Cruisers' Net | Cruisers Helping Cruisers

May 21, 2015by: Larry Dorminy No Comments
Celebrate Dad’s Day at Fishermen’s Village, Punta Gorda, FL
Your Dad will love this! Fishermen’s Village in Punta Gorda, A SALTY SOUTHEAST CRUISERS’ NET SPONSOR, on Western Florida’s Charlotte Harbor/Peace River always has an array of activities to please everyone. Whether you are moored in Punta Gorda’s mooring field or berthed at Fishermen’s Village Marina, also A SALTY SOUTHEAST CRUISERS’ NET SPONSOR, there is always something special to do!
CELEBRATE FATHER’S DAY WEEKEND’”DADS CRUISE FREE!
PUNTA GORDA, FL’”King Fisher Fleet, headquartered at Fishermen’s Village in Punta Gorda, invites Dads to cruise for free in honor of Father’s Day. Here’s how you can help dad celebrate his special day: Dads cruise FREE on any of the cruises listed below. Act fast to reserve your space!
Fri. June 19: Sunset Cruise 7:00 p.m., 1 Â½ hours
Sat. June 20: Cabbage Key Island Cruise 9:00 a.m., full day
Sunset Cruise 7:00 p.m., 1 Â½ hours
Sun. June 21: Cabbage Key Island Cruise 9:00 a.m., full day
Cayo Costa Beach Cruise 9:00 a.m., full day
Afternoon Harbor Tour 2:00 p.m., 1 Â½ hours
Afternoon Harbor Tour 4:00 p.m., 1 Â½ hours
Sunset Cruise 7:00 p.m., 1 Â½ hours
All dads cruise free on all of the above listed cruises. Advance reservations are recommended. For more information about the special Father’s Day offer, please call (941) 639-0969.
King Fisher Fleet offers eight cruises including daylong cruises to the islands of Cayo Costa, Cabbage Key, and Boca Grande, narrated tours of the Peace River and Charlotte Harbor, as well as sunset cruises and Christmas light canal cruises. King Fisher Fleet also offers charter fishing with some of the best fishing guides in southwest Florida, departing every day from Fishermen’s Village Marina.
Voted `Best Charter Boats in Charlotte County’ every year 1996-2014, Sun-Herald poll
Voted Punta Gorda Chamber of Commerce Pinnacle Business of the Year 2009
Voted Charlotte County Chamber of Commerce Small Business of the Year 2010
Elissa Allen
Marketing Director
King Fisher Fleet
941-639-2628
www.kingfisherfleet.com
Sign up for our E-Newsletter
Kathy Burnam
Marketing/Events Manager
Fishermen’s Village
kathyb@fishville.com
READER’S CHOICE AWARDS FAVORITE SHOPPING DESTINATION!
1200 West Retta Esplanade #57A
Punta Gorda, FL 33950
P 941 575-3007
M 941 258-1327
F 941 637-1054
www.fishville.com
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Click Here To View the Western Florida Cruisers’ Net Anchorage Directory Listing For Punta Gorda Waterfront Anchorage
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of the Punta Gorda Waterfront
Click Here To View the Western Florida Cruisers’ Net Marina Directory Listing For Fishermen’s Village
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Fishermen’s Village
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May 21, 2015by: Larry Dorminy No Comments
BoatUS News: Just the Facts, All the Facts!
BoatUS continues to be the nation’s leading advocate for boating safety, yet even BoatUS members may not be aware of all that this wonderful organization does for America’s boating community. SSECN is proud to have BoatUS as a SPONSOR!
NEWS From BoatUS
Boat Owners Association of The United States
880 S. Pickett St., Alexandria, VA 22304
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Press Contact: D. Scott Croft, 703-461-2864, SCroft@BoatUS.com

