On-Board Excercise Routine by Cara
Our thanks to Eddie and Cara for sharing their sailing life expertise as recorded in their excellent blog, The Crabby Captain and the Sunny Sailor.
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Brightline Rail Service Still a Problem for Boating
The new Brightline rail service, begun in 2017, see https://cruisersnet.net/168686, has been a bone of contention and debate for boaters well before the service began due the increased number of RR bridge closings over major eastern Florida waterways.
Is Brightline bad for South Florida boating business?
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Meet Us at Mile Marker 469 from CHS Today
Lots of good stuff about the stuff you already know.
Meet us at Mile Marker 469 by Justine at CHS Today
As a protected inland route– it provides a safe, navigable journey along the Atlantic + the Gulf of Mexico, without the hazards of traveling long distances across the open seas. And it certainly wasn’t created by accident– hello commercialization.
Click the button below to learn more about the massive waterway, and how you can take in the views or learn to cruise.Go wherever the ICW takes you.
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Praise for Longboat Key Club Moorings, GICW Statute Mile 77.5, Sarasota, FL
Longboat Key Club Moorings, A CRUISERS’ NET SPONSOR, guards the western shores of Sarasota Bay, north of the city of Sarasota, and south of Longboat Pass. Our thanks to Tom and Julie of AGLCA Forum for allowing us to share their comments.
We have stayed at Longboat Key Club Moorings for 6-12 weeks for three winters now. Great resort facilities, beach across the street to walk, Publix and CVS across the golf course….I could go on. Great spot to have visitors and an easy bus ride or Uber into Sarasota. Great cruising grounds as well with St Pete/ Clearwater to North and Captiva/Boca Grande and Fort Myers to the south.
Tom & Julie Van Hall
Sum EscapeClick Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Longboat Key Club Moorings
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Repairing an Onboard On-Demand Pressurized Water Pump by Eddie and Cara
Our thanks to Eddie and Cara for sharing their repair expertise as recorded in their excellent blog, The Crabby Captain and the Sunny Sailor.
Repairing an onboard on-demand pressurized water pump
Evaluating and repairing of our water pump. Good information for sailors. Also, if you watch until the end you will see a What NOT to do. LOLBe the first to comment!
BoatUS News: TowBoatUS Comes to Lake Okeechobee, Clewiston, FL
These two TowBoat US vessels will be stationed at Roland Martins Marina found on a small canal in Clewiston, Florida.
TowBoatUS Comes to Lake Okeechobee
Bringing around-the-clock assistance to boaters in need on Florida’s Inland Sea
CLEWISTON, Fl., July 23, 2018 – More than 15 years ago, Captain Michael Ammons’ professional career on the water began when he became the owner of three TowBoatUS locations, which offer 24-hour on-water towing and assistance for recreational boaters. After selling the businesses 10 years ago, he’s found his way back to the company, opening TowBoatUS Lake Okeechobee earlier this year.
“TowBoatUS has always been a cut above the rest, and the boats are easily recognized on the water,” said Ammons. “When I came back to Lake Okeechobee after working a few years abroad, I knew there wasn’t anyone out here with the company, so I applied and got back into the business.”
Much like an auto club for boaters, BoatUS offers on-water Unlimited Towing Memberships for boaters and anglers for just $149 per year. Boaters without BoatUS towing services face costs that average $750 per towing incident, with some paying into the thousands out of pocket.
From his years of experience boating in Florida waters, Ammons knows the types of problems boaters can face, which is why his company offers an extended service area. Not only does the company service Lake Okeechobee in its entirety, but it also provides service to transient boaters passing through the Okeechobee Waterway on their way to fish the east or west coasts of the Sunshine State.
With the lake attracting bass fishermen, saltwater sport fishermen passing through to the coasts and other area boaters, Ammons is confident he’ll stay busy year-round helping boaters get home safely, no matter what boating activity they’re partaking in. “It’s a difficult area, and there are tons of locks and restrictions around the lake,” he explained. “It’s a really chopped up waterway, and it creates a lot of issues for boaters, including hazardous water fluctuations, rocky areas, and more.”
