Mile Marker 0 Marine Supply, A SALTY SOUTHEAST CRUISERS’ NET SPONSOR, moved the beginning of this year. PLEASE drop by and visit these fine people in their new location. And, PLEASE, SUPPORT THEM, as we always ask, whenever possible, that you support all our SSECN sponsors!
We cannot say enough good things about Bob McBride and the excellent customer service he provides to boaters’¦those in transient, and those about to be transients! If he doesn’t have what you need, he will find it for you, and will bring it to you! Mike
Below is a posting copied from the AGLCA forum about one of the really striking sights to be seen from the AICW/Dismal Swamp Canal Alternate Route’s passage down the Pasquotank River, south of Elizabeth City, NC. Southeast of marker #5, you will catch sight of a huge rooftop sitting back from the shore; its location is noted on chart 12206. This immense structure was built during World War II for the manufacture of dirigibles. In times past, cruisers could actually catch sight of two mammoth buildings at this location. The larger of the two’”one of the biggest wooden structures in the world’”burned in spectacular fashion during 1995; at that time, it still served as a blimp factory, while the smaller of the two structures was leased to a furniture company. Now, the blimp plant has been moved to the surviving building, and dirigibles are once again being constructed in Elizabeth City. If you’re lucky, you may spot one of the mammoth balloons being tested as you pass. Below, we hear from a former employee of the Blimp factory, in a reply to a question which originally appeared on the AGLCA forum.
It is 1 of 8 blimp hangars still remaining in the US. I worked in the hangar in the early 70’s where we built wood kitchen caninets. Westinghouse owned that hangar and a huge, all wood hangar that housed TCOM who built blimps for overseas telecommunications. The wood hangar burned to the ground in 1995. John & Cyndi Esch
Sunrise Bistro will require automobile transportation to get to, but it definitely sounds worth asking a favor of a friend or the cost of a taxi. The City Marina courtesy van does not go out to Johns Island. Please note that Charleston City Marina is a VALUED SALTY SOUTHEAST CRUISERS’ NET SPONSOR!
Earlier reports have indicated depths of 5.8 feet at dead low in this perennial “AICW Problem Stretch” north of Beaufort, SC. Captains Cordello, Horowitz and Raynor all confirm our recommendation to take this passage at mid to high tide.
June 1, 2013 Ditto to the above comments. Arrived at Asheepoo Coosaw Cutoff at dead low tide on June 1, 2013, and plowed into mud with a depth under 4′. Waited for 2 hours and got through with 6′. Wish I’d have looked at the alternate route down the Coosaw River and up the Asheepoo to Fenwick Island. It adds 4 miles but would have been a lot faster and less nerve-wracking. Bill Raynor
April 20, 2013 We just came thru Ashepoo Coosaw Cutoff on 4/20/2013 and the reported shoaling has gotten worse. We consistently saw 4.5 feet at MLW and one 3.9 foot at MLW. There appears to be an easy by pass by going down the Coosaw River toward St Helena Sound and up the Ashepoo Rv. We have not tried this route but will on the trip south next fall. John Holmes
Oct 12 we also transit the Ashepoo/Coosaw Cut on a falling tide, just 2.5 feet above mlw, what we saw was exactly what was reported between markers 184 and 185 there would have been only 4.5 feet of water, strongly suggest going at mid to high tide. Doug Cordello
Southbound, 3 November 2012. Exited the Ashepoo Coosaw Cutoff (`185’³) at 1735. Low tide at 1818, +1.27′. Saw depths as low as 6 1/2′, so when you do the math there is not a lot of water at MLLW +0.0. At 1600 +2.8′, 1700 +1.8′, 1800 +1.2′, so check the daily tables and plan your passage accordingly. Mike Horowitz ALTAIR
The AICW is shoaling badly along its southern and southeastern flank between the Ben Sawyer and Isle of Palms Bridges. MLW depths of as little as 2 feet have been noted by an official November, 2012 US Army Corps of Engineers survey.
I came through this stretch at exactly low tide on June 2, 2013. I stayed to the preferred north side, but bumped bottom and plowed mud almost continuously from G119 to just before Isle of Palms bridge. I draw 5.5′ and made it, but don’t recommend it. Bill Raynor
A phone call to Rialto Harbor confirms that the owner has retired and this unique marina (see link below) is out of business. The spokesperson was unaware of any plans to re-open in the future. This is indeed sad news for the cruising community. In my 30+ years of personally visiting marinas all over the Southeaster, I can say without any fear of inaccuracy that Rialto Harbor was one of the most enjoyable and unique marina facilities from Southern Virginia to New Orleans. Tucked in an almost secret-like stream off the Okeechobee Waterway, and set in a lush botanical setting, Rialto Harbor was much akin to a little piece of undiscovered paradise. Everyone who had the good fortune to visit here in the past, will deeply miss Rialto Harbor.
