Cruisers' Net | Cruisers Helping Cruisers

Jul 3, 2015by: Larry Dorminy 1 Comment
BoatUS News: Newest Portable Fuel Tanks a Hazard
BoatUS remains the premiere advocate for boaters’ safety and we are proud to have them as SPONSORS!
NEWS From BoatUS
Boat Owners Association of The United States
880 S. Pickett St., Alexandria, VA 22304
The newest fuel portable fuel tanks require installation of a fuel demand valve and BoatUS shows you how.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Press Contact: D. Scott Croft, 703-461-2864, SCroft@BoatUS.com
Boaters Find Newest Portable Outboard Fuel Tanks Not All They’re Cracked Up to Be:
Installing Fuel-Demand Valve Wise Move
BoatUS Video Shows You How
ALEXANDRIA, Va., June 30, 2015 ‘“ Owners with outboard powered boats have lived with portable fuel tanks for years, but recent well-intentioned efforts to stop smog-causing gas fumes from escaping by eliminating the familiar two-way vent is causing new concerns. Without a vent ‘“ typically a small screw type fixture on the tank’s cap or top ‘“ a portable tank can swell up like a balloon in the hot sun with the internal pressure forcing gas into the outboard where it can spew inside the cowling, eventually dribbling out. It’s a wise move to install an inexpensive fuel-demand valve in the fuel line that will prevent any gas from reaching the motor unless the motor calls for it, and BoatUS has a video and easy to follow instructions to show you how.
`Our members are telling us that the new tanks aren’t all they are cracked up to be,’ said BoatUS Magazine Executive Editor Mike Vatalaro. `These new EPA compliant portable tanks and jerry jugs have special fittings that greatly reduce evaporative emissions from gasoline. But where traditional tanks simply vent to the atmosphere, the new tanks won’t vent until the internal pressure reaches five pounds per square inch. In the meantime, fuel could be forced up the fuel line into the outboard, many of which have no means to hold it back.’
`Leaving the tank disconnected just results in the same gush of gas once you do hook it up, either from the tank end or through the engine,’ added Vatalaro. `Installing an inexpensive fuel-demand valve in the fuel line will prevent any gas from reaching the motor unless the motor calls for it.’ The video and instructions can be found at:
BoatUS.com/installfueldemandvalve
The video was done in partnership with the American Boat & Yacht Council (abycinc.com) and is part of BoatUS Magazine’s Practical Boater series that offers skills building, techniques and best practices to get the most out of boating.
About Boat Owners Association of The United States (BoatUS):
BoatUS is the nation’s largest organization of recreational boaters with over a half million members. We are the boat owners’ voice on Capitol Hill and fight for their rights. We help ensure a roadside breakdown doesn’t end a boating or fishing trip before it begins, and on the water, we bring boaters safely back to the launch ramp or dock when their boat won’t, day or night. The BoatUS Insurance Program gives boat owners the specialized coverage and superior service they need, and we help keep boaters safe and our waters clean with assistance from the non-profit BoatUS Foundation for Boating Safety and Clean Water. Visit BoatUS.com.
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Comments from Cruisers (1)

Jim Owens - July 3, 2015 - 4:03 pm

That is another great example of people who know little about something make a rule to deal with a perceived problem. The problem is they have no idea what will happen next.
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Jul 3, 2015by: Larry Dorminy 1 Comment
Photo of the Week

“TIKA” hoping to inspire another Disney movie featuring our favorite mode of transportation.
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Susan Dawson - July 3, 2015 - 10:11 am

“You looking at ME?”
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Jul 2, 2015by: Larry Dorminy No Comments 33.9304,-77.9969999
Report from Deep Point Marina, Southport, NC, Cape Fear River, AICW Statute Mile 307

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The marked entry channel to Deep Point Marina – A SALTY SOUTHEAST CRUISERS’ NET SPONSOR! – lies northwest of Cape Fear River/AICW marker #20.
Deep Point Marina, NC
Deep Point Marina, near Southport, NC. Great marina, we were the late arrival so we were on or near the fuel dock. This was in front of the ferry station, as the ferry docked at the landing the wakes were more than you would expect at a dock, so the rocking from the ferry as it came and left was an issue until after 1:00 am and started early dark thirty the next morning.
The marina is very nice the crew are great and Curtis treated us very well. A beautiful pool is near the dock masters office, just a short walk. We took full advantage, it is still very warm.
Phil and Sandy Herl
Click Here To View the North Carolina Cruisers’ Net Marina Directory Listing For Deep Point Marina
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Deep Point Marina
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Jul 2, 2015by: Larry Dorminy No Comments 33.8651,-78.63879999
Good Visit to Myrtle Beach Yacht Club, AICW Statute Mile 346

