Cruisers' Net | Cruisers Helping Cruisers

Jul 11, 2012by: Larry Dorminy No Comments
New On-site Restaurant Now Open at Dolphin Cove Marina, Ashley River, Charleston, SC
Dolphin Cove Marina overlooks the Ashley River’s eastern shores north of unlighted daybeacon #16, northwest of the charted “R TR”. To reach this facility from the AICW’s run through lower Ashley River, your vessel must pass through/under the Ashley River Memorial/US 17 twin bridges.
Dolphin Cove is sometimes overlooked by cruisers who opt for the Charleston City Marina or, on the Cooper River side of Charleston, the Charleston Martime Center or Charleston Harbor Marina.
And, there is certainly nothing wrong with that plan of action. After all, both Charleston Harbor Marina and Charleston City Marina are CRUISERS NET SPONSORS!
However, if you seek a quieter, lower energy setting to coil your lines, consider Dolphin Cove, farther upstream on Cooper River. To access the principal Charleston historic and business districts, you will need a rental car, or a taxi ride, but now Dolphin Cove offers an on-site dining option, as you will discover below. PLEASE give the HydeOut a try, and tell everyone the SSECN sent you!!!
Subject: We have a bigger dock! Restaurant now open!
Cruising News:
The HydeOut (843-745-0426) at Dolphin Cove Marina is now open for lunch and dinner 7 days a week! See our website at www.hydeout-charleston.com for more information. We have 22 dedicated boatslips for your use to enjoy your dining experience.
Jennifer Carter
The shrimp sandwich is amazing! And you’ll love the fried green tomato sandwich if you like something lighter. Either way, the service is great, the food is fine and the setting is sublime. The whole family enjoyed it so much that we’ll be returning tonight (second time this week).
Paula
Click Here To View the Cruisers’ Net’s South Carolina Marina Directory Listing For Dolphin Cove Marina
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Dolphin Cove Marina
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Jul 9, 2012by: Claiborne Young No Comments
ARGUS Confirms Shoaling on AICW Problem Stretch – AICW Channel South of McClellanville, SC to Awendaw Creek (St. M. 430 to 435)
Perhaps the #1 advantage of being Survice Enginnering’s ARGUS Project’s strategic web partner, is that the SSECN is the FIRST to receive shallow water updates from the various ARGUS volunteer research vessels traveling Southeastern USA coastal waters. And, that’s just what’s happened here!
Now, it isn’t exactly a surprise that the ARGUS equipment aboard M/V Elixir has just reported finding less than optimum depths along the path of the AICW south of McClellanville, South Carolina. After all, the Salty Southeast Cruisers’ Net declared these waters as an “AICW Problem Stretch” several years ago! However, it’s certainly nice for ARGUS to verify this data, and even to pin-point the shallowest spots!
Take a look at the first graphic below, and note the color coded ARGUS “solution sets” along the track of the AICW immediately southwest of marker #37. This stretch of the AICW lies just southwest of Jeremy Creek and McClellanville. As you can see, Elixir discovered some 6-foot MLW depths right along the mid-width of the AICW channel. Still enough for most vessels, but definitely getting on the thin side:
And, then we have a second set of ARGUS soundings (“solution sets”) depicted in the graphic below, just a small hop farther to the southwest (northeast of marker #40). Again, LOTS of 6-foot MLW depths noted here:
PLEASE NOTE that these depths (“solution sets”) are so NEW, they are NOT yet depicted on the Salty Southeast Cruisers’ Net Chart View “ARGUS Layer.” That will be corrected on our next update from Survice Engineering, due to be received soon. However, we thought this data was so interesting, it was worth calling to the attention of the cruising community even before this update is received and processed!
Click Here To View the Cruisers’ Net’s “AICW Problem Stretches” Listing For the AICW Channel South of McClellanville, SC to Awendaw Creek
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To This AICW Problem Stretch
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Jul 6, 2012by: Larry Dorminy No Comments
Shoaling MAY No Longer Be An Issue At the AICW/Little River Inlet/Calabash Creek Intersection (Statute Mile 342)
The shoaling reported earlier at the three way intersection of the AICW, Little River Inlet and Calabash Creek seems to have abated. Captain Bell offers good advice concerning the markers through this area.
At the border of North And South Carolina, Heading North, We passed R4 and R2 right on the magenta line provided by Navionics on our chart plotter. After passing R2 we began to favor the outside or green side of the turn heading north. We were at .25′ of tide and did not see less than 11′ of water. Not a problem area.
David Bell
We transit this area almost daily and have had no troubles. The 2 casino boats that turn at this intersection leaving and returning from Little River Inlet have probably helped to keep the area clear of any shoaling. They draw around 8-9′.
Capt. John Schwab
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of This Intersection
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Jul 6, 2012by: Claiborne Young No Comments
North Carolina Cruising Articles by Captain Cathy Gillenwater – Taken From Her Site, “East Coast Boating Adventures”
The Salty Southeast Cruisers Net is pleased to announce another strategic partnership, this one with Captain Cathy Gillenwater and her web-site, “East Coast Boating Adventures” (http://www.eastcoastboatingadventures.com/). Captain Cathy has given us carte blanche to copy her articles and photography, both of which are well worth viewing.
