Cruisers' Net | Cruisers Helping Cruisers

May 19, 2016by: Larry Dorminy No Comments 31.9796,-81.05619999
Ridley Report: Isle of Hope Marina, Savannah, GA, AICW Statute Mile 590

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The Ridleys continue their log with a report on Isle of Hope Marina, A SALTY SOUTHEAST CRUISERS’ NET SPONSOR! which lies along the northwestern shores of the Waterway in the body of a hairpin turn northwest of Waterway marker #46A. And in case you missed their FOCUS ON, see /150925.
5-3-16 Now at Isle of Hope Marina at MM590. Went to fuel dock first– $2.09/gal. Dock (34′) and 30 amp for $75.00. great place to walk around old homes, etc. cable not work but pulled several channels off antennae. Put us on very northern end and very weak wifi. OK for email but not much else. Loaner car and bicycles available and a reasonable ships store. Strong Verizon. Really a great place to stop.
Jackie and Charlie on Traveler.
Click Here To View the Cruisers’ Net’s Georgia Marina Directory Listing For Isle of Hope Marina
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May 19, 2016by: Larry Dorminy No Comments 32.1561,-80.85619999
Ridley Report: Bull Creek Anchorage, AICW Statute Mile 565.5

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Charlie and Jackie continue their journey north with a report on these two anchorages, southern and northern upstream, on the waters of Bull Creek, south of Calibogue Sound and Hilton Head Island, east of the Waterway’s flashing daybeacon #34.
5-2-16 Now anchored in one of our favorites– Bull Crk east off ICW just south of MM565. Anchored in front of house where water not so deep. Good holding and usual tidal current. Good verizon. Look out over Calibogue Sound and Hilton Head island. Nice.
Charlie and Jackie on Traveler
Click Here To View the Cruisers’ Net’s South Carolina Anchorage Directory Listing For Bull Creek Anchorages
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May 19, 2016by: Larry Dorminy No Comments 32.6459,-80.27669999
Ridley Report from Tom Point Anchorage, AICW Statute Mile 495.5

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Skippers Charlie and Jackie Ridley have submitted several reports documenting their voyage north on the Waterway, beginning with Tom Point Creek anchorage, one of the best south of Charleston, as a number of you have commented.
5-1-16 Anchored in Tom Point Creek just past MM 495. Easy in and out. In about 8′, good holding and plenty room for other boats, but were none. 3-4 bars on Verizon–great views!! Tide current usual.
Charlie and Jackie on Traveler.
5-14-16 Anchored in Big Tom Creek about ½ mile in from MM613, Wide channel and easy in and out of creek. Anchor set first try. Decent Verizon. Beautiful sunset!! will stop here again.
Charlie and Jackie on Traveler.
Click Here To View the Cruisers’ Net’s South Carolina Anchorage Directory Listing For Tom Point Creek Anchorages
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May 19, 2016by: Larry Dorminy No Comments 27.2661,-82.56479999
Shoaling in Big Sarasota Pass, near GICW Statute Mile 73, 5/19/2016

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Big Sarasota Pass separates Lido Key and Siesta Key leading into lower Sarasota Bay.
FLORIDA – CHARLOTTE HARBOR TO TAMPA BAY – BIG SARASOTA PASS: Shoaling
Mariners are advised to exercise extreme caution and use local knowledge of BIG SARASOTA PASS and its conditions due to shoaling before attempting passage through Big Sarasota Pass Channel, Shoal Daybeacon A (LLNR 21465) position 27-15-58.000N/ 082-33-53.000W (27°15.9667N / 082°33.8833W, 27.266111 / -82.564722) to Daybeacon 15 A (LLNR 21530 [27°18.2935N / 082°33.6290W, 27.304891 / -82.560483]) position 27-18-17.609N/082-33-37.740W (27°18.2935N / 082°33.6290W, 27.304891 / -82.560483) . Private Buoys are not charted due to constantly shifting shoals and Buoys may not signify best water.
Chart 11425 LNM 20/16
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To A “Navigation Alert” Position at Big Sarasota Pass
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May 18, 2016by: Larry Dorminy No Comments
Bahamas Chatter: “Mapping Issues/Help” plus 1 more

