This annotated chart gives the location of the currently being relocated navigation aids in Boca Grande Pass, as noted in this 2/11 Nav Alert.
Click Here To Download a PDF containing this graphic
Click Here To Download a GPX file containing the new channel route
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To A “Navigation Alert” Position at Boca Grande Pass
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: “Request for Buddy Boat” plus 1 more
Request for Buddy Boat
Posted: 11 Feb 2016 03:01 PM PST
This request came via our partner the Cruisers’ Net for the Intracoastal Waterway:
A boater is requesting a buddy boat or advice for crossing from Lake Worth/WPB to West End or Memory Rock.
Please respond and he will connect with you here.
Here is contact information for Tam & Craig Westover;
Phone 651 – 307 – 8214 or 612 309 – 1492
Email: westover4@gmail.com
Satellite Internet – GMN?
Posted: 25 Jan 2016 04:44 AM PST
We plan on cruising around Berry Islands, Exumas down to Land & Sea Park and back up to Abacos. I’m particularly concerned about having internet connection in Exumas. I must have at least intermittent access for my US Clients during our 3 mos cruising. Has anyone had any experience with Global Marine Network or can recommend another satellite internet service?
Thanks
CC
The Cape Coral Cruise Club is a group of dedicated cruisers who always provide unique reports from the marinas they visit. Legacy Harbour Marina, A SALTY SOUTHEAST CRUISERS’ NET SPONSOR, is located 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!
Cape Coral Cruise Club Cruises to Legacy Harbour Marina
By John Queen, Commodore, Cape Coral Cruise Club
Legacy Harbour Welcome Sign
Each month, the Cape Coral Cruise Club makes a scheduled cruise to a different marina in SW Florida and stays for several days enjoying the amenities and hospitality of the marina. We do this nine times a year along with an extended cruise each spring. We take a break during the summer months of July and August, as many members return north. This January vessel compasses pointed towards Legacy Harbour Marina in downtown Fort Myers.
Moonlighter arrives at Legacy Harbour.
Club boats headed out on Tuesday, January 26th on what was actually a nice dry day, and boats headed home on Friday, January 29th, also a nice dry day. Everything in between – fergetaboutit! It was rain, rain, and more rain. Did I mention it was wet? The Club plans its monthly cruises months ahead of time and cannot of course control Mother Nature, but did she really have to rain on our parade all that week?
Seven Cape Coral Cruise Club member boats made the journey plus 2 club members live-aboard and reside at Legacy Harbour year round (they didn’t have to go far). On Tuesday night, club members gathered at the Tiki Hut for drinks and a potluck dinner. That’s when the rain began. It didn’t stop until Friday morning.
Wednesday morning, after serving up a breakfast of scrambled eggs, sausage and Bennett’s doughnuts, a tour was planned at the Edison-Ford Estates Museum and Laboratory. Seven club members made the trip only to find that Edison-Ford had closed the estate tours and grounds due to inclement weather. We toured the museum and laboratory, but it was disappointing that that the main estate was not accessible.
Wednesday night, several members brought out their best chili recipes for a chili cook-off contest. The Tiki Hut at Legacy was lined with 7 crock pots, each vying for attention. After scouting the marina to find a person who would serve as our ‘official’ chili judge, as luck would have it, Eric, the Legacy Dock Master volunteered. At the time, we didn’t realize what a true chili aficionado Eric was.
At the stroke of 6:00 PM, Eric showed up with a clipboard and judging sheet divided into 5 or 6 categories of aroma, texture, and consistency…, from which to judge. Before judging, Eric also gave an impromptu verbal lesson on the history of chili. Eric was the perfect judge! After carefully writing notes and quickly sampling each offering, Eric rose from the steam laden crocks and declared victory: Pati Queen was declared the winner followed by 2nd place to Stephanie Carrico, and 3rd place going to Bonnie Martin.
On Thursday morning, we laid out a nice breakfast of scrambled eggs, sausage, dry cereals and juices for everyone. Of course it rained the night before, and the rain continued throughout the day.
