Cruisers' Net | Cruisers Helping Cruisers

May 1, 2017by: Larry Dorminy 1 Comment
Suntex Purchases Loggerhead Marinas
Loggerhead Marinas on the east coast of Florida have been popular with boaters for a number of years and SSECN wishes the new owners the very best.
We are proud to announce the acquisition of eleven Loggerhead Marinas by Suntex Marinas, a Dallas based owner and operator of premier waterfront destination properties. Suntex has owned and operated 37 marina properties across the United States and Caribbean, and we are very excited about adding these properties to our current portfolio of 32 Marinas in Texas, Tennessee, Georgia, Florida, Virginia, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Massachusetts, Maryland, Iowa, Oklahoma and Kentucky.
The Properties that will now be part of Suntex Marinas family:
Loggerhead Marina – South Miami
Loggerhead Marina – Riviera Beach
Loggerhead Marina – Aventura
Loggerhead Marina – Jupiter
Loggerhead Marina – Hollywood
Loggerhead Marina – Vero Beach
Loggerhead Marina – South Lantana
Loggerhead Marina – Daytona Beach
Loggerhead Marina – Lantana
Loggerhead Marina – St Petersberg
The services and quality standards you are accustomed to will remain the same, sustaining the quality reputation that Loggerhead has built over the years. Additional operational support will be provided to the property by Suntex Marinas, which is led by our team of industry professionals. Everyone will be working to make your experience as enjoyable as possible. It is our goal each day to facilitate unforgettable life long memories.
At Suntex our culture drives our daily behaviors. We have a unique set of core values that are essential in every marina we own and manage.
MAKE IT HAPPEN
We hold ourselves and each other accountable.
Find solutions, not excuses. Measure performance to drive improvement. Roll up your sleeves, get your hands dirty, and get the job done.
MAKE IT RIGHT
We act with integrity, especially when no one is looking.
Commit to quality. Say what you mean, do what you say. Honor your faith and your word.
MAKE IT TOGETHER
We succeed as one Team.
Put the Team before yourself. Seize opportunities and face challenges collectively. Do what has never been done…together.
MAKE IT FUN
We love what we do and it shows.
Work hard play hard. Bring energy and passion to everything you do. Be the reason someone smiles today.
With the change in ownership, many of the properties will see exciting changes in the coming months, such as new dock construction and additional merchandise offerings to name a few. Announcements with more specific information and timing regarding our changes will be coming to you in monthly newsletters beginning soon. We hope you look forward to being part of the Suntex family and partnering together to continue making these marinas THE destination in Florida.
Should you have any questions or concerns regarding this change, please feel free to give us a call at your local marina office.
Sincerely,
Stephen Lehn
Suntex Marinas, Head of Operations
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marty jones - July 10, 2019 - 2:35 pm

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May 1, 2017by: Larry Dorminy No Comments
Bahamas Chatter: Bimini Sands reopens restaurants and stores
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: Bimini Sands reopens restaurants and stores
Bimini Sands reopens restaurants and stores
Posted: 30 Apr 2017 02:22 PM PDT
Gaylord Taylor and Helena Burrows are the new property managers at Bimini Sands on the beach at South Bimini. As new managers they will oversee the grounds, amenities, security and day to day aspects of keeping Bimini Sands running smoothly with a smile.
Grab an ice cold cocktail and enjoy the beautiful infinity pool while Chef George cooks up your catch. The Little Dipper restaurant and bar is now open 7 days a week, serving breakfast, lunch and dinner. The Petite Conch will reopen in mid May as the Big Dipper under the leadership of Phylicia (Philly) Ferguson. The Ship Store will also reopen mid May, bringing more amenities and comforts back to our guests. Want to explore South Bimini? Bicycles are now for rent at the office. Head over and see Shelly and start your adventure today.
Nothing ruins a beautiful Bimini day faster than mosquitoes, the management has brought in a new team to tackle this issue. They have started an aggressive treatment program and we are already seeing and feeling a huge difference.
Dockage for most boats is now $2.25 per foot.
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Apr 29, 2017by: Larry Dorminy 1 Comment
All Aboard Florida RR to Impact OWW Boaters
The issue of RR bridge closures by additional All Aboard Florida trains in south Florida was protested and discussed by a number of folks in 2015. See /?p=153595 and /153911. The additional Brightline service is scheduled to begin operation in mid-2017. Our thanks to Ted Guy for reminding us of this potential problem for cruisers.
A big threat to OWW cruisers and local Stuart/Palm City boat owners is AAF’s plan to add 32 trains a day through Stuart over the FEC railroad draw bridge. 32 more trains per day; 20 minute closures for each; you do the math. The bridge will be closed more time than open. Most of the day!
You may want to contact C.A.R.E. for more info: http://www.stuartmartinchamber.org/member_profile.asp?memID=11085
W.E. “Ted” Guy, Jr.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION ON AAF FROM MARTIN COUNTY
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Richard B Emerson - May 7, 2017 - 12:07 pm

