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In This Issue
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I. Important - Florida Boat Registration Questions Answered
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II. Dredging between Captiva and Sanibel Islands, Pine Island Sound, Western Florida Coastline
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III. Shoaling in Motts Channel, Wrightsville Beach, NC, AICW Statute Mile 283.3
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IV. Garmin's New Quatix GPS Marine Watch
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V. Making a Dinghy Legal in Florida
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VI. Map Depicts Two Small Anchoring Areas on Manatee Pocket (near Statute Mile 988)
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VII. Steel Bridge Replacement Construction to Begin, AICW Statute Mile 8.8
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VIII. Report from Hell Gate, AICW Problem Stretch, Statute Mile 602
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IX. More on Pelican Bay Anchorages (hard by Cayo Costa Island/State Park)
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X. Shoaling Surveyed in New Topsail Inlet, near AICW Statute Mile 270
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XI. Praise for Calusa Island Marina (Marco Island, Western Florida Coastline)
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XII. GREAT Advice About Cruising Western Florida's Big Bend Region
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XIII. Florida Waterfront Homeowner Speaks Out
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XIV. Update on Vertical Clearance(s!!) of Broadway Bridge, Daytona Beach, Statute Mile 830.5
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 Eastern Florida, Florida Keys, Western Florida
I. Important - Florida Boat Registration Questions Answered
 Recently, the Salty Southeast Cruisers' Net published an article about the issue of whether Federally Documented vessels entering Florida need/must also be state registered in Florida, or some other state (see http://cruisersnet.net/?p=105475). In a follow-up reference to this article, as part of our SSECN Alert of 1/18/13, we posed two specific questions: 1. Are Federally Documented vessels which are NOT ALSO state registered, in violation of Florida state law, if said vessels stays in Floridian waters LESS THAN 90 DAYS?  2. Are owners of Federally Documented vessels, whose home port resides in a state that refuses to state register Federally Documented vessels, and, therefore, their vessels are not state registered, in violation of Florida state law. Well, thanks to my friend, fellow nautical/cruising guide author, and frequent SSECN contributor, Captain John Kettlewell, these questions have been answered, though FEW will like the answers.  Read all about it at: http://cruisersnet.net/?p=106014
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North Carolina
III. Shoaling in Motts Channel, Wrightsville Beach, NC, AICW Statute Mile 283.3
 The Motts Channel cuts into the southeastern/eastern flank of the AICW, a short hop south and southwest of the Wrightsville Beach Bascule Bridge, just past the host of marina facilities which congregate south of this span. The Motts passage serves at least two important purposes for cruisers.
First, it provides access from the AICW to cruiser friendly Seapath Yacht Club (Marina), and secondly, it is the most direct route to the very popular anchorages on Banks Channel. Over the years, the west end of the Motts Channel, near markers #25 and #23, has shoaled and periodic dredging has been required.
 Judging from a just published "Cruising News" article on the SSECN, looks like dredging is once again needed SOON.
Learn all at:
http://cruisersnet.net/?p=105815
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 A Really Neat Piece of Electronics!
IV. Garmin's New Quatix GPS Marine Watch
OK, let me quickly admit that I got wind of this soon-to-be-released marvel from a competitor's newsletter. Nevertheless, I think as many cruisers will want to know about this gadget as possible. I only wish I'd had one of these for the last 30+ years while performing on-the-water research.
 It looks like this baby will do amazing things, including giving your position, allowing positions to be recorded and EVEN CONTROLLING YOUR AUTOPILOT. As I understand it, full details are yet to be announced, but you can get a sneak peek, and some data at:
http://sites.garmin.com/quatix/
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 Eastern Florida, Florida Keys, Western Florida
V. Making a Dinghy Legal in Florida
A very interesting discussion has been taking place this week on the American Great Loop Cruisers' Association (http://www.greatloop.org/) about the requirements for legally operating a dinghy in the Sunshine State. This is useful reading for all who cruise in Floridian waters.
 Incidentally, the entire Salty Southeast Cruisers' Net bunch continues to highly recommend membership in the American Great Loop Cruisers' Association. What a GREAT bunch of fellow cruisers!
Find out all you need to know about Florida dinghying at:
http://cruisersnet.net/?p=106422
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 VA to North Carolina
VII. Steel Bridge Replacement Construction to Begin, AICW Statute Mile 8.8
We just get the Gilmerton Bridge construction completed and another project begins - lasting until 2017! Let's keep our fingers crossed that this replacement project will have fewer navigation disruptions.  No promises though, and this new construction could really have an impact on the spring, 2013 transient season. Find out what we know so far at: http://cruisersnet.net/?p=106464
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 Georgia
VIII. Report from Hell Gate, AICW Problem Stretch, Statute Mile 602
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. Resulting from a mid-January, 2013 cruise through these waters, Captain Ray Schmidt gives us a report of the very latest conditions on Hell Gate. Both spring, 2013 northbound snowbirds, and year round Georgia cruisers should run, not walk to: http://cruisersnet.net/?p=105738
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 Western Florida
IX. More on Pelican Bay Anchorages (hard by Cayo Costa Island/State Park), Western Florida ICW Statute Mile 25
 Not only does Pelican Bay host one of the best series of anchorages on the western coastline of the Sunshine State, but it is also one of the most discussed. Back on 11/12/12 (we published a whole series of messages about this overnight haven, and its adjacent Florida State Park - see (http://cruisersnet.net/?p=102473).