Cruising News: It with much sadness that I report Rialto Marina on the Caloosahatchee has closed. We passed through east bound on the way to the Bahamas in late March and Bus was in business and full up. When we returned in late May, there was a banner across the sign at the oxbow entrance saying Marina Closed. This was always a favorite stop with great hospitality and beautiful grounds. Hopefully it will re-open in the future. Bert Jones
Well, what better information can one get on an inlet other than an account from a professional captain who pilots a large, deep draft ship through the seaward passage in question on an almost daily basis. Hats off to Captain Henry Young for obtaining this report, and passing it along to the cruising community. Little River Inlet lies south and east of the Waterway, right at the North Carolina – South Carolina state line, and just a stone’s throw north of the marinas at Little River, SC. The “Big M” gambling ship is stationed at a dock just south of AICW/Little River Inlet intersection. We have seen it dockside during many of our passages through northeastern South Carolina waters.
Cruising News: Transiting my Offshore 40 with 6′ draft N and requested local knowledge on Little River Inlet and received this detailed response from the Captain of the “Big M” Henry Young
Sir: The M/V Big M Casino has a draft of 8′-0’. At a low tide of -.9, which is the rarest of low tides, we have been close to the bottom in a couple of places but have not hit. At middle to high tide just stay in the channel. At low tide, The worst spot is near green #19 near Tilghman Point. There is no good route through there. The channel is wide but the shoaling goes all of the way across. At low tide you still have 8-9′ though. The next bad spot is on the approach from Tilghman Point to the Calabash Crossroads. Stay slightly to the green side middle. As you approach the jetty, outbound, don’t go too near green #5. Give it a little extra room and head straight to #4 in the jetty fairway. Outbound, there is some shoaling to your right. Outbound exiting the jetties stay to the right and head to about 150yds to the right of the sea buoy. Do not go to the left. You are good to go anywhere from there. Hope this helps. Captain William (Bill) Jacobson, Master M/V Big M Casino
Long before the Columbia, NC City Docks were constructed, there was a private marina on the Scuppernong River, just downstream of the City Hall, known as Columbia Marina. This facility was, for many years, owned by a local attorney, but was then allowed to languish for quite some time before being purchased in February of 2012 by Captain Tom Clancy (no, not the “Tom Clancy” of “The Hunt for Red October” fame – we asked). Since that time, as you will read below, this facility has gone through a MAJOR renovation. And while there is currently only one transient wet slip available, Columbia Marina is now a GREAT spot to keep your vessel on a long term basis. Besides the new docks and dock house services (see below), all of downtown Columbia, featuring several restaurants, a visitor’s center, and a hardware store, is within easy walking distance. In short, what more could you ask of a small town marina facility. And, lest we forget, Columbia Marina is our newest SALTY SOUTHEAST CRUISERS’ NET SPONSOR! So, whether you are just visiting Columbia and the Scuppernong River, or looking for long term dockage, please give Columbia Marina your most serious consideration. Tell Captain Clancy we sent you!
Columbia Marina
In February 2012 Tom Clancy purchased the Columbia Marina in Columbia, North Carolina. During the following year, the marina went through extensive renovations. The dock house was rebuilt with a new bathroom and shower, featuring an antique claw foot bathtub. The dock house also boasts a laundry and kitchen facility with microwave oven, coffee maker and refrigerator for boaters to use. In addition to the dock house there is a gazebo with a gas grill for boaters to use as well. All the bulkheads and slips were rebuilt with new water and electrical service. There are ten boat slips with 30 amp service and 1 transient slip with 50 amp service. The Columbia Marina is located in quaint downtown Columbia on the water front within walking distance of all the shops and restaurants in town. For more information please contact Tom Clancy 919-495-1028.