TowBoatUS Lake Okeechobee operates a 22-foot Lund Alaskan, a sturdy shallow-water vessel, and a 22-foot Angler deep-v center-console for salvage jobs. Both response vessels are kept at Roland Martin Marina. Ammons’ boats are easily recognizable by their red hulls and TowBoatUS logos emblazoned in bright white letters on their sides, and they’re rigged and ready for towing, jump starts, fuel delivery and soft ungroundings.
Boaters can reach TowBoatUS Lake Okeechobee by hailing on VHF channel 16, by calling the company directly at (239) 600-0140, by phoning the BoatUS toll-free 24/7 Dispatch Center at (800) 391-4869, or via smartphone using the new BoatUS App. More information can be found at BoatUS.com/Towing, or call (800) 888-4869.
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Monday Minute – Restating the Obvious by Bill Parlatore
Our thanks to Bill Parlatore for permitting Cruisers’ Net to post articles from his excellent blog, Following Seas.
Not sure why this comes up again and again, but perhaps that is a good thing if people are coming into boating for the first time and just learning. But the many rules and regulations do not alter the need for common sense. In the case of potentila encounters with commercial and military shipping, STAY OUT OF THEIR WAY.
Read on »Monday Minute – Restating the Obvious
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An Unforgettable Sea Trial! by Eddie and Cara
Our thanks to Eddie and Cara for sharing this experience as chronicled in their excellent blog, The Crabby Captain and the Sunny Sailor.
The day of our sea trial was a beautiful March day: the sun was out, the weather a pleasant 61 degrees and all we needed was a light jacket even on the water. We were ready to see how she would sail and pulled out the mainsail as soon as we got into the ICW.
CLICK FOR MORE…
Saving life of someone the first time you take out your boat is good karma, don’t ya think?!Be the first to comment!
Turbinella Conch off Exuma by Alan Marsa and Elijah Sands
Our thanks to Alan Marsa and Elijah Sands for this Facebook page time-lapse photo.
Underwater Time-lapse of a “Turbinella Conch” (i think) plowing thru the sand in 3 feet of water off Exuma. July 10 2018
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Well Equipped or A Hoarder? by Bill Parlatore
Our thanks to Bill Parlatore for permitting Cruisers’ Net to post articles from his excellent blog, Following Seas.
Everyone has a tolerance for a certain amount of clutter. On the sometimes limited space of cruising boats, having spares for every contingency must be balanced with knowing where everything is while not sinking the boat with tons of spares, consumables, and items that somehow find their way aboard.Are You Well Equipped or A Hoarder? from Following Seas by Bill Parlatore
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Banana River Marina Under New Ownership, near Cocoa Beach, FL off AICW Statute Mile 894
Banana River Marina, off the Waterway via Canaveral Barge Canal, flanks the Banana River’s western banks near unlighted daybeacon #24 . Our thanks to Cap’n Parky for this news.
You might like to advise boaters:
Banana River Marina (just south of Cape Canaveral) has been acquired by one of these Developer / Building Contractor outfits. The new owner intends building houses and possibly also sell such buyers a boat slip. Thus we lose one of the lowest priced marinas on the ICW – $7.50 per ft per month. All boats (above 100) have been told to leave by the end of July.
Mind you the Banana River has problems for many boats.The three bridges on the river have only 43 ft clearance – much too low for many sailing boats.
The river is full of unmarked shallows – less than 4ft. Any boat with a higher draft – or have their propellers below the keel – should go very slow with maximum caution . The channel markers also are very poor and depth of the channel is at best around 5 to 6ft. Bluewater ocean sailors with 6ft or more keels should not even try it.I’m one of those leaving soon – bound for Savannah. Evading – I hope – hurricanes 😊
Best wishes,
Arnold ParkinsonClick Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Banana River Marina
Comments from Cruisers (2)
- Reply to Bob
It will be interesting to see how many boats the new owners of the marina will end up with (as in abandoned) and have to pay to have removed at great expense. I’d guess that more than 75% of the boats in that marina haven’t moved in the 16 years I’ve been familiar with the marina (and former boat yard).
