Cruisers' Net | Cruisers Helping Cruisers

Nov 18, 2013by: Claiborne Young No Comments
Good Advice When Visiting Dunedin, FL (north of Clearwater, near Western Florida ICW Statute Mile 139)
To experience the many charms of delightful Dunedin, FL, we would suggest giving the nod to the Dunedin Municipal Marina. The entire downtown business district is within easy walking distance. It’s a bit more of a hike from Marker 1 Marina.
However you get there, Dunedin is well worth a visit, and having dinner at Kelly’s Bistro is worth the entire effort!!!!
The message below was copied from our friends at the American Great Loop Cruisers’ Association (AGLCA, http://www.greatloop.org/).
When you arrive at either Marker 1 or the Dunedin Municipal Marina be sure to askfor your welcome packet if the dockmaster forgets. If you’re looking for peace and quiet try the Caladesi Island State Park Marina. Caladesi has one of the best beaches in all of North America, or so it’s been rated. Lots going on all around town; restaurants, shopping, farmer’s market everyFriday/Saturday.
Dunedin is right on the Pinellas Bike Trail, midway between Tarpon Springs and St. Pete. The Trail is an easy way to get around. On the weekends trythe Jolly Trolley for transportation between Tarpon Springs and Clearwater Beach.
Ron & Jan Matuska
Click Here To View the Western Florida Cruisers’ Net Marina Directory Listing For Dunedin Muncipal Marina
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Click Here To View the Western Florida Cruisers’ Net Marina Directory Listing For Marker 1 Marina
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Nov 18, 2013by: Larry Dorminy No Comments
Broad Causeway Bridge Restricted to One Span Openings, AICW Statute Mile 1081.5
Broad Causeway Bridge - Click for Chartview
Broad Causeway Bridge, located just north of Miami, and with a closed vertical clearance of 16ft and a horizontal clearance of 80ft, crosses the Waterway at Statute Mile 1081.5, south of marker #13.
The Broad Causeway bridge south of Baker Haulover inlet, south of MM1080, has only one span operational. I was told by bridge tender if you need full opening you need to give them a THREE hour notice. He also said repairs on bridge would last a month or two.
Denny DeRanek
Click Here To View the Eastern Florida Cruisers’ Net Bridge Directory Listing For Broad Causeway Bridge
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Nov 18, 2013by: Larry Dorminy No Comments
Changes in Opening Schedules at Three West Palm Beach Bridges AICW Statute Miles 1021.8 – 1024.7
West Palm Beach Bridges - Click for Chartview
Flagler Memorial Bridge, with a closed vertical clearance of 17ft, crosses the Waterway and Lake Worth at Statute Mile 1021, south of unlighted daybeacon #10. The former openings were twice hourly.
Royal Park Bridge, with a closed vertical clearance of 20ft, crosses the Waterway at Statute Mile 1022.5, south of unlighted daybeacon #14. The former openings were on the hour and half-hour.
Southern Boulevard – S.R. 700 Bridge, with a closed vertical clearance of 14ft, crosses the Waterway and southern Lake Worth at Statute Mile 1025, south of unlighted daybeacon #20.
A big Thank You to Captain Healy for alerting us to these schedule changes. Now, even these schedules seem to be changing almost daily. See /?p=127999
Flagler Bridge (StM 1021.8):
As of early November, 2013, bridge restrictions have changed. WORSE! MUCH WORSE! The bridge now opens hourly at the top of the hour. That’s it. Massive construction involving foundation rehabilitation is taking place at this bridge. Much heavy construction equipment is on scene. Saturday, 11/16/2013, the span was continuously open. Not sure if that’s the case all the time. Plan very carefully in this area!
Royal Park Bridge (StM 1022.6):
As of early November, 2013, bridge restrictions have changed. Hopefully temporary. WORSE! The bridge now opens hourly on the quarter hour. Weekdays, it skips the morning opening at 08h15 and the evening opening at 16h15. This works well for Southbound traffic, but not at all well for Northbound traffic. That’s it.
Southern Boulevard Bridge (1024.7):
As of early November, 2013, bridge restrictions have changed. The bridge now opens twice hourly on the hour and half-hour.
