With a closed vertical clearance of 7ft, Little River Swing Bridge crosses the Waterway at Statute Mile 347 and will soon be named “Captain Archie Neil ‘Poo’ McLauchlin Swing Bridge.”
Why the Poo Crew is renaming a bridge after North Myrtle’s Captain Poo from Myrtle Beach Sun News
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Little River Swing Bridge
Cruisers’ Net is always glad to hear from experienced cruiser David Burnham, a true Cruiser Helping Cruisers and we look forward to the next log page of his current cruise. Be assured that David’s observations and advice can be trusted and passed along to your cruising colleagues. See Closures Ahead for the latest LNM on the FEC RR bridge in Jacksonville.
I took a sailboat from Palatka, Florida (on the St. Johns River) around through Jacksonville and down to Saint Augustine today. Apart from the FEC railroad bridge problems in downtown Jacksonville, I have a few other items that may interest cruisers.
In Green Cove Springs, Florida, the public dock has reopened and there is electricity available. However, the telephone contact number at the city office is no longer posted at the dock. I tied up our sailboat overnight and left again in the morning without any contact from the city.
At the downtown “Jacksonville Landing”, only the downtown shuttle ferry is making a landing as the signs that the “dock is under repair and no docking is permitted” are still in place and there is no sign of any work in progress.
This will make it a bit difficult for cruisers who arrive to find that the FEC railroad bridge is closed until the 18th of March.
Heading south from Jacksonville on the AICW, green floating marker #7 is found just after turning south into the AICW from the St Johns River. However, it seems to have floated out of position as it was sighted a little outside, and on the wrong side, of the channel and to the southeast of red markers #6 and #8. Southbound Cruisers should not try to leave green #7 to port until it is returned to its proper position on the northeast side of the channel. Northbound cruisers should be able to see that green #7 is not on the correct side of the channel as they approach the St. Johns River crossing.
Further south on the AICW near the St. Augustine Airport, green marker #41 is normally a lighted mark, but it was not lit after dark when I passed it today.
David Burnham
See also EF Local Notices to Mariners for other navigation issues
This should be included in one of your frequent briefings.
There is no diesel fuel available south of Doctor’s Lake Marina on the St. John’s River, including at Monroe Bay Marina in Sanford. Waterway Guide’s 2018 Southern edition shows it available at several places.
Trout Creek Marina near Palatka is accessible if you can get under a 17 foot fixed bridge. This is the listed height on the NOAA chart, however some resources say the clearance is 14 feet. This marina told us their credit card machine was not working and they would only accept cash.
We did not check with Mandarin Holiday Marina, but it is just across the river from Doctor’s Lake.
Georgetown Marina, at the north end of Lake George, told us their diesel system was destroyed by the hurricane. Not sure which one, but no indication it would change.
St. John’s Marina South, north of Hontoon Island, told us their diesel pump was not working, with no indication it was going to be fixed anytime soon.
Sanford Boat Works, which is south of Sanford, nay have it available, but there was no answer when trying to contact them on a Saturday. Access to this facility is questionable for deeper draft cruising boats, according to several we talked to.
Anyone cruising the St. John’s should know this, and be sure to fill at Doctor’s Lake Marina, before heading farther south.
Norman Mason
Peggy Sue, Monk 36
California, MD
Boat Trailer Maintenance Tips
A spare tire (if not two), lug nuts and wrench, marine grease, and even a spare hub should be in your trailer repair arsenal, especially when traveling long distances.
CLICK HERE FOR THE FULL REPORT from Florida Sportsman Magazine
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: “THE QUEEN CONCH NEEDS PROTECTION” plus 1 more
THE QUEEN CONCH NEEDS PROTECTION
Posted: 08 Mar 2018 02:36 PM PST
The queen conch (Strombus gigas) is a large marine mollusc, formerly abundant throughout the Caribbean region. It is now under threat from overfishing.
There has been a major decline in the population of protected queen conchs in the Bahamas’ Exuma Cays Land and Sea Park over the last 20 years.
