Looking for crew for our Catalina 309, located in Gulfport on Boca Giega Bay.
Barbara and Frank Downward
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Gulfport Municipal Marina
Taylor Creek runs along Beaufort’s waterfront and the “jig” David Mentions is at the creek’s east end. The Creek connects several narrow cuts through Back Sound that are often used by shallow draft vessels to reach the anchorage behind Lookout Bight.
My question is, has anyone traveled from Beaufort, NC down Taylor’s Creek toward Harkers Island recently? Is the little jig at the end of Taylor’s Creek passable to vessels drawing 3-1/2 feet, and is it reasonably accurately portrayed on the latest charts? Also, is the channel past Harkers Island and through Barden Inlet to Cape Lookout similarly passable and well charted?
Thanks.
David Swanson
s/v Lucky Penny
Has anyone transited the east end of Taylor Creek heading up behind Harker’s to the Cape Lookout Bight recently? I’ve done it several times before in a 16′ skiff without any problems, but it’s been a couple of years. At that time, there were nothing (that I could see) marking a “channel” at the end of the creek. I’ve got a slightly larger skiff now (18′), and will probably be passing thru about 2 hrs. after low tide – just wondering if anyone has had recent experience with that route. Thanks – Don
David, The cut on the east end of Taylors Creek has more markers than this chart is showing. At mid to full tide you can get through here, however the run to the Hook inside has much shallow water and would require local knowledge to run in a vessel drawing 3.5 feet. It would be much safer to run out Beaufort Inlet and down the front side of Shackleford Banks to the Hook of Cape Lookout. Just stay a half mile off the beach.
Reports of shoaling south of Fernandina Beach have been coming in for several years and prompted a USCG Hazard Warning in May of 2014 (/?p=140702). Our thanks to cruising writer Robert Sherer, New Intracoastal Waterway Cruising Guide, for sending this survey and waypoints to guide you through the shoals.
Fernandina Shallows with two GPX routes for 9 to 10 MLW
The shallows south of Beach have been a bane on cruisers schedules for years and yet there are two deep water paths through the hazard. The problems are the two unmarked shoals: one in the middle of the apparent route as you turn south around G1 and another one on the east bank just south of G1. The third shoal just north of G3 now has a red buoy to mark its location. If buoys were placed to direct boaters away from the shoals, then there would be no issues having a 10 MLW passage through the area.
After a dozen passages through the area, I mapped out a green side route for 9 MLW that many have used successfully. Last fall the Coast Guard asked Taylor Engineering of Jacksonville, FL to do a survey of the area and recommend a new route so the appropriate buoys could be relocated to provide safe passage. I was given a copy from Bill Aley of Taylor Engineering along with waypoints. This fall I used those waypoints to verify a 10 MLW route. So now we have an embarrassment of riches, two paths through the shallows, each one with 9 to 10 MLW.
The Taylor Engineering Survey is shown below:
Contrast that chart with a NOAA ENC chart below showing both the survey route (dotted line) and the green side route I posted earlier shown in blue which I’ve taken many times for 9 MLW.
Note the differences in the two routes as you round G1. The survey route (dotted line) would seem to take you into the shallows if you believed your chart but it doesn’t, the chart is wrong (shifted). Just look at the Taylor Engineering chart with their route plotted on a satellite view. At some point the buoys will be moved to direct boaters through the dotted line route.
I have two GPX files available, one with the green side route and one with the survey route (dotted line). With either the Fernandina shallow passage should no longer be a problem although it does appear that the survey route has more leeway in route width, besides we will be following that route at some point in the future anyway when the Coast Guard marks the new route with buoys.
The GPX files (standard disclaimer, user assumes all responsibility):
– For the Taylor Engineering Survey: tinyurl.com/gvmwrmd
– For the Green side passage posted earlier in the year: tinyurl.com/hnvfjo2
5/20/16 Bob received this reply today from Bill Aley of Taylor Engineering:
Bob,
Thanks so much for the information and the route verification. We’re still working with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the Coast Guard to get the buoys moved, and to do some minor maintenance dredging to get a nice clean channel through the area. I hope for all of this to be done by this fall. The information that you provided will be very helpful in my ongoing coordination with the Army Corps and the Coast Guard.
Much Appreciated,
Bill Aley
Professional Geologist
Taylor Engineering
www.taylorengineering.com
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. See previous installment: /156499.
Dear Friends,
Well, it has been nine days since saying goodby to my North Carolina friends and the gang at Duck Creek Boatyard. Today finds me in Charleston, SC. I had been hoping that I would be sailing from Beaufort Inlet to here but the wind seems to be nailed to the southwest which is of course exactly the direction that I have been traveling down the waterway for the last week. Two nights ago I was anchored in Bull Creek where I made one of my Youtube videos. This time it was far less tranquil than it was on the night of the video. Within half an hour of anchoring there was a thunder storm raging. During a storm I instinctively find myself counting “Thousand one, thousand two…” after the flash of lightning to figure out how far away the strike was. Twice the snap and the boom happened at exactly the same time or at least so close together that you can’t keep the adrenaline from dumping into your stomach and your heart from pounding. Anchored there brought me to reflect on so much that has happened to me since I was last there. From sailing and having fun on the sounds and rivers of coastal North Caroling to the untold hours of hard but rewarding work getting “Ideath” into better than just launched condition, life has been a fun but challenging whorl of activity. Many of my friends have commented on my love of travel. Of course everything can be taken too the extreme. After getting the boat back in the water the plan was to take the the van back to Apalachicola, ride the bus back and begin the trip back to Florida and close the loop on the year long voyage. Leaving New Bern I drove to Greensboro for one last visit with Dad and family. I then drove to Apalachicola. It turned out to be the “last visit” as my Dad passed away at the age of 92. So I spent a day in a car at 70 miles an hour to get back for the funeral then turned around and made a hurried trip back to Florida. Arriving there I met up with old friends and helped them drive their trawler across the Gulf of Mexico to Clearwater. That night I was on a 17 hour bus marathon back to NC and “Ideath”. In less that a week and a half I had traveled twenty seven hundred and sixty miles. In the past nine days I have covered two hundred seventy-four. I am so glad to be going four knots again. It is certainly a better speed to live my life. I hope your lives are going at the right speed and you are all well.