Jim Healy
Click Here To View the Eastern Florida Cruisers’ Net Bridge Directory Listing For Flagler Memorial Bridge
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Click Here To View the Eastern Florida Cruisers’ Net Bridge Directory Listing For Royal Park Bridge
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Click Here To View the Eastern Florida Cruisers’ Net Bridge Directory Listing For Southern Boulevard Bridge
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Nov 16, 2013by: Larry Dorminy No Comments
Update Needed and Now Provided on North Lake Worth Dinghy Landing, AICW Statute Mile 1014.2
North Lake Worth Anchorage Click for Chartview
The North Lake Worth anchorage dinghy landing (just a small beach north of Little Lake Worth bridge) was the cause of much discussion in August of 2012 (see /?p=93324). Captain Kat is asking for advice from anyone who might have used the landing recently.
Hi everyone,
What is the current status of this dinghy landing? We will be heading that way soon and it is a very important spot for last minute stores. What if anything is the alternative?
Kat
As of Nov. 17th, 2013, the beach in the creek which flows into the North end of North Lake Worth anchorage, remains the same as it has been, a reasonably good dinghy landing. Probably best to lock your dinghy. Publix close by and a BIG West Marine just 1 block South of PGA Blvd (moved from old location North of PGA Blvd).
Regards,
Mike, Carolyn & Catcher the cat On NAVIGATOR
Click Here To View the Cruisers’ Net’s Eastern Florida Anchorage Directory Listing For Lake Worth Anchorage
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Nov 16, 2013by: Larry Dorminy No Comments
Reports of Severe Shoaling at AICW/Mason Inlet Intersection, Statute Mile 280.5
AICW/Mason Inlet - Click for Chartview
Mason Inlet separates Figure Eight Island and Wrightsville Beach and intersects the Waterway at mile 280.5. SSECN has had a Navigation Alert posted for reports of shoaling at this intersection since August of 2013. See /?p=120325.
On Nov 13, 2013 at approximately 1:00 pm (mid tide) our keel bumped & then slid over shoaling on the “ocean side” of ICW channel very near G121 (Mason Inlet) . Our IP350 sailboat has a draft of 4′ 3″. We were very surprised as we had checked this cruiser site for any problem areas and found no mention of problems in this area.
Jim Murtha
In light of Captain Murtha’s last comment, SSECN would like to remind everyone to always check our Navigation Alerts, which can be reached both via our top of the page menus, and by way of the red, vertically stacked menus on the right side of all (except Chart View) SSECN pages. You can also set a bookmark for /alert-region/010-all-nav-alerts/?sort=date (though, do note that this “ALL Navigation Alerts” page is sorted chronologically by publication date, while the regional Nav. Alert pages (e. g. “EF Nav. Alerts at /alert-region/035-ef-nav-alerts/?sort=geo) are sorted geographically!
Came through Mason Inlet [intersection with ICW] yesterday 2 hrs after low tide. Two boats already grounded near floating green can. Bumped as started through further toward red but grounded and backed off only to bump again. TowboatUS near by came to pull off and led through. Ignore floating green, less than 4 ft of water with rising mid tide. You need to be as close to red side docks as possible then angle back to channel past G23. TowboatUS captain said this location had started shoaling badly 2 days ago.
John Lark
11/19/13 ‘“ We traveled the area AICW at Mason Inlet at MLW. We had 2.9 feet of water under our boat, we draw 5’7’³.
John Sims
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To A “Navigation Alert” Position at Mason Inlet
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Nov 14, 2013by: Larry Dorminy No Comments
Captains Landry and Baier Report on AICW Problem Stretch North of Charleston Harbor, Statute Mile 460
Cruisers’ Net has posted reports of shoaling in this Problem Stretch (which the ACOE terms as “behind Breach Inlet”) for months now. (see /?p=120335). And we are once again greatly indebted to Captains Susan Landry and Chuck Baier, owners of Beach House Publications, publishers of “The Great Book of Anchorages,” (http://www.tgboa.com) for providing the superb, in-depth article below. THANKS CHUCK AND SUSAN! Please read on!
Claiborne, We transited the ICW from Dewees Creek past the Ben Sawyer Bridge at 0830 this morning, November 7, 2013. Here are the depths that we found. First, we did study the Corps of Engineers most recent survey to determine on which side of the channel the deepest water could be found. It appeared to us that favoring the red side would be best, and that is what we did. We are southbound, so take that into consideration for the report.
