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    • Jan 21, 2016by:   Larry Dorminy 1 Comment 31.8862,-81.2129999

      Good Words for Fort McAllister Marina, Ogeechee River, near AICW Statute Mile 603.5


       View In Chartview

      Loopers Michael and Marian War give many reasons to take a delightful cruise up the Ogeechee River to this excellent marina. The marina is located on the southern bend of a hairpin curve in the Ogeechee River.

      Fort McAllister Marina on the Ogeechee River. Turn to port at R98 and CALL them – 912-727-2632. Follow their directions precisely as you will cross from one side of the river to the other as you approach. The marina has added buoys to mark the route from the north side of the river across to the dock. Best to dock at slack tide as the current runs about 5-6 knots. The marina has alongside floating docks, gas and diesel fuel, and Fish Tales Restaurant for dinner. Two showers and a washer/dryer just across the street, and if you’re interested in history, it’s just under a mile to Fort McAllister State Park, where Sherman ended his march to the sea.
      Michael and Marian War

      Click Here To View the Georgia Cruisers’ Net Marina Directory Listing For Fort McAllister Marina

      Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Fort McAllister Marina

      Comments from Cruisers (1)

      1. Bob McLeran -  January 22, 2016 - 3:28 pm

        We went there by boat in 2009 for a couple of days and again in 2011 and visited the area several times by car since then. It’s a great marina and close to some interesting history, as the poster said. It is worth the 7 mile trip upstream from the ICW. Make sure you put your pointy-end upstream when you tie up!

        Going upstream, follow close to the starboard/north/LDB bank until you get the marina in site. Water is plenty deep very close to the bank.

        Reply to Bob
    • Jan 21, 2016by:   Larry Dorminy No Comments 31.2282,-81.44569999

      Compliments for Hidden Harbor Yacht Club, AICW Statute Mile 670.5


       View In Chartview

      Hidden Harbor Yacht Club is a transient friendly facility, located on Troupe Creek. This body of water intersects the AICW, immediately north of St. Simons Sound, near markers #237 and #238. These good words are from Loopers Michael and Marina War.

      Hidden Harbor Yacht Club north of St. Simons Island. Meeting Bobbie, the manager, is worth the trip. In a previous life, she was a stand-up comedian in Los Angeles, and she knows boats and the Georgia waters. It’s a small marina, part of a condo complex, and easy to find on Troupe Creek. http://hiddenharboryachtclub.net/ Bobbie will call the owner of a nearby restaurant to fetch you and return you to the marina. Patty’s (not sure of the name) is run by a retired law enforcement officer and caters to the nearby Glenco Federal Law Enforcement training center. Best pecan pie we’ve ever had.
      Michael and Marian War

      Click Here To View the Georgia Cruisers’ Net Marina Directory Listing For Hidden Harbor Yacht Club

      Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Hidden Harbor Yacht Club

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    • Jan 20, 2016by:   Larry Dorminy No Comments

      Help Requested on Western Gulf Marinas, Clearwater to Port St. Joe

      Skipper Spinucci is asking for recommendations of marinas between Clearwater and Port St. Joe. Let us hear from you.

      Some help please.
      I’m planning a trip from Venice, Fl to Orange Beach, Al in June 2016. I have a 315 BW, Conquest with a fuel range of a couple hundred miles depending on the sea’s. I am planning over nighters in Tampa and Clearwater. I need a stop halfway from Clearwater and Port St Joe. The marina must include transient dockage, Restaurants and nearby motels. Needless to say gas also. Any ideas?
      I’m trying to keep day trips under 125 miles.

