CRUISERS NET
Cruisers Helping Cruisers
Comprehensive cruising resource for the Intracoastal Waterways
from Norfolk to the Northern Gulf and Bahamas.
from Norfolk to the Northern Gulf and Bahamas.
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Bahamas Chatter: “Explorer Chart Course Lines/Garmin Active Captain” plus 1 more
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: “Explorer Chart Course Lines/Garmin Active Captain” plus 1 more
Explorer Chart Course Lines/Garmin Active CaptainPosted: 04 Apr 2018 03:49 AM PDT
Can you please confirm that the current Garmin cartography and the Garmin Active Captain cartography is displaying the Explorer Chartbook course lines? Can you also let us know which other cartography choices have these lines embedded?
Stern anchors (another opinion)
Posted: 03 Apr 2018 08:34 AM PDT
Having cruised the Bahamas for the past ten years aboard a 42′ catamaran, I have only deployed a stern anchor once, in a narrow cut near Double Breasted Cay. We have a Rocna anchor for our primary (bow) anchor on 250′ of chain and a Fortress FX-85 anchor on 25′ of chain with a 150′ rope rode that I used as a stern anchor. My learning experience was to have enough rode (chain or line) to reach the opposite anchor when the current switches direction. When pulling off from the anchorage, you need to retrieve the down current anchor first so you have to let our enough rode to end up over the top of the downcurrent anchor. As it relates to scope, I would suggest using the maximum because of one anchor slides, you’re going to end up with a huge mess. My opinion is a single anchor is preferred over a double anchor and a strong mooring ball is preferred over a single anchor in some situations. I prefer to find an anchorage where a double anchor is not required. Good luck. Safe cruising! Blades R.
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Comments from Cruisers (1)
- Reply to Ted
I’ve have heard anecdotally that with the transition from Garmin Blue Charts to Garmin Active Captain that they would be moving away from Explorer datum. I have no confirmation of this and will follow this thread.
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USCG: National Campaign for Awareness of EPIRBs Importance
News Release
U.S. Coast Guard 8th District Heartland
Contact: 8th District Public Affairs
Office: (504) 671-2020
After Hours: (618) 225-9008
Eighth District online newsroomApril 4, 2018
406 Day: National Campaign for Awareness of Emergency Locator Beacon Importance
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Bahamas Chatter: Where to leave boat for 2 months?
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: Where to leave boat for 2 months?
Where to leave boat for 2 months?Posted: 02 Apr 2018 03:28 AM PDT
We are planning a trip to the Bahamas but may need to leave the boat for one or two months. We would prefer to simply leave the boat there instead of sailing back and then returning to the Bahamas. Does anyone have any suggestions in the Andros, Berry Islands, Nassau, and or Eleuthera area which would be safe?
Also, if one does leave their boat in the Bahamas, what security measures should one take?
Thanks
s/v John GaltComments from Cruisers (2)
- Reply to Norman
As for security, if you leave the boat in Highbourne or Green Turtle, no worries, just lock it up as usual and don’t leave anything valuable on deck. Stay far away from Nassau…nothing is safe in Nassau. Last time in Nassau (2014) I was assaulted mid-day on a busy sidewalk by three thugs and anchored boats were broken into and ransacked when owners went ashore…crime is out of control. Weapons, cash, jewelry and electronics are the most likely targets, especially in Nassau. Most cruiser’s avoid Nassau and Freeport, otherwise most of the other areas in the Bahamas are relatively safe. Other relatively safe places to leave your boat would be Bimini and Treasure Cay (Abacos). Call ahead and make arrangements if poss.
- Reply to Norman
Cannot recommend any of the above except maybe in or around Spanish Wells in Eleuthera. Your best bet would be Highbourne Cay in the Exumas or Green Turtle Cay in the Abacos.
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Remembering the Film “Wind” with Matthew Modine
Our thanks to Becky for sharing this link from her blog, dockwa.com.
I thought Cruisers’ Net readers might enjoy this little history on one of sailing’s cult-classic films.
Beckyhttp://blog.dockwa.com/america-s-cup-history-remembering-the-film-wind-with-actor-matthew-modine
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Question Regarding Current at Limehouse Bridge, Stono River, AICW Statute Mile 480
With a fixed vertical clearance of 65ft, the John F. Limehouse Bridge crosses the Waterway/Stono River at mile 480. If you have local knowledge of the current in that area, please let John and Cruisers’ Net hear from you.
