Cruisers' Net | Cruisers Helping Cruisers

Oct 20, 2017by: Larry Dorminy No Comments
Lighting of the Village, Nov 18, Fishermen’s Village, Charlotte Harbor, Punta Gorda, FL
Fishermen’s Village Resort and Marina, A SALTY SOUTHEAST CRUISERS’ NET SPONSOR, is absolutely the most event active marina on the Gulf Coast for all seasons. With year-round family friendly celebrations, you will feel right at home on your visit to Punta Gorda, also A CRUISERS’ NET SPONSOR, on beautiful Charlotte Harbor.
For Immediate Release: Annual “Lighting of The Village” to be held November 18, 2017
Punta Gorda, FL—Fishermen’s Village will herald in the Holiday Season with a spectacular “Lighting of the Village” Saturday, November 18. This celebration is the official kick off
of the annual “FESTIVAL OF LIGHTS”, a display of more than ONE MILLION LIGHTS and themed decorations. Local residents and visitors will enjoy beautiful traditional themed holiday décor and lights both inside and outside Fishermen’s Village.

Festivities begin at 5:30 pm. with an official ribbon cutting with Santa and City of Punta Gorda officials. The Lee County Pipes and Drums Band will then parade through the Village, followed by a rousing performance in Center Court. Other festivities include holiday music by The Suncoast Statesmen Barbershop Harmony, live music/dancing with the Shane Duncan Band, Juggling/balloon creations by Jeff the Juggler, Finest Face Painting by MaryRose, pictures with Santa (bring your camera!), complimentary refreshments courtesy of Village Merchants, and live radio remote with Jeff Collins “The Golden Hippo”.
YOUR ADMISSION: Patrons are being asked to bring toilet paper, toiletries and canned goods to be donated to “Share The Blessings Ministry”, an all-volunteer, nonprofit charity benefiting those in need in Charlotte County. Their mission is to provide hygiene, cleaning and non-perishable food items which serve over 500 individuals and 150 families each month. Their current critical need is for paper hygiene products.
Due to the popularity of this event, parking will fill up fast, so arrive early.
Fishermen’s Village Waterfront Mall, Resort and Marina is located on Marion Avenue, Punta Gorda. From I-75, take exit 164, turn left and proceed 3 miles to Fishermen’s Village.
Call 941 639-8721 for more information or visit on line at www.fishville.com.
Kathy Burnam
Marketing/Events Manager
Fishermen’s Village
mkting@fishville.com
1200 W. Retta Esplanade #57A
Punta Gorda, Florida 33950
P 941 575-3007
M 941 258-1327
F 941 637-1054

Click Here To View the Western Florida Cruisers’ Net Marina Directory Listing For Fishermen’s Village
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Fishermen’s Village
Click Here To View the Western Florida Cruisers’ Net Anchorage Directory Listing For Punta Gorda Waterfront Anchorage
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of the Punta Gorda Waterfront
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Oct 20, 2017by: Larry Dorminy 1 Comment
Reminder re Vessel Documentation Renewal
This warning was issued earlier this year regarding a company promising to save boat owners money by renewing their vessel documentation through their website. See /164085. Cruisers’ Net is glad to have the warning raised again by Soundings’ Trade Only Today.
Coast Guard issues scam warning
By NORM SCHULTZ
Coast Guard warning
A new scam targeting boat owners, claiming they can save time online, is costing them hundreds of dollars, the Coast Guard says. These are websites offering documentation renewal services for a fee.

The websites have the appearance and claim convenience of an official government website. But just because a website looks like the Coast Guard and may work like the Coast Guard, that does not mean it is the Coast Guard. The result is often that boaters using these websites can end up spending three times the standard fee and find that Coast Guard boarding officers cannot accept their vessel’s documentation as valid.
Why? The Coast Guard’s National Vessel Documentation Center, located in Falling Waters, W.Va., is the only authorized entity to issue certificates of documentation required for vessels engaged in commercial trade and optional for vessels weighing 5 or more net tons engaged in recreational use and activities.
Further, although the Coast Guard is aware of these websites, no companies are authorized to operate on its behalf in any way. The services they provide are not illegal, but they cannot issue any form of documentation, including travel letters and/or permits that authorize the operation of any vessel.
Any fees charged beyond the $26 renewal fee or any other agreements offered by such websites are not associated with the NVDC certification process. These companies cannot issue the certificate, but are middlemen who charge a fee for processing the paperwork on a boater’s behalf.
So if you, as a dealer, have customers with documented boats, be proactive and tell them: When it comes time to renew, always remember that the Coast Guard website offering documentation uses a .mil domain name. Websites using .us, .com and .org aren’t the real thing.
https://www.tradeonlytoday.com/columns-blogs/storm-delayed-tampa-show-pleases-dealers-coast-guard-issues-scam-warning
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Comments from Cruisers (1)