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Myrtle Beach Yacht Club on Coquina Harbor has been a great stopping place and a friend to cruisers for years, as Skipper Herl reports. Naturally, they are A SALTY SOUTHEAST CRUISERS’ NET SPONSOR! The entrance to Coquina Harbor lies on the north side of the Waterway opposite Marker #13.
Myrtle Beach Yacht Club
Arrived around 3:45 and melted into the dock. Been a long day, lots of slow going with a lot of no wakes. And it has been hot. Stopped at Osprey for fuel, best prices in the area, then continued to Myrtle Beach for the night. To hot to cook so we eat at Clarks, its right next to the marina. Every thing was excellent.
Had a problem with the electric `Y’, had to get one ordered from West Marine. Had two days to enjoy the area, we rented a car and did just that. Found some fresh shrimp and did them on the Barbee. Then were able to find Fishy Fishy, had a fantastic meal. Great stay.
Phil Herl
Click Here To View the Cruisers’ Net’s South Carolina Marina Directory Listing For Myrtle Beach Yacht Club
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Myrtle Beach Yacht Club
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Jun 29, 2015by: Larry Dorminy No Comments
Family Seeking House with Deep Water Slip
Skippers Thomas and Kelly are looking to rent a house with a deep water slip. If you have suggestions, please respond to this posting. Thanks!
We want to move our Boat + Family to the East Coast of FL’“ we are looking for a way to find Condos or Houses for rent with a 50′ Dock on a canal for a 6′ DRAFT Sailboat’¦ Any Suggestions?
Thanks’¦
Thomas & Kelly
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Jun 29, 2015by: Larry Dorminy 1 Comment
Boater Seeking Dry Storage
Skipper Ann is seeking dry storage in Georgia. If you have suggestions, please respond to this posting. Thank you!
I am wanting to find dry storage for hurricane season anywhere along the Georgia coast. I have a 40 ft trawler and now have it under cover (not inside) on the hard. Is there anywhere that does that?
Ann
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Robert Condon - October 4, 2015 - 8:53 am

St Marys Boat Sirvices Inc. Nothing better on the coast
1084 New Point Peter Road. DIY encouraged & aided
904 219 2869. Dry storage
Rocky Smith
Manager
Fax 912 576 2397
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Jun 28, 2015by: Larry Dorminy No Comments 29.9172,-81.30789999
Good Visit to Camachee Cove Yacht Harbor, AICW Statute Mile 775.5

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A SALTY SOUTHEAST CRUISERS’ NET SPONSOR, Camachee Cove Yacht Harbor is located just off the Waterway’s western shoreline, south of unlighted daybeacon #7 and north of the Vilano Beach Bridge.
Stayed three nights. Very protected marina. Staff was very helpful. One of two courtesy cars were always available for short trips into town or the nearby Publix. Clean restrooms and showers. BoatUS discount was a plus. Saw a sea turtle swimming around my boat one day and a manatee getting a drink of water.
Captain Vic Wilreker
Click Here To View the Eastern Florida Cruisers’ Net Marina Directory Listing For Camachee Cove Yacht Harbor
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Camachee Cove Yacht Harbor
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Jun 28, 2015by: Larry Dorminy 3 Comments
Still Another Recommendation for Burkey Marine Group, West Palm Beach, FL
These are not the first words of praise we have received for Burkey Marine and will not be the last.
Great day until our diesel engines ingested and something the boat overheated. A local dealer came out and couldn’t repair the boat for two days. Then we called a group called Big Diesel aka Burkey Marine on a Saturday after 7pm. These guys came out, fixed the blockage in our systems and we were on our way! My wife and I will always keep the number; you should too as they travel where ever the boat is! You may have to pay for airfare but Burkey Marine is our number one diesel service center for our boat. Sincerely Captain Tim Jensen
FYI Burkey Marine Group 772-215-7663
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ben roberts -  July 9, 2019 - 2:09 pm

