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May 13, 2016by: Larry Dorminy No Comments 25.9569,-81.73039999
Suggested Route from Marco Island to Islamorado, Gulf Coast to the Keys

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These good suggestions come from AGLCA member, Dave Fuller, as posted on AGLCA’s Digest.
If this is your first trip from Marco to the Keys, I recommend coming out Capri pass and proceeding south. Going the back way is a little shorter, but MUCH shallower and requires you to pay close attention. The Cape Romano shoals are the first area you need to avoid, so look at your chart and plot your course accordingly. Depending on your speed, you should consider an overnight and Little Shark River (marked by a Green 1 on a 16 ft. pole) is a well protected anchorage. Depending on wind conditions, you may want to go further up river to use the mangroves to break the wind and waves. It is plenty deep quite a ways in so you should not have a hard time finding a suitable spot. Just be aware of small fishing boats zipping by so make sure you are well lit at night. For a general route, try to stay outside the boundaries of Everglades National Park. You will notice what looks like I-beams marking the park boundaries. Inside the park boundaries, you will have less crab traps to negotiate, but the tradeoff is that the water is much shallower. So much so that I had to shut off my depth alarm as it was constantly in alarm mode, but we never touched bottom. There is one place on the chart that you must observe. I don’t know the name of the banks on either side, but it is called the “yacht channel” and is a fairly narrow opening in the bank where you make a sort of S turn. It is clearly marked on the charts. There are a number of places to cross over from Florida Bay to the Atlantic such as Channel 5, Seven mile bridge, and others depending on where you are going. When we last did the trip, we went straight to Islamorada to visit friends so we skipped Marathon. Have a fun and safe trip.
Dave & Nan Ellen Fuller
WACI 3
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Marco Island
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Islamorado
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May 12, 2016by: Larry Dorminy No Comments 34.2436,-77.95199999
Life on El Galeon, from Port City Marina, Cape Fear River, Wilmington, NC

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Port City Marina, A SALTY SOUTHEAST CRUISERS’ NET SPONSOR and newly opened for business, is located along the eastern banks of the Cape Fear River, in the heart of downtown Wilmington, NC.
LIFE ON EL GALEON: AN ALMOST SPANISH SAILOR’S LOG
On May 10, 2016, El Galeon Andalusia maneuvered her majestic mast beneath the Cape Fear Memorial Bridge and returned to Port City Marina, what last summer’s crew called the tall ship’s “most successful port visit.”

Life at Sea
Indeed, record numbers of wannabe pirates, history buffs, and tall ship enthusiasts flocked to Pier 33 to tour the 170-foot replica of the 16th century Spanish galleon.
“We had more than 2000 visitors each of the 10 days we were there,” shared Chef David Garcia Gallardo, one of the Spanish crew. “And Port City Marina was very comfortable, with nice bathrooms!” he said, with a laugh. “This is important to sailors arriving in port!”
CLICK HERE for the full story
Click Here To View the North Carolina Cruisers’ Net Marina Directory Listing For Port City Marina
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Port City Marina
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May 12, 2016by: Larry Dorminy No Comments
Bahamas Chatter: Reply from Minister of Tourism in the Bahamas

