James Newsome is a regular contributor to SSECN and other publications, both online and print. He has been compiling his list of free dockage along the Waterway for several years and it is a list worth perusing! Naturally, author Newsome mentions Elizabeth City, A SALTY SOUTHEAST CRUISERS’ NET SPONSOR, and one of the best known free docks on the Waterway.
I don’t know if you remember me mentioning the “FREE DOCKAGE” list project back during the summer, but I’ve continued to work on this and believe I have everything listed from 0 MM at least down through Jacksonville, FL and 738 MM. I have a few more listings below Jax, but I have a lot more work to do in this area.
I’ve started a Facebook page FREE DOCKAGE where I offer the complete list. I’ve had a very good reception from folks who find the list useful and I’m currently at 643 likes. This format is working well for now because it is a no cost option for me to get this information out to a lot of folks who realize, like me, that none of the other cruising guides offer a short concise list for FREE DOCKS.
Elizabeth City, NC is a great example of a town that really tries to promote themselves as cruiser friendly with free dock offerings. They understand that most cruisers who come to their town are essentially tourists who happen to arrive by boats instead of cars, and these cruisers always spend money when they stop. Therefore, “Free Docks” is a win-win for boaters as well as communities.
James H. Newsome Contributing Writer – Southwinds Magazine s/v CaiLeigh Anna – Coastal Cruising With Hugh & Suze 98 Buena Vista Avenue Warrenton, GA 30828
Free “daytime” docks at the Gulfport, Florida Casino. No overnight docking but unlike the “courtesy” docks in downtown Saint Petersburg, there is no docking meter.
I have used and really like the list of free dockage list. We traveled to the Cheaspeake and used quite often. Great idea James and thanks for the work.
James Newsome is a regular contributor to SSECN and other publications, both online and print. Since he is a Georgian, as am I, we can forgive his concern for the reputation of Georgia’s Waterway. However, he makes valid points in comparing Georgia’s ICW to those problem areas in South Carolina and Florida.
I have found that GA does have a few areas of concern on the ICW, but the extent of the concern far surpasses the reality of the problems. On my cruise down to St. Augustine last spring I learned that FL has more shallow areas between Fernandina and Jacksonville that all of GA’s ICW. And my good sailing friends who cruised to the Chesapeake Bay last summer brought to my attention the terrible condition of the ICW just north of Charleston.
I’ve never quite understood why GA’s ICW has such a bad reputation. We arguably have two areas of concern, which is Little Mud River and Jekyll Creek, but both are easily manageable. I personally don’t consider Hell’s Gate near Savannah to be a concern, but I know there are many folks who will disagree with me. James H. Newsome Contributing Writer – Southwinds Magazine s/v CaiLeigh Anna – Coastal Cruising With Hugh & Suze 98 Buena Vista Avenue Warrenton, GA 30828
Walburg Creek shapes the east side of Walburg Island and the Waterway lies on the west side. Good depths and great beach combing. Our young daughters always called the beach spooky because of the skeletal trees and dense forest to the east! While the creek has both a northern and southern entrance from the AICW, we prefer the northern passage, though there is still an unmarked shoal northwest of Middle Ground in St. Catherine’s Sound which must be bypassed. Our thanks to Bob McLeran for this graphic depiction of the southern entrance which exits the Waterway eastward at Mile 623.5.
Larry, Attached is a JPG file I created of the track we produced on October 24th when we exited Walburg Creek via the “southern” entrance/exit closest to the ICW. There seems to be a lot of misinformation about that particular entrance/entrance to this great anchorage and how best to get across the shallow area. Perhaps this will help cruisers decide whether to use the anchorage without having to go out into the “wilds” of St. Catherine’s Sound to get there.
Obviously, if one goes into the creek from the ICW in the late afternoon, the same tide height (roughly) would be available the following morning. Mid-tide or higher would work best for boats drawing more than five feet.
