Cruisers' Net | Cruisers Helping Cruisers

Aug 7, 2012by: Claiborne Young No Comments
Marine Stadium Anchorage Review – Captains Mark and Diana Report (Statute Mile 1091.5)
Looking northwest over the Miami skyline
The so-called Marina Stadium Anchorage is actually a large cove indenting the northwestern banks of Virgina Key, lying opposite the city of Miami on the eastern flank of Biscayne Bay. For any number of years, we did not recommend anchoring here, as the city of Miami was ticketing vessels who dropped the hook on these waters. Well, those times seem to be past, and this anchor down spot can once again be labeled as a good place to spend the night, within sight of downtown Miami.
The excellent article below, authored by our strategic partners, Captains Mark and Diana Doyle, founders and owners of On The Water ChartGuides (http://www.onthewaterchartguides.com/), is largely taken from this dynamic duo’s very soon to be released, two volume paper AICW Anchorage Guide series. And, if that sounds appealing, Mark and Diana are currently running a 42%, pre-release discount for their new guides through 8/10/12. Follow the link above to learn more!
People always ask us if there is a spacious, scenic, and safe anchorage in the heart of Miami.
And our response, “Absolutely! Try Marine Stadium anchorage.”
Marine Stadium is a huge manmade basin along Virginia Key, constructed in 1963 as the first stadium in the U.S. specifically for powerboat racing. Spectators viewed high-speed races, or sometimes floating concerts, from the 6,566-seat grandstand stadium, enjoying the backdrop of the Miami skyline.
But you don’t have to worry about hydroplane races now. The last major race was held there in 1987 and the basin has become the perfect training venue for Olympic sailing and rowing teams. We enjoyed watching the men’s Canadian 49’er team showing off their stuff during our last visit.
The grandstand was declared unsafe after Hurricane Andrew, and it has since become a bit of a three-dimensional canvas for colorful graffiti artists. But don’t let the urban art create the impression the anchorage is unsafe. We have noticed regular patrols by the Miami marine police and the anchorage is consistently populated by local and transient vessels.
The anchorage is surprisingly “scenic” ‘” in a South Florida sort of way. The basin opens to the northwest, framing a perfect view of the day- or nighttime Miami skyline. The grandstand, along the southwest shore, is still an interesting historic structure. And the northeast shore is an undeveloped greenspace, with a small dock and sandy beach with casuarina trees where you can take Fido ashore.
At the mouth of the basin you can dinghy to the Rusty Pelican restaurant near Rickenbacker Marina (which has an easy to hit fuel dock and a few moorings of its own). Personally we prefer the shelter (and price!) of Marine Stadium anchorage to the exposure of these out-of-the-basin moorings.
Marine Stadium’s next metamorphosis may be to a full-fledged mooring field. The city has plans to populate the basin with guest moorings, but the project is currently on hold due to budget constraints.
But no need to wait until the moorings are in to enjoy the history, scenery, and convenience of Marine Stadium anchorage.
Best and see you On the Water,
Captains Mark & Diana Doyle
http://www.OnTheWaterChartGuides.com
Click Here To View the Eastern Florida Cruisers’ Net Anchorage Directory Listing For Marine Stadium Anchorage
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of the Marine Stadium Anchorage
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Aug 7, 2012by: Claiborne Young No Comments
Sign of the Times: The Sunset Beach Pontoon Bridge Becomes a Boat Ramp (Statute Mile 338)
Sunset Beach Pontoon Bridge - As It Used to Be
Many of us were glad to see the old Sunset Beach Pontoon Bridge replaced by a modern high-rise last year. Between the mechanical problems and shoaling, many cruisers most certainly did NOT have a soft place in their hearts for the old, floating span.
Now that it’s gone, though, I cannot help but be a little saddened at this piece of the past that is now long gone forever.
Below, we are pleased to present another superb report from our strategic partners, Captains Dian and Mark Doyle, founders and owners of On The Water Chartguides (http://www.OnTheWaterChartGuides.com). Check out their NEW paper AICW Anchorage Guides (with a 42% discount until 8/10/12), by following the link above!
