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A full-service boatel that houses approximately 400 boats is planned for 7.5 acres on the northwest quadrant of Kent Narrows, Maryland, according to meeting minutes of the Kent Narrows Development Foundation. The boatel’s website states that it will open next fall.
The indoor boat storage facility (boatel) will be 55 feet tall and include a restaurant. A ship’s store, concierge service and boat rentals are also planned components of the project. The site was previously approved for a 49-unit condo building. Thankfully, that has been nixed for a much-needed facility that should fill up quickly. The developers also intend to provide public access to the waterfront with a boardwalk or deck, which will fulfill a public amenities requirement. The haul-out and splash area will be on the north portion of the property.
The boatel will store outboard and inboard-powered boats with a LOA of up to 34 feet, a beam of up to 11 feet and a max height of 14 feet. Boat rentals are planned for Sea Hunt center consoles and Hurricane deck boats by the hour, day or weekend. The facility will be open from 7AM to 6PM in season. kentnarrowsmarine.com
Virtual rivers
If you’d like to see what a Chesapeake Bay tributary looks like before you actually take a boat there, you can do that now thanks to the Chesapeake Conservancy and Terrain360. The goal of their partnership is to bring virtual tours of the entire Captain John Smith Chesapeake National Historic Trail to your computer or mobile device.
Richmond-based Terrain360 built and operates a boat equipped with six cameras mounted 10 feet above the water’s surface to capture high-resolution, 360-degree images every 50 feet. The images are then stitched together to create a digital image map of an entire river.
Virtual tours already completed include the Nanticoke River, the Susquehanna, the James, the Rappahannock, and the Patapsco (including Baltimore’s Inner Harbor). Tours of the Elk, Northeast and Sassafras are scheduled to be completed this year. Links to the tours are available when you scroll down on the home page of the conservancy’s website chesapeakeconservancy.org.
Pump it out
Recent accounts indicate the overall health of the Chesapeake is slowly improving thanks to collective efforts of individuals and organizations within the watershed. One such effort is coming from the Midshore Riverkeeper Conservancy, which teamed with government agencies to operate a pump-out boat on the Miles and Wye rivers this past year.
In May 2016, the conservancy, with funding from the Maryland Department of Natural Resources in conjunction with the Clean Vessel Act administered by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, began operating a 22-foot pump-out boat for the two mid-Chesapeake rivers. In its first season, which concluded in October, the boat pumped over 8,500 gallons of waste from almost 350 boats.
The pump-out boat is the first of its kind on Maryland’s eastern shore and enables cruisers to conveniently and properly dispose of waste rather than discharging harmful pollutants into waterways. The free service is much needed since there are no pump-out services on the Wye and few on the well-travelled Miles. The boat’s operators can be reached on VHF Channel 9 or by mobile phone at (410) 829-4352.
By Christopher Knauss, Southern Boating Magazine February 2017
In Chokoloskee, Florida, fishing reigns supreme against a backdrop of local flavor.
On the southwestern coast of Florida, a small community amidst the mangroves preserves the final remnants of the Old Florida lifestyle. In Chokoloskee, and its neighbor, Everglades City, seven miles to the north, there’s no pretense. There is, however, a legacy left by early pioneers, whose descendants now populate the area. There are also ghosts—if you know where to look.
The locals have been here for generations. They’ll eye you steadily from their seats as you launch your boat at the marina, and maybe even ask where you’re from. “We’re Florida folk, here to do some fishing,” is a fine response. But don’t ask about the town’s drug smuggling bust in 1983. Mention that, and the locals might reply that people can easily get lost out in the mangroves. And out in the mangroves is really what it’s all about.
Chokoloskee borders the western edge of Everglades National Park, and with it the Ten Thousand Islands. The name is well deserved. With over 2,000 square miles of identical-looking mangrove islands and channels, oyster bars, bays, and shallow waters, it’s easy to get lost. When you’re out on the boat each turn in the channel looks the same. The blue-green water reflects both the mangrove islands and the sky, creating natural fractals as far as the eye can see. Even when you think you might be in the clear, shallow flats and treacherous ridges silently wait.
Like a Local
You need a guide. A local, someone who knows the twists and bends in the channels. Someone who knows when markers have been flipped. Someone like Brian Sanders, who runs fishing charters in Chokoloskee over 250 days a year. He knows where the fish will be biting, when the tide will turn and, most important, the way back inland. For decades, the wilder side of Collier County has drawn sportsmen and outlaws alike. The area’s isolation was, perhaps, the biggest draw for the latter, but it has also fostered the perfect atmosphere for a fishing experience unlike any other on this remote edge of the Everglades.
Coming back to the dock after a long day of fishing is its own reward, but the plentiful fish you can catch in Chokoloskee are even better. Photo credit: Susanna Botkin
Great white egret with breeding plumage. These beautiful wading birds are easily viewed from numerous locations including nature sanctuaries and coastal areas. Photo credit: Naples, Marco Island, Everglades CVB
Fishing against the mangrove islands usually leads to a rewarding catch of redifsh and snook, but keep an eye on the weather; it can be unpredictable in the Ten Thousand Island region. Photo credit: Susanna Botkin
Ten Thousand Islands aerial view of mangrove islands in the saltwater estuary. Photo credit: Naples, Marco Island, Everglades CVB
Ted Smallwood’s General Store. Photo credit: Rey Perezoso
There aren’t many places on earth that can rival the beauty and complexity of the Ten Thousand Islands. A diversity of animal and marine life comes from a shared ecosystem as freshwater and saltwater combine. A quick offshore run reveals everything from dozens of bird species and smaller fish to large alligators soaking in the sun and dolphins breaking through the waves. The beaches sometimes offer glimpses of deer, wild pigs, and even bears.
To the northwest of Chokoloskee lie thousands of mangrove islands that dot the murky waters and echo postcard-perfect scenes. They also confuse and confound the uninitiated. To the south, tidal rivers flow through the backcountry. You can fish scoured holes, river mouths and oyster bars here. The rivers and flats form habitats that support and nurture the species anglers are after. Both artificial fishermen and live baiters will have luck fishing the rivers. Sight fishing is also an option in the clear headwaters of the river, even with the slight tint due to the tannic acid of the mangroves.
Fish Heaven
The rivers to the north of Chokoloskee include Pumpkin, Ferguson, Wood, Little Wood, and others. Here, you’ll find that the small mangrove islands and feeder creeks form a safe refuge for fish, including the area’s local population of smaller tarpon. Each northern river dumps into large bays, while the surrounding mangrove islands form channels of flowing tidal waters. With depths of scour holes reaching some 20 feet deep, the largest of the snook, tarpon and goliath groupers move into areas in the warmer months. The cooler months bring large black drum, Spanish mackerel and cobia.