I had a engine over heat and this crew can out same day and checked on us underway. As with every business I’m sure they are not perfect, but we had a bad day and they made it better. We do say thank you to Big Diesel Marine. I’m sure they wont mind me posting their number 772 215 7663.
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James Gatch -  December 21, 2015 - 9:49 am

We had a great expierience over the phone being walked through our problem by Big Diesel Greg Burkey all was well after the trip was salvaged! Some people care and yes we reccomend the Greg Burkey Marine Group several phone calls later at no charge we were fixed! CaptJ
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Ted Davis -  July 30, 2015 - 4:55 pm

We feel the same way! These big diesel guys helped us over the phone telling us what to look for and once we located the problem they talked us through the repair at no charge. (After hours)
We are fans!
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Jun 28, 2015by: Larry Dorminy 1 Comment 33.9209,-78.23629999
Shoaling Reported at Lockwoods Folly/AICW Intersection, Statute Mile 321

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Shoaling at the intersection of the Waterway and Lockwoods Folly Inlet has been a concern in past years and now, as Skippers Lundie and Winters report.
Passed through Lockwoods Folly northbound on 6/13 30 minutes before low tide (poor planning). Shoaling in vicinity of G47. Favor north side (R46).
Click Here To View the Cruisers’ Net’s “AICW Problem Stretches” Listing For the AICW/Lockwoods Folly Inlet Intersection
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To This AICW Problem Stretch
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John Winter - July 3, 2015 - 8:35 pm

Came through today and yes, at that one spot, it is very shallow. Slow down and feel your way if below half tide. We poked around and even within the channel, I could see a 4′ draft boat hitting bottom. Surprisingly, Shallotte Inlet was pretty good today. No issues of real note.
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Jun 28, 2015by: Larry Dorminy 3 Comments 28.4077,-80.62899999
Port Canaveral Lock on Restricted Schedule, off AICW Statute Mile 894

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Ocean Club at Port Canaveral lies on the “Canaveral Barge Canal” east of the single 600X90ft lock. From the Atlantic, the long canal crosses Cape Canaveral and Merritt Island, then intersects the Waterway at statute mile 894. Our thanks to Harbor Master Humphrey for this update.
The locks at Port Canaveral Florida are closed indefinitely Monday through Friday from 7:00 AM -5:00 PM. Open on demand weekends from 6:00 AM – 9:30 PM and M-F open 6:00 AM – 7:00 AM and 5:00 PM-9:30PM only
Clayton Humphrey
Harbor Master
Ocean Club – Port Canaveral
Click Here To View the Cruisers’ Net’s Eastern Florida Marina Directory Listing For The Ocean Club at Port Canaveral
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of the Ocean Club at Port Canaveral
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Travis Zimmer -  April 24, 2016 - 10:52 am

I would like to know how we could get the locks open to assist the lagoon as well, and what is the resoning behind the lock system?
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Elizabeth King -  March 27, 2016 - 12:12 am

I am a Merritt Island resident. I’ve lived here since I was eleven years old. I would just like to know what we can do as a community to get the Port Canaveral locks opened on a consistent basis, the purpose of which would be to clean our rivers and breathe life back into our estuary. Thank you for any advice.
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Capt Mike -  April 27, 2016 - 10:28 am

I agree, I think opening up the Lock would benefit the Lagoon. Unfortunately you have to look at the reason it was put there the first place. before the Lock there was a lot of sand movement in the inlet and the Subs were running aground. The ACOE in their infinite wisdom decided to stop the water flow and thereby causing the sand bars to stabilize. this fixed the problem in the inlet but I believe like you caused problems in the Indian and Banana Rivers. I’d love to see some kind of “flush” to take place on a regular basis, even if it’s south of the inlet with a huge pipe or something.
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Jun 24, 2015by: Larry Dorminy No Comments 32.7584,-79.89589999
Charleston Harbor Dredging, AICW Statute Mile 465

