Cruisers' Net | Cruisers Helping Cruisers

Mar 15, 2013by: Larry Dorminy No Comments
Good Rates at Myrtle Beach Yacht Club, AICW Statute Mile 346
Myrtle Beach Yacht Club Marina - Click for Chartview
Myrtle Beach Yacht Club on Coquina Harbor has been a great stopping place and a friend to cruisers for years and low dockage rates are certainly good news for the spring migration!. Naturally, they are a SALTY SOUTHEAST CRUISERS’ NET SPONSOR!
Cruising News:
Just a friendly reminder that Myrtle Beach Yacht Club in Little River,SC has remained at $1.25 per foot regular and $1.00 per foot for Boat US members. Come see us and save some $$. Happy Boating!
Bud Coonfield
Click Here To View the Cruisers’ Net’s South Carolina Marina Directory Listing For Myrtle Beach Yacht Club
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Myrtle Beach Yacht Club
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Mar 15, 2013by: Claiborne Young No Comments
Good Times at Fort McAllister Marina (on the Ogeechee River, Near AICW Statute Mile 603.5)
Here’s a great recommendation for SALTY SOUTHEAST CRUISERS’ NET SPONSOR, Fort McAllister Marina. Now that new owners Butch and Sherri, have taken over, and done a good job of marking the channel from the AICW to the marina dockage basin, there’s every reason to take a delightful cruise up the Ogeechee River to this excellent marina.
I might also add, echoing Captain Warlick’s remarks below, that the revitalized, on-site restaurant is a real hit with the locals, a sure sign of GOOD food!
If you are cruising up the Georgia coast nearing Savannah, Marian and I recommend Historic Fort McAllister Park http://www.gastateparks.org/net/go/parks.aspx?LocationID=24&s=0.0.1.5. It is 5 miles up the Ogeechee river from the ICW.
You can dock at Fort McAllister Marina (and walk less than a mile to the Park. http://www.fortmcallistermarinaga.com/ The owners are Butch & Sherri Broome. They also own the best seafood restaurant on the Georgia coast, Fish Tales, at the marina. Ask Butch if you can use their golf cart to ride to the Park. Our boat is docked at Fort McAllister so if you decide to stop tell Butch or Sherri that Marian & Mike Warlick sent you their way.
Michael Warlick
Click Here To View the Georgia Cruisers’ Net Marina Directory Listing For Fort McAllister Marina
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Fort McAllister Marina
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Mar 13, 2013by: Larry Dorminy No Comments
Dining Recommendations from Mariner’s Cay Marina/Manatee Pocket, Near Stuart, Florida and AICW Statute Mile 988
Mariner's Cay Marina - Click for Chartview
Mariner’s Cay Marina is located on the western shores of Manatee Pocket, near its northerly entrance. The recently dredged entrance to the pocket itself lies just west of the AICW/Okeechobee Waterway/St. Lucie River/St. Lucie Inlet intersection, known locally as “the crossroads.”
In addition to Mariner’s Cay (see below), there are a host of of other marinas and repair facilities along the shores of Manatee Pocket. Captain DeFoor gives some GOOD ideas below about shoreside dining attractions, within walking distance of all the pocket marinas.
Unfortunately, Finz Restaurant has closed. We miss their great pear salad with the home made vanilla bean dressing. There is a new restaurant there now (can’t remember the name). Also about a block away is the [King] Neptune (772-287-9630) which has great food but small (a local hangout for sure). Try their grouper Rubin. Across the street from there on the Pocket inlet is Manatee Island [Bar and Grill (772-872-7176). Have had good food there also. Down the street (A1A) to the left is the Whistle Stop (772-220-1020). Very good food. I personally suggest the Philly CheeseSteak.
Fred DeFoor
Click Here To View the Eastern Florida Cruisers’ Net Marina Directory Listing For Mariner’s Cay Marina
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Mariner’s Cay Marina
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Mar 13, 2013by: Claiborne Young No Comments
Great Dry Tortugas Photo Album
Photo by Captain John Boone
In response to the March 12 “Photo of the Week” here on the SSECN (see /?p=108282), Captain John Boone sent us the note below, and, most importantly, a link to his really superb photo album of a recent visit to the Dry Tortugas. If any of you are contemplating the (approx.) 70 nautical mile cruise from Key West to Garden Key and Fort Jefferson (or any of the other Dry Tortugas isles), then take a look at these images. They may whet your appetite, or help you decide the other way around.
I came up on deck there one December morning in 2007 to get underway and came face to face with your a similar sight.
