Cruisers' Net | Cruisers Helping Cruisers

Oct 11, 2013by: Claiborne Young No Comments
Heart Warming Words!!!!!
Wow, this is the kind of message that we all live for around here. THANKS to Captain Jon Parmet for taking the time to share such wonderful words!!!! The entire Salty Southeast Cruisers’ Net “bunch’ wishes him good luck and good cruising!
I just wanted to say thanks for the hard work in keeping such a valuable website up and going; there is nothing else out there that compares.
Fair Winds & Following Seas,
Captain Jon Parmet
http://www.YachtCaptain.us
http://www.LearnToBoat.net
USCG 200T w/ STCW95′
US Coast Guard Veteran
PADI Advanced Open Water
Share:
Be the first to comment!
Oct 11, 2013by: Claiborne Young No Comments
Depths Survey As of 9/03/13 of the AICW/New River/New River Inlet Intersection Problem Stretch (Statute Mile 246)
Our good friends, and SSECN strategic partners, Captains Mark and Diana Doyle, founders and owners of “On The Water ChartGuides” (http://www.onthewaterchartguides.com/), give us an updated, graphic report below, relaying what they discovered as they navigated through the AICW/New River Inlet/New River intersection on 9/03/13. Note that the Doyle’s soundings were taken near low tide, so you must only subtract .3 feet from the depths portrayed on the Doyle’s graphic, to discover MLW soundings.
Despite some earlier reports of shoaling, Captains Mark and Diana, as you will see below, discovered nothing less than 8 foot MLW soundings at along this perennial AICW Problem Stretch.
Incidentally, Diana and Mark have just published a new edition of their immensely popular “ICW CruiseGuide.” Click on the book graphic to the above right for more details, and to place an order!
Hi Claiborne,
Diana and I are continuing our survey reports with depth-annotated tracks for ICW Trouble Spots.
This one is for the ICW and New River Inlet intersection.
Good water this season along this ICW Trouble Spot with depths ABOVE 8 FEET MLLW.
Hopefully, SSECN readers transiting the area will find these reports useful.
Best,
Captains Mark & Diana Doyle
m/v Semi-Local
www.OnTheWaterChartGuides.com
Share:
Be the first to comment!
Oct 8, 2013by: Larry Dorminy No Comments
Webcam Pictures of St. Lucie Inlet and Manatee Pocket, near AICW Statute Mile 987
We think all of you computer savvy folks (note that we didn’t say “nerds”) will appreciate this website that has webcam still shots of St. Lucie Inlet and Manatee Pocket. http://www.stlucieinlet.com/
A spokesperson for the webpage relates that they have been having some problems with the website and with the cameras, including an irregular updating of the webcam pictures. They hope to have all issues resolved soon and can post a schedule of picture updating. Note: checked the website today, 10/16/2013, and it seems to be updating the photos properly.
St. Lucie Inlet - Click for Chartview
Manatee Pocket - Click for Chartview
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of St. Lucie Inlet
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Manatee Pocket
Share:
Be the first to comment!
Oct 2, 2013by: Claiborne Young No Comments
The Infamous “Magenta Line” – Going, going . . .
For years now, a debate has raged here on the SSECN, and virtually EVERY other nautical web site and forum, about the so-called “Magenta Line” which appears on NOAA charts covering the various Southeastern USA waterways (and probably in other USA regions as well). The “magenta line” is SUPPOSED to show the best path to take, in order to keep to the best depths. HOWEVER, as many have pointed out, that is NOT always the case. In fact, sometimes, following the magenta line can leave your vessel high and dry!
Now, apparently due more to budgetary considerations than complaints that the “magenta line” does not (at least in places) properly portray the correct channel, NOAA is considering dumping this chart feature entirely.
NOAA is asking for comment and input from the cruising community concerning this deletion. See linked article below for URL’s and e-mail addresses where your point of view can be recorded.
Our thanks to Captain Quinn for sending us the latest official bulletins from the Department of Commerce re the status of the Magenta Line. And our thanks to Captain Jim Healy for first passing along this question from the SW Florida district of NOAA’s Office of Coast Survey. All boaters should respond to Federal sources given below, or to Mr. Michael Henderson, S. Florida and Caribbean Navigation Manager, OCS, at southflorida.navigation@noaa.gov.
And, by the way, this proposed deletion has brought a FLOOD of comment from the cruising community, both on the SSECN, and on other nautical web sites and forums. Follow this link for LOTS MORE information on this subject, and a sampling of cruising community reaction and input:
READ MORE – Click Here
Share:
Be the first to comment!
