Anyway, the first link below to the “wind map” will be of use to virtually every coastal cruiser, while the “current map” will be more valuable to blue-water mariners!
and now along comes currents,
http://earth.nullschool.net/#current/ocean/surface/currents/orthographic
These are way, way, cool.
Susan Landry
We have a 37′ trawler 3′ draft, 16′ beam. Murphy Creek is one of our favorite anchorages. We have traveled the entire Creek entering both the north & south and exiting both as well. The North entrance is shallower at times but stick to the chart.
I have some amazing pictures from our times on anchor. Its a quiet peaceful anchor spot.
We spent several months last year traveling the entire St. Johns after purchasing our boat. Its a great river.
Elaine & Russ Sturm
Twelve Stones
We were there in November 2013. It is fine as an anchorage with no depth problems as long as you stay in the marked channel. We cruised the entire length of it and never saw less than 7 feet at any time. We did not stop here, but had it planned as an alternate if the weather turned bad. You will see wildlife here, but nothing like what you will see further south.
If you are interested in our trip down the St. Johns, our blog is at http://www.wacithree.blogspot.com. The wildlife gets better and better the further south you go and reaches its peak in the Blue Springs area near DeLand and Hontoon Island State Park. Be sure your dinghy is ready to explore areas your boat will not be able to navigate and you will see a part of Florida that few cruisers have a chance to see. The St. Johns has been the highlight of our Loop so far. Check our blog for details.
Dave & Nan Ellen Fuller
Click Here To View the Eastern Florida Cruisers’ Net Anchorage Directory Listing For Murphy Creek Eastern Anchorage
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Murphy Creek
Main Street Bridge – Click for Chartview
Despite being charted at 40ft MHW vertical clearance, and prompted by IBTS’s query below, two of the Main Street bridge tenders have verified that the distance from the span to the water at Mean High Water is 38ft. Correct your charts! Also, please note the restrictions currently in place that require advanced notice for an opening, /?p=134950
Is MHW 38feet ??
IBTS
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Main Street Bridge
We copied this amusing graphic from our friends on the St. Augustine Cruisers’ Net (https://www.facebook.com/groups/staugustinecruisersnet/). Great stuff!
Largo Sound – Click for Chartview
Largo Sound in John Pennecamp Coral Reef State Park lies between Key Largo and El Radabob Key off Hawk Channel. The Sound is accessed through narrow South Sound Creek (which also allows access to the marina associated with the Park) at the tip of Lower South Sound Point. Like Captain Manning, we have always found less than ideal depths upon entering the Sound, but for boats that draw LESS THAN 4 1/2 feet, this mooring field is an interesting alternative!
We stayed 4 nights Feb. 2014. Depth at the docks is 19′, approach 6.5 ft in on the channel. Mooring we found 4’6’³ at the outer mouth of the channel as you enter the lagoon during low tide. Don’t cut the marks, leave 100 yards or so before turning toward the mooing balls. If you enter and leave at high tide you will have 5’6’³ ft. depth. We never saw anything below that in the mooring field.
Paul Manning
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Largo Sound
Marker #32 – Click for Chartview
Much discussion has taken place regarding Marker #32 at statute Mile 690 in St. Andrew Sound, most of which has involved alternate routes to avoid Marker #32. Below, John Hersey, ARGUS Project Leader for SURVICE Engineering Company offers two ARGUS perspectives of the waters surrounding Marker #32.
Carrabelle, FL – Click for Chartview
This story of a vessel fire in Carrabelle, FL was posted by Captain Janice Marois on her blog, http://janice142.com/, where she was anchored. Initially very frightening, once the fire location was determined and contained, Captain Marois was able to calmly relate and photograph the episode. For photos and the complete story, go to:
http://janice142.com/Articles/BoatOnFire.html
AICW/Mason Inlet - Click for Chartview
The SSECN has imposed a “Navigation Alert” for the intersection of the AICW and Mason Inlet since August 5, 2013, and a warning has appeared concerning these waters in a USCG Local Notice to Mariners (see /?p=120325). We have had also several additional reports of shoaling on these troubled waters since our Nav. Alert was issued (see /?p=127818). Below, Captain Sonia and crew confirm the need for extreme caution in any passage through the Waterway/Mason Inlet intersection.
