In This Issue
I. AICW Groundings South of Fernandina Beach, AICW Statute Mile 731
II. Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway Association Reports on Recent Washington, DC Trip
III. St. Marys, Georgia READY To Greet Cruisers
IV. Important - Nightly Closure for SR 74 Bridge in Wrightsville Beach, NC to Begin 4/16/13 and Stretch to 3/1/14, AICW Statute Mile 283.1
V. Fort Pierce City Marina Entrance Channel Now Dredged to 7 1/2 Feet MLW (Statute Mile 966.5)
VI. A Very Strange "Water Bug"
VII. Praise for Longboat Key Club Moorings, Western Florida ICW Statute Mile 77
VIII. Key Largo Will Host "Second Annual Brew on the Bay," April 4-7, 2013
IX. Two Recommendation for A1A Ale House (St. Augustine, Fl, near St. M. 778)
X. Old House Channel Dredging, North of Oregon Inlet Into Roanoke Sound, off the AICW
XI. Spring Fling at Bucksport Marina, April 5-7, AICW Statute Mile 377
XII. Reproduction Nina and Pinta Slated For Visit to Regatta Pointe Marina, April 5-15, 2013
XIII. Okeechobee Waterway Cruising News
XIV. Washington, NC Slated to Hold One Day "Marine Market," April 27, 2013
XV. Frederica River Anchorages (off the AICW on Frederica River Near St. M. 666)
XVI. Don't Dare Miss Moore's Stone Crab Restaurant New Jewfish Key Anchorages (Western Florida ICW Statute Mile 85)
Longboat Key Club Marina
Eastern Florida

I. AICW Groundings South of Fernandina Beach, AICW Statute Mile 731

 
Port City Marina Within the past two weeks, we have published not one, but two "Cruising News" articles about shallow water along the eastern flank of the Sawpit Creek section of the Eastern Florida AICW, south of Fernandina Beach. And, just a few days ago, these posting were augmented by a very striking photograph sent to the SSECN courtesy of Captains Glen and Jill Moore.

Froli Sleep System ALL northbound snowbird cruisers, as well as year-round northeastern Florida captains, should spare no effort to follow the link below, and proceed through these waters at  mid to high tide, and at maximum alert!

Check out:

http://cruisersnet.net/?p=110046    

Inlet Marina - St. Augustine FL
 
Charleston City Marina Winter, 2012 Dockage Specials AICW

II. Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway Association Reports on Recent Washington, DC Trip

North Palm Beach Marina Those of you who have been following the Salty Southeast Cruisers' Net for the last twelve months, already known that our site joined forces as "the" strategic, on-line partner of the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway Association (http://www.atlanticintracoastal.org) in 2012. Whenever they publish a newsletter, you can find the entire text on the SSECN site, and, in turn, we do everything possible to support this fine organization, and encourage as many members of the cruising community as possible to spend just a few dollars to join and support the "AIWA."

Kadey Krogen Yachts Recently, the AIWA's Executive Director, Captain Brad Pickel, and select members of the association's Board of Directors, traveled to Washington, DC for direct one on one talks with key legislators who will be instrumental in appropriating the necessary funding to keep the AIWA open and well maintained.

Please take a few moments to follow the link below, and you will quickly learn why ALL cruisers who have even an idea of one day exploring the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway, should join and support the AIWA!
Georgetown, SC
Please visit:

http://cruisersnet.net/?p=109549
Old Port Cove Marina Georgia

 

III. St. Marys, Georgia READY To Greet Cruisers

 

Intracoastal Yacht Sales St. Marys, Georgia is a beautiful, charming village, which also doubles as the southernmost port of call on the Georgia coastline. There is a small city dock that can be used for dinghying ashore, and Langs Marina, located in the heart of downtown St. Marys, offers transient dockage, though, it must be noted, they also have some of the scuzziest showers along the AICW.

All the town dockage is within easy walking distance of multiple GOOD dining attractions, particularly Langs Restaurant, and many historic sights, including unforgettable Orange Hall.

