Explorer Chartbooks, A SALTY SOUTHEAST 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: Isles General? Isles General? Posted: 25 Mar 2016 09:48 AM PDT Hi, We’re heading for SCYC soon. We’ve heard that Isles General’s hours have become unpredictable. Is there any truth to this? If true, what are the alternatives? John (Duetto)
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Gigi Leader- March 27, 2016 - 10:10 am
We have been here most of the winter and have not had any issues.
Explorer Chartbooks, A SALTY SOUTHEAST 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: “Island Farm Produce at S. Palmetto Point” plus 1 more Island Farm Produce at S. Palmetto Point Posted: 22 Mar 2016 05:07 AM PDT Island Farm is a 20-minute walk from the anchorage. Great vegetable selection. New phone number is 332-0333 or cell #464-0992. Fresh-baked bread is sold at 9 AM Tuesday and Friday, but sells out quickly.
Hatchet Bay Laundry Posted: 22 Mar 2016 04:55 AM PDT A large clean laundromat is located ~3/4 mile north of the Front Porch restaurant on Queens Hwy. It is Miracle Wash, 335-0003. $3 per wash and $4 per dryer.
Explorer Chartbooks, A SALTY SOUTHEAST 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: “VAT Surprise” plus 1 more VAT Surprise Posted: 17 Mar 2016 03:54 AM PDT We recently had parts shipped to us in Marsh Harbour. We’ve discovered Abaco Freight in Jupiter, but that’s another blurb. Our water heater sprang a leak and needed a gasket. Parts supplier was in Boston, so we had gasket Fedex’ed Overnite to Jupiter and then Abaco Freight shipped it to MH via Cherokee Air. The parts were $52, Fedex US shipping was $70 (remember this number), Abaco Freight was $20. The invoice from the parts house showed $122. When I picked up the package the VAT was $11.41. I assumed the VAT would be on $52 + $20. Wrong! Remember that $70 US Fedex charge, that was also included. The moral of the story is try to minimize your TOTAL shipping cost, including all US shipping. John (MV Duetto)
Shipping into Marsh Harbour (Abaco) Posted: 17 Mar 2016 03:53 AM PDT This is a quick note on getting packages shipped to Marsh Harbour from the US. We recently needed to have 2 steering cylinders shipped from the US. We’ve had small items sent in the past and have used Fedex with good results. The cylinders were approximately 3″x3″x36″ and weighed 7 lbs each. I priced the cylinders from 2 distributors and they were virtually the same price. The Fedex charge was vastly different, $275 vs $125. Even at the lower price I thought that I would explore alternatives. I called Aramak shippers in Marsh Harbour. They said it was too small for them but they put me in touch with Abaco Freight in Jupiter, FL. I emailed them and Kimber Mazzeo (nick@abacofreight.com), the owner, got back to me right away. She explained that based on my sizing, the shipping cost would be $40 and they take care of getting parts through customs. She also explained in detail that she needed electronic copies of the cruising permit and an electronic invoice with the boat’s name on it. So the process is the distributor ships to Abaco Freight c/o you. They put it on a Cherokee Air flight (m-w-f) and you pick it up at the Marsh Harbour airport. I have to say from the time we placed the order we had the parts within 5 business day with no drama. As an aside one of the distributors shipped for free, so the end to end shipping cost was $40. John (mv Duetto)
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Danny Fraino- March 18, 2016 - 1:18 pm
The VAT tax adds an average of 12% to the landed cost of the item. So if an item costs $100 including the freight charges the VAT will be an additional $12. This is in addition to whatever the Bahamas import duty charges are on the item.
Explorer Chartbooks, A SALTY SOUTHEAST 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: Route from Bimini to Stirrup Cay question Route from Bimini to Stirrup Cay question Posted: 11 Mar 2016 09:51 AM PST We intend to spend some time at Great Harbor Cay this year. We are interested in the route north of Bimini to Stirrup Cay. We draw 5.5 feet. Can anyone give us information on this route and it use with our draft?
