Back in February, of 2012, I visited the small, but surprisingly bustling community of Darien, Georgia by land yacht. I was impressed with the number of restaurants, the waterfront wine shop and the very welcoming attitude towards myself and cruisers in general. Now, with free 48-hour dockage, the city of Darien is making a real push to lure mariners along the 7 mile cruise from Darien River’s intersection with the AICW, to the town waterfront. And, with a well marked channel, featuring 12+ feet of MLW water, this is now a decidedly enticing proposition.
We would LOVE to hear from fellow cruisers who have made the trek to Darien’s waterfront. If this accurately describes you, please click the “Comment on This Posting/Marina/Anchorage/Bridge” link below, and share your information.

Hello Claiborne,
I don’t know how long ago it was that you were here but we have made a great deal of improvements and added a lot of businesses near the waterfront. We are going all out to provide dockage, information and assistance to the cruisers in Darien and this is a big step. We really appreciate this and I am looking forward to seeing it on the Cruisers Net.
Thank you,
Captain Phillip

Click Here To View the Cruisers’ Net’s Georgia Marina Directory Listing For the Darien City Docks

Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of the Darien City Docks

Morning Star Golden Isles Marina is located on the Frederica River, between Lanier and St. Simons Islands, south of the charted 9 foot bridge. Depart north from the Waterway south of ICW marker # 247 and Frederica River marker #1. While the Frederica River has good depths north of the marina, access from the Waterway north is not possible because of the fixed 9ft clearance bridge.

We stayed at this Marina from February until April, on our passage from Ft. Lauderdale, home to North Carolina. We could not have been more pleased.
From our initial phone conversations with Chris Ferguson, the general manager, we were impressed.
All the staff go out of their way to be helpful. There was not a single need that was not met. The office staff called us every time we had a package/mail to be picked up- and we have a lot of packages!! Mary and Penny were great!!
The facilities are clean and ample sized. The laundry is adequate and reasonably priced.
Use of the loaner car (free) is a big plus!!
We initially planned to stay only a few weeks- one month, but liked it so well we decided to stay another month.
We will definitely stay here again when we head back south for the winter.
Of note, Melissa is no longer the dockmaster, but Chick, Buck and Alfred took very good care of us throughout our stay.
Wonderful, Wonderful Marina. Highly recommend it!
S/V SeaQuell-Robert and Becky Nordstrom

Click Here To View the Cruisers’ Net’s Georgia Marina Directory Listing For Morningstar Marina at Golden Isles

Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Golden Isles Marina

Brunswick Landing Marina lies on the eastern banks of Academy Creek, just off Brunswick River, near the heart of downtown Brunswick, Georgia.

Stayed here April 14-15, 2012. We stayed the better part of a month in 2009 because we liked the town and the monthly rate.The river on which it is built is considered a hurricane hole and many insurance companies may discount your policy for keeping your boat here durring the season.
Sherry still runs the marina. Her chihuahua, “Killer” has a new companion, “Danger”, another chihuahua.
They have installed a “dock-side” pump-out station at the gas dock so boaters no longer have to wait for high tide for Sherry to use the “Everlasting Gobslopper” which is now retired.
It’s a floating dock marina so drop your fenders to the waterline as you approach.
The town has a couple small grocery stores and the Grog Shop” liquor store are within (daytime) walking distance. Downtown (near the marina) restaurants come and go and there are a few decent ones as I write this. Further away, about a mile, West Marine and grocery stores await.
Taxi fare seems high to me but car rental companies will deliver a car right to the marina and I-95 traffic is close enough to see from the marina.
Every main pier has a gas grill for all to use so fire up some steaks and shrimp.
Clean restrooms and more books in the “leave one-take one” library than you could read in a lifetime.
Laundry is still free.
Max Miller

Click Here To View the Cruisers’ Net’s Georgia Marina Directory Listing For Brunswick Landing Marina

Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Brunswick Landing Marina

Thunderbolt Marine is a full service yacht repair, refit facility and marina located on the Waterway at Marker #35 just outside the city limits of Savannah. We continue to hear about their good people skills, good contacts and good technical skills that make Thunderbolt Marine an excellent boatyard.