FYI, the software creating the background and the track-point intervals is Fugawi ENC (version 4.5x). Our primary navigation software is PolarNavy, but we also run Fugawi as a backup on the same laptop. Fugawi was used here to display the track because it highlights the track point (the square box) and the point’s data whereas PolarNavy doesn’t do that. Bob McLeran
Our thanks to Skipper Meyer for these words of caution. The twin Jensen Beach Bridge anchorages lie west of the Waterway, north and south of the Jensen Beach bridge, south of unlighted daybeacon #219.
I entered the south anchorage from the east across the thin strip marked as 6′. It was a bad decision. The depth-finder showed 4’6’³ (my draft) in a couple spots. Managed to hop through but it was nerve-wracking. Will go southeast through the deeper water to exit. Chad Meyer
Our thanks to Skipper Newsome for responding to a Nav Alert posted last year by a longtime resident of Jekyll Harbor Marina, Sonny Reeves. As Sonny would tell us, the channel through Jekyll Creek seems to shift a little with each tide and, as Skipper Newsome advises, “finding” the deep water at low tide is key to a successful passage at low tide. SSECN still recommends mid to high tide passage for this Problem Stretch. See other recent reports and further advice at /?p=148121 and /?p=144895.
Passed through this area on 10/25/15 an hour past low tide and saw no less than 7-1/2′. Assuming there is at least 1′ more water an hour into the flood, this means there was at least 6′ to 6-1/2′ of water at low tide. And there was a negative .2′ tide yesterday that I’m not taking into consideration. A dock hand at Jekyll Island marina told us prior to passing through that there is at least 6′ of water in Jekyll Creek. We confirmed this with our readings. The key to passing through here near low tide is `finding’ the water. Skippers reporting less than 6′ of water obviously aren’t in the deepest area of the channel. I draw 5’8’³ and still wouldn’t pass through here at dead low, but I feel pretty confident making the run through here an hour past low, assuming there’s not a huge negative low tide. James Newsome
Bennett Brothers Yachts/Cape Fear Marina, A SALTY SOUTHEAST 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.
Acting as your host to beautiful and historic Wilmington, NC, Bennett Brothers Yachts at the Cape Fear Marina features 3,000 feet of floating docks in a sheltered harbor. Bennett Brothers Yachts (BBY) has been a widely recognized repair yard since 1986 and every conceivable repair – mechanical, below waterline, electronic, and carpentry – is readily available. Most of all, BBY has the safe and sure reputation of getting it right the first time.
Voted by USA Todayfor 2015 “America’s Best Riverfront City”, Wilmington, North Carolina is a “must see” as you travel through the Carolinas and a visit Bennett Brothers Yachts at the Cape Fear Marina could be your best stop on your passage or journey. With so many sites to see and so much fun to take part in, Wilmington is located in the northernmost subtropic region with pleasant weather year round. No frozen harbors in Wilmington!
Beautiful antebellum architecturewith great “gingerbread” can be
Photo by Wedding Mapper
seen as you stroll this pedestrian friendly city. Guided tours and horse drawn carriages are commonly enjoyed, but self guided visiting is encouraged and well worth it. The locals are approachable and happy to share a story or two and will direct you to whatever you seek. Restaurants are abundant in all genres of fair, and provisioning is easy with Whole Foods Market, Trader Joe’s , Harris Teeter Supermarkets and a local seasonal Farmers Market nearby.
Photo by Brad Van Amberg
The Downtown historic districthas some new things brewing and brewing makes another great reason to sample the flavors of the area. Microbreweries and brew pubs have become increasingly popular for locals and visitors alike. Sample craft beers while enjoying the backdrop of a fun peninsula city borded by the Atlantic ocean and the Cape Fear River. The Cotton Exchange, The City Market and Chandlers Wharf are filled with unique one of a kind retailers where you can pick up the perfect gift or present .
If your vessel needs any attentionduring your visit, BBY – awarded ABBRA “Excellence in Customer Care 2015” – can handle most any repair or service you require. Full mechanical, paint and glass departments supported with carpentry and electronics service are found here at BBY. Work can be completed via our mobile service in-water or, if needed, hauled-out by our certified 70 ton Marine Travel Lift with extra wide capacity to haul catamarans. It is one of the largest lifts in the region. Ask for a free, full guided tour of the BBY facility when you arrive, to see if there is something you would like to fix or upgrade to make your cruising more enjoyable.