Explorer Chartbooks, A SALTY SOUTHEAST 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: “Mapping Issues/Help” plus 1 more
Mapping Issues/Help
Posted: 17 May 2016 02:33 PM PDT
This weekend I was in West End fishing and noticed that my map was off by quite some distance. I am using a Garmin 7212 and the map source is from Lewis Offshore, explorer charts. When I was offshore West End the map was showing I was in 50ft of water but my depth sounder was recording about 600ft. It seemed to happen all the way along the coast of Grand Bahama up to White Sand ridge. Near Memory rock where the water is super clear, I could tell we were very deep (dark blue color) while the mapping program was stating we were in shallow 60 ft, depth sounds reading 800 ft or so. While I am back in the states, this does not happen as the maps seem very close to the depth sounder and even bottom contour. My question is, was I doing something wrong? or are the maps that far off over in the near Bahamas on the garmin chartplotters?
Explorer Charts
Posted: 17 May 2016 02:30 PM PDT
Garmin Chartplotters come with preloaded maps for all U.S. coastal areas and the Bahamas. The current release (February 2015) does NOT have Explorer Bahamas data for the Little Bahama Bank, most of Grand Bahama, the Abacos, Great Inagua, and the Turks and Caicos.
I ordered Garmin V2 charts, does it have Explorer information, if not will an App help bridge the information I might need?
Thanks
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May 18, 2016by: Larry Dorminy No Comments
Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission: Safe Boating Saves Lives

FWC: safe boating saves lives
Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission sent this bulletin at 05/17/2016 01:15 PM EDT
For immediate release: May 17, 2016
Media contact: Rob Klepper, 850-617-9666 or Robert.Klepper@MyFWC.com
FWC: safe boating saves lives
Although Florida’s boating season never really ends, the traditional start is marked by National Safe Boating Week, May 21–27. The week is a time for boaters to focus on simple and effective steps that make boating safer. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) wants all boaters to remember to boat safely. As the boating capital of the world, Florida leads the nation with nearly 1 million registered vessels across the state and is known as a prime boating spot for residents and visitors. Each year, FWC officers respond to far too many tragic and preventable boating accidents.
CLICK HERE for the full article.
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May 17, 2016by: Larry Dorminy No Comments
Shared Photo: Christ of the Abyss
Christ of the Abyss , N Grecian Rocks Key Largo by Tony Pozun
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May 17, 2016by: Larry Dorminy No Comments 28.3575,-80.7259999
Good Words for Cocoa Village Marina, Cocoa, FL, AICW Statute Mile 897

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Cocoa Village Marina occupies the mainland side of the Waterway, just north of the Cocoa bridge and only a few quick steps from the downtown Cocoa business district!
Great place, friendly, well designed and maintained. Staff are very helpful, and we found electrical repair services right away. Wi-fi is awesome.
Rick Cass
Click Here To View the Cruisers’ Net’s Eastern Florida Marina Directory Listing For Cocoa Village Marina
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May 17, 2016by: Larry Dorminy No Comments 32.1381,-80.8129999
FOCUS ON Harbour Town Yacht Basin, Hilton Head Island, SC, AICW Statute Mile 565

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Harbor Town Yacht Basin, A SALTY SOUTHEAST CRUISERS’ NET SPONSOR, lies just off the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway on Calibogue Sound, below Statute Mile 565 at Marker 32, right in the heart of The Sea Pines Resort.
Recently voted the 2015 “Marina of the Year” by Marina Dock Age magazine, the Harbour Town Yacht Basin has been a place for visitors and guests to enjoy world-class accommodations for over 40 years. Located in the heart of The Sea Pines Resort and on the Calibogue Sound, this full-service marina offers everything: shopping, dining, entertainment, watersports, fishing charters, cruises, and much more. Irrefutably Hilton Head Island’s most famous and visited marina, our amiable and experienced staff and Harbourmaster are dedicated to providing each visitor and guest with lifelong memories all amidst the spectacular backdrop of the iconic Harbour Town Lighthouse.