Perry - October 20, 2017 - 4:31 pm

I received one of these letters but went to the USCG-NVDC and renewed my COD for $26. My issue with the NVDC is when I received my COD the expiration date was 10 months instead of 12 months. When I contacted them they sent me a letter stating I had renewed by COD early and thus the reason for issuing a 10 month COD instead of a 12 month COD. I can post the letter if anyone is interested.
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Oct 19, 2017by: Larry Dorminy No Comments
Bahamas Chatter: Chicken of the Sea, a story where ‘nothing is what it seems.’
Bahamas Chatter: Chicken of the Sea, a story where ‘nothing is what it seems.’
Chicken of the Sea, a story where ‘nothing is what it seems.’
Posted: 18 Oct 2017 05:42 AM PDT
Don’t judge Neil Barry’s Chicken of the Sea by its cover. It’s whimsical for good reason! ‘Nothing is what it seems’ in a mystery so real you’ll wonder, ‘Is it true?’

The ‘chicken’ might be Victor Joshua Walker. He tells the story of his parents dragging three cynical, reluctant kids onto a sailboat the size of a school bus. The problem is Victor’s been lied to for as long as he can remember. There are clues to his past life; burns on his forearms, grandparents who died in a house fire, a missing uncle and aunt, his father’s valuable first-edition books, a guitar once played by Segovia. If that’s not enough, people are following him through the Bahamas. Some of them want to kill Victor.
You can read the first chapter at www.neilbarrybooks.com Click on ‘Books.’ (Warning: beware of the crazy chicken)
After Chicken of the Sea, you’ll want more. Lucky for you, it’s also a trilogy with Chicken Too and Free Range Chicken. Adventurous readers from nine to ninety can find all three books on Amazon in paper and digital versions.
Look for the author on S/V Imagine and get your books personally autographed.
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Oct 19, 2017by: Larry Dorminy No Comments 32.5146,-80.49619999
Healy Report: Isle of Palms to Port Royal Landing, SC, AICW Statute Miles 457-539

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This leg of Peg and Jim Healy’s voyage through South Carolina takes them through Charleston Harbor and south to Beaufort, home of CRUISERS’ NET SPONSORS, Downtown Marina and Port Royal Landing. The infamous Ashepoo-Coosaw Cut at Mile 517 is a Problem Stretch notorious for shoaling and channel shifting. And, as always, Cruisers’ Net is grateful to these experienced cruisers for sharing their observations and advice.
Sanctuary and crew cruised from Mt. Pleasant, Isle of Palms, to Beaufort, Port Royal Landing, on 10/18/2017.

Mt. Pleasant Range – The area from StM 460.0 to 460.5 is shoaling. We passed this area mid-channel at about 07h10, near high tide (+6.0), and saw 11.5 feet of water. The control depth would be 5-1/2 feet at low tide, less on a celestial low.
Dawho River, North Creek, Watts Cut – We transited this area between 11h50 and 12h15 (+3.0 –> +2.7 ft) and saw areas at 8.5 ft. The control depth for this area is about 5.5 feet at low tide, less on a celestial low.
Ashepoo-Coosaw Cut – This cut is in two parts; the north section that connects the Ashepoo River and Rock Creek and the South section that connects Rock Creek to the Coosaw River. The North cut is not a concern at this time. We transited the South section at 13h15, 1-1/4 hours before low tide (+0.5 ft). Favor “G181,” the outside radius of the curve there, and then favor red at the entrance, floating R”184.” Do not cut the corners here; follow the centerline of the cut out into the deeper water of the Coosaw River. There is a 5-1/2 ft sandpile at the entrance. We slowed for our passage, and never saw less than 5-1/2 ft.
Hope this is useful.
Jim
Peg and Jim Healy aboard Sanctuary, currently at Rock Creek, Pasadena, MD
http://gilwellbear.wordpress.com
Monk 36 Hull #132
MMSI #367042570
AGLCA #3767
MTOA #3436
Click Here To View the Cruisers’ Net’s “AICW Problem Stretches” Listing For the AICW/Ashepoo Coosaw Cutoff Problem Stretch
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To This AICW Problem Stretch
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
Click Here To View the South Carolina Cruisers’ Net Marina Directory Listing For Port Royal Landing Marina
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Port Royal Landing Marina
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Oct 18, 2017by: Larry Dorminy 2 Comments 33.0775,-79.45929999
Reminder: Shallow Water in Problem Stretch south of McClellanville, AICW Statute Miles 430-433

