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    • Jan 4, 2016by:   Larry Dorminy 1 Comment

      Bahamas Chatter: A Question on Checking in at Bimini

      Explorer Charts - the best charts for the Bahamas and ExumasExplorer 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. Monty and Sara Lewis are well known in this area for their personal research and reporting. Their launch of “Bahamas Chatter” and real time cruising information via their web site, www.explorercharts.com is extremely valuable.

      Checking in at Bimini
      Posted: 03 Jan 2016 04:07 AM PST
      We are jumping from F Lauderdale to Bimini, when the weather clears, and would like to know if North or South is a more convenient check in to get a 90 day cruising permit? We’ve been told that you must go to the airport on South Bimini, and that North might make you pull into a marina to clear. We are quiet, nature loving cruisers, who prefer good holding to Bars and Marinas… But we want the fastest clearance possible. Thanks for the advice!

      Comments from Cruisers (1)

      1. Winston fowler -  January 4, 2016 - 8:16 pm

        Probably a personal choice, but we always cleared very easily at Bimini North.

        Reply to Winston
    • Jan 4, 2016by:   Larry Dorminy 2 Comments 26.4509,-82.03149999

      Unfortunate Experience at Sanibel Marina, Statute Mile 0, West Florida ICW


       View In Chartview

      Skipper Cyr’s experience is not typical of past reports we have received on Sanibel Marina, see /140710, so we have a to assume that these difficulties were an exception to the marina’s normally professional service.

      We were traveling with another boat and called two weeks ahead for our reservations. On the morning of our scheduled arrival we called to reconfirm and we were told everything was set, except that they could not let us in until they moved a couple of boats and that we should wait outside the harbor until notified to come in. We waited 30 minutes and heard nothing, we called the marina on the telephone, as they would not answer the VHF. Again we were told to wait. Finally, after about 45 minutes time and another VHF call, our buddy boat was instructed to come into the harbor and tie up. We were told not to come in as they were still in the process of moving a boat out of our slip space. Again we waited another 35 minutes with no communication. We called again and they finally answered on VHF and we were told they were having trouble getting the boat in our spot started and would get back to us. Another 20 minutes and we called on VHF again and the person responding said he was on the other side of the marina and didn’t know the status; he would check and get right back to us. My buddy boat called and said that the marina was lying to us; no one has been to the boat in our spot, the boat was still plugged in and tied up. It was getting late, (total wait time outside the harbor in boat traffic and wakes was in excess of one and one half hours). We needed to make alternative arrangements somewhere before dark so we left.
      Ron Cyr

      Click Here To View the Western Florida Cruisers’ Net Marina Directory Listing For Sanibel Island Marina

      Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Sanibel Island Marina

      Comments from Cruisers (2)

      1. W & J Mann -  January 7, 2016 - 10:34 am

        Regarding Sanibel Marina, we spent Christmas week last year (2014) in our Nordic tug “Celebration.” I think you have to understand that this marina caters to locals and is sold out most of the time, so they may at times seem a bit more difficult to communicate with. BUT, that being said, we had an ideal stay there last year and really love the place! Each morning a newspaper and bag of fresh muffins arrived on our deck…. We then spent a month at Marina Jack’s up in Sarasota and can not say enough good things about our stay there! Moorings are very reasonably priced and if you spend a week or month at the docks the rate becomes very reasonable. We tried to return to Sanibel for another week but no slips were available.As I say, they seem to have very limited space for transients. I would suggest booking far in advance, staying in touch with them, and have a Plan B at hand. We totally enjoyed the Municipal Marina in Ft Myers as well.
        W & J Mann

        Reply to W
      2. Leslie Hartsell -  January 7, 2016 - 10:33 am

        We had a similar experience last year. We had reservations confirmed and reconfirmed. When we arrived, we were informed nobody was leaving and they didn’t have the previously promised space for us. We called Boca Grande Marina and explained the situation, they were most gracious and went out of their way to help us. We were fortunate that it was early enough in the day to make alternate plans. We were heading north toward Sarasota.
        Leslie Hartsell
        M/V /Somewhere
        Gold Loopers 2009-10

        Reply to Leslie
    • Jan 4, 2016by:   Larry Dorminy 2 Comments

      A Question for Liveaboards

      Candace’s questions are so broad that your answers could easily fill a book. However, choose your prime reason for initially deciding to live on the water and for remaining aboard thereafter, then let us hear from you. Thank you in advance!

