In This Issue
|
I. Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway Crisis - A MAJOR Salty Southeast Cruisers' Net Editorial
|
II. THANKS to Everyone Who Participated in My Just Completed Western Florida Speaking/Research Tour of 2/9/14 to 2/16/14
|
III. Detailed Description of Boca Grande Marina Entrance Channel, Western Florida ICW, Statute Mile 28.5)
|
IV. Good Report from North Lake Worth Anchorage, AICW Statute Mile 1014.2
|
V. The Cruising Community Has Lost a True Gentlemen: Jack Dozier, Former Owner of "Waterway Guide," Dies of Cancer
|
VI. Biodiesel Available at Burdines Waterfront Marina, Boot Key Harbor, Marthon, FL
|
VII. Bridge Construction to Begin, AICW Statute Mile 372, Socastee, SC
|
VIII. Vertical Clearance Reduced at I-95 Bridges over New River, South Fort Lauderdale, FL, off the AICW
|
IX. Punta Gorda Pumpout Boat an Obvious Success, Charlotte Harbor, Western Florida Coastline
|
X. Discussion of Depths on the Florida Keys Inside Route
|
XI. 4th Annual Washington Marine Market is Coming to Washington, NC, April 26, 2014
|
XII. REALLY GOOD NEWS - Three North Carolina AICW Problem Streches and One Developing Trouble Spot Will be Dredged By April, 2014
|
|
|
|
|
AICW
I. Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway Crisis - A MAJOR Salty Southeast Cruisers' Net Editorial
Fellow cruisers, the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway faces a maintenance crisis, the likes of which we have not seen since the mid 2000's. Portions of the AICW in South Carolina and Georgia are now all but impassable at low tide for the vast majority of cruising sized vessels. Something must be done about this state of affairs, and done SOON!
To that end, the Salty Southeast Cruisers' Net has just published a major article/editorial, penned by yours truly, which, if I may be so bold, deserves the attention of each and every cruiser whose craft follows (or plans to follow in the future) the track of the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway.
This article is the result in-depth research by the SSECN staff into this pressing issue, and discusses both how the Waterway has reached such a state of affairs, and what the solutions might be.
We urge ALL AICW cruisers, or wanna-be Waterway captains, to follow the link below. I'm going to go out on a proverbial limb here, and suggest you won't find it a waste of your time!
Please visit:
http://cruisersnet.net/?p=135982
|
Western Florida
II. THANKS to Everyone Who Participated in My Just Completed Western Florida Speaking/Research Tour of 2/9/14 to 2/16/14
I have just returned from a delightful speaking/research tour of the Western Florida coastline. THANKS to everyone who helped put this very worthwhile sojourn together. I had the good fortune to visit with:
St. Charles Yacht Club Punta Gorda Isles Cruising Club (allied with several other Punta Gorda clubs) Landings Yacht Club Clearwater Yacht Club Isles Yacht Club Longboat Key Moorings Yacht Club
All my presentations to these groups were WELL attended! I'm told the crowd of better than 150 cruisers who gathered for the Punta Gorda Isles Cruising Club meeting, (which was generously opened to the public) set something of a record at the local civic center. And, we could hardly have stuffed another person into the Isles Yacht Club's huge dining room for their "Captain and Crew" dinner, which I had the honor to address.
During this same "land yacht" sojourn, I also personally visited almost every marina from Dunedin, FL to St. Petersburg, as well as marinas in Fort Myers, Fort Myers Beach, Sanibel Island, Captiva Island and Sarasota. There is simply no substitute for personally visiting a marina, talking one on one with the staff, checking the condition of the docks and shoreside facilties, and just getting a good, overall feeling for each individual operation.
We are please to report that all the new data which came to light as a result of this on-site research has now been keyed into the SSECN's Western Florida Marina Directory (http://cruisersnet.net/category/west-fl-marinas/)!
I also had the good fortune to meet with "Team Punta Gorda" during this trip, including several members of their town council, and discuss ideas about how to make this attractive community even more of a cruising destination. The verbal give and take resulted in some really exciting ideas, and I can't wait to see what happens in PG over the remainder of 2014.
Finally, a very special thanks to fellow cruisers Nancy and Steve Johnson who hosted me for most of this trip. Your hospitality and kindness are MUCH appreciated.
Now that my life has changed, I plan to undertake these sorts of Floridian speaking tours more and more often, as well as presentations to individual yacht clubs, US Power Squadrons and other nautical groups in the Carolinas and Georgia. There is still no charge for these get-togethers, other than my travel expenses. If you belong to such a group, and are interested in a presentation about cruising the waters of your particular coastline, please call me at 336-266-1369,or send e-mail to [email protected].