How fast do the tidal currents run on the Stono River at say the Limehouse Bridge?
Thanks.
John of JacksonvilleClick Here To View the South Carolina Cruisers’ Net Bridge Directory Listing For Limehouse Bridge
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window Zoomed To the Location of Limehouse Bridge
Comments from Cruisers (5)
- Reply to Ron
Maximum currents in the Charleston, SC area will be about 2 knots. Elliot Cut is an exception where currents can reach 5 knots.
- Reply to Craig
Tagging onto this subject… For those transiting the ICW/Stono River in this region, PLEASE slow down approaching the floating docks at Ross Marine, just north of the Limehouse bridge. Many people fly by there with no regard for the vessels docked there and or the workers aboard them. Thank you!
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NOAA: Nautical chart news – March 2018
It is officially spring and Coast Survey is busy providing commercial mariners and recreational boaters with top notch navigation products and services. Here are just a few things we have been up to.
The latest news It is officially spring and Coast Survey is busy providing commercial mariners and recreational boaters with top notch navigation products and services. Here are just a few things we have been up to. 
NOAA releases 2018 hydrographic survey season plansNOAA hydrographic survey ships and contractors are preparing for the 2018 hydrographic survey season. Operations are scheduled for maritime priority areas around the country. Take a look at Coast Survey’s living story map to find out if our ships will be in your region.
Story map of planned NOAA hydrographic survey projects in 2018.Have you visited our website lately?
Visit nauticalcharts.noaa.govand explore the new simplified and mobile-friendly design, making your favorite NOAA charting products easy to find and convenient to use on all platforms. 
Sample display of the GoMOFS’s nowcast output of the surface current field and water levels.Introducing new Gulf of Maine Operational Forecast SystemNOAA unveiled the new Gulf of Maine Operational Forecast System (GoMOFS). This system provides users with real-time and forecast data of surface water levels, 3-D fields of water currents, water temperature, and salinity out to 72 hours. GoMOFS predictions support safe and efficient marine navigation, allowing mariners to plan their routes and avoid accidents. The system can also aid in emergency response, ecological applications, coastal management, and harmful algal bloom forecasts.NOAA RNC Tile Service displays first ENC-only productNOAA released its 1:12,000 electronic navigational chart (NOAA ENC®) of the Merrimack River, Massachusetts, in the RNC Tile Service. This is the first time a navigational chart-created solely as ENC product-is included in the tile service. The tile service renders a traditional depiction of the nautical chart for use with GPS-enabled electronic chart systems or other “chart plotter” display systems to provide real-time vessel positioning for recreational mariners. This chart is included in the single chart tile sets and the quilted tile sets both in the online and offline versions. This update to the RNC tile service also includes the ArcGIS Tile Metadata Service, adding support for source chart metadata from within ArcMap and other GIS applications.
The 1:12,000 Merrimack River ENC as viewed in the NOAA RNC Chart Tile Service.The single chart tile set for this area is named 13274K0000_1.
Large bulk carrier using the recently extended slip at Port Everglades before the ENC update (top). The ENC update extended the slip length as reflected in ENC cells US5FL32 and US4FL31 (bottom).NOAA quickly updates nautical chart, allowing large ships to dock with confidence in Port EvergladesNOAA quickly updated an electronic navigational chart (NOAA ENC®) to accurately reflect the 225-foot expansion of a slip in Port Everglades, Florida. Now at a total length of 1,125 feet, the elongated slip, as depicted in the ENC, allows larger ships to dock with confidence. Port Everglades is one of the top three cruise ports in the world, and is among the most active cargo ports in the United States. Coast Survey used a new data process that allowed the most critical and valuable information to be applied quickly and made available to the end user.NOAA navigation response teams wrap up a busy winter on the waterNOAA navigation response teams (NRT) conduct hydrographic surveys to update NOAA’s suite of nautical charts. The teams are strategically located around the country and remain on-call to respond to emergencies speeding the resumption of shipping after storms, and protecting life and property from underwater dangers to navigation. Learn about some of the response efforts our NRTs were involved with this past winter:
The center span of the Sunshine Skyway Bridge in Tampa Bay, Florida, was successfully captured via lidar on board a navigation response team vessel.Be the first to comment!
