Author Archives: Andy

About Andy

Andy Allen retired from the recorded music business in 2009. He grew up in St. Louis Mo. and began a career in music marketing by joining KSHE as a DJ in 1974. After managing a local record store in the St. Louis area, Andy was hired by RCA to do sales and promotion which led to a move to New York in 1984. Several years later, Andy joined Island Records, where he rose to General Manager. In 1993, ADA (Alternative Distribution Alliance) was started by the Warner Music Group to distribute Independent music. Andy joined as President and rose to Chairman after establishing ADA as the largest distributor of Indie music in the world. Andy has two adult children and lives on Merritt Island Fl. when not cruising on the 37ft trawler, Seadee.

Today’s Links – May 19, 2013

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  • Good Words for Esplanade Marina, Marco Island, West Florida
    Esplanade Marina lies on the southeastern shore of Smokehouse Bay; entrance channel to Smokehouse Bay leaves the unofficial Marco Island to Naples waterway west of marker #14. This is one of the best small town harbors in Florida. When entering Smokehouse Bay from the north, keep on the west side of the bay. There is [...]
  • Good Words for Tierra Verde Marina, West Florida, Statute Mile 113
    Tierra Verde Marina is located directly on the Western Florida ICW, just west of the Pinellas Bayway Bridge, northwest of marker #22. This facility went through a major rebuilding only a year or so ago. Stayed one night on our 31 foot sailboat. The staff is extremely friendly and helpful. They only have 50 amp [...]
  • SSECN Alert 5/17/13
    I. A HUGE Vote of Thanks to the Cruising Community, and A Special Request II. Terrific Input Received For North Carolina 5/09/13 Wish List II. Shoaling on Southern Foot of Sunshine Skyway Channel, at the Mouth of Tampa Bay IV. Delegal Creek Marina (Statute Mile 600) V. Change of Opening Schedule, Addison Point/John F. Kennedy [...]
  • Memorial Day Celebration, May 24-27, 2013, Bald Head Island, Cape Fear River
    Beginning Thursday, May 24, Bald Head Island is hosting a full-blown, five day Memorial Day Celebration. From surfing lessons and paddleboard excursions, to a reptile roundup and a turtle trot, there is certain to be an activity for every member of your family. Evening events include a Howl at the Moon party and food booths [...]
  • DIY Removable Table Fiddles
    Removable fiddles on your galley table (or counters) make it much easier to clean . . . and easier to clean means less attractive to bugs and more attractive to people!

    Click title above to read the full article

Today’s Links – May 18, 2013

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  • Support Vessel Needed for a Worthy Cause, SC/NC State Line to VA
    This sounds like a wonderful adventure. Contact Kacie Wallace at the email below to determine what requirements are needed to be a support vessel. Cruising News: On June 8, World Oceans Day, YOLO Board team rider Kacie Wallace and friend Kimberly Sutton will begin paddling up the North Carolina coast, from the South Carolina state [...]
  • Praise for Ortega Landing Marina, Ortega River, Jacksonville, FL
    Ortega Landing, the first facility you will encounter upon entering the Ortega River from the St. Johns, is indeed a fine facility, as is nearby Lambs Marine Center. We are currently at the Marina and it is fantastic. Over 5.5ft. of water on the approach (call for directions) and plenty at the dock. friendly people, [...]
  • Shoaling at AICW/Bakers Haulover Intersection, Statute Mile 1080
    AICW/Bakers Haulover Intersection – Click for Chartview This area has been designated Problem Stretch due to shaoling, as well as having a Navigation Alert due to a relocated marker at the southern end of AICW/Bakers Haulover Inlet intersection. FLORIDA-ATLANTIC INTRACOASTAL WATERWAY-BAKERS HAULOVER INLET: Shoaling. The Coast Guard has received a report of severe shoaling in [...]
  • Furuno TZT chart plotting, feeling the love
    Written for Panbo by Ben Ellison
    Furuno_TZT_Lafayette_River_anchorage_cPanbo.jpg

