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    • Mar 15, 2010by:   Curtis Hoff No Comments Leave A Comment

      Welcome to Anchors Away Boat Yard

      The We are very pleased to welcome `Anchors Away Boatyard’ of Hampstead, NC, as a participating sponsor with the Cruisers’ Net. Anchors Away is right on the Atlantic Intra-Coastal waterway for all those making passage through NC. We are really blessed in North Carolina to have some great boatyard facilities on board with us and Anchors Away is no exception. Away Boat yard is located at mile marker 90 on the ICWW. From the North, Marker 90 is approximately 3 miles South of the Surf City swing bridge. From the South, Marker 90 is approximately 20 miles North of the city of Wilmington. Bill or Dennis can help you with most any issues and you’ll certainly like the overall ambiance focused on providing you with a positive boatyard experience. Join us please in welcoming Anchors Away Boatyard !! www.anchorsawayboatyard.com

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    • Mar 5, 2010by:   Claiborne Young 1 Comment Leave A Comment

      The Venice Water Nazi Lives, But Now He’s Driving A Cab

      Well, this is one of the most jaw dropping reports we’ve ever put up here on the Cruisers’ Net. Will this guy ever go away????!!!!

      We were stuck in Venice anchored in Roberts Bay in front of the expensive homes sharing their view when the Sheriff stopped by our boat to ask us a few questions. This was the first few days in March 2010 when those terrible north winds were blowing at over 30 knots, a front was on the way with expected cloud to water lightning, possible tornadoes and water spots which is what the Sheriff and I discussed. He was concerned for our safety and most helpful, even suggesting that we move over to the free dock and tie up to be a bit more secure. He said the city wouldn’t bother us considering the weather conditions. Well we moved to the free dock and it still has a sign limiting the time you can tie up there to 18 hours in a ten day period. Now as to why I’m writing this: The water Nazi still lives but is now driving a yellow cab! Here is what happened. We called a taxi to go down on Venice Avenue where we spent a few hundred dollars on meals and goodies to send to grandkids. When we returning to our boat in a cab, we were talking with the cab driver and we mentioned that the sheriff said we should tie up until the storm was over and the cabbie got real quiet (up until this part of the conversation he had been most friendly)until he dropped us off at Higel Park. Not 5 minutes after the cabbie left there was a siren and a police car pulled up and a fellow got out with a camera and proceeded to take a picture of the name on the stern of our boat. He didn’t say a word to us, just took the picture and left. So did we. We got the ‘˜H’ out of there. The water nazi is still operating in Venice, now he is driving a yellow cab and he will still report you even after giving him a good tip. Wish I hadn’t given him that tip, would have felt a lot better if I had stiffed him!
      Total time at the dock? Less than 5 hours, no other boats present. Have to wonder what they are thinking at this point; no dockmaster, no mooring balls, just a beautiful city waiting to be explored and an ordinance that will keep some boaters from a wonderful experience and who loses? The city of Venice and their shopkeepers, restaurants, grocery stores, etc.
      Please note, We love Venice! The people are great, the city is beautiful and that is the only negative we have ever experienced here. We are a shallow draft vessel and usually anchor in 2 to 3 feet of water in Roberts Bay. We shall return!
      Capt. Phil & Capt. Linda
      `BloMee’ (Sailing Catamaran)

      I was surprised at the recent commotion about overnight tie up at Higel Park. We were run out of there years ago by a land cop. The `anchorage’ off the Venice yacht club was full of derelict live aboards. Had an ugly confrontation with a waterski jerk who felt he owned Roberts Bay. Couldn’t reach the Sheriff or the Venice CG station with a 65 foot tall VHF antenna. We have avoided Venice for 10 ish years. Never met any of the `friendly’” great’ people that Capt Phil talks about.
      Bill

      Would it have been considered out of line to ask him what the issue was and why the sirens and photo? I think most states have laws about when to use a siren and I don’t think they are to take photos. Did you get the name of the Sheriff that told you it would be okay to tie up?
      John Meirhofer

      VENICE IS LOOKING INTO A PAY DOCKING FACILITY
      Georg McCay

      We recently stayed at the dock in late Feb.& learned that the city was about to change the regs to 6 hrs. We also read via the Venice News as well as this site that there is a plan to put 14 moorings in the area where the derelict boats are now moored. We shall see when that happens. We agree with Capts.Phil & Linda that the city & its businesses are the ones who will lose out big time on this decision.
      Capts. Steven & Diane Koch

      Comments from Cruisers (1)

      1. Capts. Steven & Diane Koch -  March 12, 2010 - 3:06 pm

        We recently stayed at the dock in late Feb.& learned that the city was about to change the regs to 6 hrs. We also read via the Venice News as well as this site that there is a plan to put 14 moorings in the area where the derelict boats are now moored. We shall see when that happens. We agree with Capts.Phil & Linda that the city & its businesses are the ones who will lose out big time on this decision.

