 I. GOOD News - St. Augustine No-Wake Zone To Be Extended - Southern St. Aug. Mooring Field to Benefit (Statute Mile 778)
On 12/13/11, we posted a thoughtful message here on the Cruisers' Net about vessels in the southern St. Augustine Mooring Field, being bothered by the wake of crabbers and other local fishing people (see http://cruisersnet.net/?p=76385). In response to that posting, we have excellent, late breaking news  out of St. Augustine, courtesy of Captains Tina and Scott. Read all about it at: http://cruisersnet.net/?p=76662 |
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 II. Georgetown SC Dining (AICW Statute Mile 403)
Normally, I confine my role on the Salty Southeast Cruisers' Net's "Cruising News" sections to comments and introductions to fellow cruisers' messages. However, last week, Dec. 5-9, 2011, I undertook another one of my land yacht trips of the South Carolina coastline, calling on and performing in-depth researching for every marina and repair yard between Georgetown and Beaufort.
 As part of this sojourn, I had occasion to review several of the restaurants along the way. Restaurant reviews are a really dirty part of my job, but someone just has to do it!
The thought occurs to my tiny mind that the cruising community could really benefit from a fuller understanding of the outstanding dining choices available in Georgetown. This medium sized community has an embarrassment of riches when it comes time to slake a healthy appetite!
And so, I have penned and posted an article on this vary gastronomically pleasing  subject. Even if you will not be visiting Georgetown again until next spring, we suggest you give this article a perusal. You taste buds will be every so enriched by the time you spend:
http://cruisersnet.net/?p=76634
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 III. Englewood Beach Anchorage (Western Florida, ICW, Statute Mile 43.5)
As you can imagine, we get MANY reviews of marinas and anchorages here at the Salty Southeast Cruisers' Net. Sometimes, we just have to call the attention of the cruising community at large to one or more.
 If you cruise or plan to cruise the waters of the Western Florida coastline between Gasparilla Island and Venice, don't miss Captains Rick and Donna's look at the Englewood Beach Anchorage. It's a great place to spend the evening swinging peacefully on the hook, with the added benefit of having a restaurant within dinghy distance!
http://cruisersnet.net/?p=76478
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 IV. Dredging Underway in North Miami Beach at the AICW/Bakers Haulover Inlet Intersection (Statute Mile 1080)
I honestly don't think that there can be much debate as to the notion that the most shoal prone section of the Eastern Florida section of the AICW, lies between Fort Lauderdale and Miami, where the Waterway intersects shallow Bakers Haulover Inlet. From the very beginning, these waters have been designated an "AICW Problem Stretch!"
Well, at least for a few months, help is on the way. Check out the complete story at:
http://cruisersnet.net/?p=76408 |
 V. DON'T Miss This Photo
Ok, I don't want to spoil the fun for anyone, so all I'm going to say is. follow the link below to bring a swift and sure smile to the face of EVERY cruiser! A sincere thanks to Captain Keith Sullivan for sharing this image with the cruising community!
http://cruisersnet.net/?p=76379
 And, while we are on the subject of really good photos, may we also call your attention to the current Salty Southeast Cruisers' Net "Photo of the Week." This image comes to us from fellow nautical writer, Captain Wally Moran, and is taken from his "LiveBloggin the ICW" (http://bloggingtheicw.blogspot.com/). It is entitled, "Belhaven Sunrise at the Docks," and is also very much worth your time:
http://cruisersnet.net/category/photo-of-the-week/ |
 VI. LOTS of Florida Anchoring Right News
There are more than a few times when I think the news concerning the Florida anchoring rights struggle could use an entire "Cruisers' Net" of its own. We make a sincere effort to not bombard the cruising community with this topic time after time, as there are any number of mariners who are not concerned with this issue. However, MANY are. So, below, we give brief descriptions and links to several recent SSECN articles concerning the Florida anchoring issue, several of which contain very important news:
 Anchoring Hassles on Blackburn Bay (Statute Mile 61.5) - copy of a letter written by Captain Arthur M. Richard to the county Sheriff's deparment, concerning an unhappy anchoring incident just off the Wesern Florida ICW:
http://cruisersnet.net/?p=76631
Thoughts on Florida Anchoring Space - anchorage regulations are not the only impediment to finding a good, safe place to drop the hook in Sunshine State Waters:
http://cruisersnet.net/?p=76687
Sarasota Anchoring Situation - Captain Charmaine Reports - our very special Florida  Keys correspondent, Captain Charmaine Smith Ladd dons her BARR (Boaters' Anchoring Rights & Responsibilities) hat, and gives us an encouraging report on what anchorage regulations are being proposed in regards to the city of Sarasota's participation in the Florida Pilot Mooring Field Program:
http://cruisersnet.net/?p=76393
Latest on Florida Keys Anchoring As of 12/1/11 - again, Captain Charmaine reports, this time on the seemingly GOOD steps the Florida Keys are proposing as part of this entire region's participation in the Pilot Mooring Field Program:
http://cruisersnet.net/?p=76397
 And, just in case that's not enough anchoring rights new for you [grin!], we are working on a somewhat bizarre story about anchoring no longer being allowed in the Boca Grande Bayou (Western Florida coastline), due to private ownership of the stream's bottomland. Much more on this issue next week! |
 VII. A Fond Look at Oriental, NC (Statute Mile 181)
We met Captain Wally Moran already in this Alert above, as part of our "Photo to the Week" news. Now, we hear again from Captain Wally's "LiveBloggin the ICW" (http://bloggingtheicw.blogspot.com/), and this time we discover a heart warming account of Oriental, a North Carolina coastal river town that time has seemingly forgotton. Anyone who has ever visited Oriental will quickly discern the truth of what Captain Wally  has to say!