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Candidates Sought for Positions with Gray’s Reef Team
Gray’s Reef National Marine Sanctuary protects Georgia’s special live-bottom wildlife habitat in the Atlantic Ocean and along the southeastern U.S. coast, an area teeming with diversity and an abundance of marine life.
GRNMS State Manager, Public Council Members and Student Internships – Apply Now!
Join the Gray’s Reef Team
Our team is growing and we are seeking capable candidates to fill a variety of positions at Gray’s Reef National Marine Sanctuary. Please consider the following opportunities:Join the Gray’s Reef Team
Our team is growing and we are seeking capable candidates to fill a variety of positions at Gray’s Reef National Marine Sanctuary. Please consider the following opportunities:
State Program Manager
The State Program Manager supervises and manages state employees at Gray’s Reef National Marine Sanctuary and serves as a liaison to NOAA. In this role, your responsibilities would include promoting team building, undertaking innovative actions to fulfill staffing needs, and assisting with partnership development initiatives and outreach efforts to further the mission and vision of Gray’s Reef National Marine Sanctuary.
For more information on this position or to apply, please click here.
Student Intern
We are seeking a “virtual” intern—meaning that you could be located virtually anywhere—to help develop and implement a communications campaign that illuminates the importance of innovative technologies for ocean conservation. The Virtual Student Federal Service projects on USAJOBS offer eight-month, unpaid remote internships for U.S. citizen students, college-level and above, who would like to make a real difference in the work of the U.S. government. See all of the available VSFS opportunities or apply directly for this Gray’s Reef NMS internship here.
Applications are due by July 31, 2018.
Public Council Members
The Gray’s Reef Sanctuary Advisory Council provides advice and recommendations on the management of Gray’s Reef National Marine Sanctuary. The council members include community members from fishing, diving, conservation, science, education, and citizens-at-large along with state and federal agencies.
We are currently accepting applications for the following seats:
- Charter/Commercial Fishing
- Sport Diving
- Sport Fishing
- Non-living Resources Research
- University Education
- Citizen-at-Large
- Conservation (2 seats)
Click here for more information, or contact Council Coordinator Becky Shortland at: becky.shortland@noaa.gov or (912-598-2381)
Gray’s Reef National Marine Sanctuary
graysreef.noaa.gov
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LNM: NOAA Request for Coast Pilot Users
US COAST PILOT – SURVEY
NOAA’s Office of Coast Survey is conducting a review of the Coast Pilot publication and is looking for Coast Pilot users who are willing to take part of an upcoming survey. The purpose of this survey is to gain a better understanding of how the Coast Pilot is used by mariners and what information is most important to the user’s needs. The results of the survey will help guide improvements to the publication. Any interested company or individual wishing to provide comments or participate in this user survey should contact: NOAA Office of Coast Survey, Navigation Services Division, N/CS51, 315 East West Highway, Silver Spring, MD 20910. Attn: Tom Loeper, Phone: 240-533-0068; Fax: 301-713-4019; Email: coastpilot.survey@noaa.gov.Be the first to comment!
Monday Minute – Getting Back into the Dinghy by Bill Parlatore
Our thanks to Bill Parlatore for permitting Cruisers’ Net to post articles from his excellent blog, Following Seas.
Here’s the newest post from FollowingSeas!
Monday Minute – Getting Back into the Dinghy
Being on the water sometimes means being in the water. It happened to me recently, and reminded me of a clever technique to get back aboard one’s dinghy, especially suited to older boaters. Practice it a couple of times and you’ll have another trick in your back pocket next time you need to get aboard without a swim platform or ladder.Be the first to comment!
“Upper” or “Lower” St. Johns River Discussion
This week a reader, Jim Tracey, brought up an interesting topic of discussion: is the upstream portion of the St. Johns River, which flows south to north, properly called Lower St. Johns, due to its southern location or Upper St. Johns, due to being upstream of the mouth in northern Florida?
