The Esterville Minim Creek Channel connects the North Santee River with the Western Channel of Winyah Bay south of Gerogetown, SC. The missing range markers are charted between green marker #7 and red marker #16. Range markers are typically not as sturdy as daymarkers and a good high wind will often knock them down.
Three of the four range markers between the North Santee River and the Estherville – Minim Creek Canal (mm 416-418) are missing. There was at least 7 ft. at mean low through the cut when we went through so it should not be a problem, but if you are looking for them they are gone. Mitch and Carole Brodkin
The AICW follows the narrow, man-made canal known as Hell Gate between the Vernon and Ogeechee Rivers. These waters have been an “AICW Problem Stretch” for years. Fortunately, dredging during the summer of 2009 had kept depths decent until December of 2010 when reports of new shoaling began. Looks like the surrounding shallows are once again beginning to creep into the channel. Effective immediately, cautious captains will begin to time their traversal of Hell Gate for mid to high tide.
Sanctuary and crew transited Hell Gate at 1500 yesterday, 4/20/2011. We are three days past full moon on celestial high and low tides. At our transit time, our chartplotter tide table showed us with plus 0.8 ft of tide, headed to negative 1.1 ft. The tidal range was greater than 9′. In the Hell Gate channel, we saw 5.6 ft of water in the green quarter at G “90,” which is at the slight bend at mid-cut. Due to the current in that area, we were slightly east of the centerline, but only slightly. Don’t know if Red quarter would have been better, but where we were, at -1.1 ft, we’d only have had 3.5′ of water; not enough for us. On Tuesday, the weather offshore was good, so we went out at St. Simons and back in at Doboy Sound, to overnight at the Duplin River. That avoids Altamaha Sound and the Little Mud on a falling/low tide. From Doboy Sound, we went out again on Wednesday, headed for Tybee, but had to come back in at Sapelo because of SE short-period waves, which were on our beam and made the ride uncomfy. Interesting, from Tybee to Jax, there are inlets every 15 miles that allow for safe exits if the weather deteriorates. Doboy and Sapelo are well marked. Don’t know about the others. Because of the tidal ranges in GA, though, and shallow offshore depths (40 ft at 6 miles) the tidal ebb and flood currents are strong. Plan accordingly. Also, running in 15 ft of water nearer shore can result in experiencing lesser wave size, but dodging shoals for some may increase anxiety. A personal trade-off. As the water depth on the ICW continues to deteriorate and dredging declines, these offshore runs may become more and more necessary. When crossing the Gulf Stream to the Bahamas, I’ve usually heard advice that winds with a “North” component are to be avoided. Yesterday, I learned that for offshore travel along the GA, SC coast, waves directions/short period swells with an “East” component are to be respected/perhaps avoided. Peg and Jim Healy aboard Sanctuary, Monk 36 Hull #132
Went through Hell Gate going north at 1 hour after low tide on Monday May 2nd, 2011. Entrance was skinny. I recorded 5.9 feet which left me with about 1 foot of clearance. Once I got through the opening, the water deepened quickly but I took it slow and watched my depth and channel all the way through. Captain David
Author's Vessel, "September Sea" Anchored at Tarpon Belly Key
Wow, what a GREAT article by our Florida Keys SSECN Correspondent, Captain Charmaine Smith Ladd. To reach the anchorage Captain Charmaine describes hard by Tarpon Belly Key, cruisers whose craft draw 5 feet or less, might choose to run the so-called, Back Route from Marathon to Key West, at least partially. To do this, run north on Big Spanish Channel, sandwiched between Big Pine Key to the west (among others) and Little Pine Key, plus several smaller keys, to the east. At Harbor Key Bank Light, you make a turn to the southwest, and slip along the northern face of the uninhabited keys all the way to Northwest Channel, which, in turn provides access to Key West. Cruisers bound for Tarpon Belly Keys should depart this “back route” near Statute Mile 12287, and navigate the “Cudjoe Channel” to a point abeam of Tarpon Belly Keys. This is an unmarked passage, so the use of an up-to-date, GPS chartplotter is highly suggested. For those whose vessel requires more than 5 feet of water to keep off the bottom, Captain Charmaine recommends navigating an arc around Bullard Bank, Monkey Bank, and Sideboard Bank to enter Cudjoe Channel from the Northeast. What a neat place to be once the hook is down. Read Captain Charmaine’s article below, study her pics, and you’ll see how neat it is!