In effect, unless someone’s mast is unstepped /prior/ to reaching the Old Dixie Highway bascule bridge, travel to and Sunset Bay Marina and to Indiantown is effectively ended or at least severely restricted (perhaps “catastrophically” fits?) so people can go from Miami to Orlando?
Loggerhead Marina, and possibly small parts of Manatee Pocket, are the only tenable places to stop over or stay in the Stuart area. Anchorage in the open river is constrained by weather and severe waking (Loggerhead isn’t immune on this score). And it’s quite clear that coming ashore by dinghy is, at the least, unwelcome, and often impractical.
Where is the sanity in this? Where is the safety in this? I see neither. Nor do I see a clear cut way to exert pressure to at least limit the number of trips (are 32 trips per day /really/ needed???). Once again the boating community takes it on the neck for a special interest, where money trumps common sense.
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Apr 29, 2017by: Larry Dorminy No Comments
Interesting Perspective on the “AICW Migration”
We think you will enjoy this blog from Cape Gazette concerning a visit to the Atlantic Intracoastal, especially to places we all know.
CLICK HERE FOR THE REPORT
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Apr 29, 2017by: Larry Dorminy No Comments
Electronics Technician Recommended
This 5-star recommendation comes from David and Jacquleyn’s blog The Voyage of Elske on America’s Great Loop.
Performance Marine Electronics gets A “5 Star Recommendation” *****
by David & Jacquleyn
As some early readers of this blog are aware, we’ve been having a few challenges with equipment.
Despite installing new Garmin electronics before leaving Gulf Harbour, we had to engage a technician to fix our SiriusXM Weather. Our cousin Ron Barkley contacted Jeff Rinehart for us. He worked on our equipment yesterday and today. Jeff and his father own Performance Marine Electronics. Jeff is a 6 year Navy Veteran and a delightful highly competent electronics technician.
Unfortunately he found many issues with our new installation but was able to fix everything. We got new wiring, updated software, and a re-positioned antenna. The antenna signal went from 1 bar to 5 bars. We can now tell if it is raining without looking out the window (HA … HA … HA)!
We then presented him with another challenge. Our aged KVH/Direct TV system is very sick. Jeff evaluated every component and was able to recommend REPAIR versus BUY NEW. We appreciate his thoughtfulness and efforts to save us money.
In summary, the Kelleys wish to recommend Performance Marine Electronics with a 5 STAR RATING *****
We gratefully say THANK YOU JEFF!
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Apr 28, 2017by: Larry Dorminy 1 Comment 35.9056,-76.02889999
Ms. Wanda Retires, Alligator River Marina, AICW Statute Mile 84

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Alligator River Marina was recently sold and its owner is retiring after many years of serving Waterway cruisers with delicious food and immaculate facilities. Ms. Wanda will be missed! Alligator River Marina lies on the western shore of the mouth of the Alligator River/AICW, just north of the swing bridge and southwest of flashing daybeacon #12. This facility provides the ONLY readily available dockage and fuel along the patch of the AICW between Coinjock, Elizabeth City and Dowry Creek/Belhaven! Here is a farewell thank you to all her cruising and boating friends:
Greetings to All ICW Travelers:
The Alligator River Marina is open for your fuel and docking needs. We will be transitioning to new management in the upcoming weeks due to my retirement. I appreciate your support and friendship all these years and wish for “ALL OF YOU smooth and happy sailing”.
God Bless each and every one of you and we look forward to seeing you soon.
Ms. Wanda
Click Here To View the Cruisers’ Net’s North Carolina Marina Directory Listing For Alligator River Marina
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Alligator River Marina
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Steve Kamp - April 28, 2017 - 2:54 pm