We went back below and had another cup of coffee!
http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/dd304/jsbpbacct/Sailing/AS-Thread%20-%20Dry%20Tortugas%20Trip%202007/IMG_4485.jpg
Great shot, thanks for sharing’¦.
John Boone
Good evening Claiborne,
Thank you for your kind words and posting of the link to my Tortugas album. What a great place to sail to and spend some time.
I created that photo album in conjunction with a write-up I did on the Anything-Sailing forum, http://www.anything-sailing.com , as we were trying to build content for that site when it was new.
Here is a link to that write-up if you are interested.
http://www.anything-sailing.com/showthread.php/1419-Cruise-to-Ft.-Jefferson-Dry-Tortugas-Florida
Feel free to use any of the photos in the album. I’m honored to be included on your forum.
Best Regards,
John Boone
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Mar 13, 2013by: Claiborne Young No Comments
Miami Marine Mechanic Recommended
I’ve often said, but it’s worth repeating, recommendations by fellow cruisers of good service personnel, are worth their weight in GOLD. Here is a good one for the greater Miami region.
Early on we crossed paths with Ivy and Bob Neubauer on Karma. They are just about done and on the last leg to crossing their wake in Cocoanut Grove, Miami, FL. Very nice and friendly people. Bob has come to our assistance a number of times with mechanical issues that were scary puzzlements to we rusty boaters and novice loopers. Bob is an expert boat mechanic with a very wide range of talents – engine,
transmission, electrical, electronic, water, leaks, unidentifiable things, etc. Also, he is neat and leaves behind a clean boat. He runs a marine service and salvage company in Miami called Odd Job Marine (305 331 1670).
One of his specialties is refitting large boats but he works for we small boat types also. We recommend him highly and will be getting a list of work done by him in Miami when we get there in a couple of weeks or whenever – depending on the weather.
Marcia and Russ Barron
Paper Moon
Grand Banks 42 MY
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Mar 11, 2013by: Larry Dorminy No Comments
Steep 275% to 1025% North Carolina Boat Fee Registration Increases Proposed
This important Action Alert concerning all recreational boat owners in North Carolina was issued to North Carolina BoatUS members this week. To contact your NC legislator, click on the link below.
March 8, 2013
Dear North Carolina BoatU.S. Member:
The North Carolina General Assembly is considering legislation that would significantly increase registration fees on recreational boats to raise revenue for coastal dredging projects. BoatU.S. is dedicated to preserving access to waterways but S.B. 58 places an unfair financial burden on recreational boaters while ignoring the responsibility of commercial fishing boats and for-hire charter fishing and headboats.
S.B. 58 will now go to the Senate Finance Committee and could be heard as early as Tuesday, March 12. Please contact your State Senator today and respectfully urge them to vote `No’ on S.B. 58.
Here’s why:
‘¢Boaters who solely boat on the state’s lakes and rivers will be paying for projects they will never use.
‘¢The fee for a 20ft boat would jump 275% for a 3-year registration. For a 40ft boat, a 3-year registration will skyrocket 1025%!
‘¢SB 58 would make the Tarheel State the most expensive state in which to register a boat of its coastal border states.
Please let your State Senator know that you oppose S.B. 58 as drafted and ask them to consider a more reasonable way to pay for dredging North Carolina’s coastal inlets and essential waterways.
To take action, click here:
http://www.capwiz.com/boatus/issues/alert/?alertid=62485226&type=ST&show_alert=1

Sincerely Yours,
Margaret B. Podlich
President, BoatU.S
703-461-2878 x3201
Great issue. I live in MI but am finally going to make it to the coast this spring. Did some research on the NC tax issue. Couple items left out. Documented boats do not have to be registered. And the current cost of registration is dirt cheap compared to most other states, at least Great Lakes states. In NC my vessel would be 40 for 3 years. In MI it is 244.
I don’t want to see any government raise taxes. But NC will still be cheap relatively speaking.
Eric
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Mar 9, 2013by: Larry Dorminy No Comments
Report from Islamorada Anchorage, Inside Route Statute Mile 1160, Upper Matecumbe Key.
Islamorada Anchorage - Click for Chartview
Islamorada Anchorage is found in Barley Basin on the northwest side of Upper Matecumbe Key, north of Little Basin and southeast of marker #86. Lor-e-li Restaurant, Cabana Bar and Marina lies within dinghy distance, southeast of the anchorage on Upper Matecumbe Key.
Anchored in the Southwestern part of Barley basin in light winds. Good holding and more than adequate depth for 5′ sailboat draft. Took 10 minute dinghy ride into Lor-e-li restaurant dock which was the quintessential beach restaurant/bar experience. Good food and service. Crowded at sunset. Live music on a Tuesday evening. Many more land patrons than boat patrons. All in all a very good experience.