A look at BoatUS by the numbers.
A Look at the Numbers Behind the Nation’s Largest Recreational Boating Group, BoatUS
ALEXANDRIA, Va., May 20, 2015 ‘“ Boat Owners Association of The United States (BoatUS) is the nation’s largest advocacy, services and safety group with over half a million members. With the `kick-off’ of the summer boating season this Memorial Day weekend, there may be a lot you don’t know about this 49-year-old organization without looking at the numbers.
Membership
530,219 Total number of BoatUS members nationwide. (BoatUS.com/membership)
28 feet The average length of a BoatUS member’s boat.
1091 The number of businesses and marinas offering BoatUS members discounts, including fuel and transient slip discounts. (BoatUS.com/servicelocator)
4% The percentage of West Advantage Gold Rewards earned back by BoatUS members when shopping for boating supplies at West Marine. (BoatUS.com/rewards)
Boating Safety
1,085,503 The number of students who have taken the BoatUS Foundation’s free Online Boating Safety Course to date. (BoatUS.org/courses).
101 The number of Emergency Position-Indicating Rescue Beacons (EPIRBs) and Personal Locator Beacons (PLBs) available for rent from the BoatUS Foundation. (BoatUS.org/epirb)
575 Locations across the US where you can borrow a child’s life jacket for free from the BoatUS Foundation’s Kids Life Jacket Loaner Program. (BoatUS.org/life-jacket-loaner)
$1.3 million Funding over the past 26 years provided to local community groups by the BoatUS Foundation Grassroots Grant Program that promotes safe and clean boating education. (BoatUS.org/grants)
Government Affairs
49 The number of years BoatUS has fought for recreational boaters’ rights. (BoatUS.com/gov)
1 The number of national boat owner organizations with full time government affairs staff (BoatUS).
11 The number of individual issues, from Florida Anchoring and Ethanol to Aids to Navigation and boating access that BoatUS Government Affairs works on in an average month.
244 The number of groups, organizations, government agencies and legislative leaders BoatUS works with in an average year to support boaters’ interests.
27,769 The number of grassroots messages generated and sent to legislators in an average year by BoatUS Government Affairs on pending boating-related issues.
16 The number of volunteer (unpaid) positions BoatUS management holds in an average year on outside boating-related advisory boards, professional associations or philanthropic organizations.