      I’m considering buying a boat and living on the water. I also do own a condo to stay at if I choose. How long have you lived on the water & what do you consider challenging issues? Thank you!
      Candace

      Comments from Cruisers (2)

      1. Sonny Reeves -  January 8, 2016 - 1:39 pm

        ” Buying a boat” could mean you are purchasing Trump’s old yacht for several million or fixing up an old trawler or sailboat for cheap and anywhere in between. Having a condo might mean you have a slip or not. We need more info to actually help. Suggest you hang out on some of the forums and get to know a good surveyor of the type of boats you are interested in. The surveyor we used stayed with us on each boat we looked at electronically via smartphone and was a lifesaver. We looked at over 50 boats before we found one, talked to 70 or so brokers and only met one we could trust (not the one we bought from) The pictures on yacht world and all are a fair place to start but you can’t smell cat pee on a picture. We have been aboard 17 years on sailboat and then 5 years on our trawler. we don’t own anything on land. See our blog for more info http://ontheofficewautoteacher.blogspot.com/

        Reply to Sonny
      2. Perry -  January 8, 2016 - 12:25 pm

        I suggest you review the many videos on YOUTUBE. They are very informative and pretty much answer all your questions, even some you probably didn’t or wouldn’t think of. SAIL LIFE, WICKED SALTY, SAILING UMA, LATITUDE ADJUSTMENT are just a few to get you started.

        Reply to Perry
    • Jan 2, 2016by:   Larry Dorminy 5 Comments

      Florida Mail Service Needed

      Skipper DiBelardino asks for a recommendation on a mail service in Florida. Let us hear from you!

      Recommendation for a mail service in FL. Preferably, one that is familiar with the needs of boaters. Many thanks!
      Stephanie DiBelardino

      Comments from Cruisers (5)

      1. Stephanie DiBelardino -  January 4, 2016 - 9:47 am

        I got three recommendations for the same place! Thank you all! The next e-mail I write is to SBI mail Service. If anyone needs recommendations for Freeport/Grand Bahama Island, We live here. Again, my thanks!

        Reply to Stephanie
      3. Win Benbow -  January 3, 2016 - 7:25 am

        St. Brenden’s Isle in Green Cove Springs. They are professional and competent with many services that make long term cruising feasible. You will have the distinction (not) of having the same address as most of the other traveling, live aboard cruisers and loopers; just about everyone we’ve met uses them.

        Reply to Win
      4. Carolyn Frazier -  January 2, 2016 - 3:16 pm

        Contact St. Brendan’s Isle, Green Cove Springs, FL: http://www.sbimailservice.com. We’ve used them since 1998 and even though we no longer travel by boat and live nearby, we still use that address for some things. They are reasonably priced, offer many services that can be adapted for your needs, the staff are very knowledgeable and professionally friendly…and it’s owned by cruisers. The web site is very informative, but they’ll be happy to speak with you and have (or used to have) an 800#, but you should check the web site for that.

        Reply to Carolyn
      5. Kevin Koehl -  January 2, 2016 - 3:03 pm

        St. Brendan’s Isle http://www.sbimailservice.com in Green Cove Springs, FL. is the service most cruisers use in Florida. They provide different levels of service at a very reasonable price.

        Reply to Kevin
    • Jan 2, 2016by:   Larry Dorminy 2 Comments 31.0462,-81.42259999

      Good Review of Jekyll Harbor Marina and Jekyll Island, AICW Statute Mile 684.5


       View In Chartview

      A SALTY SOUTHEAST CRUISERS’ NET SPONSOR, Jekyll Harbor Marina lies along the easterly banks of the AICW’s passage through Jekyll Creek, immediately south of the 65-foot fixed bridge.