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    • Jan 20, 2016by:   Larry Dorminy No Comments

      Bahamas Chatter: Best spots to anchor going through the Exumas

      Explorer Charts - the best charts for the Bahamas and Exumas
      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: Best spots to anchor and sight see from Nassau going South through the Exumas
      Best spots to anchor and sight see from Nassau going South through the Exumas
      Posted: 19 Jan 2016 03:21 PM PST
      I am bareboat sailing a family trip in March departing out of Nassau and looking for suggestions on (1) best spots to anchor for great activities including snorkeling, swimming, lobster hunting and sightseeing. (2) best anchoring locations for night. We are planning a counter clockwise route leaving Nassau going south through the Exumas and return Nassau. Also any great restaurants along that route to have dinner where we san sailing in. Thanks, Bill

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    • Jan 17, 2016by:   Larry Dorminy No Comments

      Bahamas Chatter: “I feel your pain” plus 2 more

      Explorer Charts - the best charts for the Bahamas and Exumas
      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. In this posting, more on local island school supplies are addressed.

      Bahamas Chatter: “I feel your pain” plus 2 more
      I feel your pain
      Posted: 15 Jan 2016 02:31 PM PST
      I spent about 20 years as a land surveyor and was always amazed at the comments that a homeowner would make as I was setting his property corner marker…”That’s not where it goes…They’re all 100′ lots here…Don’t you know how to measure ??? ”
      In his mind what I did was a simple task that any idiot could accomplish …I could never figure out what made them think what I did as a seasoned professional was so easy.
      This was all before Facebook & the Internet ….At least he had the courage to confront me face to face on the lawn…Sometimes I’d try to enlighten him as to my methods & sometimes I’d walk with him to where he thought his other property corner should be & I’d stretch out the tape to 100’…As you probably have guessed it was always more the 100′ between his two points….With that he would walk back in to his house.
      Unfortunately there will be NO poetic justice here but know this ….I for one and countless others have been traveling down your recommended routes with total confidence for 16 years…
      Your work product speaks for itself..Having been cruising in these islands in the early 80’s without GPS or even usable Loran with Yachtsman’s Guide sketch charts only, even your very first charts were a welcome & quantum leap forward …
      Chin -up mate

      Hurricane Joaquin Supplies Missing to Acklins
      Posted: 15 Jan 2016 04:28 AM PST
      Hello all,
      Shortly after the storm, World Jet through pilot, Mr. Edward Hinkley, (561.718.9051) offered to fly needed supplies to Long and Crooked Islands. We boxed up 4 large containers of emergency supplies containing chain saws, starter battery chargers, solar panels, non perishable foods, roofing materials, tarps, ropes, flashlights and clothing, among other things. We dropped the boxes off at World Jet at the airport. The four boxes were from Home Depot and had our names and phone numbers on them, both Bahamian and USA. The boxes were specifically addressed to Mr. Moses Forbes and Mr. Cargain Forbes of Salina Point, Acklins. Moses was the maintenance person in charge of the power plant in Salina Point and Cargain, was a police officer who worked out of the Spring Point Station and lived in Salina Point. Both men were friends of mine many years ago and I wanted to be sure they and their families received the supplies.
      I have contacted Mr. Hinkley several times and have not been able to find out where the boxes went. He said that if they didn’t make the plane, they would be shipped by boat. I have tried many times to get through to these two individuals but have no response from them. If anyone knows how to contact them or to find out where the four boxes went, I would greatly appreciate it. Thanks.
      David O’Connor
      561.386.2692

      testing email
      Posted: 14 Jan 2016 07:39 AM PST
      Cruisers can now comment directly from email. Once you subscribe to the group, please email info@explorercharts.com and request permission to post to Bahamas Chatter via email. Your forum membership will be changed to “author” status at which point you can post or comment directly by sending your message to chatter@explorercharts.com.
      Thanks for your participation in this great group of cruisers willing and ready to share ideas and experiences!
      Kate Fears

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    • Jan 15, 2016by:   Larry Dorminy No Comments 26.835,-82.26069999

      Good Words for Gasparilla Marina and Staff, GICW Statute Mile 34


       View In Chartview

      In spite of its name, Gasparilla Marina is not located on Gasparilla Island, but rather it is to be found along the northeastern banks of the GICW, just south of the Gasparilla Island Causeway/Bridge. The entrance to Gasparilla Marina cuts east off the Western Florida ICW. This facility features a well sheltered harbor and offers superior services. Our thanks to David Burnham for these kind words.