We grounded there with a 5,5ft draft. While our rudder was free, our keel was stuck and our depth sounder showed 5 ft. We could however not move. We were towed by Seatow and fell onto our side and was towed for about 60 feet on our side before stabilizing. Our rudder was bent and our boat twisted, which resulted in serious damage. As we understood from both Seatow and Boatus, the barges create pockets with walls over an extended area. Be very careful and pass within 20 feet of the docks [red side].
Sonia
Not having been there I can’t speak for this particular grounding, but in many similar situations I have seen and been involved in on the ICW the best course of action when aground is to put an anchor out towards deep water and wait for tidal help before trying to get off. Near Mason Inlet there is usually at least 3 or 4 feet of tide. Many times I have pulled my own boat off of groundings with no damage by doing this. Often you can pull the bow around towards deeper water as the tide helps and then winch yourself in the right direction. Generally, within the ICW you are sheltered from wave action and there is no great danger in simply waiting. On the other hand, trying to tow a boat off that is hard aground often leads to damage. Of course if the boat hit near high tide and/or you are in an exposed location that would alter your choices.
John Kettlewell
We came through this area, southbound about one hour after low water on 1/23/2014. We were aware that this was a problem area and were moving very slowly. As we proceeded the depth started to decrease very rapidly. We kept moving towards the red side and finally found enough water, we draw about 3 1/2 feet, to get thru. We did kiss the bottom once. This is not the place to be at low water.
David Boxmeyer
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To A “Navigation Alert” Position at Mason Inlet
Belhaven Waterfront - Click for Chartview
These reviews of Spoon River restaurant come to us from our friends at Cruisers Forum (http://www.cruisersforum.com/). Spoon River Restaurant has only been in business a little over a year and is open seven days a week. They are located just off the waterfront and are listed as:
Spoon River Artworks and Market
263 Pamlico St, Belhaven, NC ‘Ž
(252) 945-3899
And their Facebook address is:
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Spoon-River-Artworks-and-Market/471584979558789
My wife and I just had dinner at Spoon River restaurant in Belhaven, NC.
It was one of the top 5 meals I have ever had a chance to sit down to. To put things into perspective, I regularly eat at the finest chophouses and seafood restaurants in the world entertaining clients and enjoying the fruits of our sales channels…. on the company dime… DC, NY, Chicago, Dallas, Houston, Philly, DC, London, MX City, Paris, Nairobi, Dar Es Salaam, Dubai, etc… So, we spare no expense. I am a snob and this makes me highly qualified in this regard
The encore to this awesome meal was the pricing which BLEW us away. For 2 person meal that would have easily cost us 250 in DC, including a very good bottle of wine, full meals, and deserts that were so big we could not finish them…. 75.
So, we highly recommend the unexpected pleasure in Belhaven.
Zboss
We live nearby and can second that report.
We had lunch there this fall and were quite impressed both with the food, and with the reasonable prices.
My only suggestion would be for an improvement in the wait staff. The young gentleman that served us could certainly have been more attentive.
Still highly recommended!
redsky49
We had three meals at Spoon River (northbound in the spring and back in the fall) and we are just constantly amazed by the quality, presentation and service they provide. Small town, BIG surprise. We will be back.
Win Benbow
We had dinner at Spoon River last night and it was undoubtedly the best meal we have ever enjoyed. The menu choices and the food are excellent. The waitstaff are excellent and well trained. All in all a very pleasant evening. I would give them five stars!
Stock Island Marina Village - Click for Chartview
Although Stock Island Marina has been operating for several years, the completed marina village has just had its official grand opening. The marina, along Shrimp Road, occupies the westerly shores of Safe Harbor, north of marker #5.
The facility consists of 128 floating docks, a dog park, community garden, high-speed fuel pump, gym, laundry facilities, bathrooms with showers, lounge area, bar and restaurant, pool, nature trails, retail fish house and an 80-room ’boutique fish camp.’
For the complete article as posted on KeysInfoNet, go to:
http://www.keysnet.com/2014/01/25/494261/stock-island-marina-village-now.html
While a very nice, much needed Marina in the Key West Area, Cruisers should be aware that although the floating concrete docks are wide and convenient, there are no pilings between the slips. Docking in a stiff wind could be challenging if the wind is blowing your vessel away from the finger pier and into the adjoining vessel. The slips are basically `side to’ !
Rich D
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Stock Island Marina Village
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