On the Water Boat Towing and Roadside Assistance
603 The number of towboats in the TowBoatUS/Vessel Assist towing fleet. (BoatUS.com/servicelocator)
305 TowBoatUS/Vessel Assist Locations across the country (BoatUS.com/servicelocator)
70,297 Annual requests to BoatUS Towing Services 24-hour dispatch centers for on water assistance. (BoatUS.com/towing)
24: The number of hours a day you can summon on water or on road assistance from BoatUS.
5 Number of different ways boaters can contact BoatUS 24-hour dispatch for on water or on road assistance: 1. Telephone 800-391-4869; 2. BoatUS Towing APP (BoatUS.com/app); 3. VHF radio; 4. Spot satellite messenger (BoatUS.com/spot); 5. DeLorme inReach (BoatUS.com/delorme).
100 The number of miles BoatUS Unlimited Trailer Assist will haul a boat trailer and its tow vehicle to a repair shop, safe area or home with no out of pocket expense to the member. (BoatUS.com/trailerassist)
$14 The annual price for BoatUS Unlimited Trailer Assist, in addition to member dues of $24. (BoatUS.com/trailerassist)
48-53 feet The length of a flatbed trailer that could be used by one of the 18,000 roadside service providers offering assistance to a BoatUS member with Unlimited Trailer Assist to haul both a disabled boat trailer and tow vehicle. (BoatUS.com/trailerassist)
209,212 Number of downloads of the BoatUS Towing App, which makes it easy to summon on water and on road assistance 24/7. (BoatUS.com/app)
Boat Insurance
$7.4 Billion The total hull value of all boats insured with BoatUS Marine Insurance Program. (BoatUS.com/insurance)
24/7 Hours/days per week that BoatUS members can make a claim. (BoatUS.com/insurance)
$25,000 The amount BoatUS boat policies automatically include for Medical Payments Coverage to the member or their family members not covered by any major medical policy. (BoatUS.com/insurance)
25% The reduction of a BoatUS policy deductible each year a member remains claims free, until it reaches $0. (BoatUS.com/insurance)
50% The percentage of a marina’s haul-out bill that BoatUS Marine Insurance will pay to help avoid damage from an approaching hurricane (up to $1,000 total). (BoatUS.com/insurance)
$23 The starting cost (annually) for BoatUS mechanical breakdown coverage for drive units that can be added to any BoatUS Yacht Policy (agreed value) for boats less than 10 years old. (BoatUS.com/insurance)
$500 The amount the BoatUS Angler’s Best policy will pay up to for reimbursing a member should a claim cause them to miss or withdraw from a competition. (BoatUS.com/insurance)
$5,000 The amount the BoatUS Watersports Package will pay up to in actual cash value coverage for your watersports equipment. (BoatUS.com/insurance)
$500,000 The amount of liability coverage available per occurrence with the BoatUS Boat Yacht Policy. (BoatUS.com/insurance)
Consumer Protection
$2,500 The average dollar amount returned to a BoatUS member who received a successful resolution from the BoatUS Consumer Affairs Dispute Mediation Program. (BoatUS.com/consumerprotection)
11,317 The total number of complaints filed and searchable in the BoatUS Consumer Complaint database since 1992. (BoatUS.com/consumerprotection)
About Boat Owners Association of The United States (BoatUS):
BoatUS is the nationÂ¹s largest organization of recreational boaters with over a half million members. We are the boat owners’ voice on Capitol Hill and fight for their rights. We help ensure a roadside breakdown doesn’t end a boating or fishing trip before it begins, and on the water, we bring boaters safely back to the launch ramp or dock when their boat won’t, day or night. The BoatUS insurance program gives boat owners the specialized coverage and superior service they need, and we help keep boaters safe and our waters clean with assistance from the non-profit BoatUS Foundation for Boating Safety and Clean Water. Visit BoatUS.com.
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May 21, 2015by: Larry Dorminy 1 Comment 29.6159,-81.20399999
Top Ten BBQs, including Captain’s BBQ on the AICW! Statute Mile 800

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Palm Coast is between St. Augustine and Daytona Beach and Captain’s BBQ is at Bing’s Landing on the east side of Mile 800. Sounds delicious!!
CNN) ‘” There’s more than one bone of contention in the great finger-lickin’ barbecue debate. Pork or beef? Vinegar- or tomato-based sauce? No sauce ‘” or maybe something mustard-based?
Travel site TripAdvisor has waded into hotly contested territory with a list of the best BBQ restaurants in the United States.
6. Captain’s BBQ, Palm Coast, Florida Â– Located along the Intracoastal Waterway, this Palm Coast, Florida, eatery — which is accessibly by boat — pairs mouthwatering meats with al fresco dining.
CLICK HERE for the rest of the list from WGNO TV.
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Captains BBQ
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Comments from Cruisers (1)

Winston Fowler - May 21, 2015 - 1:19 pm

If you ever get to Osprey Marina on Waccamaw River north of Georgetown, SC, get a car and drive over towards Pawley’s Island on US-17, where you will find ‘MOE’s Original BBQ” ….. now these boy’s know how to make BBQ. Here’s a link to it: http://www.moesoriginalbbq.com/lo/pawleysisland
Reply to Winston
May 21, 2015by: Larry Dorminy 4 Comments 36.3004,-76.21819999
Observations on the Dismal Swamp Canal, AICW Alternate Route