Oct 1, 2013by: Claiborne Young No Comments
Good News and Many Improvements at Fort Pierce City Marina (Statute Mile 966.5)
Latest NOAA Chart 11472 Showing New Marina Entrance Channel
Fort Pierce City Marina (a SALTY SOUTHEAST CRUISERS’ NET SPONSOR) has been undergoing a massive improvement project for many months now. In an interview conducted by the Salty Southeast Cruisers’ Net with our good friend, and Fort Pierce City Harbormaster, Captain Dean Kubitschek, on 10/1/13, we learned this undertaking is almost finished. While there are still a few “punch list” tasks to perform, the many construction barges and cranes have largely departed the scene, and all will be gone, and the artificial island building project fully complete, within a week.
Among many other improvements, a series of artificial barrier islands have been constructed east of the marina dockage complex (see photo below). These isles will act as a wave break during foul weather, and will be a huge improvement over the old, open to wind and wave, arrangement.
Next, the Fort Pierce entrance channel has now been dredged to a minimum MLW depth of 7.5 feet, with typical MLW soundings of 8.75 feet. That’s really GOOD news for skippers who pilot vessels drawing 6 to 6 1/2 feet. And, the channel is now newly marked and FINALLY correctly charted, providing much easier access to this first-class facility!
Throughout this entire renovation project, transient wet slip space has been available, and THAT IS STILL VERY MUCH THE CASE! Fort Pierce City Marina is looking to welcome a host of visiting cruisers as the fall, 2013 transient season progresses!
New Fort Pierce City Marina Barrier Islands
Two other improvements well worth noting are upgraded Wi-Fi internet access throughout the harbor, and seriously upgraded men’s bathrooms, complete with NEW, climate controlled showers. The women’s facilities, which were in much better shape originally, will be improved within the next several months!
Next up, construction of new floating docks will begin in February, 2014, with construction being complete in approximately 14 months.This will allow Fort Pierce City Marina to accommodate any size vessel.
About the only less than positive news is that the marina’s fuel tanks are in the process of being replaced, and neither gasoline nor diesel fuel is currently available. This situation will be resolved within the next six weeks, and skippers can once again fill their hungry tanks at the Fort Pierce City Marina fuel dock.
The renovations and improvements at Fort Pierce City Marina are a clear case of the best just getting better. Going back to the days when I wrote my paper, “Cruising Guide to Eastern Florida,” we have noted time and time again that never will you find a better managed municipal marina that the Fort Pierce operation.
May we be so bold as to strongly suggest that all cruisers heading south for this fall and winter cruising season give their highest priority to a Fort Pierce City Marina visit! You won’t be sorry!
Click Here To View the Eastern Florida Cruisers’ Net Marina Directory Listing For Fort Pierce City Marina
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Fort Pierce City Marina
Share:
Be the first to comment!
Sep 28, 2013by: Claiborne Young No Comments
Make Georgetown, South Carolina A Port of Call During the Fall, 2013 Cruising Season
Cruising Up the Sampit River To the Georgetown Waterfront
Make Georgetown, South Carolina A Port of Call During the Fall, 2013 Cruising Season
A Salty Southeast Cruisers’ Net Editorial And Guide
by
Claiborne S. Young
By now, just about everyone has heard about the tragic fire which destroyed seven buildings in the “700 block” of downtown Georgetown, South Carolina on 9/25/13. The loss caused by the fire to this historic, waterside community is not inconsiderable, BUT there are still innumerable attractions unaffected by the conflagration, and cruisers WILL want to be sure to make Georgetown one of their ports of call during the fall, 2013 cruising season, and thereafter. This editorial’s purpose is to briefly outline some of the reasons that cruisers do NOT want to bypass Georgetown. And, over and above taking advantage of all the many attractions and services outlined below, let’s all spend some time here, and do our part to help this friendly community recover!
The Salty Southeast Cruisers’ Net will publish a separate article concerning the Georgetown Wooden Boat Show in a few days, but for now, let’s do note that THIS EVENT WILL STILL TAKE PLACE, on Saturday, October 19, 2013 from 11 AM ‘“ 6 PM. Lots more information can be obtained concerning this truly fun festival at https://woodenboatshow.com/.
Please Click Here To Continue Reading This Important Editorial/Guide
Share:
Be the first to comment!
Sep 28, 2013by: Claiborne Young No Comments
Dinghy Dockage Controversy on Marco Island’s Smokehouse Bay Remains Unresolved – Background and Outlook (Southwestern Florida Coastline)
Red Square Denotes Location of Esplanade Marina
Smokehouse Bay is a very popular southwestern Florida anchorage that sits in the heart of northern Marco Island. Access is gained by way of a marked channel which breaks off from the main Marco Island to Naples unofficial waterway channel, just east of Capri Pass, and runs southwest and then southeast across Collier Bay.