But, as I've often said, there's no such thing as too much information when you are on the water, so linked below are  two more insightful observations concerning this anchorage.
Check out:
http://cruisersnet.net/?p=105936
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 North Carolina
X. Shoaling Surveyed in New Topsail Inlet, near AICW Statute Mile 270
Despite dredging at the AICW/Topsail Inlet/Waterway intersection, as well as the Inlet itself, completed in May of 2012, shoaling has begun again in this narrow inlet. This shoaling should not affect, at least for the time being, the depths in the Waterway intersection.
HOWEVER, ALL cruisers who plan on making use of Topsail Inlet anytime soon, please check out the full text of this posting at:
http://cruisersnet.net/?p=105976
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 Western Florida
XI. Praise for Calusa Island Marina (Marco Island, Western Florida Coastline)
Calusa Island Marina is our FAVORITE facility on Marco Island. And, not the least reason for this good feeling is that Little Bar Restaurant (239-394-5663) and Stan's Idle Hour (239-394-3041) are within easy walking distance. The food at Little Bar is superb, and a VERY good time is usually had by all at Stans, particularly on the weekend. You will also find the management at Calusa Island Marina very responsive to the needs to cruisers.
Read an account from several fellow cruisers concering their recent good experiences at this facility, at:
http://cruisersnet.net/?p=106431
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 Western Florida
XII. GREAT Advice About Cruising Western Florida's Big Bend Region
I have lost count of the number of times I've said this, but it bears repeating. If you get a dozen veteran cruisers together, you will get at least twenty different opinions about how best to cross Western Florida's waterwayless "Big Bend" region. For those who have never cruised these waters, Western Florida's ICW's northern terminus is at Anclote Key, while the Northern Gulf ICW does not begin its east to west trek until one reaches Dog Island and the charming village of Carrabelle.
 In between is better than a hundred miles of coastline, with a LARGE shelf of shallow water jutting for miles out into the Gulf of Mexico. These shallows are pierced at fairly regular intervals by man-made channels, leading to the Big Bend rivers such as the Crystal, the Withlacoochee, the Suwanee and the Steinhatchee. Some of these entrance passages are fairly reliable, while others are not.
So, rather than follow the Big Bend coastline, staying several miles offshore, some mariners choose to cut the corner, and head (northbound) directly for Dog Island or Panama City. 
Whichever route you choose, there ARE challanges. Some day I must relate the story of the most disastrous yacht delivery in which I ever participated, all of which took place in the Big Bend region. But that's another story for another day.
 For now, ALL who are contemplating a cruise of the Big Bend waters, PLEASE follow the link below, and give a good listen to the excellent advice offered by veteran cruiser Captain Bob Duthie. His words are well worth your time!
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 Eastern Florida, Florida Keys, Western Florida
XIII. Florida Waterfront Homeowner Speaks Out
 On 1/21/13, the Salty Southeast Cruisers' Net published an article submitted by Captain Cynthia McCague. Captain McCague, who owns a home along the path of the Eastern Florida AICW, and is also a boat owner, brings to light a problem with derelict/abandoned vessels within sight of her house. She wonders what might be done.
Since this article's publication on the SSECN, two fellow nautical writers, Captains Chuck Baier and John Kettlwell, have both supplied thoughtful responses. They are worth the time of all who ever take their vessels into Sunshine State waters. 
We at the SSECN firmly stand by Florida anchoring rights, but we also know there is a real problem with abandoned vessels and "live aboard hulks" (i. e. "boats" people are living on, but which will never move again, unless it's straight down to the bottom) in the Sunshine State, not only for responsible cruisers, but for coastal homeowners as well.
Take a good gander at this interesting discussion:
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 Eastern Florida
XIV. Update on Vertical Clearance(s!!) of Broadway Bridge, Daytona Beach, Statute Mile 830.5
 Even with the reassurances from the Florida Department of Transportation, in the article linked below, Cruisers' Net still relies heavily on the experiences of our readers. Let's hope that more cruisers are able to find the 67ft clearance! Let us hear from you! Salty Southeast Cruisers' Net wants to thank John Kremski and Mike Lieberum for their work in resolving the chart and tide gauge discrepancies of the past. The Broadway Bridge (E International Speedway Blvd) crosses the ICW at Statute Mile 830.5, south-southeast of unlighted daybeacons #33 and #34.
Check out:
That's all for now. Good luck and good cruising to all!
Claiborne S. Young
Salty Southeast Cruisers' Net
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