Cruisers' Net | Cruisers Helping Cruisers

Aug 31, 2016by: Larry Dorminy No Comments 33.1953,-79.27229999
Shallow Water in Minim Creek Canal, AICW Statute Mile 415, 8/31/2016

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This area of shallow water is at the south end of the Estherville Minim Creek Canal which begins at the Waterway’s exit southward from Winyah Bay.
SOUTH CAROLINA – AICW – MYRTLE GROVE SOUND AND CAPE FEAR RIVER TO CASINO CREEK – WINYAH BAY – CHARLESTON HARBOR: Depth of Channel.
The U.S. Coast Guard has found at low-tide depths of less than 5ft of water in the middle of the channel between Winyah Bay-Charleston Harbor Channel Light 4 (LLNR 34120 [33°11.7192N / 079°16.3300W, 33.195320 / -79.272167]) and Winyah Bay-Charleston Harbor Daybeacon 5 (LLNR 34125 [33°11.4410N / 079°16.5012W, 33.190683 / -79.275020]). Mariners are advised to use caution while transiting the area. Chart 11532, 11534 LNM 35/16
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Aug 22, 2016by: Larry Dorminy No Comments 33.6512,-79.09499999
Cook with Cruising Kiss, available at Bucksport Marina, AICW Statute Mile 377

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Author Corinne Kanter has these suggestions to make your culinary summer delightful and delicious! Bucksport Marina, A SALTY SOUTHEAST CRUISERS NET SPONSOR!, lies south of Waterway marker #36, along the western shores of the beautiful Waccamaw River. As well as making sausage, Bucksport is hosting one more drag boat race this summer in September, as well as a reduced dockage rate for SSECN readers.
If you are inside and near Bucksport Marina, pickup Bucksport Sausage.
Need more helpful hints, you should carry the cookbook CRUISING KISS, keep it simple Sailor? Stupid? or really SYSTEM.
Have a great race. Cook with KISS.
PS. If you would like a autograph copy order direct or get it on Amazon. Corinne had the column in Multihull Magazine out of Quicy, Mass. titled Corinne’s Culinary Corner.
Cook With K.I.S.S.
Corinne Kanter, author of The Cruising KISS Cookbook
www.sailcopress.com
The Rooster Crows but the HEN delivers the goods
corinnekanter@gmail.com
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Aug 6, 2016by: Larry Dorminy No Comments 32.1381,-80.81199999
High Praise for Harbour Town Yacht Basin, AICW Statute Mile 565

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Harbor Town Yacht Basin, A SALTY SOUTHEAST CRUISERS’ NET SPONSOR, lies just off the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway on Calibogue Sound, below Statute Mile 565 at Marker 32, right in the heart of The Sea Pines Resort.
8/5/16- Marina has been dredged. Nothing less than 8 feet throughout. This is by far one of the premier resort marinas on the East coast. Very professionally run and staffed. That free bottle of wine is a classy touch. Outstanding restaurants and shopping all over HH Island. Miles of bike trails and great beaches and swimming pool.
Rick Sorrenti
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Jul 8, 2016by: Larry Dorminy No Comments

Travel and Leisure Names Charleston Best City in the World

This Post and Courier article on Charleston was proudly – and justifiably so – submitted by David Rogers of City Marina, A SALTY SOUTHEAST CRUISERS’ NET SPONSOR. Charleston is also home to another SSECN SPONSOR, Charleston Harbor Marina at Patriots Point.

CHARLESTON, SOUTH CAROLINA NAMED WORLD’S BEST CITY AND NO. 1 CITY IN THE U.S. AND CANADA BY THE TRAVEL + LEISURE 2016 WORLD’S BEST AWARDS

Rankings’ Effect on Tourism Continues to Positively Impact the Charleston Economy
CHARLESTON, SOUTH CAROLINA (July 6, 2016) – For the first time, readers of Travel + Leisure magazine have voted Charleston, South Carolina the World’s Best City in the 2016 World’s Best Awards. Charleston is the first domestic destination to earn the coveted World’s Best City ranking, and for the fourth consecutive year, the readers of Travel + Leisure ranked the Charleston area the No. 1 City in the U.S. and Canada. The news was shared by Jacqui Gifford, Senior Editor of Travel + Leisure, on the TODAY Show on July 6.