Explorer Chartbooks, A SALTY SOUTHEAST 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: Hazard in the Barraterre channel Hazard in the Barraterre channel Posted: 07 Mar 2016 04:14 AM PST A 20′ X 2′ X 1/2″ piece of fiberglass with one end in the mud bottom & one end at the surface has been found to exist in the channel north of Barraterre. The object is just west of the recommended route to Barraterre near 23° 42.167′ N 76°02.919′ W. See Chart EX 27, page 43, Explorer Chartbook Exumas and Ragged Islands, Seventh Edition.
As Tim and Lisa Keith-Lucas attest below, Explorer Chartbooks, A SALTY SOUTHEAST CRUISERS’ NET PARTNER, has long been the standard navigational supplement for enjoyable, informative, and safe cruising through the beautiful Bahamian waters and island visits. Great Harbour Cay is located mid-way between Freeport and Nassau.
I want to preface this with a statement regarding our complete lack of experience. This is our first trip to the Bahamas and we are using, besides our navigation charts, the Explorer Chartbook for the Bahamas. The book needs some updating in terms of this Marina, so here goes: We arrived February 29, with no plans to stay here and no reservation. We had anchored out and thought, “why not?” We are so happy we did. The book did not really give this place the credit it now deserves. Thanks to the “campground hosts” Christel and Gary, this is a vibrant, thriving Marina with both transient and long term residents. The place is beautifully kept and clean, the water looks like an aquarium, there are resident manatees, everything works well including the wifi, and the staff is nothing short of amazing. There are activities almost every day, from dinghy convoys to places to view wildlife, festivals with food and drink from local vendors, potlucks, wine tasting, and pizza night. The marina is quiet from early evening til 8am, and people are gracious and polite. It is refreshingly safe and there is no need to lock things up. As far as the options offered on the island, the guidebook can tell you that in a minute or two. My reason for this entry is twofold: one, these are fairly recent developments, so the guidebooks might not tell you just how amazing this place has become, and the Berry Islands are not heavily visited. Two, it is clear that reservations are going to be essential from here on, as word is getting out that this is a great place to be, so plan ahead! We are here for one more week, waiting on a spell of Easter Winds to subside, and the Marina has been full since we arrived. Tim and Lisa Keith-Lucas MV Santa Catalina de Guale
We’ve enjoyed our stay here. It occurred to me, as we are preparing to leave, that a note about the approach might be helpful. The charts indicate that the entrance to the channel that leads to Great Harbour Cay Marina is marked with a range and a set of red/green markers at the entrance. If you could add that the range is no longer there, the red marker is on a post outside the entrance (as you approach this post keeping it on your right, the channel comes into view) but more importantly, the green marker that the chart shows on the left side of the entrance is gone. To make it a bit more exciting, there is a green square sign welcoming you to Great Harbour Cay, but it is on the right side of the entrance!! If you keep this to your left and the red marker to the right, you will go right into a rock wall. If you are coming in for the first time, this will be pretty confusing. Best do it in daylight. Thanks! On to the Eleutheras. MV Santa Catalina Tim and Lisa Keith-Lucas
Tim and Lisa Many thanks for your kind note concerning this beautiful island. We first “found” this slice of heaven in 2005, and back then it was just us and one other boat in the marina for over two weeks waiting for a weather break. We had left Chub Cay headed for West End when the weather really started knocking us hard. We had to find shelter and Great Harbour was the closest to us. We now say it was “divine intervention.” During that two weeks, we met folks from France, USA, the Bahamas who had residences on the island and they all treated us as if we were family. The beach on the opposite side from the marina is one of the prettiest my bride and I have ever enjoyed. Thank you for your updates. Trust the remainder of your cruise will be safe and most enjoyable. Thanks for using “The Salty Southeast Cruisers’ Net”. Winston Fowler
Explorer Chartbooks, A SALTY SOUTHEAST CRUISERS’ NET PARTNER, has long been the standard navigational supplement for enjoyable, informative, and safe cruising through the beautiful Bahamian waters and island visits.
Explorer Chartbooks, A SALTY SOUTHEAST 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: “Staniel Cay Missing Mail Boat” plus 1 more Staniel Cay Missing Mail Boat Posted: 01 Mar 2016 12:35 PM PST The Staniel Cay mail and supply boat is once again absent for want of a part. Last weeks mail boat still has not arrived. Supplies of perishable groceries are in very short supply and some of the restaurants are closed.