Wally seems to be lingering in North Carolina waters a bit longer than most, before heading south to warmer climes. We'll keep following his travels here at the Crusiers' Net as he heads his sailcraft towards the Sunshine State.
http://cruisersnet.net/?p=76691
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 VIII. AICW/Shalotte Inlet Intersection Dredging Scheduled for December, 2011 (Statute Mile 330)
One of North Carolina's most persistent AICW Problem Stretches lies just north of the NC - SC state line, where the Waterway runs behind shallow Shallotte Inlet. Over the last 30 years as I've covered these waters, I long ago lost count of the number of times this portion of the Waterways has been dredged. In fact, the last project of this type occurred in February of 2011.
 Several reports on the Cruisers' Net show that shoaling has once again begun to rear it's ugly head, but, surprisingly, here comes the US Army Corps of Engineers to the rescue with more dredging. Full details at:
http://cruisersnet.net/?p=75522
Report on Recent AICW/Shallotte Inlet shoaling:
AICW Problem Stretch Directory Entry For These Waters:
http://cruisersnet.net/?p=5482
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 VIII. Possible Debris in Waterway from Holden Beach Fire (North Carolina AICW, Statute Mile 324)
The article linked below provides details on a house and boat fire which recently occurred on the eastern side of the Waterway, just south of Lockwoods Folly Inlet and Holden Beach.NC. With risk of submerged debris, caution should be  exercised when passing through the area.
Get the full story:
http://cruisersnet.net/?p=76188 |
 IX. Okeechobee Water Levels as of 12/9/11
Many thanks to Captains Chuck Baier and Susan Landry for providing excellent info concerning current depths on the Okeechobee Waterway. This message is reprinted from the AGLCA forum, and Captain Chuck performs editorial work for  our good friends at MarinaLife!
As you will see, recent rainfall has seriously improved the depth situation on this useful passage.
http://cruisersnet.net/?p=76373 |
 X. Bumps in the Night in St. Marys Anchorage, St. Marys River off the AICW (near St. M. 713)
St. Marys River flows into the northern tip of Cumberland Sound and the path of the AICW, just north of Fernandina, FL, and serves as the coastal state line between Georgia and Florida. The village of St. Marys is an easy trip up the St. Marys River, departing the Waterway at flashing green marker #29, statute mile 713.
 Many cruisers like to anchor off this beautiful community and dinghy ashore. Just last week, the Cruisers' Net featured a picture of a "fleet" of cruising vessels that had gathered at this very spot to take part in the annual St. Mary's Thanksgiving feast for boaters.
Now, we hear from Captain Chris, that strong tidal currents in this anchorage may bring on a less than restful night. While we still recommend anchoring abeam of the St. Marys waterfront, ALL cruisers contemplating a night spent on these waters, should first read:
http://cruisersnet.net/?p=75937 |
 XI. Marco Island to the Florida Keys
It's an interesting and sometimes challenging cruise from Marco Island (south of Naples, Florida), to the Florida Keys. There are at least three different routes you might choose between, and there are even some interesting stops along the way.
Captain Alan Lloyd takes a good look at this cruise in a recently published Cruisers' Net article. If you are contemplating a passage from Marco to the Keys, or the other way around, please follow this link:
http://cruisersnet.net/?p=76629
That's all for now. Good luck, good cruising and Happy Holidays to all!
Claiborne S. Young Salty Southeast Cruisers' Net http://www.CruisersNet.net [email protected] |
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