The southern rivers—Chatham, Lopez, Lostman’s, Broad—are big enough to hold redfish, tarpon, and snook. There are more fishing spots than you could explore in a day, or perhaps even a lifetime. And oftentimes, a trip through the backcountry will see a catch of over a dozen different species of fish. Head a bit offshore to find the numerous natural and artificial formations that attract fish like cobia, kingfish, snapper, and even permit.
Smallwoods, Tall Tales
While there’s plenty of space for fishing in the Ten Thousand Islands, there’s a lot of history and character packed into the 137 acres of Chokoloskee. The story begins with Ted Smallwood’s General Store at the turn of the 20th century. Ted Smallwood built his store on the edge of Chokoloskee Bay in 1906, and it soon became the central meeting place for all of the town’s happenings—drawing gossip, gambling and trade. It also drew some of the more unsavory figures in the area.
There are skeletons in the closets of the town, even if they don’t make much noise. One such skeleton is that of Edgar J. Watson, who was rumored to have been an outlaw that once ran with Jesse James. Watson settled on a plantation at Chatham Bend and was a frequent visitor at Smallwood’s store. Once his hired workers began disappearing one by one, however, the town grew suspicious. The townsfolk later confronted Watson at Smallwood’s in an event that led to Watson’s demise. Local rumor says the ghost of Watson lives around the store to this day.
Smallwood’s is no longer a general store. Instead, it’s now one of the most unique museums in Florida. Open the wooden doors, walk inside and be transported back to the 1920s. Within the walls, you’ll find rocking chairs, wagon wheels, old glassware, and even quirkier artifacts. Ever since Ted’s family reopened the store as a museum, it’s stood as a time-weathered monument to the unique history of the Ten Thousand Islands.
Personal History
There’s history here in Chokoloskee and a colorful past with tales of mystery and intrigue. There’s fishing and a peaceful solitude that’s hard to find elsewhere. But there’s also the present moment while you’re out in the bay. One of my favorite parts of Chokoloskee is its ability to make an impression. It changes you in small ways for the better. It fosters a sense of community and togetherness that’s hard to find in other parts of the country. Events like the annual Seafood Festival in Everglades City, for example, delight locals and guests alike with its bounty of fresh seafood and craft booths. Finally, it creates memories that will keep you coming back, time and time again.
Yet, while Chokoloskee has the ability to create memorable experiences, it also teaches some tough life lessons. Rabbit Key, the site where the notorious Edgar J. Watson is buried, is also the place where I lost my first redfish when I was five years old. Back then, I didn’t really understand fish mortality, and I pressured my father to dip the redfish back in the channel so it could breathe. A quick flip of the tail and it got away. I remember feeling slightly relieved. My father was arguably less so. But this means that now, years later, I have one more excuse to head through the channels past the sweeping mangrove islands out toward Rabbit for some redfish redemption—with a guide, of course. It is always, already, a place I like to be.
—CRUISER RESOURCES—
Marinas: Chokoloskee Island Park Marina
1150 Hamilton Lane
(239) 695-2414 chokoloskee.com
The competitive sailing season peaks in the winter and spring, when the weather is still too cold for comfortable yachting in northern climes. Each regatta boasts a special charm all its own. Serious racers mark their calendars for the St. Maarten Heineken Regatta and St. Thomas International Regatta, both in March, as well as the B.V.I. Spring Regatta & Sailing Festival and Les Voiles de St. Bart’s in April, and also Antigua Sailing Week, which finishes up the first week in May. Aficionados of classic yachts race in the B.V.I.’s Sweethearts of the Caribbean Regatta in February, the West Indies Regatta in St. Barts and Antigua Classic Yacht Regatta in April.
Beginners who want to try their hand at crewing aboard or racing against local island boats can do so at the Grenada Sailing Festival in January, Bequia Easter Regatta in April and Anguilla Regatta in May. Many islands host informal dinghy regattas throughout the year. However, the two big kids-oriented events are the Schoelcher International Sailing Week in February in Martinique, where classes include Optimists, Lasers, Open Bic, Sunfish, and Beach Cats, and the International Optimist Regatta in St. Thomas, U.S.V.I. in June, where more than 100 young sailors ages 8-15 compete from more than a dozen countries. There are several great Caribbean regattas in the summer and fall, too, including the Aruba International Regatta and Around Grenada Regattas in August. Puerto Rico’s Discover the Caribbean, the St. Croix International Regatta and St. Lucia’s Mango Bowl are all in November. These last five are smaller events that welcome classes for cruisers. The Caribbean Sailing Association’s website includes dates for every regatta in the region. caribbean-sailing.com
The bite is on year-round! Deep undersea drop-offs and large schools of bait fish make the Caribbean one of the best billfishing spots in the world. Blue marlin reigns as king of catch-and-release, yet tournaments focused on this species also usually include points for white marlin, sailfish and spearfish. There’s no single fishing season since the marlin migrate north and south throughout the year. In fact, it’s possible to find a billfish tournament in which to compete nearly each month of the year. In addition, many of these tournaments are qualifying events for the Offshore World Championship, the largest offshore fishing tournament series in the world, which takes place each spring in Costa Rica. Caribbean qualifiers include the Budget Marine Spice Island Billfish Tournament (January, Grenada), Casa de Campo International Blue Marlin Classic (March, Dominican Republic), Barbados International Billfish Tournament (March, Barbados), the Marlin Madness Game Fishing Tournament (April, Trinidad), Tobago International Game Fishing Tournament (May, Tobago), Saint Martin Billfish Tournament (June, Saint Martin), Caicos Classic (July, Turks & Caicos), Montego Bay International Marlin Tournament (September, Jamaica), and in October, the St. Lucia International Billfish Tournament, Presidential Aruba Caribbean Cup and Martinique Billfish Tournament. Bring your own boat or reserve a local charter boat for any of these events.
There are some excellent gamefish tournaments, too. These are especially great for visitors, including families and budget-conscious fishermen as it’s possible to rent a center console with or without captain for the day. Some of the most fun—and with awesome prizes—are the Bastille Day Kingfish Tournament in St. Thomas, U.S.V.I. in July, the Tarpon Thunder Tournament in August in Trinidad, and the St. Maarten Wahoo Tournament in November
By Carol Bareuther, Southern Boating Magazine January 2017
The Southeast coast is busy through the month of January! Racing, museums, and feasts: you can find them from the Florida Keys to the Carolina’s.
