In This Issue
I. A Quick Word About "ICE"
II. Salty Southeast Cruisers' Net Launches Our New "Boat Broker Partner" Section
III. Please Join Claiborne For DETAILED Webinars on Cruising the North Carolina and South Carolina Coastlines
IV. You Never Know What You're Going to See While Cruising the Okeechobee Waterway
V. Another Florida Tax on Cruisers ???
VI. Free Pumpout Boat in Ashley River Anchorages, Charleston, SC
VII. Update on Dismal Swamp Canal Closure at Welcome Center Due to Malfunction of State Park Bridge , Statute Mile 28
VIII. Good Words for St. Petersburg Municipal Marina, Tampa Bay
IX. A Month-Long Stay at Sombrero Marina, Boot Key Harbor, Marathon, FL
X. Underwater Rock Still There Near Naples City Dock
XI. Praise for LaBelle, FL and LaBelle City Dock, Okeechobee Waterway Statute Mile 103
XII. Longer FEC RR Bridge Closures in Store for South Florida?
XIII. Peck Lake Anchorage Off-Limits Until the End of May, 2014, AICW Statute Mile 992
XIV. Newspaper Story about Claiborne's Consultation With "Team Punta Gorda"
XV. Two Good Florida Keys Articles
XVI. Praise for Sunbury Crab Company Restaurant and Marina, Medway River off AICW Statute Mile 620
Longboat Key Moorings A Word From Claiborne

I. A Quick Word About "ICE"    

Panama City Marina Last Thursday night, the worst ice storm in at least a decade struck North Carolina. I was without power in both my home and the SSECN offices until late yesterday afternoon. NO FUN!

This "Alert" was supposed to have been dispatched last Friday, but, as you now know, we were back in the stone, or at least the "bronze," age at that point. We do apologize for the delay. Legacy Harbour Marina

In an exchange of e-mails yesterday with SSECN strategic partner, Skipper Chuck Baier, I was told, "You should be in Florida." Chuck is only too right. Well, maybe next winter.

So now, at last, it's on to a whole sail-full of news. Thanks for your patience!


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Bennett Brothers Side Panel SSECN Web Site

II. Salty Southeast Cruisers' Net Launches Our New "Boat Broker Partner" Section

The Salty Southeast Cruisers' Net is very proud to announce an ENTIRELY NEW FEATURE! Our fresh off the shelf "Boat Broker Partners" section (see http://cruisersnet.net/boat-brokers/) features those brokers who have chosen to support the cruising community by way of their support for the Salty Southeast Cruisers' Net! With their help, as well as the support of our other sponsors, all of the many SSECN services remain available to the cruising community entirely free of cost or membership requirements.

WE HUMBLY ASK THAT YOU USE THESE EXEMPLARY FIRMS WHENEVER you are in the market for a quality new or used craft. These are the companies which care about the enjoyment and safety of the cruising community and DESERVE our business!

Initially, four of the finest marina brokerage firms in the Southeast have chosen to participate in the Salty Southeast Cruiser' Net "Boat Broker Partners" program. These are (in alphabetical order):


Beaufort Yacht Sales
877-269-3022


Bennett Brothers Yachts
910-772-9277


Intracoastal Yacht Sales
843-340-0080


Massey Yacht Sales and Service
943-723-1610

We cordially invite the cruising community to visit all our "Boat Broker Partners" at:

http://cruisersnet.net/boat-brokers/

The entire Salty Southeast Cruisers' Net staff would like to extend our very deep and sincere appreciation to Skipper Doug Ford of Intracoastal Yacht Sales and Skipper Ed Massey of Massey Yacht Sales and Service for giving so unstintingly of their time to help in the design of our new "Boat Broker Partners" section.

And, finally, if any of you reading this announcement are boat brokers yourselves, and would like to participate in this LOW cost way of getting your name, and links to your web site, in front of literally tens of thousands of dyed-in-the-wool cruisers, then PLEASE get in touch with us at:

[email protected]
336-263-3016

Thanks for your time, and PLEASE join us in welcoming our FINE brokerage partners into the Salty Southeast Cruiser' Net family!

 
Charleston City Marina North Carolina

III. Please Join Claiborne For DETAILED Webinars on Cruising the North Carolina and South Carolina Coastlines

  

Boca Grande Marina The Salty Southeast Cruisers' Net is excited to announced two March, 2014 webinars to be held under the auspices of the Seven Seas Cruising Association University, and hosted directly by yours truly (Claiborne Young). These sessions are:

Thursday, March 20 - "Cruising the North Carolina Coastline"

Wednesday, March 26 - "Cruising the Historic South Carolina Low Country"

Twin Dolphin Marina Please be advised that both these sessions will delve deeply into the cruising possibilities of their respective coastlines. While the AICW, will, of course, be covered, the 90 minute format of these webinars will also give us the chance to explore ALL other NC and SC coastal waters, including a whole passel of true off the beaten track cruising possibilities, sometimes FAR off the beaten track!