All depths reported would be at low tide for today. Before the Ben Sawyer at red “118” we found 8.2 feet at about 30 feet off the marker. The depths increased to 10 feet as we approached Swinton Creek. Very near the crossing at Swinton Creek the depths were 6 feet. Here is a situation where many may get confused. The currents at Swinton Creek and several other crossing of the ICW near inlets are very strong cross currents. As we crossed the creek we were set immediately off to starboard and pushed out of the channel due to the incoming tide. Fortunately the depths as we crossed these creeks were 17 to 20 feet where the current has scoured them out. But if running on autopilot, the course would not be corrected enough to get the boat back into the channel before hitting shoal waters. We have also found that if set by current, looking ahead will give us a false sense of still being in the channel. But if we look behind us, it becomes very apparent the we have been pushed far out of the channel. We recommend hand steering through this stretch and looking forward as well as behind to determine where the boat is. The speed and direction of these strong currents will depend on whether the tides are incoming or outgoing and how strong the currents are at that particular
time. Now back to the depths.
Approaching green “117” the signboard is missing and the piling only is sticking about 6 feet out of the water and angled toward the channel. Passing Swinton Creek we found depths of 7 feet, then dropping to 6 feet. As we approached first opening to Breach Inlet, the depths were 5.8, then 5.3, then 4.5. At the intersection of Breach Inlet, the depths were 12 feet with very a strong cross current. Beyond that point to the second crossing at Breach Inlet we saw depths of 10 to 12 feet until we reached Inlet Creek where we briefly had 6 feet. The depths came back to 10-12 feet, which
continued until the Ben Sawyer Bridge. Beyond Ben sawyer we never saw anything less than 12 feet.
As you can see, there is one very shallow area at low tide in the 4- to 5-foot range, so boats with deeper drafts will need to transit at higher tides. With tides in the 5- to 6-foot range for this area, that allows plenty of depths for deeper drafts. We hope this will help all of those that transit this section of the waterway after us. We will keep you posted on any other issues we find.
Chuck and Susan. Trawler Beach House
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Click Here To View the Cruisers’ Net’s “AICW Problem Stretches” Listing For the AICW North of Ben Sawyer Bridge to Isle of Palms Bridge
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Nov 13, 2013by: Larry Dorminy No Comments
More Anchoring Space Available in Oriental Harbor, Oriental, NC, AICW Statute Mile 181
Click Charlet Above to Open a Chart View Page Centered on Oriental
We are grateful to Carol Small for sending us this article from Town Dock, Oriental’s waterfront news source. See http://towndock.net/. At least one of the “homesteading” boats which have been the source of much discussion and debate over the last few months have now departed. See /?p=125893
Wednesday November 13, 2013
There’s more space for visiting boats to anchor in Oriental’s harbor now that the French-crewed sailboat, Primadonna, has been towed to Morehead City. Primadonna has been anchored in Oriental’s harbor since it arrived last November. It was one of four such homesteading boats taking up space normally used by many cruisers on their annual treks south and north. The other three boats continue to homestead in the anchorage.
Carol Small
Oriental Harbor - Photo by Town Dock - "Look at all the available space!"
Click Here To View the North Carolina Cruisers’ Net Anchorage Directory Listing For the Oriental Harbor Anchorage
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Nov 10, 2013by: Larry Dorminy No Comments
Good Visits and Excellent Advice on Delegal Creek Marina, AICW Statute Mile 601
Delegal Creek Marina - Click for Chartview
According to a spokesperson at the Delegal Creek Marina, their entrance channel MLW depths are 3 ft, with a tidal range of 8-9 ft, so mid to high tide would be the best time to enter Delegal Creek. Once in the creek, soundings improve, but clearly this marina’s entrance depths are an issue if your vessel draws more than 3 ft. Delegal Creek Marina’s entrance passage lies northeast of AICW marker #86. just north of Hell Gate.
Sanctuary and crew spent a couple of days at Delegal Creek Marina from 11/6 – 11/9/2013.
The entrance to Delegal Creek from the Vernon River/Ossabaw Sound IS NOT correctly drawn on the chart (US5GA24M) of the area; the land features have changed since the chart was produced. Cruisers can download a “local knowledge” satellite view chart from the marina website, or contact Billy, the dockmaster at Delegal Marina, for local knowledge. The region has a 6′ – 7′ tidal range, larger during celestial periods.