Over 40 members enjoy dinner at Pinchers Crab Shack in Ft. Myers.
Thursday evening about 45 club members converged on Pincher’s Restaurant a few blocks west of Legacy Harbour. Since several members came to Pincher’s by car, they helped shuttle boaters stay out of the rain. It’s always nice to have non boating club members join the boaters for the group dinner. Pincher’s was quite hospitable by housing all club members in a private dining area.
On Friday morning the rain finally stopped and the boaters headed out to the Caloosahatchee returning to their home slips scattered around Cape Coral. The Club certainly thanks the staff of Legacy Harbour Marina for their hospitality, as well as Pincher’s Restaurant for accommodating us on this event. We thank Mother Nature for giving us a dry trip back home on Friday.
The Cape Coral Cruise Club is open to new members who own a boat with overnight accommodations and reside in the Cape Coral / Ft. Myers area. For membership information please contact Phil Kryger at 239-541-0236. The Club website is being updated so the short video of recent Club activities and additional Club information may not be accessible. Club website, www.c-c-c-c.org
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Legacy Harbour Marina
In this excellent article posted in MarineLink.com, AIWA’s Brad Pickel introduces us to a new term for the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway: M95.
AIWA Highlights Investment Needs on the Nation’s Marine Highways
By Brad Pickel, Executive Director, Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway Association
Tuesday, February 09, 2016
Nowhere is that more important than on the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway.
As 2016 begins, we at the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway Association (AIWA) are looking forward to participating in the ongoing dialogue regarding the need for strategic investments in the Nation’s Marine Transportation System. Our organization advocates for the ongoing maintenance of one of the nation’s longest water infrastructure projects, the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway (AIWW). Although the waterway has received funding for the past few years, we know that more is needed for this vital transportation route. The AIWW serves a number of commercial, governmental and recreational organizations over its’ collective 1,100 mile length. Whether it’s a small town fishing village or a large-scale corporation, the AIWW provides safe transportation to all users all along the eastern seaboard. Today, we see a number of opportunities and threats facing the AIWW.
Similar to many other federal projects, we face a lack of consistent and sustainable federal funding to maintain the waterway at its full capability. The AIWW has received incremental increases over the past few years and we are extremely thankful for the effort that has led to those extra dollars. But, we also see an opportunity to invest in the nation’s most efficient mode of transportation with lower emissions, lower costs, and a good environmental safety record. As the harbor deepening projects come to fruition and Post-Panamax ships steadily arrive, the nation must maximize all of the transportation avenues that are available.
Just this past November, we were fortunate to have U.S. D.O.T. Maritime Administrator Paul “Chip” Jaenichen participate in our annual meeting. Administrator Jaenichen painted a very clear picture regarding the expected increase in freight movement in the United States by 2040. With an expected increase of over 45% in freight movement, we were left to wonder if existing infrastructure of the multi-modal system could support the anticipated increases. Our view is that our nation has a greater opportunity to manage these increases by investing in the development and maintenance of a reliable national marine transportation system, and more specifically marine highways such as the AIWW (M-95).
Moving forward, federal dollars will continue to be constrained for infrastructure needs, and ongoing maintenance will likely require investments by non-federal partners. On the AIWW, non-federal partners have established dedicated funding sources in Florida and North Carolina to aid in keeping their sections of the waterway open. In 2015, Charleston County, South Carolina provided $500,000 to supplement federal funding for waterway maintenance within the county. We fully believe that it should remain a federal responsibility to maintain the nation’s marine transportation system, but there is a willingness to support limited non-federal funding if work can be scheduled and completed in a timely fashion.
In 2016, we are focused on pursuing additional funding for the maintenance of the AIWW, and the completion of Section 2008 of the 2014 Water Resources Reform & Development Act (WRRDA 2014). This section required the Corps to conduct an Assessment of Operations and Maintenance Needs for the AIWW and the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway. Upon completion of this study, everyone will have a roadmap showing the needs of each waterway and the necessary dollars to maintain them. Fortunately, the congressional delegation along the waterway supported this effort and now we hope that it will be included in the upcoming budget proposal. With this information, Congress will see the amount of money needed to maintain the waterway, and non-federal partners will see the amount of funding needed to maintain their section. Through these activities, we will continue to move forward in providing what all of the users of the waterway desire, a well-maintained marine highway 95.