If you happen to schedule work on your vessel, or just stop for a visit, there will certainly be no shortage of things to see and do. For starters, The USS North Carolina is moored in her permanent home and has tours below her decks that will inform even the experts and entertain the whole family. Golf, fishing, SUP, kayaking, birding, triathlon training and competition, sailing, surfing and theater are just a small taste of what the “Port City ” has to offer. Wrightsville Beach is just minutes away and was acknowledged by National Geographic as a top ten surfing town!
Located just 26 nautical miles north of Southport, North Carolina, BBY is easier to get to than you think. BBY and Cape Fear Marina are on the Northeast Cape Fear River, approximately 12 nautical miles from the Snow’s Cut passage on the AICW. As you travel north along the Cape Fear River, you will first pass the NC State Port Facility, then USS North Carolina and the scenic downtown Wilmington riverfront. You will then pass under two bridges, first the Cape Fear Memorial Bridge, with a closed vertical clearance of 65 feet and 138 feet maximum when raised, should be hailed on Channel 18. Next is the Isabel Holmes Bridge with a closed vertical clearance of 42 feet and should be hailed on Channel 13. The Isabel Holmes Bridge opens at 10 AM and 2 PM between the hours of 6 AM and 6 PM and on demand at all other times.
Fly in and out of Wilmington through the International Airport ILM, located just 5 minutes from BBY. We will even pick you up at the airport! We hope you have a wonderful visit when you’re here and return with your friends to experience the many facets this ‘off the beaten path’ town has to offer.
Patricia Donovan Bennett, President
Editor’s note: Patricia Bennett was honored recently by Marina Life Magazine, see /?p=145444
Bennett Brothers Yachts, Inc. Cape Fear Marina 1701 J.E.L. Wade Drive Wilmington, NC 28401 www.bbyachts.com 910.772.9277
Cape Haze Marina flanks the eastern shores of the ICW/Lemon Bay, south of unlighted daybeacon #9. See /?p=148478 for great photos! This report is from our good friends at AGLCA.
The Cape Haze Marina is about 4.5 miles before the bridge [Boca Grande Swing Bridge] and is the best deal in the area. The staff and live aboards ar very friendly and helpful. I received 3 offers to take me to the local Publix the first day there. We were caught by the weather and this marina at $1.50/ft. electric included was our choice. The docks are fixed wood in good condition. Restaurant about 3/4 mile away (very good), but the heads and showers are only open from 07:30am to 5:00pm. WiFi is iffy at the transient dock. Mitch & Carole Brodkin
The Brickhill makes a pleasant, parallel detour east of the Waterway, with a north departure at Waterway marker #40 and rejoining the Waterway at Cumberland Dividings, markers #62 and #63. Cumberland Dividings has been a Problem Stretch for several years due to constantly shifting shoals and an erroneous magenta line on many chartplotters. Capt. Thorpe advises you to follow the Green markers on the east side of the channel and ignore the Red.
I have been going through this stretch for ten years at all tide stages in a coastal passenger ship 240′ long drawing 9 feet’¦coming South staying to the left (GPS will show you actually going through the marsh) will carry 20+ feet all the way. Forget that the red markers exist! Henry Thorpe
Henry’s advice is spot on. I learned the lesson here many years ago when I misread the markers and relied on the magenta line. I had good company as two other boats, one northbound and the other southbound with me, all ran aground. Follow the navigational aids favoring the green marker and you will have no problem.
A SALTY SOUTHEAST CRUISERS’ NET SPONSOR, Old Port Cove is located on the western shore of the northern Lake Worth channel, near unlighted daybeacon #7.
Old Port Cove Holdings, Inc. and COVE PLAZA Are Pleased to Welcome
TO COVE PLAZA at OLD PORT COVE
On behalf of our entire staff and management team, I am pleased to announce that the Marine Industries Association of Palm Beach County now hails from Cove Plaza which is located at the entrance to Old Port Cove in North Palm Beach. You will find their new office on the lower level of the 1208 building in Suite B. (That’s the 2nd building after going down the ramp.)
