Cruisers' Net | Cruisers Helping Cruisers

Jan 7, 2013by: Claiborne Young No Comments
Florida “Sojourner’s Permit” Reprise
Recently, there has been a lively and ongoing discussion taking place on the AGLCA Forum about the so-called Florida Sojourner’s Permit. This string of messages was kicked off by a posting which opined that the Sunshine State had cancelled the Sojourner’s permit.
NOT SO! That, as pointed out in all the subsequent messages on the AGLCA forum, was bad info from a badly informed Florida county official. And, by the way, many Florida county officials are NOT fully (or sometimes even partly) informed about this important document for cruisers.
So, even though the SSECN presented a thorough discussion of this issue back in September of 2012 (see /?p=97389) we thought a perusal of the various AGLCA messages on this subject below, would be very helpful to the cruising community.
First, though, why is it important to get a Sojourner’s Permit if you plan to have your vessel in Floridian waters longer than 90 days. There are at least two reasons:
1. If your vessel is registered in another state besides Florida, you can operate in Floridian water for up to 90 days without a problem. HOWEVER, if your vessel is Federally Documented, and NOT ALSO state registered, you MUST register it with the state of Florida, or you may be ticketed immediately upon entering Floridian waters. Or, put another way, Federally Documented vessels MUST ALSO be state registered (either with Florida or another state), or you face the possibility of a ticket.
By the way, it’s this onerous feature of Florida state law that used to allow the “Venice Water Nazi” to ticket boats coming and going in the city of Venice.
If your vessel remains in Florida for longer than 90 days, even if it’s registered in another state, YOU MUST ALSO REGISTER IT IN THE STATE OF FLORIDA UNLESS YOU OBTAIN A SOJOURNER’S PERMIT! Conversely, iF you succeed in getting a Sojourner’s Permit in hand you will not have to fork over for a costly FL state registration (again, see below) for stays up to 11 months.
My, my wasn’t that fun!
2. With a Sojourner’s Permit, you will NOT be hassled to pay sales tax on your vessel. I know this sounds crazy, but if your boat has been owned out of state for less a year before being brought into Florida, and the state in which you purchased your vessel does not collect sales tax on purchases of pleasure boats, the Sunshine State will actually try to charge sales tax on your vessel’s purchase price, if you stay in Floridian waters longer than 90 days (without a Sojourner’s Permit). So, to avoid this ridiculous and expensive charge, get a Sojourner’s Permit. Again, crazy, I know!
OK, so the above is why obtaining a Sojourner’s Permit is a really good idea. How does not obtain such a document?
We are pleased to report that our good friend, Captain Mike Dickens at Paradise Yacht Sales and Service (Fernandina Beach, FL, http://www.paradiseyachtsales.net/CruisingCenter2.html) provides what cruisers need to obtain one of these permits on his web site. Follow the links below.
Sojourner’s Permit Form – http://www.flhsmv.gov/dmv/forms/BTR/87244.pdf
Sojourner’s Permit Instructions – http://www.paradiseyachtsales.net/Sojourner1.pdf
Hopefully, along with a little cash, that’s all you will need to cruise tax free in the Sunshine State for up to 11 months.
Click Link Below to Peruse the Full Discussion:
/?p=104504
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Jan 7, 2013by: Larry Dorminy No Comments 26.7734,-80.05149999
New Docks and Dockage Rate at Riviera Beach Municipal Marina, AICW Statute Mile 1018

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Riviera Beach Municipal Marina - Click for Chartview
Riviera Beach Municipal Marina lies west of AICW marker #42. A phone call confirmed Capt. Bjarno’s information about a price increase for transient dockage.
Cruising News:
New floating docks open within the next week, this is well located and promises to be a “go to” location with its new TIKI Bar, but the price was “JUST INCREASED” to $1.75.
Peggy Bjarno
Click Here To View the Eastern Florida Cruisers’ Net Marina Directory Listing For Rivera Beach Municipal Marina
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Rivera Beach Municipal Marina
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Jan 5, 2013by: Larry Dorminy No Comments
Additional Information on Main Street Bridge, St. Johns River, Jacksonville, FL
Copied from Salty Southeast Cruisers’ Net Eastern Florida Bridge Directory is the updated listing for the Main Street Bridge in Jacksonville with new comments by the Bridge Tender, Dave, who has been very helpful in offering his expertise and exact information.
Main Street Bridge‘”crosses the St. Johns near downtown Jacksonville, west of lighted nun buoy #82
30 19.345 North/081 39.514 West
Lift bridge
40 feet closed vertical clearance
Restricted opening
VHF Hailing Channel 9
Does not open at all Monday through Friday (except Federal holidays) from 7:00 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.’”opens on demand at all other times
Hi, I am a Bridge Tender at Main Street bridge. The restricted hours are Monday ‘“ Friday 7-8:30am and 4:30-6pm(except Fed holidays). There are no restrictions on Saturday. Also, buoy #82 is now a lighted combination buoy (flashing 4 seconds red). Smooth sailing to all !
Dave
Every opening clearance is about 82ft. at Mean High Water (MHW) contrary to NOAA chart 11491 and Coast Pilot. Range of Tide is only about 18 inches. We can give up to 138ft. of clearance if needed with a special slow Highlift procedure.
Dave (Bridge Tender at Main Street Bridge)
Thank you Cruisers Net. We are above the bridge at Ortega Yacht Club Marina and planning to exit Monday. A great marina by the way, laid back, friendly, about 1/3 livaboard and walking distance to anything you need.
Brian Walter
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Jan 3, 2013by: Larry Dorminy No Comments
Interesting Night in Russell Pass Southern Anchorage, between Indian Key and Everglades City