Key Lime Sailing Club It's a pleasant cruise of several miles off the AICW, up St. Marys River (which acts as the coastal state line between Georgia and Florida), to the town waterfront. It's well worth your time to make this journey!

We were surprised last week, to see a message on another nautical mailing list warning that the St. Marys waterfront was still suffering from unrepaired hurricane damage.

International Marine Service Well, that was a surprise to us, so we were quickly on the telephone to the good people at the St. Marys Visitor's Center, and confirmed that ALL damage has now been REPAIRED, and the town is ready and EAGER to greet the cruising community. And, several fellow cruisers have already chimed in with similar info.

Get the full story at:

http://cruisersnet.net/?p=110364
Fort Myers Beach Anchorage
North Carolina     

IV. Important - Nightly Closure for SR 74 Bridge in Wrightsville Beach, NC to Begin 4/16/13 and Stretch to 3/1/14, AICW Statute Mile 283.1

Pilot House Marina With a 20 foot closed vertical clearance, the closure of the Wrightsville Beach Bridge, from 7:00 pm to 7:00 am DAILY, will be a real problem for late afternoon and early morning cruisers! And, this abbreviated schedule change will run from April 16, 2013 through the remainder of 2013, and into the spring of 2014!

Please note there will also be a reduction in closed vertical clearance between 4/16/13 and 7/27/13!
Elizabeth City, NC
Learn all there is to know at:

http://www.CruisersNet.net/important-nightly-closure-for-sr-74-bridge-in-wrightsville-beach-nc-to-begin-41613-and-stretch-to-3114-aicw-statute-mile-283-1
Eastern Florida   
 
V. Fort Pierce City Marina Entrance Channel Now Dredged to 7 1/2 Feet MLW (Statute Mile 966.5)

Lady's Island Marina We are very pleased to pass along a recent report from SALTY SOUTHEAST CRUISERS' NET SPONSOR, Fort Pierce City Marina, that all dredging on their entrance channel has now been completed, and all dredging equipment removed. Cruisers can now confidently expect a good 7 1/2 feet of depth at Mean Low Water.

The best just keep getting better!!!!

Bennett Brothers Full details on Fort Pierce City Marina at:

http://cruisersnet.net/?p=5312
Mile Marker 0 Marine Supplies
Eastern Florida
 
VI. A Very Strange "Water Bug:

OK, I know I've said this before, but, really fellow cruisers, you simply can't miss a gander at the current SSECN "Photo of the Week." In my 30+ years as a cruising author, I've NEVER seen anything like this!!!

And, if ANYONE has a bit of insight in just how this thing operates, we would REALLY like to hear from you. Send your insights to [email protected]!

CHECK OUT:

http://cruisersnet.net/?p=110785
Dolphin Cove Marina Western Florida 
 
VII. Praise for Longboat Key Club Moorings, Western Florida ICW Statute Mile 77.5, Near Sarasota, FL

Panama City Marina It's really nice to receive such a warm and laudatory review of a SALTY SOUTHEAST CRUISERS' NET SPONSOR, as the one linked below.  The very special facility known as Longboat Key Club Moorings guards the western shores of Sarasota Bay, north of the city of Sarasota, and south of Longboat Pass.

ALL Western Florida cruisers will want to take a moment to follow the link below, and learn about how really first class a first class operation can be!
Edenton North Carolina City Docks Florida Keys           

VIII. Key Largo Will Host "Second Annual Brew on the Bay," April 4-7, 2013

 

Well, personally, I would prefer a "Mount Gay Rum" festival, but, forget that. It sounds like a VERY good time will be had by all at this superb event!   

 

R. E. Mayo Seafood Docks Cruisers can berth at nearby SALTY SOUTHEAST CRUISERS' NET SPONSOR, Pilothouse Marina on Lake Largo (off Hawk Channel), or possibly a stay at Marina Del Mar, on the Key Largo Canal. Mangrove Marina, off the FL Keys Inside Route is another possibility!  

