Our thanks to Bill Parlatore for permitting Cruisers’ Net to post articles from his excellent blog, Following Seas.
When your diesel engine exhaust goes from clear to blue, white, or black smoke, this is usually an indication of several factors going on that might need your attention…
Smoke Signals from Following Seas by Bill Parlatore
Recent news of new public floating dockage at Hugh Taylor Birch State Park opposite Sunrise Bay (see https://cruisersnet.net/173090) raises the question as to why this attractive water expanse is not a listed anchorage. If you have anchored in Sunrise Bay and can address the pros and cons, please let us hear from you.
Yes, you may anchor at Sunrise Bay but be aware of the impact of wakes from the ICW. You will experience less wake impact the further away you are anchored from the ICW.
Other anchorages in the area are Lake Sylvia in Fort Lauderdale, Lake Santa Barbara in Pompano Beach and Boca Lake in Boca Raton. As locals, we have used them all.
Would this be a viable location for a liveaboard or only for an over night?
If not viable could you recommend somewhere nearby with free Anchorage?
Thank you in advance for any help
Jason
Our thanks to Bill Parlatore for permitting Cruisers’ Net to post his article on an issue that has been discussed and tossed about to the point of legislative frustration. See also https://cruisersnet.net/168593.
Monday Minute – The End of Ethanol? from Following Seas by Bill Parlatore
Our thanks to Phillip Decker for this article on new public dockage in Fort Lauderdale.
Hi, I ran across this story today about a new floating dock that has just been completed at Birch State Park, in Fort Lauderdale. Birch State Park has lots of room to walk your dog, take advantage of recreational activities, and even enjoy the ocean beach. The dock is directly across from Sunrise Bay, immediately north of the Sunrise Blvd. Bridge. Great anchorage, never crowded. The park has a $2 per person fee, but the office is at the other end of the park from the dock.
Phillip Decker
Hugh Taylor Birch State Park Opens Public Floating Boat Dock And Pavilion by Holly Gambrell in Fort Lauderdale Daily
Our thanks to Jan and David Irons for these beautiful photos and report from their first Great Loop miles. You are sure to recognize familiar spots along the Waterway.
After just over 400 miles on The Great Loop, our learning curve has SKYROCKETED & this is only the beginning. We have so much to learn!
Click Here for 1st 400 Miles of The Great Loop: Lessons Learned
We have discussed very often on Cruisers’ Net the dangers of reckless boating at night, especially following a fireworks party afloat when vision is still affected. Our thanks to BoatUS for these further suggestions and warnings.
BoatUS: Don’t Let Distracted Boating Get You This July 4 Holiday
Plus, other good boating advice for recreational boating’s busiest day of the year
ALEXANDRIA, Va., June 25, 2018 – Just like Americans’ hectic Thanksgiving Day holiday travel habits, July 4 is recreational boating’s biggest holiday of the year. The nonprofit BoatUS Foundation for Boating Safety and Clean Water predicts crowded launch ramp and marina facilities with significant recreational boat traffic congestion on lakes, rivers and coastal waters. Operator inattention, improper lookout, operator inexperience, machinery failure, and alcohol use rank as the top five primary contributing factors in accidents according to the U.S. Coast Guard, and each could come into play on boating’s biggest time of the year. Here are five July 4 safety tips from the BoatUS Foundation:
1. Stop the distractions: Being distracted — even for an instant — can make a good day go bad. Before you head out on the water, learn how to use your GPS at the dock, rather than with your head down, trying to figure out how to toggle between screens while underway. Can you move your hand between the throttle and wheel without looking? Do you know the locations of the trim switch, running lights or bilge switch by feel? If not, spend some time memorizing the locations of your boat controls. When running, try to zone out of unnecessary conversations that are going on around you, with the exception of valuable input from a helpful lookout. Texting and boating is a dangerous activity, just as it is in a car.
2. Hold off on the alcohol until you’re safely ashore or tied up for the night: Added to the effects of sun, wind and waves, alcohol lowers situational awareness. Bring lots of water and other nonalcoholic beverages.
3. The best life jacket is the one you will wear: Spending the extra money on a comfortable life jacket means your chances of wearing it greatly increase. Check out the newer, small lightweight inflatable-style life jackets that are nothing like the uncomfortable life jackets of old. And it’s also always wise to have everyone aboard in life jackets when going to fireworks shows – accidents can happen very quickly, especially after the shows end and the mad dash for home begins. If you need a right-sized kids life jacket, you can borrow one for free from one of 550 locations by going to BoatUS.org/Life-Jacket-Loaner.
4. Some help just for paddlers: Paddlers should understand all of the nautical rules of the road, practice defensive paddling and assume no one can see you. At night, show a white light (glow sticks hung around the paddler’s neck do not qualify). Avoid crowded anchorages and congested ramp areas.
5. About that broken down boat: The nationwide TowBoatUS on-water towing fleet traditionally reports hundreds of requests from boaters needing assistance with battery jumps and anchor-line disentanglements over the July 4 holiday. To avoid having to contact BoatUS 24-hour dispatch (BoatUS.com/App) monitor your boat’s battery drain during the long day on the water, go slow while hauling your anchor line, watch for wakes, and be super vigilant so you don’t run over someone else’s anchor line after the fireworks show ends.
The condition of your fuel tanks should be every captain’s concern. Our thanks to Bill Parlatore for this excellent article.
Here’s the newest post from FollowingSeas!
It is a good idea to inspect your fuel tanks every so often. Keeping them dry and well secured is vital for toruble free cruising. It also helps to check other components that come in contact with the tanks. Having piece of mind is a good thing.
Read on »
Our thanks to BoatUS for this report.
Congress Recognizes Importance of Outdoor Industry with Move to Continue Funding for Economic Impact Survey
If you are headed for the Bahamas and ports south, Marv’s Weather Service is an indispensable tool. Thank you Carol and Marv Market for providing this free service. Cruisers’ Net is proud to be associated with Marv’s Weather Service which is listed on Cruisers’ Net’s Homepage under WEATHER on the top bar as MARV’S TROPICAL WEATHER REPORTS.
Marv’s Weather Service – a planning tool for cruising the Bahamas (and beyond) and for crossing the Gulf Stream is Marv’s Weather Service .. we have established the buoy report locations based on our cruising the Bahamas for the last number of years .. to check out our service click the link to our on website .. www.marvsweather.com .. if you agree you can sign up for our daily eMail updates .. yes our service is a free service for all ..
Good news for Sarasota boaters! Big Sarasota Pass which, with its frequent channel shifts and shoals, connects the Gulf with the Gulf Waterway and the southern tip of Sarasota Bay. No time line is given for the dredging project.
The Florida Department of Environmental Protection has granted a permit to dredge Big Pass as part of a Lido Key shoreline re-nourishment project.
State grants permit for proposed Big Pass dredge from YourObserver.com
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Big Sarasota Pass
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