If you have cruised or are planning to cruise the St. Johns, and especially if you are a Floridian, we would invite you to weigh in on this “north versus south” topic. Keep it civil please!CLICK HERE FOR:
Cruising the Upper St. Johns River – Palatka to Sanford (Lake Monroe) by Claiborne Young, February, 2013Comments from Cruisers (5)
- Reply to glenn
Lower St Johns typically means that area north of the fixed bridge at Palatka which restricts most sailboats. Upper St Johns is the segment from Palatka south to the head of navigation just east of Sanford.
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I believe upriver and down river should only be used. Less confusing. The Shands bridge at Green Cove Spring has 45′ clearance while the Memorial bridge at Palaka has 65′ clearance.
- Reply to Cruisers'
Excellent suggestion. How completely understandable. Thanks Sean.
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LNM: Buoy Light 12A Relocated, Hatteras Inlet, Pamlico Sound, NC
A pin in has been inserted in our Chartview for the new location of this charted inlet channel buoy light which is north, northeast of the inlet.
1. THE FOLLOWING AID TO NAVIGATION HAS BEEN RELOCATED.A. HATTERAS INLET CHANNEL LIGHTED BUOY 12A (LLNR 28732.1 [35°12.3290N / 075°43.8856W, 35.205484 / -75.731426]) TO APPROX POSIT 35-12-17.277N, 075-43-54.739W (35°12.2879N / 075°43.9123W, 35.204799 / -75.731872) .
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Deep Creek Cove Now Posted as NO TRESPASSING, Northern Entrance to Dismal Swamp Canal
Our thanks to William Spaur for bringing this to our attention. Deep Creek Basin is on the south shore of the Dismal Swamp Route east of Deep Creek Lock.
The COVE on Deep Creek, the Deep Creek Basin, is now being developed by RYAN HOMES and has been named BRYAN’S COVE. The land and the water are now NO TRESPASSING.
Deep Creek Cove is near the junction of the Southern Branch of the Elizabeth River and Deep Creek waterway, Chesapeake VA. It has always been a favorite anchorage for boats transiting the Dismal Swamp Canal. It is a borrow pit vintage 1962 to develop Interstate 64. It is the size of a city block and connected to Deep Creek by a narrow channel.
William SpaurComments from Cruisers (2)
- Reply to Wallace
Is this legitimate or just another case of a landowner overstepping his bounds ?
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Information Sought on May River Anchorage, Bluffton, SC, off AICW Statute Mile 560
This non-ICW anchorage and unlisted in Cruisers’ Net’s Anchorage Directories has been mentioned here in the past, see https://cruisersnet.net/34459. Gearry and Stacey are hoping you might have recent experience to share re anchoring there.
We’re considering stopping at Bluffton on our way back to Savannah from Beaufort in a couple of weeks. Any updates/additional information on this anchorage? I’m assuming the public dinghy dock mentioned is the Calhoun Street Dock. Planning to give it a try.
Gearry and StaceyClick Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Bluffton, SC
Comments from Cruisers (2)
- Reply to Roger
I have anchored many times just past the shrimp boats docked at the Bluffton Oyster Company. Plenty of room for our 43 foot trawler. You can leave a dinghy on the beach next to the boat ramp or at the dinghy dock. One of our favorite spots and well worth the run up from the ICW. Anchoring further down the creek could be tight if a shrimper is going in or out.
- Reply to Gearry
Thank you so much for the response! We look forward to checking it out next week.
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FOCUS ON Twin Dolphin Marina, off Tampa Bay on the Manatee River
Twin Dolphin Marina, A CRUISERS’ NET SPONSOR, sits perched on the southern shores of Manatee River, just short of the Highway 41 Business bridge. We get lots of praise for this fine marina and their year-round community involvement.
TWIN DOLPHIN MARINA Making Improvements For Boaters’ Enjoyment
It is encouraging when we see destination marinas investing in the comfort and enjoyment of liveaboards and visiting cruisers alike.
Speeler & Associates, Inc., removed the older docks at Twin Dolphin Marina and then Gator Dredging did the dredging inside the marina basin.