    One problem with cruising north early during a late spring was that Gizmo’s open fly bridge was usually too cold to work with electronics like the Furuno TZT14 that I’d installed there just before finishing the trip south (as seen in this photo). I look forward to much more testing here in Maine but this I already know: For me, there is no other MFD or PC navigation program that does underway chart plotting so well. TimeZero software from MaxSea and Nobeltec are obviously excepted — and note that TZ for iPad is on its way — because Furuno essentially built the NavNet3D and TZT series as very specialized marine computers that run TZ with tight integration to their radars, sounders, etc. as well as to NMEA 2000, Ethernet and analog cameras, and more. Let’s look at some screens that illustrate what TZT does so well…

  • English Muffin Bread
    What a special treat for breakfast . . . and not hard at all to make! Even if you’ve never made bread before, you can do it.

    Click title above to read the full article

Today’s Links – May 17, 2013

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  • Advice on New River Inlet/AICW Intersection, AICW Statute Mile 426
    The Waterway classically shoals either immediately north or south of the four-way intersection with New River and New River Inlet. Dredging at this intersection was begun in November of 2012 and was to have been completed by February of 2013. However, as Capt. Young reports, the work has been completed. Good news indeed! Long-time contibutor [...]
  • More on Shoaling at AICW/ Lockwoods Folly Inlet Intersection, Statute Mile 321
    Earlier in 2013, we have had consistent reports of shallower depths at the AICW/Shallotte Inlet intersection at St. M. 330. Well, it’s not surprise that we are now hearing the same thing about the AICW/Lockwoods Folly intersection, just a hop, skip and jump farther to the north. After all, we haven’t designated both these intersections [...]
  • Atlantic Yacht Basin, Chesapeake, VA, AICW Statute Mile 12
    Atlantic Yacht Basin, 757-482-2141, www.atlanticyachtbasin.com Located immediately south of the Great Bridge Locks and Bascule Bridge, this marina offers an excellent full-service boat yard, with a long fixed face dock and covered storage on the well protected small inlet behind the yard. Fuel, water, electric and a working pump out are available. There is a [...]
  • Waterside Marina, Norfolk, VA, AICW Statute Mile Zero
    Waterside Marina, 757-625-3625, www.watersidemarina.com Located in downtown Norfolk on the side of the Elizabeth River just opposite Portsmouth this marina is just a slight bit south of ICW mile marker zero. It is next to the Waterside Festival Marketplace, Town Point Park and the Battleship Wisconsin and Nauticus exhibits. There are many excellent restaurants and [...]
  • Blue Water Yachting Center, Hampton, VA, 12 Statute Mile North of Mile Zero
    Blue Water Yachting Center is at One Marina Road, Hampton City, VA, 757-723-6774, www.bluewateryachtsales.com This marina is a convenient stop after a long travel day coming south on the Chesapeake Bay, especially in heavy weather. It is located on the Hampton River which is just west of the Old Point Comfort side of the Hampton [...]
  • Upper Cooper River Anchorage (Statute Mile 568.5)
    This nifty anchorage lies just off the AICW, north of Ramshorn Creek, and northwest of AICW marker #37. “Rapid Roy” is quite right about the strong currents present on these waters. Be SURE your anchorage is well set before heading below for a well-earned toddie! I’ve anchored there around the bend, in the straight stretch [...]
  • Palmetto Bay Marina (off the AICW, on Hilton Head Island’s Broad Creek, Near St. M. 564)
    Palmetto Bay Marina is the first facility you will encounter when entering Broad Creek from the AICW and Calibogue Sound. It will be spotted on the creek’s southern banks, just downstream of the high-rise, bypass bridge. If you’re willing to go a few miles off the ICW, you can visit Palmetto Bay marina on Broad [...]
  • Marine Surveyor Recommended in Tampa Bay Area
    Recommendations of this type from fellow cruisers make for some of the best information you can get! Call Dan Matos, marine engine surveyor (239-461-0366), and Steven Berlin, Accredited Marine Surveyor (239-466-45440 , They are both from Ft. Myers. Reported to be one of the best in Florida. We used them both on our new (new [...]
  • Hilton Head Island Boat Show Slated for 5/18/13 to 5/19/13 at Windmill Harbour Marina (Statute Mile 558)
    Come one, come all to this special event, which is being held in the water and on the grounds of SALTY SOUTHEAST CRUISERS’ NET SPONSOR Windmill Habour Marina, on Hilton Head Island! This fine facility sits hard by the southwesterly mouth of Skull Creek south of AICW marker #27 (on the easterly banks). For MUCH [...]

