still five bucks, but they, too, have added the “you have to be out by 6pm” rule. Upon questioning some of their staff about it, the reply was “Well, we’ve had problems with it.”

      The one remaining place to land in Marco is at the Winn-Dixie store on the other side of the Boulevard. You can get there through Smokehouse Bay and under the bridge to the right of the Esplanade. Take the first left under the bridge. There is also a nice public park right next to that bridge, but it is clearly marked with “No Mooring” signs. All it would take to suggest that cruisers were welcome would be for the town to simply take down those signs and replace them with “Mooring for Dinghies of Anchored Vessels.” A single section of floating dock tied to that wall would really be a welcome sign. Given Marco’s history, I’m not holding my breath.
      Jay Light
      s/v ALBORADA
      Fort Myers Beach

      Click Here To View the Western Florida Cruisers’ Net Anchorage Directory Listing For the Smokehouse Bay – Marco Island Anchorage

      Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of the Smokehouse Bay – Marco Island Anchorage

      Be the first to comment!

    • Sep 16, 2016by:   Larry Dorminy 1 Comment

      Best Wishes to Mike Ahart of Waterway Guide

      Mike Ahart, known to many of you as Editor of Waterway Guide, recently announced his retirement and all of us will miss his reporting and words of wisdom. As Editor to Editor, I can attest to Mike’s strong sense of fair play and camaraderie in the publication of information of value to boaters. Especially when I was first editing SSECN, not only could I call on Mike at any time for advice, Mike would actually call me to make corrections in my postings, so that you, the boater, would receive accurate information. Mike was dedicated to the safety of all boaters and he set the standard for integrity in marine reporting.
      We at SSECN wish Mike the very best in his retirement. He will be missed!
      Larry

      Comments from Cruisers (1)

      1. Winston Fowler -  September 16, 2016 - 10:17 am

        Larry you could not have said it better. Mike Ahart was and remains a “team”
        player ; always willing to put the boaters and cruisers first. For Mike service to the public he served came first, not personal credit.
        I take this opportunity to say “thank you Mike Ahart for your contribution to all who were served by your work.” Mike I wish you fair winds, blue skies, gentle seas, and God’s blessings on every step of your new journey.
        Winston Fowler

        Reply to Winston
    • Sep 15, 2016by:   Larry Dorminy No Comments

      US Army Corp of Engineers to Increase Water Flow from Lake Okeechobee

      This release of water has to be attributed to rains from Hermine. Increased water releases from Lake Okeechobee earlier this year resulted in massive fish kills downstream of the release.

      Corps of Engineers increasing Lake Okeechobee discharges
      by Scott Sutton
      The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers announced Thursday plans to increase the amount of water flowing from Lake Okeechobee over the next week….

      CLICK HERE for the full report from WPTV, West Palm Beach

      Be the first to comment!

    • Sep 15, 2016by:   Larry Dorminy No Comments 33.3654,-79.26339999

      Height Restriction at Non ICW Bridge, Pee Dee River, Georgetown, SC, off AICW Statute Mile 401


       View In Chartview

      Jericho Creek exits the Waterway to the west, north of Georgetown at Statute Mile 395. There are 5 recommended anchorages in those waters. The fixed 20ft bridge John Winter describes is just north of the Pee Dee River/Waterway intersection at Georgetown Landing Marina. Thank you John!

      The 20′ bridge on the Pee Dee just north of Georgetown, SC just off the ICW which is the route many boaters take to connect back to the ICW through Jericho Creek is being worked on. It has chain link fencing draped under it to catch falling debris. Clearance is maybe 16′.
      John Winter.

      Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Pee Dee River Bridge

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    • Sep 14, 2016by:   Larry Dorminy 1 Comment 29.8963,-81.30989999

      Question re Mooring in St. Augustine Harbor, AICW Statute Mile 778


       View In Chartview

      A fellow boater asks for your opinion on long term mooring in the St. Augustine harbor. The mooring field has a northern portion and a southern portion. General consensus is that the southern portion, below the Bridge of Lions, is more protected from wind and wake. Let us hear from your experience anchoring there. For more opinions, go to /112455.

      I am considering mooring my 43′ pontoon houseboat here long term, but am concerned about wake from winds, boats, and the current. What are your opinions of how this would work out?
      Laura

      Click Here To View the Cruisers’ Net’s Eastern Florida Anchorage Directory Listing For the St. Augustine Northern Mooring Field

      Click Here To View the Cruisers’ Net’s Eastern Florida Anchorage Directory Listing For the St. Augustine Southern Mooring Field

      Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of the St. Augustine Mooring Fields

      Comments from Cruisers (1)

      1. philip lange -  September 16, 2016 - 5:33 pm

        Lived on board in St A many years ago. North for the summer and south for the winter is the rule, however, neither offers good protection from north and north east wind. Gets REAL bouncy at times. I would recommend Salt Run. Cheaper too.

        Reply to philip

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