      If it were not for the exposure to the weather, I would have given this marina five stars. You are tied up to a face dock and wind out of the south can make things exciting. There can also be a wake problem when one of the jerks who can not understand the “no wake” sign come past.
      Aside from the above the place is wonderful. It is right on the ICW, has fuel, a pumpout ($15.00) and the rate is reasonable. The staff is on the ball and will be happy to help you with any questions. There is a restaurant at the marina but for serious dining you want to head for the Jekyll Island Club. In fact, if you have the time a tour of the historic district is a must. You can find out how the rich and famous lived back around 1900.
      They have made quite a few changes over the last few years. There is now a high end market available next to the convention center. It is well stocked and also has a few restaurants inside. Be forewarned, nothing on Jekyll Island is cheap.
      Public transportation is very limited, so bring your bikes or be prepared to rent a car from Enterprise, in Brunswick, they will pick you up at the marina. If you rent a car, everything that you will ever need is in Brunswick.
      If you like to ride bikes, the Island has over 20 miles of trails. The locals will stop for you where the trail crosses the road. Most tourists, not so. They will flatten you ass in a heartbeat.
      We arrived in early December and ended up staying for the entire month. We will be back in the spring.
      Dave Boxmeyer

      Click Here To View the Cruisers’ Net’s Georgia Marina Directory Listing For Jekyll Harbor Marina

      Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Jekyll Harbor Marina

      Comments from Cruisers (2)

      1. James Newsome -  January 8, 2016 - 5:04 pm

        First, I loved Dave’s comment about tourists and bikers. That cracked me up!

        Back to Jekyll Island (JI). I am so glad that more and more cruisers are discovering all that JI has to offer. It is a biker’s paradise with lots of roads and trails and very little vehicle traffic. Groceries are available on JI in the new shopping area, which is a short bike ride from the marina.

        If you are looking for beach access, then you are in for a treat with the newly built Great Dunes Park. This beach is near the Convention Center and new shopping area and have excellent facilities. Here’s a map link.

        https://www.google.com/maps/d/viewer?mid=zDiAQ7gKynoI.kW7odN2cr2ao&hl=en_US

        Also, as mentioned by Dave, a visit to the Historic District is a must. Photos just don’t do this place justice. My wife and I spend part of our honeymoon on JI 43 years ago, and we visit there several times a year and it never gets old.

        http://www.jekyllisland.com/project/historic-sites/

        If you are a cruiser looking for a nice layover then JI is just the place. I don’t think you’ll be disappointed. From the Turtle Center, to Drfttwood Beach, to Glory Beach, Latitude 31 and Driftwood Bistro restaurants there are treasures to be discovered on Jekyll Island, GA’s “Nearest Far Away Place.”

        Reply to James
      2. Sonny Reeves -  January 8, 2016 - 1:44 pm

        We were there for 5+ years. The bike trails are awesome! The restaurant is closed (had a kitchen the size of a closet) Better eats at other places on island.
        The comment about the bikes and tourist are spot on. Georgia law DOES Not require a motorist to stop for a person on a bicycle in the crosswalk.

        Reply to Sonny
    • Dec 31, 2015by:   Larry Dorminy 1 Comment 25.6858,-80.17029999

      Hurricane Harbor Anchorage? Key Biscayne, AICW Statute Mile 1096


       View In Chartview

      Peter Conway is inquiring about Hurricane Harbor on the southwestern shore of Key Biscayne. There is no charted channel into what appears to be a well-sheltered anchorage. If you have local knowledge of this harbor, let us hear from you.