Russell Pass Southern Anchroage - Click for Chartview
Russell Pass sits between Indian Key and Everglades City. The marked Indian Key Channel, which eventually leads to the Barron River and Everglades City, allows relatively easy access to Russell Pass. The southern anchorage is found on the waters of charted Russell Pass which opens into the northern flank of the Indian Key-Everglades City channel, southwest of marker #7.
Granted, Captain Kydd’s info is a bit dated, but we suspect the same, strong currents are still very much present on these waters.
In February 1980, while my wife, Helen and I were cruising in our 26 foot Pearson sailboat, we were anchored in Russell Bay when the anchorage became very choppy and we moved to Russell Pass. During the night we dragged anchor and at 0300 were wakened by mangroves running both sides of the boat. I rowed the dinghy till I found the pass again, went back and motored out to re-anchor with two anchors. The current in these passes can be pretty strong.
What a beautiful cruising area.
Ed Kydd
Click Here To View the Western Florida Cruisers’ Net Anchorage Directory Listing For Russell Pass Southern Anchorage
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Russell Pass Southern Anchorage
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Jan 2, 2013by: Claiborne Young No Comments 26.4568,-81.95919999
New Pink Shell Resort Marina Opens in Fort Myers Beach

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Pink Shell Resort and Marina - Click for Chartview
We had an earlier contact here at the Salty Southeast Cruisers’ Net with the dockmaster of what was then the as yet unopened marina at Pink Shell Resort. Sounds like this facility is going to be a GREAT addition to the cruising scene for the waters hard by the southerly genesis of the Western Florida ICW, and the westerly extreme of the Okeechobee Waterway/Caloosahatchee River.
From Captain Smith’s report below, looks like some of the marina’s wet slips are already open and ready for business, while the rest will be coming online by the 25’th of this month (January, 2013).
From our previous research, we know that Pink Shell Resort guards the southern shores of the Mantanzas Pass channel, west of Moss Marine, making this new marina the first facility encountered as one enters from the waters of the open Gulf!
It’s really great to get such an early, positive report of a new marina such as this one. Can’t wait to check out this facility in person!
Cruising News:
AT LAST! the Pink Shell Resort, located just inside Matanzas Pass on Fort Myers Beach, has finally opened their new docks – and what a lovely spot it is indeed! Brand new floating docks, with all the amenities of the resort for your use and enjoyment.
We were fortunate to be among the very first customers at the new docks for this past New Years weekend. While the new docks aren’t yet complete (I was told by the dockmaster that all 41 slips should be done by Jan 25), this new facility sure shows a lot of promise. Once checked in, you get the run of the Pink Shell Resort, including all the pools, fitness center, and spa, as well as easy access to the newly restored beach, all just across the street from your docks. It is absolutely first class! There is also an inexpensive trolley service to the hub of Fort Myers Beach at Times Square – a delightful walk along the beach if you choose.
Contact Dock Master Dave O’Connor at doconner@pinkshell.com or marina@pinkshell.com for details – group rates are also available.
Capt Mike Smith
S/V Blue Skye
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Pink Shell Resort and Marina
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Jan 1, 2013by: Larry Dorminy No Comments 32.2248,-80.78189999
Another Report of Reduced Clearances on AICW Bridges, Statute Mile 557.5

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Salty Southeast Cruisers’ Net has received so many reports of reduced clearances at both fixed and opening bridges, plus damaged tide boards and higher-than-normal tides, that we would have to post a Navigation Alert at practically every bridge. This has been a major annoyance for our tall masted friends and our advice to all is to assume a lower vertical clearance and wait for a lower tide.
Our boat is a 43′ Fontaine/Pajot catamaran. Our mast is 62′ from the water. Hilton Head says it’s 65′ fixed clearance and our VHF radio antenna hit the bottom of the bridge as we passed. We went under the Hilton Head Bridge on December 23, 2012 at about 1 PM at about a 4.6 tide. A bit of a close one.
Sandy Horn
Click Here To View the South Carolina Cruisers’ Net Bridge Directory Listing For Hilton Head Bridge
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Hilton Head Bridge
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Dec 30, 2012by: Larry Dorminy No Comments
Reduced Clearance Reported at Socastee Bridge, AICW Statute Mile 371
Salty Southeast Cruisers’ Net lists the closed vertical clearance for the old, decrepit Socastee Bridge at 11ft. However, this has been an unusual year for higher-than-normal water levels at many bridges over the Waterway, aggravated by a number of damaged or misplaced tide boards. When in doubt, take the Tigars advice and call the bridge tender to discuss the clearance and/or to request an opening. In the case of reduced clearance at a fixed bridge, wait for the tide. Socastee swing bridge opens “on demand” UNLESS water traffic becomes heavy, as on a weekend, then bridge closures may be required every 15 minutes to accommodate road traffic.
Cruising News:
One guide book says 12 feet, the chart says 11 feet, but the tide board at high tide said 9 feet. Eyeball estimate says 9 feet is probably about right. The bridge tender on duty December 29 was polite and opened early for us.
Michael and Jane Tigar
Click Here To View the Cruisers’ Net’s South Carolina Directory Listing For Socastee Bridge
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Socastee Bridge
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Dec 30, 2012by: Larry Dorminy No Comments
More Praise for Osprey Marina, AICW Statute Mile 373