Praise for Atlantic Yacht Basin, Great Bridge, VA, AICW Statute Mile 12
Atlantic Yacht Basin, A CRUISERS’ NET SPONSOR, is located just south of the Great Bridge lock and bridge at Mile Marker 12. Jan and Lee’s kind words are reprinted with permission from AGLCA’s Forum.
We started early out of Beaufort, NC. We’ve been in Atlantic Yacht Basin, Chesapeake VA waiting for the weather to calm down north of us. Can’t say enough about the team here at AYB. Every single member of their crew is polite and anxious to help out. We had Shangri-La hauled to paint her bottom and remove the trim tabs. All done in two days. Rates are fair, work is professional in every way. Topped off the fuel at $2.35/g (with volume nickel discount.) Their team helped Jan and I lower the mast so we could better understand what’s involved. Can’t say enough about them.
Jan and Lee
Aboard Shangri-La
42 GB ClassicClick Here To View the VA to NC Cruisers’ Net Marina Directory Listing For Atlantic Yacht Basin
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Atlantic Yacht Basin
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Bahamas Chatter: Stern anchors
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: Stern anchors
Stern anchorsPosted: 26 Mar 2018 06:03 PM PDT
I am sailing a 40ft cat daft 1.35.
I would like to know how often stern anchors are deployed cruising in the Bahamas.
If they are used at all what setup? How much chain, rode, scope, and what techniques are used for deployment?
Comments from Cruisers (4)
- Reply to Norman
Cruised the Bahamas for 10 years on a Morgan 43 sailboat…never used a stern anchor once. Never had the need for it. Single Delta 44 with all chain rode was all we ever used and NEVER dragged once. Only place we ever heard them using stern anchors was in Pipe Creek, Exumas. Couldn’t get in there with our 6′ draft somit didnt matter. We visited nearly every other island in the Bahamas from the top of the Abacos to the Raggeds in the Exuma Cays.
- Reply to Duane
We have cruised the Bahamas a number of times over many thousands of miles and have never used or had reason to use a stern anchor. We have rarely used the so-called Bahamian Moor where two anchors are deployed off the bow at 180 degrees and the boat will lie first to one and then the other as the strong tidal currents reverse. This will offer you a tighter swing circle and with both anchors well set, will not rely on just one anchor continually resetting as the current reverse. Usually, in our experience, this is an unnecessary complication.
Using an anchor deployed off the stern (in addition to the typical bow anchor) can keep you from swinging in tight quarters but can be risky. If the wind (or current) is strong from abeam, it will put tremendous strain on the ground tackle. If you wind up getting seas from astern, your transom, which on most boats is not designed to smoothly break waves, will take the brunt. Certain boats may also get water pumped backwards through the exhaust and risk flooding the engine.
There could be times when in protected conditions a stern anchor might come in handy. We have just never found it needed.
- Reply to Miles
It’s rare and only in tight areas where you need to really limit your swing. Can’t think of a place where you’d need that. Never needed one during 11 seasons in the Bahamas.
- Reply to Bob
sometimes…
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Georgia ICW Article from Sail Magazine.
Here is an interesting and attractive article by Tom Hale in Sail Magazine on the Intracoastal through Georgia. While informative, such articles may not be as up to date as Cruisers’ Net. Before embarking, please always check our Homepage for AICW Problem Stretches, as well as Nav Alerts and Local Notices for each state. Our thanks to Kim Russo of AGLCA for sharing this link.
Updates: The ICW North Bound from Sail Magazine via AGLCA’s Forum
Click Here To View the Cruisers’ Net’s “AICW Problem Stretches” Listing For Jekyll CreekClick Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To This AICW Problem StretchClick Here To View the Cruisers’ Net’s “AICW Problem Stretches” Listing For Little Mud RiverClick Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To This AICW Problem StretchBe the first to comment!
Ahoy Historians: Request for Knowledge of Ossabaw Island Settlers, St. Catherines Sound, near AICW Statute Mile 620
Georgia’s Ossabaw Island forms the northern shore of the mouth of St. Catherines Sound. Mike Dalton is asking about the history of Ossabaw after reading Claiborne Young’s Ossabaw Island History from 2013. If you have information about the early settlers, we would all like to hear from you!