We stopped here for fuel and a night on the dock ($1.75/foot) on April 9th, 2012. The current rages here and as I motored against the current alongside the gas dock for a port-side tie-up, I tossed a springline to the dockhand. Since my propwalk swings my stern to port and the 23 ponies laboring ahead down in the bilge couldn’t overcome the rush of water, I expertly backed my boat stern-in against the gas dock. Don’t use a springline to land your boat anywhere in Georgia.
After fueling, the dockhand backed us down the pier and we tied alongside the end of the long gas dock for the night. Other boats were tied alongside the inside of the gas dock.
We ate at Tubby’s, a nearby restaurant which has free appetizers if you order a beer before 5:00.
There is a shrimpdock nearby which sports a sign that reads “Open 10:00″. We didn’t try it but were tempted.
The marina has clean restrooms and laundry facilities.
We heard the sound of “bacon frying” all night which we have been told is the sound of shrimp flicking their tails against your hull to knock the grass from the bottom to score a tasty veggie snack.
Max Miller

Click Here To View the Cruisers’ Net’s Georgia Marina Directory Listing For Thunderbolt Marine

Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Thunderbolt Marine

The choppy water problem while running the AICW’s passage across Georgia’s St. Andrew Sound results from the Waterway’s passage practically out into the briny blue, in order to clear Horseshoe Shoal, which occupies the Sound’s mid-width. Recognizing the potential for very dusty crossing here, the US Army Corps of Engineers has provided an alternate route, known as Umbrella Cut, BUT low water depths on this alternate passage can run as thin as 4 1/2 feet.

Cruising News:
Just a note that I recently rounded the north end of Cumberland Island and used the pass out of Saint Andrew bay marked “the hole” on the chart. Once around the north end of Cumberland it became apparent how dangerous this area is with shoals and breaking waves on both sides. Prudent cruisers should avoid this area at all cost. You could easily lose your boat here. The local tow boat captain told me he is not allowed to respond to calls out there. Too dangerous.
Chris Hadden

There is another route to avoid the worst of St Andrews Sound. You can go around the west end of Horseshoe Shoal and have over 8′ of water except for one small spot. Just south of G7 buoy, there is a sharp peak that rises to 4′ MLW. The charted depth of 8′ here is not accurate.
Richard Ross M/V Chez Nous

Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of the AICW’s Passage Across St. Andrew Sound

Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Northern End of Umbrella Cut

Click Here To View An Earlier Posting on Umbrella Cut

Big Tom Creek cuts the eastern banks of the Waterway, south of flashing daybeacon #105A.

We anchored here on 4/8/2012. We dropped right over the 9 ft mark on the chart and the hook grabbed quickly. The charted depths are accurate. Deep side to side. Unnerving ‘monster sounds’ from shore in the middle of the night (cows snoring, I presume).
Max Miller

Click Here To View the Cruisers’ Net’s Georgia Anchorage Directory Listing For Big Tom Creek

Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Big Tom Creek

Wallys Leg Anchorage is on the waters of Wallys Leg, west of flashing daybeacon #231.
In reviewing my on-site notes taken during our last visit to Wallys Leg, I can confirm that the shallow water that Captain Miller found abutting the northern shore is for real. We have always been able to find sufficient swing room to comfortably anchor vessels as large as 40 feet by favoring the southerly shoreline slightly, and dropping the hook near the stream’s mouth.
We would be very interested to hear from more cruisers who have, or have attempted, to anchor in Wallys Leg. What did you discover. Please click the “Comment on This Posting/Marina/Anchorage/Bridge” link below, and share your information.

On 4/7/2012, I tried to motor a circle here to assure swing room and ran aground on the north shore as soon as I left the center of the river. I gave up on this anchorage. I didn’t record the depths as charted.
Max Miller

Click Here To View the Cruisers’ Net’s Georgia Anchorage Directory Listing For Wallys Leg

Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Wallys Leg

Fort McAllister Marina lies on the Ogeechee River’s southern banks, well off the AICW and upstream of Waterway marker #98.
Actually, this is not a “newer” marina in the strictest sense, as it’s been at its current location for many years. However, Captain Colleen and Stan are right in the sense that this facility underwent a major renovation and upgrade a couple of years ago!