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The South Channel of Charleston Harbor is essentially the Waterway as it runs east/west from the Ashley River to the Waterway’s eastern harbor entrance into Sullivans Island Narrows at ICW marker #130. There is plenty of water on either side of the harbor channel in which to avoid the dredge equipment. Project dates are not given.
SOUTH CAROLINA – CHARLESTON HARBOR SOUTH CHANNEL: Dredge Operations
Mariners are requested to stay clear of the dredge, pipelines, barge, derricks and operating wires about the dredge. All operators should be aware that the dredge and pontoon lines are held in place by cables, which are attached to anchors some distance from the dredge and pontoons. Buoys are attached to the anchors so that they may be moved as the dredge moves. Submerged lines should be avoided. Mariners are requested to exercise extreme caution when approaching, passing, and leaving the dredging plant. The dredge LEXINGTON monitors VHF channels 13 and 16. Mariners arc cautioned to strictly comply with the Inland Rules of the Road when approaching, passing and leaving the area of operations, and remain a safe distance away from the dredge, booster, buoys, cables, pipeline, barges, derricks, wires and related equipment. Owners and lessees of fishnets, crabpots and other structures that may be in the vicinity and that may hinder the free navigation of attending vessels and equipment must remove these from the area where tugs, tenderboats and other attendant equipment will be navigating. Dredging operations will be conducted twenty-four (24) hours a day seven (7) days a week, all fishnets, crabpots and structures in the general area must be removed prior to commencement of any work, a slow NO WAKE speed is requested of transiting vessels. All vessels are requested to contact the dredge prior to passing. Chart 11518 and 11524 LNM: 25/15
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of South Channel
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Jun 23, 2015by: Larry Dorminy No Comments 36.5937,-76.38659999
Dredging in Dismal Swamp Canal, ICW Alternate Route Statute Mile 22

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The onsite dredges and dredging equipment will certainly make the close quarters of the Dismal Swamp Canal even cozier, so SLOW DOWN and keep a good forward watch. The possibility of the dredging action pulling up stumps and logs is very real and could damage your running gear. The Lake Drummond feeder ditch intersects the Canal at Statute Mile 22 north of the Dismal Swamp Welcome Center, A SALTY SOUTHEAST CRUISERS’ NET SPONSOR!
VA ‘“ CHESAPEAKE ‘“ DISMAL SWAMP ‘“ DREDGING
Southwind Construction Corporation will begin dredging operations within the Dismal Swamp Canal near marker 22 on 29 June through 29 July, 2015. Operations will take place 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. The dredge KRISTI JOE and tender DANNY JOE will be onscene. Both vessels monitor VHF Channels 13 & 16, with a working channel 78. Floating rubber and polyethylene pipeline associated with dredging operation will traverse both northerly and southerly along the western shoreline of Dismal Swamp Canal to the adjacent Upland Disposal Area located along the Lake Drummond Feeder Ditch. Chart 12200 NM: 25/15
6/25 And this news today from Donna Stewart at the Welcome Center:
Larry,
I spoke to the Operations Manager, Joel Scussell. He said he does not expect a lot of disruption and they will work 1700′ feet both north and south at the mouth of the ditch and 500′ into the Feeder Ditch. The contractor has done work in the past, with a good reputation and they expect to be cleared to 9′ in this location. I wish they had funds to dredge the whole canal. We will add this to our Wish List.
Thanks,
Donna
Click Here To View the North Carolina Cruisers’ Net Marina Directory Listing For the Dismal Swamp Canal Welcome Center
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of the Dismal Swamp Canal Welcome Center
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Jun 23, 2015by: Larry Dorminy No Comments
A Hero’s Story – Rescue at Sea
This story of Seamanship at its best was posted by Kim Russo on AGLCA’s Forum.
A Hero in our Midst
I’d like to give some recognition to a Looper who went above and beyond and rescued a diver that was lost at sea yesterday.
Tom Duggan of “Island Time” was navigating the Crooked Island Pass near Mexico Beach, Florida, heading home from a yacht club raft-up, when a Coast Guard Mayday Call came over the radio advising of a lost diver at sea approx. 5-miles outside the St. Andrews Bay Pass. Tom immediately decided to take the long way home and steered further offshore in hopes of helping in the search for the diver. Upon reaching the search site,Tom slowed down and he, his wife Karen, and their guests starting watching the water. Right after a Coast Guard boat made a sweep a Â½ mile in front of them, Tom spotted the drifting diver off the starboard side. He sounded his horn to let the diver know he was spotted, got on the radio to advise the Coast Guard vessel and slowed down to bring the diver aboard. The Coast Guard boat roared over and took the diver aboard as Island Time idled alongside. Thanks to Tom’s hunch and a lot of good luck, the diver’s life was very possibly saved to spend the rest of Fathers’ Day with his family.
Well done, Tom & the crew of Island Time!
Kim Russo
Director
America’s Great Loop Cruisers’ Association
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