Don’t confuse Barefoot Marina (A SALTY SOUTHEAST CRUISERS’ NET SPONSOR) with Barefoot Landing Transient Dock. This latter facility is located on the eastern (ocean) side of the AICW in Myrtle Beach, while Barefoot Marina guards the western banks. The subject of the message below went through a change of ownership a year or so ago, and things were a little rocky for awhile during the transition, BUT the new incarnation is better than ever, and we are very impressed with the marina management. What’s not to like!

We took a short Easter trip south last week. After a very unfriendly “Welcome to South Carolina” by the bridge tender at the Little River Swing Bridge we found ourselves with good weather and great SC Marinas. The first was the Barefoot Marina. Friendly helpful staff and clean facilities. If you are a biker or runner/walker this marina is located in an area with great wide sidewalks that stretch out in some very nice neighborhoods. Also, short walk across bridge to shops and restaurants.
Doyle and LaVisa (Halifax)

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Departing the Waterway at statute mile 375, four miles south of the Socastee Bridge, this “off-road” venture on the lovely, upper section of the Waccamaw River, abandoned by the AICW, has pleased many cruisers and has proven to be a worthy side trip. Please be sure to read the comments found in the links below.
One fixed bridge does lie between the AICW and Conway. We have never found a published vertical clearance for this span, but it has always appeared to us to be 30 feet or so. Clearly, the wonderful side cruise to Conway is off limits for most sailcraft.

We took the 15 mile trip off the ICW up the river to Conway Marina April 11, 2012. It was worth the time as the Waccamaw River along this stretch has a Tom Sawyer feel to it. The [Conway City] marina transient dock is basic. No water but electric service. Conway is a great town to ride a bike in with the well marked bike trail and river front park. Certainly worth a visit to Conway for anyone looking for a different stop for doing some sightseeing. Friendly people!
Doyle and LaVisa

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Cricket Cove Marina flanks the ICW’s northern banks, immediately east of flashing daybeacon #11, in the heart of Little River, SC. Moving south from North Carolina to the South Carolina portion of the AICW, Crickett Cove is the first marina you will come across in Palmetto State waters.

Made a quick stop here for gas before leaving South Carolina heading North on ICW. Very friendly staff and the best gas/fuel prices along the SC ICW. Last stop before you get into North Carolina’s high prices. They are trying to keep boating affordable given the high energy cost we are experiencing. They should be patronized for this fact alone.
Doyle and LaVisa (Halifax)

Just wanted to let the loopers know about the best fuel price we have seen in Florida, Georgia and South Carolina! Cricket Cove Marina at Little River, SC 29566, is selling diesel at $3.80 per gallon, including taxes! We just fueled up the boat and saved $$$ here! If you are cruising north this spring or heading south in the fall, check out this marina’s prices! Bill Cramer is the manager and his # is: 843-249-7169. Great restaurant at the marina too!
Stanley and Colleen Anderson

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I have always wanted to recommend stopping in McClellanville, South Carolina, as this idyllic village is a real throwback to yesteryear, with its moss shrouded lanes, and quaint homes that look as if they just stepped out of the early 1900′s. However, until very recently, the “marina” here, known officially as Leland Oil Company, was so rough, it was a real trade-off against the community’s other charms.
Now, a recently completed upgrade project (see http://cruisersnet.net/?p=81422) has lifted Leland Oil Company into the modern era. And so, we hope to stop here far more often in the future. May you too be so fortunate.

For those of you travelling the ICW north of Charleston try a stopover in McClellanville. Jeremy Creek is narrow but depth is well maintained by shrimpers. Shrimp season just opened today here in Charleston County, so expect to see more shrimpers out in the ocean catching our dinner!
Upgraded McClellanville, SC Marina
On Jeremy Creek off ICW at Mile 430
New 440 feet of floating dock with water and power stations [20, 30 & 50 amps]. Fuel dock.
Wi-Fi available. About two blocks from the seafood dock/retail sales and in the heart of the historic district. Good restaurant within walking distance.
Contact Duane Merritt, dockmaster, at (843) 887-3641.
Bill and Robin Evans
M/V Rambler (formerly Blue Magic)

McClellanville, SC (MM 430) LeLand Oil Co. dock on Jeremy Creek – new floating docks with 30/50 amp power and water. $1.50 per foot plus $6.50 for 50 amp. No provisioning close by. With our 5 foot draft we were able to depart one hour after low tide on 12 Apr 2012. Nice small southern town – easy place to walk and explore. Two fresh seafood stores and one resturant – check business hours.
Captain Dick – M/V Emerald Lady

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Dock Holidays has long been a favorite with my family and many others. There’s an adjacent bus stop to take you into downtown, a supermarket just across the street and you are within an easy bike ride of the beach. Located about a mile south of the Little River swing bridge, the marina’s canal offers calm waters from the passing AICW traffic.