Today’s Links – May 16, 2013

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  • Jekyll Island Bike Trail, Jekyll Harbor Marina, AICW Statute Mile 684.5
    This new bike trail just adds another to the many reasons to stop at Jekyll Island. Jekyll Harbor Marina lies along the easterly banks of the AICW’s passage through Jekyll Creek, immediately south of the 65-foot fixed bridge. These good folks are a SALTY SOUTHEAST CRUISERS’ NET SPONSOR and and the marina is home to [...]
  • Wilmington Marine Center (off the AICW, on Cape Fear River, 3 Miles Downstream From Wilmington, NC)
    We have visited with the Wilmington Marine Center on many occasions, and have always been impressed with the services available here. The problem is that visiting cruisers will have to undertake a fairly lengthy taxi ride to and from the dockage basin to the downtown Wilmington business and dining district. Wilmington Marine Centrer is a [...]
  • Broad Creek Anchorage (off North River, Statute Mile 61)
    On 5/9/13, as part of a North Carolina Wish List, we posed the following question: Statute Mile 61 – who has anchored on Broad Creek, off North River, and west of AICW/North River marker #164? Did you have any trouble finding the entrance to Broad Creek? What depths did you find when entering, and while [...]
  • Masonboro Inlet and Shinn Creek (Statute Mile 282)
    On 5/9/13, as part of a North Carolina Wish List, we posed the following question: Statute Mile 282 – who has navigated Shinn Creek, from AICW marker #129, to Masonboro Inlet? Did you find sufficient depths in Shinn Creek? What about Masonboro Inlet itself? Please describe you passage through this inlet, and what you observed. [...]
  • Weekly News from Fort Pierce City Marina, AICW Statute Mile 966.5, May 15, 2013
    The entrance channel leading to Fort Pierce City Marina, a SALTY SOUTHEAST CRUISERS’ NET SPONSOR, runs to the west, just south of the Fort Pierce high-rise bridge, and well north of unlighted daybeacon #188. I hope all you Mother’s had a wonderful Mother’s day and you just kicked back and relaxed or did something fun. [...]
  • Awendaw Creek Anchorage (Statute Mile 435.5)
    You almost have to think of Awendaw Creek as two different bodies of waters. First, there is the southwesterly branch, which is followed by the AICW for several miles, southwest of marker #50. Then, there is the seaward branch, south of marker #50, and bypassed by the Waterway. This latter stream can make for a [...]
  • Marine Surveryor Recommended For New Bern, NC Area (Neuse Area)
    Recommendations of this ilk from marine professionals are often worth their weight in gold! This guy is the only marine surveyor I have listed in my “work” phone contacts. We had used him in the past on custom boats and I was impressed. I am not sure of his experience with Hatteras yachts. He is [...]
  • Change of Opening Schedule, Addison Point/John F. Kennedy Space Center Bridge, AICW Statute Mile 885
    The Space Center Causeway Bridge crosses the AICW at Statute Mile 885, south of marker #43. The change in this span’s opening schedule, detailed below, extends the restricted opening hours by 30 minutes both AM and PM. FLORIDA – ATLANTIC INTRACOASTAL WATERWAY – PALM SHORES TO WEST PALM BEACH – INDIAN RIVER – NASA PARKWAY/SR [...]
  • AICW Problem Stretch Shoaling Confirmed Near McClellanville, SC, Statute Mile 434
    Due to persistent shoaling, in early 2011 we designated the Waterway south of McClellanville to Awendaw Creek, as an “ICW Problem Stretch.” As before, we recommend passage at mid or high tide. Capt. Schmidt confirms that shoaling still persists in this area. As you know, there are problems here. Today, Jan. 11 starting at mile [...]