Charleston exceeded other destinations in the categories of sights/landmarks, culture/arts, restaurants/food, people/friendliness, shopping and value to earn the World’s Best City and the No. 1 City in the U.S. and Canada designation, scoring 91.66 overall. The complete results of the 2016 World’s Best Awards Survey are featured on TravelandLeisure.com/WorldsBest and in the August issue of the magazine, on newsstands July 15.

Travel + Leisure Editor Nathan Lump said, “Charleston is a remarkably dynamic place, so it’s no surprise that it has achieved its highest ranking ever in our survey as this year’s best city in the world. The city has managed to preserve all the qualities for which it is widely known—a prime coastal setting, historic architecture, friendly locals—while also nurturing a creative culture that is making it one of the most notable destinations for those who seek out interesting restaurants, bars, and shops that highlight a dedication to distinctive craft.”

The No. 1 rankings continue to positively impact tourism, the number one economic driver to the Charleston area. Since 2012, the first year Charleston was awarded the No. 1 City in the U.S. and Canada ranking in the Travel + LeisureWorld’s Best Awards, the total economic impact of tourism has increased 14% to $3.68 billion in 2015 according the Office of Tourism Analysis at the College of Charleston. Additionally, the average expenditure per adult and the total labor earnings has increased.

Dan Blumenstock, Chairman of the Charleston Area Convention & Visitors Bureau and Director of Hotel Operations of Fennell Holdings remarked, “Readers of Travel + Leisure continue to recognize our destination for its friendly people, renowned cuisine, historic landmarks, flourishing arts community, and celebrated shopping scene. This award is a testament to the vitality of Charleston as a world class destination.” Blumenstock added, “The area’s tourism and hospitality community has enjoyed positive growth over the past four years, due in part to the numerous awards bestowed on the Charleston area. We look forward to continued and responsible economic impact as a result of the No. 1 City in the World ranking.”

In addition to the No. 1 City rankings, The Spectator Hotel, located in historic Charleston, was recognized as the No. 1 Top City Hotel in the U.S.

Michael Tall, President & Chief Operating Officer of Charlestowne Hotels stated, “The Spectator was designed, and is operated, with our discerning guests’ needs and desires for a unique, curated experience. With the hotel only having opened less than a year ago, we are truly honored to be recognized by the readers of Travel + Leisure as the No. 1 Top City Hotel in the 2016 World’s Best Awards in the categories of rooms and facilities, service, location, value, and design.”

Travel + Leisure readers voted on their favorite hotels, cities, islands, spas, cruise lines, airlines, tour outfitters, and car-rental agencies. The 2016 World’s Best Awards readers’ survey results (listed by overall and regional rankings) and survey methodology are featured in the August issue of Travel + Leisure magazine, online at: www.TravelandLeisure.com/WorldsBest, and in the World’s Best Awards 2016.

Click Here To View the South Carolina Cruisers’ Net Marina Directory Listing For Charleston City Marina