Duncan Town – Fresh Water Posted: 01 Mar 2016 04:02 AM PST Does anybody know if it’s possible to fill jerry cans of fresh water in Duncan Town?
Explorer Chartbooks, A SALTY SOUTHEAST 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: “New Routes for Watermakers Air” plus 2 more New Routes for Watermakers Air Outboard skiffs stolen from Wild Tamarind Cay Great Isaac and Great Stirrup Lights relit New Routes for Watermakers Air Posted: 29 Feb 2016 08:23 AM PST Watermakers Air, has begun regular passenger and freight air service into Great Exuma (GGT), N. Eleuthera (ELH), and Great Harbour Cay (GHC), from Fort Lauderdale. Perfect for all crew, guest, and supply needs for boaters!
Please contact us for further information on scheduled flights, private charters, or freight services.
Our business hours are: Daily: 8am – 5pm Our Address at the Fort Lauderdale Executive Airport: Watermakers Air Hangar 19 2331 NW 55th Court Fort Lauderdale, FL 33309
Outboard skiffs stolen from Wild Tamarind Cay Posted: 29 Feb 2016 06:50 AM PST BOLO – 2 Spanish Wells Skiffs Stolen from Wild Tamarind Cay (AKA Rat Cay), Exuma, south of Compass, north of Staniel Cay.
Please be on the look out for Cocoplum and Seagrape, two Spanish Wells Skiffs stolen from Wild Tamarind Cay night of Feb 22, 2016. Wild Tamarind Cay is next to Thomas Cay, a couple miles south of Compass Cay and a few miles north of Staniel. They are identical both with a Yamaha F150 outboard. The names are “Cocoplum II” and “Sea Grape”. Believed to be stolen at the same time so where one is also could be the next… There is a $5k reward being offered PER boat. If seen please contact Rachel at (242) 376-9935 or you can email vshippingbahamas@gmail.com.
Please call Chris Lloyd at BASRA: 242 322-7412, 242 477-2941 or Bob 242 423-3700.
Aerial searches so far have failed to locate the boats as of February 28.
Great Isaac and Great Stirrup Lights relit Posted: 29 Feb 2016 05:07 AM PST The Aids to Navigation Section of the Royal Bahamas Defence Force reports that as January 1, 2016 the lighthouses at Great Isaac and Great Stirrup Cays were again working. Great Isaac Light (26° 01.75′ N/79° 05.25′ W) is shown on Near Bahamas Chartbook, Charts 2 and 5, pages 9 and 15. Great Stirrup light (25° 49.42′ N/77° 54.06′ W) appears on Near Bahamas Charts 4, 6, BER 1, and BER 2, pages 12, 17, 56, and 57.
A spokesman for the RBDF advises they are making a concerted effort to get as many navigational lights working as fast as possible.
No word yet on whether the Northwest Channel light is working.
This schedule of Watermakers Air’s flights to the Bahamas comes from our friend Chris Pitney of Staniel Cay Yacht Club, A SALTY SOUTHEAST CRUISERS’ NET SPONSOR! Staniel Cay Yacht Club, a favorite destination for cruisers in the Exumas, has always been most accommodating for its guests.
Hi Larry – just wanted to let you know that our sister company, Watermakers Air, has begun regular passenger and freight air service into Great Exuma (GGT), N. Eleuthera (ELH), and Great Harbour Cay (GHC), from Fort Lauderdale. Perfect for all crew, guest, and supply needs for cruisers! I’m attaching a map of our routes here in case you can share for us. Thanks! Chris SCYC
Explorer Chartbooks, A SALTY SOUTHEAST 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: Turks and Caicos Radar Station Turks and Caicos Radar Station Posted: 26 Feb 2016 06:11 AM PST The Turks and Caicos Government operates a radar surveillance station that monitors vessels entering and departing their territorial waters. Vessels entering or leaving the twelve mile limit can contact the station by calling “Provo Radio”. The station operates 24/7 on VHF Channels 16 and 64 and also broadcasts navigational warnings and weather forecasts.