$1.40 per foot and $6 for 30 amp, cable included. West Marine, Food Lion, and restaurants with walking distance. Helpful staff.
Max Miller

We decided to stay here for a week so I have a few items to add.
The docks float so the tie-up is easy.
The kids (or visitors) can rent PWCs here at the marina and there is a boat that takes passengers on a dolphin watch and another takes passenges out fishing.
The marina still has no laundry and the nearest coin laundry requires a car.
The restaurant on the ICW is still closed but a Bar/Restaurant behind it opens at 4:00 pm Tuesday – Sunday. They have a band every night from 7:00 pm til 10:00 (later on weekends). The music is loud and if you want to sleep before 10:00, hatch up.
The beach is about a mile walk eastbound on 11th ave which originates directly across from the marina. Access areas are a short walk either way when you reach Ocean Dr.
Route 17 runs parallel to the ICW here but you can cross it at the walk light at 11th Ave. For dining options, Carrabas and Dirty Dick’s Crab House is a short walk and on the same side as Rt 17. Across Rt 17 and southbound is an ATM, Food Lion, CVS, and Chippers Grill. A longer walk south is Fridays and BW3. Also across Rt 17 and further south is Home Depot and Walmart. If your nails are looking rough from weighing anchor, Happy Nails is next to BW3. Northbound on Rt 17 is an Applebees and an Outback.
Rhett and Matt will serve you well here at Dock Holidays.
Max Miller

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Island Anchorage lies off the rear of the loop stream, north and northeast of flashing daybeacon #29, 3.5 nautical miles south of Socastee Bridge.

We turned in northbound off marker 27A and rounded #1. We first motored north to investigate the entire reach of the oxbow but ran aground in what chart and plotter showed as deep water just as the channel turns back toward the ICW on the north side of the oxbow.
We reversed direction and anchored in the Oxbow near the 8 foot depth shown on the chart. We dropped our Bruce in 10 ft of water at near-low tide and the anchor dug in quickly. We first motored a circle to assure swing room and found the charted depths to be accurate.
Thinking back on our last time anchoring here, I regretted not rigging a trip line as I dropped our anchor because we grabbed some bottom debris on our last visit making anchor recovery difficult. On this visit, we luckily recovered our anchor easily the next morning.
It’s a beautiful anchorage and the bird life here is terrific. The only caveat, until sunset, is the waterborne cowboys who zip though the area like mentally challenged houseflies.
Max Miller

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Boat Shed Marina guards the northeastern banks of the Sampit River along the downtown Georgetown Waterfront.

We stayed at the Boat Shed on April 17 2011. The staff were friendly but the price is now $1.50 a foot and the WiFi does not reach the transient docks.
Paul Robson

The fuel dock is the transient dock, either on the inside or outside. 1.50 per foot includes 30 amp and cable. Floating docks. No pumpout.
Max Miller

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Isle of Palms Marina is A SALTY SOUTHEAST CRUISERS’ NET SPONSOR! and lies along the South Carolina portion of the AICW, north of Charleston, and southwest of flashing marker #116, on the charted cove indenting the southerly shoreline. The $1.50 transient rate enacted last fall was a temporary reduction from their normal $2.00 rate and we had not received an update until a phone call today confirmed the new rate per foot.

Stayed here April 18 2011. The transient rate was increased April 1 to $2.00 a foot. I had checked the price on the websites after I checked in… it was too late to move to the next marina…and they [Isle of Palms Marina] were still showing $1.50 a foot.
Paul Robson

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Located halfway between Georgetown and Charleston, SC, Awendaw Creek has been successfully accessed for anchoring by several recent cruisers. On the south side of the Waterway, Awendaw Creek is best approached through its northern entrance which is due south of marker #48 and just west of marker #47 in Harbor River.

We anchored in Awendaw Creek at mile 436. We motored a swing circle and found the charted depths accurate. We dropped right over the 8 foot mark on the chart.
Awendaw was beautiful and without the strong reversing tide we had experienced further south. Despite the wind trailing off, we had no bugs. The river is part of a wildlife preserve and the sounds of every kind of bird call rose from Bull Bay at daybreak. The fishing boys scramble through the anchorage at daybreak but are on plane.
Max Miller

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South Edisto/AICW Anchorage is south of Charleston on the waters of the South Edisto just above Watts Cut, in the body of the hairpin turn that swerves back to the west.