The Harbour Town Yacht Basin was built in 1969 by legendary founder, Charles Fraser. Modeled after a famous harbor in Portofino, Italy, Harbour Town Yacht Basin was designed to attract visitors while preserving the natural beauty of the landscape. This included preserving the Liberty Oak, which was incorporated into the layout of the marina in lieu of building more slips. Centuries old, the Liberty Oak has stood as a symbolic landmark for wedding venues and concerts, but the most iconic image of the yacht basin is the Harbour Town Lighthouse. Constructed the same year as the marina, the lighthouse has welcomed visitors to one of the most beautiful and unique places on earth while offering one-of-a-kind views.

Harbour Town Yacht Basin is an intimate marina that offers over 100 docking slips where visitors can dock nightly, monthly, or even for a lifetime. Modern facilities and exceptional service continue to contribute to the world-class resort experience that keeps guests coming back year after year. Guests and visitors at the yacht basin can enjoy world-class facilities throughout The Sea Pines Resort, such as the Harbour Town Clubhouse, the Sea Pines Beach Club, the Plantation Golf Club, and the luxurious Inn & Club at Harbour Town.

Guests can enjoy charter fishing, cruises and sightseeing tours, as well as watersports at Harbour Town. Explore fertile fishing grounds with the island’s most experienced captains on a three-hour or overnight excursion aboard a fishing charter, observe various marine life from aboard a multi-passenger yacht during a sightseeing tour of Calibogue Sound and Daufuskie Island, or close up on a waverunner, kayak, or paddleboard.
Click Here To View the Eastern Florida Cruisers’ Net Marina Directory Listing For Harbor Town Yacht Basin
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May 16, 2016by: Larry Dorminy No Comments 31.0462,-81.42259999
Detailed Report from Jekyll Creek, Jekyll Island, GA, AICW Statute Mile 684.5

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Robert Sherer is author of 2015 ICW Cruising Guide: A guide to navigating the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway. See /?p=150181. SSECN is grateful for Captain Sherer’s willingness to share his knowledge and experience with our readers. Jekyll Creek is home to SALTY SOUTHEAST CRUISERS’ NET SPONSOR, Jekyll Harbor Marina.
I’ve been through Jekyll Creek a dozen times and although there is a channel with 5.7 MLW depth, the problem has always been how to find it. This time through I found a good fit using ENC charts as displayed on the iPad app, Charts and Tides. I would think that any app that used NOAA ENC charts would display the same route (my laptop with ENC charts showed the route correctly).
At Jekyll Creek just south of the bridge
Sitting at anchor just south of the bridge on 4/22/216, we were astounded when we saw two huge tugs with several hundred feet of dredging pipe go through Jekyll at dead low tide, one tug on each end of the pipes. I followed in my dinghy. The mud stirred up was incredible. They stopped multiple times and rev’ed up the engines and plowed through. It took 20 min to round G19. In other words, they created the channel and successive runs is what keeps the channel open.
After they passed I got in my dinghy to measured the deepest spot by G19, R20 and R20A, going side to side with a portable depth sounder and found that 80 to 100 ft off each mark was best, at least now after the two tug plow team.
Route notes:
– Do not hug any marks, stay off R20A, R20 and R19 by 80 to 100 ft.
– Garmin charts are useless here but NOAA ENC charts work well.
– The depth readings were taken the day after two tugs passed (plowed!) through.
– A GPX file of the route is available here or go to http://tinyurl.com/hvugdss
Route depths:
Bridge 10.6 MLW, use as a check on general water depth, the bridge height gauge read 65 ft (it was near high tide when I passed through but all readings have been corrected to MLW)
Heading north:
– 1/2 way 6.7 MLW
– R20A 8.3 MLW
– 1/2 way 6.2 MLW
– R20 6.6 MLW
– By docks 9.2 MLW
– 1/2 way 8.1 MLW
– G19 5.7 MLW (80 ft off )
– At shoal mark 7.6 MLW
– G17 9.1 MLW
– R16 7.8 MLW
Deeper the rest of the way north.
I don’t claim this is the best route but it worked on 4/22/2016 for 5.7 MLW.
Robert Sherer
Click Here To View the Cruisers’ Net’s Georgia Marina Directory Listing For Jekyll Harbor Marina
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May 16, 2016by: Larry Dorminy No Comments 26.2846,-80.08359999
Good Words for Lighthouse Point Yacht Club, AICW Statute Mile 1052