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Jul 2, 2016by: Larry Dorminy No Comments
Captain Jim Healy Discusses the Waterway from Charleston to St. Augustine
Longtime cruiser and SSECN Contributing Editor, Captain Jim Healy, shares his knowledge and experience in these observations on this portion of the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway. Thank you Jim!
The entire region from Charleston to St. Augustine has high tidal ranges, ranging from 5′ at St. Augustine to as much as 9′ in Savannah/Beaufort/Charleston. Those high tidal ranges create swift tidal currents, and especially for first-times, docking is easiest in the 1/2 hour before and after slack.
There are many areas of shallow water in the region. The very best resource for current data on low water and caution areas is available via www.activecaptain.com. Two other websites that all ICW travelers should know about are www.waterwayguide.com and www.cruisersnet.net. I’m sure you are familiar with the Waterway Guide book series. The “Salty Southeast Cruiser’s Net” (SSECN) is really a boating group. It was founded by Claiborne Young. After Claiborne’s untimely loss, the group continued in operation. The Cruiser’s Net website specializes on the US Southeast. There is some duplication of material between the WWG site and the SSECN site, but there is unique value to both. Both are excellent resources for fuel prices, marinas and anchorages. These websites would make a good sidebar for any ICW article. Two of these websites require registration – SSECN does not – and all three are free, and all are very useful to ICW boaters. Both WWG and SSECN also have smart phone apps that duplicate and augment website information and are very useful on small-format devices.
There are some generalizations that apply to the region, including the stretch from Georgetown, SC all the way south to below Fernandina Beach. In some of those areas, boats drawing more than 4′ will want to consider not traveling at low tide; especially celestial low tides. The Army Corp of Engineers (USACE) is responsible for dredging the ICW. USACE is funded by state congressional delegations. In recent years, the money congress allocates to dredging has been diverted to “more pressing needs,” and so many areas of the ICW are shoaling, and in fact, the ICW resource is slowly being lost; well, allowed to die, really, by congress. There is a not-for-profit called the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway Association. The Executive Director is Brad Pickel; bpickel@seahavenconsulting.com. That would make another sidebar for any article on the ICW. There are some local knowledge bypasses around some shoal areas. All of the cruising sites above can provide additional detail.
Renting a car in any of these venues greatly expands what a boating visitor can see and do. Some, but not all, marinas have courtesy cars. Generally they can’t be used for long periods, but they are useful for re-provisioning when needed.
Hope this helps.
Jim
Peg and Jim Healy aboard Sanctuary, currently at Ft. Myers, FL
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Jun 28, 2016by: Larry Dorminy No Comments 32.1813,-80.73119999
A Good Visit to Shelter Cove Marina, Hilton Head, SC, AICW Statute Mile 564

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Shelter Cove is located in a man-made cove on the southeastern shores of Broad Creek in Hilton Head Island near creek markers #22 and #23. Broad Creek departs the Waterway on the eastern shore of Calibogue Sound just as the Waterway turns west into the Copper River. Our thanks to Dick Lawson for this review.
Spent 4 nights here this past month. This is a beautiful and very well run marina. It is large and slips can be either close to the “action” or close to the marina office/store and showers. Regardless, one of the dock boys will show up in a golf cart to deliver you to your destination. Within walking distance there are several very nice restaurants and other shops. Transportation is also provided to the supermarket, or to the beach. Location is several miles off the ICW, up Broad Creek, and, as the name implies, it is very sheltered. Look forward to a return trip.
Dick Lawson
Click Here To View the South Carolina Cruisers’ Net Marina Directory Listing For Shelter Cove Marina
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Jun 26, 2016by: Larry Dorminy No Comments
Captain Jim Healy on Charleston and Beaufort, SC and Savannah, GA
Contributing Editor, Captain Jim Healy, shares his perspective on Charleston and Beaufort, SC and Savannah, GA where several SALTY SOUTHEAST CRUISERS’ NET SPONSORs are located. Thank you Jim!
Charleston, SC and Savannah, GA: magnificent old southern cities with many points-of-interest and fine restaurants; our strategy is to take a tour bus around the city. Look for a tour company that has same-day on-and-off privileges. (We do this every time we arrive somewhere we’ve not been before, including Canada). We take the entire tour circuit first, then go back to places that we think we’d like to know more about. At Charleston, start at the Welcome Center. Or, take the tour boat to Fort Sumter; nice aquarium near the Ft. Sumter ferry docks. In Charleston, there is a water taxi from the Charleston Maritime Center that goes back and forth to Patriot Point, which is where the USS Yorktown is located. In Savannah, there is a nice stage theater within walking distance of the downtown waterfront (http://www.savannahtheatre.com). The Savannah waterfront is very interesting, with a large riverwalk, wonderful park overlooking the River, and large shipping and commercial traffic as well as every kind of small-boat and pleasure craft. There are several architecture tours in both cities, and both have lots of weekly and seasonal activity for visitors. From Savannah (there are marina options in downtown Savannah on the Savannah River or at Thunderbolt and Isle of Hope), boaters can also visit Tybee Island (light house and Fort Pulaski).
Beaufort, SC: from the Beaufort Downtown Marina, take a carriage tour through the historic ante-bellum homes in the area. The downtown is friendly with many shoppes and good restaurant options.
Jim Healy
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Jun 3, 2016by: Larry Dorminy 2 Comments 33.6955,-78.96219999
Report from Hague Marina, Myrtle Beach, SC, AICW Statute Mile 368.5