Tarpon Belly Keys, Florida Keys N24 43.74 W81 31.24 by Charmaine Smith Ladd September Sea is often out sailing and anchoring throughout the Florida Keys. Often the question “Where do you go?” is presented to me. When told of the plethora of unique and quaint places where we anchor, the usual response is: “There’s no protection there, is there?” Or, “That’s Bayside, what do you draw?” We draw 5’8″ and have no problems navigating Florida Bay–we simply consult and adhere to our charts! Cruisers often forget that shoal waters surrounding an anchoring area can be just as beneficial as a body of land for protection. When looking at charts, one limits their anchorage areas if land is viewed as the only source of protection from foul weather and indicative of a comfortable anchorage. Shoal waters can provide much the same protection.
Exploring Ruins on Tarpon Belly Key
One fine example of this is Tarpon Belly Keys. Looking at the charts one might view it as undesirable for protected anchoring. But a closer examination shows the shoal waters around it prohibit fetch from building in the area. The only seemingly exposed area is from the Northwest, but because of the shape of the narrow channel from the Northwest, and its surrounding shoal waters, you are quite protected. It is a very comfortable and lovely anchorage. Tarpon Belly Key used to be a shrimp farm. There are two man-made, coral bottomed canals that are fabulous for exploration. From a distance, it appears there is a sand beach but it is sand-colored coral. Be sure to wear sturdy shoes when going up to the Key. We are careful to have an extra long painter on the dinghy so that no chafe occurs while tied up to a tree on the Key. There’s a home-made tree swing, remnants of campfires, a foundation for what used to be the main office of the shrimp farm, and lots of remains of concrete and structural steel that gives it a feeling of walking through a historic time in the Keys. You can walk, albeit carefully, atop one of the old concrete beams from one side of the canal to the other section of the Key, then follow an overgrown road and see the other canal. It is quite picturesque! On Cudjoe Key, seen southwest of Tarpon Belly, the great Fat Albert makes it home. Many have seen it from afar, a big weather blimp high in the sky. However, from Tarpon Belly’s vantage point, you have an incredible view of Fat Albert as it’s docked. Hope you enjoy the pictures of this most unique area of the Keys! There are so many places like this where you can anchor and enjoy the beauty, wildlife, and solitude. Open your anchoring choices by remembering that surrounding shoal waters can also offer great protection! Charmaine Smith Ladd, s/v September Sea SSECN Correspondent, Florida Keys “Bringing you the low down from down low!” www.SeptemberSea.com
Inlet Marina is, as of 4/14/11, the newest SALTY SOUTHEAST CRUISERS’ NET SPONSOR. Eventually, this facility, which sits on the site of the old Sea Love Marina, along the AICW/Tolomato River’s eastern shores, north of St. Augustine Inlet, and hard by the Vilano Beach Bridge, will be a full fledged marina. For now, these good folks are anxious to sell fuel to all passing cruisers. Please help us welcome Inlet Marina to the Cruisers’ Net fold!
Inlet Marina just opened with new fuel tanks installed for unleaded 89 octane gas with no ethanol and of course diesel. They currently are just a fuel stop but they are supposed to have their new restaurant opened on May 15th, called Beaches. This marina used to be the old “Sea Love” marina which was closed last year sometime then bought and is now permitted for 60 slips (not yet built), but they do have two floating docks, one concrete and one wood and a fuel dock. There is also a boat rental operation already there. They have a nice beach area near the dock office also. There is a lot of area behind the marina office which is planned for development with a Publix grocery planned as part of the complex and they are supposed to have a grocery delivery operation for the marina if folks want to get provisions while fueling..that is to come. The new owners are taking it slow but are committed to the new operations success. The Marina is very close to the St. Augustine inlet and on the AICW. So it is very convenient for cruisers to stop in for fuel.
This is the old “Sea Love” marina. Lat: 29*55’4″ Longitude: 81*17’55” Marina tele: 904-547-2219 Marina Fax: 904-547-2221 Fuel prices on April 14, 2011: (All taxes inlcuded – price shown is what boater pays) Diesel $4.09 tax included Gas, 89 octane, no ethanol $4.29 tax incl.
It’s unfortunate when communications get crossed up which can easily be the case when municipal services are involved. Despite any limitations, Savannah City Docks has…LOCATION, LOCATION, LOCATION! We’re glad Jeff survived his run-in with bureaucracy with a sense of humor!
Don’t waste your valuable time heading for this dock. I called a week ago asked for a reservation, I was told it was 1st come 1st served. NOT TRUE. After tying up (and surviving a divorce) got all set and headed off to pay, we were ready for a little nightlife after many nights up the icw on the hook. Well we phoned a lady by the name of Shawn, we were told we could not stay as there were boats coming in with RESERVATIONS! I told Shawn that we were the only boat, 42′ at the end of the 250 foot dock. She did not seem to care and suggested a dock further up river at $3.50 per foot. It is now 8 PM, five hours later, we had dinner across from the city dock and the dock is still completely empty. Now I need a divorce lawyer. Skipper Jeff
I think it sounds like a scam to send business elsewhere and a call should be made to the city with a complaint about this. Susan Dawson
We had a similar problem last year on Memorial Day. We were run off as well. We were told first come-first serve and when you get there there is a number to call. Nobody answered, and next thing you know a police officer came by and made us all leave. Sea Huddle
Charleston City Marina, A SALTY SOUTHEAST CRUISERS’ NET SPONSOR, is our home port, so it’s natural that I like to brag about the excellent facilities, convenient location and friendly personnel.