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: Reply from Minister of Tourism in the Bahamas
Reply from Minister of Tourism in the Bahamas
Posted: 11 May 2016 12:39 PM PDT
I have also received a reply from the Minister of Tourism. Here is the response.
“Bruce
I have reviewed your and the concerns of others relative to security. Be assured that we are addressing this issue with urgency. We do not intend to allow any person or persons to destroy our country and the wonderful relationships we have with so many. Thank you and be assured that we will resolve the issues.
Sent from Outlook Mobile
On Sun, May 8, 2016 at 8:01 PM -0700, “Bruce Bogdanoff” wrote:
Minister of Tourism
Obie Wilchcombe
One of the reasons we choose to cruise the Bahamas and the Exhumas is due to your excellent record of security for our sailing craft and dinghies and motors. Although I have not been affected yet, it has come to my attention, that theft that was not there of our motors and equipment, is now becoming commonplace. If this continues, we will need to look for other cruising locations and monies that would go to your economic development will need to go to security.
I strongly urge you to review my concerns and share it with the appropriate security authorities for actions that need to be taken to insure our safety.
Thank you,
Bruce Bogdanoff
S/V Help Me Rhonda”
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May 11, 2016by: Larry Dorminy 8 Comments
Intracoastal Waterway Deepening Project Underway, Fort Lauderdale, FL
This tax supported dredging to accommodate the yachts of the wealthiest of the wealthy clearly shows to whom Florida politicians bow. You will pay for the project, but will it aid you in any way?
FLORIDA – AICW – WEST PALM BEACH TO MIAMI – FORT LAUDERDALE: Intracoastal Waterway Deepening Project
The Florida Inland Navigation District (FIND) is sponsoring a project to deepen the AICW channel to -15 ft MLW in a ±2-mile section from 17th Street Causeway to just north of the Las Olas Bridge. Material from the AICW channel will be mechanically dredged by Cashman Dredging, Inc. and placed into a barge. The material will be dewatered and temporarily placed at a Dredged Material Management Area (DMMA) located at Port Everglades. Dredging will begin the first week of May 2016, and is expected to continue for about 50 weeks. The Dredge CAPTAIN A.J. FOURNIER will work daylight hours only. During the project, every reasonable effort will be made to accommodate normal, safe navigation operations. However, mariners should be aware that clearances within the AICW will be reduced and navigability will be limited during dredge operations. Mariners are urged to subscribe to daily email updates at IWWDredgePosition@jaycashman.com for operation reports and potential impacts to navigation, or call Stephen Tobin (877) 294-9990 or (888) 280-9630 for general questions concerning the project.
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Comments from Cruisers (8)

Gene Fuller -  May 20, 2016 - 3:15 pm

I think Larry and others are largely missing the point. This project has almost nothing to do with navigating the ICW or special privileges for megayachts. After all, it is only a couple of miles in length. The real reason for the project is for economic support of local businesses. Not a whole lot different than a new highway to support a large factory or deepening a harbor to support commercial shipping.
Gene
Reply to Gene

George Barr -  May 20, 2016 - 2:05 pm

The CONTROLLING depth of the ICW is 12′. I think Larry is reacting as I did to the 15’depth of the project using taxpayer money in a section of the ICW that has few reported shoaling problems from cruisers. It is clearly for the benefit of the megayachts who visit the port. It is about 20:1 from my experience on Foreign vs. USA registration…. and there are numerous spots on the FL ICW that don’t even carry 6 ft. without tidal help where the money could have been better spent. I’d suggest that if FT LAUDERDALE wants to deepen it’s waters…they should fund it from their tax base… or impose fees on marinas catering to those depths…. and let the taxpayers deal with NORMAL maintenance of the ICW which should be funded by users through fuel and use taxes… not the general public.
Reply to George

Joseph Schnaufer -  May 14, 2016 - 1:08 pm

I think all the mega yachts contribute far more to the community finances than the smaller recreational boats!
Reply to Joseph

Fred -  May 16, 2016 - 9:44 am

Considering that most of the mega yachts that will need these additional depths in this area are mostly foreign flagged vessels that avoid taxes in the U.S.
Whereas US tax payers and local boaters cannot find affordable dockage and other marine services, these funds are being spent purely for the wealthy.
Reply to Fred

Capt. Mike Wright -  May 20, 2016 - 1:21 pm

Amen brother

Gregory Yount -  May 13, 2016 - 8:40 pm

I think Larry is dead on. How many recreational boaters are needing or clamoring for 15′ depths?! Re-work Matanzas Inlet, Jupiter Inlet or one of the many ICW shoal areas.
Reply to Gregory

Heidi Hasenfus -  May 13, 2016 - 2:11 pm

I, too, find the tone odd… The dredging project is to accommodate deep draft vessels, which spans many economic ranges, both private and commercial. And the positive about this 1% you mention, is that they spend a lot of money, as their vessels, guests, and crew require a range of services ranging from high end boutiques and restaurants to neighborhood hardware stores and fast food restaurants to mechanics and professional services. That’s a lot of employment creating more taxpayers and more spending. Circle of economic life.
Reply to Heidi

