Another SALTY SOUTHEAST CRUISERS’ NET SPONSOR announces expansion plans!

Charleston City Marina plans to add 40 more slips………. see news article………
http://www.postandcourier.com/news/2010/oct/31/plan-adds-40-boat-slips/
C. Winston Fowler

Wow.. have cruisers noticed the mention that they are going to take away from the public anchorage to shift the channel over? The anchorage that’s there is already one of the more difficult anchorages to deal with along the coast. There are numerous derelicts and the reversing current requires a lot of spacing between properly anchored vessels. When the wind picks up the chop gets fairly significant and requires even more scope. In other words, there’s not much room right now in the anchorage, and they’re looking to reduce its size? Their cost of building new slips is less than dredging. I get that, but what happens in another 10 years when they lose even more room to shoaling. Put a marina management plan in place to deal with the shoaling rather than taking away from the only “real” anchorage in Charleston! I’d be curious who to contact to express an opinion.
Captain Chris aboard s/v Pelican

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

Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Charleston City Marina

Captain Pascal pilots a vessel with a 6.25 ft draft and, naturally, keeps a sharp eye on his depth finder.

MM430, near McClellanville,
[Found] 9′MLW between G35 and G37, 8′ to 9′ MLW between G37 and R40
Pascal

Just across the AICW from Jeremy Creek, which provides access to the charming village of McClellanville, SC, cruisers can (BUT DON’T), cruise through Five Fathom Creek and Clark Creek, on the way an uncertain (to say the least) inlet east of Sandy Point. I have NOT recommended this seaward cut since since the channel was shifted from Sandy Point to Clark Creek. Some years ago, I sounded only 3 to 4 feet in this poor excuse for a channel amidst braking waves. We retreated in all haste.
Now, below, no less an entity than the US Army Corps of Engineers has provided the Salty Southeast Cruisers’ Net with the latest depth survey of this errant passage. Just take a gander at the mid-channel depths in the creek’s turn to the south, southeast, southeast of marker #6. Anybody want to tangle with these shallows in a very confused seaway. I think not!
ALL cruisers should avoid the (so-called) Clark Creek inlet without exception!!!!

Captain Shick has proposed an alternate route to the Ashepoo Cutoff into the Coosaw River to avoid the shoaling at that intersection. We invite your experience and opinions on this alternate route.
Please note that the SSECN does NOT advocate this alternate route, as we have yet had the opportunity to sound it for ourselves.

Why not take the Ashepoo River instead of the cutoff? Yes, it takes an additional 4-5 miles, but if it avoids all this…?
Captain Larry Shick

Yes, you can do the Alternate route at Marker 184 you are talking about, but the shoals do shift some, so just be careful. I can not see why you would want to avoid the Cutoff unless it is dead low tide and you are a deep draft boat or want to anchor. We went thru there this summer with no problem.
Name Not Provided

Further on this: We went through the Ashepoo River – St Helena Sound – Coosaw River route this morning. The one surprise was that Combahee Bank (32-28N/80-26W) is rather larger than charted in my 11/2009 S57 chart. We saw 8′ (at +3′ tide, so 5′ MLW) in an area charted for 15′-20′. So swing a little wide, and watch your depth sounder if you choose to go this way. Otherwise, no problems.
Captain Larry Shick

Click Here To View the Cruisers’ Net’s “AICW Problem Section” Listing For Ashepoo/Coosaw Cutoff

Captain Bob gives us a detailed depth report on the Fields Cut portion of the AICW, a perennial “AICW Problem Stretch.

10/27/10- Fields Cut: Nice Cruise.
Allez, draft 5 ft Entered Fields Cut 0938 at Wright River 2 hours before high hide which was 1140 depth was 17ft At north entrance. Mid way down cut depth was 13 ft. Depth at south end of Fields Cut 9.5 ft. Met a Tug and Barge at south end as we were ready to enter Savannah River. He took the Red Side all the way as he had to get on the range. We had to move toward the dock at the Green side saw 9.4 ft. The tug talked us over to his starboard side and no problem getting across Savannah River. At 1000 Entered Elba Cut on south side of Savannah River. R2 (19.8 Ff) R4 (15 Ft) R6 (27 ft)
Captains Bob and Helen aboard M/Y ALLEZ

Click Here To View the Cruisers’ Net’s “AICW Problem Section” Listing For Intersection of Wright River and Northern Fields Cut

Click Here To View the Cruisers’ Net’s “AICW Problem Section” Listing For Fields Cut

Captain Bob Poovey has thoughtfully provided us with reports on several AICW problem stretches along the South Carolina and Georgia portion of the Waterway. This particular segment deals with the AICW’s run through the eastern end of Dawho River. This stream connects the Waterway between the North Edisto and South Edisto Rivers.
While Captain Poovey found no shoaling along this stretch, others most certainly have, and we actually have two navigation alerts in place for this stretch of the AICW. We, as well as your fellow cruisers, would love to hear what soundings you observed while cruising through these waters. Please click the “Comment on This Posting/Marina/Anchorage/Bridge” link below, and share your information.

