Twin Dolphin Marina, A CRUISERS NET SPONSOR, sits perched on the southern shores of Manatee River, just short of the Highway 41 Business bridge. We get lots of praise for this fine marina and their commitment to facility upgrades, see FOCUS ON.
Click Here To View the Western Florida Cruisers Net Marina Directory Listing For Twin Dolphin Marina
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Twin Dolphin Marina
Cruisers Net publishes Loose Cannon articles with Captain Swanson’s permission in hopes mariners with salt water in their veins will subscribe.. $7 a month or $56 for the year and you may cancel at anytime.
Click here for Heavens! They’ve Put Rental Moorings in Front of Chat ‘n’ Chill
Peter Swanson
Captain John Easley is a professional, USCG-Licensed 100 ton Master based out of Palmetto, FL. He specializes in training new owners on their boats during the process of delivery to its new home port. He can be reached directly through http://uscgcaptain.johneasley.com/
Should I stay or should I go?
As boaters, we are all subject to the whims of the weather. Sometimes it works well
with our plans. Other times, not so much.
A storm front passed through much of the southeastern United States a few weeks ago.
Considerable damage and tragic loss of life occurred in Tennessee. In the Bradenton,
Florida area, we saw sustained winds of 23 mph and gusts as high as 32 mph Sunday
night.
The next Monday morning was clear and sunny but brought sustained winds of 22 miles
per hour out of the north. The forecast was for four foot seas at six-second intervals on
Tampa Bay.
A client wanted me to bring his catamaran to the boatyard for haul-out Monday morning.
The cat can tolerate running in 4×6 seas on the nose. What concerned me was the 22
mph crosswind while trying to pull into a travel lift haul-out well with only six inches of
clearance on each side. Yeah, you read that right: six inches. That’s a bit tight even in
the best of conditions. During discussion with the owner, we agreed it was better to
reschedule than risk damaging the vessel on the concrete walls of the haul-out well.
Responsible boating occasionally calls for making the tough call to abandon plans and
stay at the dock during unfavorable conditions. Make that tough call. Be responsible.
Don’t be a statistic for the Coast Guard or end up on the evening news. Injuries, or
worse, are not worth a day on the water.
——————
Captain John Easley
Click here for January events and programs in your Charleston County Parks
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Our thanks to Flora Moorman for this shot of Dawson Creek in Pamlico Sound.
Dock at one of the most accommodating marinas, Long Boat Key Club Moorings, A CRUISERS NET SPONSOR! and tour this handsome 58′ Tiara.
Click here for details and photos 58′ TIARA 2009MUST SEE!
The Resort at Longboat Key Club Voted in Top 30 Resorts in Florida
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Longboat Key Club Moorings
Our on-the-water contributing editor is Captain John Easley, a professional, USCG Licensed 100 ton Master based out of Palmetto, FL. He specializes in training new owners on their boats during the process of delivery to its new home port. He can be reached directly through http://uscgcaptain.johneasley.
Managing Risk – Rule of Complications
From an admittedly-biased point of view, boating is one of the most enjoyable recreational activities. But it does not come without some risk. Managing those risks helps ensure passenger safety and an enjoyable time for all aboard.
One way to look at risks is to consider them as “Complications.” Rain would be considered a complication. So would fog or darkness or heavy seas. Equally, entering a marina with which you are unfamiliar could be considered a complication. Running on the inland rivers or the ICW when there can be a lot of debris would also be a complication. By no means should this be considered an exhaustive list; those are just examples.
Can an experienced captain safely navigate during a white-out thunderstorm? Certainly! But it is definitely more complicated and not every boater has the experience to do it with a reasonable margin of safety.
I have a rule for recreational boating: One complication only. Two or more complications at the same time is asking for trouble. A sunset cruise from your regular home port on a mechanically sound vessel in calm weather with friends is a memorable experience. Returning in darkness is the only complication in that scenario. On the flip side of the coin, attempting to spot and dodge debris on the ICW at night with building fog and a strong current while navigating into an unfamiliar marina is a formula for stress and unpleasantness.
Use the Rule of Complications to manage the risks: Only one complication at a time for recreation cruising. If two or more complications overlap, consider finding a safe anchorage or port in order to sort things out.
Captain John Easley
The Dismal Swamp Route departs the southbound Waterway at MM 7.2. Our thanks to Sarah Hill for this invitation from Dismal Swamp Welcome Center, A CRUISERS NET SPONSOR!
The Dismal Swamp State Park is hosting their annual First Day Hike on Jan. 1st, 2024 at 10am. Enjoy a relaxing and beautiful 2 mile loop of Supple Jack Trail with Ranger Alan Brown. See the link below for more details & contacts:
https://www.ncparks.gov/state-parks/dismal-swamp-state-park/events/first-day-hike-2024
Thanks,
Sarah
Sarah Hill, TMP
Director, Dismal Swamp Canal Welcome Center
Chairperson, Camden County Tourism Development Authority
2356 US Hwy 17 North, South Mills, NC 27976
252-771-8333 | shill@camdencountync.gov
www.DismalSwampWelcomeCenter.com
www.VisitCamdenCountync.com
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Seasoned boat owner Gilbert Park shares his tips for making your time on the water as safe and stress free as possible.
Click here for Tips and advice for safer boating
Practical Boat Owner and Forecast
Gulfport Municipal Marina, A CRUISERS NET SPONSOR, is located in the heart of downtown Gulfport. The marina and harbor, found on the northern shores of Boca Ciega Bay, are easily accessible from the Western Florida ICW, just north of Tampa Bay.
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This week’s lowest current marina fuel prices as of Dec 04
Diesel Range: $3.55 to $6.10 Lowest @ Port Consolidated in (Eastern Florida)
Gas Range: $2.95 to $5.98 Lowest @ Rivers Edge Marina (formerly Oyster Creek Marina) in (Eastern Florida)
Remember to always call the marina to verify the current price since prices may change at any time. Also please let us know if you find a marina’s fuel price has changed via the Submit News link.
All Regions (Price Range $3.55 to $6.10)
Virginia to North Carolina (Price Range $3.95 to $4.95)
North Carolina (Price Range $3.94 to $5.60)
South Carolina (Price Range $3.76 to $5.83)
Georgia (Price Range $3.99 to $5.30)
Eastern Florida (Price Range $3.55 to $6.10)
St Johns River (Price Range $4.00 to $6.00)
Florida Keys (Price Range $4.29 to $5.49)
Western Florida (Price Range $3.00 to $6.47)
Okeechobee (Price Range $4.37 to $6.10)
Northern Gulf (Price Range $3.99 to $4.32)
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