ABOUT: The Marine Industries Association of Palm Beach County, Inc. (MIAPBC) is a not-for-profit organization created to promote and protect the sound growth of the marine industry in Palm Beach County for the benefit and education of its members, the community, and the environment.
MIAPBC is also responsible for the Annual Palm Beach Holiday Boat Parade and The U.S. Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots toy drive both of which are right around the corner, Saturday, December 5, 2015.
Please join us in welcoming the MIAPBC to Cove Plaza!
Old Port Cove Holdings, Inc. Sue Morgan, Marketing & Public Relations Director 116 Lakeshore Drive North Palm Beach, Florida 33408 561-296-1863 marinas@opch.com
A SALTY SOUTHEAST CRUISERS’ NET SPONSOR, Old Port Cove is located on the western shore of the northern Lake Worth channel, near unlighted daybeacon #7.
Huckins Boat Yard is located on the northern shores of the Ortega River off the St. Johns River, just upstream of the Roosevelt Boulevard Bridge with a 45ft vertical clearance. Skipper Alderman joins other skippers in praising Huckins Boat Yard. See /?p=146584 for photos of their work.
Huckins is the best. We had a fuel tank replaced by them and some more work done to the Leprechaun 440 EB Sea Ray and I can’t say enough about them. They are the top of the line service and very reasonable on their price. Richard and Justin were the best and PJ was on top of everything and Trishia in the office could not have been better. If you need repairs, get it there you will not be sorry. Bill Alderman
BoatUS remains the premiere advocate for boaters on all waters and SSECN is proud to have BoatUS as a SPONSOR!
NEWS From BoatUS Boat Owners Association of The United States 880 S. Pickett St., Alexandria, VA 22304 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Press Contact: D. Scott Croft, 703-461-2864, SCroft@BoatUS.com
The bladder of the MD315 and MD318 series life jackets affected by the voluntary recall by Mustang are fluorescent green and made in Canada.
Mustang Survival Voluntarily Recalls Two Models of Inflatable Life Jackets
ALEXANDRIA, VA, October 15, 2015 — Mustang Survival has announced it is voluntarily recalling two selected models of inflatable personal flotation devices (PFDs) manufactured in Canada between September 2014 and September 2015. The recall is being issued for the reinforcement of a portion of the bladder assembly that may tear when the bladder lobes are flexed apart while fully inflated.
While a solution has been developed that corrects any affected products and prevents occurrence of this issue, the repair can only be performed at a Mustang Survival factory. Boat Owners Association of The United States (BoatUS) is urging boaters to check their life jacket inventory and see the easy identification guide at www.mustangsurvival.com/advisories to quickly determine if the life jacket is subject to the recall.
This recall notification is only for certain models as identified with model numbers that begin with either MD315 (sold in Canada) or MD318 (sold in the US). `No other Mustang Survival products are affected as they utilize different bladder assemblies or have been originally produced with the required reinforcement,’ said Mustang in a statement.
Consumers are urged to return affected PFDs by directly contacting Mustang Survival’s Customer Service department at 1-800-526-0532 between 7:30am and 4:30pm PST, Monday through Friday for specific shipping instructions. Boaters should not return product to their retailer as all product inspections and repairs are being handled by Mustang Survival.
About Boat Owners Association of The United States (BoatUS):
BoatUS is the nation’s largest organization of recreational boaters with over a half million members. We are the boat owners’ voice on Capitol Hill and fight for their rights. We help ensure a roadside breakdown doesn’t end a boating or fishing trip before it begins, and on the water, we bring boaters safely back to the launch ramp or dock when their boat won’t, day or night. The BoatUS Insurance Program gives boat owners the specialized coverage and superior service they need, and we help keep boaters safe and our waters clean with assistance from the non-profit BoatUS Foundation for Boating Safety and Clean Water. Visit BoatUS.com.
What a perfect gift for that special someone who loves the water!