Hi Claiborne,
Passed through the Sunset Beach area a couple months ago and was reminiscing … about bridges, and about a slower pace. [smile]
The Sunset Beach Pontoon Bridge at STM 337.9 was an historic landmark’”the only vehicle pontoon bridge left in operation on the entire East Coast.
But a floating pontoon bridge, with “zero clearance,” became more and more incompatible with modern times and schedules.
About six times per month the tide was so low the bridge couldn’t be opened. Boats had to circle and wait through low tide. And if there were high winds, the bridge could be closed indefinitely.
In addition to its hourly scheduled openings, the bridge opened for every commercial vessel. (Trivia Fact: Because the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway was constructed before bridges, technically commercial vessels take precedence over vehicular traffic.)
And, of course, many island residents (local taxpayers) felt they were spending too much time waiting for the bridge …
But the final demise of the bridge was credited to safety concerns for island residents. Emergency crews had difficulty responding promptly to calls on the island. There was also concern about the risk of a serious fire spreading, given that large ladder trucks and tankers were too heavy to cross the old pontoon bridge.
The site of the old pontoon bridge will become a public park, with boat ramp access to the ICW and plans to incorporate remnants of the old pontoon bridge in the park design.
As of June 2012, you can see construction of the boat ramp at the old pontoon bridge location.
Best and see you On the Water,
Captains Mark & Diana Doyle
http://www.OnTheWaterChartGuides.com
Soon to be a memorial park with boat ramp ICW access
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Aug 7, 2012by: Claiborne Young No Comments
“Venice Water Cop” Passes Away
Retired FWC “Water Cop,” Tim Erickson, passed away recently, and I’m sure he will be missed by family and friends. Many cruisers had another name for this “Venice Water Cop,” but with his passing, perhaps we will not recall that moniker now.
For many years Officer Erickson was known for his tenacious, “letter of the law” enforcement of Florida statutes which require state registration of vessels, even though they may be Federally documented.
Several years ago, the SSECN was involved in an e-mail writing campaign to the Venice City Council, protesting Officer Erickson’s treatment of visiting cruisers. Turns out he was a state employee, and this protest went for naught.
Erickson retired several years ago, and Venice waters have been free of his presence for some time now. And so, with Office Erickson’s passing, it is a sad end to an entirely sad affair.
For the past several days, there has been a LIVELY discussion concerning Officer Erickson on the AGLCA forum. Many of those messages are copied below!
Many Loopers through the years have stayed or planned to stay at the “free” city park dock in Venice, FL. That became a problem when a vigorous and tenacious Florida Fish and Wildlife officer began issuing tickets for alleged various wrongdoings by boaters passing through. The officer was Tim Erickson. Tim Erickson passed away on July 22, 2012 (http://tinyurl.com/8vl56gq).
Bill
Tim Erickson was certainly controversial if not infamous. He used to hang out every afternoon at the Crows Nest dock and the Venice free dock checking every boat for a Florida sticker, which is usually required after 90 days in the state. Probably earned the sate many dollars in registration fees, fines and sales tax dollars. But he caused many cruisers to bypass the best town on the gulf coast.
I wrote about Venice and its beauty in this blog when we first moved there in 2007, and the subsequent firestorm that ensued in both this and the T&T blogs made front page in the Sarasota Herald and Venice papers. The Venice town council was barraged with complaints from cruisers.
Shortly thereafter Tim made headlines again when he was the first to respond to a horrific crash on the gulf when a news helicopter clipped a race boat with fatalities. So all his press was not bad. About a year later he retired, removing the threat to cruisers wishing to stop at the Crows Nest dock, and also their restaurant, among the best in Florida. So, RIP Tim.
Unfortunately, the Venice Council stopped overnight docking at the nearby free dock, one of the few (maybe the only) good free docks on the coast. They were anticipating a fee-based mooring field which has not yet been developed.
