The Charleston City Boatyard, a subsidiary of Charleston City Marina, A CRUISERS NET SPONSOR, is found on the northern reaches of the Wando River north of red marker #40. Also see Free Bottom Paint Offer.
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Charleston City Boatyard
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Charleston City Marina
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 To Open A Chart View Window Zoomed To the Location of Gulfport Municipal Marina
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window Zoomed To the Location of Gulfport Anchorage/Mooring Field
Palm Coast Marina, one of our newest CRUISERS NET SPONSORS, is located just west of the Intracoastal Waterway at Statute Mile 803 between St. Augustine and Daytona Beach.
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Palm Coast Marina
The Cape Coral Cruise Club is a group of dedicated cruisers who always provide unique reports from the marinas they visit. Pink Shell Beach Resort and Marina, A CRUISERS NET SPONSOR and voted Best Small Marina in 2017, overlooks the westerly banks of the Matanzas Pass channel, west of marker #13. Pink Shell Beach Marina is a favorite of the CCCC, see https://cruisersnet.net/174459
CAPE CORAL CRUISE CLUB
CRUISES TO PINK SHELL MARINA
By Captain John Queen, Past Commodore, Cape Coral Cruise Club
Each month, the Cape Coral Cruise Club takes a scheduled cruise to a different marina in SW Florida and stays there for several days enjoying the amenities and hospitality of that area. We do that nine times a year along with an extended cruise each Spring and take a break during the summer months of July and August. For February 2019, our destination of choice was Pink Shell Marina at Fort Myers Beach.
Pink Shell has always been a popular destination for the club and this cruise was no exception. We had 17 boats arrive on Tuesday, February 19th and it was nice to see the long path of yellow club burgees flying on the bow of each boat. Our club burgee sports our club mascot – a dolphin holding a drink of some sort (an adult beverage, I would surmise). After safely docking Tuesday, club members convened in the late afternoon for cocktails, snacks and conversation.
We fired up the marina’s grill around 5:00 and cooked up hamburgers and hot dogs, and along with a slew of side dishes prepared by club members, had a wonderful feast on the marina lawn.
After dinner, club members met in the Mariner’s room at the resort for a competitive little game I called the “Bagel Finagle”. Each year, when my wife Pati and I host the club’s cruise to Pink Shell, I’ve created some kind of crazy game for members to play we and provide prizes for 1st, 2nd and 3rd places. The object of this game was to transfer 3 bagels from one end of the room to their waiting spouse at the other end of the room, and then walk back and deposit into a bucket. Easy enough, eh…? Not by my rules!
The first bagel had to be placed on the forehead, and without touching it, walked across the room and back. The second bagel was a little trickier where a straw was used to transport the bagel. The third round was the most difficult. In that trip, a spouse had to carry the bagel on their forehead across the room to their waiting spouse and then sandwich the bagel between their foreheads and shuttle back to the waiting bucket. It was a hoot watching everyone do the ‘bangle dance’ with a bagel stuck between their heads!
Wednesday morning, we provided breakfast for all club members consisting of scrambled eggs, sausage links, fresh fruits and pastries.
After breakfast, club members met at the marina lawn at 10:00 for second game – a scavenger hunt! The scavenger hunt consisted of 10 questions where all the answers can be found on the property of the Pink Shell Resort and Marina. Many of the questions consisted of simple math. For example, one question was “Dusseldorf plus Chicago minus the number of planks on the marina gangway”. The marina sports a pole sign with distances in miles to various destinations. So this question was fairly easy, until club members were forced to manually count all 120 planks on the marina ramp! The Marina sports a sign post with distances from it, in miles, to various destinations. This question was quite easy, until Club members realized they had to manually count the 120 planks on the pier access gangway.
The rest of Wednesday found many club members relaxing in the pool, walking the beach, or shopping downtown Fort Myers Beach at Times Square. Wednesday evening, we all took the open-air tram to Nervous Nellie’s for dinner. We had about 35 members in attendance and the restaurant provided us with a private area to dine. The winners of the scavenger hunt were announced and everyone had a good time.
Thursday morning was another round of prepared breakfast with eggs, sausage, fruits and fresh bagels (not recycled!) Club members spent the rest of the day enjoying Pink Shell amenities, visiting with friends, and just plain ol’ relaxing. Thursday night, everyone headed off to dinner on their own. My wife and I joined another couple for dinner at the new Coste restaurant at the Diamondhead Resort on Fort Myers Beach. My salmon served on a cedar plank was absolutely scrumptious!