Today’s Links – May 15, 2013

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  • Another Good Stay at Jacksonville Landing on the St. Johns River, Jacksonville, FL
    It’s a 13 mile cruise up the St. Johns River from the AICW to the Jacksonville waterfront, where mariners will discover Jacksonville Landing, on the north side of the St. Johns, midway between the Main Street Bridge and the Acosta Bridge. This complex is a downtown shopping mall/food court with a stage area for special [...]
  • Carolina Beach Mooring Field (just off the AICW, near Statute Mile
    On 5/9/13, as part of a North Carolina Wish List, we posed the following question: Statute Mile 295- who has picked up a mooring at the Carolina Beach Mooring Field south of Snow Cut’s eastern entrance? Did you find the field easy to enter? What sort of mooring ball condition did you observe? Did you [...]
  • McCotter’s Marina (off the AICW on Upper Pamlico River, Near Washington, NC)
    On 5/9/13, as part of a North Carolina Wish List, we posed the following question: Statute Mile 146 – who has abandoned the AICW, and cruised upstream on Pamlico River to Washington, NC? Did you stop at Broad Creek, and visit with McCotters Marina? If so, please give us a description of this facility. Or, [...]
  • South Harbour Village Marina (Statute Mile 311)
    On 5/9/13, as part of a North Carolina Wish List, we posed the following question: Statute Mile 311 – those of you who have spent a night or two at South Harbour Village Marina, near AICW marker #9, please share your experiences. Did you dine at either of the two, on-site restaurant? How was the [...]
  • Blue Water Point Marina (Statute Mile 320)
    On 5/9/13, as part of a North Carolina Wish List, we posed the following question: Statute Mile 320 – has anyone left the Waterway near marker #36, and entered Blue Water Point Marina, sot the south? What sort of MLW entrance and dockside depths did you discover? Did you eat at the on-site restaurant? Is [...]
  • Dowry Creek Marina (Statute Mile 131.5)
    On 5/9/13, as part of a North Carolina Wish List, we posed the following question: Statute Mile 131.5 – who has had the good fortune to visit with Captain Mary at Dowry Creek Marina, north of AICW/Pungo River marker #5? Please give us a full description of what you found. Were you able to find [...]
  • Cruising Up the Cape Fear River to Wilmington, NC and Wilmington City Docks
    On 5/9/13, as part of a North Carolina Wish List, we posed the following question: Upper Cape Fear River – who has departed the AICW, and cruised upstream on the Cape Fear River to the Wilmington, NC waterfront? Did you stay at the city docks? Responses follow: We traveled up the Cape Fear River in [...]
  • Oriental, NC Marinas (Statute Mile 181)
    On 5/9/13, as part of a North Carolina Wish List, we posed the following question: Statute Mile 181 – any descriptions of Oriental’s other several marinas and repair facilities would also be helpful to your fellow cruisers. Responses follow: I leave my boat at Whittaker Point marina for several weeks which is in the aforementioned [...]
  • Morehead City Dining (Statute Mile 205 to 203)
    On 5/9/13, as part of a North Carolina Wish List, we posed the following question: Statute Mile 205 to 203 – someone please give us some Morehead City dining recommendations. In particular, has anyone eaten at the Ruddy Duck lately? Responses follow: Ruddy Duck is still its wonderful self. We Always stop here. There is [...]