Editor’s Note
MARAD [Marine Administration] didn’t designate the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway (AIWW) as the “M-95” marine highway because it sounds nice. Running adjacent and parallel to Interstate Highway 95 for hundreds of miles, the AIWW has the potential to relieve a significant amount of pressure from one of the nation’s busiest and most congested freight and passenger car corridors. But, not if federal funding for maintenance dredging of the AIWW does not keep pace with the needs of the waterway. Beyond this, the practice of awarding dredging and maintenance funding on the basis of existing tonnage alone greatly under calls the huge potential of this waterway as a powerful intermodal marine highway. – JK.
See message above. Portions of the waterway in NC and SC are almost impassable.. Large sections in Florida don’t meet the the 12 feet depth requirement.
Congress has failed to properly maintain the AIW for years. In the case of Florida, Congress agreed in the Act of 1927 to perpetually maintain the waterway and enlarging it in exchange for Florida buying the Florida East Coast Canal and turning it over to the federal government and all necessary r/w free and clear at Florida’s sole expense. Florida bought the waterway for $725,000. Congress has failed to keep up its end of the bargain.
As posted in this article from Soundings’ Trade Only Today section, Dania’s Marine Flea Market will be March 3-6 in Hallendale Beach just south of Fort Lauderdale.
Florida marine flea market returns in March
Posted on February 9th, 2016
The Dania Beach Marine Flea Market will be held March 3-6 at the Mardi Gras Casino in Hallandale Beach, Fla.
The 26-acre parking lot of the casino at U.S. Route 1 and Pembroke Road will once again become a nautical swap shop.
Organizers said private individuals and marine-related businesses will sell used marine equipment, coral-encrusted antiques, new and used boats, fishing tackle, diving gear, marine artwork and other boating-related items at low prices.
“Some shoppers to the Marine Flea Market travel hundreds of miles to find that elusive part for a 1946 vintage outboard motor,” event coordinator Jennifer Dudas said in a statement. “Others are looking for antique fishing tackle. Over the four days, thousands of boating- and fishing-related items are bought and sold through a system of dickering and dealing at a fraction of their retail value.”
For the full article, CLICK HERE.
We’ve not heard of recent cases of mycobacterium marinum among our cruising colleagues since Jim Bertch’s fight with this awful infection, see /118638, but Michael Tallman’s experience can well serve as a reminder that caution is called for when working in or around water.
I used to work in a water lab. One of my jobs was setting up the fish test for water toxicity. After working with the dead fish and cleaning containers, a small scratch on my finger became infected. It wouldn’t heal for six months and constantly produced pus. The dr. couldn’t diagnose or heal it. I was finally sent to a dermatologist, who correctly diagnosed mycobacterium marinum !
By then two nodules of the infection had traveled upward to my wrist and arm. I was told powerful antibiotics which may cause liver damage,may heal it, but the best treatment was surgical incision. Which was done for the two nodules and original infection site. This horrible bacterium lives in water, so beware of the smallest cut getting infected.
Michael Tallman, California.
This is almost identical to my experience. I had 3 doctors who failed to identify the infection. A country Nurse Practitioner identified it and the road to recovery (3 years) was on.
Jim Bertch
SALTY SOUTHEAST CRUISERS’ NET is proud to welcome our newest sponsor, Curtis Stokes and Associates of North Carolina.
Historic Edenton, also A SALTY SOUTHEAST CRUISERS’ NET SPONSOR, is 300 Years Young! Come and let them prove it!
Curtis Stokes and Associates is a professional, successful, licensed and bonded yacht brokerage firm, with brokers based throughout the United States and Europe and local representation based in Edenton, NC. Our buyers know that we personally inspect every yacht and boat we list. Our sellers rely on us for a proactive approach to marketing their yachts that includes extensive promotion in both print and electronic media.