I was raised mostly in Wabasso Fl in Indian River County and I understand Wabasso was named by freed slaves the moved to Florida from Ossabaw. What can you tell me about some of our early settlers that left Ossabaw and moved to Florida?
Mike DaltonClick Here To Open A Chart View Window Zoomed To the Location of Ossabaw Island
Comments from Cruisers (2)
- Reply to Jonathan
The Ossabaw Island Foundation has a page suggesting some books.
http://www.ossabawisland.net/ossabawbooks.aspxIn my last book I dealt with the Morel family who at one time owned the island. Over the Last two decades Mrs. West has allowed the restoration of some slave cottages and several archaeological digs on the island.
Jonathan Bryant
- Reply to Winston
Seems I recently saw a documentary about St Augustine’s early history and the arrival of native Americans from the Ossabaw area of Georgia when the Spanish took some revenge for hostilities. There is a website from the Georgia Historical Society about the area, which you probably already know about… if not here it is:
https://www.georgiaencyclopedia.org/articles/geography-environment/ossabaw-island
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Boat Thefts on the Rise in Florida Keys
Words to the wise!
Boat thefts are on the rise in the Florida Keys. Here’s how you can stop the trend from The Miami Herald
And this from YourObserver.com
Police warn boat owners to watch out for thieves
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Bahamas Chatter: Buccaneeer Club
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: Buccaneeer Club
Buccaneeer ClubPosted: 26 Mar 2018 04:51 AM PDT
We stopped at governors harbour on our way back to spanish wells from cape eluthera. We and our buddy boat wanted to go out for dinner. A friend had recommended the buccaneer club. We made a reservation for 7pm. When we got there there was a table with a reserved sign on it. The attendant seated us, gave us menus, and took drink orders. The menu was varied from apps to sandwiches to full meals. we had full meals plus drinks and dessert. Price was probably $$$-$$$$ but well worth it. We all said that the ambiance, food quality, service, etc was the best we’ve experienced in the bahamas. when we left there was a line. Thank god for reservations.
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Cape Fear Marina/Bennett Brothers Yachts Recommended, Cape Fear River, Wilmington, NC
Our thanks to George McNeir for recommending Cape Fear Marina/Bennett Brothers Yachts to a fellow Looper on AGLCA’s Forum. Bennett Brothers Yachts/Cape Fear Marina, A CRUISERS’ NET SPONSOR, is located on the eastern banks of the northeast Cape Fear River, just north of the Isabel Holmes – Highway 133 bascule bridge, and only a few steps from the downtown Wilmington waterfront.
Try Cape Fear Marina 910-762-1256 (Chris) and also Bennett Bros Yachts 910- 772-9277 (Tricia). Both are for the same marina but may offer two different rental arrangements. Wilmington, NC on the Cape Fear River.
George McNeir
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Worth a Thousand Words!
This sign’s advice is the same advice Cruisers’ Net has so often given for a number of inlets and ICW/Inlet intersections.
Herald-Tribune Archive Photo – Big Pass, Sarasota, FL
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Warning of Severe Shoaling in Big Pass and New Pass, Sarasota, near GIWW Statute Mile 72
Our thanks to Jennifer Wilson for this linked report on Big Sarasota Pass which has been embroiled recently in a legal battle over dredging. Big Sarasota Pass, which has frequent channel shifts and shoals, connects the Gulf with the Gulf Waterway and the southern tip of Sarasota Bay. New Pass leads directly to the Sarasota waterfront and the entrance portion between the Entrance Light and Light 7 is constantly shifting and shoaling. Cruisers’ Net has long recommended that this pass not be used.
Boaters warned of Big Pass, New Pass hazards from The Herald Tribune
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Big Sarasota Pass
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Bahamas Chatter: Anchoring Fees
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: Anchoring Fees
Anchoring FeesPosted: 23 Mar 2018 08:38 AM PDT
We have received confirmation from Exuma Park that the anchoring fees are indeed being collected as of March 1, 2018.