Fortunately, Mother Nature was quite cooperative during the time we stayed at Pink Shell, and we were truly blessed with lots of sunshine.
On Friday morning, we slipped lines and headed home. Much appreciation goes to Dave and Craig, the dock masters at Pink Shell Resort and Marina, for their hospitality and special accommodation to the Cape Coral Cruise Club for making our trip a wonderful event to remember.
The Cape Coral Cruise Club is open to new members who own a boat with overnight accommodations and reside in the Cape Coral / Ft. Myers area. For membership information please contact Phil Kryger at 239-541-0236. Read additional Club information on its website, www.ourgrouponline.com/CapeCoralCruiseClub
Member boats at Pink Shell floating docks
Docktails on the closed in lawn area
Full moon over the Pink Shell Marquee
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Pink Shell Beach Resort and Marina
Albemarle Loop
Whether you are traveling north or south, the rivers and communities that frame the Albemarle Sound are inviting you to explore their shores and experience their warm southern hospitality. A community of marine businesses and historical locations, located on and around the Albemarle Sound of North Carolina, have organized to serve boaters through the Albemarle Loop. For more see FOCUS ON Albemarle Loop. Our thanks to Sam Giovinazzi for this invitation to Albemarle Sound Marina Festivals!
The 2019 Albemarle Loop cruisers program will include the Albemarle Sound Marina Festivals, April 26-June 9, 2019. For information, see Life on the Loop www.albemarleloop.com and www.facebook.com/AlbemarleLoop. These web sites are the GOTO locations for the Events Calendar. Thirteen marinas are grouped together promoting Food, Arts, Fairs, Festivals, Waterfront Communities around Albemarle Sound. If you are interested in adding a www.albemarleloop.com link to your web site contact me at Felix “Sam” Giovinazzi, sam.giovinazzi@gmail.com, 858 414 8727.
Participating marinas:
Albemarle Plantation**
Edenton Harbor**
The 51 House at Wharf Landing
Columbia Municipal Marina
Hertford Bay Marina
The Pelican Marina
Yacht Doc@ Cypress Cove
Elizabeth City Mariners Wharf**
Plymouth Landing Marina
Alligator River Marina
Dismal Swamp Visitors Center**
Shallowbag Bay Marina
Waterside Marina Downtown Norfolk
** CRUISERS NET SPONSORS
Best regards,
Looking forward to working with you
Sam Giovinazzi
Marketing and Sales Director
Albemarle Loop
This additional meeting in Marathon follows earlier ones scheduled in February, see Public Meetings on Lake Okeechobee Operations.
News Release: Corps announces public meeting in Florida Keys for Lake Okeechobee System Operating Manual; public scoping comment period extended to April 22
https://www.saj.usace.army.mil
Contact
Erica Skolte
561-340-1527
561-801-5734 (cell)
Erica.A.Skolte@usace.army.mil
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Jacksonville District announces an additional public scoping meeting in the Florida Keys regarding the development of the new Lake Okeechobee System Operating Manual (LOSOM). This will be the final meeting in a series of National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) public scoping meetings held throughout south Florida. After the scoping comments are analyzed, series of workshops will be announced in the future. The public scoping comment period will be extended through Monday, April 22, 2019.
The public is invited to provide input during a public scoping meeting on Wednesday, March 20, 2019, from 3 to 5 p.m. at the Marathon Government Center, 2798 Overseas Highway, BOCC Room (second floor), Marathon, FL 33050.
“We had excellent turnout at the public scoping meetings in Lehigh, Okeechobee, Clewiston, Stuart, Fort Lauderdale, West Palm Beach and Miami Gardens. More than 1,700 people came out to listen and provide comments on the things that are most important to them. We heard a lot of feedback regarding the priorities and concerns of people from all around the lake and south of the lake,” said Lt. Col. Jennifer Reynolds, Deputy Commander for South Florida. “We added a meeting in the Keys to ensure we have covered all the areas that might be affected by our lake and system operational decisions. It’s important to listen to the people who live, work and recreate near Florida Bay, at the south end of the system. It’s all connected.”
Our thanks to Looper Dave Fuller for allowing us to share his excellent report on the AICW/St. Johns River Intersection as posted on AGLCA’s Forum.