      What happened to the anchorage at Hurricane Harbor? Is it not still a permitted anchorage?
      Peter Conway

      Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Hurricane Harbor

      Comments from Cruisers (1)

      1. Peter Conway -  December 31, 2015 - 11:12 am

        Larry,
        Thanks for your help. This is a pristine spot in a posh neighborhood on Key Biscayne. I have anchored there a number of times in the past and never a problem. There was a few issues with a particular homeowner who harassed some boats for anchoring off his house. This was a couple of years ago and that may have scared others from going in there. I always anchored in the middle to be as far from land as I could and never had a problem. It used to be shown in guidebooks and on your net site as an anchorage, but now I don’t see it listed. I recently completed my 46th ICW trip from Massachusetts and try to make sure that I only use allowed anchorages. Any clarification would be most helpful.
        Thanks again.
        Peter Conway
        Pemisu

        Reply to Peter
    • Dec 29, 2015by:   Larry Dorminy No Comments 25.3278,-80.29269999

      Report from Northeastern Pumpkin Key Anchorage, Card Sound, West of Key Largo


       View In Chartview

      Iain’s report should assist a September discussion about the Pumpkin Key Anchorages, see /advice-sought-on-pumpkin-key-anchorages-card-sound-west-of-key-largo/.
      Pumpkin Key is on the Inside Route almost due west of Key Largo.

      DEC 24 2015 – Moored NW of Pumpkin to shelter from 17kts wind from SE. Initially well sheltered, but Wind swung during night to be direct from East and we dragged badly, about 400 yards before I realised at 3 am, even though we were only 150 yards from the island & I would have thought we would be better protected. Good in that I was blown into deeper water but from looking at the anchor flukes the bottom is sand/mud which does not hold well. The wind protection from Snapper is not great, there is enough open water for the wind to get up speed. However lovely location, with dolphins feeding at dusk & super quiet at night tho dawn brings some traffic from Angelfish Key.
      Iain

      Click Here To View the Florida Keys Cruisers’ Net Anchorage Directory Listing For NE Pumpkin Key Anchorage

      Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of NE Pumpkin Key Anchorage

      Be the first to comment!

    • Dec 29, 2015by:   Larry Dorminy No Comments 24.5624,-81.80359999

      Report from Galleon Marina (Key West Bight)


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      Galleon Marina will be the first marina that will come abeam to your starboard side as you enter Key West Bight. This facility has an excellent reputation, and it certainly lies right in the heart of Key West!

      Stayed over Christmas . Helpful staff, patient at directing me to a berth between the riprap and the pontoons, which I didn’t think could be the way in as it was so narrow. Never did get my iPad to hook up to the wifi, which the marina staff know is an issue for Apple products. They gave me a number for tech support, but of course on the afternoon of 24 December I never got a call back before leaving on the 27th. The Windows laptop did connect, but service was slow. Can’t believe their tech guys can’t figure it out.
      Resort bar good for sundowners after a dip in the large pool and the hot tub.
      Tom Syrett

      Click Here To View the Cruisers’ Net’s Florida Keys Marina Directory Listing For Galleon Marina

      Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Galleon Marina

      Be the first to comment!

    • Dec 27, 2015by:   Larry Dorminy 30 Comments

      Many New Comments on Florida Anchoring Rights Flip Flop

      Since first posted in November, this essay by Dick Mills has elicited many lively pros and cons, all obviously with heart felt sentiment!

      This essay on anchoring and the “apartment yacht” comes from our good friend and longtime cruiser, Dick Mills.

      I read something in the news that made me sit up straight and think, “OMG it’s time to flip flop on the anchoring rights issue.”

      The news item said that entrepreneurs in the Miami-Lauderdale area were buying up old boats, anchoring them, and then renting them out to all comers as a very affordable kind of apartment. Considering the high rents for apartments in those areas, those apartment yachts should be very popular.

      Today, the apartment yacht story is merely an amusement. But then I thought back to the 2004/2005 hurricanes in Florida. Those storms left behind tens of thousands of damaged vessels that the insurance companies were in a hurry to declare totaled. Many could still float fine, and could be bought as salvage for pennies on the dollar.

      I envision the years following the next big Florida hurricane when these apartment yachts by the thousands fill up all available spaces in all our favorite anchorages. (Where would they land their dinghies? The landlord may become wealthy enough to provide a launch service for his tenants.) If that happens, then I expect that it is we boaters who will be leading the charge for legal restrictions on anchoring. If we are smart, we’ll start now before the fact.

      Of all the things I’ve read, one proposal seems to address the anchoring problem while making the least intrusion on cruisers. That is simply restricting the time a vessel can be anchored in one place to one week. Starting now, I am going to begin supporting that proposal.