Venice is still a great destination either to visit or live, there is free anchorage near the dock and other docking options
Bob
Bob,
I had long, sometimes rather heated, discussions with Tim about this issue. I was not the only person to have these discussion by any means. As I remember Tim was sort of a “pilot program” on the tax and the transient boater issue. We sure don’t need to get that monster started here again in the forum. I don’t know that he issued many actual citations for a violation of the tax law, as a state officer I don’t know that he could unless there was a Florida law violation. No question that he ruffled some feathers………
Tim was a very nice guy. As stated in his obit, he started a very popular children’s fishing program. I”ll certainly miss my friend.
Sharkey
Sharkey has it right.
I’m sure that it was not Tim’s idea to “harass” cruisers visiting Venice, but simply following orders.
I would think sales tax collection was the driver. Tim could not know or care about sales tax on boats, just whether or not it was registered in Florida if the boat was in the state 90 days. You generally need out-of-state fuel or marina receipts newer than 90 days to avoid citation.
When cruisers cited by Tim or other officers visit the tax office to buy a Florida boat registration, they must show on newer boats whether or not sales tax equivalent to Florida’s rate was paid. You can’t get a Florida registration unless the sales tax question is resolved first. Most states with sales tax have a similar program. We see game wardens regularly walking the docks in Racine, taking note of boats with no WI registration stickers. If they are still there a few months later the same process ensues.
Bob Kunath
Sans Souci
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Aug 6, 2012by: Larry Dorminy No Comments
AICW Marine Fatalities, Snow’s Cut and Southport, NC
Snow’s Cut begins at Statute Mile 295 and Southport is on the Cape Fear River at Statute Mile 309. Our thoughts go out to the families of these victims.
Cruising News:
Regret that Wilmington NC reported a drowning in Snow’s Cut Sunday and a boating fatality near Southport, Sat. eve. Southport appears to have been due to navigational hazard/error. Very sorry to learn of these losses.
Sherri
This Article from Star News Online: Click link below for full report.
The search continued Monday morning for a boy believed drowned in the waters beneath the Snow’s Cut bridge Saturday.
The 13-year-old Rocky Point boy went missing about 1:45 pm Saturday. He was with his parents and 3-year-old brother swimming and fishing along the southern banks of the Intracoastal Waterway near Carolina Beach, according to the New Hanover County Sheriff’s Office.
http://www.starnewsonline.com/article/20120805/ARTICLES/120809853

A U.S. Coast Guard boat searches the water under Snow’s Cut Bridge for a teenager who disappeared in the water about 1:40 p.m. on Aug. 4, 2012.
This article from WCET – TV6, Wilmington, NC. Click link below for full article:
SOUTHPORT, NC (WECT) – A Wilmington woman is dead and another three are hurt after a boat crashed into a platform in Southport, according to the Coast Guard.
According to Sgt. Ben Meyer, Barbara Pierce, 57, was pronounced dead at New Hanover Regional Medical Center due to injuries sustained from the boat crash.
Meyer said, Pierce’s husband, Edward Pierce, 58, was driving the boat and most likely slammed into a concrete slab in the Cape Fear River, trying to avoid a collision. The two of them along with passengers Michelle Boley, 30, and Taylor Gill, 25, were headed north to Wilmington.
On Saturday night, good Samaritans helped the responding agency with the rescue. Pierce contacted the Coast Guard for help at approximately 9 p.m. A 25-foot response boat was dispatched, according to the release.
If you have more details about the circumstances of this collision, let us hear from you. Thanks!
I am puzzled as to why the obstacle that the Pierce boat struck is not lighted or better yet, removed.
Horace Whitaker
http://www.wect.com/story/19199168/coast-guard-reponds-to-fatal-boat-crash-in-southport
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Jul 31, 2012by: Claiborne Young No Comments
IMPORTANT NOTICE – CHANGE IN SSECN MENU STRUCTURE
All SSECN Visitors please Note that we have just changed our top of the page, blue background, menu structure. We have done this because the features accessible from the OLD top menus were a sub-set of what was/is available from the red, vertically stacked, accordion menus on the right side of this, and all SSECN pages (except Chart View pages). This partial duplication of function has led to confusion, so, effective immediately, the blue menus at the top of this and all SSECN pages now only access special, mostly non-regional features of our web site.