 

Full details at: 

 

http://cruisersnet.net/?p=110063 

Anchorage Marina Eastern Florida

IX. Two Recommendation for A1A Ale House (St. Augustine, Fl, near St. M. 778)

A1A Ale House is located directly across the street from the St. Augustine City Marina. I've not dined (or imbibed) here in several years, but after reading the reviews linked below, that has clearly been a gross oversight on my part. May you be wiser and more fortunate!
Shores at Spooners Creek
Read both reviews at:

http://cruisersnet.net/?p=109251
McCotters Marina North Carolina

X. Old House Channel Dredging, North of Oregon Inlet Into Roanoke Sound, off the AICW

Southport Marina Old House Channel connects Pamlico Sound and Roanoke Sound and forms the main/bridgeless, non-AICW northbound route into Manteo, NC. Not only is this channel subject to continuous shoaling, but it also features a mind numbing change in marker color configuration, just where you would least expect it.

And, this is an important channel as the only other route from Pamlico Sound north to Manteo and Albemarle Sound, runs under a fixed 44-foot bridge, spanning Croatan Sound. Thus, northbound sailcraft visiting Ocracoke Island or Hatteras village must either retreat many, many miles south and west to the AICW, or run the Old House and Roanoke Morehead City Yacht Basin Sound channels. Fortunately, this former passage is now being dredged.

Full details at:

http://cruisersnet.net/?p=110089
Bucksport Marina South Carolina  

XI. Spring Fling at Bucksport Marina, April 5-7, AICW Statute Mile 377

If the event linked below doesn't sound like FUN, tell me what does! Bucksport Marina and their on-site restaurant continue to receive praise from multiple cruisers on our web site.  This fine facility guards the western banks of the Waccamaw River/AICW, just south of the Pine Island Cut.
Barefoot Marina
Come one, come all! Full details at:

http://cruisersnet.net/?p=108635

And, speaking of glowing reviews of SALTY SOUTHEAST CRUISERS' NET SPONSORING marinas, you might also want to take gander at these first-hand accounts of both Barefoot Coinjock Marina Marina (Statute Mile 353.5, see http://cruisersnet.net/?p=108273)

and Myrtle Beach Yacht Club (Statute Mile 346, see http://cruisersnet.net/?p=109144)
Dowry Creek Marina
Western Florida

XII. Reproduction Nina and Pinta Slated For Visit to Regatta Pointe Marina, April 5-15, 2013

Manteo Waterfront Marina We recently received word of a visit by the two reproduction Christopher Columbus historic craft, from our good friends and SALTY SOUTHEAST CRUISERS' NET SPONSOR, Regatta Pointe Marina. This fine facility is located on the northerly shores of Manatee River, just off lower Tampa Bay, and hard by the communities of Palmetto and Bradenton, Florida.

Learn LOTS more at:

http://cruisersnet.net/?p=110059
Toucan Grill Okeechobee Waterway

XIII. Okeechobee Waterway Cruising News

It is fortunate that at a time of year when many cruisers will be making use of the Okeechobee Waterway, we have a whole collection of useful reports concerning this passage which have just been published on the SSECN. So, if you plan on making use of this interesting and useful passage from the western to the eastern coast (or the other way around), of the Sunshine State, please follow these links:

Albemarle Plantation Marina A. Controlling Depths on Okeechobee Waterway As of 3/19/13 - Of course, the depths provided in the report by Captain Chuck Baier, linked below, will change over time, but at least for the rest of April, 2013, these figures will be of use to anyone contemplating a cruise across the breadth of Florida.
Check out:

http://cruisersnet.net/?p=109213

Charleston City Marina B. HAZARD:  Missing Daybeacon, Okeechobee Waterway, Statute Mile 130 - The missing aid to navigation, detailed in the article linked below, cherry picked from the latest Local Notice to Mariners, lies on the south side of the Caloosahatchee River/Okeechobee waterway, just west of the SCL railroad bridge near Statute mile 130, a short hop upstream of downtown Fort Myers.
Full details at:

http://www.CruisersNet.net/hazard-missing-daybeacon-okeechobee-waterway-statute-mile-130