Racing
As even a casual sailor knows, all you need for a sailboat race is a second sailboat off your beam. Now imagine hundreds of world-class racers gathering in a setting as unique as Key West, Florida, and you have the makings for one of the most popular sailboat racing events in the country. From January 15th through the 20th, racing sailboats and sailing enthusiasts will convene in Key West for the 30th anniversary of Quantum Key West Race Week.
The week consists of races between both national and international teams of large ocean racers along with a wide variety of smaller One Design classes. The racing can also be enjoyed even if you don’t own a boat; charters are available for the week and individual boats are always looking for experienced crew. The event is based at the Waterfront Brewery on the Bight for all shoreside activities. keywestraceweek.com
Maritime museums January is a great month to go inside and enjoy the rich history maritime museums offer. Savannah’s award-winning maritime museum Ships of the Sea celebrates the past era of Atlantic sea trade and travel. A new exhibit opens January 13th and runs through April 2nd: Low Country Callings: Goin’ With The Flow, A Narrative of Savannah’s Maritime Community in Portraiture, by artist Carol Lasell Miller. Additional information is available at shipsofthesea.org.
North Carolina’s Maritime Museum in Beaufort holds a two-day course in wooden boatbuilding on January 28th and 29th. In this two-day, hands-on course, students explore the art of boatbuilding from start to finish, including design, setup, steam bending, and different methods of creating the backbone of small boats. Information and registration is at ncmaritimemuseumbeaufort.com.
Looking for a maritime museum in your area? Go to southernboating.com/maritime-museumsto read about 19 other maritime museums around the country and world.
A feast in the Florida Keys If you don’t get enough to eat and drink over the holidays, make your way south to continue the feast this month, since January is becoming food and wine month in the Florida Keys. Begin with Uncorked: The Key Largo and Islamorada Food and Wine Festival on January 5th. The fun runs for 11 days at various restaurants and special venues. Attendees can participate in cooking and wine-paring classes with top chefs and sommeliers. The festival is capped off by a Grand Tasting event at the Postcard Inn Beach Resort & Marina on Islamorada on Saturday, January 14th. For all the details go to floridakeysuncorked.com. Other events include:
Brew on the Bay Craft Beer Festival: January 6-7, Rowell’s Waterfront Park on Key Largo; keylargobrewonthebay.com
It’s not a hostile takeover, however, like Captain Phillips experienced. In fact, it’s quite the opposite.
On January 28th, Tampa’s flotilla of private pleasure craft intends to defend the city and square off against the annual pirate invasion for an epic weekend of hedonistic celebration. For 113 years, the city has surrendered amidst a cacophony of cannon fire as Jose Gasparilla, the world’s only fully-rigged pirate ship, shoots its way through thousands of boats that guard the downtown waterfront. Themed around the swashbuckling pirate Jose Gaspar, who menaced Florida’s Gulf Coast in the 1800s, the invasion is followed by a bead-throwing pirate parade that attracts a crowd of nearly half a million. This is the city’s signature social event led by Ye Mystic Krewe, a merry band of elite movers and shakers who don war paint, fake jagged scars and festive costumes.
Transient slips are ransomed for gold at the downtown Tampa Marriott Waterside Hotel and Marina, Convention Center and Harbour Island docks, but if you know a resident along Harbour Island or Davis Islands that flank the channel to downtown, you may get lucky with an unused overnight slip. Now, here’s your tip. Located on the west side of Tampa’s peninsula is a hidden gem, West Shore Yacht Club, with space for vessels up to 80′. Dockmaster Ryan Smith says the weekend is popular and transients enjoy full use of the clubhouse and amenities. By boat you are less than 40 minutes away from joining the flotilla. Other marina venues close by include St. Petersburg Municipal, the nearby Vinoy Resort and marinas in and around Ruskin and Apollo Beach. Gasparilla is a weekend-long participatory sport. It’s best to bring beads for ransom and trade, plenty of that spicy brown concoction bearing the likeness of a certain pirate and ear plugs. gasparillapiratefest.com
Cabbage Key
A far less raucous destination this time of year is secluded and off the proverbial beaten path: Cabbage Key located just south of Charlotte Harbor. Every Jimmy Buffet fan knows that Jimmy sailed here, enjoyed a famous cheeseburger and maybe even signed a dollar like thousands of other mariners who continue the tradition of taping a beer buck to the ceiling. What you may have overlooked are the unpretentious docks with power for an overnight stay. The Inn and famous restaurant sit atop a 30-foot-tall Indian shell mound. Climb the water tower for an incomparable view of nearby Useppa Island Club to the east and Gulf of Mexico to the west. Dinner, the honky-tonk piano and stories well into the night, coupled with a lush, island-like display of tropical flora and fauna help you forget that the mainland and all those tourists covered in oil are just a few miles away. Not to be overlooked is pulling in for a simple breakfast of pancakes and eggs. Winter is an ideal time to visit. The air temperature is perfect and sunsets are as pink as steamed Gulf shrimp, but running the protected ICW is often necessary thanks to the weekly cold front that riles up the Gulf for a day or two. Docks that were rebuilt after a couple of hurricanes a decade ago are solid and well suited for yacht traffic. cabbagekey.com
By Alan Wendt, Southern Boating Magazine January 2017
On October 6th and 7th, 2016, Hurricane Matthew roared northward through the central Bahamas leaving a trail of damage behind.
The storm was at Category 4 strength for much of that time, with wind speeds upwards of 150 mph near the eye. Thankfully, no lives were lost, although some areas suffered extreme damage to homes and businesses. Recovery and rebuilding efforts began immediately as relief poured in from local and U.S. sources. The worst impacts were in Nassau and New Providence Island, Andros, and Grand Bahama’s West End southern shore. We surveyed a number of sources within the Bahamian boating community to get an idea of the impact on marine infrastructure, particularly the marinas. Fortunately, damage on the water side was generally modest and repairs are moving quickly at press time. Bimini, Great Abaco and the Sea of Abaco, Exumas, and the Out Islands of Long, Cat and Eleuthera are in great shape and should not present any problems. The southeast Bahamas took a close brush from Matthew early but are ready for transients.
Nassau and the rest of New Providence was hit hard, but the marinas are all back in operation and receiving transient boats. The small communities on Andros and West End, Grand Bahama, took the brunt of the storm and will likely be the last to come fully online. At this writing, nearly all of the marinas in these areas are up and running, with a few limitations. But even where the marinas escaped relatively unharmed, nearby businesses and the residences of employees may have sustained damage, so supplies and services may still be limited. We suggest you call ahead to ensure you will find what you need. Bahamians are tough, resourceful and are working hard to restore their own lives. More than likely, by the time you read this they will be ready and anxious to welcome you to their beautiful country.