Sanctuary and crew entered Delegal Creek about 1 hr after celestial low tide (16h00, 11/6/2013), which wound up being equivalent to MLLW on our tide almanac. There is only one short stretch of shallow water on the entire route from the Vernon River to the marina. For about 20 – 30 yds immediately upstream of G’3′ and R’4′, we saw as little as 4.9 ft. at MLLW. Except for that stretch, water depths in Delegal Creek are not a concern. Minimum depths in marina slips are 6′ all the way against the inner wall. Depths at the fuel dock and face docks exceed 20 ft. The facility is very well protected, has floating docks, wi-fi, restrooms, showers and laundry. Broadband WLAN coverage is 4 bars and fast. Facilities are “newish,” well maintained and clean. Marina guests can get a “pass” from the dockmaster that allows access to all of the member-only clubs, including the several golf courses, in the Landings community. There is a small commercial center that has banks, ATMs, a food market, shoppes and restaurants. Golf carts are available for touring the Landings communities and Skidaway Island. Billy makes every effort to help visitors. This is an excellent stop.
Peg and Jim Healy aboard Sanctuary, Monk 36
When we were there July 1, I created a JPG graphic to show the route in. I sent it to the dockmaster so they could us it on their web site to help boaters feel more comfortable about the entrance.
Well since reading your post, I looked on their web site and now they have a fancy graphic of GOOGLE MAPS view showing the approach. It’s a PDF file that can be seen if you click on either of the following hyperlinks:
Delegal Creek Approach Chart
http://www.landingsmarinas.com/downloads/files/Delegal_Chart.pdf
We also found this marina to be very CUSTOMER SERVICE focused. We arrived just minutes before a major thunderstorm. Needed to get milk and bread but didn’t want to take the golf cart into town because of the imminent storm. The girl working the dock actually knocked on our boat and offered to go to the store for us ! We were so grateful !
Ralph Yost
Click Here To View the Cruisers’ Net’s Georgia Marina Directory Listing For Delegal Creek Marina
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Nov 9, 2013by: Larry Dorminy No Comments
Captains Chuck and Susan Report on Georgetown, SC, AICW Statute Mile 403
As virtually all cruisers are aware by now, Georgetown experienced a horrendous fire on the harbor waterfront several weeks ago. We are once again greatly indebted to Captains Susan Landry and Chuck Baier, owners of Beach House Publications, publishers of “The Great Book of Anchorages,” (http://www.tgboa.com) for providing the superb, in-depth article and photographs on Georgetown’s recovery. THANKS CHUCK AND SUSAN!

Georgetown Harborwalk
Claiborne, we’re very happy to report that the downtown area of Georgetown, SC is recovering nicely from the devastating fire that destroyed a block of historic buildings. All of the affected businesses have relocated throughout the downtown area, and all of them are either open for business or will be opening very soon.
Georgetown is Recovering
Even though we arrived on a rainy and windy weekday with chilly temps, there was not a parking space to be had downtown. The shops and restaurants were busy and there were many visitors walking along the main street and on the Harborwalk.
The piles of debris still stand as a scar on the landscape and debris removal has been slowed due to finding asbestos in the ruins of the old buildings. This is not unusual for buildings of this age, but due to environmental regulations, the material can’t just be loaded on a truck and hauled away. The removal will continue as quickly as possible. The town is open for business and still welcoming to cruisers.
Georgetown Fire Aftermath/Debris
The marinas are all functional and doing their best to make us all feel at at home. The anchorage had about a half dozen cruising boats this evening, and there is space for more, even with the semi-permanently anchored boats that have
been here for quite a while.
There are two new restaurants in town and the city has many holiday celebrations and events planned between now and Christmas. The town is raising funds for victims of the fire by selling t-shirts in some shops and taking donations.We encourage boaters to come to Georgetown and show our support to a great waterfront town.