Bill Marett -  May 13, 2016 - 9:48 am

I find the titling of this article odd. Larry seems to be adopting the non-boat owners’ view that all boaters are wealthy and that improvements to the nation’s waterways is “welfare for the rich.” Certainly that characterization is wrong. What I suspect Larry meant is that the money for this deepening project could be better spent elsewhere to the benefit of cruisers who rely on the ICW. A fair point, but to describe the project as is done in the title gives the wrong impression and is a disservice to the very idea that the waterways are for all boaters, not just the rich.
Bill Marett
Reply to Bill
May 11, 2016by: Larry Dorminy 1 Comment
A Plea to Cruising Boaters from Boater’s Heritage Freedom PAC
The legislative restrictions on anchoring recently enacted by Florida’s politicians is causing much anxiety among cruising boaters. All coastal states may well be affected by the Florida legislation restricting anchoring.
May 11, 2016 Richard Herman raised this question concerning the PAC:
I’m confused. Are the SSCA Cruiser’s Rights Fund and the Boater’s Heritage Freedom PAC one and the same organization, or are they different? Are their goals the same? Does a financial contribution to one benefit both?
Could you please clarify for me? Perhaps there are others who feel the same way.
Sincerely,
Richard Hermann
m/v Avocet – Great Harbour N37
And Phillip Werndli responded:
Richard,
Good question. The two funds are linked to the anchoring rights issue, but have very different purposes. The GoFundMe campaign was established by SSCA to fund cost for lobbying including expenses for the lead volunteer and a professional lobbyist. That fund was endorsed by MTOA and AGLCA. The Boarer’s Heritage Freedom PAC was established by the above three organizations to provide funds for political campaign contributions to favorable legislators. We need funds for both, they work hand in hand.
Phil
April 28, 2016
The passage of the anchoring bans in five anchorages in South Florida is only the tip of the iceberg that cruisers are headed for in Florida. The passage of this bill is the result of frustrated residents in Broward and Dade counties who have been waiting for legislators to enact a method for local communities to regulate anchoring since 2009. Why is this just the tip?
There are over 80 cities and counties in Florida that presently have some form of ordinance to restrict anchoring. These range from a complete ban to comprehensive mooring/anchoring regulations. All of these ordinances were invalidated in the 2009 Anchoring Pilot Program legislation, except for the five pilot areas. That program will end in June 2017. The repeal of only one small section of law will allow all of these ordinances to go back into effect. You can bet that all of these communities will be lobbying their legislators to allow them to restore their ordinances ending up with a patchwork of regulations that no boater will be able to know.
Seven Seas Cruising Association, Marine Trawler’s Owner’s Association and the American Great Loop Cruiser’s Association formed the Boater’s Heritage Freedom PAC to raise funds to contribute to legislators who are friendly to our cause of preserving anchoring rights. The time is now for you to dig into your pocket.
All Florida legislators are running for election this fall and the campaigns are in full swing. We need to support our legislative supporters with our pocketbooks so please act now. When the election is over, it will be too late.
Click on the PayPal button below to contribute. If you are a Florida resident, you can also help by attending local candidate forums to urge them to support boater’s rights. This is most important. There will be a strong fight this next session and we need the members to know we are a force. So contribute now.
Phillip Werndli, Chairman
Boater’s Heritage Freedom PAC
https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_s-xclick&hosted_button_id=KUAECXWUYWYFS
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Bill Murdoch - May 13, 2016 - 7:43 pm

Where is BoatUS in this mix? I don’t see them mentioned. Those of us who have been in Miami Beach this winter know where SeaTow is on the similar and equally important subject of dinghy landing restrictions. BoatUs has a similar arm, TowBoatUS.
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May 11, 2016by: Larry Dorminy No Comments
Bahamas Chatter: Response from Minister of Tourism