Came through this area heading south on Saturday, Oct 23 at 10:30 AM (45 minutes prior to high tide), We had received a report from the Coast Guard earlier in the day concerning “heavy shoaling” at this location near marker Red “110″. Did not observe this and found 22 ft. adjacent to this marker. Further south depths varied from 13 ft. to 17 ft. ending at Green “117.” Lowest reading came adjacent to Green “111″ at 12.8 ft. This is no significant change from my last three trips through this area.
Captain Bob Poovey

I went north through there from Beaufort, SC to Charleston in mid September and back through there obout Oct.1. You will have more trouble at MM 497, between R110 and G111, as you enter Dahoo River. You want to stay north of the charted deep water, it isn’t there now. We had trouble finding any deep water going north. As we came south, at dead low water, there was a tug boat ahead of us, figured he knew his way through there, and watched him go aground in the charted deep water, found out he drew about 5′. WONDERLAND was following us, they draw 4′ 6″. We went through that area further to the right in about 8′ of water. Turned out the tug was from Norfolk, VA and had never been through this part of the ICW, he followed us the rest of the way!
Captain Chuck Gorgan aboard Odyssee

Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the “Navigation Alert” Section of AICW/Dawho River

Click Here To Read An Earlier Posting about AICW/Dawho River

Click Here To Read Another Earlier Posting about AICW/Dawho River

Captain Bob Poovey has thoughtfully provided us with reports on several AICW problem stretches along the South Carolina and Georgia portion of the Waterway. This particular segment deals with the southwestern mouth of the Ashepoo Coosaw Cutoff. The AICW uses this man-made stream to connect between Rock Creek and the wide reaches of the Coosaw River.
While Captain Poovey found reasonably good depths here, others have not been so fortunate. We would love to hear what soundings you observed while cruising through these waters. Please click the “Comment on This Posting/Marina/Anchorage/Bridge” link below, and share your information.

Ashepoo/Coosaw Cutoff
Came through here Saturday, Oct. 23 traveling South at 1:20 PM (2 hours and 15 minutes before low tide). Lowest reading was between markers “184″ and “185″ at 8.2 ft.

Click Here To View the Cruisers’ Net’s “AICW Problem Section” Listing For Ashepoo Coosaw Cutoff

Click Here To Open A Chart View Windows Zoomed to the Location of This AICW Problem Stretch”

ALLEZ is a 50ft trawler with a draft of 4.5 ft and had no problems with the dredged Fields Cut which is the final leg of the SC AICW before crossing the Savannah River.

Larry,
Fields Cut whole length was a piece of cake. Then we met a tug and barge coming into the southern entrance of the cut and we had to move to the Green and near the end of the dock on the left. This Captain was cool as he had to get the barge on the range and was right on the Red side close but talked us over to his starboard side, as he was port to the Red side and we made it.
The other side was also a piece of cake once we crossed the Savannah River. Trick: do this passage from two hours before high tide.
Captains Bob and Helen aboard M/Y ALLEZ

Click Here To View the Cruisers’ Net’s “AICW Problem Section” Listing For Fields Cut

No Problems are Good Problems. We’re always glad to hear of uneventful anchorings along the AICW. This anchorage lies just to the west of the Waterway at the northern entrance into Fields Cut.

We spent the night here recently and had no problems. You can see the lights of the Savannah River industries from here. A boat pulled in farther upstream from us and anchored. It did not show an anchor light. We did.
Captain Ron

Click Here To View the Cruisers’ Net’s South Carolina Anchorage Directory Listing For Upper Wright River

The entrance channel into Reserve Harbour Marina cuts into the Waccamaw River’s southerly banks, just southwest of flashing daybeacon #71.

Another well-sheltered Marina with helpful management is Reserve Harbor YC on the Waccamaw River, mm 388. It’s also close to Brookgreen Gardens, a magnificent place to visit. Call them at 843/235-8262 for a monthly rate.
Captain Phil

Click Here To View the Cruisers’ Net’s South Carolina Marina Directory Listing For Reserve Harbour Marina

Shelter Cove Marina is a man-made cove a good run off the AICW, eastward up Broad Creek. The final entrance channel -on the south side of Broad Creek – is narrow but accommodates vessels well over 50 feet.