To all you cruisers not in a hurry, this marina/stop is a must! Ft.McAllister Marina is a beautiful newer marina in Richmond Hill, GA. Ritchie Roberts (912) 727-2632 marina #, (912) 213-1368 cell#, is the manager and so nice and helpful! the cost here is very reasonable, just $1.00 foot, plus $5.00 for electric!!! you can afford to stay a few days and tour the historical Civil War Fort McAllister and the “Ford” museum, that’s Henry Ford. Ritchie will let you take his truck during the day sightseeing or go to the local supermarket for provisions. there is a restaurant on site, “Fish Tales” open Mon. – Thur. 4PM – 10 PM, Fri & Sat. 11 AM – 12 AM , Sunday 11 AM – 8PM. well worth the stop heading north in the spring or south in the winter… Just 8 miles up the Ogeechee River off the ICW on Ossabaw Sound! this just might be the New BEST destination.
Colleen, Stan, and Maybea2 on the Power Cat, Next Endeavour

The Ogeechee River is an excellent example of a river that follows the “rules of a mud bottom channel”! Look at the chart up to Ft. McAllister Marina and you will see what we’re talking about. DO NOT GO UP THERE FOLLOWING THE CENTER OF THE RIVER!!!!
Chuck Gorgen

The river is well marked by green and red buoys all the way to the marina!we went in at low tide, it is much better if you draft over 4 ft to go in at slack tide or high tide, it is so worth the trip if your boat will take you there!
Colleen, Stan and Maybea2

The charts, both paper and Garmin and Navionics are not worth a tinker’s dam [in cruising to Fort McAllister Marina, up the Ogeechee River from the AICW]. Follow the markers until you get to the sign on the right bank that points across the river and says Marina. Then 90 degrees to port at sign and go within 100 yards of left bank where you turn upriver to marina. Now all your charts will tell you that as you cross the river you will run aground in two feet of water but if you continue straight at the sign it is deep water all the way. Nay, it is just the opposite. Alex at the marina saw us and called on the phone to warn me we were going to be in trouble.
He saved us just barely. Call ahead and stay in touch with them as you go up. Great stop and great food. Very friendly folks. Current runs fast at
dock.
Rusty and Jan Carlisle

Click Here To View the Cruisers’ Net’s Georgia Marina Directory Listing For Fort McAllister

Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Fort McAllister Marina

A popular side trip off the Waterway and up the Savannah River, the city of Savannah will be a busy port during the visit of tall ships from around the world. As of this date there are 14 ships confirmed for the Tall Ship Challenge and more are expected. These ships will be moored on both banks of the river in downtown Savannah, Thursday through Monday. Navigation Restrictions will be place for the waters adjacent to moorings, staging and parade of the participating vessels. This is definitely a weekend to visit Savannah by land. There is an admission charge. For more information, go to: www.savannahtallshipchallenge.com

Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of the downtown Savannah Waterfront

Kings Bay Submarine Base lies on the west side of the AICW’s run through Cumberland Sound and just north of the GA/FL state line. Approximate completion date of the project detailed below is June 1, 2012.

GEORGIA-FLORIDA-CUMBERLAND SOUND-FERNANDINA HARBOR TO KINGS BAY: Dredge Operations (UPDATE).
Cottrell Contracting Corp has commenced dredging operations at Kings Bay Submarine Base, from Cumberland Sound Lighted Buoy 37 (LLNR 6915/37765) to Kings Bay Light 62 (LLNR 7040). Mariners are advised to remain a safe distance away from the dredge, pipelines, barge, booster, buoys, cables, derricks operating wires and other related equipment. The dredge and pontoon lines are held in place by cables attached to anchors from the dredge and pontoons. Buoys are attached to the anchors so they may move as the dredge moves. Submerged lines should be avoided. Mariners are to exercise extreme caution when approaching, passing, and leaving the dredge plant. The dredge “LEXINGTON” will monitor VHF channels 13 and 16. Dredge operations will be conducted (24) hours a day, (7) days a week with an approximate completion date of June 1, 2012. Fishnets, crab pots and structures in the general area must be removed prior to commencement of any work; a slow “NO WAKE” speed is advised of transiting vessels. All vessels are requested to contact the dredge prior to passing. Further information contact Mr. Benjamin Cottrell (757) 547-9611. Chart 11503

Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Kings Bay Entrance Channel

In addition to the extensive repair facilities at Thunderbolt Marine, so ably described below by “Captain T,” don’t overlook the excellent transient dockage available here as well! And, I also second the recommendation for Tubby’s Tank House. The seafood is AWESOME!
The message below was copied from the GL (Great Loop) Mailing list.