Osprey Marina - Click for Chartview
Osprey Marina lies at the southern foot of AICW section known officially as the Pine Island Cut (a. k. a. “the Rock Pile”), just as the Waterway sweeps south into beautiful Waccamaw River. Osprey Marina is one of the finest marinas you will ever discover, and these good folks are A SALTY SOUTHEAST CRUISERS’ NET SPONSOR!
Cruising News:
Yes, many people have said it, but here it is again. These folks are wonderful! Lowest fuel prices for many miles, plus a Boat/US discount. The grill is closed in winter, but Miles the dockmaster, had made “chicken bog” in a pot — sausaage, rice, chicken and spices — and offered us some. This is the place to stop, just before you take off down the beautiful Waccamaw River.
Michael and Jane Tigar
Click Here To View the Cruisers’ Net’s South Carolina Marina Directory Listing For Osprey Marina
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Osprey Marina
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Dec 30, 2012by: Larry Dorminy No Comments
Sears Landing Restaurant – A REAL FIND!, Surf City, NC, AICW Statute Mile 260.5

Surf City Bridcge - Click for Chartview
Because Sears Landing is not a marina, this restaurant with transient dockage will not be found in our NC Marina Directory, so we are very grateful to the Captain Tigar for bringing this spot to our attention. It certainly sounds YUMMY.
Cruising News:
Heading South on the ICW, just before the Surf City bridge, turn right and make your way in about 120 yards to Sears Landing. This is a restaurant with some overnight dock space. At low tide, you may have less than 5 ft. depth, but the floating docks are nice, a long garden hose gives water even in winter (regular faucets in warmer weather), there are power outlets, and the food is superb. Heads may not be available late night after the restaurant closes — this is a restaurant not a marina. For 11 years, this establishment has been here and gets by without advertising its attractions. Try the grilled or fried seafood, and for a wickedly delicious treat, try the island rolls.
Michael and Jane Tigar
Sears landing is an excellent restaurant and the four slips there, while adequate, are a bit pricey for what they offer. I spent 3 days in Surf City a month ago riding out some terrible weather while headed south. We couldn’t get in the Sears Landing channel (in fairness, it was dead low tide and we draw 4 ft) so we took the channel opposite, also just north of the bridge. The former docks at the south end of this channel are cordoned off with cable stretched across, this because of a foreclosure and resulting liability issues. However, we were fortunate to find a dozen or so slips at the [former] Beachhouse Marina dry storage facility that were available for reasonable price ($1.25/ft) and with full amenities. No water (winter, again) but everything else ‘” clean 24 hr heads, 30 amps, laundry room, WiFi in the lounge, floating docks, supermarket via courtesy vehicle, accommodating and helpful personnel. Despite some storefronts in Surf City looking like a movie set for a spaghetti western, we found the town to have remarkable amenities with excellent restaurants, decent stores for basics (aimed more to the fishing crowd, though), and all within easy walking distance. Sears Landing is a short way across the ICW bridge and I’ll second Captain Jane’s comments about their offerings ‘“ top notch food and service! In all, Surf City is a good stop in a stretch of the waterway where such places are not often to be found. Sadly, as we reported in May of 2012, Beach House Marina has closed (see link below).
Andy Denmark
Click Here To View An Article on the closing of Beach House Marina
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Surf City Bridge
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Dec 28, 2012by: Claiborne Young No Comments
Mile Marker 0 Marine Supply Is Moving
We just received this late breaking word from SALTY SOUTHEAST CRUISERS’ NET SPONSOR, Mile Marker 0 Marine Supply. PLEASE drop by after the first of the year, and visit these fine people in their new location. And, PLEASE, SUPPORT THEM, as we always ask, whenever possible, that you support all our SSECN sponsors!
Dear Claiborne
Mile Marker 0 Marine supply is moving to 607 High St. Portsmouth Virginia 23704. The phone number is still 757 673-4816.The email is still milemarker0@cox.net. We are still doing the same programs for all of the mariners and look forward to them coming to see us this year. Please come and visit us at our new location January 1,2013 Please let all of the members know.
Thank you for all your help
Bob McBride
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