The radar and radio transmitters are mounted on a 40 meter tower located in the South Dock area on Providenciales at 21° 44.44′ N/72° 16.26′ W. See Chart TC 3, page 78, Explorer Chartbook Far Bahamas, Sixth Edition.
Explorer Chartbooks, A SALTY SOUTHEAST 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: “George Town Cruisers Regatta Schedule” plus 2 more George Town Cruisers Regatta Schedule Posted: 24 Feb 2016 03:14 PM PST 36th Annual George Town Cruising Regatta Event Schedule (Click Link Above) Theme – Color The Bahamas Everything is Subject to Weather
Four navigational lights relit Posted: 24 Feb 2016 10:42 AM PST The Aids to Navigation Section of the Royal Bahamas Defence Force advises that the following navigational lights in the Abaco area have been relit. All of the lights are shown in the Explorer Near Bahamas Chartbook:
Comments can be directed to the Royal Bahamas Defence Force, 242-362-3091 or aton@rbdf.gov.bs
Electronic Charts for the Bahamas Posted: 24 Feb 2016 10:09 AM PST Conflicting info on the WEB, what is the best electronic charts for the Bahamas and Florida?
Now that many of you are in southern waters and maybe headed for the Bahamas, don’t miss this opportunity to link with the Royal Marsh Harbour Yacht Club, A SALTY SOUTHEAST CRUISERS’ NET SPONSOR!.
Larry, What a magnificent “virtual fellowship” I have had since joining RMHYC over since I saw them as a sponsor of SSEC. I’ve not actually been to Marsh Harbor yet as I am still “caregiving” in Hampton Roads. However, several members including their very astute and friendly Membership Coordinator (Val Nucci) have included me in up to date information and engaged me in email conversation. SO, Someday!
Explorer Chartbooks, A SALTY SOUTHEAST 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: Import duties on alcoholic beverages? Import duties on alcoholic beverages? Posted: 19 Feb 2016 02:49 PM PST Hello, We are trying to find out what the rules are for having liquor aboard before we enter the Bahamas. We have a cruising guide (by Wilson) that lists pretty restrictive amounts. We have also seen posts that suggest stocking up before leaving the States due to high prices.
We tried searching the archives here and on AGLCA. If someone would please direct us to the info or fill us in, we’d sure appreciate it.
Thank you, Kellirae and Bill aboard Ocean Dancer 48′ Ocean M/Y Currently in Key West
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Stephanie DiBelardino- February 26, 2016 - 4:18 pm
Technically, there are restrictions on the amounts you allowed to bring in. If you are arriving on a 26′ fishing boat and have 14 cases of beer aboard, you have a problem. But if you are arriving on a sizeable boat, we have found that the customs agents aren’t going to delve into your less accessible lockers. If you have an obvious bar, they may look at it, but we have never had a problem clearing at West End — every year since 2002.
Explorer Chartbooks, A SALTY SOUTHEAST 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: “Updates to Exumas Need-to-Know Info” plus 1 more Updates to Exumas Need-to-Know Info Posted: 13 Feb 2016 06:20 AM PST It seems that many phone numbers have changed as businesses (and individuals) discontinue their land lines and go to cell phones, which are not listed in the phone book. Here are some recent changes we have found. Make a note in your Explorer Chartbook Exumas on the appropriate Need-to-Know page.
Black Point: Lorraine’s Cafe–change 3125 to 3095 or 3012. Rockside Laundromat–change 355-3055 to 3113. Rockside now also rents golf carts. Add Darlene’s Food Store (on Kings highway east of government dock in blue building) Staniel Cay: Medical Services–change 355-2010 to 225-2710 or 554-2275. George Town: Pharmacy–change 346-2411 to 346-2144.
Please send us any other changes or corrections in local business phone numbers as it is an ever-changing picture!
Bimini Ferry Service Discontinued Posted: 13 Feb 2016 06:03 AM PST The Superfast Ferry, that has been running from Miami to Resorts World on north Bimini since 2013, is no longer in operation. After huge expense to build a 1,000 foot pier in the ocean, with great damage to the environment, the ferry service has shut down. Cape Air is filling the gap with five flights daily to Bimini. Another overly ambitious development plan gone awry!