She will be missed by all. My wife and I hav dropped in on Ms Wanda several times both by car on US 64 and by boat on the Alligator River. She has always welcomed us with a smile and seated us to the best cheeseburger plate between Raleigh and the Banks or from Norfolk to New Bern.
Steve and Sheila, S/V Carolina
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Apr 28, 2017by: Larry Dorminy 3 Comments
Good News on Florida Anchoring Legislation
This is good news regarding pending legislation on anchoring restrictions in Florida. Several boating organizations, like AGLCA and MTOA, have been very active in voicing support for less restrictive anchoring regulations. Thank you Kim Russo for this update.
I’m happy to report even more good news coming out of Florida!
The House bill passed on a full floor vote unanimously with zero amendments, so no anchoring restrictions unacceptable to our coalition were included. The bill is now ready to be sent over to the Senate.
The Senate Bill, which is identical to the House bill, passed on it’s third reading this morning also with zero amendments. This means that the Senate can now receive the House bill and take an identical vote. At that point, we will be done in the legislative branch.
Then, of course, it will go to the Governor. Our lobbyist expects that the governor will sign it. But, either way, he does not have the ability to amend it. Therefore, no setbacks or banned anchoring areas could be added. We prefer that he sign it because it includes the provision preempting local governments from making any local restrictions. Accordingly, we will lobby for him to sign it.
Kim Russo
Director
America’s Great Loop Cruisers’ Association
krusso@greatloop.org
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Jcook -  April 29, 2017 - 9:25 am

About time that legislators finally listened to the people! Marintime law should prevail.
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Perry -  April 29, 2017 - 7:16 am

Would it be possible to get the HB number and companion SB?
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Wally Moran -  April 28, 2017 - 1:17 pm

Looks like I’m going to be the bad guy here. Without taking anything away from the group that negotiated this on behalf of boaters, we are still left with the three locations in which anchoring was banned last year – Sunset Lake and Venetian Causeway in Miami Beach, and Middle River in Fort Lauderdale.
Do I need to point out that Frederick Karlton and Mark Gold, long time anti anchoring activists, live adjacent to the Miami Beach locations, or that the bill’s sponsor last year was George Moraitis, whose father lives on Middle River?
Gee – imagine that. WHAT a co-incidence. Funny how these things happen, isn’t it?
The problem this creates is that these three locations will create a precedent that future complainers will use to complain to legislators, who will use them to carve out still more ‘no anchoring’ zones. Count on it happening.
Contrary to what Kim has said here, this fight is far from over. Our next move MUST be to reclaim the three areas we’ve lost, before they are used against us.
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Apr 26, 2017by: Larry Dorminy No Comments 26.6418,-81.87629999
FOCUS ON Legacy Harbour Marina

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Legacy Harbour Marina, A SALTY SOUTHEAST CRUISERS’ NET SPONSOR, is located at Statute Mile 135 on the Caloosahatchee River/Okeechobee Waterway, in the heart of downtown Fort Myers, Florida. Multiple dining and shopping opportunities are found within easy walking distance of this absolutely first-rate marina!

THE SAFE HAVEN AT THE CENTER OF IT ALL
Situated just east of Marker 49 on the Okeechobee Waterway is Legacy Harbour Marina. Its central location along the Caloosahatchee River makes it the ideal spot for stopovers or extended stays. Just a few blocks from the historic Edison & Ford Winter Estates and just a short walk from the diverse nightlife of downtown Fort Myers, Legacy Harbour Marina is both a safe haven and a safe bet for those looking to make the most of their visit.
For starters, our marina is protected by one of the largest floating breakwaters on Florida’s Gulf Coast. Its 131 floating slips are easily accessible by your vessel regardless of tide conditions. While the tidal range is very small in this part of the world, wind-driven tides can be a factor, with winter bringing wind-driven (NE) low tides and summer wind-driven (SW) high tides. This makes our floating docks very desirable for easy boarding and docking. To see a layout of our docks click here.
This 131-slip marina features state-of-the-art floating docks that accommodate boats up to 120 feet. Surrounded by one of the largest ‘floating breakwaters’ on the Gulf of Mexico, its open layout and large fairways make its slips easily accessible to almost any size craft.