      Dick Mills

      Comments from Cruisers (30)

      1. Jim Healy -  December 25, 2015 - 10:39 am

        What’s missing here is a definition of the problem we’re trying to solve. This discussion is all over the place. If the problem is “derelict vessels,” the fix needs to address derelict vessels. If the problem is “apartment yachts,” the fix needs to address apartment yachts. If the problem is “live-aboard” boaters, the fix should address live-aboard boaters. If the problem is “property damage,” the fix needs to address property damage. If the problem is “bad behavior”, the fix needs to address bad behavior. (Of course, recognize that leads to the discussion of licensing). Although I’m not convinced it’s legally necessary, the Florida House of Representatives has, for the second year, proposed a “fix” targeted at derelict vessels (HB 7025). We should all probably support that; it targets “derelict vessels” and those “at-risk” of becoming derelict, and doesn’t affect the rights of cruisers at all. AUTHORITIES IN EVERY COMMUNITY, EVERYWHERE (even Sausalito), KNOW WHICH VESSELS ARE BECOMING DERELICT WITHIN THEIR JURISDICTION. That DOES NOT happen overnight. If those self-same authorities choose to allow those vessels to remain in-place and deteriorate, that’s on them. IT IS NOT AN ISSUE THAT NEEDS TO IMPOUND THE RIGHTS OF CRUISERS AND CRUISING BOATS. The rest of the issues being aggregated in this discussion are also already addressed by law. RESTRICTING THE NAVIGATION RIGHTS OF CRUISERS should not even be considered unless an actual problem can be assigned to that class of boater and/or boat use. Those who would abrogate cruiser’s rights do not speak for me.

        Reply to Jim
        • Steve Adams -  December 26, 2015 - 5:59 pm

          You’re throwing the baby out with the bath water in your thought process. See the Florida Statue, Chapter 327.02(15) – Houseboat. They can also be defined as “Liveaboard Vessels” 327.02(19). Both may be regulated by the local municipalities. And, they are being used for commercial reasons. Those of us who actually cruise are not defined by those statutes. As soon as those who think things should fit the model they see, the worse it becomes for many of us that have FOUGHT HARD to KEEP our rights to the waterways. Free access to the waterways has nothing to do with how long a vessel used navigation happens to hole up in, or is anchored in one place.

          The laws are pretty clear, they are not being implemented as defined. And many times on purpose, as in this case… to provoke the ire of those who are not informed.

          Reply to Steve
      2. Steve Adams -  December 11, 2015 - 8:00 pm

        Those vessels would be considered liveaboard vessels, and may be regulated by the local governments. By no means, are they non-liveaboard vessels engaged in navigation.

        Reply to Steve
      3. Beverly R Feiges -  December 11, 2015 - 3:28 pm

        In all the years and times we have crossed the Gulf Stream, more than 35 times, we have never waited for weather more than a day or two if at all. Our tactic, when we hit southern Florida is to go at the first opportunity, and if it is not immediate, we keep going further south on the inside. The further south you go, the quicker the passage back north riding the GS current. I concur with a time limit, one week is plenty. The people who come and stay for longer than a week, particularly when you start talking a month or more, can make i timpossible for anyone else to anchor. If you cannot do what you have to do in a week, go to a marina. For the really tight places, like Lake Sylvia, a few days should do it. Hope never to see the congestion we saw last year, when crossing conditions we so ideal, and these boats obvpusly had no intention of moving. We had to anchor on the shortest of scopes ever and only did so because we knew there was zero wind forecasted.

        Reply to Beverly
        • Joe Blanchard -  December 25, 2015 - 11:27 am

          One should always be weary of any government involvement in an activity. It start with their just repairing a tear in your jeans and before long they own the jeans then the jean factory. Remember when they passed the seat belt law in Florida and said that they would never be able to ticket you if that was your only violation but within a year they quietly changed it so that they can now ticket for that violation alone. We need to self regulate ourselves just like the diving industry did when they all agreed that you had to have a diving card to get air.