|
Western Florida
III. Detailed Description of Boca Grande Marina Entrance Channel, Western Florida ICW, Statute Mile 28.5)
One of the most important personal marina visits during my above described Western Florida speaking/research tour, was to call at Boca Grande Marina, A SALTY SOUTHEAST CRUISERS' NET SPONSOR, on lovely Gasparilla Island. I knew this facility had just dredged, and sported entirely new docks. And so, it was with more than a little pleasant anticipation that I drove my "land yacht" across the causeway and down the length of the island, on my way to Boca Grande Marina. The reality I discovered upon seeing the new iteration of this fine facility was NOT disappointing. And, I gained vital information about how to successfully navigate the post-dredged entrance channel. Please follow the link below, and discover why there is more reason than ever to visit the charming village of Boca Grande and its liked named marina, my personal favorite port of call on the Western Florida coastline. Read all about it at: http://cruisersnet.net/?p=136038
|
Eastern Florida
IV. Good Report from North Lake Worth Anchorage, AICW Statute Mile 1014.2
One reason for the popularity of the North Lake Worth Anchorage, hard by the community of North Palm Beach, is the presence of a dinghy landing just north of the anchorage. However, over the past year or two, repair work on the small bridge crossing the stream to Little Lake Worth, has, from time to time, disrupted cruisers' ability to land their dinghies here. Happily, we reported some time ago that this situation seemed to be remedied. Now, in a just published article, we present an on-site report from vessel "Plan B" that describes both the dinghy landing and the anchorage. If you are at all interested in these waters, please visit: http://cruisersnet.net/?p=136031
|
| In Memoriam: John ("Jack") Dozier 1946 - 2014 |
Goodbye Jack
V. The Cruising Community Has Lost a True Gentlemen: Jack Dozier, Former Owner of "Waterway Guide," Dies of Cancer
Fellow Cruisers:
With the passing of Jack Dozier, former owner of "Waterway Guide," the cruising community has lost one of the greatest gentlemen that ever graced the business of marine publications. And, I might add, Jack was a man I greatly admired!
Like most everyone else in the industry, I knew Jack had been fighting colon cancer for some time, but I had been told Jack's cancer was in remission. How very like Jack to minimize his difficulties, and forge ahead anyway!
Few know better than I how quickly cancer can take someone away, often when it is quite unexpected. Perhaps that's what happened to Jack.
From the moment Jack Dozier bought Waterway Guide, he and I were competitors, and, at times, fierce competitors, but never have I known a more honorable or worthy gentlemen. Jack and I exchanged information often, and he was kind enough to host me in his waterside home in Stuart. I was and am proud to be able to call Jack Dozier a friend, and how many can truthfully say that about a competitor.
Jack Dozier was a person of the greatest personal integrity, and it was my privilege to have known him.
Farewell, Jack, I will miss you, and you will be missed by all who knew you! Good luck and good cruising on your new journey!
|
Florida Keys
VI. Biodiesel Available at Burdines Waterfront Marina, Boot Key Harbor, Marthon, FL
Burdine's Waterfront Marina overlooks the northern banks of Boot Key Harbor's westerly approach channel, just a quick hop east from Pancho's Fuel Dock. Burdines is one of the most popular refueling centers in the Florida Keys, and now they are offering an environmentally friendly alternative to traditional diesel fuel. Full details at:
http://cruisersnet.net/?p=135520
|
Western Florida
IX. Punta Gorda Pumpout Boat an Obvious Success, Charlotte Harbor, Western Florida Coastline
The Punta Gorda pumpout boat has been in operation since November of 2013 and has definitely been good news for cruisers visiting SALTY SOUTHEAST CRUISERS' NET SPONSOR, Punta Gorda, on Western Florida's Charlotte Harbor/Peace River. Follow the link below to learn more, and to access the pump-out boat's schedule.
Please visit:
http://cruisersnet.net/?p=135514
|
Florida Keys
X. Discussion of Depths on the Florida Keys Inside Route
There are two possible routes for cruising the Florida Keys, the offshore Hawk Channel passage, and the "Inside Route." Hawk Channel features more, but not all, marinas, while the Inside Route offers the greatest bonanza of wonderful anchorages to be found anywhere in the Southeast. Trouble is that I have personally sounded 5 feet at low tide directly between the markers in places on the FL Keys Inside Route. Mind you, only in places, but nevertheless, this is a real concern for those piloting vessels that draw more than 4 feet.
Recently, Skipper Zimmers expressed his concern about depths along this passage, and received several answers via the AGLCA Forum (http://www.greatloop.org/).
See what was said at:
http://cruisersnet.net/?p=135500
|
North Carolina
XI. 4th Annual Washington Marine Market is Coming to Washington, NC, April 26, 2014
Washington, NC, A SALTY SOUTHEAST CRUISERS' NET SPONSOR, is one of the most delightful ports of call on the North Carolina coastline. The town is located off the direct path of the AICW, but it's usually a pleasant 30 mile cruise upstream on Pamlico River from the Waterway's passage across this body of water to the Washington City Docks. On April, 26, 2014 the Washington waterfront is hosting the "4th Annual Washington Marine Market." Sounds like an event that any true cruiser MUST attend. Get the full skinny at: http://cruisersnet.net/?p=135482
|
North Carolina XII. REALLY GOOD NEWS - Three North Carolina AICW Problem Streches and One Developing Trouble Spot Will be Dredged By April, 2014
The wonderful message linked below contains some of the BEST news it has been our pleasure to post on the Salty Southeast Cruisers' Net in quite some time. As you will see, the AICW/Bogue Inlet intersection, the AICW/Lockwoods Folly Inlet intersection and the AICW/Shallotte Inlet intersection, ALL of which are SSECN designated "AICW Problem Stretches," are either being dredged, or will be dredged soon, and all this work is slated for completion by early April, 2014, just in time for the spring, 2014 transient season! Additionally, the developing shoal at the intersection of the Waterway and Mason Inlet, north of Wrightsville Beach, NC (280) will also be dredged.
Read more about this GOOD news at:
http://cruisersnet.net/?p=135383
That's all for now. Good luck and good cruising to all! Claiborne S. Young Salty Southeast Cruisers' Net http://www.CruisersNet.net [email protected] |
|
|
|