Cruisers' Net | Cruisers Helping Cruisers

Refresh Your Passing Skills by Bill Parlatore

April 24, 2018 by: Larry Dorminy Leave a Comment

Our thanks to Bill Parlatore for sharing his thoughts on passing skills via his blog, Following Seas. All of us slow-boaters – sail and trawlers – have been victims of skippers in their wake machines who have little no concern for other vessels on the Waterway.

It is about that time when many cruisers will be back on our waterways, heading in all directions. Bringing the boat north for the summer, doing the Loop, or onto SE Alaska, the new season is such an exciting time. On some of our rivers and bays, it can seem like the Wild West. Boats of all sizes are out, going at different speeds and directions, all moving independent of each other.

CLICK HERE FOR Monday Minute from Following Seas

Diesel Fuel Availability on the St. Johns River, off the AICW

April 24, 2018 by: Larry Dorminy Leave a Comment

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Our thanks to Norman Mason for this survey of available sources of diesel fuel on the St. Johns River upstream of Jacksonville, FL.

There is no diesel fuel available south [upstream] of Doctor’s Lake Marina on the St. John’s River, including at Monroe Bay Marina in Sanford. Waterway Guide’s 2018 Southern edition shows it available at several places.
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Trout Creek Marina near Palatka is accessible if you can get under a 17 foot fixed bridge. This is the listed height on the NOAA chart, however some resources say the clearance is 14 feet. This marina told us their credit card machine was not working and they would only accept cash.

We did not check with Mandarin Holiday Marina, but it is just across the river from Doctor’s Lake.

Georgetown Marina, at the north end of Lake George, told us their diesel system was destroyed by the hurricane. Not sure which one, but no indication it would change.

St. John’s Marina South, north of Hontoon Island, told us their diesel pump was not working, with no indication it was going to be fixed anytime soon.

Sanford Boat Works, which is south of Sanford, may have it available, but there was no answer when trying to contact them on a Saturday. Access to this facility is questionable for deeper draft cruising boats, according to several we talked to.

Anyone cruising the St. John’s should know this, and be sure to fill at Doctor’s Lake Marina, before heading farther south.

Norman Mason
Peggy Sue, Monk 36
California, MD

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

Local Knowledge Sought for Browns Inlet, near Statute Mile 237

April 24, 2018 by: Larry Dorminy Leave a Comment

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With a shallow draft vessel drawing only 30 inches, Douglas asks for advice on navigating Browns Inlet – the inlet proper, not the Problem Stretch AICW intersection.

What is last date anybody has used Browns inlet? I am new to area. Looking for a safe inlet to use. Thanks
Douglas Benz

Click Here To Open A Chart View Window Zoomed To the Location of Browns Inlet

Giveaway Alert! Charleston Beach Club, Charleston Harbor Resort and Marina, AICW Statute Mile 465

April 23, 2018 by: Larry Dorminy Leave a Comment

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Charleston Harbor Resort and Marina, A CRUISERS’ NET SPONSOR, sits on the Mount Pleasant side of Charleston Harbor, hard by Patriots Point between Horse Reach’s flashing buoys #34 and #36.

CLICK HERE FOR Giveaway Alert!!

We are so excited to be teaming up with the wonderful Garnet Hill for an all-inclusive Charleston experience! This amazing giveaway is valued at over $2,000! Giveaway closes May 9th. Click the button below to enter.

Enter Giveaway Here!

Click Here To View the South Carolina Cruisers’ Net Marina Directory Listing For Charleston Harbor Marina

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

Albemarle Loop Coupon Requires 2-Week Advanced Reservations for 48 Hour Free Dockage at Alligator River Marina, AICW Statute Mile 84

April 23, 2018 by: Larry Dorminy Leave a Comment

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Our thanks to AGLCA member Mary Kenyon for permission to re-post her recent experience with an Albemarle Loop marina. I spoke with Jack Atwell of the Albemarle Loop and the website has been updated with the specific 2-week advanced reservation requirement for Alligator River Marina. Thank you, Mary, for your follow-up to get the website correction made. Note that Alligator River Marina is the only Loop Marina requiring 2-week advanced reservations.

We stayed at Alligator River Marina last night, 4-21-2018. We called the marina 2 days before and had a reservation. Prior to making the reservation I printed the coupon page from the Albemarle Loop website offering 2 free nights at the marinas on the coupon page. When I presented the coupon for Alligator River Marina to the cashier she said they only honor the coupon if the reservation was made 2 weeks in advance. That information is not on the Home page of the Albemarle Loop website or printed on the coupons. It was sort of discouraging.