Snake Cay
In the highly developed area around the Sea of Abaco, there is an oasis of natural quiet that is easily accessible but still seems an ocean away from the resorts of the nearby cays. Snake Cay, about six nautical miles south of Marsh Harbor and Elbow Cay in the Sea of Abaco, is just off the eastern shore of Great Abaco Island. It is uninhabited except for the ruins of development long since abandoned. Exploring ashore is an eerie experience. A major paper company once centered their Abaco lumbering operation here, and you can see the decaying commercial dock and remains of the land-side facilities.
Island Roots Heritage Festival, Green Turtle Cay
Learning to play the saw, Green Turtle Cay
In settled weather, you can anchor on the north side of the easternmost hook of the cay. Holding is a bit suspect, with a thin layer of sand over marl. Set your anchor well and check the set by swimming the anchor. If strong winds are forecast, it is best to move on.
The real reason to visit here is the wonderful dinghy expedition possible from here to the south. Rounding the easterly hook of Snake Cay, turn west and proceed westerly in the deep water channel between Snake and Deep Sea Cays, then turn south on the west side of Deep Sea Cay. From here, you can run south for miles, with a line of small, uninhabited cays to your east and Great Abaco to the west. Depths are generally 1 to 3 feet. Proceed slowly and you are sure to see many turtles, starfish and other marine life in the shallows. The main island is largely free of development, although you will see some intriguing ruins here, too. This is beautiful, unspoiled Bahamas, much as it “used to be”, yet close to some of the most developed parts of the islands.
Island Roots Heritage Festival
Green Turtle Cay hosts the Annual Island Roots Heritage Festival in early May in the village of New Plymouth. Founded in the late 1700s, New Plymouth was originally rooted in the traditions of American Loyalists who fled the newly independent United States after the revolution. But the hardships of agriculture in the islands eventually led many to flee back to the U.S., particularly to Key West, where they were instrumental in the early development of that community. These ties continue today between the sister cities.
The Roots Festival was first held in 1977 on both islands to celebrate their ties and revived on Green Turtle in 2004. Now held annually, the festival runs this year from May 19-21. The festivities include local foods served on the festival site, a Junkanoo Rush, children’s activities including a Maypole, and performances by the Royal Bahamian Defense Force Marching Band and local bands. This is an authentic Bahamian experience well worth a visit.
Navigation Update
Little is yet reported in the aftermath of Hurricane Matthew, but it is safe to assume that some navigation aids and channels have been affected by the storm. Palm Cay reports some marks off station, but repairs will be quickly completed. Other marina channels will likely be similar. The few government marks will probably receive little attention from the authorities in the short term as the focus remains on land-side recovery efforts. As always in The Bahamas, stay vigilant and travel slowly, carefully and in good conditions.
By Rex Noel, Southern Boating Magazine January 2017
For more than a century, Gasparilla Island has lured anglers seeking to combat the mighty silver king.
If you’re looking for a cruising destination with exciting nightlife, a vibrant social scene, reservation-only restaurants, and high-end shops that stay open well after sunset, Gasparilla Island is not it.
It also doesn’t have fast-food restaurants or a large supermarket, a shopping mall with department stores, high-rise condos, stoplights, neon signs on storefronts, a gas station, or traffic—golf carts are the preferred mode of transportation. And from what I could tell when I first drove into the town of Boca Grande (Spanish for Big Mouth), it doesn’t appear to have much of a police force either, or at least one that uses radar guns.
I was still in turnpike-driving mode and evidently missed the slower speed limit sign when a uniformed officer on the side of the road extended his arm and executed the universally understood palm-down motion for “slow down,” then casually resumed his conversation with a bicyclist. Indeed, what Gasparilla Island doesn’t have is what’s drawn second-home buyers seeking the old-Florida charm that’s disappeared from touristy towns. But what it does have is what’s drawn anglers from around the world for more than 100 years: tarpon.
Laidback Living
Gasparilla is a seven-mile-long barrier island on the north side of the mouth of Charlotte Harbor on Florida’s Gulf Coast. The barrier island on the south side is Cayo Costa. The distance between the two islands—Boca Grande Pass—is less than a mile across, and with holes reaching depths of more than 70 feet, it’s the deepest pass in the state of Florida. Tarpon frequently gather in the holes and sometimes stack due to their numbers. Exactly why they collect in the pass is still unknown, and speculation is wide in theory and varied in nature.
Yet while many other tarpon fisheries throughout the U.S. are now all but barren, the stock in Boca Grande and Charlotte Harbor continue to proliferate, a phenomenon the surrounding communities seek to preserve through education and conservation.
The Certified-Green Inn Marina offers a quiet setting and full service. Photo credit: John J Unrue
The beachfront swimming pool overlooks the Gulf of Mexico.
Old Florida’s island elegance greets guests upon arrival at The Gasparilla Inn
Water hazards along perfectly manicured greens await golfers at the Pete Dye 18-hole course.
Paraphernalia outside Whiddon’s Marina hints at more “treasure” inside their Maritime Museum. Photo by Liz Pasch
The Silver Kings
The lure of “boating” a tarpon—hooking and reeling the fish to the boat to release—is understandably on many anglers’ bucket list of accomplishments. In fishing tournaments, catching a tarpon, snook, seatrout, and redfish in one day is classified as a “grand slam.” Tarpon is widely considered to be the most difficult. Winning top prize is highly sought after in the numerous tarpon tournaments, most of which are held in May and June.
Tarpon are also called silver king, sabalo, silverfish, or poons. An adult tarpon can live to 55 years and weigh up to 150 lbs., although the tarpon record with the International Game Fish Association (igfa.org) is an astounding 283 lbs. 4 ounces. There’s no doubt that the biggest draw of tarpon fishing is the explosive fight that ensues once they’re hooked. In an attempt to free or break the hook holding them hostage, they repeatedly leap into the air writhing with all their strength, then dive to the bottom before resurfacing to leap again.
Even for experienced anglers and owners of fishing boats, it’s vitally important to know how to boat and fish in the Boca Grande Pass. Fishing captains in this area know the pass’s landscape, its currents, each other’s boats, and each other. They use established boating and fishing methods, and newcomers must adhere in order to ensure a safe and productive fishing experience for all. Even if you own a well-equipped fishing boat, a better option is to hire one of the many local charter captains; your marina can provide a recommendation.