For sellers, we regularly advertise in national, regional and local magazines. We strongly encourage other brokers to sell our listings through co-brokerage agreements and we participate and display in special events year-round.
Our internet marketing is second to none. Our web site – curtisstokes.net – is specifically designed to secure the best search engine rankings possible. We also partner with such leading yachting websites as Yachtworld.com, Yatco.com, Boattrader.com, boats.com, marinesource.com, yachtsforsale.com, iboats.com, theyachtmarket.com, moreboats.com and others, ensuring that our listings get the broadest internet exposure possible.
For boat buyers, we specialize in buyer brokerage, where we preview boats for you and provide you our feedback, thus reducing wasted time and money on your part chasing the wrong boats. Since we collect our commission from the listing broker or seller, there is no extra cost to you for this service.
For a free evaluation detailing how we can help market your boat or if you’re now searching for that perfect yacht, call your North Carolina Curtis Stokes & Associates rep, Wayne Smith at 516-445-1932, or email him at wayne@curtisstokes.net.
Please visit our website at:
You only have to spend a short time talking with Randy Mims to know that he has the soul of a true sailor. Randy not only built his 27ft gaff-rigged cutter, Ideath, but each year he single-hands the cutter from North Carolina to the Northern Gulf Coast and back again. “Ideath” is pronounced Idea-th and loosely translates as “house of ideas”. Randy stops along the way to visit maritime museums and, indulging his passion for music, he volunteers to sing in church choirs along the way. He also takes time to share his travels with his friends and has agreed to allow SSECN to post his emails. For more photos and more on Randy, go to http://towndock.net/shippingnews/ideath?pg=1 from TownDock.net in Oriental. Also see /?p=150703.
Randy Mims
Dear Friends,
It seems like a very long time since my last update. Believe it or not I consider that I am still on my voyage. It has been since the boat was hauled in October of last year that the boat has moved. I will not spend your time listing all the individual repairs that I have been involved in since I got here. After a through survey of areas of that needed attention, three main areas needed to be addressed. The cockpit combings and cabin sides had pretty extensive rot areas. This was caused by water intruding under the cap railing which also had rot. The second area of concern was the bowsprite, Sampson post and the bow in general. Now that the engine has over two thousand hours of use it is time to replace a lot of things that have a life span.
As I was tearing out the rotten wood around the cockpit combing, It occured to me that I put this wood here back in 1986. I was not quite so bummed when I realized that the wood I was replacing has served well for thirty years! I am happy to say that new wood is now in place, has been fiberglassed and even has it’s first coat of paint. The boat is now sporting new steam bent oak cockpit combing railings. They turned out beautifully and now have four of the eight or nine coats of varnish.
With the repairs in the stern down to finishes, I turned my attention to the bow. I can not begin to express how happy I was when I finally got the rotten bowsprit to let go of the boat and found that the bow was in virtually new condition. I was sure that I would find a dismal situation that would involve rebuilding the entire bow. Insted all I have to do is repair some fiberglass and make a new bowsprite and sampson post.
One good thing about having so many things to do is that no matter what the weather is, there is some project that I can advance. When ever it is to cold or rainy to work on the boat, I have been replacing the engine mounts, the raw water pump, engine cooling water hoses and dozens of other regular maintenance items to get the propulsion system in a like new condition.
I am really enjoying getting “Ideath” back into shipshape condition. If the weather cooperates, I hope to be back to real voyaging sometime in early March. I promise more sea stories then. At the first opportunity I will be uploading a new video I made of the repairs to Youtube and Facebook. Be on the lookout. Enjoy.
Peace and Love to you all,
Randy
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God’s speed Randy.
God’s speed Randy. Your sailing spirit is really is uplifting. The partnership between you and your vessel is made of solid stuff and is a pleasure to read about. Really enjoy your contributions to the Salty Southeast Cruisers Net.
Looking forward to March and you and “Ideath” getting back on the water.