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The waterway south of McClellanville all the way to the Ben Sawyer Bridge has been shoaling for years and we thank Charles Ridley for this reminder warning. SSECN still recommends mid to high tide for passage through this section and see /161140 for another problem with this area.
Traveler 12-29-16. Left Isle of Palms for Harborwalk, Georgetown, SC. If almost 2 hours on either side of low, don’t go thru the stretch of about 10 miles south of McClellandville. If draw over about 2′ won’t make it.
Charles Ridley
Click Here To View the Cruisers’ Net’s “AICW Problem Stretches” Listing For McClellanville
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To The Northern Portion of This AICW Problem Stretch
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George Hospodar - October 18, 2017 - 11:49 am

On 10/14/17, 1 1/2 hours after low water, my wife, Pat, and I traveled through Harbor River south of McClellanville and found no less that 6′ of water in the middle of the channel. The worst section was between Day Markers G “35” and R “42”.
Captain George
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Mike Cam - March 8, 2017 - 10:52 am

Tuesday 7 March 17 McLellanville R42 to G35 about 15min before mlw. Made it through by zig-zagging at 2-3kts searching for water. We draw 4ft but we have a 24ft beam so we need a very wide path.
Mike Cam
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Oct 18, 2017by: Larry Dorminy 1 Comment 34.5972,-77.24269999
Sherer Report: Survey of Browns Inlet/AICW Intersection, Problem Stretch, Statute Mile 237

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Thank you Bob and Ann Sherer, authors of 2017 ICW Cruising Guide, for sharing a survey from their popular blog, http://fleetwing.blogspot.com/. Last dredged in November of 2016, Browns Inlet is a perennial Problem Stretch and it is wise to follow the advice Cruisers’ Net has been giving for some time: follow the markers and do NOT follow the Magenta Line in this stretch of the ICW! See an April 2017 report.
You guys probably already know this but a new survey of Brown’s Inlet came out 10/3 showing that you can’t just follow the ICW channel anymore through Browns Inlet. We’ll be doing some form of the “S” curve soon!
I wouldn’t say that Brown’s Inlet is no problem. There’s a new survey as of Oct 3 that shows a lot of shoaling in the same pattern as previously.

Looks like we have to do a “dip” away from the ocean, just like two years ago. At any rate, just following the ICW channel is not the best option. Look at G61A, that buoy will get you into trouble!

Click Here To View the Cruisers’ Net’s “AICW Problem Stretches” Listing For the AICW/Browns Inlet Intersection
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To This AICW Problem Stretch
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George Hospodar - October 18, 2017 - 11:29 am

My wife, Pat, and I passed by Browns Inlet on the ICW on 10/10/2017, 2 1/2 hours after low water. Traveling down the middle of the marked channel, we found no less than 10 feet of water throughout the area.
Captain George
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Oct 18, 2017by: Larry Dorminy No Comments
USCG Working to Mitigate Pollution from Displaced Vessels in Florida and the Keys

Crews continue to mitigate pollution threats from vessels displaced by Hurricane Irma
MIAMI — The Emergency Support Function 10 (ESF 10) Florida Unified Command continues making progress in its mission to mitigate pollution threats across Florida from vessels displaced by Hurricane Irma.
Currently, 858 displaced vessels have been removed from Florida waterways. Many of the removed vessels are the result of vessel owners taking it upon themselves to remove their own boats.
CLICK HERE FOR THE FULL REPORT
See also http://www.flkeysnews.com/news/local/article179463476.html
from FloridaKeysNews.com
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Oct 18, 2017by: Larry Dorminy No Comments 33.2581,-79.25949999
Healy Report: Socastee to Isle of Palms, SC, AICW Statute Miles 410-457