Victor
Click Here To View the Eastern Florida Cruisers’ Net Marina Directory Listing For Islamorada Anchorage
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 Islamorada Anchorage
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Mar 9, 2013by: Claiborne Young No Comments
Don’t Dare Miss A Stop in Southport, NC (Statute Mile 309)
As a boy, I spent many a summer living aboard in the old Southport Harbor. I still have many fond memories of this delightful village!
Much of the dockage Captains Kay and Bob speak about below is located in the older, easterly basin, while modern Southport Marina, A SALTY SOUTHEAST CRUISERS’ NET SPONSOR, lies just next door, and within easy walking distance of all the old harbor’s dining attractions.
Really, folks, don’t miss a stop in Southport! Those who just cruise on by are missing one of the great ports of call along the AICW!
We are from Southport, NC, and think that Bald Head and Southport are both great stops. Bald Head does charge a “day Dockage” fee for docking and dining but last summer it was $20. Their overnight dockage is between $1.50 and $2.00 per foot, and again a great stop. There are several restaurants that offer free dockage, no power or water, if you dine with them, [Yacht Basi] Provision being one of the most popular, plus the City of Southport offers one free dock for overnight, with 15 amp. power and water, in the back of the Yacht Basin.
Also, Southport Marina is just next to the Southport Yacht Basin, $1.75 per foot, and an easy walk to the restaurants and downtown.
We have seen the movie Safe Haven, filmed in Southport, and think that it is great, and accurately reflects our town.
Make Southport and Bald Head Island a stop on your travels!
Kay and Robert Creech
Click Here To View the North Carolina Cruisers’ Net Marina Directory Listing For Southport Mairna
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Southport, NC
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Mar 8, 2013by: Claiborne Young No Comments 27.7599,-82.63479999
Update on Bayboro Harbor in Proposed St. Petersburg Anchoring Regulations

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Bayboro Harbor - Click for Chartview
Here’s a quick but important word about the anchorage regulations proposed by the city of St. Petersburg, in regards to this community’s participation in the Florida Pilot Mooring Field Program.
Re the anchoring restrictions: The comment period for the St Petersburg ordinance ended on March 18, but all should know that if adopted as proposed there will be no anchoring in the various basins except for a limited area in Bayboro Harbor, west of the entrance to the Harborage Marina.
Chuck Waygood Sr
March 8, 2013
Bayborough is also off limits. I was just there and can buoys proclaim the area is a construction area and vessels will be removed. Cruisers are not welcome here. I’m not spending one red cent in st pete.
Steve Roth
There are countless boater friendly spots in Pinellas county and Tampa. Boaters have no need to run the St. Pete anchoring gambit. Vote with your wallet.
Glenn Parker
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Bayboro Harbor
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Mar 5, 2013by: Larry Dorminy No Comments
Breakwater Construction Underway at St. Augustine Municipal Marina, AICW Statute Mile 778
St. Augustine City Marina - Click for Chartview
The following is an excerpt from an article by Douglas Jordan published February 21st in the St. Augustine Record. For the full story see the link below.
The breakwater project at the St. Augustine Municipal Marina just south of the Bridge of Lions is finally under way.
A breakwater is a structure designed to mitigate waves. The St. Augustine Municipal Marina is getting one to shield its docks from big waves resulting from storms, said Harbormaster Sam Adukiewicz. The project will cost about $2.4 million.
`The city has had a plan for a breakwater since long before I was hired, and the funds were finally allocated this year,’ Adukiewicz said. `Almost every year, the marina has gotten a good amount of storm damage. So, we’re excited that we’re finally getting a little extra protection from the forces of nature.’
Jim Piggott, director of general services for the City of St. Augustine, said the plan has been in the works for at least six years, and the money for the current project came from an allocation for the marina out of an $18 million city bond put into effect 18 months ago. Piggott said the breakwater will eventually pay for itself in the savings it provides by preventing major damage to the facility.
By Douglas Jordan
Special to The Record
http://staugustine.com/news/local-news/2013-02-20/marina-breakwater-project-underway-will-protect-docks-boats
And, these informative photos just received 3/9/13 from Captains Glen and Jill Moore:
Claiborne,
Noted a post on SSECN about the breakwater construction in St. Augustine. Since we were downtown today, I wrangled a couple photos for you. Hope they help you and your readers “see” how the construction is progressing.
The aerial photo was a bit tough to get for one traveling by boat.
Glen and Jill Moore
DeFever 40 Last Dance
Click Here To View the Cruisers’ Net’s Eastern Florida Marina Directory Listing For St. Augustine City Marina
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of St. Augustine City Marina
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