Fort Myers Municipal Marina I am excited to be once again working with SSCA University for these webinars. While nothing on the internet is ever perfect, these SSCAU sessions employ the latest hardware and software, and are generally free of technical problems, garbled audio and jerky video, which can be the hallmark of webinars presented by less technically savvy hosts. All you need is an internet connect to participate!

And, while we will again announce this third webinar a bit later, this coming April 8, I will be hosting an IMPORANT, FREE SSCA University webinar entitled:

Southwest Florida Yachts "How to Get the Most from the Salty Southeast Cruisers' Net"

To sign up for any or, hopefully, ALL the above detailed webinars, please visit the SSCA University web site at:

http://sevenseasu.com/7seasu/

Pink Shell Beach Resort and Marina Note THAT YOU DO NOT HAVE TO BE AN SSCA MEMBER TO PARTICIPATE IN THESE WEBINARS, but you will have to create an "account." Look on the upper. left side of the SSCAU home page under the "SSU Login" section, and check the round "Register" button. Then just enter your information, and click the rectangular "Register" link. Now, you have an SSECN U account!

I hope to work with MANY of you on these exciting three webinars! Please sign up TODAY! 
Gulf Harbour Marina Okeechobee Waterway

IV. You Never Know What You're Going to See While Cruising the Okeechobee Waterway
 
Port St. Joe Marina Ok, honestly fellow cruisers, if you don't follow any other link in this "Alert," PLEASE click on this one. Honestly, if this image had not come from SSECN strategic partners, Skippers Susan Landry and Chuck Baier, I would really have wondered at its authenticity.

Then again, I have seen some really strange sights myself while cruising the Okeechobee Waterway. This passage truly gives cruisers a look at the "other Florida" that is all too rapidly fading into the fabric of the past.

Fort Myers Beach Anchorage This one, though; well, I won't ruin the surprise except to say, "What's next, Lawrence of Arabia?"

Don't date miss:

http://cruisersnet.net/?p=136907

Regatta Pointe Marina Eastern Florida, Florida Keys, Western Florida

V. Another Florida Tax on Cruisers ???

This rather bizarre report began with an account from Skipper Joe Apicella about being charged an "overwater tax" while docking overnight at Crows Nest Marina in Venice, Florida (on the Western Florida coastline). Upon reading this note, we chose to research this issue before publishing.

A telephone call to the Crows Nest verified this "state tax," but a subsequent conversation with the Senior Planner for the City of Venice revealed that he had never heard of any such tax.

Discover more about this strange issue by visiting:
Riviera Dunes Marina
http://cruisersnet.net/?p=136898

And, if ANY of you have run into this "overwater tax" before, PLEASE make use of the "Comment" feature at the bottom of this posting, or send e-mail directly to:

[email protected]

Adventure Sailing - Authorized Amsoil Dealer South Carolina
 

VI. Free Pumpout Boat in Ashley River Anchorages, Charleston, SC, near AICW Statute Mile 469                   


Port City Marina Charleston Waterkeeper's Pumpout Program has been in operation since November, 2013 and dispatches out of Charleston City Marina, A SALTY SOUTHEAST CRUISERS NET SPONSOR! Service is primarily in the Ashley River anchorages just off the Waterway and the below linked article explains how to contact the pumpout boat to schedule their service.

What a brilliant and positive move by this ultra cruiser friendly community. THANKS Charleston!

Please check out:

http://cruisersnet.net/?p=136918
Dismal Swamp Canal Welcome Center North Carolina

VII. Update on Dismal Swamp Canal Closure at Welcome Center Due to Malfunction of State Park Bridge , Statute Mile 28

Key Lime Sailing Club The Dismal Swamp Canal Welcome Center, A SALTY SOUTHEAST CRUISERS' NET SPONSOR!, is located on the east shore of the like-named Canal at Statute Mile 28.

The Dismal Swamp Canal State Park Bridge, with 0 ft vertical clearance, is small, pedestrian foot bridge that crosses the canal just south of the Dismal Swamp Canal Welcome Center. This span has malfunctioned, and cannot open at the present time. Until this situation is remedied, the Dismal Swamp Canal cannot be navigated north to south, or the other way around.
Froli Sleep System
In a telephone interview on 2/28/14, the Salty Southeast Cruisers' Net was assured that repairs could be completed in plenty of time for the spring, 2014 transient season.

Kadey Krogen Yachts Now, as of 3/10/14, we have an updated report, linked below, and, while the foot bridge in question is still not operational, the future is looking brighter.