I talked to the Albemarle Loop director this morning and he said he will change the website to reflect the reservation requirements on the coupon page. And he is refunding 1/2 our marina fee for that night.

Mary Kenyon

Click Here To View the Cruisers’ Net’s North Carolina Marina Directory Listing For Alligator River Marina

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

Weekly Email Newsletter from the City of Gulfport, Fl, Apr 23-29, 2018, Boca Ciega Bay

April 23, 2018 by: Larry Dorminy Leave a Comment

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Gulfport Marina includes dry boat storage, ship store, bathroom, public boat ramp, parking, fueling stations, lighted range markers and guest docking facility.

Gulfport Municipal Marina, A CRUISERS’ NET SPONSOR, and the City of Gulfport always have a full calendar of events for all ages. The marina and harbor, found on the northern shores of Boca Ciega Bay, are easily accessible from the Western Florida ICW, just north of Tampa Bay.

CLICK HERE FOR THEIR Weekly Newsletter!

Click Here To View the Cruisers’ Net’s Western Florida Marina Directory Listing For Gulfport Municipal Marina

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

Click Here To View the Western Florida Cruisers’ Net Anchorage Directory Listing For Gulfport Anchorage/Mooring Field

Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Gulfport Anchorage/Mooring Field

South Mills Lock Now Operating, Dismal Swamp Canal, AICW Alternate Route

April 23, 2018 by: Larry Dorminy Leave a Comment

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The lock gates have been repaired. Our thanks to Donna Stewart of the Dismal Swamp Welcome Center for this information.

Click Here To Open A Chart View Window Zoomed To the Location of South Mills Lock

Click Here To View the North Carolina Cruisers’ Net Bridge Directory Listing For South Mills Lock

Bahamas Chatter: Reminder – You will NOT be notified by email of replies to Posts

April 23, 2018 by: Larry Dorminy Leave a Comment

Explorer Charts - the best charts for the Bahamas and Exumas

Explorer Chartbooks, A CRUISERS’ NET PARTNER, has long been the standard navigational supplement for enjoyable, informative, and safe cruising through the beautiful Bahamian waters and island visits.

Bahamas Chatter: Reminder – You will NOT be notified by email of replies to Posts
Reminder – You will NOT be notified by email of replies to Posts

Posted: 22 Apr 2018 02:16 PM PDT READ MORE!

Remember, you will only get an email when the FIRST user creates a new topic post in Bahamas Chatter. You will NOT get an email when a user replies to this first post. You must click on the link in the first email periodically to review replies to the original topic. Hopefully Explorer Charts will update to a forum someday. 🙂

Book Your First or Your Next on Bald Head Island, Cape Fear River, NC

April 23, 2018 by: Larry Dorminy Leave a Comment

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910-269-2380 The new 82-slip Deep Point Marina is located on the Cape Fear River in Southport, NC, and offers fuel and transient dockage, as well as daily, monthly and annual slip rentals. The marina is adjacent to the new Bald Head Island Ferry Terminal, which houses a snack bar (open seasonally) that offers grab-and-go food options, soft drinks, beer, wine and coffee. In addition, the Deep Point Marina is convenient to Southport's shopping, restaurants and historic district, and offers easy ocean access.

Bald Head Island is home to Bald Head Island Marina, A CRUISERS’ NET SPONSOR, which is found hard by the seaward mouth of the Cape Fear River, within sight of the “Old Baldy” lighthouse! And while in the area, say Hello to another CRUISERS’ NET SPONSOR, Deep Point Marina, on the ferry side of Cape Fear River.

Firsts on Bald Head Island
READ MORE!

Click Here To View the North Carolina Cruisers’ Net Marina Directory Listing For Bald Head Island Marina

Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Bald Head Island Marina

Click Here To View the North Carolina Cruisers’ Net Marina Directory Listing For Deep Point Marina

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

Bahamas Chatter: “Is Flo’s Conch Bar still open?” plus 1 more

April 22, 2018 by: Larry Dorminy Leave a Comment

Explorer Chartbooks, A CRUISERS’ NET PARTNER, has long been the standard navigational supplement for enjoyable, informative, and safe cruising through the beautiful Bahamian waters and island visits.

Bahamas Chatter: “Is Flo’s Conch Bar still open?” plus 1 more
Posted: 21 Apr 2018 10:30 AM PDT READ MORE!

Is Flo’s Conch Bar still open?

Posted: 21 Apr 2018 10:30 AM PDT

Anyone know if still open and operating?

Tried e-mail and phone without success

Headed over to Bahamas 4/30 from Key Largo, Fl to Bimini, Chubb and Berry’s.

Thanks
Carter Hopkins
Amazing Grace
Chop15802@gmail.com