        Reply to Capts.
    • Mar 5, 2010by:   Claiborne Young No Comments Leave A Comment

      Sunset Bay Marina (Stuart, FL on the St. Lucie River, South Fork) And the Roosevelt Bridges

      There have already been many postings praising Sunset Bay Marina here on the Cruisers’ Net. For those who don’t know, this facility is the new incarnation of the Stuart City Marina, once known as Southpointe Anchorage. The new version has plentiful slip dockage, plus an extensive mooring field.
      What makes Captain Dave’s note below so valuable, is his advice about the nearby Roosevelt Bridges, which lie between Sunset Bay and the AICW. These old spans were supposed to be removed with the adjacent high-rise span opened, but that’s never happened!

      Ditto to all the good comments. We agree and will be there for the next three months.
      Note of interest: I suggest calling the Roosevelt Bridge for an opening before going under the new 65′ bridge. The bridge tender is very accommodating and will let you know when she is about to open so you can proceed safely. Be prepared to stop and possibly turn around as the railroad bridge closed without warning just after we started to go under the new bridge.
      On weekends with many boaters and a strong tide racing thru there, it can get interesting.
      Capt Dave

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    • Feb 26, 2010by:   Claiborne Young No Comments Leave A Comment

      New Marina in Everglades City (Southwestern Florida, Ten Thousand Islands Region)

      I love the backwater feeling of visting Everglades City by water. There is a true feeling of OLD Florida here. Just don’t try this on a still summer night!
      Heretofore, waterborne visitors to Everglades City had only choice for overnight dockage, the old Rod and Gun Club. Well, that’s still a possibility, but, according to Captain Jan’s note below, there is now a new “luxury marina” in town known as Everglades Isle.
      We would like to know more bout Everglade Isle. Anyone else berthed here. What were your experiences. Please share by clicking the “Comment on This Posting/Marina/Anchorage/Bridge” link below!

      Onward to Everglades City, there’s a new luxury marina just before the bridge: Everglades Isle. Actually an upscale RV park, it has 30 or so floating docks, only 6 with 30 amp power, the remainder 15 amp, pool, showers, laundry, bar. On the downside, the docks are narrow; I’ll measure them when we arrive; the strong tidal current makes for challenging docking and the airboats run non-stop until 5pm.
      Rod & Gun is okay, except a little rocky with the current and boat traffic, tie-up wall is in disrepair and had
      cold water only showers when we visited last New Years Eve.
      Cheers
      Jan

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    • Feb 14, 2010by:   Claiborne Young No Comments Leave A Comment

      Good Words About the Dinner Key Mooring Field (Miami – Coconut Grove)

      Both the messages below paint a very different picture of the Dinner Key Mooring Field than what was shared in an earlier posting here on the Cruisers’ Net (/unhappy-times-at-miami-beach-marina-near-government-cut-inlet). There has also been an earlier, very positive posting concerning this mooring field (/great-experience-in-the-dinner-key-mooring-field-miami-coconut-grove-near-st-m-1094-5). Read all this info, and make your own decision, but it certainly looks as the tide of opinion in the Cruising Community is now running in favor of this facility.

      While I am in favor anchoring, from time to time moorings have great advantage. And in the case of the Dinner Key area this couldn’t be truer. For years I have passed though this area, but tended to anchor away from the crowds which I might ad looked mainly unseaworth and derlict. I did this because I have experienced many times vessels draging anchor. The dinner key area has really cleaned up for the better. My experience at the dinner key mooring field was terrific. The staff was professional and the facilites were clean. I hope that the moorings continue in the future as I hope to return.
      Captain Thomas Ryne
      S/V Sea Dog

      I stayed at the Dinner Key Mooring Facility all of January 2010 and it was one of the greatest experiences I had in my 25 years of sailing. They have a great staff, shuttle service and a pumpout boat. The view of downtown Miami is increadable!! My vessel is 40 feet LOA.
      Why didn’t the 47ft Soulmates stay in the big marina ‘“ funny, they have an expensive boat but I guess their too cheep for their britches.
      Capt. Bob

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    • Feb 14, 2010by:   Claiborne Young No Comments Leave A Comment

      Man of War Cay Entrance – Missing Marker

      Subject: Man of War Cay Entrance
      Cruising News: There is a marker missing at the entrance to Man of War Cay. It is the marker referenced in Steve Dodges guide as the “piling with the double arrow in front of the powerboat at the dock. It should be centered in the opening.” This marker is used was a red when going into the main harbor and as a green marker when going into Eastern Harbor. Please note that many markers are really not maintained as green or red in the Bahamas. You have to look for the arrow stick at the top of the piling. The entrance to Man of War it self is narrow thru a rocky pass but easy to navigate. It’s what you need to do after you get thru the pass that this missing marker is causing grief to many a boater. I’ve been here only a few days and have seen at least 3 boats to aground on the sand bar to the North East after entering the pass.
      Dennis Lawernce
      S/V Thate Wata

      The point is that you hve to turn sharp left or even sharper right (more than 90deg.) immediately after you enter. Don’t approach the opposite shore, and be sure you’re at idle speed.
      Ted Guy

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    • Jan 28, 2010by:   Claiborne Young No Comments Leave A Comment

      Use Your Anchor Light When Dropping the Hook In Sarasota Waters

      Yet another demonstaration of how “friendly” Sarasota is to visiting crusiers (grin!)!