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Lighthouse Point Yacht Club lies south of Waterway marker #68 on the large canal making into the western shores of the Waterway and well south of the Boca Raton Inlet.
Wonderful marina – good location that is right off the ICW in Lighthouse Point, Florida. Transit boaters are welcome at the Restaurant and it is open for lunch and dinner – check current schedule for day & hours of operation. Zack Rice, their Marina and Harbor Manager is very friendly and can accommodate most requests. Lovely pool area, super wi-fi connection and very calm inside the marina basin.
Joanne Kindlund
Click Here To View the Western Florida Cruisers’ Net Marina Directory Listing For Lighthouse Point Yacht Club
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May 14, 2016by: Larry Dorminy 1 Comment 26.6478,-81.86979999
Praise for Fort Myers Yacht Basin, Caloosahatchee River/Okeechobee Waterway Statute Mile 135

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City of Fort Myers Yacht Basin, A SALTY SOUTHEAST CRUISERS’ NET SPONSOR, lies along the southeasterly banks of the Caloosahatchee River, between the 3rd and 4th bridges from west to east. Our thanks to Ralph Winkler for these good words for one our finest sponsors.
Over the last ten years I’ve visited the Ft Myers Yacht Basin on several occasions as I’ve cruised the cut to the AICW but I’d not visited there in the last year or so, boy have they done a nice remodeling of the cruisers men’s and ladies restroom/showers. This morning I talked to Brian the manager and complemented them on the nice upgrade to the facilities. This marina is a great location if you’re east or west bound thru the cut, fuel and ships store prices are very good, the location is within walking distance to Ft Myers historical district including several great pubs, eating choices and even a very highly acclaimed theatre is just a couple blocks away. Try it! you will not be disappointed.
Ralph Winkler
Punta Gorda, FL
Click Here To View the Western Florida Cruisers’ Net Marina Directory Listing For Ft Myers Yacht Basin
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Comments from Cruisers (1)

Leif Lustig - May 17, 2016 - 3:59 pm

Thank you Mr. Winkler,
We are glad that you enjoyed your stay with us and we look forward to helping you to enjoy your boating in the Fort Myers area in the future.
Sincerely, Leif, Brian and the FMYB Crew
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May 14, 2016by: Larry Dorminy No Comments 36.3004,-76.2189999
Wanting to Crew on a Sailing Vessel North to Elizabeth City, NC

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If you need crew to handle a sailing vessel and can use Erica on the short trip from the Cape Fear River to Elizabeth City on the Dismal Swamp Route, let us hear from you! Elizabeth City is a SALTY SOUTHEAST CRUISERS’ NET SPONSOR!
I am near Wilmington looking to crew on a sailing vessel heading north towards Elizabeth City. I will be working on a sailboat here until then. Please email me if interested! Manneaej@gmail.com
Erica
Click Here To View the North Carolina Cruisers’ Net Marina Directory Listing For the Mariner’s Wharf Elizabeth City Docks
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