      I forgot (nothing new at my age) to look at the fuel prices when we left Gasparilla Marina this morning after an overnight stay on our trip across the sandbar from Gulfport FL, to Jacksonville.
      But I have to give the folks at Gasparilla Marina two thumbs up for accommodating us as we arrived at 10pm last night and easily found our assigned reserved slip for our 28 foot Catalina “Synergy” right where they’d described it earlier over the phone. Their facilities are first rate (warm on a very cool night) and we enjoyed our short stop over and a cup of coffee before leaving this morning at 8AM for the next leg to Fort Myers.
      David Burnham

      Click Here To View the Cruisers’ Net’s Western Florida Marina Directory Listing For Gasparilla Marina

      Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Gasparilla Marina

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    • Jan 14, 2016by:   Larry Dorminy No Comments

      Bahamas Chatter: Long Island Supplies Needed

      Explorer Charts - the best charts for the Bahamas and Exumas
      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. In this posting, supply needs of the local island schools are addressed. Please help if you can.

      Bahamas Chatter: Long Island Supplies Needed

      Posted: 13 Jan 2016 05:44 AM PST
      Thanks to a Long Island resident for the following information of interest to the cruising community:

      “I would like to give you a broad idea of what we are replacing in the classrooms.”

      FOR A COMPLETE LIST OF SUPPLIES NEEDED GO TO: Long Island Supplies Needed

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    • Jan 13, 2016by:   Larry Dorminy No Comments 27.3153,-82.59819999

      Shoaling at New Pass, Sarasota Gulf Coast near GICW Statute Mile 75, 1/13/2016


       View In Chartview

      New Pass is the northernmost of Sarasota’s two inlets and connects to the southern tip of Sarasota Bay at Statute Mile 75 of the West Florida Waterway. However, because of perennial shoaling, SSECN has long recommended that mariners not use New Pass!

      GULF OF MEXICO – FLORIDA – LEMON BAY TO PASSAGE KEY INLET: Dangerous Shoal
      Dangerous shoaling in the vicinity of New Pass Channel in between New Pass Entrance Light LP (LLNR 1345 [27°18.9185N / 082°35.8861W, 27.315309 / -82.598102]/21585) position 27-18-55.113N/082-35-53.168W (27°18.9185N / 082°35.8861W, 27.315309 / -82.598102) and New Pass Channel Daybeacon 17 (LLNR 21725 [27°20.4831N / 082°33.9001W, 27.341385 / -82.565001]) position 27-20-28.987N/082-33-54.003W (27°20.4831N / 082°33.9001W, 27.341385 / -82.565001) . (Ref: LNM 17/15, 02/16)
      The Entrance Channel is subject to continual change. Buoys are not charted due to frequent shifting of shoals.
      MARINERS ARE ADVISED TO AVOID NEW PASS CHANNEL IF POSSIBLE AND EXERCISE EXTREME CAUTION IF TRANSITING THE AREA
      Chart 11424 LNM 2/16

      Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To A “Navigation Alert” Position at New Pass

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    • Jan 12, 2016by:   Larry Dorminy 13 Comments

      Bahamas Chatter: Looking for Crossing Advice or Buddy

      Explorer Charts - the best charts for the Bahamas and Exumas 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. Monty and Sara Lewis are well known in this area for their personal research and reporting. Their launch of “Bahamas Chatter” and real time cruising information via their web site, www.explorercharts.com is extremely valuable.


      Bahamas Chatter: looking for crossing advice or a buddy boat
      looking for crossing advice or a buddy boat
      Posted: 11 Jan 2016 03:17 PM PST
      At the beginning of February, Margaret and I would like to attempt our first crossing to the Bahamas. We would like to go to the Abacos on our 36′ Grand Banks trawler with a cruising speed of around 9 knots. We have considerable cruising experience, having come down from Buffalo NY a few times, and have just returned to the Punta Gorda FL area from the Keys. While we were in Marathon, we met sailors that were waiting for their crossing window. We have the waterway guide. We know we should wait until no north winds are present and the seas calmed, but we seem confused now, so we would like some advice on our plannings:

      Should we return to Marathon and head for the Bahamas via the Hawk Channel?
      Should we cross the Okeechobee and use an east coast port? Which one and why?
      Should we head directly for the Abacos or go to Bimini first?
      Is anyone with experience going there about this time. Can we join you?
      Smooth waters, and thanks. Any guidance would be appreciated.