Little Rivers and Waterway Tales by Bland Simpson – NEW from UNC Press
Greetings from the University of North Carolina Press:
UNC Press is pleased to announce the publication of Little Rivers and Waterway Tales by Bland Simpson.
The list price is $30.00 cloth. We offer discounts for bulk purchases. If your organization has a newsletter, you might want to include an announcement about the book or announce it on your website.
Please contact me if you have any questions about ordering this book.
With best regards, Susan Garrett
————————————————— Susan Garrett Sales and Marketing University of North Carolina Press 116 S. Boundary Street Chapel Hill, NC 27514 phone: 919-843-7897 fax: 919-966-3829 susan_garrett@unc.edu
Each month, Greg & Sandi Shekita of Sherrills Ford, NC faithfully send their newsletter, Inland Seafarer, outlining the many activities of this excellent North Carolina Sail and Power Squadron. The work they do to promote boating and boating safety is outstanding.
Located south-southeast of AICW marker #27, Titusville Municipal Marina is one of the best medium-sized, municipal marinas on the Eastern Florida coastline. It is also only a short driving distance from Dixie Cross Roads Seafood Restaurant, one of the best in the south! Our thanks to Captain Seeley for bringing these changes to our attention.
FYI, Titusville has been turned over to a private management company by the city, as of October 3. The city was dis-allowing live aboards’ over 6 months in a 12 month period. The new management is in the process of changing that. We will see how that develops. S and G management out of Milwaukee is the new manager. Courtesy van no longer offered, merchants did not support it. Captain Douglas Seeley dwsco32780@gmail.com www.titusvillekeelboatschool.com
With the reported groundings and marker confusion at this intersection (/?p=144468), it is definitely wise to follow the advice given below by Skipper Bob and others. Do not follow the Magenta Line in this stretch of the ICW, as SSECN has advised by many months!
There’s a spot on the last stretch of ICW just before Onslow Beach swing bridge you should be aware of. Between red Marker 60 & green 61A it has shoaled up so bad that it ran five or more aground (according to Seatow which has a boat standing by in the area) just yesterday. There’s a floating green buoy there close to the north shore. It looks out of place but you need to stay far to the inside of it, about 20-30 feet from shore. The chart seems to show the ATONS, but it doesn’t make any sense when you look at it on the water; check the buoys with binocs and you’ll see a red followed by a green almost in line along the starboard bank when southbound. They were there when we transited northbound in June, so they have been there awhile. Can’t believe that the Seatow boat hangs out in a nearby creek waiting to help rather than warning boats as they approach. Bob
October 30 Multiple groundings occurred this week between buoys 60-63. One big reason- buoy 61A is not there! Tow Boat US advised us to pass 40-50 ft from W shore. We did so & saw 8.8 ft at high tide. Suspect we were a little too close to shore, trawler in front of us was more towards where 61A should of been and saw 12 ft. Mike & Cathy Powers S/V Second Flight
I grounded there hard 4 days ago– both seatow and rowboat were there, yet I got no security or warning from either- just an offer from seatow to pull me off for $300. I lost a lot of respect for both company’s after that. Boats were grounding all day from radio traffic after I did. I gave two security warnings while in the area but heard nothing from either tow service as a warning…
One mile north of Marine Corps Bridge at Onslow Beach, Marker 61A missing. Many boats grounding there. John Wampler http://www.yachtaide.com Fort Lauderdale, Fl.
I’ve gone through this area slowly and watchfully since 2010. I typically reduce to idle speeds, and then stay red and proceed with alert eyes and ears. Thanks to this site and others, the area is well-documented. Comments such as “bent props and shafts” as in reference to this area, get my attention always. Ben Matthews
The ICW by Brown’s inlet remain’s a problem. We passed through on 10/21. Remain close to the shoreline, not the inlet marker. We touched bottom and reversed quickly to avoid trouble.
As in an earlier posting from Beaufort, SC, where onshore properties are being damaged by passing wakes (/?p=153100), residents in the area of the Socastee Bridge are asking for No Wake! SLOW DOWN and help these folks recover!!