Smokehouse Bay also hosts Esplanade Marina on its southeastern shores. Transient dockage is available at Esplanade Marina.
Back on 4/20/12, we reported, by way of a message received from Captain Noel, that Esplanade Marina would no longer allow dinghy dockage at their piers, unless those who came ashore were strictly there to patronize the shops and restaurants of the Esplande (see /?p=86219). As part of this same posting, we appended a lengthy message from Esplanade Marina dockmaster, Captain Kris Greenough, explaining his facility’s policy, and stating that this prohibition was not a new thing.
Then, early in 2013, we received a message from SAMI (Sailing Association of Marco Island) member, and a good friend of this writer and the SSECN, Captain Lee Oldershaw, to the effect that the restrictions on dinghy dockage at Esplanade Marina had been lifted. Then, a short time later, a second note arrived informing us that this situation was not yet resolved.
On 9/20/13, we received an e-mail from Dockmaster Greenough, stating that Captain Oldershaw’s postings on our site were now dated and inaccurate. This led us to investigate the situation, and we agree that the two earlier postings concerning dinghy dockage at Esplanade Marina are now dated, and, for this reason only, we have removed them from the SSECN.
There is far more to this story, however. According to multiple sources on Marco Island, this controversy began when another SAMI member, Captain Herman Diebler, discovered that in the original permit granted for the building of the Esplanade complex, a provision was included that required the marina associated with this property to provide dinghy dockage for anyone wishing to come ashore to Marco Island.
SAMI brought this matter to the city government of Marco Island’s attention, and communication was made with the parent company that owns the Esplanade complex. We are told that they originally agreed to lift the “Esplanade only” restriction for dinghy dockage, and that was the source of the first message we received and posted from Captain Oldershaw.
Then, we are again told, the Esplanade condo owners association and marina association stepped into the picture, and objected to a dinghy dockage policy that would accommodate all cruisers who wished to come ashore. And so, “the signs stayed up” and dinghy dockage remained available only for those patrons of the Esplanade.
Far more recently, a meeting took place between the Marco Island city government, and the attorney representing the Esplanade condo and marina associations. We are told that the results of this meeting were far from conclusive, and that the situation regarding open dinghy dockage at Esplanade Marina remains “fluid,” and the “waters have been muddied.”
The Salty Southeast Cruisers’ Net will continue to follow this situation and bring you news of developments as they occur. For the moment, though, cruisers anchoring on Smokehouse Bay should not expect to find dinghy dockage at Esplanade Marina, unless their shoreside activities are confined to the Esplanade Complex!
Share:
Be the first to comment!
Sep 26, 2013by: Claiborne Young No Comments
Belhaven, NC Changes Town Docks Policies (Statute Mile 135.5)
Red Square Denotes the Location of Belhaven Town Dock on Wynne's Gut
Those of you who have been following the Salty Southeast Cruisers’ Net know we published a major article/editorial last week (on 9/19/13), verifying the polices in place for the Belhaven Town Dock on Wynne’s Gut. Partly due to all the discussion raised around this posting, and the negative reviews which appeared on OTHER, non-moderated nautical web sites and forums, and partly due to the happy news that Belhaven has now completed a SECOND town dock, the decision has been made to completely revise the dockage pricing, and clearly set forth maximum stay limits, for both Town Docks.
This posting completely supercedes our SSECN article of 9/19/13, and that story has been discontinued.
First, the bad news. There are no more free overnight stays allowed at the original Belhaven Town Dock on Wynne’s Gut. Instead, as you will see below in the note from Captain Les Porter, dockage at this facility now costs $1.00 per foot, per night, with an additional charge of $5.00 per night for a single 30 amp power hookup. A maximum stay of 72 hours is allowed. The Wynne’s Gut dock has the advantage of being located in the heart of downtown Belhaven, with its several restaurants only a few steps away.
Red Square Denotes the Location of Belhaven Cooperage Town Dock
The new Belhaven town dock, which shall hereafter be referred to as the “Belhaven Cooperage Town Dock” is located farther upstream on Pantego Creek, a short hop from marker #12. Overnight dockage at this new facility is currently free, with a maximum stay of 72 hours allowed. Berths here are composed of finger-pier type piers, set onto a fixed wooden dock. No power or water connections are yet available, though the town of Belhaven hopes to add these services soon. Cruisers should also know that it is a 5 block walk into downtown Belhaven, from the Cooperage Dock. This is still very do-able, but not as convenient as the Wynne’s Gut dock.