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As Captain Healy noted below on AGLCA’s Forum , northbound cruisers enter the Canal just north of Elizabeth City, A SALTY SOUTHEAST CRUISERS’ NET SPONSOR. Traveling south, the Dismal Swamp Canal route exits the Waterway westward immediately south of the I-64 fixed bridge at statute mile 7.1. The Dismal Swamp Canal Welcome Center, also A SALTY SOUTHEAST CRUISERS’ NET SPONSOR, is located on the east shore of the Canal at Statute Mile 28.
The day you passed us, we went into the Elizabeth City free wharf [Mariner’s Wharf] just after you guys went into Pelican Marina. (What a perfectly nominal crossing of the Albemarle, eh!) We left EC Saturday morning and travelled up to Portsmouth’s High Street Basin after a fuel stop at Top Rack. We also had the Dismal all to ourselves; well, except for a couple of canoes. We draw 4-1/2 ft. We never touched, even once! We saw water depths of 6-1/2 ft or better the entire way. We spent our time this trip looking for the stone mile posts that were placed on the canal during a widening and renovation project in the 1820s. Many have been found/restored/replaced in their original positions by a group called the Virginia Navigation & Canal Society. The Deep Creek lockmaster that we all know and love – Robert Peek – is a canal historian and a key contributor to that effort. We did actually spot many of the markers. Funny that it’s the first trip out of 10 or more canal transits that we even knew they were there! Too often asleep, I guess.
That said, I definitely agree, people using the Dismal Swamp Canal should make way at slow bell. On previous trips through the canal, we have touched a time or two or three. We always travel at slow bell, and we recommend that if following another boat, you do that at a distance of 1/2 to 3/4 miles. That way, if that boat picks something up off the bottom, it has time to settle back down before you get to it. We have never had any damage; not ever. The canal is 22 miles from South Mills to Deep Creek. Boats that clear through either lock at 08h30 will make the other end for 13h30, so you have 5 hours to travel 22 StM. That’s less than 5 StM/hr, and should be easy even at dead idle. If you get to the other end early, you just have to keep station there until locking time. Keeping station in the canal can be a challenge – especially if there are a cluster of boats all doing the same dance – if there’s any wind to speak of. SLOW BELL!
Don’t be afraid of it. Just go slow and “smell the roses.”
Jim
Peg and Jim Healy aboard Sanctuary
Click Here To View the North Carolina Cruisers’ Net Marina Directory Listing For the Mariner’s Wharf Elizabeth City Docks
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of the Mariner’s Wharf Elizabeth City Docks
Click Here To View the North Carolina Cruisers’ Net Marina Directory Listing For the Dismal Swamp Canal Welcome Center
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of the Dismal Swamp Canal Welcome Center
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Comments from Cruisers (4)

Richard B Emerson -  May 25, 2015 - 6:52 pm

The intersection with the Lake Drummond feeder is one of the places we’ve felt the bottom. However, the bottom is so soft it’s not a problem. We’ve also touched leaving the South Mills lock, southbound.
Back to Lake Drummond… This is the water supply for the canal. The locks help to conserve the water. This means that the canal’s depth remains relatively constant. The water coming from the feeder slows down as it spreads into the canal. As the water slows, it drops its load of sediment – hence the bump that has to be periodically dredged.
Reply to Richard

Rick Emerson -  May 24, 2015 - 10:20 am

We draw 6′ and, aside from rarely feeling the muddy bottom, have had no problems with the canal. Well, with one notable exception. We’ve collected twigs and leaves from overhanging trees. We know of a 27-foot sailboat that scrubbed off his masthead after a moment’s inattention put him close to the bank. IIRC, running at more than 5.5 kts is a waste of fuel and time. The distance between the locks and their schedule means running faster means parking in front of the next lock. Finally, agreed that standing off the boat ahead is a good idea, but 1/2 – 3/4 mile just won’t work. See above regarding schedules. Invariably there are people who somehow think they’ll beat the schedule and will run up hard astern to “push” the boat on the bow. Passing is almost impossible in most places, making moving well with the traffic imperative. All that said, the canal and Pasquitank are one of our favorite stretches on the ICW.
Reply to Rick