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Hague Marina is located in a sheltered loop on the Waterway’s southern shore some 2.4 nautical miles southwest of the Myrtle Beach high-rise and railroad bridge.
They had a fantastic ships store but it burned. Owner is making do right now with small office building.
Fabrication shop and tools were not damaged in fire, so they can still do anything you need. Not fancy, but gets job done. My brother worked there from 1972-2013. He quit to be a Restaurant Chef.
Frederick
Click Here To View the Cruisers’ Net’s South Carolina Marina Directory Listing For Hague Marina
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Capt. Don - June 3, 2016 - 9:05 pm

The Hague is a dump. Don’t get on the docks or you risk injury. Avoid at all cost. Unreliable power and water you shouldn’t drink. The owner is not concerned about “customer service” and is only interested in an offer for the property. The previous poster obviously had a misplaced loyalty to the owner…
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Melissa - May 15, 2018 - 1:24 pm

Could you please respond in more detail about your experience with Hague Marina, and especially why you say, “don’t drink the water.”
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Jun 3, 2016by: Larry Dorminy No Comments 33.8517,-78.65649999
Little River Swing Bridge Stuck in Open Position, AICW Statute Mile 347

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Bad news for motorists, good news for boaters – at least until inevitable repairs begin. With a closed vertical clearance of 7ft, Little River Swing Bridge crosses the ICW just south of SALTY SOUTHEAST CRUISERS’ NET SPONSOR Harbougate Marina. This Associate Press report comes from The Daily Reporter, Greenfield, Indiana (!!).
A swinging bridge over the Intracoastal Waterway near North Myrtle Beach has been closed after the gearbox that moves the bridge broke.
THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
First Posted: June 02, 2016 – 5:48 pm
Last Updated: June 02, 2016 – 5:48 pm
CLICK HERE for the full report.
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May 24, 2016by: Larry Dorminy 3 Comments 33.8517,-78.65649999
Good Words for Little River Swing Bridge Tender, AICW Statute Mile 347

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We most often receive complaints about bridge tenders, so it’s nice to hear good words for an oft maligned bridge. With a closed vertical clearance of 7ft, Little River Swing Bridge crosses the Waterway at Statute Mile 347 just south of SALTY SOUTHEAST CRUISERS’ NET SPONSOR, Harbourgate Marina.
Very attentive and efficient bridge tender.
Traveling under 5/23/16 mid day.
Carolyn Hackett
Click Here To View the South Carolina Cruisers’ Net Bridge Directory Listing For Little River Swing Bridge
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Comments from Cruisers (3)

David Boxmeyer -  May 28, 2016 - 3:41 pm

I agree this is one of the easiest bridges on the ICW to get through. The Alligator River Bridge is another one who has their act together.
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Capt. Don -  May 27, 2016 - 2:09 pm

I’ll second that. Just a couple of years ago the comments were negative. Now, however, the bridge tenders are very courteous and attentive. It’s been a welcomed change…kudos to them!
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John Winter -  May 27, 2016 - 1:45 pm

Yep, he is a good one. This is our home port, so we travel under this bridge a lot. He will accommodate boaters nicely
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May 19, 2016by: Larry Dorminy No Comments 32.1561,-80.85619999
Ridley Report: Bull Creek Anchorage, AICW Statute Mile 565.5

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Charlie and Jackie continue their journey north with a report on these two anchorages, southern and northern upstream, on the waters of Bull Creek, south of Calibogue Sound and Hilton Head Island, east of the Waterway’s flashing daybeacon #34.
5-2-16 Now anchored in one of our favorites– Bull Crk east off ICW just south of MM565. Anchored in front of house where water not so deep. Good holding and usual tidal current. Good verizon. Look out over Calibogue Sound and Hilton Head island. Nice.
Charlie and Jackie on Traveler
Click Here To View the Cruisers’ Net’s South Carolina Anchorage Directory Listing For Bull Creek Anchorages
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May 19, 2016by: Larry Dorminy No Comments 32.6459,-80.27669999
Ridley Report from Tom Point Anchorage, AICW Statute Mile 495.5