Come on Inn
Though tarpon fishing is certainly exhilarating, it can also be exhausting. For cruisers who prefer swimming pools to fishing “poons,” all things restful and charming can be found at The Gasparilla Inn & Club, a classic and historic resort known for its endearing hospitality.
The original small hotel was built in 1911 before it was expanded and renamed The Gasparilla Inn. Soon after its reopening in 1913, affluent guests from the Northeast arrived having learned of the legendary fishing. News of The Inn spread so quickly that by 1915, plans were made to double its size, with budgeting for servants quarters and elegant hotel furnishings brought in from Boston. The Inn continued to grow in popularity and accommodated clientele such as J.P. Morgan, Henry DuPont and other noteworthy guests. Prior to the construction of the Boca Grande causeway in 1958, guests arrived by train or boats.
Today, The Gasparilla Inn & Club offers much more than a clean room and soft bed after a day of fishing. Far beyond its humble beginnings, the resort now offers 163 guest accommodations including suites, cottages, villas, and even larger properties. The grand resort is known for its “civilized” charm, so pay attention to the dress code, especially in the evenings and for dinner during the social season. If all you need in the morning is coffee and the daily paper, it’s complimentary in The Living Room, as well as afternoon tea and sweet treats in season. For those with a heartier appetite, The Inn’s Dining Room offers full breakfast daily and full dinner menu. Just down the block, enjoy the talented chef’s specials at The Pink Elephant Restaurant.
Golfers can enjoy a Pete Dye-designed course at The Golf Club, with practice facilities, pro shop and lessons with PGA pros. The Tennis Club offers seven Har-Tru tennis courts, pro shop and lessons. Take in a yoga class or work out in the fitness area followed by a steam or spa treatment. Stroll on the private beach or sit poolside at the Beach Club, and while you’re there arrange for a golf cart to explore the island or a bicycle if you don’t carry one on your boat. The paved bicycle path was formerly an abandoned railroad bed, which one of The Inn’s former owners and his brother acquired in the early 1980s by trading it for waterfront property.
Explore More
First, stop by the Johann Fust Community Library, which is a pretty pink building on 10th Street that looks more like a home than a library. In addition to books, magazines, DVDs, music, and a children’s area, there’s a lovely garden in the back with an open-air reading area and beguiling shell collection. It’s much more than a library and serves as a cultural center offering a variety of authors, speakers, and musical events during the social season.
Explore the neighborhoods in the downtown area and the old-Florida architecture, and treat yourself to a latte and sweet at The Inn Bakery. There are a number of quaint shops downtown to explore—no chain stores here—most of which close at 5 PM. Then stop at Whiddon’s Marina & Maritime Museum on your way to the south end of the island to explore the state park and the lighthouse museum at Boca Grande Pass; the museum closes at 4 PM. After dinner, explore The Pelican Room at The Inn.
Don’t wait until the last minute to plan your visit to The Gasparilla Inn. Reservations for The Gasparilla Inn fill up quickly for the social season and special event weekends, and it closes for several months offseason for renovation and upkeep.
The Inn’s owners—including those currently who are involved in all décor selection—invest an extraordinary amount of attention on all properties. More than 325 seasonal employees continue the tradition of hospitality that began more than a century ago, traditions that have been passed on to generations of owners and guests. Whether you fish for tarpon, golf for birdies or just lie poolside, time spent on Gasparilla Island lets you be part of its history—and its enduring legacy.
Marina Jack in Sarasota, Florida, recognized as National Marina of the Year in 2015, has been sold to Suntex Marina Investors LLC. The Dallas-based investment firm did not disclose the sale price. The merger includes the 316-slip marina in downtown Sarasota, adjacent to Oleary’s Tiki Bar, as well as Bayfront Yacht Works & Marina, Bayfront Excursions and Turtle Beach Grill on south Siesta Key, Florida. “This is without question a merger of strengths from an operational and managerial standpoint,” says Robert L. Soran, CEO of Marina Jack. “We share a vision of future growth opportunities for our people and our combined companies.” Soran will have an equity interest and board advisory capacity with Suntex. Suntex now has a portfolio of 34 marinas in Kentucky, Florida, Georgia, Iowa, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Texas, Virginia, Tennessee, Oklahoma, and St. Maarten.
With direct, no-bridge access to the Gulf of Mexico, Marina Jack’s marina operations have kept up facelifts and improvements at a pace that is matching the transformation of downtown Sarasota. The marina features slip accommodations for vessels up to 228 feet with 316 wet and dry slips, a full-service fuel dock, ship’s store, and an on-site Yacht Services department. Downtown Sarasota has become a trendy center for urban condo living and features many eclectic street-side dining venues for foodies, a Saturday morning farmers market, and an ever-changing collection of boutique shops that are favorites of cruisers.
Marina Jack acquired the Turtle Beach Marina in September of 2015. Now known as Bayfront Yacht Works & Marina, this south Siesta Key business features a full-service boatyard with haul-out capabilities for vessels up to 65 feet. Bayfront Yacht Works & Marina adds an additional 60 dry and wet slips to the portfolio, along with a rapidly growing boat and watersport rental business known as Bayfront Excursions. The merger also includes three well-known restaurants, including the Marina Jack II—a 96-foot passenger vessel known for Sarasota’s preeminent sightseeing and sunset dinner cruises.
Holiday Boat Parades
While a few communities are struggling to rebuild docks and find enough money just to survive, let alone sponsor annual lighted boat parades, the show will go on in some of Florida’s Panhandle cities.
• Carrabelle, December 10th: The Boat Parade course starts at the Pavilion on Marine Street and proceeds up the Carrabelle River to the Tillie Miller Bridge. It can be enjoyed from anywhere along Marine Street and Highway 98. carrabelle.org
• Destin, December 11th: Judging of the 30th Annual Harbor Lighted Boat Parade will start at 6PM upstairs at Harry T’s Restaurant. Boats will start lining up in the harbor between 5-5:30PM. Fireworks in the East Pass will light up the sky after the parade.
• Cedar Key and Steinhatchee have both sustained significant dock damage, and at press time, were unsure whether the events normally scheduled for the first week of December would take place.
