Cruisers' Net | Cruisers Helping Cruisers

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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May 15, 2015by: Larry Dorminy No Comments
NOAA Office of Coast Survey Request
This request for you to complete online survey is part of National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s efforts to get the public’s input on the future of charting. Pass the questionnaire link along to your boating friends.
Dear NOAA Customer,
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) Office of Coast Survey (OCS) wants to know you are satisfied with our products, services and data, and if you have suggestions as to how we can improve them. This information will be used to enhance our abilities to better meet your needs.
The survey has two tracks, one for professional maritime users of our products and data and another for recreational users. Both portions of the survey are built from trends previously gathered from similar surveys conducted by NOAA’s Office of Coast Survey. You will only be asked to fill out one section of the survey; whichever is most pertinent to your interests. Either track should take no more than 10 minutes of your time. Please Click here to complete the online questionnaire.
The data collected from this survey will be analyzed according to the specifications of the Market Research Society’s Code of Conduct, assuring confidentiality to participants. Answers to the questionnaire will only be used for statistical analysis.
When you complete the questionnaire click `SUBMIT’ and wait for the Office of Coast Survey website to be displayed to ensure your responses were received. A company that specializes in research on Charts and other navigation products called Strategy, Research & Action Inc., will receive and analyze the surveys and provide NOAA with statistical results.
Please complete the survey by June 1, 2015.
If you have any questions, comments, or concerns regarding this survey or any other aspect of this collection of information, please contact Matthew Kroll (matt.kroll@noaa.gov ), National Ocean Service, 1315 East-West Highway, SSMC3, Room 6350, N/CS5, Silver Spring, Maryland 20910.
We appreciate your help and look forward to hearing from you.
Sincerely,
Rear Admiral Gerd F. Gland
Director
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May 14, 2015by: Larry Dorminy No Comments 36.7238,-76.24789999
A Good Visit to Atlantic Yacht Basin, Great Bridge, VA, AICW Statute Mile 12

