Untitled Document
News & Notes: Web-extras
By: PassageMaker Magazine
NEW CHARTKIT AVAILABLE FOR REGION 6
Maptech tells us it has an updated ChartKit with a fully revised bridge table for Region 6, which covers Norfolk, Virginia, to Florida, including the Intracoastal Waterway.
For the many cruisers who travel up and down the ICW, this handy book is worth its weight in gold, because it covers all the necessary charts and details one needs to navigate the waterways with confidence. And as the bridges and other features of the waterway change, it is great to have the latest view on the chart table.
This 10th edition includes corrected chart pages as well as 62 current aerial photos. For each of the 71 ICW bridges listed, the pages show the ICW mile marker, bridge name, clearance, type of bridge, and what channel the bridge tender monitors.
If you plan to cruise up or down the ICW in the coming months, update your ChartKit with this latest edition at your local marine store.
SLOW-BOAT CRUISING STARTS IN FRIDAY HARBOR
ABC Yacht Charters, a boating community fixture in Anacortes, Washington, for many years, has opened a second office in Friday Harbor on nearby San Juan Island to better serve clients cruising in the slow lane.
Herve Burnel, manager of ABC Yacht Charters, says Anacortes will remain the home base for the business. “The new plan is to strategically locate boats better suited to slower-paced cruising in the new Friday Harbor facility,” he says.
Many customers chartering slower trawler-type yachts and sailboats from Anacortes often make their first stop in Friday Harbor, which is less than three hours away at 8 knots. “We now can offer those chartering sailboats and trawlers a central San Juan Island starting point,” Herve explains. Friday Harbor and San Juan Island can be reached by private boat, Washington State ferry, or by air.
Herve, who recently joined the Anacortes business after a career in chartering in Annapolis, said ABC (abcyachtcharters.com) acquired Adventure Charters NW and its office and moorage on the Friday Harbor waterfront.
INSIDE PASSAGE SEMINAR FOR ALASKA CRUISERS
Planning to cruise the Inside Passage into British Columbia, perhaps all the way to Southeast Alaska? Then you may want to sign up for the fifth annual Inside Passage Seminar in Bellingham, Washington, March 15 and 16.
Speakers will include Don Douglass and his wife, Réanne Hemingway-Douglass, authors and publishers of Inside Passage cruising guides. The couple has made many trips along the Passage in small cruising yachts. Also lecturing will be Brian Pemberton, owner of NW Explorations Charters, who will share experiences and offer tips learned from leading small flotillas to Alaska each summer.
The weekend seminar, sponsored by NW Explorations and InsidePassageNews.com, will be at Hotel Bellwether, on the Bellingham waterfront. To register, contact Emmelina Mojica (emojica@nwexplorations.com) or call 800.826.1430.
GEL SOLES
By the end of the Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show, my feet were absolutely killing me. Not only were they aching, but they were cold and wet, thanks to two days of torrential rain. As I milled about the convention center on the last day of the event, I happened by a booth where shoe inserts were being sold.
Now, we’ve all seen shoe inserts, and many of us have used them, including me. However, judging by the reaction of the folks who were lined up at the booth to take the inserts for a “test drive,” I gathered that these inserts were different. I watched as several women wearing shoes that looked excruciatingly uncomfortable tried out the inserts, called Gel Soles. If the Gel Soles made their feet feel better, they would certainly work for my feet, I thought. Sure enough, the women smiled as they strolled down the aisle wearing Gel Soles.
I tried the Gel Soles and was immediately hooked. I bought two pairs, one for me and one for my wife, since our anniversary was coming up and my wife also wears torturesque shoes. (Don’t worry, that wasn’t the only gift I gave her!) I’ve worn my Gel Soles every day since then. If you suffer from cold feet like I do, you’ll appreciate this added benefit: I’ve found that the inserts make my feet feel warmer.
If you want to give your feet a treat, email the vendor who sold me my Gel Soles, Mark Enterprises of Plymouth, Minnesota, at markenterpr@aol.com.
—Steve D’Antonio