As others have reported, this area has been dredged and a new channel was cut for safe passage. The problem is that the old legacy markers G5, G7, and R6 are still on station and the Coast Guard has not updated their charts to show placement of the new ICW markers G7 and G5. The charts do show the new channel however.
A survey was taken back in November 2018 that shows the shoaling area very well. See pic below labeled “1 Survey”. Note that the individual who posted the survey to the Waterway Guide Nav Alert also took a path similar to Alex, south and west of the shoaling area. Obviously you can be successful this way, but this is not the new channel. Also note in the pic that old G7 and R6 do a great job of marking the south side of shoal while G5 marks the north side of shoal. Using these old markers will guarantee a grounding.
The new channel is EAST and North of the shoaling area. I personally have taken this route, EAST and North of the shoaling two times with no issues.
I found a pic in the Coast Guard Notice to Mariners that shows the new route as well as the placement of the new G7 and G5 markers. See pic labeled “2 Dredged Route” I added a red circle to mark the shoaling, circled the new G7 and G5 in green, and added a magenta line on top of the dredged route.
I also included a pic of my Navionics chart that I run on the I-Pad. Note pic “3 Navionics” it shows the new G7 and G5, well East and North of the shoaling.
We will go thru here again in two weeks and will update if we find any new info.
Suggestion: This is a good place to lay down a route line on your chart the night before and follow your route crumb line as you transverse the area.
Claudia & Dave Fuller aboard Still Waters II
1981 Viking 43′
1. Survey
2. Dredged Route
3. Navionics
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of AICW/St. Johns Intersection
Let’s hope you never find yourself in the position of having to prove your vessel seaworthy. Obviously, these “input” meetings have more to do with restricting anchoring than with derelicts. See Anchoring Legislation.
Notice of Public Meeting
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC), Division of Law Enforcement, will be holding meetings to seek the input of the public in the process of rulemaking. Per direction of the Florida Legislature, FWC will be seeking public input on developing the process that law enforcement officers use to determine that a vessel has an effective means of propulsion for safe navigation. This rule will allow a law enforcement officer to conduct an evaluation of a vessels propulsion capabilities to determine whether or not the vessel is at risk of becoming derelict. This evaluation process will be part of s 327.4107, F.S., through incorporation by rule.
Please see the dates and times scheduled for these public meetings below:
March 11, 2019 Pinellas County Commission Chambers 6:00pm 8:00pm 315 Court Street, Clearwater, Florida 33756
March 12, 2019 St. Augustine City Commission Chambers 6:00pm 8:00pm 75 King Street, St. Augustine, Florida 32085
March 14, 2019 Pensacola City Council Chambers 11:00am 1:00pm 222 W. Main Street, Pensacola, Florida 32502
April 2, 2019 Bernstein Park Meeting Facility 6:00pm 8:00pm 6751 5th Street, Stock Island, Key West, Florida 33040
April 3, 2019 Murray Nelson Government Center 6:00pm 8:00pm 102050 Overseas Highway, Key Largo, Florida 33037
April 4, 2019 Palm Beach County Vista Center, Rooms E-58/E-59 6:00pm 8:00pm 2300 North Jog Road, West Palm Beach, Florida 33411
If it is a sailboat, it does not need an engine. So will they inspect the sails?
Among our readers there must be several who are experienced in cruising the AICW in a vessel this size. If so, please let us hear from you. Maybe Chief Officer Perks will take you along as Pilot!
Good morning,
I am currently trying to find any information I can about cruising in Northern Florida. We are a 151ft vessel with a 8ft draft. We would like to cruise the Jacksonville, St Augustine and Cape Canaveral areas. Is there anyone you recommend for me to talk with about the ICW routes and Marinas that could accommodate us?
Thanks in advance,
Andrew Perks
Chief Officer – Motor Yacht Time for Us
Hope you have good anchors. Just plan on staying near the inlets, any venture up or down the ICW from Jax or St Aug would be most difficult with your draft. Plenty of dockage for you in downtown Jax on the St Johns, but watch the currents since it rips thru downtown on the outgoing tide. Call ahead in St Aug for assistance with the inlet as it shoals as fast as they move the buoys. Port Canaveral is your best shot, no current, extremely safe inlet and once into the Indian River you will have deep ICW north and south for at least 20 miles, but no marinas outside Port Canaveral that will accommodate your size (both length and mass) pushing on their docks.