Winston, FYI. The Coast Guard, SCDNR and local agencies are safe guarding the lower ICW near Socastee Bridge. Homes have flooded and wakes are getting into them from boaters. I couldn’t find anything online, but thought you might have heard something. I did find this in the Sun News of Myrtle Beach.
We have friends who own a home directly on the ICW a quarter of a mile north of the Socastee Swing Bridge. Not only are people in boats creating large wakes that damage the homes and properties, some people are using boats to loot the properties.
I’ll leave out what I personally think of anyone who would take advantage of someone’s misfortune by stealing from them, but those who must be on the water for a legitimate reason really should travel at no-wake speed whenever they come near homes and businesses.
In marinas from Mile Zero to the Keys, onSpot WiFi is installing what every internet seeking transient and resident wishes all marinas would install: fast, reliable Hotspot internet connections. If your marina doesn’t have an onSpot WiFi system, pass this information along. You will be glad you did! onSpot Wifi is A SALTY SOUTHEAST CRUISERS’ NET SPONSOR!
onSpot WiFi has just added Bahia Mar Marina in Ft Lauderdale, Fl to it’s growing lists of marinas that offer onSpot WiFi‘s high speed internet marina Hotspots.
`We’re very proud of the wireless network that Bahia Mar Marina has allowed us to install. Making use of an all fiber optic backbone, the Bahia Mar Hotspot is delivering blistering throughput speed and all vessels from Mega Yachts to smaller trawlers and Sailboats are reporting amazing download speeds with always on connections.’
onSpot WiFi offers both 2.4 and 5G access for all their marinas and their users.
Isle of Hope Marina – A SALTY SOUTHEAST CRUISERS’ NET SPONSOR! – lies along the northwestern shores of the Waterway in the body of a hairpin turn northwest of Waterway marker #46A.
Follow the gentle curves of the Intracoastal Waterway to the Isle of Hope Marina, nestled in the middle of the scenic historic neighborhood of Isle of Hope and located just minutes away from Downtown Savannah, Ga. Founded in 1926, the marina is ideally positioned for relaxation and Southern hospitality.
Watch the sunrise from your boat or enjoy it while strolling along beautiful Bluff Drive, taking in the eclectic mansions and picturesque Spanish moss. And no trip to Isle of Hope Marina would be complete without walking, driving, or biking down the majestic oak-lined avenue of the Wormsloe Plantation, fantastically located less than a mile from the marina.
The Isle of Hope Marina can be found west of Marker 46A at ICW Mile 590. Enjoy your stay on 4,000 feet of concrete floating docks, including 600 feet of deep-water face docks capable of accommodating mega-yachts (up to 220 ft.). Our dockage amenities include a fuel dock with gasoline and diesel (volume discounts), metered electric (30, 50, & 100 amp; single phase), an electronic security system, pump-out, and complimentary digital TV and Wi-Fi. The bathrooms, showers, and coin operated laundry room are clean and secured after hours by key card access. Please note that the Isle of Hope Marina is the last southbound fuel stop on the ICW for 90 miles.
Take advantage of complimentary morning coffee and the Wall Street Journal, and be sure to browse the Ship Store for afternoon ice cream treats and other fun goodies. Hop in one of our two complimentary loaner cars for provisioning, shopping, and eating just a mile and a half down the road in Historic Sandfly. If you prefer more physical activity, pedal away on a complimentary bicycle or swim some laps at the community pool between Memorial and Labor Day. There’s no shortage of friendly people, pets, and scenic views on this beautiful island and our overwater pavilion is a great spot for a picnic lunch or a place to sit and get some fresh air.
Isle of Hope Marina 50 Bluff Drive Savannah, Ga 31406 912-354-8187 www.iohmarina.com ICW Skidaway River Mile 590, Marker 46A
Comments from Cruisers (3)
Free “daytime” docks at the Gulfport, Florida Casino. No overnight docking but unlike the “courtesy” docks in downtown Saint Petersburg, there is no docking meter.
This is an excellent addition to any cruiser out there. Good on you for doing this James. 🙂
I have used and really like the list of free dockage list. We traveled to the Cheaspeake and used quite often. Great idea James and thanks for the work.