These two reports on City of Fort Myers Yacht Basin, A SALTY SOUTHEAST CRUISERS’ NET SPONSOR, come from our friends at AGLCA Forum. Fort Myers Yacht Basin lies along the southeasterly banks of the Caloosahatchee River, between the 3rd and 4th bridges from west to east.
We spent a lovely month at Fort Myers municipal marina last year about this time.
They were helpful, and kind. Legacy is closer to the Publix grocery. But if you need some exercise, the Publix is a 22 minute brisk walk from the city marina. We walked up to restaurants downtown and enjoyed the many festivals that abound on the area. There were car shows, parades and the like.
An added advantage was the saxophone player who serenaded us and the rest of the marina from under the highway bridge. Hope you are there when he is.
Because it is close to a city street , there are early morning runners if you are docked by the street. We have also found that docking close to the city walk invites ants to join you…depending on your thoughts, you may want to spray your dock lines with a Raid like thing.
But we loved it. Stayed a month.
Kathy Anderson
Sea Fever
Just stayed a month there, great experience. Very friendly and helpful staff, reasonable rates, and metered elec only totaled 25 bucks for the whole month.
Was not on the street side so can’t comment on that. Did hear the sax player a few times, very pleasant sounds. Close to most things you might need and a free shuttle to get you around the area. Highly recommended facility.
David and Barbara Doyl
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Ft Myers Yacht Basin
Fort Myers Yacht Basin is so popular that its had a waiting list since I arrived in December. Its location is fantastic as you are 2 blocks away from a lovely downtown walking district with many cool sidewalk cafes and restaurants, a vibrant arts and music culture. It is beautifully designed and landscaped and having a pump out port right outside the boat is a new experience for us – so convenient! Best thing is the staff, so friendly and helpful. Please go somewhere else so there is room for me next time!
I had always bypassed Fort Myers in the past because it was not located at a point where I would end my cruising day, I seemed to be going by at mid-day on my way to another place to drop anchor for the night.
Fortunately, bad weather ahead caused me to stop and get a spot on the transient pier in mid afternoon and we spent the night in Fort Myers while waiting for the cold front to pass by.
First Street is a short walk from the marina, and “The Lodge” was a very pleasant surprise for our meal that evening. In fact, I was so impressed that after I finished moving our sailboat to its homeport, I got my wife to drive back to Fort Myers with me so that she could also enjoy the Brisket and Bar-b-que at “The Lodge”. I won’t be bypassing Fort Myers anymore. thelodgefl.com
Now that many of you are in southern waters and maybe headed for the Bahamas, don’t miss this opportunity to link with the Royal Marsh Harbour Yacht Club, A SALTY SOUTHEAST CRUISERS” NET SPONSOR!.
RMHYC makes $3,000 donation to BASRA
The Bahamian Air Sea Rescue Association (BASRA) is a non-profit voluntary organization committed to saving the lives of distressed seamen or airmen in the Bahamas. It is mostly funded through donations. The Royal Marsh Harbor Yacht Club recently made a $3,000 donation to BASRA to assist in the continuance of that important mission.
The Royal Marsh Harbor Yacht Club (RMHYC) is an organization of land based individuals and boaters in the Bahamas. RMHYC members are very concerned about safety on the water. For many years, the RMHYC has supported BASRA as the main provider of marine emergency services in the Abacos.
RMHYC is based at Boat Harbor marina in Marsh Harbor on Great Abaco Island. The Club (RMHYC.com) welcomes cruisers and land based individuals to our many social activities. Members benefits include marina discounts and discounts at local businesses.
Woody Sutton
Commodore
Comments from Cruisers (1)
Came through the Pass in the dark both (in/out) times. 1 and 2 are on station and flashing accordingly. 3 is on station and flashing accordingly. #4 Red could not be found. 5 and 6 were on station and flashing accordingly. We did not have a depth finder and we did not touch bottom. No shoaling was apparent (waves). There is a dredge and/or barges on the North side of the harbor once you get in about a mile.