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: Response from Minister of Tourism
Response from Minister of Tourism
Posted: 10 May 2016 07:28 AM PDT
One of the cruisers who responded to the Chatter correspondence regarding boat thefts in the Bahamas received this reply from Obie Wilchcombe, the Minister of Tourism:
Thank you for taking the time to write and raising the Flag on the issue that is troubling and must meet affirmative action. We are and will intensify all efforts and prevent the small few from destroying our land of friendship and hospitality
Thanks for your support and your contribution to our nation.
Obie
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May 11, 2016by: Larry Dorminy No Comments
Free ‘Wellness at Sea’ App Launched
This launch of a free wellness app announcement comes from Eric Haun of Marine Electronics. This app will be useful to Intracoastal cruisers as well as offshore cruisers.
‘Wellness at Sea’ App Launched
Tuesday, May 10, 2016 | Posted by Eric Haun
Sailors’ Society, one of the largest seafarer support charities operating internationally, has launched the free Wellness at Sea mobile app, which aims to help put health and well being at sea in the hands of seafarers.
“Sailors’ Society’s Wellness at Sea coaching program has been well received by the industry and we were keen to take it to the next level by putting the tools to enhance and monitor well being in the hands of seafarers themselves,” said Sandra Welch, Sailors’ Society’s deputy chief executive.
“The Wellness at Sea app is a fun and interactive way for seafarers to improve wellness whilst providing practical information including local maritime welfare services and ship tracking data,” Welch said.
CLICK HERE for the full article
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May 10, 2016by: Larry Dorminy No Comments
Top 50 Products, Boating Industry Magazine
This list of the top products comes from Boating Industry via Sounding’s Trade Only Today. How many of these items do you have or use?
Magazine names top products for 2015
Posted on May 3rd, 2016
Boating Industry magazine announced its annual list of the top product awards.
“This year’s selections were chosen from hundreds of products introduced or significantly updated since the beginning of 2015,” Boating Industry editor-in-chief Jonathan Sweet said in a statement. “These products were selected for their innovation, their impact on the industry, creativity and more.”
This year’s top 50 products are:
Aegis Lifeshirt
ARI Digital Marketing Services
Bayliner VR5 Runabout
Blue Wave Boats ClearVision Livewell
BRP Intelligent Shift and Throttle
Cimco Marine OXE diesel outboard
Clarion Full Digital Sound System
Dometic CRX refrigerator/freezer
Electric Fishing Reel Systems TD-4000 Teezer
FLIR AX8 thermal monitoring camera
Garmin quatix 3 marine GPS smartwatch
Heyday Inboards WT-1
HO Sports RAD+
Hobie Cat Mirage i11s
Hyndsight Vision System Journey
Indmar Marine Engines Strainer Pro
Malibu’s Integrated Surf Platform
Marine Exhaust Systems Thinline Linear Muffler
Mercury Marine Flo-Torq SSR HD Hub Kit
Mercury Racing 400R outboard
Minn Kota Riptide Ulterra trolling motor
Mymic Learn marina and boatyard Web-based training portal
MyTaskit Pro Coordination from MyTaskit Inc.
Nautique Surf Select
OceanLED Pro Series HD OceanDMX Kit
Premier Pontoons Dodici
Premier Pontoons Ricochet ladder
Prospec Electronics Infinity Basslink SM
Raymarine Quantum CHIRP Radar
Reverso Automatic Outboard Flushing System
Sea Ray 450 Sundancer
SeaDek dual-density Velcro Helm Station Pad
Seakeeper 3DC
SG Marine SGM 1003 & SGM 1005
Simrad HALO Pulse Compression Radar
Star brite Ring Clean+
SureShade RTX Pull-Out Shade
Taco Marine Seaspension Pedestal System
Torqeedo Cruise 10.0
Toucan Touch
VDO AcquaLink Marine Vessel Monitoring System
Volvo Penta next-generation 5.3L V8-300 and -350 engines
Wake WorX Super Surf’R Wake Surfing Tabs
WaveControl by WakeMakers
WaveFront speaker technology
Weego Jump Starter battery+ accessories
Weems & Plath SOS Distress Light
YachtCloser Network
Yamaha F2.5 Outboard
Yar-Craft Boats 2095 BTX backtroller
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May 10, 2016by: Larry Dorminy 2 Comments 31.1544,-81.49959999
Unhappy with Brunswick Landing Marina, off AICW Statute Mile 680