The narrow (compared to other Albemarle Sound rivers) but deep Roanoke River, is the southwesternmost of the nine rivers which feed into Albemarle Sound. In years past, cruising upstream to the community of Plymouth, NC, was frustrating for those looking to find wet slip dockage. There were some wet slips along the city waterfront, but they were forgettable, to say the least. ALL THAT HAS NOW CHANGED IN A BIG WAY FOR THE BETTER! In late May, 2013, we received the brief report from Captain Jean Thomason below, informing one and all that Plymouth had invested in new docks for visiting cruisers, which were now open, and ready to accept visitors. We requested more information from the cruising community, and this appeal resulted in the second note below authored by Captains Danny and Jan. Well, clearly there were/are BIG changes afoot in this small community, particularly in regards to their welcoming attitude towards, and services for, visiting cruisers. So, we got on the telephone and had an extensive conversation with Mike Wright, Plymouth’s General Services Director. The result of all this up close and personal research is very happy news indeed. The town of Plymouth now boasts all-new, fixed, concrete decked wet slips, featuring fresh water and 30-50 amp power hookups, in a facility known as Plymouth Landing Marina. Some slips have 30 amp service and others feature 50 amp hookups. The wet slips designed for larger craft have depths of 12 to 14 feet, while some of the smaller berths have 4.5 to 6 feet of waters. And, we were able to confirm the report from Danny and Jan, that visiting cruisers can enjoy ten day’s free dockage at these fresh city piers, including power and water connections. The dockage basin lies under the watchful eye of a reproduction of the Roanoke River screw-pile lighthouse. The eye catching feature adds considerably to the visual appeal of this city facility. Shoreside, mariners will discover climate controlled showers, and a laundromat. Waste pump-out service is available for a very reasonable $5,00. There are two restaurants within walking distance, one of which is open for breakfast. There are also several museums in downtown Plymouth which are well worth your attention. It’s a hefty 1+ mile walk to Highway 64, where you will find a supermarket and chain drugstore. Those cruising with bicycles will find this an easy trip. CLEARLY, with all these new facilities, cruisers now have a new, prime destination just off Albemarle Sound. Please help spread the word about Plymouth’s new welcome and new services for visting cruisers.
New Plymouth, NC City Docks and Reproduction Roanoke River Lighthouse
Because our marina (Cypress Cove, formerly IYC) is at Columbia, we often cruise west on Albemarle Sound. Plymouth on the Roanoke River has just opened new town docks. We hear they are nice and free. Plymouth has shops, a museum (with replica of the Abemarle, a Confederate ironclad) and a lighthouse in the historic part of town along the waterfront. Jean Thomason
I would like to tell everyone about the new town docks in Plymouth NC. Very nice slips (10 slips ) with power and water at no charge. They have very nice rest rooms and showers with a washer and dryer. There is also a pump out with just a 5.00 charge. We stayed there in April and was very pleased. Oyster Bar short walk away was great. Breakfast at Stella’s down the street was very good. There was also three Museums in easy walking distance. The east end where the larger slips are the water 12 to 14 feet and the west end on the T we marked 4.5 feet. These slips are not where the old slips are. These are at the west end of town in front of the Light House. Very nice. Danny and Jan on the Mosey
Plymouth is a great town to visit for it’s Civil War history and all the good things mentioned here. My great grandfather served with the Union army and became a prisoner of war when the town was retaken. However, there is a charted fixed bridge of 50′ vertical clearance between the town and Albemarle Sound that will keep most sailboats from visiting. We have anchored just before the bridge and used our dinghy. I think we were lucky to not hit a snag with the anchor since the Roanoke River is dense with cypress on both sides. Harry Burns S/V Two for the Roads
We share Cap’n H’s enthusiasm for downtown Fernandina Beach, Florida. The dining and shopping possibilities are many and deliciously varied. Have not yet given Joe’s 2nd Street Bistro a try, but will have to correct that oversight SOON!
Guys, We just finished our two day layover at Fernandina Beach before continuing north. Everyone here is so friendly both around the harbor marina and the town. Most notable was a simply superior dinner to anything I have experienced in many years. Joe’s 2nd Street Bistro should be on every boaters must do list here. Only two blocks off the harbor marina, the staff, service and food outshine anything in recent memory. We tried the gumbo and the loaded potato soup for appetizers which were perfect with the fresh homemade bread and olive oil and cracked pepper. The 14 oz blackened rib-eye was beyond description in its perfection and flavor. The potatoes were superb as was the vegetable medley. The vegetables were cooked to the perfect degree of doneness, not mushy and yet not hard. If you never stop anywhere else, make it here!. Cap’n H
We agree. Due to this posting we have been to joes bistro twice and are going there again today. The food is great, the decor is very nice, above what you would expect. The lunch menu runs until three pm and is a great value. And the food is really good. Dave Bell
We’ve been there [Joe’s Bistro] twice and love it! Bill
The free dock in Ft Walton Beach, located between R6 and R8 on the north side of the ICW, just west of the Brook Bridge, has been closed for repairs and, as Capt. Riggs relates, the dock is now open. The 3 deepest spots are on the SW corner of the dock, 1 being a lay along and the other 2 being the first two slips. Avoid blocking the pump out station as boaters do come to use it and then leave immediately.