We anchored here over the 11 ft mark on the chart and found the charted depths to be accurate. The anchor grabbed quickly and held through the night despite a 30 mph blow at 2:00 am.
Max Miller

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Wow, my hat’s off to Captain Colam. I’m just glad it’s his hands doing the rowing and not mine.
So, if are cruising on the NC – SC portion of the AICW, PLEASE slow down, and give Lewis a friendly wave as you pass. He needs all the support he can get from the cruising community!

Claiborne,
Lewis Colam just left Georgetown this a.m. He left the boat here at Harborwalk Marina and was hosted by a local couple here in town. He was headed up the Waccamaw today. If you remember, he is the guy rowing from Miami to New York. If you send out any alerts, you might include one for vessels to watch out for him. He planned on making it to Wilmington by the weekend.
Chris Carroll,
Operations Manager
Harborwalk Marina

Lewis is in Southport, NC with plans to spend the night [4/16/12] near the Carolina Beach Area this evening.
Theo McCormick

A phone call to the Socastee bridge tender confirmed that because of heavy traffic to two schools within a half-mile of the bridge, the bridge will not be able to turn between 7:45AM and 8:15AM on school days. All other times is “on demand” unless water traffic becomes heavy, as on a weekend, then bridge closures may be required every 15 minutes to accommodate road traffic. This is an understandable situation where the tender is responding to “on demand” from both boaters and drivers. Fortunately, this is a quiet section with no adverse currents to affect vessels having to circle or anchor.

On 4/3/2012, the Socastee Bridge operator refused to open from 7:40 until 8:15. He repeatedly told boaters that he “opens on demand”, but because of school traffic, wouldn’t open until 8:15 a.m. I don’t know when he starts that policy (7? 7:30?), but I think it would be helpful if boaters could be told about this policy ahead of time.
Sheryl McNair

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Captain Bob, friend and author of the note below (copied from the AGLCA Forum), is one of the most knowledgeable people I know when it comes to the “Holy City” of Charleston and its intricate waters. Thanks Captain Bob for a snapshot of Charleston Maritime Center.

Charleston Maritime Center Downtown. Biggest thing it has going for it is the local super market. Pretty reasonable, Small not many slips. Wide open to tourist and the local tour boats operate out of there as well. If you stay six months put out every fender you have because it can get really rocky rolley in there with wakes coming into that small basin from the harbor and a wind from the wrong direction sends waves rolling in bouncing off the walls inside.
Capt Bob
M/Y ALLEZ! MT50 WB

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Coquina Harbor Yacht Club guards the eastern banks of Coquina Harbor. Coquina Harbor itself cuts into the northern banks of the Waterway, opposite unlighted daybeacon #13.

We docked four boats there for a few months, found it safe and clean. The lady that handles the dock keeps an eye on your (all) boats, and takes excellent care of things.
Faith

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We understand from other contributors that Leland Oil Company Marina, under a new owner, is steadily making improvements to this very affordable facility and long a source of good fuel prices. We hear, too, that the owner will take time to drive you to nearby stores. Also note that if you have never visited the backwater village of McClellanville, SC, you owe it to yourself to stop here and at least take in the community. It’s like stepping into a time machine that transports you to what most of the Low Country must have looked like 50 years ago. Try it, you might just like it!

Leland Oil Co. is in the process of replacing our fixed wooden docks with new floating docks. Should be ready by March 10 with the utilities in by the 20th. Hope to see some of you soon.
Duane Merritt, Dockmaster

Mar 26,2012
The updates to our docks at Leland Oil Co. are now complete and we are open for business.
Duane Merritt

We were here a few years ago on Easter. Duane invited us to accompany he and his family to a local restaurant for Easter Dinner. It was wonderful. Another time he gave us a ride to a grocery store.
Now the new floating docks are done…They came out great… Easy access, new power ped3stals Nice wide aluminum float.
What we love about this place is the hospitality, the down home charm of the area for taking a walk. A couple of FRESH seafood stores….(walking distance) This trip we are here in time for softshell crabs.
Check out the 1000 yr old Live Oak tree. The only thing you can hear here……..Nothing! Talk about peace and quiet.
The entrance off the ICW. Stay in the center is the key. We draw 5 1/2′ no prob 1/2 tide.
Bob n Nancy Spiro M/V Rachel J.