FOR MOST PURPOSES, YOU WILL NOW WANT TO BEGIN YOUR USE OF OUR SITE BY MAKING A SELECTION FROM THE RED, VERTICALLY STACKED MENUS ON THE RIGHT SIDE OF THIS, AND ALL OTHER (except Chart View) SALTY SOUTHEAST CRUISERS’ NET PAGES. Simply click on the coastline of your choice, “South Carolina” for example, and then it’s off to the races!
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Jul 30, 2012by: Claiborne Young No Comments
Morehead City, NC Dining/Seafood Shopping Recommendations (Statute Mile 203-205)
Now, here is a VERY useful posting from our good friends, Captains George and Ann, who liveaboard in Morehead City, North Carolina. Some of the dining/shopping recommendations below are found within easy walking distance of SALTY SOUTHEAST CRUISERS’ NET SPONSOR, Morehead City Yacht Basin, or the other area dockage facilities, including the Morehead City (Municipal) Docks, while others will require a short taxi ride. However, you get there, rely on these recommendations from knowledgeable MC locals!!!!
Georgia B’s is [found] on the north side of Arendell between 5th and 6th before you get to the wonderful City News stand and the ACE Marine Hardware from the [Morehead City] Yacht Basin. Piccatas moved further west on Arendell on the south side,
still pretty good for lunch, for dinner we tend to go to Beaufort Grocery Too (where the old Shepherd’s Point was, and who in turn serves an excellent Sunday brunch), Ruddy Duck, Wind and Sea, Circa 81 (not walking distance but fantastic). or of course Floyd’s, but I have had some spotty luck there lately. We don’t go out that often as I am married to a great chef, but Beaufort/MHC are certainly great dining towns given their size.
I also can’t leave the topic of local eating without mentioning the wonderful Blue Ocean seafood market on Bridge’s street before you get to Lowe’s foods.
They mostly supply local restaurants but have a great retail shop. If Eric the manager is there he gives out great cooking tips for any of the plethora of locally caught species that typically don’t show up in supermarkets. He is an outstanding chef in his own right; he cooked for a dinner party we had once and it was superb. Ant cruisers provisioning in MHC must include Blue Ocean in their shopping itinerary!
All the Best,
George and Ann
Click Here To View the Cruisers’ Net’s North Carolina Marina Directory Listing For Morehead City Yacht Basin
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Morehead City
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Jul 28, 2012by: Claiborne Young No Comments
“Best Breakfast on the AICW” – Input and Comments From the Cruising Community
We hoped our story about the wonderful breakfasts available at Blackstone’s Cafe in Beaufort, SC (See /?p=92926) would lead to a wealth of input and a lively discussion from our fellow cruisers. As usual, the cruising community has NOT disappointed. Check out all the many articles below.
And, WE WOULD STILL LIKE TO HAVE MORE INPUT. Please send your dockside convenient breakfast spot recommendations directly to me at CruisersNet@triad.twcbc.com.
Bon Appeit!
I second the Stuffed Pig in Marathon for breakfast’¦..seafood or crab omelettes, just great
Twins
Bakers Kitchen in downtown New Bern’¦.off the ICW but worth the side trip for the best french toast on the East Coast!
Steve on CrossRoads
If breakfast is as important a meal to you as it is to me, and if you are in Beaufort, (S.C.), then you really ought to visit with David and Roseanne Steele at their place, called Shoofly Kitchen. (http://www.shooflykitchen.com) It is on Boundary Street, close to everything, and they serve the best eggs and grits I have ever had, including even those made by either my mother or my wife. And of course the `crabby benedict’ and the `Combahee Crab Omelet’ are just too good to describe. My wife’s favorite is the `Three cheese and fresh herb omelet’. Shoofly Kitchen is a small, quiet, homey, friendly, and relaxing place, located at 1209 Boundary Street in downtown Beaufort.
David and Roseanne also serve a tasty and varied lunch menu, so, if the weather is not so good, or you have a good book, you could do a late breakfast AND an early lunch before retiring for a nap. I recommend the `Ham & Brie Cheese on Wheat’ or the `Cranberry & Pecan Chicken Salad on wheat’, but everything is fresh and tasty and its just impossible to go wrong at Shoofly.