      Margaret and Bob Kaine, Beyond The Sea

      Comments from Cruisers (13)

      1. Grant Billings -  November 25, 2016 - 8:33 pm

        Hi I am wanting to cruise from Punta Gorda to the Bahamas in early February 2017 somewhere around the 7th.
        I have a Bayliner 4588 so will be cuising at 8 to 9 knots.
        I am presently in Australia and will be in Punta Gorda on the 2nd of February If anyone wishing to cruise as a Buddy Boat or a group of boats Please contact me on Email ( directfire.billings@gmail.com).
        Cheers and Happy Boating
        Grant Billings

        Reply to Grant
      2. Hunter Spencer -  January 20, 2016 - 3:03 pm

        My wife and I are planning our first crossing from east Florida to the Bahamas in the next week or two. We are in the Ft. Lauderdale area currently but will move to travel with others. Our boat is a powerboat and we travel at 8or 9 knots, but can adjust if necessary. Anyone planning a crossing soon?
        Hunter Spencer

        Reply to Hunter
        • gloria koster crawford -  January 28, 2016 - 10:29 pm

          We are planning a crossing from Ft. Lauderdale to West End Sunday night. Weather looks favorable. Please contact me at kostergloria@aol.com We would like to buddy with you.

          Reply to gloria
      3. Hunter Spencer -  January 18, 2016 - 6:49 pm

        My wife and I are trying to plan a crossing in the next couple weeks. We are thinking Palm Beach area to leave. We are finishing up some work now…..

        Reply to Hunter
      4. Jim -  January 15, 2016 - 9:37 pm

        Several years ago I single handed from Lake Worth to West End. I carefully plotted my course using the current current (No pun intended) speeds. I left at about 2100 and at daylight was about three miles south of the channel to the West End Marina. Plot your course and pay attention to your position as you go.

        Reply to Jim
      5. Barry Jollett -  January 15, 2016 - 5:19 pm

        IMHO, one factor is how long a day do you want to do? To cross from St Lucie in a slow boat will take a long time as the stream moves 4-5 knots in the center and that is 50% of your boat speed. It can also be slow from West Palm as the stream can be fairly close to the coast and you have to aim south to crab across. My best trip was from Ft Lauderdale to Lucaya on a specular day going fast with the stream.
        If you would like to chat email me and I will send you my phone number. I live in Punta Gorda.

        Barry Jollett s/v Magic Carpet.

        Reply to Barry
      6. Dave Rice -  January 15, 2016 - 3:40 pm

        We have made the crossing many times and would recommend Lake Worth to Old Bahama Bay for your first crossing. Make a reservation at Old Bahama Bay when you are leaving Palm Beach. An early start will put you there early afternoon. Then Great Sale. From there you can be almost anywhere in the Aba is on day three rested and ready for fun. Don’t rush, make each jump when you are ready. You’re in for a treat.

        Reply to Dave
      7. Guy -  January 15, 2016 - 2:25 pm

        Definitely check into Lake Worth Inlet (West Palm Beach) . It’s a straight shot to West End to clear Customs and pick up fuel, calm your nerves .his season is funky for weather so your window is short. This is your closest and best route to cross the Gulf Stream. Once you are on the Banks who cares? It’s pretty straight forward to Great Sail Key … then on to Green Turtle. There you can wait to see how the Whale Cay Channel is doing. Another weather window. Once you are on the other side of Whale…. you are free to roam.