Chuck and Susan
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Thanks Chuck and Susan’¦..Your kind words make every day better for all who are trying to recover from this devastating fire
Geoff Groat
Georgetown Harborwalk Marina
Click Here To View the South Carolina Cruisers’ Net Marina Directory Listing For Harborwalk Marina
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Click Here To View the South Carolina Cruisers’ Net Marina Directory Listing For Georgetown Landing Marina
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Click Here To View the South Carolina Cruisers’ Net Marina Directory Listing For Hazzard Marine
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Click Here To View the South Carolina Cruisers’ Net Marina Directory Listing For Georgetown Dry Stack Marina
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Click Here To View the South Carolina Cruisers’ Net Anchorage Directory Listing For Downtown Georgetown Waterfront Anchorage
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Nov 9, 2013by: Larry Dorminy No Comments
Captains Susan and Chuck Visit Swansboro, NC, AICW Statute Mile 229
Swansboro, NC - Click for Chartview
We are once again greatly indebted to Captains Susan Landry and Chuck Baier, owners of Beach House Publications, publishers of “The Great Book of Anchorages,” (http://www.tgboa.com) for providing the superb, in-depth article and photographs, contained in the article below. THANKS CHUCK AND SUSAN! Please read on!
Swansboro, NC
Located directly on the Intracoastal Waterway is Swansboro, NC. Rich in history, Swanboro was established in the 1730s but not incorporated until about 50 years later. It initially thrived via its shipbuilding industry which lasted until after the Civil War. After the decline in shipbuilding, the town then changed its focus to the fishing industry which, along with tourism, now supports the local economy.
Swansboro Waterfront
Swansboro doesn’t get nearly as many visitors as its nearby cousin of Beaufort, NC, but it is a little town with a big personality, and a great little place to stop by and visit. You can cover the downtown area by foot in just a few minutes. Although small in size, Swansboro has a lot to offer. If a marina is what you are looking for, both Dudleys and Caspers are available. Dudleys is across the bridge and a bit of a walk from downtown, but the price is right (75 cents a foot, includes power). It is not fancy, but the staff is friendly and the marina even provides a courtesy car. Just beyond the shops and restaurants downtown, close to the ICW, is Caspers. They, too, are reasonably priced. Or, you can anchor just south of the bridge near R `4’ in 14 feet of water and dinghy in to the town dock at the park toward the north end of town and the bridge.
Swansboro Anchorage
A number of restaurants are available if the crew wants to dine ashore. Captain Charley’s Seafood Paradise is the boater’s choices for fried seafood. Icehouse Waterfront Restaurant, just next to the bridge in Swansboro, comes highly recommended by locals. Saltwater Grill, also with a very good reputation, is a bit pricier, but also a good choice. Saltwater Grill offers dock and dine slips for customer with power at some docks. Church Street Irish Pub gets rave reviews. Yana Mama’s has been around forever and has unique dÃ©cor and 50s memorabilia. A unique find on the waterfront is Bake Bottle & Brew, a second story waterfront shop that sells coffee, beer, wine and ice cream. Enjoy watching the ICW traffic while sipping your favorite brew or nibbling that sweet treat. For such a small town, you sure won’t go hungry. And, there are even more restaurants available than listed here.
Bake Bottle and Brew
If shopping is on your list, Lighthouse Boutique and Tidewater Gallery sit on the waterfront and tempt visitors with their wares. The Olde Brick Store, an historical landmark dating back to the early 1800s, houses a number of shops. Poor Man’s Hole, back on the waterfront, carries handmade furniture. The Cigar Shop, behind the Harry Pugliese Pavilion, is a popular spot for the gents to hang out and swap a few yarns. The Mercantile carries nautical gifts. And don’t forget Russell’s Olde Type Shoppe for those handmade gifts. Many more shops with a variety of wares line Water and Front Streets as well as the neighboring side streets.
After all of that eating and shopping, take a stroll down to the end of Water Street to Ward Shore Park, for a front row view of the ICW. The sunsets from here are spectacular. We like this sleepy little town and would encourage boaters traveling along the Intracoastal Waterway to stop, spend some time, and have a closer look.
The Olde Brick Store
Chuck and Susan, Trawler Beach
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Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Swansboro
Click Here To View the North Carolina Cruisers’ Net Marina Directory Listing For Dudley’s Marina
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Click Here To View the North Carolina Cruisers’ Net Marina Directory Listing For Casper’s Marine Service
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Click Here To View the North Carolina Cruisers’ Net Anchorage Directory Listing For Swansboro Anchorage
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