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.
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.
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
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
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.
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.
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
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.
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.
Windmill Harbour Marina, A SALTY SOUTHEAST CRUISERS’ NET SPONSOR, is located hard by the southwesterly mouth of the Waterway’s passage south down Skull Creek, on the shores of Hilton Head Island, south of marker #27.
Welcome to Windmill Harbour Marina, situated on the northwest coast of Hilton Head Island, South Carolina. We are located on the Intracoastal Waterway, just ½ mile south of the Pinckney Island Bridge at mile marker 558, 500 yards south of channel marker 27, and ½ mile north of channel marker 29 in the Calibogue Sound. The marina’s 15.5 acre harbour boasts 258 boat slips, offering many for short or long term rental or sale. Transient dockage is available including dining privileges at the Yacht Club, laundry, restrooms and showers, competitively priced fuel and a pump out station. Our remarkable harbour offers a safe, tide free haven protected by a lock system directly off the Intracoastal Waterway. The Windmill Harbour Marina lock is 75′ long by 19′ wide. Hours of operation are 0800 to 1900 by harbour master or 24 hours by yachtsmen with a keycard. We monitor channel 14 VHF and our phone number is 843-681-9235. One of only three private locked harbours on the east coast, Windmill Harbour Marina offers an unparalleled combination of convenience and security…the safest place to keep your yacht.
Windmill Harbour initially began in 1981, the founding company chose a Southwestern style featuring an adobe look and a large windmill at the entrance. This design, however, was not embraced by the community. In response, the founders removed the windmill and the land plan changed to a mix of single-family homes, townhomes and condominiums in a more acceptable southern traditional style, similar to residences found in Charleston. As Windmill Harbour began to take shape, more and more homes were built in that style. This led to the evolution of the Charleston Lowcountry look one sees in Windmill Harbour today. Windmill Harbour is home to a variety of different boaters. From small center console fishing boats to large offshore sport fishing boats, fertile fishing grounds are nearby. A significant fleet of Harbor 20s engages in class racing and there are numerous cruising and sailing activities including the Calibogue Cup, Harbour Town Cup and Ocean Challenge.
One of the most important assets of the community is the marina and its unique harbor. The harbor is composed of 15.5 acres and houses more than 255 boat slips and is the largest harbor on Hilton Head Island by nearly a hundred slips. The lock was constructed to create a protected harbor from the weather and the changing tides. It was only the second lock existing on the eastern seaboard at the time. The lock is operated with the gravity flow of water, electricity and hydraulics. As complicated as it may appear, it is very simple to operate.
VIDEO
As the marina and neighborhood came together the next step was to give the community a place to gather. Thus the South Carolina Yacht Club was born. The vision was that the club would be populated by the most interesting residents and visitors to Hilton Head Island, reminiscent of those early social gatherings on Hilton Head. This led to the decision which established a club that property owners could choose to join, but were not required to do so, and that would invite membership from outside of Windmill Harbour and Hilton Head as well. More detailed information on the founding of the South Carolina Yacht Club can be found on its website.
The unique history, breathtaking beauty, meticulous planning and unique harbor have made Windmill Harbour a premier marina community in the Lowcountry. Its vibrancy and growth are a testament to its founders and its residents.
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: Boat/Dinghy Thefts in the Bahamas Boat/Dinghy Thefts in the Bahamas Posted: 06 May 2016 08:54 AM PDT We are getting more frequent reports of thefts from cruising yachts and from marinas. Some vessels stolen were larger outboards; many are dinghies, some large with big outboards. Reports have come from the Abacos, Nassau and George Town. Nassau thefts have occurred from a paddleboarder sneaking into marinas.
Concern is growing among cruisers and many are expressing the possibility that they will completely avoid these areas in the future.
To make your feelings known and to press for some government action on this issue, here is some contact information for Bahamas Tourism.
Bahamas Tourism George Town Pet Hanna phanna@bahamas.com 242-336-2430 242-357-0970
Bahamas Tourism Nassau Minister of Tourism Obie Wilchcombe owilchcombe@bahamas.com 242-302-2058 242-302-1317
Let them know the seriousness of the thefts in terms of loss of tourism in the Bahamas. Perhaps it will get some action to stop and further prevent this threat to cruising yachts and other vessels in the Bahamas.
A SALTY SOUTHEAST CRUISERS’ NET SPONSOR!, Downtown Marina is located north of AICW marker #239, a short distance west of the Lady’s Island swing bridge, in the heart of downtown Beaufort.
Great stop! The marina staff is very good with the tides and the rolling current. Diesel pump was VERY slow, but price reasonable. Could not ask for a better place to shop and eat! Plenty of restaurants to choose from, and cute little shops to browse. This is our second time here, and will return! Still Clueless
Be the first to comment!