Try Thunderbolt Marine on the Wilmington River. Coming North go in via Wassaw Sound, but watch the buoys carefully. Huge facility. Used to be the refit facility for Palmer Johnson. If they can’t fix it, I’d be surprised. We had a turbo replaced there a few years ago.
Watch out for the flying teeth, nasty little black fly thang’s that come out just before sundown.
Check out Tubby’s Tank House Resturant a short walk from the marina.
T

Click Here To View the Cruisers’ Net’s Georgia Marina Directory Listing For Thunderbolt Marine

Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Thunderbolt Marine

The Georgia version of Hinkley Yacht Services guards the AICW’s westerly banks, a short hop north of the Thunderbolt high-rise bridge. This firm has had a wonderful reputation for quality repairs, going back many years.

Personally we had very good results from the Hinckley yard that is just south of Savannah. Prices were very reasonable, they work fast and they know what they are doing.
David

Click Here To View the Cruisers’ Net’s Georgia Marina Directory Listing For Hinkley Yacht Services

Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Hinkley Yacht Services

It almost goes without saying, but let’s say it anyway, that the Georgia stretch of the Atlantic Intacoastal Waterway is the most difficult section of the entire Waterway passage from Norfolk, VA to Miami, FL. Such AICW Problem Stretches as Little Mud River and Jekyll Creek are enough to make any captain lose their religion.
Below, Captain Grogen gives us all some good, general advice about keeping to the best depths possible in these waters.

Time to comment on the “rules of the mud bottom channels”. The deepest part of the channel is probably NOT going to be in the middle. Water current on a falling (ebb) tide runs faster than water on a rising (flood) tide, and the faster water cuts a deeper channel. So, the deepest place in a tidal channel is the outside bend in a falling tide current. The next deepest place is the outside bend on a rising tide current. On some curves where the curve is outside for both the ebb and flood, to will find very deep water and the possibility that the curve is even outside the charts. The situation at MM 704 is a good example of that. On some S curves you will find shallow water in the center of the channel. At low tide look at the banks, along a steep bank you will find deep water close to the bank,
along a gradual bank, shallow water. In some of the cuts that have been dredged, it isn’t always obvious which way the water flows, so you just have to observe which way the water is flowing at a given tide state. So, read the channel by looking at it, and don’t follow the magenta line on your chart plotter. Frequently, your chart plotter will show you in the marsh, and there have even been some places where the deepest water is outside of the buoyed channel! When your depth finder is showing less than the chart, wonder slowly back and forth looking for the deep water, sometimes the deep channel isn’t very wide. You actually learn a lot about a channel at low tide when you can really see it.
Chuck Gorgen

Click Here To View the Cruisers’ Net’s Georga AICW Problem Stretch Directory

This troublesome stretch lies at the intersections of the Brickhill River, Crooked River and the Waterway.The report and advice offered below come from our good friend, Chuck Baier, an experienced and skillful cruiser, is the former General Manager of Waterway Guide, and now authors an informative newsletter for our good friends at MarinaLife.

This is another example of how easy it is to get into trouble following a plotter and not paying close attention to where you are. At the section of the ICW known as Cumberland Dividings at Statute Mile 704, just near where the southern end of the Brickhill River meets the ICW behind Cumberland Island, following the magenta line on the plotter will put you hard aground. BUT, if you follow the channel markers, you will be fine. The channel is very shallow on the red side, especially between red markers 60 and 62. Stay waayyy over on the east side and when your plotter shows you going over land, I believe it shows a small island that is not there, you are actually in the deeper water. Electronics are wonderful, but don’t take the place of observing proper markers and using good common sense. Following electronics blindly can result in inconveniences at least, and expensive repairs at the worst. Some Skippers have found this to be a very expensive mistake, so keep alert and follow the marked channel. Dredging has been ongoing along parts of this stretch.
Chuck Baier

I agree with Chuck Baier’s comments of 04/03/12. I have passed through her twice in the last 3 weeks on a 185′ passenger vessel following Chucks advice above. No difficulties folowing the marks, but I did make both passages at greater than 1/2 tide.
Capt. Mike

Click Here To View the Cruisers’ Net’s “AICW Problem Stretches” Listing For the Cumberland Dividings

Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To This AICW Problem Stretch

Little Mud River is almost universally acknowledged to be the worst section of the AICW. This “AICW Problem Stretch” lies some 21 statute miles north of Brunswick, Georgia. The readings below come from our good friend, Chuck Baier, an experienced and skillful cruiser, and confirm our recommendation to navigate this area at mid to high tide only.