          Reply to Joe
        • Steve Adams -  December 26, 2015 - 6:25 pm

          Why shouldn’t a cruiser want to spend a month or so, or more, in the Keys if they’re having a great time? Or, anywhere else for that matter? The problem is that the laws designed to protect the waterways for free navigation are not being enforced, and are not enforced mostly to force local political issues. The derelicts and vessels not fit for navigation, or not used for navigation, may be regulated or removed according to the law. And this is provided for in Florida Statue. And, vessels used for commerce, i.e., rental properties, may be regulated also.

          Reply to Steve
      4. Phil Doucette -  December 4, 2015 - 5:22 pm

        A one week limit on Anchoring in Any one place to me seems short and short sighted, many times the weather can pose a safe navigation problem for a period much longer than one week. Also their are many areas where anchoring for much longer than one week should not be a problem for any one, no one around, no homes, just peace and quiet!! Leave us boaters alone!!
        Many times the activities , and behaviors of the nearby landlubbers are so unbearable that even one night is difficult to bear!!

        Reply to Phil
        • Rick Cass -  December 18, 2015 - 2:49 pm

          We have had to wait as long as three weeks for a crossing. Manybcross with other vessels, some with little experience. One week is verybshort” as there is no reason why those who want a quiet crossing should be limited by the property owners who have no real claim on the water distinct from the rest of us. Putting unrealistic limits on anchoring and passage is jist another brick in the wall.

          Reply to Rick
      5. Peter Hoyt -  December 4, 2015 - 4:38 pm

        I believe all boats should be fully insured before given registration. Then insurance company’s would have to police the boats for navigable and seaworthy. As it would be their responsibility if anything happens to a vessel. Peter

        Reply to Peter
        • Buddy Cheek -  December 12, 2015 - 10:39 am

          Sounds like moving the responsibility from the responsible owner. This is not good.

          Reply to Buddy
          • Peter Hoyt -  December 20, 2015 - 11:41 am

            It should be ovious what were doing now is not working, by letting the insurance industry survey and insure boats before a boat could be registered would shift the responsibility from the responsible boat owner from the derelict , uninsured or negligence boat owner.

      6. Norman Mason -  December 4, 2015 - 3:32 pm

        I agree with Dick Mills. Having cruised in Florida for two winters, I cannot think of anywhere I would want to stay longer than a week. It would seem that a time limitation would do much to resolve the problem of derelict vessels.

        The main problem I see to cruising in Florida is how negative the government is to cruising vessels. Never mind the major impact they have on the economy of prime cruising destinations (Vero Beach, Stuart, Cocoa). If you look at Marathon and Boot Key Harbor, the 200 + vessels moored there must have a huge impact on the local economy.

        Norman Mason
        Norfolk, VA

        Reply to Norman
        • Rick Cass -  December 18, 2015 - 2:55 pm

          Having travelled the AICW a number of times, I must say that there are quite beautiful places where wven three weeks at abchor there are barely enough, while equally beautiul places are o ly worth (in our humble opinion) only a day or two. Differ nt strokes for different folks. Why should any artificial limit be placed on navigation be the vast majority in order to appease the landowners frustration over a few idiots. The parallel to this would be to restrict d iving on freeways because a few drunk drivers cause havoc and misery. Please, let’s focus on the reasonable.

          Reply to Rick
          • Steve Adams -  December 26, 2015 - 6:37 pm

            Your absolutely right. Where in cruising does it spell time limit? Too many think that maritime tradition should meet what they envision it to be. Keep the waterways clear and free for navigation. While in navigation, my anchor should be able to set wherever it is not impeding a waterway, or not spoiling a protected area. And, my vessel should be seaworthy and maintained.

            Some vessels should not be on the water, nor should some boat drivers.

      7. ted -  December 4, 2015 - 2:10 pm

        Time limit, absolutely. But one or two weeks? We’ve had two weeks of very high winds in S Florida with no good window to cross the gulf stream. 30 to 60 days will allow a captain to go ashore and do what they want to do and then wait out severe conditions that often hamper movement in the winter.