To kick off this “win-win” sharing arrangement, Captain Cathy presents three excellent articles on North Carolina Cruising:
1. Captain Cathy Gives Us a Good Account of a Visit to Cape Lookout Bight, Cape Lookout National Seashore and nearby Shackleford Banks. To check out this article, please go to:
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2. Captain Cathy takes us on a tour of an extreme southeastern North Carolina facility, Blue Water Point Motel, Marina and Restaurant. Please visit:
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3. And finally, Captain Cathy visits SALTY SOUTHEAST CRUISERS’ NET SPONSOR, Bald Head Island. Her photography associated with this article is really well worth a perusal all by itself:

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Just wanted to say Thank You for everything. It is a huge honor to be added to your website.
Cathy Gillenwater
East Coast Boating Adventures
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Jun 25, 2012by: Claiborne Young No Comments
Public Meeting
The FWC (Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission) has scheduled a public meeting, to be held in Tallahassee, FL (see below), on 7/11/12, to consider the Monroe County (Florida Keys) proposed anchorage regulations, as part of the Keys participation in the Florida Pilot Mooring Field Program. ALL cruisers who can possibly attend this event, PLEASE do so!
Hello,
We are scheduling a public meeting to discuss the Monroe County Anchoring and Mooring Ordinance for Wednesday, July 11th, at the FWC Bryant Building in Room 272 [in Tallahassee, Florida – editor]. We have scheduled the meeting for 8:30 a.m. until 12:30 p.m. Attached is the FAW notice, that will be published next week, that has the address and time of the public meeting. There will be representatives from Monroe County ready to answer questions from any organizations or individuals that would like to know more about the ordinance.
We are planning on being able to take the Monroe proposed ordinance to the September 5-6th FWC Commission Meeting in Tampa. To accomplish this we will need to coordinate the review, conduct the public meeting, and have a 2 week internet posting of the ordinance to collect public comment. I anticipate posting the proposed ordinance on our FWC website the first full week of July. I will send out notification of that posting when it goes live on the internet. I have attached the current Monroe Co. ordinance language for your review prior to the public meeting and internet posting. Thank you.
Tom
Captain Tom Shipp
FWC / DLE / Boating and Waterways
Note that the proposed ordinance requires proof of pumpout, which I believe is a gross overreach. The anchoring and mooring pilot program law states that it is to regulate anchoring, not pollution controls or equipment onboard. These things are already covered by federal and state regulations. Once again, the anchoring and mooring pilot program is leading to further complication on the water, and a hodge-podge of laws in Florida that few transient boaters will even be aware of.
John Kettlewell
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Jun 22, 2012by: Claiborne Young No Comments
New Oriental, North Carolina Photo Gallery Now Available For Viewing
Hello Fellow Cruisers:
The Salty Southeast Cruisers’ Net is proud to announce a new Oriental, North Carolina Photo album for your viewing pleasure. Just click the “Click Here for Photo Gallery” button below, and it’s off to the races.
While some of these Oriental photos date back all the way to the 1980’s, most are the result of a June, 2012 visit to this charming riverside village by yours truly and the “first-rate, first-mate.”
You can also find your way to this photo album, and all existing and future, special North Carolina photo albums by clicking the “North Carolina” selection in the red, vertically stacked menus on the right side of all (except Chart View) Cruisers’ Net pages. After clicking, a drop down menu will appear. Then, click on “NC Photo Albums” and a sub-drop down menu will appear. Then, just click on the Photo Album of your choice. For now, we only offer Beaufort and Oriental Photo albums, but these will soon be augmented.
ENJOY!
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Jun 21, 2012by: Claiborne Young No Comments
Spouter Inn Has A New Look, A New Bar and the Same GREAT Food (Beaufort,NC – near Statute Mile 201)
The following is a perilous statement, particularly when we are speaking about Beaufort, North, which has such dining attractions as Beaufort Grocery Company and the Blue Moon, but we think Spouter Inn (218 Front Street, 252-728-5190, http://thespouterinn.com/) offers the very best food in town. But now, there’s even more!
During a June, 2012 cruise to Beaufort, we came strolling into Spouter’s main Front Street entrance, and were surprised and more than a little pleased by an entirely new, pastel color scheme running the full length of the entrance hall. Equally eye pleasing was a collection of local art displayed down the hallway. We soon learned that this same, new, light and airy color scheme had been carried throughout the entire dining establishment. Please be SURE to follow the “Click Here For Photo Gallery” link below to see for yourself.
After strolling down the hallway, we were, if possible, even more pleased to learn that more than the color scheme had changed. Part of the interior dining room has been converted to a very cozy bar, with a good view of Taylor Creek out the back. We stopped here for an “attitude adjustment,” and were totally charmed by this new enhancement.
We enjoyed two meals at Spouter Inn during this trip, and found the food just as good as ever. For lunch Karen’s Bird Shoal Sandwich, a delectable combination of egg salad, melted white cheddar cheese. bacon and leafy lettuce on whole wheat bread, and my crabcake in a pita pocket, were absolutely scrumptious. During our evening meal, the first-rate, first-mate was, as always, very taken with her mixed seafood grill (broiled), as I was with my decadent Scallops Parmigiana!