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This leg of Jim and Peg Healy’s sojourn through South Carolina begins in the Waccamaw River, south to Winyah Bay, then turns west into Estherville Minim Creek and ends on Isle of Palms, home to CRUISERS’ NET SPONSOR, Isle of Palms Marina. Again, our sincere thanks to these very experienced cruisers for sharing their experiences and expertise with all of us.
The southbound minimally marked entrance to Minim Creek from Winyah Bay requires careful lookout or you will pass it, especially on an outgoing tide. And as a sidebar on Minim Creek, see Minim Creek Ferry.
Sanctuary and crew traveled south from Socastee, SC, on the Waccamaw, to Mt. Pleasant, SC, on Tuesday, 10/17/2017. Low tide in the region was early afternoon (13h30). The entrance to the Estherville-Minim Canal at Winyah Bay is very shoal for at least the first 1/2 mile. The Esterville-Minim Creek Canal and the Fourmile Creek Canal have both continued to shoal. We saw spots at 6-1/2 ft at 1/3 tide.
We managed – poor planning – to arrive at McClellanville at dead low tide (10/17/2017, 13h51, +0.1 ft above MLLW). Our depth sounder transducer is 30” below the waterline, and it quits when it get’s to 2 to 2-1/2 ft above a soft bottom or weeds. Today, it quit. So, I don’t know how deep the water really is. What I do know is, Sanctuary draws 4-1/4 ft. What I learned for certain is, the bottom of the ICW around McClellanville is soft mud. I had slowed to just above idle, (never approach anything faster than you’d want to hit it). We never got stopped making way, but there were spots where I could feel the soft mud throwing the boat around. One of many times I really, really liked having a single engine boat with a prop and rudder protected by a beefy full keel. We never encountered anything hard; nothing that went “bump” along the hull. The stretch between G”35″ and R “48” is definitely the worst long stretch (4 miles) on the ICW at this point. Not bad when the tide is in, but 4 ft or less at low tide, and worse yet if celestial low tide. Southbound, check the tide station called “McClellanville, Jeremy Creek” before departing (or passing by) Georgetown. To stay clear of the McClellanville mud at MLLW, ditch out up above McClellanville and wait for a better tide if you’ll arrive at low and your boat draws more than 3 ft.
Those who have done this stretch of South Carolina ICW in the past know there are some very impressive, long docks extending from shore. Many show signs of very significant storm damage. Several that had nice multi-deck sun shelters top were tipped over and lying in the water (well, lying in the mud at low tide). Many of the docks and access-ways had decking missing, we assume from waves and high water lapping at them from beneath. We saw sunken floats and many pilings askew. We did not see any flotsam, but I would definitely keep a sharp lookout throughout the region. Crab pot floats are everywhere. In fast currents, floats bob underwater. Be on the lookout…
There has been generally more transient boat traffic than I expected this early in the season. Don’t know if that predicts more traffic later, or maybe they’ve all already come through, so slower later??? The big go-fast boats we’ve encountered have generally been gentlemen about passing, but it’s on you if you’re a slow boat to keep a sharp eye out astern for approaching, overtaking traffic.
Jim
Peg and Jim Healy aboard Sanctuary, currently at Rock Creek, Pasadena, MD
http://gilwellbear.wordpress.com
Monk 36 Hull #132
MMSI #367042570
AGLCA #3767
MTOA #3436

Click Here To View the South Carolina Cruisers’ Net Marina Directory Listing For Isle of Palms Marina
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Isle of Palms Marina
For a complete list of Sponsoring Marinas along this route, go to SC SSECN Sponsoring Marinas
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Oct 18, 2017by: Larry Dorminy No Comments
Bahamas Chatter: Submitting Bahamas Chatter posts via email
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: Submitting Bahamas Chatter posts via email
Submitting Bahamas Chatter posts via email
Posted: 17 Oct 2017 06:55 AM PDT
Hello cruisers!
For those new to the group, we welcome your comments and posts! We offer two ways to post to accommodate your needs.
1. Go directly to chatter.explorercharts.com and post or comment from the web.
2. Cruisers can also comment directly from email. Once you subscribe to the group, please email info@explorercharts.com and request permission to post to Bahamas Chatter via email. Your forum membership will be changed to “author” status at which point you can post or comment directly by sending your message to chatter@explorercharts.com.
Thanks for your participation in this great group of cruisers willing and ready to share ideas and experiences!
Kate Fears
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Oct 18, 2017by: Larry Dorminy 1 Comment 33.9061,-78.3859999
Report from Shalotte Inlet Problem Stretch, AICW Statute Mile 330

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The intersection of Shalotte Inlet and the Waterway has been an infamous Problem Stretch for years and we thank Philip Mullins for this report and observations.
Follow markers very closely. Crossed at low tide and last green can in inlet was aground about 3/4 way though inlet. Made it by, but the shoal was visible as we passed.
Phillip Mullins
Click Here To View the Cruisers’ Net’s “AICW Problem Stretches” Listing For the AICW/Shalotte Inlet Intersection
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To This AICW Problem Stretch
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George Hospodar - October 18, 2017 - 11:37 am

On 10/12/17, 1 hour after low water my wife, Pat, and I passed by Shallotte Inlet on the ICW and found no less that 6′ of water following the marked channel.
Captain George
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