If you feel right at home on the water, you’ll feel right at home with us.
From its many amenities to its convenient location, Legacy Harbour Marina is the ideal place to dock your boat. Whether your plans call to stay for just a few days, months or on an annual basis, you’ll find our facility—and our rates—to be as accommodating as any of Florida’s finest marinas.

Once here, you’ll enjoy a full-featured facility with all the conveniences of home. Relax in our heated pool or work out in our fitness center. Enjoy spectacular views from The Boaters’ Lounge; perfect for everything from after-cruise cocktails to private parties. Our beautifully-manicured grounds provide great riverfront strolling and excellent access to all of historic downtown Fort Myers.
Other conveniences include cable TV, laundry, air-conditioned showers, metered-at-the-slip electric, wireless internet connections and in-slip pump-out station.

In addition to its well-equipped dock area, Legacy Harbour Marina offers skippers and their guests the Boaters’ Lounge where the entire crew can relax and unwind after a day on the water to some of the most spectacular sunsets in the world.
Or, enjoy The Chickee Hut and relax by the refreshing pool. Hungry? Joe’s Crab Shack is located on the adjacent property just a short stroll down our beautiful walkway and the downtown River District is just a few blocks to the east.
Need to provision your boat? A grocery store is within walking distance as well as several restaurants, a liquor store, beauty and nail salons and retail shops. For your landlubber guests, the Legacy Harbour Hotel & Suites offers waterfront suites and hotel rooms. Just click on the link above for more information.
WATCH YOU-TUBE VIDEO OF LEGACY HARBOUR MARINA
Click Here To View the Cruisers’ Net’s Western Florida Marina Directory Listing For Legacy Harbour Marina
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Apr 26, 2017by: Larry Dorminy 1 Comment 26.9344,-82.35319999
UPDATE on Opening Restrictions on Tom Adams Bridge, Englewood, FL, GICW Statute Mile 43.5

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Feb 7 Formerly opening on demand and until further notice, the bridge will be closed to navigation except every ninety minutes beginning at 8:00AM with a last opening at 6:30PM. Our thanks to Nils Pearson and South Manasota Sandpiper Key Association for this notice.
April 26 And thanks to Pat Spears for this update:
As of 4/26/17 the Tom Adams bridge opens on the hour with only one span opening.
Pat Spears
Charlotte County Marine Advisory
Tom Adams Bridge Only Operational for Boat Traffic During Scheduled Times
Englewood, Fla. (February 3, 2017) – A single span of the Tom Adams bridge will be operational to boat traffic at scheduled openings daily. Openings will start at 8am and will occur in 90 minute intervals. The last opening daily will be at 6:30pm. The bridge will remain closed to boat traffic at all other times. This schedule will remain in place until further notice.
Click Here To View the Western Florida Cruisers’ Net Bridge Directory Listing For Tom Adams Bridge
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Kevin Hopper - April 28, 2017 - 2:23 pm

Just called the bridge today. they are opening on the hour starting at 8am to 6pm on demand after. Clearance generally 25 feet
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Apr 26, 2017by: Larry Dorminy No Comments 27.2908,-82.56379999
Legal Battles Mount over Big Pass Dredge, Sarasota, near GIWW Statute Mile 72

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Our thanks to David Conway of YourObserver.com for this report. Big Sarasota Pass, which has frequent channel shifts and shoals, connects the Gulf with the Gulf Waterway and the southern tip of Sarasota Bay.
Residents on Siesta Key and Lido Key are taking legal action to support their stance on the proposed dredging of Big Pass.
CLICK HERE FOR THE FULL REPORT
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