Cruisers' Net | Cruisers Helping Cruisers

Sep 26, 2014by: Larry Dorminy 2 Comments 34.623,-76.54079999
A Great Weekend at Cape Lookout, off the AICW, via Beaufort Inlet and the Atlantic Ocean

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Cape Lookout Bight is a wonderful, natural harbor formed by Cape Lookout’s curve of land. This superb anchorage, one of the most popular in North Carolina, as confirmed by Skipper Merriman, is best accessed via the Beaufort Inlet, rather than through Back Sound.
Labor Day Weekend August 30 ‘“ September 2nd 2014
Wow! Just Wow!
This was our first time to Cape Lookout. This place is fantastic. The water is warm and clear enough to snorkel. About 7 -10 feet of visibility, The water has a green tint to it.
We anchored about 3/4 of the way into the bite. We were in 25 feet of water and just a short dinghy row from the beach.
When we first arrived I was concerned because there must have been close to 100 boats in there. However, we had no problem finding a place to drop the hook. The very next morning most of the boats were gone, By day 3 there were only a handful.
The sunsets and sunrises are super. The light house looks great. Although we didn’t make it up to the top. Good fishing, nice walks on the beach,
Anybody who is sailing the coast and doesn’t stop by here is missing out.
Will & Sheila
s/v Sheila B
Click Here To View the Cruisers’ Net’s North Carolina Anchorage Directory Listing For Cape Lookout Bight Anchorage
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Comments from Cruisers (2)

Debbie Secrist - September 28, 2014 - 8:42 am

Absolutely one of the most beautiful anchorages! We spent a few days there 2 yrs ago, and were there for 6 nights a few weeks ago. During the week and non-holiday weekends, there are typically only 3-4 boats. Wild horses on the Shackleford Banks shore. Finding numerous and varied seashells is a highlight as well as touring the lighthouse and beachcoming. We had visits from large sea turtles and a river otter. It’s an easy 7 mile trek east of the Beaufort inlet.
Debbie and Howard
S/V Dreamer
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Don Davis - September 27, 2014 - 9:03 am

It appears Will & Sheila have discovered one of the best kept secrets on the coast. We all hear that Key West is the only spot on the east coast to watch the sun set over the ocean. Not So. Due to the NC coast at Beaufort and Cape Lookout running East-West not North-South, from the bite at Cape Lookout the sun comes up and set over the ocean. A truly beautiful spot.
D. Davis
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Sep 26, 2014by: Larry Dorminy No Comments 33.3653,-79.2849999
Georgetown, SC Observes One-Year Anniversary of Devastating Fire, AICW Statute Mile 403

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Georgetown, A SALTY SOUTHEAST CRUISERS’ NET SPONSOR, is fighting bravely to recover from a fire that destroyed the most active part of Georgetown’s waterfront tourist trade, taking restaurants, shops, bars and homes. Those of us who visit Georgetown regularly by boat or by car are pulling for these good folks to achieve a full recovery. Follow the story with this article by Claire Byun in the SunNews.com.
Georgetown businesses hanging on one year after fire that destroyed historic Front Street
By Claire Byun
September 25, 2014
Georgetown’s historic waterfront fire last September tore through seven buildings on Front Street, ripping apart nine businesses and the lives of those who lived above their shops.
One year later, seven of those businesses have reopened.
Read more here: http://www.myrtlebeachonline.com/2014/09/25/4498327/georgetown-businesses-hanging.html?sp=/99/134/#storylink=cpy
Read more here: http://www.myrtlebeachonline.com/2014/09/25/4498327/georgetown-businesses-hanging.html?sp=/99/134/#storylink=cpy
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Sep 26, 2014by: Larry Dorminy No Comments 33.9171,-78.02829999
Weather/Navigation Briefings Return, 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. 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 – you’ll like it!
Based on the overwhelmingly positive feedback from hundreds of cruisers last spring, Southport Marina will present its daily Weather and Navigation Briefs at the Dock for Southbound cruisers from October 15th through December 15th 2014.
Teaming with Carolina Yacht Care (cYc) and Zimmerman Marine, Southport Marina invites you to join them for this free, one of a kind service geared towards transiting boaters. These informal discussions are an opportunity for you to join fellow cruisers at the end of the day for a presentation and interactive discussion on weather and navigation issues for the next leg of your journey.
Retired US Navy meteorologist, cruising sailor and owner of Carolina Yacht Care – Hank Pomeranz, will host the daily discussions. Hank will review the current National Weather Service advisories, watches and warnings, analyses and forecast charts and discuss the resultant forecasts for winds and seas, precipitation, temperatures, fog and severe weather potential for the Carolinas through Georgia.
On the ICW navigation side, Hank will concentrate on the waterway from Southport to the Georgia border. Synthesizing information from the US Army Corps of Engineers surveys, Local Notices to Mariners, recent fellow cruiser postings on popular websites and direct skipper feedback, Hank will review known problem areas and present the most accurate, up to date picture available.
And, you won’t have to memorize everything presented. They’ll have handouts you can take back to your boat and review at your leisure.
Briefings will be held daily at 6PM October 15th through December 15th at the marina docks.
Daily “Weather and Navigation Briefs at the Dock”: yet another great reason to stop and stay at Southport Marina.
Click Here To View the Cruisers’ Net’s North Carolina Marina Directory Listing For Southport Marina
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Sep 25, 2014by: Larry Dorminy No Comments 35.075,-77.01369999
ARGUS Readings South of New Bern, NC, Neuse River, off the AICW

