Western Florida
III. Good Dining and Beer In Downtown Sarasota, Florida (Western Florida ICW at St. M. 73)
OK, listen up out there all you Western Florida cruisers. If you would like to discover a really good spot to unwind and slake a healthy appetite after a long day on the water, then run, don't walk, and follow the link below.
This dining attraction is a bit far from Marina Jacks/Marina Operations (the leased city marina in Sarasota), for walking, but it's only a very quick taxi ride away. Sounds like the effort will be more than justified. Learn all at:
http://cruisersnet.net/?p=108246
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South Carolina
IV. Famous "Bucksport Sausage" Is BACK, And Bucksport Marina Spring Fling Planned For April 5-7 (Statute Mile 377)
Many good words about newly renovated (and under new ownership) Bucksport Marina and their on-site restaurant, continue to be recorded here on the Cruisers' Net! And, of course, these good people are a SALTY SOUTHEAST CRUISERS NET SPONSOR! PLEASE patronize them and all our other sponsors whenever possible!!!!
The ONLY negative thing we have heard about the new regime, is the FORMER absence of the famous "Bucksport Sausage" for sale in the on-site ship's store. AS YOU WILL READ IN THE ARTICLE LINKED BELOW, THAT OVERSIGHT HAS NOW BEEN REMEDIED! So, as you pass up the Waccamaw River (AICW) this spring (or anytime), be SURE to stop and sample this delightful treat!
Check out:
http://cruisersnet.net/?p=107295
And, there's even more reason for northbound snowbirds and year round South Carolina cruisers to make the acquaintance of Bucksport Marina this spring. A really terrific sounding Spring Fling is slated at this facility, April 5-7, 2013. Check out full details on this festival at: http://cruisersnet.net/?p=108635
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North Carolina
V. Worrisome Shoaling at AICW/Shallotte Inlet Problem Stretch, Statute Mile 330
Above, we directed you to information about what could be the #1 AICW Problem Stretch on the Eastern Florida coastline during the spring, 2013 transient season, at the intersection of the Waterway and southern Ponce Inlet. Now, unfortunately, we must also relate what will almost certainly prove to be the worst stretch of the AICW in North Carolina during this same time period.
The typically troublesome intersection of the AICW and Shallotte Inlet, in extreme southeastern North Carolina, required dredging twice in 2011 and, despite the success of those projects, it seems that these waters are once again all too shallow.
Reading between the tea leaves, it appears as if the AICW channel, as it passes behind Shallotte Inlet, has shoaled on the ocean (southeastern) side. That is usually where shallowing begins at this intersection!
We STRONGLY urge ALL northbound cruisiers AND year-round Tar Heel captains to follow all the links below, and learn more:
http://cruisersnet.net/?p=99913
http://cruisersnet.net/?p=103433
http://cruisersnet.net/?p=107519 And, may we also suggest you check out these waters entry in our "AICW Problem Stretch Directory" at:
http://cruisersnet.net/?p=5482
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Okeechobee Waterway
VI. Restrictions to Navigation on St. Lucie Canal/Okeechobee Waterway Lifted as of March 7, 2013
For the last several months, an ongoing construction project on the St. Lucie Canal section (east of Stuart, Florida) of the Okeechobee Waterway was effectively closing the Waterway from 10:00am to 4:00pm daily. Completion was originally scheduled to for March 11, 3013. Happily, that event has already occurred.
Learn the full story at:
http://cruisersnet.net/?p=108612
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Western Florida
VII. Entrance Channel into Tween Waters Marina, off Western Florida ICW Statute Mile 14
Tween Waters Marina is a popular marina and resort complex, overlooking the eastern shores of Captiva Island, north of Sanibel Island. This facility's entrance channel from the Western Florida ICW's run through Pine Island Sound, can be a bit tricky for those not already familiar with this passage. In a just published article, Captain John Savage gives some good advice as to how best to make a successful entry into Tween Waters. Check out his words of wisdom at: http://cruisersnet.net/?p=107521
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Florida Keys
VIII. Report from Islamorada Anchorage, Inside Route Statute Mile 1160, Upper Matecumbe Key.
Islamorada Anchorage is found in Barley Basin on the northwest side of Upper Matecumbe Key, north of Little Basin and southeast of marker #86. Lor-e-li Restaurant, Cabana Bar and Marina, which figures so prominently and deliciously in the report linked below, lies within dinghy distance, southeast of the anchorage on Upper Matecumbe Key. Learn why you may very well want to drop your hook in these waters by visiting: http://cruisersnet.net/?p=108669
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Eastern Florida IX. Amelia Island Yacht Basin (St. M. 720.5) Offers SUPER Winter Into Spring, 2013 DOCKAGE DEALS FOR SSECN USERS
The entrance channel leading to Amelia Island Yacht Basin (A SALTY SOUTHEAST CRUISERS' NET SPONSOR), cuts into the AICW's eastern flank, immediately north of the Kingsley Creek Railway Bridge, and just south of Waterway marker #13 (and the principal Fernandina Beach waterfront)!