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Bahamas Chatter: “Waterproof charts” plus 1 more
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: ““Waterproof” charts” plus 1 more
“Waterproof” chartsPosted: 21 Mar 2018 06:53 AM PDT
My Explorer charts get wet fairly often.
Pages are ‘waterproof’ but the ink is definitely not.
As a result, my northern Abaco charts are nearly useless, having overlays on one page and blank on the other, as the ink lifts from one to the other facing pages.
Has anyone addressed this issue successfully in the past? Do Monty and Sarah sell replacement pages? It seems a real waste to have to buy another book for the sake of a few pages…
ANCHORING FEE OPPOSITION; original letter by CHARISMA
Posted: 20 Mar 2018 05:32 PM PDT
Hello fellow crusiers:
An unidentified boater from the Cruisers Net, well intentioned I’m sure, posted my letter below without my knowledge and moreover took the liberty of fictionalizing an opening paragraph. I believe many of you know that on 28 Feb, I was at my station as Net Controller in George Town…not in the land and sea park. Below is the original email letter to a friend, which I am totally happy to make public. Please feel free to copy and distribute, especially to BNT, BUT IN ITS COMPLETE AND ORIGINAL FORM. Thanks, Bill, sv CHARISM
Good morning, Joe:
Insofar as you may have a rapport with this man, perhaps you’d care to admonish him that there currently is NO mention of anchoring “fees” for vessels under ninety feet on the current park web site, Exumapark.org. I copied just now what is presented on that site and pasted it in at the conclusion of the Email.
I put fees in quotes, insofar as this charge to anchor a boat within these boundaries is tantamount to extortion. In my opinion if I anchor for the night and do not go ashore, then my activity places no strain upon the Park’s services or environs. Were I even so to float in the water to view fish and coral, what rationale is there to prevent me from doing this when I have paid my entry money allowing me, as per the Commonwealth, to physically be in any Bahamian location I so choose? Any effort to extract additional money for a particular area indistinguishable from surrounding environs is extortion, plain and simple, by definition, not opinion, and I shall not support it. Moreover, I intend to publish and circulate the above as broadly as media and conversation permits within the cruising community. The response to you from Joe in Nassau reveals his selective assessment that cruiser response is favorable; he is merely promoting the sound of his choir to advance an agenda. To the contrary the vast number of folks I canvas objectively, feel as me. That without published presentation of need, financial transparency, proper notification, and responsible methods of collection, anchoring “fees” in open Bahamian waters is a sham, and the use of the Park’s good name is being exploited. Therefore, neither I nor others with whom I have spoken will continue to anchor within Park boundaries, thereby averting conflict and discrimination we feel as a result of these sad circumstances. Furthermore, some of us who have freely contributed to the Park financially shall cease doing so. This new anchoring policy is ironically exploiting the very gift of nature it seeks to protect. Myself and others like me, and there are many, shall not be a part of it.
Please feel to forward this letter to anyone you do choose, including the Bahamas National Trust, and Exuma Land and Sea Park. I shall be doing so now to about one hundred fellow cruisers on my list.
Very truly yours,
Bill, s/v CHARISMA, Black Point, Exuma, 15 March, 2018
Captain W. Tice, USCG MASTER 100 TonBe the first to comment!
Florida Keys Budget for Pumpouts Slashed
Pumpout USA provides sewage pumpouts under a program to protect Florida Keys water quality. A shortfall in state funding this year could affect the program. Pumpout USA Pumpout USA
State slashes Keys money for boat sewage pumpouts
A state allocation of $500,000, matching last year’s state funding, to continue the free program for anchored liveaboards was cut to $277,650 in the newly approved Florida budget.
CLICK HERE FOR THE FULL REPORT from FlKeysNews.com
And notice how this budget cut was presented as “Good News”
The free mobile pump-out for vessels was funded at $227,000.
Legislative wrap: Good news for the Keys from Florida Keys WeeklyBe the first to comment!
Bahamas Chatter: Cheap fuel
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: Cheap fuel
Cheap fuelPosted: 16 Mar 2018 04:54 AM PDT
I took on diesel today 3-15-18 at the St Georges Power Plant Russell Island outside of Spanish Wells. 200 gallons tax included was $3.65/gal. Mac, the fuel dock manager lost his cell. He got a new cell and the number is 242-557-7520. They pump fuel for the fishing fleet.
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