Darrell Stewart -  May 22, 2015 - 4:20 pm

As a footnote, Southwind Construction will be dredging portions of the DSC around mid to late July near Mile 22 at the intersection of the Lake Drummond Feeder Ditch. A local notice to mariners will be issued prior to startup.
Reply to Darrell

Donna Stewart -  May 22, 2015 - 4:13 pm

Thank you for sharing your story. We have had some rumored 4 foot depth reports lately and have no idea where this originated, but appreciate your comments. We always ask our boaters about their experience, to share accurate information and we are aware the ACOE is always try to alleviate
problems as much as possible. All of our traffic who stop in the center have also made similar comments, so again, thank for you telling your story.
I just scanned our boater’s log to see if you stopped in to say hi, but we must have missed you on this trip. Thanks for coming our way!
Reply to Donna
May 21, 2015by: Larry Dorminy No Comments 27.5567,-82.59619999
Good Stay in Bird Key Anchorage, Terra Ceia Bay, off the Manatee River

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Bird Key anchorage is found on the tongue of deep water north-northeast of Bird Key and north of marker #13.
This is a great anchorage ‘“ Terra Ceia Bay is quite deep behind this island and it’s very quiet and peaceful without a lot of boat traffic. Nothing nearby to dinghy for supplies, but if you want a quiet anchorage, probably by yourself, this place is great! Follow the zig-zag channel closely as it gets shallow in some spots.
Laura
Click Here To View the Cruisers’ Net’s Western Florida Anchorage Directory Listing For Terra Ceia Bay – Bird Key Anchorage
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Terra Ceia Bay – Bird Key Anchorage
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May 19, 2015by: Larry Dorminy 1 Comment
Explorer Chartbooks Partners with SSECN, Bahamas
The Salty Southeast Cruisers’ Net is pleased to let the cruising community know that we are partnering with Lewis Offshore, LLC’s Explorer Chartbooks to share timely and useful information concerning cruising in the Bahamas. “Explorer Chartbooks” have 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 has been well received. Extending this valuable information to “The Salty Southeast Cruisers’ Net” will expand their offering coverage in the best interest of the cruising community to make for safe and enjoyable cruising – supporting the notion of “know before you go”.
We look forward to hearing from you, our readers, as to how we can make this partnership more valuable for you.
We are pleased and look forward to working with Monty, Sara and the Lewis Offshore, LLC.
CLICK HERE For ExplorerCharts May 15 Dockage and Fuel Survey.
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Comments from Cruisers (1)

Winston Fowler - June 17, 2015 - 3:13 pm

We were at Great Harbor back in Feb. 2006…it was desolate, but absolutely beautiful. Golf course club house was a wreck, there was a pool and facility right behind marina that looked like it had not been used in years, but had the raw potential of being spectacular. We love the beach and met some very nice folks. The hamburger place near the air strip was not bad but the air strip had some rather big holes. We waited five days for fuel which never came during our stay and finally with some accurate current and tide info we carefully cruised to West End. Great to learn of how it has experienced a new birth.
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May 19, 2015by: Larry Dorminy 1 Comment
Advice Requested for a Big Bend Region Crossing, Northern Gulf, West Florida
Claiborne’s Comments: For those who have never cruised these waters, the Western Florida’s ICW’s northern terminus is at Anclote Key, while the Northern Gulf ICW does not begin its east to west trek until one reaches Dog Island and the charming village of Carrabelle.
In between is better than a hundred miles of coastline, with a LARGE shelf of shallow water jutting for miles out into the Gulf of Mexico. These shallows are pierced at fairly regular intervals by man-made channels, leading to the Big Bend rivers such as the Crystal, the Withlacoochee, the Suwanee and the Steinhatchee. Some of these entrance passages are fairly reliable, while others are not.
So, rather than follow the Big Bend coastline, staying several miles offshore, some mariners choose to cut the corner, and head (northbound) directly for Dog Island or Panama City.
I will be traveling this route in a modified trihull pontoon in june. ( modified hull frame with welded steel frame to keep it solid ) what would be a good route with this boat. hopscotch ? pattern any map refrences would be great. also : hey there Rich Gano I had some emails with you. I was planning a steam boat trip on the great loop. But opted for this instead’¦..at least for now.
Bruce Noble
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Rich Gano - May 22, 2015 - 9:22 pm