March 31, Stayed at Leland Oil Company and had a peaceful night! Brand new floating aluminum docks with new pedestals shows a strong desire to cater to more cruisers. Met and assisted dockside upon arrival. The fuel is convenient and the price is competitive. The rest of the amenities are a little Spartan but the walk around the town is spectacular if you like tree and Spanish moss covered streets and classic southern small town homes. A wonderful stay in a working harbor and we will keep coming back.
Kip Brundage

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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.

We took our 36 ft sailboat there Oct, 2011, and left last week. We wanted an inexpensive place to haul and leave the boat for at least 5 months. It is quiet and off the beaten path. This would be a place for a serious do-it-yourself boat project person, particularly if you were going to need a long time to get things done. There are no “comfort” facilities, ie no toilets or washroom or showers. There is no fuel. Parts may be ordered in through them and they have some on hand, but we did not use their parts services. The travel-lift is antique but serviceable, partially operated by hand. Their haul-out/launch fee system was odd. They charged $75 for the use of the travel-lift plus $85 per man hour which can add up in a hurry. Much of the blocking used is lengths of log with scraps of lumber for shims and height adjustment. It appears questionable, but works, as evidenced by some boats which have probably been there for decades. In some respects this yard is where boats go to die. They will do work on your boat and appear to be competent, but we did not use them for anything. Be specific about what you want done. The dock is functional but seriously deteriorated due to age, with failing stringers and supports, loose and beyond weathered decking, and loose nails working their way up out of the planking. Watch your step. Slips and transient dockage is available.
Reggie Good

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Don’t confuse Barefoot Marina (A SALTY SOUTHEAST CRUISERS’ NET SPONSOR) with Barefoot Landing Transient Dock. This latter facility is located on the eastern (ocean) side of the AICW in Myrtle Beach, while Barefoot Marina guards the western banks. The subject of the message below went through a change of ownership a year or so ago, and things were a little rocky for awhile during the transition, BUT the new incarnation is better than ever, and we are very impressed with the marina management. What’s not to like!

Many [cruisers] are about to arrive in Myrtle Beach, so we wanted them to know of one of our favorite places. Having just spent a month at The Barefoot Marina in Myrtle Beach, SC, we thought it appropriate we let others know of our experience. The Barefoot Marina, site of the 2010 Spring [AGLCA] Rendezvous, is on the western side of the
ICW across from Barefoot Landing and the Alabama Theatre. The staff is friendly and courteous. The private showers and restrooms are clean and well stocked. The concrete floating docks are the most stable and best floating docks we have ever seen or tied to. There is a restaurant/bar/grill onsite. There is a place on the dock for daily DOCKTAILS. Pumpout is FREE. Gas/Diesel is available at competitive prices. Dockage is very fairly priced and very competitive. Cable TV and Wi-Fi are included in the dockage rate and keypad locked gates surround the docks. Washers and dryers(they actually dry your clothes). We hope everyone will consider this fine marina.
We, Rick and Betsy on Rick ‘N Roll, have no financial interest in the property. It is just one of our favorite places to stay.
Rick Johnson

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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.

To access Bohicket Marina Village, cruisers must depart the AICW east/north of the easterly mouth of the Dawho River, and journey more or less south on the North Edisto to Bohicket Creek. It’s then a trek several miles upstream to the marina, but many will consider this sojourn well worth the time, effort and fuel. At least one of the on-site restaurants, the Rosebank Farm Cafe, is truly outstanding!

We are at Bohicket Marina, which is remote from the locations that Bob mentioned but has nice amenities. Several restaurants in the marina and a grocery store and shops within (long) walking distance.
I’m a 50 and I’ve had 54′s in the slips on my pier so you should have no problems. Here is a link to the marina website.
http://bohicket.com/
Steve Kromer

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Well, of course Captain Phil was impressed. After all, these good people are a SALTY SOUTHEAST CRUISERS’ NET SPONSOR!

My wife and I were recently visiting in Charleston and came across the Charleston Harbor Marina and Resort.
http://www.charlestonharbormarina.com/
I was impressed with the manager Kelly Poe ( 843-284-7065) and his efforts to welcome new boaters. They are considering offering an AGLC discount and being sponsors. Although the marina is across the bridge from Charleston they offer shuttle rides every 30 minutes or so to and from Charleston. I plan on staying there this fall.
Phil

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