Cruising News: The free dock provided by the City of Ft. Walton, Fl is located just west of the fixed span Brooks Bridge at GICW mile 223. This facility has been closed for repairs for several months. The repairs have been effected, and the dock is now welcoming transient vessels effective May 29, 2013. Bob Riggs
The Salty Southeast Cruisers’ Net is pleased to announce an exciting, new feature/capability, which will allow an even closer integration of the “Cruising News” and “Chart View” modules of our web site. And, this same fresh service will also allow our editorial staff to insert comments/information based on our combined 60+ years of cruising experience.
Well, enough of the big build-up. As you have undoubtedly noticed from this section’s title, and the sample icon, the Salty Southeast Cruisers’ Net now has the ability to insert “I”nfo icons on our Chart View pages wherever they might be useful.
About 70% of the time, when you click an “I” icon, a window will open displaying an index of multiple posting titles submitted by your fellow cruisers, which provide meaningful information about the body of water, channel or other nautical feature in question. Clicking any posting title within this window will take you to the full article, which will open in separate window or tab. Once you are finished reading, close the second widow or tab, and you can quickly return to your chart perusal.
Less often, when you click an “I” icon, a window will open displaying the title of an article/posting, created by yours truly and/or the SSECN editorial staff, which imparts some useful navigational tip. And, finally, we will also use the “I” icon to pass along information about historic points of interest.
As always, a couple of examples are worth another thousand words or so. First up, when you clink the link below, a Chart View page will open centered on the AICW Dismal Swamp Canal route, where this passage crosses the Virginia – North Carolina border. You will also see one of the new “I”nfo icons. It may take an extra second or so to appear, so just hang in there.
Click this “I” icon, and a window will open showing a whole list of postings/articles, authored by your fellow cruisers in which they share their experiences while “Doin the Dismal.”
Pick one of the posting titles, click on it, and a new window/tab will open showing the full version of the posting. Close the additional window/tab when you are finished reading, and presto-chango, you’re back to the Chart View page where this process began.
Here’s another example. Click the link below, and you will be taken to a Chart View page showing the Old House Channel between North Carolina’s Roanoke Sound and Pamlico Sound. You will actually see three “I” icons on this Chart View Page. Click the middle one, near marker #OH. A window will open displaying a posting title, “Change in Marker Colors on Old House Channel.” Click this title, and a new window/tab will open, displaying a short article yours truly has authored concerning a mind bending marker color change along this section of the channel.
Finally, follow the link below, and you will be transported to the AICW’s passage through South Carolina’s South Edisto River. Notice the “I” icon on shore, east of marker #151. Click this “I” icon, and the index window will appear. Now, click on “Prospect Hill Plantation History and Legend.” You will then have the opportunity to read a fascinating story about this plantation and its original owner.
By the way, DON’T FORGET, OUR CHART VIEW PAGES ARE NOT STATIC. All you need do is put your cursor somewhere on the chart, hold down the left mouse button, and drag the chart in whichever direction you prefer. You can drag as far north as Maine, or south to the Florida Keys.
One word of warning! We are just beginning to populate our Chart View pages with the new “I” icons. As of this writing, most are centered on northeastern North Carolina waters. That will change rapidly over the next several weeks, as we place more and more “I” icons!
And, that’s how the new “I” icon works. We hope you find it useful. Our goal is, as always, to provide more and higher quality information that helps the cruising community safely explore and enjoy all Southeastern USA coastal water!
We would welcome hearing comments about this new feature from the cruising community. Just send your “words of wisdom” to CruisersNet@triad.twcbc.com.
Mile Marker 0 Marine Supply, A SALTY SOUTHEAST CRUISERS’ NET SPONSOR, moved the beginning of this year. PLEASE drop by and visit these fine people in their new location. And, PLEASE, SUPPORT THEM, as we always ask, whenever possible, that you support all our SSECN sponsors!
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