The most recent survey found predominantly older queen conchs, with a shortage of juveniles to replace them.
Researchers believe overfishing in upstream areas has depleted the park’s larval supply. Increased predator density within the park may also be a problem for juveniles.
Queen conch fisheries outside protected areas in the Bahamas are experiencing intense fishing pressure and are near collapse.
Conchs play a huge role in Bahamian culture.
Act now to save the Queen Conch.
Shedd Aquarium Postdoctoral Research Associate Dr. Andy Kough has been working alongside partners at the Bahamas National Trust to survey different habitats around The Bahamas for queen conch. Using Shedd’s research vessel, the R/V Coral Reef II, Dr. Kough and fellow researchers are gathering data to inform conch fishery management and protect populations into the future.
Posted: 08 Mar 2018 02:29 PM PST
Here are some changes to add to your 6th Edition Explorer Chartbook Far Bahamas, in case you haven’t already found them:
NORTH END, CAPE SANTA MARIA TO HARVEY’S BAY
Pratt’s Store at Seymours closed
Beach Bungalow Restaurant closed
Internet Connection near Stella Maris closed
Williams’ Auto Car Rentals at Glintons closed
No more scooter rentals at Stella Maris Inn
Coming soon: Tiki Bar and Grill at north end of Queen’s Highway at Seymours; boat tours of swimming pigs and feeding the stingrays.
Add Columbus Harbour Tours with Omar Daley at 357-1417.
HARVEY’S BAY TO MCKANNS
Add Green Leaf Bar and Grill at Bunches
Long Island Souvenirs at Deals
Wemyss-ical Treasures at Wemyss
SALT POND (Thompson Bay to Grays)
Long Island Breeze closed
Royal Bank of Canada in Cartwrights closed
Scotia Bank at Buckleys operating only two days a week with limited services (still have ATM for now)
Explorer Chartbooks now available at Seafarer Marine, Salt Pond, as well as Long Island Petroleum
Hardings Supply Centre Salt Pond closed
Add to Restaurants: Club Washington in McKanns and Tiny’s Hurricane Hole (formerly Parrots of the Caribbean) on Thompson Bay
Internet at Sou’Side Grill and Tiny’s
Also laundry at Tiny’s (two washers and dryers)
Seaside Car Rental (formerly listed as Fox Auto) correct phone number 338-0140 or 357-1528
Stan’s Car Rentals closed
DEADMANS CAY AREA
Add to Groceries: Kirtland’s Supermarket and Deli
JB Carroll’s Grocery and lodging closed
Library at Buckleys closed
Constantakis no longer rents cars in Petty’s
Add to Restaurants: Lloyd’s Sporting Lounge (Restaurant) at Turnbull, Big Gate on airport road.
CLARENCE TOWN and SOUTH END
The new Lighthouse Point Restaurant at Flying Fish Marina offers a spectacular view of the ocean and the cut into the harbour. There is also a new ship’s store with limited but growing supplies.
Add to Bakery and Groceries: Everyday Essentials (delicious baked bread and goodies and dry goods) on the hill in downtown Clarence Town
Below Clarence Town, closed businesses are Yelredda’s, Sweet P’s, Red Door at Berry’s, BTC Roses. Government clinic is still open.
J’s Convenience Store at Dunmore, expanded merchandise
A road trip revealed that the Queen’s Highway gets worse with potholes as you travel north from Salt Pond and better as you travel south, but it is always worth a road ramble on Long Island to find the old and the new.
The intersection of Shallotte Inlet and the Waterway has been an infamous Problem Stretch for years, but these observations and detailed report from experienced cruiser, Tom Hale, will help you plan for your passage through this Problem Stretch.
The real NC trouble spot according to the USACE survey of February 18 is in Shallotte inlet. They are reporting depths in the 4-6 foot range according to the survey, and that is what we found in November. That channel is very narrow, perhaps as narrow as 30′. When transiting Shallotte it is wise to time your transit on a rising tide to get the extra water level help. Please see Shallotte Survey for more detail.