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Skippers Charlie and Jackie Ridley have submitted several reports documenting their voyage north on the Waterway, beginning with Tom Point Creek anchorage, one of the best south of Charleston, as a number of you have commented.
5-1-16 Anchored in Tom Point Creek just past MM 495. Easy in and out. In about 8′, good holding and plenty room for other boats, but were none. 3-4 bars on Verizon–great views!! Tide current usual.
Charlie and Jackie on Traveler.
5-14-16 Anchored in Big Tom Creek about ½ mile in from MM613, Wide channel and easy in and out of creek. Anchor set first try. Decent Verizon. Beautiful sunset!! will stop here again.
Charlie and Jackie on Traveler.
Click Here To View the Cruisers’ Net’s South Carolina Anchorage Directory Listing For Tom Point Creek Anchorages
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May 17, 2016by: Larry Dorminy No Comments 32.1381,-80.8129999
FOCUS ON Harbour Town Yacht Basin, Hilton Head Island, SC, AICW Statute Mile 565

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Harbor Town Yacht Basin, A SALTY SOUTHEAST CRUISERS’ NET SPONSOR, lies just off the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway on Calibogue Sound, below Statute Mile 565 at Marker 32, right in the heart of The Sea Pines Resort.
Recently voted the 2015 “Marina of the Year” by Marina Dock Age magazine, the Harbour Town Yacht Basin has been a place for visitors and guests to enjoy world-class accommodations for over 40 years. Located in the heart of The Sea Pines Resort and on the Calibogue Sound, this full-service marina offers everything: shopping, dining, entertainment, watersports, fishing charters, cruises, and much more. Irrefutably Hilton Head Island’s most famous and visited marina, our amiable and experienced staff and Harbourmaster are dedicated to providing each visitor and guest with lifelong memories all amidst the spectacular backdrop of the iconic Harbour Town Lighthouse.

The Harbour Town Yacht Basin was built in 1969 by legendary founder, Charles Fraser. Modeled after a famous harbor in Portofino, Italy, Harbour Town Yacht Basin was designed to attract visitors while preserving the natural beauty of the landscape. This included preserving the Liberty Oak, which was incorporated into the layout of the marina in lieu of building more slips. Centuries old, the Liberty Oak has stood as a symbolic landmark for wedding venues and concerts, but the most iconic image of the yacht basin is the Harbour Town Lighthouse. Constructed the same year as the marina, the lighthouse has welcomed visitors to one of the most beautiful and unique places on earth while offering one-of-a-kind views.

Harbour Town Yacht Basin is an intimate marina that offers over 100 docking slips where visitors can dock nightly, monthly, or even for a lifetime. Modern facilities and exceptional service continue to contribute to the world-class resort experience that keeps guests coming back year after year. Guests and visitors at the yacht basin can enjoy world-class facilities throughout The Sea Pines Resort, such as the Harbour Town Clubhouse, the Sea Pines Beach Club, the Plantation Golf Club, and the luxurious Inn & Club at Harbour Town.

Guests can enjoy charter fishing, cruises and sightseeing tours, as well as watersports at Harbour Town. Explore fertile fishing grounds with the island’s most experienced captains on a three-hour or overnight excursion aboard a fishing charter, observe various marine life from aboard a multi-passenger yacht during a sightseeing tour of Calibogue Sound and Daufuskie Island, or close up on a waverunner, kayak, or paddleboard.
Click Here To View the Eastern Florida Cruisers’ Net Marina Directory Listing For Harbor Town Yacht Basin
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May 9, 2016by: Larry Dorminy No Comments 32.2163,-80.78099999
FOCUS ON Windmill Harbour Marina, AICW Statute Mile 558