Twin Dolphin Marina is located about five miles east of Tampa Bay up the Manatee River in the heart of Bradenton, Florida. The marina is in the final stages of making investments in its facilities to enhance its role in serving boaters and the community as Bradenton’s “anchor marina.” It is ideally located within very short walking distance to the historical area, great restaurants, the South Florida Museum and Bishop Planetarium, Village of the Arts, and area shopping. Twin Dolphin Marina is at the western edge of Bradenton’s beautiful Riverwalk with its amphitheater, all adding to a visitors enjoyment. Want to get off your boat for a few days and be just across the street from your vessel, a new hotel is going up close by that will provide additional rooms for visitors coming by land or sea.
East Basin where new docks are being installed.
The marina basin is divided by the historic Memorial Pier, where the popular and on-site PIER-22 restaurant is located. The marina offers 225 slips with floating docks. In order to serve current customers, the marina management is doing the renovations in specific sections to keep disruptions to a minimum. The improvement efforts currently underway involve replacing 144 older slips with new aluminum docks and durable composite non-corrosive decking. The reconfigured east basin will be able to host larger vessels as they will be increasing several slip sizes up to 110 feet. Additionally, modern electrical service for 30, 50, and 100 amps will be in place along with slip pump-outs, potable water and fire suppression protection.
For sure, Twin Dolphin Marina is one of those marinas with the facilities to offer their customers a full experience while visiting for a few days, several weeks, or making it their home-port.
As Marina Manager, Cynthia Belfatto, says, “We are so proud of how these improvements will serve our guests and full time residents who enjoy our resort life-style amenities, on-site award winning restaurant, marina pool and captain’s lounge, and beautiful setting along the Manatee River.”
Whatever criteria you use in choosing ports to visit, Twin Dolphin Marina most likely meets them all and is one destination port-of-call you will want to include in your cruise plans.
PHOTO GALLERY – Click image to enlarge
View of PIER 22 restaurant across the east basin where new docks are being installed
Floating dock posts installation
Wave attenuation barrier protects the marina
Street Entrance to Twin Dolphin Marina
Entrance to Pier 22 and West Basin of Marina
Canopied entrance to PIER 22.
Museum Expansion
Street entrance to South Florida Museum with Planetarium and Aquarium
Manatee Riverwalk goes right by Twin Dolphin Marina
Statue on Manatee Riverwalk
Manatee Riverwalk
Manatee Riverwalk
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Twin Dolphin Marina
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Bahamas Chatter: Staniel Cay News
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. Staniel Cay Yacht Club, A CRUISERS’ NET SPONSOR and a favorite destination for cruisers in the Exumas, has always been most accommodating for its guests.
Bahamas Chatter: Staniel Cay News
Staniel Cay NewsPosted: 09 Jul 2018 08:54 AM PDT
1. “Pigs of Paradise” – pre-launch book party at SCYC, on August 31st.
On August 31, join T.R. Todd, the author of “Pigs of Paradise: The Story of the World-Famous Swimming Pigs”, aboard Impulse Yacht at the Staniel Cay Yacht Club to celebrate the global success of the swimming pigs of Exuma, Bahamas. T.R. Todd will have the first advance copies of the book on hand.Impulse Yacht Charter will be serving food, drinks & shuttling people over to see the Swimming Pigs on August 31, 2018. There will also be a party inside the Club!
During the event, author Jeff Todd will present a donation cheque to the Original Swimming Pigs Association!
Here is a link to the Event Invitation page where you or our readers may RSVP (so we may get a general head-count).
https://www.impulseyachtcharter.com/lpl2/
Here is a link to our Facebook Event page:
https://www.facebook.com/events/209247856539487/?active_tab=about
This will be a fun event for anyone in the area! Please ask readers to RSVP in the links above if possible.Thank you!
2. October, 2018 Closure.
SCYC will be closing most of our facilities in October 2018, for our yearly scheduled maintenance. Please see the schedule below for further information.
Marina Docks and Fuel Dock will remain open for the month, from 8am-5pm daily, except for one day, Oct. 2nd, when everything will be closed. Available Marina services will still include dockage, power, water, ice, fuel, and bait.
Schedule:
Oct. 1st – Hotel, Bar, and Restaurant will close
Oct. 19th – Bar/Clubhouse reopens, 8am – 10pm (drinks only, no bar food)
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