Check out the latest at:

http://cruisersnet.net/?p=136346

St. Petersburg Municipal Marina Western Florida                   
 
VIII. Good Words for St. Petersburg Municipal Marina, Tampa Bay

Georgetown, SC What a good description, linked below, of one of the finest municipal marinas I have ever reviewed in my many years of cruising guide authorship. As Skipper David notes, this SALTY SOUTHEAST CRUISERS' NET SPONSOR is a great liveaboard marina located on the western shore of Tampa Bay in downtown St. Petersburg.

Learn LOTS more at:

http://cruisersnet.net/?p=136888
Pilot House Marina Florida Keys
 
IX. A Month-Long Stay at Sombrero Marina, Boot Key Harbor, Marathon, FL

Intracoastal Yacht Sales Sombrero Marina resides on Boot Key Harbor's southerly banks, near the bay's easterly limits, just east of marker #5A. In the below linked report, Skipper Reeves points out the marina's pro and cons, as well as providing an excellent photo of the facility.


Full details at:

International Marine Service Western Florida

X. Underwater Rock Still There Near Naples City Dock

Elizabeth City, NC Naples City Dock and city moorings are located west, northwest of marker #34. As Skipper Harakal testifies in the below linked article, an underwater obstacle near the marina approach passage, reported earlier here on the SSECN (see http://cruisersnet.net/?p=105417), can still take its toll.
Bald Head Island Marina
SSECN has had a Navigation Alert posted for this hazard since 2011. See http://cruisersnet.net/?p=105417

Check out the new report on this hazard at:

http://cruisersnet.net/?p=136488

Okeechobee Waterway           

XI. Praise for LaBelle, FL and LaBelle City Dock, Okeechobee Waterway Statute Mile 103

Washington NC The recently improved and exapanded LaBelle City dock overlooks the south side of the Okeechobee Waterway, just west of the LaBelle bridge. In the below linked article, Skipper Burnham gives high, well deserved marks to LaBelle for this community's new docks and hospitality.

Don't miss:

http://cruisersnet.net/?p=136870 
Deep Point Marina Eastern Florida

XII. Longer FEC RR Bridge Closures in Store for South Florida?

Yankee Point Marina - A Long Term Transient Friendly Marina Wow, here is a piece of sobering news from our "man on the scene" in Stuart, Florida, Captain Ted Guy. Ted is a maritime attorney and the past president of the Treasure Coast Marine Industries Association, and is unusually knowledgeable about all things nautical when it comes to Eastern Florida and the Okeechobee Waterway. Looks like we may all have more time to wait at railway bridges in Florida, starting in 2015!
Carolina Yacht Care
ALL Florida cruisers are urged to read:

http://cruisersnet.net/?p=136159

St. Johns Yacht Harbor Eastern Florida

XIII. Peck Lake Anchorage Off-Limits Until the End of May, 2014, AICW Statute Mile 992

Port of Call St. Augustine The Peck Lake Anchorage immediately off the AICW's path, south of the Waterway's intersection with the St. Lucie Inlet and the Okeechobee Waterway, has been virtually unusable because of the onsite equipment related to the dredging of St. Lucie Inlet.

Unfortunately, the inlet dredging project has been extended. Find out the full scoop at:

Punta Gorda, Florida
Western Florida

XIV. Newspaper Story about Claiborne's Consultation With "Team Punta Gorda"

Edenton North Carolina City Docks During my recently completed speaking/research tour of the Western Florida coastline, I was asked to meet with "Team Punta Gorda" and discuss ideas about how this attractive community, already A SALTY SOUTHEAST CRUISERS' NET SPONSOR, can become an even more popular port of call for the cruising community. This was a follow-up meeting to one I had some time ago with the same group. The excellent give and take produced some great new ideas, as you will see in the newspaper story linked below. McCotters Marina

Please visit:

 

R. E. Mayo Seafood Docks Florida Keys

XV. Two Good Florida Keys Articles

Columbia Marina Skipper Mark Richter has just provided the SSECN with two very interesting Florida Keys articles. The first deals with his experience at Lorelei Cabana Bar and Marina on the Florida Keys Inside Route (Statute Mile 1160). Check out:

Mark's second posting sings the praises of Marathon's Boot Key Harbor and it's adjacent city marina. Don't miss:

Sunbury Crab Company Georgia

XVI. Praise for Sunbury Crab Company Restaurant and Marina, Medway River off AICW Statute Mile 620

Manteo Waterfront Marina Sunbury Crab Company Marina, A SALTY SOUTHEAST CRUISERS' NET SPONSOR, lies off the AICW along the western shores of the Medway River, on the charted Sunbury Channel, north of Dickinson Creek. PLEASE follow the link below to discover why this is a facility that ALL cruisers SHOULD visit!

http://cruisersnet.net/?p=136340
Anchorage Marina

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]   

Southport Marina  Dowry Creek Marina   Morehead City Yacht Basin Toucan Grill
  
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