      For those List members not in the harbor you may not know that 2 nights ago the SPD initiated “Operation Anchor Light.” Reports are police boats moved through the harbor shortly after sunset visiting those aboard that did not have an all around white light, or an anchor light, illuminated. The citation is in the $75 area, and some were told that the owners of the unoccupied boats without the light on would be receiving the ticket by mail. I assume Marine Police Officer Ken Goebel, cc’ed here, participated and is invited to offer any corrections or additional information to our community.
      Anchor lights are not required in a designated anchorage, but as far as I know our harbor has never received this official title regardless of it’s status as an anchorage for decades. Maybe even a century.
      Ken

      This item perpetuates a popular myth about anchorages. It is simply not correct that `Anchor lights are not required in a designated anchorage’. The ONLY except for the required anchor lights specified in the Nav Rules is for `special anchorages’ that are designated by US law. There are currently only seven such anchorages in Florida waters.
      The seven special anchorages are at specific locations in the St. Johns River, Indian River (2 areas), Stuart, Marco Island, Manatee River, and Apollo Beach.
      In every other location, including mooring fields, anchor lights are required by federal law.
      Gene Fuller

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    • Jan 27, 2010by:   Claiborne Young 1 Comment Leave A Comment

      Captain Pete Takes on the City of Sarasota (Anchoring Rights and 500 Foot Rule)

      OK, I’m going to be the first to admit I missed something here, and have come to this story a bit late in the game. HOWEVER, that does not diminish the fact that this is an important story for ANYONE interested in Florida anchoring rights.
      “Captain Pete” has found himself in a position whereby he was ticketed for being in violation of the Sarasota anchoring ordinances, probably the infamous “500 foot rule.” Shades of Dave Dumas and Marco Island, he has decided to use this incident as a way to take on the city of Sarasota’s (in our opinion) illegal anchoring regulations.
      Notice below that Captain Ken DeLacy, a prime mover in the pro-cruiser Sarasota anchoring issue, is requesting financial support for Captain Pete from the Cruising Community. As you will see, the “fund” is not yet finalized, but we will revise this message just as soon as those circumstances change. In the meantime, I strongly suggest everyone read the messages below, AND follow the link to the Tribune newspaper article!

      Here’s an update on my situation in Sarasota. I have hired an attorney, Joanne Foster to represent me in this matter. This is the same firm that challenged the city of Stuart Fl. and were sucessful in defending the man charged with an anchoring violation. She has entered a plea of not guilty on my behalf. We have requested a jury trial and it may end up in federal court. An article appeared today, jan 26 in the local newspaper, the Sarasota Herald Tribune (available online) about my case. also, I have been contacted by the NMMA, a boat industry group offering to help. I am overwhelmed at the positive messages and support I have been given by friends and strangers alike. It looks like my chances are good to win this and perhaps set an example to other cities that the law applies to everyone, and they ignore it at their peril. We will be doing updates here and at sarasota harbor google group as well and I appreciate everyones support. If you can help with my legal expenses that would be appreciated as well. If tou want to contact me at peteshaw998@yahoo.com I would be happy to talk
      Thanks
      Pete

      Today Pete had Joanne Foster, FL Board Cert. in Admiralty and Maritime Law, give our City attorney Fournier a phone call requesting a delay of the Feb 1st court arraignment. Foster is with the same Firm that successfully defeated the City of Stuart a couple of years ago when they also tried to enforce illegal local ordinances.
      Pete’s fight is our fight as well and as there will be costs associated with this battle I would like to request help from the group on this one. Some here have already offered money to fight this, and I wonder if anyone here has advice on setting up a fund.
      Keep in mind if the City insists on fighting the State on this they will be sued and all moneys invested will be returned.
      Thanks, and THANK YOU Pete!
      Ken

      Ken and everybody,
      Here we go! My attorney has sent to the court that enters a plea of NOT GUILTY in place of my appearance in court on Feb 1. The NMMA, a boat mfg. lobby has gotten in touch as well and they want to help, but they can’t help financially. Tomorrow, I send in my retainer to the law office for $500.00 to get the ball rolling. any financial help would be appreciated . There is an article in the Herald Trib today about me and if you look online you can read the comments people send in. feel free to add your own.
      Check it out.
      Thanks Pete

      Below is a link to the article Pete mention.
      http://www.heraldtribune.com/article/20100126/ARTICLE/1261059?p=3&tc=pg
      Ken

      Claiborne,
      I took a look at your article and I offer the below additional info for your reference.
      Where Pete was anchoring is the same spot he has been anchoring for years when he comes S. for the winter. I don’t think he intended on this happening, but he’s not regretting it either. He was not arrested but received a ticket to appear in court, no option to just pay a fine.
      Ok that’s it for the corrections. A fund has not been set up yet, and I don’t have the slightest idea how to even get started. Any advice?
      Ken

      Comments from Cruisers (1)

      1. Dennis McMurtry -  February 11, 2010 - 12:04 pm

        Why is the City attorney still not willing to recind their statute that is in violation of the State law? maybe hoping to snare some cash from unsuspecting boaters? typical City hack !!!

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