If you go, please let them know that the folks at Port Royal Landing Marina referred you. Or better yet, stop by the marina and get a coupon for free desert! Thanks, and bon appetite!
Tom Wilson, CMM
President, Port Royal Landing Marina, Inc
I rarely eat breakfast out, but when in Ft Pierce, Mangrove Mattie’s is a must do on Sunday for a champagne brunch. You won’t find a better spread anywhere. The bottomless champagne flute or mimosa glass is icing on the cake.
Peter Kafer
By the way, I noticed today that Georgia B’s (252-622-4579 – 506 Arendell St) has finally opened in MHC [Morehead City, NC] in the old Piccata’s location. They are advertising breakfast on the reader board so we will have to check it out and report. That would be the closest breakfast spot to the Yacht Basin, which is where we live on our old Hatteras 75% of the time.
[Georgia B’s] is [found] is on the north side of Arendell between 5th and 6th before you get to the wonderful City News stand and the ACE Marine Hardware from the Yacht Basin. Piccatas moved further west on Arendell on the south side, still pretty good for lunch, for dinner we tend to go to Beaufort Grocery Too (where the old Shepherd’s Point was, and who in turn serves an excellent Sunday
brunch)
By the way, does Ocracoke count? Flying Melon there certainly has to rate high up on our “favorite breakfast” spots! We are thinking about braving the coming weeks weather forecast and cruising there again this week.
George and Ann
Claiborne,
I would have to vote for Yana’s restaurant in Swansboro. They are at 117 Front St and open at 6am. Everything is cooked to order and the place is full of 50ies memorabilia.
Glenn Terrill
member of Fairfield Harbour YC
Sorry. I live in Beaufort and you’re crazy if you think Blackstones outdoes brunch at the Beaufort Inn or British Open Pub on Cat Island.
Beaufortonian
Claiborne replies: I’ve never had lunch or brunch at Blackstones (but I would LOVE to try it soon). So, my review was strictly limited to their breakfast offerings!
I’ve got to agree with Blackstone’s , but I’ve eaten at most of your selections. Another I’ve found that’s very good is `On A Roll’ in Morehead City, about 2 blocks from the downtown city marina at Jaycee Park. One of the perks of cruising.
Phil Mullins
Yes Blackstones is very good but clearly not the best. What really bugs me about them, they don’t give you a spoon for your coffee. Why?
One of the best is in Jacksonville Florida, called Grumpy’s. It is on Kingsley Ave. Try it. Also the Double T Dinner in Annapolis, the one on Hiway2 and West St. Great
Ed Hart
Your choice of Blackstone’s was right on. Can’t say it’s absolutely the `best’, but certainly one of the very best choices. Another super breakfast spot is the Causeway Cafe in Wrightsville Beach, NC.
Capt Norman Quinn
Blackstone’s is #1, without question. A VERY CLOSE #2 is The Stuffed Pig in Marathon, Fl. I know it is south and west of Miami, but it is worth the trip. Don’t miss the pig races in March. The loser is bacon!
http://www.thestuffedpig.com/
Jeff Graham
So many restraunts, so little time! Blackstones is at the top of my list. I love their spicy Cajun Shrimp & Grits.
My second favorite is not on the ICW but on the lower Chesapeake Bay at Cape Charles, VA. The Cape Charles Coffee House serves French Toast that melts in your mouth and is served in a mouth watering presentation’“it’s almost too pretty to eat.
As an alternative to the Thomas Cafe in Charleston, SC, an honorable mention goes to Aunnie’s who serves up southern soul food like Grandma’s kitchen.
Susan Parker
Claiborne, if you are using Cox’s as a reference point it puts your judgement in question, though the others you mention and Blackstones are indeed good. For one thing, it is not convenient to the water. For another, it is cheap, but not very good. On A Roll Gourmet Deli in Morehead City is walking distance from the Yacht Basin, MH City Docks and Portside and the corn beef hash on the weekend is divine, but it is good every day.
In Beaufort NC, the Boardwalk Cafe at the Beaufort City Docks is probably the best all around of the lot with nice outside water view seating as a bonus.