Love and Peace to you all,
Randy
Tryon Palace Museum
Hot day? Cool off with Pepsi’s new 1893 Original Cola or Ginger Cola made with Fair Trade Certified sugar and now on sale in the Tryon Palace Museum Store! 
CLICK HERE for their Facebook Page.
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of New Bern Grand Marina
Charlie and Jackie continue their reports with as visit to St. Augustine City Marina which overlooks the western shoreline of the Waterway, just south of the Bridge of Lions.
5-8-16 Now at St Augustine Municipal Marina. At MM777. We like it here since it’s in the middle of everything. Had AC problems here but called Dometic and they recommended Hansen Marine. Chris came out the very next day- even tho they VERY slammed– and not only fixed but also cleared 2 other problems. Charge was VERY reasonable and on top of the Chris is a pretty nice guy. Use him if need AC work there. Ate at AIA like everyone else but in the bar and was great!! A walk around is necessary in the town. Careful docking!!! Listen to dock hands. Current can exceed 5kts!! Showers are very clean and laundry is largest I’ve seen. Money change machine!
Charlie and Jackie on Traveler.
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of St. Augustine City Marina
The log of Traveler takes us to Fernandina Harbor Marina, A SALTY SOUTHEAST CRUISERS’ NET SPONSOR, that puts you right in the heart of the many wonderful things to do and see in this special port.
5-7-16 Now at Fernandina Harbor Marina. On inside of breakwater (face dock) where anyone would want to be unless too big. Joshua, dock hand, very good—LISTEN to him as the current can be interesting– especially at fuel dock. Saw a nice crash between 2 60+’ boats even after the negligent one was warned off. But again, one of my top 5 places to stop. If u have bicycles, then in for a treat. So many things to see and do here. Fresh seafood store right on the docks and the restaurant there is great!!! Marg’s even better than Coastal Kitchen at St Simons! One of the busiest marinas we’ve seen– in a nice way. Lot of foot traffic on the docks and the historic town is right across the railroad tracks for anything– especially lot of wonderful places to eat– or ice cream!! Only concern was that we came in fairly close to low and the south end of the breakwater- where you have to enter- is very shallow. Stay very close to the south end of the breakwater. Wifi not good at all but we were warned about that.
Charlie and Jackie on Traveler.
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Fernandina Harbor Marina
Charlie and Jackie make another entry in their log with this report from Morningstar Marina at Golden Isles which lies along the southern reaches of the Frederica River, between Lanier and St. Simons Islands, south of the charted 9 foot bridge.
5-4-16 Now at Morningstar Marina at St Simons. At MM590. One of my favorites. Restaurant at top of docks is very good- under new management and got liquor license last Thursday. Great app’s and a great margarita!! Make res’s as very busy. Mitch- dock hand- is the beat. Current can be very bad and combined with wind can make docking no fun. Listen to Mitch (or Chick) and he’ll get you in safely. Showers are very nice and laundry also. If on south end of face dock, long walk to take out dog, go to Coastal Kitchen or borrow the loaner car (but we need the exercise!!) A very nice CRV loaner. 1 hour limit. Of course best things are the muffins and newspaper delivered to your boat every morning– best muffins anywhere!!! one of our favorite marinas!! Almost forgot– if need diesel mechanic that I think is not only good but honest– ask for Wayne. He impressed me and that is not easy!!
Charlie and Jackie on Traveler.
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Golden Isles Marina
The Ridleys continue their log with a report on Isle of Hope Marina, A SALTY SOUTHEAST CRUISERS’ NET SPONSOR! which lies along the northwestern shores of the Waterway in the body of a hairpin turn northwest of Waterway marker #46A. And in case you missed their FOCUS ON, see /150925.
5-3-16 Now at Isle of Hope Marina at MM590. Went to fuel dock first– $2.09/gal. Dock (34′) and 30 amp for $75.00. great place to walk around old homes, etc. cable not work but pulled several channels off antennae. Put us on very northern end and very weak wifi. OK for email but not much else. Loaner car and bicycles available and a reasonable ships store. Strong Verizon. Really a great place to stop.
Jackie and Charlie on Traveler.
Click Here To View the Cruisers’ Net’s Georgia Marina Directory Listing For Isle of Hope Marina
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Isle of Hope Marina
Charlie and Jackie continue their journey north with a report on these two anchorages, southern and northern upstream, on the waters of Bull Creek, south of Calibogue Sound and Hilton Head Island, east of the Waterway’s flashing daybeacon #34.
5-2-16 Now anchored in one of our favorites– Bull Crk east off ICW just south of MM565. Anchored in front of house where water not so deep. Good holding and usual tidal current. Good verizon. Look out over Calibogue Sound and Hilton Head island. Nice.
Charlie and Jackie on Traveler
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Bull Creek
Comments from Cruisers (1)
Barbara and Frank,
What exactly do you need crew for?? Catalina boats are nice boats and the 309 is the modern version of the venerable Cal 30.