These good people are offering a SUPER TRANSIENT DOCKAGE DEAL for the spring, 2013 transient season! AND, BY FOLLOWING THE LINK BELOW, AND MENTIONING TO THE MARINA PERSONNEL YOU SAW THE OFFER CONTAINED THEREIN, THE DEAL GETS EVEN BETTER!!!!!!
Don't dare miss visiting:
http://cruisersnet.net/?p=107099
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Eastern Florida
X. Breakwater Construction Underway at St. Augustine Municipal Marina, AICW Statute Mile 778
The city of St. Augustine, Florida has finally begun its long anticipated breakwater project to protect wet slips at the city marina. The beginnings of this project have been reported in several nautical mail lists, BUT we have photos of the project, courtesy of Captains Glen and Jill Moore.
Read all about it, AND take a gander at:
http://cruisersnet.net/?p=108337
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Eastern Florida
XIII. St. Johns River Cruising News
Once again, we've had a whole collection of interesting cruising stories/news articles concerning the magnificent St. Johns River, recently published here on the Salty Southeast Cruisers' Net. Spring is perhaps the very best season to explore this storied stream, so, if your time allows, plan to spend a few days or a few weeks poking your bow into as many of the St. John's nooks and crannies as possible:
A. Free Dock at Welaka, Florida (St. Johns River, between Palatka and Lake George) - The old Floridian community of Welaka guards the St. Johns' eastern banks south of Palatka and north of Lake George, between markers #48 and #50. I must admit I did not know there was a free city dock here, but that ignorance is now in the past. Please go to:
http://cruisersnet.net/?p=108289
B. New St. Johns River "Marina" Facility (Astor, Florida) - The author of this informative posting is Captain Bobbie Blowers. Over the years, Captain Bobbie and I have exchanged much information. She is an excellent observer and a superb writer.
It has been my experience that the sorts of "fish camp" type facilities she describes in the article linked below, can be real finds for cruisers. Of course, if you prefer all the amenities, this is probably not the place for you, but those of us who cherish the feeling that every puff of wind, or turn of the screw, carries us a bit farther from the maddening crowd, may find Parramore's absolutely delightful!
For the full story, go to:
http://cruisersnet.net/?p=108269
C. More on "The Crab Shack" on Sixmile Creek (off the St. Johns River, south of Green Cove Springs) - There was a recent discussion on the T&T (Trawlers and Trawlering) list about the famous Crab Shack Restaurant, just off the St. Johns River, south of Green Cove Springs. Over the years, we've had many postings here on the Cruisers' Net about this WONDERFUL place to slake a healthy appetite. From time to time, though, it's good to recall this St. Johns River dining attraction! So, please go to: http://cruisersnet.net/?p=107901
D. Julington Creek Anchorage, off the St. Johns River Between Jacksonville and Green Cove Springs - Julington Creek is a wide stream that intersects the eastern banks of the St. Johns River, east of marker #15. In addition to the anchorage described in the article linked below, two marinas are also located here.
http://cruisersnet.net/?p=107928
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Eastern Florida
XIV. Frightening Collision Story
On Sunday, 3/3/13, a frightening story surfaced about a 50 foot Hatteras yacht that was apparently run down by some sort of large, commercial vessel, in the open sea, off the St. Johns River and Mayport Florida. The article linked, below, which includes several updates, makes for sober reading! http://cruisersnet.net/?p=108249
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Georgia
XV. IMPORTANT - More on Marker/Charting Confusion and Increased Shoaling on AICW's Passage Through Georgia's St. Andrew Sound (St. M. 690)
This report originally appeared on the SSECN during the fall of 2012. We have moved it back up to a current posting, as additional information has just been received, which confirms the earlier navigational advice originally presented in this posting. We STRONGLY suggest that ALL northbound snowbirds, and year round Georgia cruisers, study the complete text at:
http://cruisersnet.net/?p=94169
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North Carolina
XVI. Bayview Reef Being Expanded on Pamlico River, well off the AICW, near Bath Creek, NC
Bayview Reef is a NCDENR estuarine reef consisting of 28,000 tires located in the Pamlico River, a short jog southeast of Bath Creek's southerly entrance. The reef is marked by markers AR-291A, B, C and D and the chart notation: Obstruction Fish Haven. This "reef" is being expanded, and may now pose a risk to navigation. For further information, please visit:
http://cruisersnet.net/?p=108678
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South Carolina
XVII. Charleston In-Water Boat Show Slated For April 12-14 At Waterfront Park, Charleston, SC
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Florida Keys
XVIII. Newfound Harbor Northern Anchorage Off-Limits to Masted Vessels, west of Hawk Channel, Outside Route Statute Mile 1207
Check out the "shocking" reason that this popular anchorage, located off Hawk Channel between Marathon and Key West, is off limits to sailcraft and other tall vessels!!!!
Full details at:
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