        Reply to ted
      8. Roger Long -  December 2, 2015 - 4:18 pm

        It has amazed me for the decades I have been following the FL anchoring issue that virtually no one ever brings up the essential point. This is the one that the boating community should be hammering, hammering, hammering home. It should be the primary talking point and sound bite because it addresses both sides of the issue and is rooted in the underlying common law.
        The “Second Amendment” of our anchoring rights is the freedom of navigation enshrined in maritime law. A vessel is only navigating if it is capable of movement. That means not only having propulsion but competent crew on board. Anchoring an unattended vessel is poor seamanship as anchors drag. (Attended can mean being ashore shopping and sightseeing but with an eye on the weather and means for promptly returning to the vessel.) The main point is that there should be different requirements for vessels engaged in navigation and occupied and vessels without power or which do not have crew close enough at hand to return within a short period of time.
        I will not anchored my vessel overnight unattended as it is irresponsible to other craft and poor seamanship. If you take a road trip, the vessel should be on a mooring or in a marina. FL should simply make it illegal to leave a vessel at anchor unattended overnight. If it is not navigation they have every right to restrict anchoring. If it is navigation, restrictions should be minimal. Navigation requires that a crew be on board or capable of being on board quickly as well as a means of propulsion.
        BTW, I am a former Harbormaster from Maine.
        Roger Long

        Reply to Roger
        • Bob Austin -  December 4, 2015 - 4:13 pm

          Well said, that anchorages discussed are for boats which are actively cruising. I doubt that the city fathers want the type of messes which have plagued Key West, Marathon, San Diego, Sausalito, and a number of other cities which had boats which were not able to move.

          There is also the issue of short term rental such as we see invading residential neighborhoods, such as VBRO. There is also the issue of liability to the boat owners.

          Reply to Bob
        • Steve Adams -  December 11, 2015 - 8:37 pm

          Totally disagree! Maritime rights have been established. Check your ground tackle if your vessel has a tendency drag. What if you and boating buddy, steam into an anchorage, and would like to take a field trip…. that’s the point of the voyage…. not to be stuck aboard at all times. What? You mean hiring a boat boy found at Joe’s Lounge to watch your vessel while you take in the country side? What is he going to do to stop the anchor from dragging, because you failed to set your tackle correctly? What if, on your cruise, you decide to set anchor and work for the remainder of the season? Why shouldn’t you? The whole and salient point, keep your vessel seaworthy, and be responsible for her. Non-liveaboard vessels have the right of anchorage, when not impeding another’s way.

          Reply to Steve
          • Ocean Dancer -  December 19, 2015 - 3:46 pm

            This seems to explain the crux of the matter: “The whole and salient point, keep your vessel seaworthy…”
            Many of the vessels we have seen would not qualify as seaworthy in the least; many are, in fact, partially submerged or even capsized. Who is responsible for keeping the waterway clear? Other boats appear to have no way to keep water from entering broken windows and hatches. Still others are blocking the navigable channels. Cars left in similar conditions along roadways are tagged and then towed at the owner’s expense.

          • Steve Adams -  December 26, 2015 - 6:43 pm

            And, Ocean Dancer, I’ll say the vessel’s owner should be responsible, or billed, to clear it away when she becomes derelict. That would mean, make sure your Bill of Sale, Documentation, or Title is clear when you buy, or sell, your boat.

      9. Peter Colket -  December 1, 2015 - 9:15 am

        Owners of “apartment yachts” would have to provide a pump-out boat. They would also have to be responsible for maintenance of plumbing and other systems with which landlords are generally unfamiliar. There would also be the cost of installing and maintaining moorings. By the time all the costs are understood, the concept may not prove viable. If this scheme progresses, the boating community should make sure regulators understand and enforce all applicable safety and sanitation issues in the permitting process. Then, hopefully, this balloon will lose its air.

        Reply to Peter
      10. Ron -  November 30, 2015 - 12:01 pm

        I think that if restrictions are necessary, a time limit on anchoring is the best and fairest solution. One week seems short to me but two weeks seems pretty fair.

        There needs to be a balance between our rights to anchor our boats and fleets of derelict boats clogging the waterways until thy break loose or sink in place.

