If you are familiar with these two channels, located south of Key Biscayne, into Biscayne Bay, let Kevin and us hear from you.
Is anyone familiar with entering Biscayne Bay via the Cape Florida Channel or Biscayne Channel? I draw 4.5 feet. What are the currents like? Thanks.
Bob and Ann Sherer, authors of 2017 ICW Cruising Guide and their popular blog, http://fleetwing.blogspot.com/, generously continue to share their research of Waterway trouble spots with our readers. Having run aground in the often shoaled Russell Creek “shortcut” into Beaufort’s waterfront, this editor can vouch for the area’s confusing array of buoys. Thank you Bob and Ann!
We’ve all faced a passage where the buoy placements don’t match our charts but when it happens at an already confusing area, it’s doubly confusing – especially whens the new buoys don’t seem to make sense. The junction between the ICW and the channel to Beaufort, NC, is such and area. The Coast Guard made major revisions to the buoys in the area and the charts have not caught up with the changes. Not even Navionics which usually does a very good job shows all the buoys in their correct positions. I used the updated light list to show the correct placements compared to what’s on most charts.
First, here’s the area of interest:
Here’s the NOAA ENC chart for the junction:
Now for the surprise, the actual buoy placement after the Coast Guard got done:
What a difference! 28A is gone, RS has been moved northward, and 30A and 30 have been moved. Imagine the confusion in approaching this area from the north when all you have is a NOAA ENC chart which most of the chartplotter manufacturers base their own charts on. For more information on the changes and how charts from different chart providers compare see:
When Charts Lie: Part I
When Charts Lie: Part II
Bob Sherer
aka Bob423
2017 ICW Cruising Guide
With a closed vertical clearance of 30ft, Ladys Island Bridge crosses the Waterway at Statute Mile 536 immediately north of Beaufort. Our thanks to Mandy Griffin of Downtown Marina of Beaufort, A CRUISERS’ NET SPONSOR, for this updated schedule.
Click Here To View the South Carolina Cruisers’ Net Marina Directory Listing For Downtown Marina
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Downtown Marina of Beaufort
Despite opposition from Florida’s marine industry, see All Aboard Florida RR to Impact OWW Boaters the new high-speed rail service in south Florida is on schedule to begin operating. How severe the required RR bridge closures will be on navigation is yet to be known.
Florida Set To Launch Country’s First Private High-Speed Train Service 
December 7, 20174:25 PM ET by Samantha Raphelson of NPR’s Here and Now
I love how these morons try to justify their pet projects! They claim it can take up to five hours, West Palm Beach to Miami! I normally do that in an hour, in a tractor trailer!
On their voyage south this year, Vicki and Barry Lathom have been good “Cruisers Helping Cruisers” with their waterway reports. Cruisers’ Net thinks you will enjoy their very nice blog with lots of photos. Thank you Vicki and Barry!
Our thanks to Cassidy Alexander of YourObserver.com for this follow-up report (see https://cruisersnet.net/164359). Big Sarasota Pass, which has frequent channel shifts and shoals, connects the Gulf with the Gulf Waterway and the southern tip of Sarasota Bay.
Siesta, Lido sides prepare for Big Pass court hearing
CLICK HERE FOR THE FULL REPORT
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Big Sarasota Pass
longboat pass has at least 4.5 feet and probably up to 6.0 feet so you should have no problem. Currents can be so be ready to power up. Mike Conway
Let them fight it out, then maybe we can get the pass reopened. It’s been a dangerous situation for boaters for years. Ted.
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: “Weather Reports while in the Bahamas” plus 1 more
Weather Reports while in the Bahamas
Posted: 07 Dec 2017 03:45 AM PST
Can anybody provide some information on weather reports while in the Bahamas?
Taking fireams into the Bahamas
Posted: 07 Dec 2017 03:43 AM PST
Does anybody know the amount of ammunition you can have aboard when in the Bahamas? I heard up to a maximum of 250 rounds per weapon.
Late nite and early AM, VHF will pick up Miami NOAA weather stations, and some days your TV will pickup Miami TV station weather before 8am
A CRUISERS’ NET SPONSOR, Harbortown Marina lies off the southern shores of the Canaveral Barge Canal between Sykes Creek and the Banana River. This fine facility has now expanded their ship’s store!
Harbortown Marina – Canaveral – 12/7/17 Marina Update
Diesel Fuel Pump Outage
Our diesel fuel pump has been out of service for several weeks. Our fuel
tank and fuel pump service provider has been working to identify and correct the problem(s) but repairs have taken far longer than we ever anticipated.
The technician that will be completing the final re-wiring of the system
will be here again on Friday, December 8th. They believe they will have the
pump up and running within the next 24 hours, however, this time frame may change.
We truly apologize for any inconveniences this may have caused for our loyal diesel customers. Once the pump is back in service, we will send out a follow up communication.
If we can be of any assistance, please call us at (321) 453-0160 or stop by the office.
Celebrate Everglades’ 70th birthday with 10 interesting facts about the national park.
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Old Port Cove Marina, A CRUISERS’ NET SPONSOR, is located on the western shore of the northern Lake Worth channel, near unlighted daybeacon #7. Looking for that special place to eat where you dock? Sandpiper’s Cove Restaurant is another great reason to visit Old Port Marinas especially during the Holidays!
Visiting Yachtsmen: Please contact the Old Port Cove Marina Office well in advance for Dockage Reservations 561-626-1760 and to make your dinner reservations, please call Sandpiper’s Cove Restaurant 561-626-2280
LET’S CELEBRATE, OUR 5th ANNIVERSARY TOGETHER!
Sandpiper Cove Restaurant
OLD PORT COVE HOLDINGS, INC. MARINAS
Sue Morgan, Marketing and Public Relations Director
www.OPCH.com
www.SANDPIPERSCOVE.com
“Land was created to provide a place for boats to visit.” B. Atkinson <“))))><(
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Old Port Cove Marina
Comments from Cruisers (2)
You shouldn’t have any trouble with either channel. Key Biscayne channel is better marked and perhaps a little deeper, but neither is a problem for your draft. Enjoy the trip through Stiltsville. The Cape Florida channel is not as well marked, but again no problem. However, be cautious of the sportfishers that run through it on plane. Some sails chose to anchor near the channel for a quick start to a Bahamas trip – not a good idea. Also, on weekends there is a lot of traffic here going to and from No Name Harbor and its restaurant. Currents on each are not an issue for boats under power.
Great advice Bill. Thanks for helping a fellow cruiser .