Bruce, you can contact me at richgano2gmail.com to discuss your route. What is cruising speed and draft? What navigation electronics?
Rich
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May 19, 2015by: Larry Dorminy No Comments 25.9569,-81.73039999
Good Visit and Good Advice on Smokehouse Bay – Marco Island Anchorage, Marco Island, Southwest Florida

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Smokehouse Bay lies in the heart of northern Marco Island. This fortunate body of water plays host to Esplanade Marina and a good anchorage. Collier Creek is its entrance channel which leaves the Marco Island-to-Naples waterway west of marker #14. Our thanks to Skipper Merritt for this report. For a report of depths in the anchorage, see /?p=139969
Anchored twice in Smokehouse Bay in May of this year (2015) and found the bay and the holding excellent. The Winn Dixie dock around the corner under the bridge was very convenient. The only note I would add that isn’t in the previous postings is that the navigation markers from the pass through Collier bay on the chart plotter do not match what is actually there. The marked channel runs out at `12’ with three possible directions. Take the residential channel directly ahead and after going around a bend you will see smokehouse bay and `13’.
Jim Merritt
SV Latitude Adjustment
Click Here To View the Western Florida Cruisers’ Net Anchorage Directory Listing For the Smokehouse Bay – Marco Island Anchorage
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of the Smokehouse Bay – Marco Island Anchorage
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May 16, 2015by: Larry Dorminy No Comments 33.9171,-78.02829999
Good Words for Southport Marina, Southport, NC, AICW Statute Mile 309.5

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We have heard nothing but good things about these informative weather and navigation briefings presented “at the dock” at Southport Marina. See /?p=144528. A SALTY SOUTHEAST CRUISERS’ NET SPONSOR, Southport Marina is located just west of the Cape Fear River along the northern banks of the Waterway hard by flashing daybeacon #2A. Give them a try and like Skipper Jones, you’ll like it!
From AGLCA’s Forum:
Thanks, Foster, we did make several weather briefings at Southpoint while we waited for Ana to pass. We learned a great deal. Took notes and have used all his info to date. Excellent service Southport provides.
Donadee Jones
“Always Home”
DeFever 47 POC
Click Here To View the North Carolina Cruisers’ Net Marina Directory Listing For Southport Marina
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Southport Marina
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May 15, 2015by: Larry Dorminy No Comments
Marlow-Mainship Now in the Carolinas, Intracoastal Yacht Sales
Intracoastal Yacht Sales, a long-time SALTY SOUTHEAST CRUISERS’ NET SPONSOR, offers full service brokerage representation from three locations, Wrightsville Beach, NC, Little River, SC and Charleston, SC.
New Yachts to the Carolinas!!
Is Proud to Announce
Nordic Tugs and NOW Marlow-Mainship to 3 Locations in North and South Carolina!
2 Great Lines
All single engine Diesels focusing on efficiency
Bow and stern Thrusters
Excellent for the Great Loop or coastal lifestyle
Models available in August
2016 Marlow-Mainship 31E $299,490
2016 Nordic Tugs 34 Pilot $379,400
www.intracoastalyachtsales.com
Charleston
@ Charleston City Marina
17 Lockwood Dr.
Charleston, SC 29401
OFFICE: 843-412-6587
FAX: 877-720-8698
Wrightsville Beach
@ WB Marina
10 Marina Street Suite A3
Wrightsville Beach, NC 28480
OFFICE: 910-256-8803
FAX: 888-893-9755
Little River
@ Myrtle Beach Yacht Club
720 Hwy 17 – Suite 201
Little River, SC 29566
OFFICE: 843-340-0080
FAX: 888-566-5886
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