Even with all the marina offers, the office staff has added free coffee (compliments of BoatUS) , complimentary USAToday and two computer stations for transients’ use. Located in the Dock Office at the north end of the MegaDock, the cyber-cafe has two lounge chairs in addition to the separate computer table and stools. Free WiFi service continues to be available in slips. Larry
To access this superb facility, you must leaven the Northern Gulf ICW, and follow the path towards Panama City Inlet. You must then cut off on a narrow channel into wide Grand Lagoon. Bay Point Marina is the first facility encountered on Grand Lagoon. Having visited here many times myself, I can attest to what a great place this is, and these good folks are a SALT SOUTHEAST CRUISERS’ NET SPONSOR!!!
Steve,the harbormaster, had a great shrimp boil for everyone here at the Marina. In the Carolinas we would call it Frogmore Stew. There was live music, all the shrimp, sausage, corn on the cob, potatoes, desserts and drinks that you could consume. Also if you need a mechanic in this area, Chuck Davis is the man. His phone number is 850-596-6469. Roy & Elvie on Roy El’
Waterway veterans will remember fondly stopping at Jones Fruit dock, north of Vero Beach. Once upon a day, you could tie up here, go ashore and purchase very fresh citrus fruit from Orange Groves literally next door. Unfortunately, for most of us those days ended some years ago. The “dock” has been is such poor shape of late that I have not recommended stopping here since the mid 2000’s. I am very sorry to hear of the final passing of Captain Richard Jones. He will be missed up and down the AICW!
On a sad note, we arrived at Jones Fruit Dock in the Indian River and found everything locked up and the dock empty. We learned from a neighbor that the owner passed away last Saturday, March 26. We had never had the chance to visit the dock before, but had heard from other loopers that it was a stop we should make. We pressed on, but 2 or 3 other looper boats behind us did tie up for the night. The neighbor had no idea what would become of the place. Larry & Jane Pfeifer on Bavarian Cream
Again, Captain Bob takes this trouble spot within less than two hours of high tide and offers some advice to his fellow cruisers. Please note that the Little Mud River section of the AICW, is the WORST problem stretch of the entire run from Norfolk to Miami. Trying to interpolate the tidal tables, it looks as if we must subtract 6 to 7 feet from the soundings below to discover what depths would be at MLW. That means we could easily be looking at a mere 3 feet of water near markers #190 and #195. TIME YOUR PASSAGE THROUGH LITTLE MUD RIVER FOR HIGH TIDE ONLY!!!!!!
10-29-10 Little Mud River (A Walk in the Park) Anchored in Duplin River night before, Great Anchorage Short Distance to Little Mud River. High Tide was 1200 Noon. Arrive Little Mud River 1-1/2 Hours before HIGH TIDE. Marker R190 10 Ft, Marker G195 10 Ft. Exit Mud River @ 1247 PM. Draft Five Ft we had five under the keel Minimum all the way. Good Run. Instead of folks posting horror stories they need to take life easy and do these areas of concern two hours before high tide. Captains Bob and Helen aboard M/Y ALLEZ
We just passed the Little Mud River. We hit it at exactly low tide. Uh oh. We made it through OK however. The minimum depth I saw was 6.5 feet near marker 194. We met a tug going north. He said that he didn’t have a depth sounder, but that he draws 8 feet and he made it through fine, also at low tide. Go figure. Captains Dick and Libby Mills
Good evening all, went through today 11/2/10 at 2:00 PM local, just about low tide & only saw 6.9 ft, just stay in the MIDDLE & you will be fine! Winds today were between twenty to thirty & did not seem to affect the depths. Captains Mike & Barbara aboard M/V Elan 2011/03/09 We did basically the same thing that Captains Bob and Helen did, anchoring in Duplin river the night before passage through the Little Mud River section. We hit it at about an hour before high tide and had a trouble free passage. (s/v MarLyn, S2 30ft, 5ft draft) Skipper Mark
Transited Little Mud River 3/27/11 at half tide. 8-9 ft through mid channel. Skipper Stephen
Our sincere thanks to Captain Mary Dixon for forwarding the link below. We have read the document in question, and it IS LENGTHY and very wordy, BUT it is perhaps the last word on virtually ALL the issues surrounding the complex and emotionally charged Florida anchoring issue.
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