We transited most of the problem areas on the [Georgia] ICW at or near low tide so we are sure we had an accurate depth readings. We transited the Little Mud at 2 hours before low tide and on a falling tide. Based on this the following,
depths would be at low tide. At Red “192″ depth of 5 feet. At Crooked Creek, depth of 4 1/2 feet. Approaching Green “193″ 4 feet, then 3 feet very near “193″. Just past Green “193″ 3 1/2 feet. At Red “194″ 3 1/2 feet and just past Red “194″ 3 feet. From Red “194″ to the turn onto the Altamaha is all about 4 feet. Fortunately there were no other fools except us transiting at this low of a tide. We hope this will help others STAY AWAY at anything less than 2 to 3 extra feet of tides.
Chuck Baier

And some advice from another experienced cruiser, Chuck Gorgen:

Time to comment on the “rules of the mud bottom channels”. The deepest part of the channel is probably NOT going to be in the middle. Water current on a falling (ebb) tide runs faster than water on a rising (flood) tide, and the faster water cuts a deeper channel. So, the deepest place in a tidal channel is the outside bend in a falling tide current. The next deepest place is the outside bend on a rising tide current. On some curves where the curve is outside for both the ebb and flood, to will find very deep water and the possibility that the curve is even outside the charts. The situation at MM 704 is a good example of that. On some S curves you will find shallow water in the center of the channel. At low tide look at the banks, along a steep bank you will find deep water close to the bank,
along a gradual bank, shallow water. In some of the cuts that have been dredged, it isn’t always obvious which way the water flows, so you just have to observe which way the water is flowing at a given tide state. So, read the channel by looking at it, and don’t follow the magenta line on your chart plotter. Frequently, your chart plotter will show you in the marsh, and there have even been some places where the deepest water is outside of the buoyed channel! When your depth finder is showing less than the chart, wonder slowly back and forth looking for the deep water, sometimes the deep channel isn’t very wide. You actually learn a lot about a channel at low tide when you can really see it.
Chuck Gorgen

Click Here To View the Cruisers’ Net’s “AICW Problem Stretches” Listing For Little Mud River

Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To This AICW Problem Stretch

Buttermilk Sound connects the AICW between the Altamaha and South Altamaha Rivers, south of where the Waterway crosses Altamaha Sound. As you will see via our Chart View Page link below, there are already a number of Navigational Alerts in this area due to shoaling. The range markers Roger mentions below begin at Mile 660 and take you very close to the missing marker, so caution is advised, especially at high tide.

16 Feb 2012
Green 211 is missing. N31 18.966 W81 21.761
Stay tight to the range in case the broken off stub is just below the surface.
Roger Long

2 Apr 2012 – The Coast Guard has placed Green Can #211 in the approximate location of missing Daymarker ‘G’ 211. At low tide the broken daymarker piling was not visible.
M/V Emerald Lady

Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To A “Navigation Alert” Position at Missing Marker #211

Young Brit Lewis Colam left Miami on March 4th heading north. If you meet him on the Waterway, slow down and give him a hearty Cheerio! And he might welcome a hearty meal and a pint of grog!

From HUFFPOST MIAMI, March 21. 2012
He has no prior rowing experience, his boat is not designed for ocean travel, and his great-great uncle nearly died off the coast of Fort Lauderdale the last time his family attempted boating in the Sunshine State.
But 24-year-old Brit Lewis Colam has given up his London job and hopped across the pond to row 1,400 miles solo and unsupported from Miami to New York City, all in a bid to raise money for Alzheimer’s research [follow his adventure at iamfinechallenge.org.]

“[The boat] seems to float very well, which my mom will be happy to hear,” Colam told the Gainesville Sun before setting out from Miami’s Pelican Harbor on Saturday.
The novice adventurer plans to snake his way north rowing up to 18 hours a day split between open Atlantic waters and the Intracoastal Waterway — more Atlantic, he says, in part to avoid alligators.

Two Way Fish Camp is on the South Altamaha River’s southerly shores (west of the Waterway’s unlighted daybeacon #216A), a short hop east of the 35-foot fixed bridge and is the home of some of the largest alligators you will find outside the Okefenokee.

Stopped here in February 2012. It is 4.2 miles off the AICW and the currents are strong – 1.5 to 2 kts was my experience. Some shallow spots but the river is marked. No one to help with dock lines in the strong current. Showers not heated, wifi would not work. Did not notice until dark but the electric pedestal I hooked my electric to was mis-wired. It had a polarity reversal. Not a real problem but it did mess up my Link 10 monitor system.
Earl Beard

Click Here To View This Facility’s Full Listing of Services on the Georgia Marina Directory

Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Two Way Fish Camp