There is a SAIL Magazine Secrets of the ICW FB page which has a lot of charts and tracks for dealing with the known trouble spots along the Atlantic ICW.
Tom Hale – reprinted with permission from AGLCA’s Forum
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To This AICW Problem Stretch
The best way to get through this area is to avoid it altogether by exiting the ICW via the Little River Inlet and enjoying a short relaxing sail across Long Bay to re-enter via the Cape Fear River. In eight trips up and down the ICW we have always done this outside hop. In addition, there is a beautiful anchorage off Bird Island at the mouth of the Little River Inlet, avoiding the usually crowded anchorage in Calabash Creek.
At the mouth of the Cape Fear River, the marina at Bald Head Island is an excellent stop.
Intracoastal Yacht Sales, a long-time CRUISERS’ NET SPONSOR, offers full service brokerage representation from three locations, Wrightsville Beach, NC, Little River, SC and Charleston, SC. You will want to see these new offerings!
CLICK HERE FOR THEIR NEW LISTINGS
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: Rock Sound, Eleuthera, Update
Rock Sound, Eleuthera, Update
Posted: 07 Mar 2018 01:17 PM PST
Thanks to a fellow cruiser for this new information on Rock sound:
Four Points, then Pascals, then Wild Orchids, now it is Frigates Restaurant. They have built a really nice enlarged dinghy dock and the gully has been partly dredged out. Great happy hours, free wifi, really nice but pricey for dinner. Hall’s grocery store has done some renovations and is really nice and well stocked, better prices than the Marketplace. They just completed a big dredging project and bulit an apron at the gov’t dock and the fast ferry/Island Link made its initial run into Rock Sound yesterday, huge uptick for the south end of the island as previously fast ferry only came into Gov Hbr. The old mailboat Eleuthera Express apparently has been retired due to age, all this infrastructure being funded by the Fast Ferry company. Everything else pretty much the same in Rock Sound, just as friendly as ever. Some expansion on the 3T’s laundromat, very clean and friendly.
The road near Glass Window was washed out with this last storm and folks have said it was worse there Sunday then during recent hurricanes. There is a report of some tourists who were swept away there, one survived but one missing.
The intersection of the Waterway and Lockwoods Folly has been a Problem Stretch for years and requires almost annual dredging. Our thanks to our Looper friends, Sandra Kay and Nelson, for this good depth report posted on AGLCA’s Forum.
Passed northbound through Lockwood Folly on the north end of Holden Beach (ICW 320) at mid tide this morning. Channel is well marked. Least depth was 9 feet. Also notice a Corp of Engineers mv Currituck staying over night at Holden Beach dolphins. Apparently they’ve been checking the channel depths and markers both north and south of this location. However with each winter storm this could quickly change. Three southbound sailboats inquired and were happy to learn about the good depth, as they were approaching this notorious area subject to drifting shoal.
Sandra Kay
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To This AICW Problem Stretch
You will appreciate the humor Tom sees in this photo. As Jimmy Buffet says, “If we couldn’t laugh, we’d all go crazy!” Thank you Tom!
There are lots of speed restrictions around here, to protect the manatees. I guess the manatees were having trouble reading this sign so they lowered it to make it easier for the manatees to read?
Tom Hale
Tom Hale
BoatUS: Tax Provisions for Boats Extended
Have a boat loan? Ask your lender for form 1098
WASHINGTON, March 6, 2018 – Just two short years ago, Congress extended some boat sales tax and mortgage interest deductions for recreational boat buyers. Excluding home equity loans, those deductions remain for next year’s 2018 tax season with the recently passed GOP tax overhaul plan signed into law on December 22, 2017, albeit with some new lower limits on lending amounts, according to Boat Owners Association of The United States (BoatUS).