With an 8 foot draft , parts of the ICW can only be safely run at high tide. After leaving Haulover as you arrive at Daytona, do not take any of the side channels. Just before Matanzas, make sure you hug the GREEN side of the channel. Recommend taking bridge of lions at the start of an incoming tide. You will be pushed to the west side of the bridge during transit.
I’ve pushed 200’ barges on the route with a 7 foot draft so it’s doable with care
This is a truly frightening video; watch at your own peril!
OMG…. talk about "first responders" this goes above and beyond anything I would thing possible.
Following seas, that large in an inlet are dangerous, may I add "VERY" !
Saw it last year, I pity the swimmer.
Stop in and say Welcome to one of our newest Sponsors! Only a mile or so upstream from downtown Jacksonville, Ortega Landing Marina, now A CRUISERS NET SPONSOR, is the first facility on your starboard as you enter the Ortega River from the St. Johns.
We’ve been to plenty of marinas in our cruising days but The Marina at Ortega Landing is something special. This place is tucked along the Ortega River in the historic district surrounded by old southern waterfront mansions and it’s about a mile from downtown Jacksonville with the skyline visible from your slip. The amenities, ski lodge style clubhouse with stone fireplace, spotless restroom facilities, and the boaters and staff in the office are wonderful and friendly. No one is a stranger at this place and you feel like family as soon as you tie off. Nice floating docks, gated access, great WiFi, free ice, incredible pool and spa, free bikes with saddle bags to ride to the grocery that is a couple blocks away, very pet friendly, fun boater events monthly, and the calm river setting is so quiet and upscale that it just feels good. No fuel, but there is fuel very close by. Pump out at the slip. We are always sad to leave, but look forward to our return! Oh…call ahead because their reputation of being a first class marina keeps their slips pretty full year round.
Captain Dog and the Admiral
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Ortega Landing Marina
There has been much recent discussion and questions on AGLCA Forum and Facebook about shoaling and markers on the Waterway channel immediately south of the St. Johns River. If you have navigated this passage in the past few weeks, let us hear from you regarding depths and buoy placements. Many thanks!
See Healy Report: Waterway/St Johns Intersection, AICW Statute Mile 740 for a 2017 report.
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of AICW/St. Johns Intersection
Our thanks to longtime Cruisers Net contributor and experienced cruiser, Larry Shick, for this report.
Recall on popular Honda portable generators
American Honda has issued a stop-sale/recall for EU2200i and EB2200i generators for potential fuel leaks. Affected serial numbers for model: EB2200iTA start s/n: EAJT-1000001 end s/n: EAJT-1005474 model: EU2200iTA, …TA1, and …TA2 are start s/n: EAMT-1000001 end s/n: EAMT-1260796 A service/repair bulletin is expected in early March. Link to original document: http://www.hanessupply.com/content/pdfs/Honda_021219_PTB54942_EB22_EU22_safety-and-emission-recall_2-12-19.pdf
The two Cocoa anchorages flank both sides of the Waterway channel immediately south of the Cocoa twin bridges. A spokesperson at Cocoa Village Marina confirmed today that the anchorages are usable, but the boat ramp (southwest corner below the bridge) dinghy dock is no longer there. Also, Cocoa Village Marina does not have a dinghy dock, so do not expect easy access to shore facilities. Skipper Yoshima was responding to an outdated report and would appreciate any report of recent experience using these anchorages.
We stayed there in 2016 and 17 but we saw the devastation caused by Irma, and it seems we cannot anchor or use the dinghy dock there any longer… is that so?
Yoshima
Click Here To View the Eastern Florida Cruisers’ Net Marina Directory Listing For Cocoa Anchorages
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Cocoa Anchorages
Anchored mid Feb. 2019 near the power lines South of the causeway at the anchorage indicated on the chart view. There are several permanently anchored or moored boats there forcing you to anchor further South of the causeway. There is a protected boat ramp at the park on the South side of the causeway, however there is only one cleat on a concrete bulkhead to tie a dinghy. It was used by a permanently anchored boater who locked his dink while he was at work. There also is a 10-15 ft wide clear area West of the anchorage and just South of a wooden walkway where locals beach their kayaks/dinks. Be careful here as a sizable alligator patrols the area. Lock your dink if you use this spot.
Unfortunately the wind blew 20-25 out of the S while there and we did not feel comfortable leaving the dink exposed and did not get to explore Cocoa Village. A dinghy dock would be a boon to cruisers and the town.