Explorer Chartbooks, A SALTY SOUTHEAST 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: “Request for Buddy Boat” plus 1 more Request for Buddy Boat Posted: 11 Feb 2016 03:01 PM PST This request came via our partner the Cruisers’ Net for the Intracoastal Waterway:
A boater is requesting a buddy boat or advice for crossing from Lake Worth/WPB to West End or Memory Rock.
Please respond and he will connect with you here.
Here is contact information for Tam & Craig Westover; Phone 651 – 307 – 8214 or 612 309 – 1492 Email: westover4@gmail.com
Satellite Internet – GMN? Posted: 25 Jan 2016 04:44 AM PST We plan on cruising around Berry Islands, Exumas down to Land & Sea Park and back up to Abacos. I’m particularly concerned about having internet connection in Exumas. I must have at least intermittent access for my US Clients during our 3 mos cruising. Has anyone had any experience with Global Marine Network or can recommend another satellite internet service?
Now that many of you are in southern waters and maybe headed for the Bahamas, don’t miss this opportunity to link with the Royal Marsh Harbour Yacht Club, A SALTY SOUTHEAST CRUISERS” NET SPONSOR!.
RMHYC makes $3,000 donation to BASRA
The Bahamian Air Sea Rescue Association (BASRA) is a non-profit voluntary organization committed to saving the lives of distressed seamen or airmen in the Bahamas. It is mostly funded through donations. The Royal Marsh Harbor Yacht Club recently made a $3,000 donation to BASRA to assist in the continuance of that important mission.
The Royal Marsh Harbor Yacht Club (RMHYC) is an organization of land based individuals and boaters in the Bahamas. RMHYC members are very concerned about safety on the water. For many years, the RMHYC has supported BASRA as the main provider of marine emergency services in the Abacos.
RMHYC is based at Boat Harbor marina in Marsh Harbor on Great Abaco Island. The Club (RMHYC.com) welcomes cruisers and land based individuals to our many social activities. Members benefits include marina discounts and discounts at local businesses.
Explorer Chartbooks, A SALTY SOUTHEAST 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: “Cruisers Giving Back” plus 1 more Cruisers Giving Back Posted: 03 Feb 2016 08:33 AM PST After the devastation that Hurricane Joaquin brought to the southeastern islands in the Bahamas, it is encouraging to see so many cruising yachts coming to help. Not only are they bringing lots of supplies, mainly for the schools, but they are also putting in their sweat equity as well. At Salt Pond, cruisers anchored in Thompson Bay have been helping out with putting on new roofs at the Midway Inn, the Oasis Bahamas Youth Network facility, the Farmers Market, and others. Landed locals have helped organize the work parties with tools and equipment, plus transportation and meals.
Good on ya, Mates! Keep it up.
We know that there are many other examples of CRUISERS GIVING BACK, and we’d like to hear about them from you. It is inspiring to us all to know how people are stepping up to help people in need.
Please note that not all marinas responded to our survey request for new information. They are highlighted in red on the survey so that you will know the prices are not necessarily current.
As always, we appreciate the individual reports you send us to keep this survey updated. Send an email to sara@explorercharts.com for any new prices you find as you travel along these beautiful islands.