George
Claiborne replies: George is right that Cox’s is NOT convenient to dockside dining. A car or taxi ride is necessary to reach it from any of the area dockage facilities. HOWEVER, I might have to disagree with Captain George about the quality of the food, hence I broke my own rule and included it on my initial list!
We have been up and down the waterway and Blackstone’s is THE BEST. In fact we are ‘summering’ in Beaufort this year and enjoy Blackstone’s twice a week. The hash browns are just tasty wonderful.
Don’t miss it!
Jeff Graham
s/v Far Niente
I have never had pancakes or french toast the equal or better of Daijio in Ocracoke. I have eaten at most of the places on your list and they don’t hold a candle to this duo of entries.
Mike Glover,
Manteo, NC
MV Simpleman
We can tell that you have not visited Seven Seas Marina in Port Orange, just south of Daytona. We, long ago, ruled that their breakfast was never to be passed up. Visit there, and buy breakfast, even at lunch time! You won’t be sorry.
Judy and Dick
Breakfast at T-Ray’s is the highlight of stopping at Fernandina’s Marina as soon as we get to Florida. You can work up an appetite walking from the Marina to T’Ray’s, but you’ll appreciate the walk on the way back to your boat.
David Burnham
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Jul 27, 2012by: Claiborne Young No Comments
Blackstone’s Cafe (Beaufort, SC) – The BEST Breakfast on the AICW (Statute Mile 536.5)
OK, I’m about to go out on a proverbial limb, and do something seriously DANGEROUS! I propose that the very best breakfast available to cruisers on the entire course of the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway, from Norfolk, VA to Miami, Florida, is found at Blackstone’s Cafe (205 Scott Street, 843-524-4330), located in historic downtown Beaufort, South Carolina, and within easy walking distance of SALTY SOUTHEAST CRUISERS’ NET SPONSOR, Downtown Marina of Beaufort. Yes, in my humble opinion, a better breakfast than Thomas Cafe in Georgetown, South Carolina, than Cox Family Restaurant in Morehead City, North Carolina and even better than the Variety Store Restaurant at Charleston (South Carolina) City Marina.
OK, I know that’s a tall statement, but really, fellow cruisers, you have to taste the white cheddar and fresh mushroom omelet, not to mention the light as a cloud buttermilk pancakes or the awesome “Cajun Shrimp and Grits, not to mention the unforgettable corn beef hash. My oh my, my cholesterol level jumps 10 points by just thinking about a breakfast at Blackstones.
Then, there is the interior decor at Blackstone’s Cafe which I can only describe as eclectic. There are colorful military unit flags sitting cheek by jowl with posters from movies made in Beaufort, such as “The Big Chill.” There’s even outside dining in an open courtyard, which was my chosen spot during a recent July, 2012 visit. The combination of my omelet and the river breezes, well, words just fail me.
Clearly, Blackstone’s is where the local crowd meets for breakfast, of both the nautical and non-nautical variety. You never know what interesting conversation you might run across. Years ago, it was here that I first heard about a strangely named movie that was going to be shot in Beaufort within a few months. Who had ever heard of a story entitled, “Forest Gump?”
Still not enough for you? Well, consider this. Owner/founder Roger Alley came sailing, that’s right, “sailing” into Beaufort, SC some years ago with the intent of only interrupting his cruise for a night or two to sample the many charms of Beaufort. He was so taken with the community that he founded Blackstones (originally a combination gourmet food store and cafe), and he has made his home here ever since!
I WOULD LIKE TO USE THIS ARTICLE TO BEGIN A LIVELY DISCUSSION ABOUT WHO/WHERE YOU THINK THE BEST BREAKFAST ON THE AICW CAN BE FOUND. PLEASE contribute your favorites, by e-mailing me directly at CruisersNet@triad.twcbc.com, or clicking the “Comment on This Posting/Marina/Anchorage/Bridge” link below. Let’s discover together where the best diet busting breakfast spots are to be found. Both yours truly and your fellow cruisers ARE EAGER TO HEAR FROM YOU. So, PLEASE chime in!
Well, the cruising community has heard my appeal to name/discuss their favorite breakfast spots, and the SSECN has been honored with a TON of welcome input. So much, in fact, that this collection of messages is too lengthy to insert at the bottom of this posting.