        Reply to Ron
        • Steve Adams -  December 11, 2015 - 9:10 pm

          The balance, Ron, is Liveaboard v Non-liveaboard as defined by law considerate of maritime tradition. What is a fair balance? Forbidding shot guns, but allowing single load .22 cal rifles? Renting out non-navigable vessels is flooding safe harbors with “Liveaboard” vessels. Yes…. those can be regulated by local governments, but “Non-liveaboard” may not. Check the law… Maritime Law and tradition is not solely based upon personal experience or opinion. It is a matter of the rights of navigation with centuries of precedence.

          See Florida State Statutes 327 (19), and, 327 (15).

          http://www.flsenate.gov/Laws/Statutes/2015/Chapter327/All

          Reply to Steve
        • Rick Cass -  December 18, 2015 - 3:03 pm

          We arrived in Stuart on 9/22, int nding to be in the Keys by 10/5. Well, medical and upgrade issues intervened, and we will not leave Stuart until the New Year. If we pretend to live in a free society, then limitations must be minimal, and based on real harm, and not some rich guy’s sense of injured entitlement.

          Reply to Rick
          • Steve Adams -  December 26, 2015 - 6:45 pm

            Perfectly said.

      11. Sonny Reeves -  November 28, 2015 - 10:11 pm

        We boaters must do something or the powers that be will do it for us. If we do not clean up our act and help local anchorages police the derelicts, get the non operating “Apartments” into a legal status and cleaned up then all boaters will suffer.
        Well not the 50 ft powerboater that passed me near Bahia Mar last year going over 40. That type won’t suffer because he does not cruise or liva board.

        Reply to Sonny
        • Steve Adams -  December 11, 2015 - 9:21 pm

          Sonny, you’re right. Many who should not be on the water have boats… and…. there are many boats that should not be on the water. It is so easy for some to offer opinion based on limited experience. Recently, a lot of cronyism is associated with government trying to keep the big campaign donations coming in. Those of us who are Florida Natives are getting pretty sick of Yankee-refugees trying to shape our state! Especially our waterways and maritime way of life!

          Reply to Steve
          • Rick Cass -  December 18, 2015 - 3:06 pm

            OK, lets try to define what should be on the water means, and aside from safety and navigability, what should be done to thos who should not be on the water.

          • Steve Adams -  December 26, 2015 - 6:52 pm

            Rick Cass: The vessel: Seaworthy and maintained. And like wise, someone who knows channel markers, who know how to handle their vessel, and is able to assess, evaluate and set their ground tackle.

          • Steve Adams -  December 26, 2015 - 6:54 pm

            One more thing: Those who understand how not to put others in peril.

    • Dec 26, 2015by:   Larry Dorminy No Comments

      Wrap-up from Sail to the Sun, ICW Rally

      Our good friend Wally Moran sends this report on the completion of the 2105 Sail to the Sun which navigated from Virginia to Miami. Congratulations to Captain Wally and all the participants!

      We did it! The Sail to the Sun ICW Rally has made it safely to the sunshine in Miami. And what an adventure it was. 15 boats heading south from Deltaville VA, all of them new to the ICW (although not sailing!) and all of them ready for a great time.
      And what a grand time it was….we were given fabulous welcomes all down the ICW – River Dunes near Oriental, with a fabulous dinner and live entertainment; a wonderful wine and cheese from the new owners at River Forest in Belhaven; a last minute surprise welcome from five restaurants in Swansboro, where we enjoyed their new town docks….on and on it went, climaxing with a three day welcome from Cocoa, Florida, where we had a Mayor’s reception and wine and cheese, and (can it get better?), local sponsorship from a waterfront pub!
      Cocoa even provided each boat with a colorful burgee and a beautiful glass commemorative, each engraved with the recipient’s boat name.
      Nope, it can’t get better than that.
      But – we’re going to try to improve on this year with next year’s Sail to the Sun ICW Rally. There are already some exciting plans in the making. Be watching for news on our Facebook group, https://www.facebook.com/groups/WaterwayGuideSailtotheSun/, or on my webpage, www.ICWally.com
      Wally Moran

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