Anchorage Review for Abrahams Bay-Guano Point (East End)

Reviewed by: John Morfit, Ashling, on Apr 11, 2024
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 47'
Draft: 4.0'

Abrahams Bay is no longer a port of entry. The holding is excellent with a sand bottom and scattered coral heads. Tidal range is 3-4 feet. Not much wind protection, but waves are usually under 2ft. Trash and water are available at the dinghy dock. Raise your prop as you approach the markers at low tide. Groceries are limited, but within walking distance. Hire a car to explore the island. Gas or diesel is available by car, or can be delivered.

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Marina Review for Staniel Cay Yacht Club

Reviewed by: John Morfit , Ashling, on Mar 6, 2024
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 47'
Draft: 4.0'

Rating: 4

$5.75/gal for diesel. On busy days, vessels queue up to the N of the fuel dock. We had to wait over an hour, holding station, to let the 4 boats ahead of us get fuel.

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Bridge comment on Causton Bluff (Sam Varnedoe) Bascule Bridges

Comment by: John Morfit, Ashling, on Apr 1, 2022
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 47'

USCG MSIB-0722 issued 4/1/2022 announces that the bascule repairs are complete and the bridge is re-opened.

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Bridge comment on Causton Bluff (Sam Varnedoe) Bascule Bridges

Comment by: John Morfit, Ashling, on Nov 7, 2021
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 47'

The new Island Expressway bridge slated for completion Nov 30 2021 is a fixed span bridge with 65 foot clearance at MHW, and an approximately 200 foot wide fendered channel. See https://engineering.chathamcountyga.gov/Projects/ProjectDetail?id=9cd49f52-2a78-4ca1-b393-999c441cd12d

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Marina Review for Jackson Creek Marina

Reviewed by: John Morfit , Ashling, on Sep 21, 2020
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 47'
Draft: 4.0'

Rating: 5

We anchored outside of DM in Jackson Creek. We were welcomed at the marina when we went ashore to pay the $5/day dinghy fee. We declined a facility fee, preferring to use our boat's facilities, but it is available. We were allowed to use the bicycles, which we did to reach The Table restaurant (warning, take headlamps for after dark). We also were allowed to use the courtesy van to do shopping in town! At lastly, we were invited to attend their annual customer appreciation picnic with crabs, oysters, burgers and beer. Now that was nice! Thank you DM!

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Anchorage Review for Willoughby Bay

Reviewed by: John Morfit, Ashling, on Aug 22, 2020
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 47'
Draft: 4.0'

8-12 feet of water throughout a very large area. I would avoid the navy facilities on the south and west sides, as helicopters are constantly taking off and landing there. In addition, they were doing search and rescue operation training, dropping swimmers into the water from a hover, and recovering them.

We have a Rocna 33 (73 lbs) and it drug through 150 feet of the black ooze on the bottom at 1/2 knot, never stopping. So we switched to a Fortress 23 and it held immediately.

T-Mobile cell service was good.

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Marina Review for Cape Charles Yacht Center

Reviewed by: John Morfit , Ashling, on Aug 22, 2020
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 47'
Draft: 4.0'

Rating: 4

We came here to haul out a catamaran and get some bottom work done. While the haul out facility is narrow, the crew is experienced at fitting wide-beam boats in using pool noodles and life preservers as hand-held fenders. Our beam is 24' 3" and they could have handled up to 25' 0" I think. The travel lift is a BFM 75 II, so it's got limited length capability. They succeeded (barely) in lifting my double-masted cat that requires the front strap to be about 30 feet from the travel lift's cross beam.

On the work side, they have a very limited number of skilled personnel, and having let George go, that is more limited. JB Turner has a goal to expand capability, so I hope he'll succeed. For some keel work, they were recommending vinylester and 24 hour cure between layers so they could sand the work flatter between layers. This will prevent molecular bonding between layers and vinylester lacks the strength of epoxy. An experienced subcontractor they hired will be doing epoxy with proper layup layers promoting molecular bonding.

The folks are all friendly and helpful here, and you can work on your own boat as long as it does not include grinding or painting.

Cape Charles is operating during COVID, with changes. Monday and Tuesday is pretty closed down for restaurants. Prices are tourist-level. Haircuts require appointments. All that aside, it’s a nice small town.

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