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Our thanks to Capt. John Hersey of SURVICE Engineering for sending this recent ARGUS reading from the Neuse River south of New Bern, NC. You can compare the earlier ARGUS readings by clicking “Argus(MLLW)” on the top of our Chartview page with the newest ones shown in the chart clip below.
9/20:
You will notice from our track when we left New Bern that I took a slightly different route. Local boaters told me that water was deep on the new route, and they were correct. It is slightly shorter, but better still is that it avoids the dog leg in the channel.
John Hersey
SURVICE Engineering
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Sep 25, 2014by: Larry Dorminy No Comments
Words of Wisdom on the Waterway
These words of caution and advice come to us from Mike and Mary Dickens on the AGLCA Forum. First time Waterway cruisers should take heed!
If you operate a cruising boat, running aground will occur sooner or later; you either have or will. In most cases it’s just an nuisance, but at times help is required. Our cruising boat has a protected keel and rudders; there should be little to no harm to the boat if we do bump. Most of the bottom along the ICW is soft mud and sand. Sometimes the Captain can maneuver back into deeper water and sometimes it means waiting for the tide to come in
and float the cruising boat off. Other times, running in low water might mean a tow to get moving again.
Read more at
….http://www.paradiseyachtsales.net/navigating-icw-aboard-cruising-boat/
Mike and Mary Dickens
Paradise Yachts
http://www.paradiseyachtsales.net
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Sep 25, 2014by: Larry Dorminy No Comments 33.6512,-79.09499999
Rate Reduction for SSECN Readers at Bucksport Marina, AICW Statute Mile 377

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Bucksport Marina, A SALTY SOUTHEAST CRUISERS NET SPONSOR!, lies south of Waterway marker #36, along the western shores of the beautiful Waccamaw River. This reduced rate is good news for all you Snowbirds, especially at this unique and fine marina.
Jeff Weeks, the new marina manager of Bucksport Marina, is offering readers of the Cruisers’ Net a special dockage rate of $1.00 dollar per foot if the skipper says he saw it on SSECN.
Jeff can be reached at bpmrvss@gmail.com or (843) 397-5566.
Click Here To View the Cruisers’ Net’s South Carolina Directory Listing For Bucksport Marina
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Sep 24, 2014by: Larry Dorminy No Comments 31.0368,-81.4219999
Choose Location Wisely When Anchoring in Jekyll Creek, AICW Statute Mile 685

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This is certainly not the first time vessels have anchored in the Waterway channel east of the narrow anchorage: See /?p=129784. Please take care when choosing an anchor-down location in this small anchorage on the western side of Jekyll Harbor. The narrow area is one of the reasons SSECN has never designated this a recommended anchorage, but as Skipper Reeves sates, it is used a lot. Our thanks to our good friend Sonny Reeves for keeping us updated on all things Jekyll!
Hi Capt Larry,
The pictures are from last night taken from the Jekyll Harbor Marina docks. They show a common occurrence anchoring in Jekyll Creek South of MM 685 and near Red 24. The Trawler in the pictures is almost in the middle of the channel and a sailboat has drug anchor into the channel. Tow Boat US is going out to help the sailboat and ask the trawler if they have seen the huge fuel barges that come by often taking a wide swing at Red 24? A few years ago a small sailboat was lost, the owner survived being rolled by a barge in the same location as the trawler. Each year hundreds of snowbirds use the anchorage. And each week we see boats anchored in the channel. Call the marina or tow boat for local knowledge as it is a good anchorage if you know where to safely anchor. I am also amazed at the powerboats that roar past the marina waking the face dock.. I know you can but does that make it right? You are responsible for your wake.
Sonny Reeves

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Sep 24, 2014by: Larry Dorminy No Comments 34.3558,-77.689999
More on Shoaled Waterway Channel at Black Mud Channel (New Topsail Inlet/AICW Intersection), Statute Mile 270

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Since May of 2014, we have been receiving warnings of shallow water through this stretch and also the admonition to steer close to the docks on the red side of the channel: /?p=140638. Skipper Ross confirms this issue with his advice.
Black Mud Channel, mile 270. There are two floating green markers close to a dock on the north side. The red markers are on the dock!! Take it slow. We had 7.5 feet at low tide here.
Richard Ross
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Sep 23, 2014by: Larry Dorminy No Comments 27.5104,-82.57659999
Good News from Regatta Pointe Marina, Manatee River, off Tampa Bay

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What more could you ask? A great marina and now those good West Marine savings all in one location. Way to go Regatta Pointe! Regatta Pointe Marina, A SALTY SOUTHEAST CRUISERS’ NET SPONSOR, lies on the northern banks of the Manatee River, just east of the Highway 41 Business bridge (off the southeastern corner of Tampa Bay).

Click Here To View the Western Florida Cruisers’ Net Marina Directory Listing For Regatta Pointe Marina
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Sep 20, 2014by: Larry Dorminy No Comments 32.2163,-80.78099999
More Good Words for Windmill Harbour Marina, AICW Statute Mile 558

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Windmill Harbour Marina, A SALTY SOUTHEAST CRUISERS’ NET SPONSOR, is located hard by the southwesterly mouth of the Waterways’ passage south down Skull Creek, on the shores of Hilton Head Island, south of marker #27.
We too are in Windmill Harbour and really do enjoy the marina. We’ve been there over 4 years and are going to use it as our home base when we begin cursing full time 3 years from now. It is the most weather protected marina I’ve ever been in. Good clean fuel, easy in and out, and 5+’ at low tide in the approach.
Phil Savoy
Click Here To View the South Carolina Cruisers’ Net Marina Directory Listing For Windmill Harbor Marina
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