Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread Display Modes
 
Old 04-05-2016, 02:11 PM   #1
Guru
 
hmason's Avatar
 
City: Stuart FL
Vessel Name: Lucky Lucky
Vessel Model: Pacific Mariner 65
Join Date: Aug 2013
Posts: 2,760
This Happened!!

Picture this:

We are heading north from FL to CT. Our first stop is Dragon Point. It's a decent anchorage at the mouth of the Banana River in Melbourne, FL. I chose a clear area with at least 300 feet of swing room from any boat around me. We lower the anchor (Manson Supreme 60# in case you are curious), make sure it's set and begin to relax for the evening.

Suddenly, I hear a knocking on the side of the boat. I dash out to the deck and find a guy in worn out clothes, standing in an inflatable that looked about 50 years old, bare feet standing in about 3 inches of water, and sporting a British Seagull outboard that smelled strongly of raw gasoline. I'm not kidding, a living breathing British Seagull!

He points to his delapidated 26 foot (approx) sailboat and tells me that my boat is over one of his THREE anchors. He goes on to say that last week a 52 foot power boat dragged anchor and hit his boat bending his stanchions. He said he was sure that when I raised my anchor I would take him with me.

He wanted me to move! I told him I would be happy to move in the morning when I was ready to leave, and that if I took him with me it would be much safer in the morning.

Ok, now it's 7:00 in morning and I start my engines. Mr. Cautious comes flying out of his boat staring at me from his cockpit. We retrieved our anchor and cruised away leaving him behind. He meekly waved goodbye. Oh well.
__________________
Howard
Lucky Lucky
Stuart, FL
hmason is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-05-2016, 02:20 PM   #2
Guru
 
psneeld's Avatar
 
City: Ft Pierce
Vessel Name: Sold
Vessel Model: Was an Albin/PSN 40
Join Date: Oct 2011
Posts: 28,157
and you think that is anything amazing in some of the Florida anchorages?


My favorite example of abandoned (or questionable boats) is Cocoa City anchorage.


Half the boats there I have never seen anyone on and they look the same except with more mildew on every year. Several are anchored in the no anchor zone due to pipeline/cable area...and no one seems to care. But I bet the minute you go near one...some bearded hermit will show up and threaten you somehow.


Glad it never got ugly for you...but NOT being in the one percent...maybe not even in the upper 50% anymore.....I have a real hard time with some of these maritime homesteaders that feel like their corner of the globe is theirs because they got there first.
psneeld is online now   Reply With Quote
Old 04-05-2016, 02:25 PM   #3
Guru
 
hmason's Avatar
 
City: Stuart FL
Vessel Name: Lucky Lucky
Vessel Model: Pacific Mariner 65
Join Date: Aug 2013
Posts: 2,760
Yes, Cocoa Beach is quite a derelict anchorage. I am afraid to anchor there for fear something will break loose and hit me, or I will develop some disease from inhaling airborne mold.
__________________
Howard
Lucky Lucky
Stuart, FL
hmason is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-05-2016, 02:34 PM   #4
Guru
 
psneeld's Avatar
 
City: Ft Pierce
Vessel Name: Sold
Vessel Model: Was an Albin/PSN 40
Join Date: Oct 2011
Posts: 28,157
Quote:
Originally Posted by hmason View Post
Yes, Cocoa Beach is quite a derelict anchorage. I am afraid to anchor there for fear something will break loose and hit me, or I will develop some disease from inhaling airborne mold.
Yep...but still like going far enough to be comfy for the night and using the free dock during the day. Some stay the night at the dock but I discourage it as I hate to see good deals get complicated.

Pretty little town and good dingy access....wish they would clear out the derelicts.

My thoughts on anchoring...while I don't agree with the current legislation being passed...I clearly see the difference between transient anchoring for a week or so and homesteading at anchor. I can see towns passing a law determining the viability of both and making both available....restrictive on the long term...reasonable on the short term.
psneeld is online now   Reply With Quote
Old 04-05-2016, 02:40 PM   #5
Guru
 
hmason's Avatar
 
City: Stuart FL
Vessel Name: Lucky Lucky
Vessel Model: Pacific Mariner 65
Join Date: Aug 2013
Posts: 2,760
__________________
Howard
Lucky Lucky
Stuart, FL
hmason is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-05-2016, 02:42 PM   #6
Guru
 
City: Satsuma FL
Vessel Name: No Mo Trawla
Vessel Model: Hurricane SS188
Join Date: Jul 2014
Posts: 2,300
Quote:
Originally Posted by hmason View Post
Yes, Cocoa Beach is quite a derelict anchorage.
There is no anchorage at Cocoa Beach which is about 10 miles to the east of the anchorage in Cocoa south of the 520 causeway. Cocoa and Cocoa Beach are two separate towns with the town of Merritt Island between them.
Donsan is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-05-2016, 03:12 PM   #7
Guru
 
psneeld's Avatar
 
City: Ft Pierce
Vessel Name: Sold
Vessel Model: Was an Albin/PSN 40
Join Date: Oct 2011
Posts: 28,157
Actually Thousands Islands Anchorage mentioned in Active Captain seems an OK anchorage for Cocoa Beach....


Not the one I am referring to but if people want to visit Cocoa Beach...check out the Active Captain reference.
psneeld is online now   Reply With Quote
Old 04-05-2016, 03:13 PM   #8
Guru
 
hmason's Avatar
 
City: Stuart FL
Vessel Name: Lucky Lucky
Vessel Model: Pacific Mariner 65
Join Date: Aug 2013
Posts: 2,760
My sincere apologies to Cocoa Beach.
__________________
Howard
Lucky Lucky
Stuart, FL
hmason is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-05-2016, 03:16 PM   #9
Guru
 
psneeld's Avatar
 
City: Ft Pierce
Vessel Name: Sold
Vessel Model: Was an Albin/PSN 40
Join Date: Oct 2011
Posts: 28,157
Quote:
Originally Posted by hmason View Post
My sincere apologies to Cocoa Beach.
It's OK...not many cruisers I hear brave going up and down the Banana River anyway due to draft and channel markings.
psneeld is online now   Reply With Quote
Old 04-05-2016, 04:25 PM   #10
Guru
 
O C Diver's Avatar
 
City: Fort Myers, FL... Summers in the Great Lakes
Vessel Name: Slow Hand
Vessel Model: Cherubini Independence 45
Join Date: Dec 2010
Posts: 12,835
Quote:
Originally Posted by hmason View Post
Picture this:

We are heading north from FL to CT. Our first stop is Dragon Point. It's a decent anchorage at the mouth of the Banana River in Melbourne, FL. I chose a clear area with at least 300 feet of swing room from any boat around me. We lower the anchor (Manson Supreme 60# in case you are curious), make sure it's set and begin to relax for the evening.
Should have anchored above the next causeway bridge. That's my private anchorage and I don't allow derelicts.

Good to see you again.

Ted
__________________
Blog: mvslowhand.com
I'm tired of fast moves, I've got a slow groove, on my mind.....
I want to spend some time, Not come and go in a heated rush.....
"Slow Hand" by The Pointer Sisters
O C Diver is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off


» Trawler Port Captains
Port Captains are TF volunteers who can serve as local guides or assist with local arrangements and information. Search below to locate Port Captains near your destination. To learn more about this program read here: TF Port Captain Program





All times are GMT -5. The time now is 10:59 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.8 Beta 4
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.
Search Engine Optimization by vBSEO 3.6.0
Copyright 2006 - 2012