By Alan Wendt, Southern Boating Magazine December 2016
Sailfish Resort and Marina on Singer Island, Florida, is hosting Operation Sailfish, the opening event of the popular “Quest for the Crest” series of fishing tournaments. From December 7-11, fishing teams from around the region will be competing in this exciting catch-and-release competition. The best of the best will be going after an estimated $700,000 in prize money and the honor of having their team name stamped into the 2016 Operation Sailfish Dog Tag IDs. The Dog Tag IDs are part of the tournament’s military theme designed to honor those who serve in an armed service uniform. A portion of the proceeds from the tournament will be donated to “Operation Homefront,” a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing financial and other types of support to the families of military personnel and wounded warriors. bluewatermovements.com
Marlin Bay Yacht Club The Florida Keys, known for a diverse and eclectic blend of people and cultures, offer homes and boating communities to suit every taste and budget. Starting the last week of November, yachtsmen passing through the Keys will have a new place to call home. The Marlin Bay Yacht Club on Marathon Key will allow the first boats to tie up in their state-of-the-art, deep water marina. Palm Hill Inc. developed the club, and they’re also the owners of the award-winning River Dunes Marina and community in Oriental, North Carolina. Marlin Bay Yacht Club consists of a “99-slip marina, 10,000-square-foot, two-story clubhouse, lagoon-style pool with pavilion and bar, and a 12,000-square-foot harbormaster facility”. In addition to the marina, the community is offering 84 single-family, luxury residences. marlinbay.com
‘Tis the season Very few holiday light displays have achieved both national and international acclaim, and we are fortunate to have two of them in our southeast coastal communities. Charleston’s Holiday Festival of Lights features more than lights. On display are handmade, holiday-themed sand sculptures, a Victorian carousel and a holiday train ride. The festival has been recognized as “One of the Top 10 Holiday Celebrations” and will run from November
Festive lights illuminate a Charleston bridge. Photo credit: Bluewater Movements
11th until January 1st. The display is located at James Island County Park. ccrpc.com
Shelter Cove Towne Centre, nestled in the center of Hilton Head Island, lights up the night throughout the holiday season with the Dove Street Festival of Lights. For more than 20 years, Shelter Cove has brought holiday spirit along with nightly entertainment to this popular village center and all for a good cause. According to the Shelter Cove Towne Centre website, The Dove Street Festival of Lights has raised over $120,000 in cash for nonprofits, provided more than 40,000 cans of food for needy families and given 20,000 presents to kids in need. The festival has even been recognized as one of the nation’s top holiday light displays and can be seen nightly from November 19th through December 31st from 6-10PM. sheltercovetownecentre.com
By Bob Arrington, Southern Boating Magazine December 2016
The Corpus Christi Marina now has 600 slips, cruiser’s facilities, three yacht clubs, and a massive public boat ramp. The improvements to the marina district have inspired a Greater Downtown Area of culture, sports, convention and hospitality venues.
The premier boating destination on the Texas Gulf Coast, caps a successful summer of expansion with the dedication of 35 more slips for boats 30 to 45 feet in length—the seventh major addition in the past 16 years.
Infrastructure Improvements
Since 2000, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has provided $1,764,050 in federal funds via Wildlife and Sport Fish Restoration (WSFR) grants specifically targeted at an improved marina infrastructure, access for boaters and improved sanitary facilities to maintain clean water.
The grant monies, matched by the City of Corpus Christi and Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, have built modern septic pump-outs, restrooms and showers, a laundry, meeting rooms, a four-lane boat ramp, and more than 80 slips for boats greater than 26 feet in length at the Corpus Christi Marina.
“This marina is hugely important to both boaters and anglers on the Texas Gulf Coast, and exemplifies how the Wildlife and Sport Fish Restoration Program works in partnership with others to improve boating access and infrastructures,” says Cliff Schleusner, Chief of WSFR in the Southwest Region. “Boaters and anglers paid for it in excise tax, and now they and others reap the benefits.”
The new infrastructure replaces outdated and decayed materials and should better withstand the forces of future hurricanes. A part of the infrastructure upgrades includes Internet systems needed for navigation.
While the marina is the anchor on the Bayfront, civic leaders and business owners continue to expand what’s known as the Marina Arts District. The area features a vibrant nightlife, music scene, art galleries and outdoor art, along with many weekend festivals. marinaarts.com
Lighted boat parades happen throughout the Caribbean in December. One of the most exciting is the St. Croix Christmas Boat Parade held in the U.S.V.I. on December 10th.
You won’t want to miss this Caribbean boat parade.
Live-aboards, visiting cruisers, charterers, and locals on powerboats, sailing yachts or water toys—even stand-up paddleboards—are all invited to enter for free. The parade starts at 6PM, and over 30 watercraft launch on a route that twice circles the safe, protected waters of Christiansted Harbor. If you’re on board, get ready to see a cheering crowd lining the Christiansted Boardwalk as well as at Protestant Cay. If you’re on shore, these two locations are the best spots for viewing. The parade is so popular it’s even been showcased on the Travel Channel. It’s no wonder, since tropical twists have included Santas in green and red boardshorts, fire dancers and local reggae artists singing the territory’s customary carols. A huge fireworks display after the parade is followed by live music, vendors lining the town’s streets and shops open late for holiday shopping. christmasparadestcroix.com
Everyone on St. Croix dresses up for the Christmas parade…even paddleboarders! Photo credit: Ellen Sanpere
Ring out the old year in the B.V.I. Rub shoulders with celebrities and bid farewell to the Old Year on December 31st on Jost Van Dyke in the B.V.I. Here, seventh-generation native and calypsonian, Sir Philicianno “Foxy” Callwood, who was knighted by the Queen of England in 2009 for his contributions to tourism and the environment, puts on a party of global fame at his Foxy’s Tamarind Bar in Great Harbour. In fact, the New York Times listed Foxy’s as one of the best places to ring in the millennium back in 1999. Yet Great Harbour, on this 3.5-square-mile island, is a world away from other favorite New Year’s destinations like New York City’s Times Square. Access is by boat only, whether you bring your own, charter or take the ferry. Attire is barefoot and bathing suits, and sleeping on the beach until sunup is the norm. This year, the party starts on Friday, December 30th and lasts until Sunday, January 1st, with live bands, a pig roast and more. Admission is free. The only costs are food and drinks at Foxy’s or one of the other half dozen open-air bars that line the harbor. If you’re serious about partying with the rich and famous, book a table at Foxy’s Tamarind Bar’s Upper Crust restaurant on the second floor. Here, the VIP party includes a multi-course dinner, champagne, hats, noisemakers, and terrific views for $500 per person. foxysbar.com/old-years-celebration; bvitourism.com/jost-van-dyke.