Cruisers’ Net I was referring to the H. H. Humphrey Park boat ramp near the Cocoa NE anchorage on the EAST side of the Causeway.
York Island Anchorage is located off the southern shores of York Island, well northwest of the ICW’s flashing daybeacon #13. Our thanks to longtime contributor and experienced cruiser, Sonny Reeves, for this report.
At the South end of Pine Island , St James City
Long Cut @ Aprox 26.29.522, 82.5.581
The Long Cut is a pass for fishing boats. The cut is 7-9 ft deep all the way to the curve past short cut. Entrance is well marked. Holding is soft mud. Bugs and fishermen going wide open can be a problem. Otherwise a good protected anchorage with shore facilities and great Keys style on the water restaurants in dink range. Fuel, diesel and some supplies are on Monroe canal. Winn Dixie and other services are at island center.
York Island anchorage @ Approx 26.29.535, 82.5.514 is just off the ICW North at marker R14 or turn North at R10. Exposed to the South and wakes from ICW. The holding is good and the shoreside amenities are not far off. Pine Island is off the path. Not as well known as nearby Sanibel or Captivia.
Click here for photos from Long Cut and York Island anchorage.
Enjoy!
Sonny Reeves
Be Salt and Light, wash feet!
St James City Fl 33956
see blog https://saltlightwashfeet.wordpress.com
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of York Island Anchorage
Longtime Cruisers Net contributor and lifetime cruiser, Sonny Reeves, shares his love of sunsets with us all in this photo gallery from Long Cut and York Island anchorage. Enter Reeves’ Report in our Homepage search window for more photos and reports from Sonny.
Click here for Tides of March – photos by Sonny Reeves
What does plant management have to do with boating? The necessary steps to correct or slow invasive plant growth may affect channel depths (see Lake Depths) as well as limit anchoring availability in treated areas.
FWC implementing enhancements to Aquatic Plant Management Program
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) is moving forward with implementing a variety of enhancements to the agency’s Aquatic Plant Management Program. FWC staff recently completed a series of listening sessions that provided the public with an opportunity to provide feedback about management activities on Florida waterbodies with a focus on invasive plant management. Based on the input provided at these meetings, the FWC will begin implementing a number of improvements including:
As discussed at the FWC Commission meeting on Feb. 21, in Gainesville, it was worthwhile to temporarily pause aquatic herbicide treatments while the public meetings were in progress. Now the meetings have concluded, it is essential for the FWC to resume its aquatic plant management program and to implement enhancements identified by the public. The FWC uses an integrated plant management approach that includes chemical, mechanical, biological and physical methods to control invasive plant species.
Research and decades of experience show that chemical control, using herbicides approved for use in aquatic systems, achieves the best results for addressing many of Florida’s toughest invasive plant infestations such as water hyacinths and hydrilla. However, many participants in the meetings encouraged the FWC to manage waterbodies in ways that would reduce the use of herbicides. Therefore, the FWC is re-committing to employing methods that minimize the quantity of herbicides needed to achieve the desired level of control.
“During the listening sessions we heard a diversity of concerns and opinions. Waterfront property owners, boaters and community officials stressed how important it is for the FWC to quickly resume control of the worst plants such as hydrilla before they grow to a point that makes lakes virtually unusable,” said Kipp Frohlich, Director of the FWC’s Division of Habitat and Species Conservation.
“We also heard from anglers and waterfowl hunters that some hydrilla can be beneficial. Finding the balance, that manages a system in a way that pleases all the diverse user groups of Florida’s lakes, is very difficult. Nevertheless, we are committed to continue our work with stakeholders to better understand their needs and strive to manage our aquatic resources in ways that benefit the greatest number of people,” said Frohlich.
While the listening tour has ended, the FWC continues to welcome suggestions from stakeholders. People can provide comments by emailing InvasivePlants@MyFWC.com.
For more details on aquatic plant management visit MyFWC.com/AquaticPlants.
Our sincerest thanks to Greg and Barbara Allard for sharing their experiences and beautiful photography from their cruises, this time from the Okeechobee Waterway. Enter “Allard” in our Homepage Search window for the Allard’s beautifully documented Bahamas cruises.
Here’s an update on the Okeechobee Waterway, with some local scenes.
On February 22 and 23, 2019, we crossed the Okeechobee from west to east. We had been closely watching the water depth reports from the Corp of Engineers, since there are plans to lower the lake level in the immediate future.