Instead, click HERE to check out what and where your fellow cruisers are recommending as the best coastal breakfast spots to be found!
Click Here To View the Cruisers’ Net’s South Carolina Marina Directory Listing For Downtown Beaufort Marina
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Downtown Beaufort, SC
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Jul 26, 2012by: Claiborne Young No Comments
Susan Leaf Photo Gallery Now Available
Visitor at Toogoodoo Creek, South Carolina
Over the last several years, we have been privileged to publish some absolutely outstanding images in the SSECN’s “Photo of the Week” section. More than a few of these noteworthy images have come to us courtesy of Captain Susan Leaf. Now, Susan has been kind enough to share a very special collection of her favorite photos with the cruising community. Don’t dare miss clicking on the “Click Here For Photo Gallery” link below to peruse these memorable pics!!!!
In regards to Susan’s interest in nautical photography, she writes:
I’ve been interested in photography since art school, mainly for painting ideas. When I and my husband, Elden, became full time cruisers in 2010, I decided digital photos would be a great way to share our journeys. Thus began the collecting and arranging of thousands of photos of our trip up and down the East coast from North Carolina to Florida. The further we went, the more varied and beautiful the subjects. The collection will continue to grow as we plan on exploring the west coast of Florida and the Bahamas in the coming years.
Susan
So, don’t delay, click away:
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Jul 26, 2012by: Claiborne Young No Comments
Thoroughfare Creek Anchorage (off AICW/Waccamaw River) – Statute Mile 389 – Captains Mark and Diana Report
Now here’s a really useful article from our strategic partners, Captains Mark and Diana Doyle, founders and owners of On The Water ChartGuides. Sometimes we all, or at least I do, get so wrapped up with memories of an anchorage’s natural beauty, rich history and superb shelter, we forget there may be another side to the story.
And, indeed, that is just the case here. Along a river replete with wonderful spots to drop the hook overnight, Thoroughfare Creek vies with Bull Creek for the best of the best in this region. And yet, as you will see below, there may be certain times of the year when a disadvantage or two may show up in these waters. Read on!
The Waccamaw River in Summer: More PWCs than Mosquitoes
Thoroughfare Creek October 15 Versus June 15
We often revel in the changing seasons. Every transit is different depending on the weather, the seasonal cloud formations, the patterns of bird and mammal migration, and the colors of the wooded shores or saltmarsh expanses.
But here’s a seasonal change we weren’t expecting: the Waccamaw River in summer.
For most experienced ICW cruisers, the Waccamaw River is one of their favorite cruising grounds. Anchorage after peaceful anchorage, typically the only boat tucked into a surreal cypress setting draped with Spanish moss. Birds call from the dark swampy woods and ospreys whistle from their huge stick nests.
But that’s the Waccamaw River of early spring or fall. Come summer, especially on weekends, this waterway that is part of a national wildlife refuge becomes a playground for the jet skis, pontoon boats, and Baja cruisers from nearby overflowing Myrtle Beach.
Don’t believe us? We witnessed quiet Thoroughfare Creek anchorage (STM 388.8) become a speedway for party boats to access the sandy bluffs at charted Belin, known to locals as “Sandy Island.” It looked like Coney Island!
So we gave up on anchoring in Thoroughfare Creek, deciding to press on along the magenta line. We departed the Waccamaw with the company of a noisy jet skier, zig-zagging back and forth right off our stern using our wake to “catch some air.”
Sheesh …
Best and see you On the Water!
Captains Mark & Diana Doyle
http://www.OnTheWaterChartGuides.com
I live in the area and often anchor in Thoroughfare Creek for the evening. It is a beautiful and very special spot. Fortunately for most cruisers, it is quiet and serene during the normal passage times. Just plan to forget it on the weekends from Memorial Day through Labor day’¦.Before and after that, it’s all yours!
Geoff Groat
Click Here To View the Cruisers’ Net’s South Carolina Anchorage Directory Listing For the Thoroughfare Creek Anchorages
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of the Thoroughfare Creek Anchorages
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