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Windmill Harbour Marina, A SALTY SOUTHEAST CRUISERS’ NET SPONSOR, is located hard by the southwesterly mouth of the Waterway’s passage south down Skull Creek, on the shores of Hilton Head Island, south of marker #27.
Welcome to Windmill Harbour Marina, situated on the northwest coast of Hilton Head Island, South Carolina. We are located on the Intracoastal Waterway, just ½ mile south of the Pinckney Island Bridge at mile marker 558, 500 yards south of channel marker 27, and ½ mile north of channel marker 29 in the Calibogue Sound. The marina’s 15.5 acre harbour boasts 258 boat slips, offering many for short or long term rental or sale. Transient dockage is available including dining privileges at the Yacht Club, laundry, restrooms and showers, competitively priced fuel and a pump out station. Our remarkable harbour offers a safe, tide free haven protected by a lock system directly off the Intracoastal Waterway. The Windmill Harbour Marina lock is 75′ long by 19′ wide. Hours of operation are 0800 to 1900 by harbour master or 24 hours by yachtsmen with a keycard. We monitor channel 14 VHF and our phone number is 843-681-9235.
One of only three private locked harbours on the east coast, Windmill Harbour Marina offers an unparalleled combination of convenience and security…the safest place to keep your yacht.
Windmill Harbour initially began in 1981, the founding company chose a Southwestern style featuring an adobe look and a large windmill at the entrance. This design, however, was not embraced by the community. In response, the founders removed the windmill and the land plan changed to a mix of single-family homes, townhomes and condominiums in a more acceptable southern traditional style, similar to residences found in Charleston. As Windmill Harbour began to take shape, more and more homes were built in that style. This led to the evolution of the Charleston Lowcountry look one sees in Windmill Harbour today.
Windmill Harbour is home to a variety of different boaters. From small center console fishing boats to large offshore sport fishing boats, fertile fishing grounds are nearby. A significant fleet of Harbor 20s engages in class racing and there are numerous cruising and sailing activities including the Calibogue Cup, Harbour Town Cup and Ocean Challenge.
One of the most important assets of the community is the marina and its unique harbor. The harbor is composed of 15.5 acres and houses more than 255 boat slips and is the largest harbor on Hilton Head Island by nearly a hundred slips. The lock was constructed to create a protected harbor from the weather and the changing tides. It was only the second lock existing on the eastern seaboard at the time. The lock is operated with the gravity flow of water, electricity and hydraulics. As complicated as it may appear, it is very simple to operate.
VIDEO
As the marina and neighborhood came together the next step was to give the community a place to gather. Thus the South Carolina Yacht Club was born. The vision was that the club would be populated by the most interesting residents and visitors to Hilton Head Island, reminiscent of those early social gatherings on Hilton Head. This led to the decision which established a club that property owners could choose to join, but were not required to do so, and that would invite membership from outside of Windmill Harbour and Hilton Head as well. More detailed information on the founding of the South Carolina Yacht Club can be found on its website.
The unique history, breathtaking beauty, meticulous planning and unique harbor have made Windmill Harbour a premier marina community in the Lowcountry. Its vibrancy and growth are a testament to its founders and its residents.
Click Here To View the South Carolina Cruisers’ Net Marina Directory Listing For Windmill Harbor Marina
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May 7, 2016by: Larry Dorminy No Comments 32.4302,-80.67439999
More Good Words for Downtown Marina of Beaufort, SC, AICW Statute Mile 536.5

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A SALTY SOUTHEAST CRUISERS’ NET SPONSOR!, Downtown Marina is located north of AICW marker #239, a short distance west of the Lady’s Island swing bridge, in the heart of downtown Beaufort.
Great stop! The marina staff is very good with the tides and the rolling current. Diesel pump was VERY slow, but price reasonable. Could not ask for a better place to shop and eat! Plenty of restaurants to choose from, and cute little shops to browse. This is our second time here, and will return!
Still Clueless
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Apr 13, 2016by: Larry Dorminy No Comments 32.2163,-80.78089999
Praise for Windmill Harbour Marina, AICW Statute Mile 558