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Brunswick Landing Marina, a very popular facility with long term resident cruisers as well as transient cruisers, sits off the direct path of the Waterway, flanking the eastern banks of Academy Creek off Brunswick River, near the heart of downtown Brunswick, Georgia.
I have been a loyal customer of this marina for 15 years. I’ve seen it grow due to the efforts of the marina staff and the camaraderie developed among other cruisers and have always given it high marks for being among the best marina in the area. Unfortunately that has all changed under new management. Exorbitant charges are being billed as “environmental fees” i.e wifi, pump out, live aboard fees and marina security. These are to me the cost of doing business in an environment where boaters need and expect these services, but to add an additional fee to higher dockage rates has made Brunswick Landing intolerable. The boat yard in requiring outside vendors to add 20% to their normal charges to compensate the marina is ludicrous. It is clear the management is only looking out for themselves and has no understanding as to “who brought them to the table.” You may want to look into this and steer boaters to distant shores….it is NOT a place you would want to recommend.
Robert Wilson
Click Here To View the Georgia Cruisers’ Net Marina Directory Listing For Brunswick Landing Marina
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Brunswick Landing Marina
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Comments from Cruisers (2)

Doug Jarrett - May 15, 2016 - 7:53 am

We didn’t notice any extra fees, in fact, we got a 10% discount on fuel and slip for MTOA.
Maybe slightly less organized than before, but nothing significant.
Reply to Doug

Michael Torras - May 13, 2016 - 2:48 pm

Mr. Wilson,
I’m sorry to hear that you feel that way. As you are aware, we recently increased our monthly rate by $0.50/foot, up to $12.50/foot. This is after not raising our rates for the proceeding couple of years. We have made substantial infrastructure upgrades since our last increase. Our two local competing marinas charge $12.50/ft and $14.00/ft., respectively.
We had intended to raise our rates to $13.00/foot. However, after much deliberation, we decided that instead of the extra $0.50/foot, we would make it a flat $24/month fee. We did this on the basis that we thought it would be nice for our customers to see where the extra $0.50/foot was going toward. We came up with the $24/month figure by taking our average size boat (48ft) and multiplying it by $0.50. This gave us an even $24 figure.
If you look up the definition of “environment” you will find it to be defined as “the surroundings or conditions in which a person, animal, or plant lives or operates.” Surely all of the things you mentioned fall into this category?
Again, I am terribly sorry that you are unhappy with our new rate structure. We wish you all the best.
Michael Torras
Reply to Michael
May 9, 2016by: Larry Dorminy 2 Comments 34.2071,-77.79939999
Unpleasant Sunday Afternoon in Banks Channel Anchorage, AICW Statute Mile 380

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Incidents of rude, reckless powerboats have been reported for years now and most likely you have suffered much the same danger either in an anchorage or underway in the Waterway. Then again, you meet these same thoughtless, insane drivers on every Interstate. So…I do not have an answer other than to GRIN AND BEAR IT.
I was amazed at the amount of speedboats running thru the anchorage on plane. A constant parade on a Sunday afternoon. Many seemed to enjoy the sport of slaloming between anchored boats on half plane putting out big wakes. Then to my total amazement, a marine sheriff boat came thru, on half plane, and did nothing about the speed boats running thru here!
They really don’t seem to care about basic safety and courtesy in Wrightsville beach. The cop must have been on his way to patrol the bathrooms.
Ted
Click Here To View the North Carolina Cruisers’ Net Anchorage Directory Listing For the Banks Channel Anchorage
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of the Banks Channel Anchorage
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Comments from Cruisers (2)

Mike C - May 13, 2016 - 4:51 pm

In many places local boaters feel they ‘own’ their waters and we transients are intruders. I anchor at Wrightsville a couple of weeks in the fall AND the spring. I spend money there at restaurants, food and hardware stores, etc. On some weekends there is standing two foot chop from wakes. As a catamaran we don’t roll but it sure is a little lumpy.
I actually had a busy-body type lady tell me I should keep the free dinghy dock clear for local boaters. I had to quietly, calmly explain basic economics to her. Yes, we pay no property taxes, etc but neither do we cause wear and tear to the infrastructure or use their schools but we are paying plenty to service providers who DO pay taxes… but only as long as they stay in business. From we boaters.
Reply to Mike

Joseph - May 13, 2016 - 1:20 pm

This happens all the time in that area. This kind of boating does not happen just 10 miles south at the Carolina Beach boat basin. It is a no wake zone and people will remind anyone who makes a wake.
Joe
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