Explorer Chartbooks, A SALTY SOUTHEAST 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: Regarding the Active Captain comments on its Facebook site about Explorer Charts: Regarding the Active Captain comments on its Facebook site about Explorer Charts: Posted: 01 Feb 2016 07:36 AM PST I recently returned to the Active Captain Facebook page, and I cannot locate the initial post from Mr. Jeff Siegel, or his later amended one, or even a number of the negative comments about the post from Active Captain users. I hope I am wrong, but it appears it has all been removed. (You can learn about that initial posting, and read some direct quotes from it, on the Explorer Charts Bahamas Chatter site.) One of the more disturbing comments from Mr. Siegel was his accusation that the people at Explorer Charts had made “errors (that) are CRIMINAL in the high traffic areas”; (reported at Explorer Charts; emphasis added) The posting went on to push Active Captain’s superior methodology of depth reporting: “Even the most meager attempt to crowd-source depth data is going to blow away all of these chart-producing companies.” Two weeks later, on January 27, 2016, as a member of Active Captain, I received one of Mr. Siegel’s periodic e-mails, and this sentence jumped from the page: “All crowd-sourced data needs interpretation – it’s the nature of the medium.” More about that later. I have been a member of Active Captain for many years, and find the marina reports very useful, as long as you accept the information with an understanding that it may contain the same kind of bias or inaccuracy you might see in a restaurant review on Yelp. There are many very experienced, well-qualified cruisers who use Active Captain, and many who are not so experienced. I’ve been critical of reports that some of the “crowd” make on Active Captain regarding depths. As an example, the “crowd” often reports something like this: “I had 5’ of water all the way in”. But the “crowd” does not report whether that was 5’ under the keel, or 5’ of actual depth, or what the state of the tide actually was at that moment, or whether there were any other factors which affected the tide that day, or – equally important, what was their exact location by lat/lon at the precise moment of the sounding? Were they REALLY in the “middle” of the channel? And of course there is no way to know whether their depth sounders were accurately calibrated. I have absolutely no confidence in such information. It is off-handed, undisciplined, and unreliable. I have used the Explorer Charts for years while cruising the Bahamas, and find them to be incredibly accurate. I’ll take the Explorer Chart data any day over anything else. So Active Captain has two positions: 1) Meager (their word) attempts at crowd source depth data will “blow away” all of the chart producing companies, and 2) ALL crowd-source data needs “interpretation”. In looking at Mr. Siegel’s world, the real question is just WHO will be making the “meager” attempt to interpret the crowd-sourced data? The crowd? Mr. Siegel? It’s also interesting that Mr. Siegel doesn’t go after the electronic chart companies…including those with which he already has a business relationship. Ask yourself, just WHERE does the electronic chart data come from? Explorer Charts is clearly a competitor to Mr. Siegel’s Active Captain, and his tactic of accusing a competitor of criminality says a great deal about his approach. Before Mr. Siegel apparently removed his comments from the Active Captain Facebook site, he made some vacuous explanations for his posting, but never issued an apology to Monty and Sara Lewis and their daughter Kate at Explorer Charts. He needs to do that now. Greg Allard
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John Winter- February 5, 2016 - 7:04 pm
Hear here. I love Active Captain, but take most comments with a cautious eye. Folks such as Explorer Charts are based on real information. Not saying that AC does not include real data, I just agree with Greg on how to use the information. I am a huge contributor to AC and have noticed that even some of my posts have errors (I know, hard to believe isn’t it – LOL?!)
I agree with Mr Allard completely. I use Active Captain and like it. I have also seen countless warning markers on the ICW where people swear they ran aground while in the middle of the channel. Sometimes that’s true but I think mostly people aren’t where they think they are when they run aground. I’ve been over many of those spots at all states of tide with my six foot draft boat and never found those shoals. It tends to diminish ones faith in crowd sourcing. I doubt it will ever replace professionally produced charts ,paper, electronic or otherwise.
Explorer Chartbooks, A SALTY SOUTHEAST 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: Praise for Explorer Charts Praise for Explorer Charts Posted: 28 Jan 2016 08:55 AM PST In response to some recent criticism of Explorer Charts, I’d like to report that my wife and I used them extensively on a recent 9 month cruise and we have nothing but praise. We crossed to West End, then up to the Walkers Cay area, then down through the rest of the Abacos. Next was Eleuthera. We had the unexpected pleasure to meet Monty and Sara Lewis in Spanish Wells- nice folks! Then on down throughout the Exuma chain to Georgetown, and on the return trip north we skirted by Nassau, then over to the Berries, then Cat Cay, then back to Florida. The Explorer Charts are great. I am a land surveyor with 30+ years experience in surveying and mapping. On this trip we routinely used both electronic and paper copies, constantly checking one against the other, and comparing that with our own real-time depth soundings and visual observations. We found the horizontal mapping to be dead-on accurate, and the charted depths a little on the conservative side, as they should be. We had a great time exploring and taking some shoal draft routes, carefully nosing into skinny water while dutifully using visual piloting and minding the tide. The Explorer Charts never let us down. Tom and Robin on “Southern Trawl” Sent from my iPad
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We have been here most of the winter and have not had any issues.