The reported depth for Navigation Route 1 (across the lake) was 6.79 feet, and the lake level was at 12.85. As expected, we found the lowest water along the eastern half of the Clewiston cut, in the channel which is east of the massive cylinder which sits just off the channel. With a calibrated depth finder, the shallowest water which we found along that stretch was 7.2 feet.
Years ago, an old timer who had lived along the Caloosahatchee River his entire life, said that he believed the Corp of Engineers understated the lake level by half a foot. Now, please don’t rely on this for navigational purposes, but the next time you cross, make your own observation. Also: the depths we report are only for the exact spot where we were; even a few feet to the left or right of those positions might be entirely different.
There is another shallow area at the entry/exit channel on the western side of the Port Mayaca lock. The lowest water where our boat traveled was 7.4 feet. The traditional advice when using that channel is to stay to the green side, and that is what we did. The Port Mayaca lock was in “pass through” mode – where the water level on either side of the lock is the same, so the lock gates remain open. You still need to call the lockmaster, who gives permission for individual boats to pass through the lock. That makes good sense, because there is not enough room for two boats to meet head-on in the lock chamber.
The lockmasters are now enforcing two new rules: all persons on board while in the lock chamber must be wearing a life jacket, and once you are tied up to the lock, you must turn your engine(s) off.
We saw no signs of green algae or red tide for our entire trip. It is reported that Tow BoatUS now has two boats stationed at Clewiston.
Crossing the State of Florida on the Okeechobee Waterway is a trip and a half; a true time warp. Locals fishing with bamboo poles on the riverbank. Alligators. The wonderful local bridge-operator at the Fort Denaud swing bridge who chats with you on your way through, as she stands isolated on the center pivot point of the bridge. There’s the adventure of the locks – and the $1.00 a foot dockage (power included) at the city dock in Moore Haven.
Every year we try to make a new stop. This time we decided to stay overnight at Calusa Jack’s Marina, approximately 2 miles west of the Franklin lock. The place always intrigued us. It could be a movie set for one of Randy Wayne White’s Doc Ford novels.
Calusa Jack’s Marina has a face dock and pilings in excellent condition, and the water at the dock is deep enough for the biggest boat. Sometimes before 5 PM there are some tolerable boat wakes, but after that we had a calm and peaceful sleep.
The views towards the river are beautiful.
There are a number of marinas along the waterway, and some of the older ones, like Calusa Jack’s, have their share of boats which years ago were someone’s dream, and will likely never be used again.
The people at Calusa Jack’s raise goats, and this billy goat was curious about the new visitors.
You never know what you will find along the Okeechobee. We walked along the road to the marina, and came upon this knight in rusting armor perched on a piling.
A day later, along a stretch of the St. Lucie River, we were again surprised – to say the least.
We came upon this magnificent wooden yacht, docked behind a private home. She was beautifully restored. At first we thought it was a Trumpy, but the lines were different from that iconic boat.
As we passed to her stern, our jaws dropped: the yacht is the Honey Fitz, one of the most famous historic yachts in the world. She was used by five presidents but made famous by John F. Kennedy. Why would this yacht be docked here? We don’t have an answer to that question, other than to say that nothing along the Okeechobee surprises us.
If you are interested in learning more about this yacht, this link has some interesting background:
https://gcaptain.com/photo-tour-of-jfks-presidential-yacht-honey-fitz/
The Okeechobee Waterway has its challenges, but it remains a fascinating adventure for cruisers.
Greg and Barbara Allard
Click here for Okeechobee Waterway Stuart to Fort Myers
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Jacksonville District announces details for the public scoping meeting in Fort Lauderdale regarding the development of the new Lake Okeechobee System Operating Manual (LOSOM). The meeting locations listed in the link below include Fort Lauderdale, West Palm Beach and Miami Gardens.
Our thanks to Specialist Erica Skolte for this notice.
Click here for Corps announces public meeting in Ft. Lauderdale on Lake Okeechobee System Operating Manual
Contact
Erica Skolte
561-340-1527
561-801-5734 (cell)
Erica.A.Skolte@usace.army.mil
See Okeechobee Waterway Overview.
Vero Beach is home to Vero Beach Municipal Marina, A CRUISERS NET SPONSOR. The marina lies on the eastern shores of Bethel Creek, northeast and north of the Vero Beach/Merrill Barber high-rise bridge.
Fall In Love With Vero Beach
Atlanta Magazine
Be the first to comment!