If your waistline can stand it, don’t miss Spouter’s dessert tray, and, particularly, their on-site bakery, which is found just to the right as you enter from Front Street. My oh my, my appetite is going crazy just typing this article.
Trust me on this one fellow cruisers, heed the call, and don’t dare miss Spouter Inn when next your vessel is snuggled into either Beaufort Town Docks or anchored on the tranquil waters of Taylor Creek.
And, very conveniently for we of the cruising persuasion, the westernmost of Beaufort/Taylor Creek’s two dinghy docks is located next door to Spouter Inn! What more could one ask for?
See you there!
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Jun 21, 2012by: Claiborne Young No Comments
Taylor Creek Grocery – Beaufort, NC (near Statute Mile 201)
Back on 3/12/12, we published a report here on the SSECN (see /?p=81815), about a new downtown Beaufort, NC grocery story that was about to open at the corner of Front and Queen Streets, within a block of the Beaufort Town Docks. At the time of our first visit, the store was just about to open, and things looked promising, but ever since, we’ve been itching to return and check out the finished product.
Well, that’s exactly what happened during the week of June 11, 2012. And what we found was MOST impressive. Really, with no exaggeration or embellishment, I can’t remember when I have ever seen such a well laid out, beautifully merchandised small grocery store as what we found at Taylor Creek Grocery (252-838-1495, 525 Front Street). PLEASE follow the “Click Here For Photo Album” button below to check out the visual images for yourself!
We also had occasion to twice try out the in-store deli, and we can attest that the Reuben and turkey sandwiches are first-rate, not to mention the fudge brownies.
So, when next your travels take your vessel to the shores of Taylor Creek, possibly North Carolina’s single most popular port of call, run, don’t walk to Taylor Creek Grocery. You won’t be sorry!

I guess quality has its price, but I was in that store last week, and the prices were outrageously high. So, enjoy, but bring a thick wallet.
Ed
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Jun 20, 2012by: Claiborne Young No Comments
An Interesting Visit to the R. E. Mayo Seafood Docks (Statute Mile 157)
During the week of 6/11/12, the first-rate, first-mate and I cruised to R. E. Mayo Seafood Docks, our newest SALTY SOUTHEAST CRUISERS’ NET SPONSOR. It was a very interesting visit indeed, and I think I can say without any fear of telling an inaccuracy, this is one of the most unique facilities that has ever chosen to support our web site.
Since the 1970’s, Karen Ann and I have passed the R. E. Mayo Docks, directly flanking the western side of the AICW, on the canal-like Hobucken Cut, at least several hundred times. This narrow stream connects the Waterway between Pamilco and Bay Rivers. We have always thought of these piers and their shoreside buildings as a commercial fishing complex, and have never really thought of tying up for the night, though I did drive here once many years ago, and recall being impressed by the on-site marine supply store!
So, do you want the good news, or the less than good news first. Let’s start with the latter. The only way to describe the fixed wooden face docks at the R. E. Mayo facility is “rough.” They seem to be sturdy, and we did observe any number of serviceable 30 amp power hookups, but some of the boarding was uneven, and there was seemingly hap-hazard debris lying around here and there. Also, there are no shoreside showers nor a laundromat, and there are absolutely no restaurants within anything like striking distance.
HOWEVER, both gasoline and diesel fuel can be purchased, there is good shelter from foul weather, and the excellent on-site seafood and marine supply store is just about the last thing you would expect from looking at the utilitarian exterior of the main buildings. Be SURE to follow the “Click Here For Photo Gallery” link below to learn more about this fascinating store.
And, by the way, a wide selection of fresh and frozen seafood can be purchased in the store. Recently, the owners have constructed a HUGE, refrigeration building across the street which houses a wide selection of frozen catch of the day and other from-the-water goodies. Don’t miss the “COLORFUL” outhouses between the main building and the seafood cold storage center! Depending on the season, visiting cruisers can often purchase shrimp and other seafood literally right off the boats.
The cost of overnight dockage, or lack thereof, at the R. E. Mayo Docks should also not be overlooked. At a current rate of only 40 cents per foot, per night, these are, at least in my experience, the least expensive on the Waterway wet berths in both Carolinas!
So, clearly an overnight stop at the R. E. Mayo Seafood Docks is not for everyone. No captain or crew will ever mistake this place for Pier 66 or the Morehead City Yacht Basin. Then, again, if you have a bit of the adventurous about you, and would like to try something decidedly different, with a really good marine and seafood store thrown in for good measure, give this facility a try. And, PLEASE LET US KNOW ABOUT YOUR EXPERIENCE!

Thanks so much for this info, Claiborne. We, too, have passed this place dozens of times, just wondering. We may give it a try next time.
Diana
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Jun 20, 2012by: Claiborne Young No Comments
Excellent, Detailed Report on Hell Gate AICW Problem Stretch (Statute Mile 602)
(more…)
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