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Windmill Harbour Marina, A SALTY SOUTHEAST CRUISERS’ NET SPONSOR, is located hard by the southwesterly mouth of the Waterway’s passage south down Skull Creek, on the shores of Hilton Head Island, south of marker #27. Our thanks to Bob Miller for these kind words for one of our fine sponsors!
Just wanted to comment on the staff and marina facilities at Windmill Harbour . We kept our 43′ motor yacht there over this past winter (2015-16) and believe there is no better choice in the Hilton Head area. Very professional marina staff and pleasant location. The marina is in a gated community so it is safe and secure, and the marina is protected by a lock system which keeps the water depth constant in the marina. It is home to the South Carolina Yacht Club so many nice boats and activities. They welcome transient boaters as well as those for longer stays. One thing to be aware of is that access to stores and restaurants will require transportation as it is a residential area.
Bob Miller
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Apr 11, 2016by: Larry Dorminy 1 Comment
Voyaging Canoe Hokulea Coming to Charleston, SC, AICW Statute Mile 465
Click Here to read – and hear- this report from Hawaii Public Radio. Look for them as you migrate north!
Voyaging Canoe Hokulea Navigates Florida Waterways
By MOLLY SOLOMON • 4 HOURS AGO
CREDIT OIWI TV / MAUI TAUOTAHA
Voyaging canoe Hōkūle‘a is continuing her journey up the East Coast of the mainland. The canoe recently left Titusville, Florida and is traveling along the Intracoastal Waterway, where she’s encountered new wildlife and a whole lot of aloha.
HPR’s Molly Solomon checked in with navigator Bruce Blankenfeld as part of our ongoing coverage Hōkūle‘a: Voyage of Aloha.
Hōkūle‘a’s next stop is Charleston, South Carolina — then it’s on to Virginia and New York in June.
April 14, 3:30PM
Hokulea approaching Charleston Maritime Center
The crew of Hokulea was greeted by a contingent of native Hawaiians who now live in the Charleston area. The greeting included drumming and conch blowing.
Drummers
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Comments from Cruisers (1)

wooduck - April 18, 2016 - 6:08 pm

Awesome! Incredible journey! Hope she is stopping in Beaufort. Watching the icw cam @ Wrightsville bridge for another wonderful glimpse of unique, untold, maritime history!!
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Apr 11, 2016by: Larry Dorminy 1 Comment 33.3638,-79.28169999
FOCUS ON Georgetown, SC, AICW Statute Mile 403

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The County Chamber of Commerce for Georgetown County, South Carolina and Salty Southeast Cruisers’ Net are delighted to share the rich history of this area’s earliest settlements in and around Winyah Bay and along the several rivers that converge near Georgetown. The preserved old southern rice and indigo plantations still provide glimpses into our country’s earliest commercial, agricultural and aqua-cultural endeavors. Providing easy access to this “stroll-worthy community” for the cruising community is the recently completely renovated Harborwalk Marina, A SALTY SOUTHEAST CRUISERS NET SPONSOR. Putting Georgetown, SC on your list of fun ports of call is a must.
Looking for a great place to take a brief respite from the ICW? Then take a turn at marker 40 and head up the Sampit River to Historic Downtown Georgetown.
Georgetown Harbor – Sampit River
Dockage is available at several marinas, and there are day docks on the City’s Harborwalk. The third oldest city in South Carolina, Georgetown has been welcoming visitors to their harbor for almost 300 years.
Front Street Shopping
Once you arrive in Georgetown and find a dock or anchorage, it’s time to start exploring the area. Within easy walking distance (just a few blocks) there are more than 14 restaurants, five museums and an abundance of shops. The locals are friendly and always glad to welcome visitors.
Stewart Parker House – facing the river
Start your exploration at the Chamber of Commerce Visitors Center, next to Harborwalk Marina. There you will get free information including maps of the area, local attractions and history. Make time to visit all our museums – each highlights a different aspect of the rich history of the area.
Keith House B&B on Front Street
The Rice Museum highlights the history of rice production in the area. Did you know Georgetown County was the largest producer of rice in North American in the early 1800’s? You will also have the opportunity to see the remains of the oldest wooden vessel known to have been built in North America.
The South Carolina Maritime Museum on the Harborwalk celebrates the maritime history of the state and port of Georgetown. Exhibits include historic photographs, documents, artifacts, and interactive displays. The centerpiece of the museum is the 5th order Fresnel lens that was the heart of the North Island Lighthouse for over 100 years. The Museum is also the home of the annual Georgetown Wooden Boat Show, which has been named a Top 20 Event in the Southeast and won the Bundy award as one of the best events in the state.
Fresnel Lens from North Island Lighthouse
Kids at Maritime Museum