Before passage of the Tax Cut and Jobs Act of 2017, BoatUS, the nation’s boating advocacy, services and safety group, had concerns that boat owners would be singled out for negative tax treatment. However, recreational vessels with a sleeping berth, cooking and toilet facilities will be treated equally with second homes and recreational vehicles that may qualify for some sales tax and mortgage interest deductions when filing (in 2019) a 2018 federal income tax return.
The new Tax Cut and Jobs Act reduces the previous $1 million second-home mortgage deduction limit to $750,000. “Most new boats sell for far below this new cap, so we don’t think that will have much impact on the average boat buyer,” said BoatUS Manager of Government Affairs David Kennedy. However, what could affect buyers of smaller vessels is the act’s removal of the deductibility on interest for a home equity loan. Historically, borrowers could deduct home equity interest on loans up to $100,000 ($50,000 for married couples filing separately). “With the new tax law, that deduction is gone,” said Kennedy.
For the current 2017 tax season, the existing deduction remains in place and is offered to new owners who paid substantial state sales taxes on a new or used boat purchased in 2017. If there is a loan taken, mortgage interest paid on the loan may also be deducted from federal income taxes. Again, the vessel must have a sleeping berth, cooking and toilet facilities to qualify. Here are the details:
2017 Sales Tax Deduction
The Tax Increase Prevention Act of 2014 continues to offer a federal tax deduction for state sales taxes paid on a recreational vessel. Boaters must choose either the state sales tax deduction or state income tax deduction on their federal tax return — they cannot take both. In addition, to take the state sales tax deduction, the sales tax on a boat purchase must be applied at the same tax rate as the state’s general sales tax. In order to claim the sales tax deduction, tax returns must be itemized. State sales taxes are entered on IRS form Schedule A, line 5b.
2017 Boat Loan Deduction
A boat is considered a second home for federal tax purposes if it has a galley, an installed head and sleeping berth. For those owners with a secured boat loan, mortgage interest paid on the loan may be deducted from federal income taxes. Taxpayers may use the home mortgage interest deduction for one second home in addition to their primary home, and must itemize deductions on their returns.
Some boaters may be unaware of this potential tax benefit because not all lending institutions send borrowers an IRS Form 1098, which reports interest paid. Not receiving the form does not preclude taking the deduction. If a 1098 is not available, boaters should contact their lender for the amount of interest paid and should enter it on line 11 on Schedule A along with the lender’s tax ID number. If a form 1098 is sent, boaters should simply enter the amount on line 10 of Schedule A.
For more details on the mortgage deduction on boats that qualify, go to IRS.gov and download IRS Publication 936.
Looking to 2018
The new limits on deductibility of mortgage interest and state sales taxes will kick in when boat owners calculate their 2018 tax liabilities along with changes to home equity loan deductions. Boaters are urged to contact a tax preparer or financial adviser for more information.
Comments from Cruisers (7)
As long as they open on demand I’m OK with it. I have a soft spot for Socastee because heading South it means you’re officially finished with the Myrtle Beach ditch and entering the Waccamaw River.
I live in Little River easy for someone traveling the ICW to say the bridge isn’t needed because you don’t live here. As far as the name is concerned it will always be the Little River swing bridge to me. Just as Ian’s waterway or whatever new name has been assigned will always be Poo’s to me.
“Captain Archie Neil ‘Poo’ McLauchlin Swing Bridge.†That’s going to be difficult to say on the radio!
It doesn’t matter what they name it, it should be named “gone”. It (and the Socastee bridge further south) are impediments to navigation. They were “replaced” by high rise bridges but then left in place
If you lived here you’d understand why they were left in place. Impediments to navigation?? Have you been to the ICW in Florida?
That’s for sure !
The big bridges were built to replace the swing bridge in LR and Socastee, but after they were completed the locals complained and convinced them to keep operating. I understand their plight, but it would make a whole lot of sense to keep the bridge open (meaning open for boat traffic that is) during non peak traffic periods. 9:00am -11:30, 1:30pm – 4:00pm and after 7:00pm would be my recommendation.