New Year’s potluck in Trinidad The Seven Seas Cruising Association’s (SSCA) first event of 2017 is on January 1st. This “gam,” or what the SSCA calls a “friendly interchange, especially between sailors or seafarers,” is a potluck held at the Trinidad & Tobago Yachting Association’s headquarters in Chaguaramas. SSCA Cruising Station host Jesse James and his wife Sharon, who operate Members Only Maxi Taxi Service, offer a free shuttle from local marinas to the gam. It’s a great event and an excellent opportunity for sailors new to the Caribbean to tap into the collected wealth of attendees’ cruising experiences in the region. ssca.org; membersonlymaxitaxi.com
By Carol Bareuther, Southern Boating Magazine December 2016
Winter may be here, but the Bahamas are still warm and buzzing. Don’t despair in the winter blues– there are Bahamian festivals to attend, Junkanoo music to hear, and tiny islands to explore.
Little Farmer’s Cay, Exumas Little Farmer’s Cay is a quintessential Bahamian Out Island. First settled by a freed female slave and her children, it was permanently willed to her descendants. They can build here but not sell to outsiders. Today, it’s a small and friendly community that welcomes cruisers to an experience that feels like a step back in time. With a population of approximately 60 people, this tiny cay is quiet, relatively undeveloped, and dotted with attractive homes and lush vegetation. Little Farmer’s is located on the banks side of the southern Exuma Cays just 20 nm south of the better-known Staniel Cay. It’s easily reached from either the south or north on the banks side. Pay close attention to your charts, as the preferred deeper water tracks are surrounded by isolated coral heads and sand bores. Farmer’s Cay Cut offers access from Exuma Sound, but use caution in this cut. It’s wide, deep and easy to read, but a large swell from sustained easterly winds against an ebb tide can make it a rough ride. The currents are also quite strong. Dockage is available at Farmer’s Cay Yacht Club, and moorings can be rented from the Yacht Club and Ocean Cabin (oceancbn.com). The best anchorage in settled easterly winds is on the west side of the island off the beach.
The 5 Fs Festival The first weekend in February is homecoming weekend for Little Farmer’s Cay. Scores of family and friends from off island converge for a celebration that includes the biggest C class sloop regatta in the Exumas. Dozens arrive Friday on the Captain C, the inter-island mail boat, which also carries many of the sloops on deck, while other visitors come by private boat or small plane.
Regatta trophies will be awarded to the winners. Photo credit Rex Noel
Crews hike out the pry boards. Photo credit: Rex Noel
The beach scene at Ty’s Sunset Bar & Grill. Photo credit: Rex Noel
The festival has become known as The First Friday in February Farmer’s Cay Festival, hence the 5 Fs. It’s so popular with cruisers that you may find 100 or more cruising boats anchored or moored around the island for the weekend. The center of the celebration and regatta headquarters are at Ty’s Sunset Bar & Grill on the southwest side of the cay. Just outside their front door is the airport runway, which also serves as “Main Street” on this part of the island. Out the back door is one of the prettiest beaches you’ll find. Good food, music and dancing, along with the regatta announcers and trophy presentations continue all weekend on Ty’s deck.
Class C sloop racing is the spectacle that brings many of the visitors to this festival. These are traditional Bahamian boats built entirely of wood and carry a single sail that looks far too big for the boat. Watching them race in a big breeze is an exciting show. By rule, they must be owned, built and sailed by Bahamians. With that huge sail, keeping these boats upright is a challenge. The solution is to use “pry boards” or long planks that are extended out over the side. Up to four crewmen sit out on the boards to counter the force of the sail and keep the boat upright and flat for maximum speed.
The unique race start is very much a part of the attraction. Each boat actually anchors approximately 50 feet to leeward of the start line. When the starting gun goes off, the crew raises the anchor and sail simultaneously, then sails as quickly as possible to the start line and upwind to the first mark. This makes for close and exciting racing at the line. The crew slides in and out on the pry boards, and when tacking they move the boards across the boat to the other side. Timing is critical because if not done perfectly, the boat can capsize.
The finish line is usually set just off the beach at Ty’s for maximum spectator benefit, which means that the boats wind through the anchored cruising boats as they approach and sometimes pass just a few feet away. This makes your cockpit one of the best vantage points for the race. With boats from all over The Bahamas, there are rivalries going on here that, as visitors, we can only guess the origin. Captains, crews and visitors gather on the beach after the racing, and the party goes on into the evening.
Junkanoo Parade A massive Junkanoo Parade transforms the streets of downtown Nassau on Boxing Day, December 26th, and again on January 1st, with goombay drums, horns and fantastic costumes moving to the beat. One of the oldest surviving street festivals in the Caribbean, Junkanoo has roots in traditional African music and dates back to the 17th century. But get some sleep, because the parade won’t begin until after midnight and lasts up to eight hours. Buy tickets in advance at junkanootix.com.
By Rex Noel, Southern Boating Magazine December 2016
But a bigger deal is the legal drama over who will receive $2.8 million of winnings from this year’s White Marlin Open in Ocean City, Maryland. In August, Phil Heasley, aboard Kallianassaof Naples, Florida, caught a 76.5-pound white marlin to win an estimated $2.8 million, which was reported as the largest individual cash prize in sportfishing history. Tournament rules state that anglers cannot fish until after 8:30AM, but adherence to the tournament’s rules is in question and the prize money is now in escrow.
Heasley, president and chief executive officer at ACI Worldwide, caught the only “qualifying” white marlin in the tournament, fishing along with Capt. David Morris and mates Kyle Bohannon and Joseph Hagen. According to a court document filed by White Marlin Open Inc. (WMO), Heasley, Morris, Bohannon, and Hagen were on Defendant Heasley’s vessel when he caught the white marlin. None of them passed multiple polygraph tests administered by two examiners.