Georgetown County Museum features artifacts from all over the county, including a handwritten letter from General Francis Marion, the Swamp Fox. The Gullah Museum celebrates the Gullah culture of the western African people that were brought to our shores against their wills in the 1700 and 1800’s, and forged a shared culture that shaped the landscape, food and language of the Lowcountry.
Kaminsky House Museum
The Kaminski House Museum, dating from 1765, features an extraordinary collection of European and American antiques, along with a glimpse into the history of Georgetown.
Georgetown’s National Register Historic District along the harbor is home to over 63 structures over 200 years old. You can pick up a historic walking map for a do-it-yourself tour or jump on the Swamp Fox tour trolley and enjoy an hour long narrated excursion through the oak-lined streets. You’ll be regaled with almost 300 years of history and may even hear a ghost story or two. Love ghost stories? Ask at the Visitors Center about one of our local lantern-led evening ghost tours!
Make sure you plan to spend several days in our harbor. You will need that much time to experience all the sites and sample all the amazing restaurants within a few steps of the water. Many Thursday evenings you can also enjoy free concerts in Francis Marion Park, right on the Harborwalk. One thing we can guarantee, you’ll leave a visit to Georgetown having made new friends and planning your return trip.
Click Here To View the Cruisers’ Net’s South Carolina Marina Directory Listing For Harborwalk Marina
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Comments from Cruisers (1)

Bob Asby - April 11, 2016 - 11:36 am

Fond memories of cruises north & south from the Chesapeake to Florida ……………. Bob Asby
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Apr 5, 2016by: Larry Dorminy No Comments 32.7783,-79.9529999
Happy Hour on the Megadock, Charleston City Marina, AICW Statute Mile 469

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Charleston City Marina is welcoming its transient guests with a free Happy Hour on the Megadock Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday evenings with live music on Thursdays beginning in May. Charleston City Marina, A SALTY SOUTHEAST CRUISERS’ NET SPONSOR, is located along the Ashley River’s northeastern banks, northeast of marker #5.
Click Here To View the South Carolina Cruisers’ Net Marina Directory Listing For Charleston City Marina
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Mar 16, 2016by: Larry Dorminy 1 Comment 32.4277,-80.66929999
A Driver’s Perspective on Ladys Island Swing Bridge Closures, AICW Statute Mile 536

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Fran is expressing exactly the frustration that we are experiencing here in Charleston. More and more development on our coastal islands is underway without adequate supporting construction of roadways and bridges to accommodate the resulting increase in vehicle traffic. Until planners either wake up to the downside of rampant development, drivers and boaters alike are going to continue to suffer long waits during rush hours or in emergency evacuations. SSECN asks, that as you confront fewer and fewer bridge openings, please be patient! Rarely is delayed vessel travel as dangerous as miles of backed up idling vehicles. And DO NOT yell at the Bridge Tender! It is NOT their fault. If you want to yell at someone, yell at the developers and city planners!
Fran is responding to an earlier comments on Ladys Island Bridge in Beaufort, SC.
I live on Lady’s Island and work in Burton. If anyone traveling from Beaufort to Lady’s Island or the outer Islands thinks there is NOT a traffic problem when this bridge opens and closes, they are delusional. I’ve lived at my residence since 1976. The growth on the Lady’s Island side is enormous and once the Wal-Mart is built, it will be a nightmare. It [congestion] already is when the Woods Bridge breaks down. The McTeer Bridge is not adequate to accommodate traffic to or from Lady’s Island, St. Helena, Fripp Island, etc. The only solution to this issue is to build another bridge or limit the bridge openings. Traffic backs up well beyond Bellamy Curve during rush hours in the evening. I can’t even imagine what traffic is going to be like should a hurricane head to Beaufort. Well, actually I can. During Hurricane Fred it took two hours to get from Lady’s Island to the National Cemetary on Boundary… and 11 hours to get to Atlanta. People will need to evacuate Beaufort a week in advance of hurricane at the rate the population of Beaufort is growing on the Lady’s Island side.
Fran H
Click Here To View the Cruisers’ Net’s South Carolina Bridge Directory Listing For Ladys Island Bridge
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RBEmerson - March 19, 2016 - 8:24 am

Having driven in the area, too, I certainly agree that the bridge is a major bottleneck for road traffic. But it’s equally a nightmare for water traffic. I remain amazed that a fixed bridge hasn’t replaced the swing bridge. I understand that finding a suitable site, that doesn’t harm Beaufort and the community on Ladys Island will be a challenge. Nonetheless, it’s something South Carolina should have done years ago.
In the meantime, we will continue to avoid the area, which currently effectively blocks the AICW rather than find a solution that serves land and water traffic.
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