Dataw Island Marina C. A Vote of Confidence in the Okeechobee Wateway Rim Route AND A New Anchorage Possibility - For many years after the terrible 2005 Hurricane Season, the Okeechobee Waterway "Rim Route" from Pahokee to Clewiston, was officially "closed," though local boats ran it all the time. The reason for this "closure" was lack of funding by the Army Corps of Engineers to officially clear all the underwater hurricane debris. Now, it looks as if that task has finally been accomplished, and cruisers now have an alternative to the Lake Route.
Harborwalk Marina ON THE OTHER HAND, never, ever attempt the Rim Route with strong northern or northwesterly winds in the offing. East of Pahokee, you will have to claw off a nasty lee shore, and, take it from me, that can be a true white knuckle experience.
Learn the full story at:

http://cruisersnet.net/?p=109215

Washington NC North Carolina

XIV. Washington, NC Slated to Hold One Day "Marine Market," April 27, 2013    

Harbourgate Marina Wow, this sounds like a really GREAT festival in the heart of SALTY SOUTHEAST CRUISERS' NET SPONSOR, Washington, NC. Cruising visitors can tie to the plentiful Washington City Docks, or, if these should fill up, anchor just off the channel and dinghy ashore. However you get there, this festival is yet another reason to leave the familiar confines of the AICW, and cruise upstream on Pamlico River to "Little Washington!"
Port Royal Landing Marina
LOTS more info at:

Charleston Harbor Marina
Georgia

XV. Frederica River Anchorages (off the AICW on Frederica River Near St. M. 666 - Northern Entrance)

Downtown Beaufort Marina Frederica River flows east and south from AICW marker #229, and re-intersects the AICW at marker #241. Over the years, we have received MANY conflicting reports here on the Cruisers' Net about shoaling at both the Frederica's southern and northern intersections with the AICW. Many have gotten through without a problem, while others reported thin water.

I suspect that the tides have a lot to do with what's going on here. The tidal range in these waters is greater than 6 feet, so it's easy to see that if your vessel enters or leaves the river at mid to high tide, chances are you will not have a problem, as interior depths are generally good, except possibly on the inside shores of some bends in the river.

Isle of Palms Marina The reason for spotlighting attention to this river is the real possibility of anchoring within sight of the Fort Frederica National Monument. As of two years ago, there is dinghy access from the anchorage to the National Monument, and, I can tell you from personal experience, this historical attraction is well worth your time. By all accounts, don't miss the little movie presentation. It's surprisingly well done.

Myrtle Beach Yacht Club We have recently published a whole series of reports from fellow cruisers about entering and anchoring on Frederica River. If the prospect of dropping the hook within sight of one of the most historical spots in all of Georgia sounds at all appealing, run, don't walk to:

http://cruisersnet.net/?p=110381 

Windmill Harbour Marina Western Florida

XVI. Don't Dare Miss Moore's Stone Crab Restaurant New Jewfish Key Anchorages (Western Florida ICW Statute Mile 85)

Osprey Marina Not only is the food really GOOD at Moores, but it is also located within sight of the excellent anchorages, just off the Western Florida ICW, behind Jewfish Key. Learn lots more about the nearby anchorages and read a review from a recent visitor to Moore's Stone Crab in the article linked below. Whichever place you drop the hook, don't dare miss dinghying to Moore's Stone Crab!

 http://cruisersnet.net/?p=109257


Skull Creek Marina That's all for now. Good luck and good cruising to all!  

 

Claiborne S. Young 
Salty Southeast Cruisers' Net 
          
 
 Marineland Marina Palm Cove Marina Amelia Island Yacht Basin 2     St. Johns Yacht Harbor   
  
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