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Atlantic Yacht Basin, A SALTY SOUTHEAST CRUISERS’ NET SPONSOR, is located at Mile 12 just south of the Great Bridge lock and bridge. Skipper Schucker’s comments are from AGLCA’s Forum.
We stayed here two nights. $1 per foot $7 for 30 amp $15 for 50 amp electric. They have lots of mechanics on site, but book ahead (remember Memorial day is coming up).
1/2 mile to a shopping center with grocery, ABC, five different places to eat, Dollar store, fabric store, Radio Shack, etc.
It’s cool to watch all the mega boats go by waiting for the bridge (so no wakes).
Fuel was $2.449 for less than 200 gallons, $2.399 for over 200 gallons. A deal! (14 May 2015)
We got our rugs steam cleaned by Benchmark at 757-358-4700, entire boat for $60 and a $20 tip. And I know you are going “I can rent a machine for $35 and do it myself” And while you can, it is well worth having a pro do it.
They got both “mystery” stains out.
When she estimated she said $60 and I said “You are sure, $60 and a $20 tip will cover it”. She smiled and said yes and they did a great job. Far, far better than I could of / would have done.
AYB is at the south end of the Great Bridge draw bridge either up the VA canal or 7 miles south of the Dismal Canal
Foster Schucker
Quo Vadimus
Nowhere OK
1993 Bayliner 4588
Click Here To View the VA to NC Cruisers’ Net Marina Directory Listing For Atlantic Yacht Basin
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Atlantic Yacht Basin
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May 14, 2015by: Larry Dorminy No Comments
Five Cruise Lines Get OFAC Licenses for U.S.-Cuba Ferry Service
Ferry service to Cuba? If these companies can survive the paper chase involved with actually obtaining licences, travel to Cuba via ferry might indeed be possible in the years ahead. This report is from MarineLog.com.
Companies receiving OFAC licenses include United Caribbean Lines
MAY 6, 2015 ‘” The U.S. Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) yesterday issued a guidance regarding travel between the United States and Cuba covering on which individuals may be transported between the United States and Cuba by a person that qualifies for the general license to provide carrier services via aircraft or that has received a specific license to provide carrier services via commercial passenger vessel.
According to media reports, at least five companies were yesterday granted OFAC licenses to provide passenger vessel service.
It also seems clear that getting the OFAC licensing is just the beginning of a permitting paper trail that will also involve getting various approvals from Havana.
The five companies that have reportedly received OFAC licenses are:
Airline Brokers Co. of Miami, FL, a long-time licensed provider of air charter travel to Cuba;
Baja Ferries USA, a U.S. affiliate of Mexico’s Baja Ferries;
Havana Ferry Partners, which plans to operate as Cuba Ferry International and provide high-speed, passenger ferry service from Port Everglades and Key West, Florida to Havana, using 300 passenger high speed wave piercers
United Caribbean Lines, which is headed by cruise industry veteran Bruce Nierenberg and which plans to use overnight ferry vessels with over 400 cabins and capacity for 1,500 passengers; and
America Cruise Ferries of Puerto Rico.
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May 14, 2015by: Larry Dorminy No Comments
Mary Lee is Shadowing You!
If you northbound migrators are weary of inland sights, here’s something to look for offshore and she’s been following you all along your voyage! This story from the Washington Post is by Sarah Kaplan.
Meet Mary Lee, the East Coast’s friendly neighborhood great white shark
Mary Lee has all the trappings of celebrity status: a Twitter account with thousands of followers, fans who follow her every move, a heaping dose of media savvy. The fins, razor-sharp grin and taste for seal flesh are a bit more unusual, but every celebrity has her eccentricities.
Of course, Mary Lee is no Hollywood starlet. She’s a 16-foot, 3,456-pound great white shark. And she’s been lighting up social media this week as she makes her way along the Atlantic Coast.
After spending most of the year in the chilly, deep waters far off the coast of South Carolina and Georgia, Mary Lee suddenly surfaced near Virginia’s Assateague Island early this week.
Since then she’s shot up north to Atlantic City, much to the delight ‘” or terror , as the case may be ‘” of New Jersey residents.
And this from WSMD.com:
Great white shark cruising East Coast becomes Twitter star
BY PHILIP MARCELO
Associated Press
BOSTON (AP) – They’re gonna need a bigger Twitter.
An organization studying great white sharks is enjoying some welcome attention after one of the creatures they’ve been monitoring started gaining a loyal social media following. @MaryLeeShark is the fake Twitter handle for a very real, nearly 3,500-pound great white whose movements can be tracked online and in real time.
She’s drawn over 44,000 followers with her playful updates and witty replies as the real life shark cruises up and down the East Coast.
Read more: http://www.wsmv.com/story/29085292/great-white-shark-cruising-east-coast-becomes-twitter-star#ixzz3aVG6abVX
Great white Mary Lee pinged near Eastern Shore today

Posted: Sunday, May 24, 2015 6:49 pm
By Rex Springston Richmond Times-Dispatch
Update: 12 p.m. May 24
The latest ping from the tracker on Mary Lee ‘” a 3,500-pound great white shark ‘” occurred at 10:29 a.m. today east of Hog Island on the Eastern Shore.
(This has been a news update. An earlier version of the story appears below.)
If you go take a dip off the Virginia coast this Memorial Day weekend, you could be swimming with a toothy, 3,400-pound buddy.
Mary Lee, a 16-foot great white shark and an Internet sensation, is touring the Atlantic coast ‘” sometimes close to shore.
The nonprofit research and education group OCEARCH caught Mary Lee off Cape Cod in 2012 and attached an electronic tracking tag to her dorsal fin. Researchers ‘” as well as legions of Mary Lee fans following her online ‘” have been tracking her ever since.
The shark recently passed the 20,000-mile mark on her travels up and down the coast. As of Wednesday evening, she was most recently recorded off Virginia’s Eastern Shore near Chincoteague on Tuesday afternoon.
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