Heasley contends that he and his crew did not violate tournament rules. In September, Heasley and his attorneys filed a notice of removal to have the civil case removed from Worcester County Circuit Court and transferred to a federal court. That’s where it stands now. Richard Kosztyu, who caught the winning tuna in the tournament, would gain the most if a judge rules against Heasley. Kosztyu has received $767,091 and would receive an additional $2.3 million. The circuit court document is available on the WMO website. whitemarlinopen.com
Time for stripers Striped bass fishing is a fine winter fishing activity at the mouth of the Chesapeake Bay. Action typically picks up in the Virginia Beach area in October and runs through April. With their annual migration, tens of thousands of stripers move through the area in search of schooling bait fish. Located in the middle of two food-rich currents—the Florida Current coming up from the south and the North Atlantic Current coming down from the north—and two great bodies of water for winter fishing, the Chesapeake Bay and the Atlantic Ocean, Virginia Beach is an ideal feeding place. Add the 17-mile-long Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel to the mix and you’ve got plenty of structure for anglers to target hiding fish. Anglers can also try to cash in on their catch this season by participating in the Mid-Atlantic Rockfish Shootout. This year’s benefit tournament runs December 8-10 with weigh stations at Rudee Inlet and King’s Creek Marina on Cape Charles. midatlanticrockfishshootout.com
Good clean fun at Harbor East The Maryland Department of Natural Resources has certified Harbor East Marina in Baltimore as a Maryland Clean Marina. The facility earned the recognition after adopting best management practices from the Maryland Clean Marina Guidebook, meeting all environmental and regulatory requirements and passing a site inspection. Harbor East is a 200-slip marina that can accommodate vessels up to 125 feet. Transients are welcome. The marina offers easy access to many of Baltimore’s best attractions including the National Aquarium, Harborplace (shopping and dining), sports venues, the convention center, and others. Harbor East also plans to participate in the Great Baltimore Oyster Partnership, a collaborative effort to restore the state’s oyster population. As part of the program, oyster gardens will be installed at the marina, where baby oysters will be planted and protected. harboreastmarina.com
By Christopher Knauss, Southern Boating Magazine December 2016
When you start to feel that winter chill settling in your bones, remember: you can (and should) go south—particularly the gulf coast.
Whether it’s The Sunshine State, Sweet Home Alabama, the South’s Warmest Welcome in Mississippi, the Sportsman’s Paradise of Louisiana, or the gulf of the Lone Star State, you’ll find that the Southern US is filled with unexpected destinations that can warm even the coldest of toes.
Here at Southern Boating, we (obviously) want to be out on the water wherever we go. So when we go South, we go by boat. And what’s better than pulling up to a waterfront restaurant and having a drink in the sun?
If you’re hoping for a getaway, here’s a round-up of waterfront restaurants/destinations to pull up during a southern cruise.
Florida
Fresco’s Waterfront Bistro
When in St. Petersburg, Florida– not the frozen Russian city (although that does sound like a promising drink), pull your boat into Fresco’s. Their menu contains something for even the pickiest of eaters. With views of Tampa Bay and happy hour from 3-7pm, you’re sure to love the atmosphere at Fresco’s.
If you make it to Orange Beach, you need to stop in to Bear Point Marina, AL. Flippers is dockside dining done right—complete with Tiki bar, colorful locals, and live music, it’s certain to warm you right up. Especially if you’ve consumed a famous Bushwhacker or two!
Flippers; S5749 Bay La Launch Ave Orange Beach, Al 36561
Mississippi
Anthony’s Steak and Seafood
If you find yourself along the shores of Ocean Springs, you must try Anthony’s Steak and Seafood. Locals say take the seafood over steak, but who are we to judge? With stunning views of the bay, you can’t go wrong with this quaint eatery.
Anthony’s Steak & Seafood; 1217 Washington Ave, Ocean Springs, MS 39564
Louisiana
Blue Crab Restaurant and Oyster Bar
The Blue Crab Restaurant and Oyster Bar actually wants people to arrive by boat. Overlooking beautiful Lake Pontchartrain, the restaurant is locally owned and operated, and proudly serves only the finest Louisiana seafood.
Blue Crab; 7900 Lakeshore Drive, New Orleans, La 70124
Texas
Stingaree Restaurant & Bar
This is the first (and last) time we’ll tell you not to get BBQ in Texas. Instead, we’re going to direct you to Stingaree Restaurant & Bar, located on Galveston Bay. The food is described as “fresh, plentiful, and cheap.” Combined with water views and good company, it’s a must see!
Stingaree’s; 1295 N Stingaree Rd, Crystal Beach, TX 77650
Seasonal cruisers make their way toward warmer weather late in November, and many will arrive in the Southeast by Thanksgiving, this year on November 24th. If you’ll be cruising on Thanksgiving, you’re in luck!
Many communities offer a Thanksgiving dinner or organized potluck, and transient cruisers can gather together in a warm and inviting setting. The following four are just a few of the locations holding community celebrations.
Beaufort, North Carolina: Ann Street United Methodist Church hosts one of the most popular Thanksgiving dinners in the South. It’s located at 417 Ann Street, only two blocks away from the Beaufort Town Docks. The church provides turkey along with other main features, while cruisers are welcome to bring a side dish. Dinner is served from 12:00PM until 2:00PM.
Port Royal, South Carolina: The Port Royal Landing Marina begins their holiday event the night before Thanksgiving. Cruisers are invited to bring a beverage and stop by while the turkeys are smoking. The Thanksgiving Day meal will be served at 1:00PM—diners need only bring a side dish. The marina is located at mile marker 539 on the ICW.
St. Marys, Georgia: Riverview Hotel hosts a cruiser’s potluck dinner and provides the turkey; cruisers contribute side dishes. Dinner begins at 1:00PM at this historic waterfront hotel on 105 Osborne Street. Docking is available at Lang’s Marina, St. Mary’s Docks or anchoring in the river nearby.
Vero Beach, Florida: The Vero Beach City Marina will once again hold its annual Thanksgiving dinner at the River House adjacent to the marina. Turkeys are donated and prepared by members of the community, Cruisers Living on Dirt, that have settled in the area. Tie up the boat, bring a side dish and enjoy some fellowship with this lively bunch. Dinner will be served at 2:00PM.
Waterfront improvement There are more reasons for cruisers to visit Fort Pierce, Florida’s renovated waterfront, especially after the successful rebuilding of the City Marina. Just in time for the November 11th Veterans Day holiday, Fort Pierce unveils a multi-million dollar renovation of Veterans Memorial Park. It will occupy eight acres of prime riverfront property. The new Veterans Memorial Park features covered pavilions and a palm tree-lined pond. The park is also home to the Fort Pierce Yacht Club, Liberty Garden, Manatee Center, and the Seven Gables House Visitors Center.
As nice as the new park amenities will be, the real beauty is in the park’s environmental benefits. According to the City Manager’s office, the renovation will prevent over 1,000 lbs. of pollutants and debris from entering the adjacent Indian River Lagoon annually. The new park layout channels surface water through a series of specially designed ponds and swales, which traps debris, nutrients and heavy metals, allowing cleaner water to continue on to the lagoon and river.
PGA Classic If where you keep your golf clubs on board is as important as where you keep your anchor, you won’t want to miss this favorite annual PGA tournament. The tournament will be played at the Sea Island Golf Club on Sea Island, Georgia, from November 14-20. This popular event has raised more than $4.8 million for a variety of children’s and family charities. Tickets are available at rsmclassic.com.