We are honored that the town of Belhaven has chosen the Salty Southeast Cruisers’ Net as the FIRST means of relaying their new dockage policy to the cruising community!
Hey Claiborne,
The town manager and I have reviewed the recent concerns from the skippers with the early check out times (9am-11am) and the short length of stay allowed for free at the Wynne’s Gut town docks.
In an effort to allow a longer stay and a later check out time we have moved our free dock location to the newly constructed Cooperage Town docks and have changed our policies to the following:
Our Belhaven Town docks at the Wynne’s Gut location on Pantego Creek are now rented at a daily rate of $1.00 per foot, per night with a maximum stay of three nights. Electrical is $5.00 for a single 30 amp hook up and water is available. Registration is required upon arrival and the check out time is 11:00am. Dockage is along side with tall pilings and the controlling depth is 6 feet. The docks are located just 100 yards past the green number 9 day marker and on the North shore in Wynne’s Gut.
Our Belhaven Town free docks are now located at the Cooperage landing on Pantego Creek just past the red number 12 day marker and 100 yards to the north shore. This site has newly constructed fixed docks with slips having finger piers and pilings, no water and no electrical. Controlling depth is 7 feet. The docks are available on a first come first serve basis with a maximum stay of 72 hours.
Thank you for all your help Claiborne,
Les
I am sorry to report that, after a telephone conversation with a reliable, local source in Belhaven, Captain Styon’s description below of the Belhaven “Cooperage Town Dock” is accurate. Cruisers will want to take all these unfortunate characteristics in mind before deciding to coil their lines here.
I rode to Belhaven by car last Wednesday to check out the docks, as we were planning a trip and this was on our list of stops. Boy am I glad I did! There are no free docks down town. They are as you said 1.00 per foot plus power. The free docks are a long way from town. I have hard time calling these town docks. They are up a path I wouldn’t think about walking at night. The docks were completely covered with sea gull poop! No lights. I can not imagine someone staying at these docks. I would feel munch safer anchored. Our new plan is skip Belhaven.
Danny Styons
WOW! People actually complaining about not getting a free dock?? Has anyone tried to get a permit for a dock lately? And why threaten to skip these small towns and not help them pay for the upkeep of their docks. Will you be happy when no shoreside facilities are available to us transients.
Jim
Click Here To View the North Carolina Cruisers’ Net Marina Directory Listing For the Belhaven Town Dock on Wynne’s Gut
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of the Belhaven Town Dock on Wynne’s Gut
Click Here To View the North Carolina Cruisers’ Net Marina Directory Listing For the Belhaven Cooperage Town Dock
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of the Belhaven Cooperage Town Dock
Share:
Be the first to comment!
Sep 24, 2013by: Claiborne Young No Comments
Much Appreciated Word of Praise
We just received the message below from Captains Rich and Helen, who are cruising the Florida Keys, and earlier sent us a now published review of the Upper Keys Sailing Club (see /?p=123778). Their kind words have really made our collective day around the SSECN headquarters, and we just had to share their generous sentiments!
I am astonished by how on top of things you are! We are all fortunate to have you.
Rich and Helen
Share:
Be the first to comment!
Sep 24, 2013by: Larry Dorminy No Comments
Good Words for Upper Keys Sailing Club, Florida Keys Inside Route, Statute Mile 1143
Upper Keys Sailing Club - Click for Chartview
Upper Keys Sailing Club occupies the sharp point of land, west of the twin charted “Micro Trs,” south of the charted position of Newport, depicted as facility #35 on chart 11451 (off the Florida Keys/Florida Bay Inside Route).
We have visited here many times over the years, and can say with some expertise, this is an informal, but unfailingly friendly, spot to coil your lines for a day to two. Advance arrangements by telephone are strongly recommended, as the docks are by no means manned on a regular basis!
Once you are tied to the piers, be sure to check out the small clubhouse on the grounds. You will probably find a very convivial gathering of fellow cruisers here many evenings, and a good time will be had by all!
These folks could not have been nicer or more accommodating. The facility is small and an eclectic mixture of weekend-use boats from J-boats to a pristine Island Packet to major-project live-aboards. The walk to stores and restaurants is about 1/2 a mile. One caution is that the gates to the marina are locked at 9pm.
Rich and Helen
Click Here To View This Facility’s Full Listing of Services on the Florida Keys Marina Directory
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Upper Keys Sailing Club
Share:
Be the first to comment!