        Reply to Guy
      8. George Grafer -  January 15, 2016 - 2:18 pm

        We have been to the Abacos many times. The best route for slow boats is to leave from Lake Worth to Great Sale Cay (anchorage) & then on to Green Turtle Cay To clear customs & wait for good weather to go around Whale Cay. Short distance but you have to go thru the cut back into the ocean Next stop Marsh Harbour The Hub Of The Abacos. This is where we spend our winters at the Abaco Beach Resort, very reasonable with your Royal Marsh Harbour Yacht Club Membership. The RMHYC membership will get you discounts from West End to all over the Abacos. Very inexpensive membership and many benifets.

        Reply to George
      9. Kim -  January 14, 2016 - 10:50 am

        FWIW. We did the run to the Abacos from Ft Myers via the lake in May a couple of years ago. Easy enough. We’re a 35 ft sail so 6-7 knots. If you decide to cross the state maybe Punta gorda to York Island anchorage to franklin locks park docks (hang a left after you pass through the locks eastbound) (http://www.recreation.gov/camping/wp-franklin-n/r/campgroundDetails.do?contractCode=NRSO&parkId=73462) Be forewarned that there will be a painfully long idle speed zone by the FPL plant in east fort myers as it is Manatee season. Then run to Clewiston on the lake- we just tied up to the huge dolphin pilings for the night. Then to St Lucie and an anchorage on the ICW south of town- Peck lake. Finally to Riveria Beach Beach Muni Marina (or similar choices in area) to await a window. YMMV. This gets you far enough south to give you a decent shot to West end. (Coming back you can shoot straight to St. Lucie Inlet via memory rocks with the gulf stream in your favor). Suck it up and pay for a night in West End and check in. Note it is still a long ways to Green Turtle and points south but at least you are out of the big seas. Be sure your GPS has Abacos detail. We updated the Garmin chip with the latest eastern US and it had the Abacos – same as the separate Abacos chip and only slightly more $. It was great. If I were to do it again I would add an AIS receiver for crossing as we crossed at night both ways and it is just hard to figure out who is going where and most importantly how far away. Obviously, radar would work. Other take aways- Indiantown Marina while funky is much better than you would think and worked timing wise coming back. I would also consider doing a loop- south to Marathon and return via St. Lucie. Certainly better to go counter clockwise than clockwise on this loop.

        Reply to Kim
      10. Jonathan Gorham -  January 13, 2016 - 10:32 am

        The most direct route would be to go through the waterway to Stuart and leave for the islands from St. Lucie Inlet. From there take a straight shot across the stream to the Little Bahama Bank north of Memory Rock and anchor at Great Sale (this will be a long day at 9 knots). The next morning you can push on and clear Customs at Grand Cay, Spanish Cay, or Green Turtle.

        A more conservative approach would be to cross the waterway to Stuart, head south on the ICW to West Palm, and cross from Lake Worth Inlet (an excellent all weather inlet) to West End, Grand Bahama and clear customs at Old Bahama Bay, and proceed to the Great Sale and the Abacos the next day.

        I’d recommend against going to Bimini first if your goal is the Abacos. If you do that, you have large stretches of open water to cross (the Gulf Stream and the Providence Channel) to cross in winter weather instead of just one.

        Reply to Jonathan
        • george barr -  January 15, 2016 - 3:49 pm

          Jonathan gives the right choices. For the Abacos, I’d use the Lake Worth Inlet for an easy out inlet and a direct shot to Memory Rock OR Old Bahama Bay.
          My preference would be the Memory Rock to Great Sale Cay route but my nuance would be to leave Lake Worth at midnite. This will put your arrival on the Bahama banks at daylight and you’ll have easy and safe navigation from memory rock to Great Sale which will be 6 hours away.
          Staging at Lake Worth also gives you a good chance of hooking up with others for the trip while at anchor there.
          You can proceed from Great Sale Cay the next day to arrive at Green Turtle Cay and check in to customs there….easy & friendly at the post office in town. Good luck!

          Reply to george
          • Rob Maurice -  December 11, 2017 - 12:32 pm

            No one mentions leaving from the Fort Pierce Inlet to West End. I run at 15 mph, any shared advice on this plan?


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