Look at Shelter Cove, mm 565, on Hilton Head Island. $933/mo (incl electricity), but a very protected harbor and people there who will look after your boat while you are away. Call Pam at 843/842-7001.
Captain Phil

Click Here To View the Cruisers’ Net’s South Carolina Marina Directory Listing For Shelter Cove

Captain Orin’s good experiences at Dataw Island Marina are not a surprise to anyone here at the Cruisers’ Net. Since the current management team took over, this has been a very well run establishment. Note that you do have to leave the AICW’s run through the Coosaw River, and then follow a marked passage south through Parrot Creek to Morgan River, in order to access Dataw Island Marina. The trip is worth the effort!

We stayed here one night this week and were extremely pleased. The staff is excellent and there have been changes since the last edition of Claiborne’s book. The restaurant is open. It is right in the marina and excellent. The shower rooms are private and the best e have seen in this area. All transients are likely to be on the face dock because the Morgan River current makes it too tough to get in the slips. The dock help is excellent. We are coming back!
Orin Guidry

Click Here To View the Cruisers’ Net’s South Carolina Marina Directory Listing For Dataw Island Marina

Reserve Harbor Marina lies on the southern bank of the Waccamaw River’s at AICW statute mile 338, southwest of flashing daybeacon #71.

WONDERLAND and ODYSSEE have had a wonderful visit at Brookgreen Gardens, AICW MM 387. We stayed at Reserve Harbor Marina at MM 388, R71. They are a Morningside Marina, so with their ICW Gold Card, transient dockage was $1.75 per ft. including power. You can obtain a Gold Card at check in and then use at other participating marinas on the AICW. Staff was very friendly and helpful. Also visited Huntington State Park across hwy 17. Reserve Harbor was a great place to access the Gardens from and the Gardens are well worth a couple of days.
Chuck and Claria Gorgen aboard ODYSSE

Click Here To View the Cruisers’ Net’s South Carolina Marina Directory Listing For Reserve Harbor Marina

Below, Captain Bell tells us about shallow water he encountered near the eastern end of the AICW’s traversal of South Carolina’s Dawho River, between the North and South Edisto Rivers. This piece of news is not surprising, as we established a “Navigation Alert” for the waters just east of this position this past spring, courtesy of a posting from Captain Zach Carney. Check out:

http://www.CruisersNet.net/local-advice-on-avoiding-grounding-at-the-n-edistodawhoaicw-intersection-statute-mile-497

Now. thanks to Captain Bell, we have even more confirmation that shoaling is a real problem along this section of the Waterway. Proceed with maximum caution

Shoaling between Pair of markers 116/117 and 112/113 provides only 5 1/2′ of water at MLW. I checked this at the end of June and again mid Sept 2010.
Dave Bell

Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To A “Navigation Alert” Position on the AICW/Dawho River

Harbourtown is absolutely one of the most unique stops on the entire AICW, and they are a SALTY SOUTHEAST CRUISERS’ NET SPONSOR!

Harbourtown Yacht Basin – Hilton Head, SC, ICW mm 565. This is one of the finest marinas on the East Coast. We love this stop because it is a beautiful marina with excellent personnel, services, restaurants, shopping, golf, etc.. It is very convenient to the Atlantic Ocean and is directly on the ICW. It is our favorite launching point for going outside to Fernandina Beach, Florida. Or, if necessary, staying on the ICW is also a very workable option from this location.
Sabra Morgan

Click Here To View the Cruisers’ Net’s South Carolina Marina Directory Listing For Harbourtown Yacht Basin

Click on Chartlet Below to Open a Chart View Window,
Centered on the Location of This Marina:

If we are going to berth on the Charleston peninsula, we choose Charleston City Marina every time. All the many attractions of the “Holy City” are within a quick bus or cab ride. And, these good folks are a SALTY SOUTHEAST CRUISERS’ NET SPONSOR!!!!

Charleston City Marina – Charleston, SC, ICW mm 470. This is a terrific spot to stop and see the sights. The marina is extremely competent, has all the services you could want, provides shuttle service from the marina to downtown, and is very professionally managed. There is a great restaurant at the entrance to the marina, called The Variety Store. They serve excellent southern style food, breakfast/lunch/dinner, with an unexpected gourmet flair to the menu.
Sabra Morgan

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

Click on Chartlet Below to Open a Chart View Window,
Centered on the Location of This Marina:

We join with Captain Morgan in recommending the Downtown Marina of Beaufort, and that’s not just because they are a SALTY SOUTHEAST CRUISERS’ NET SPONSOR! Indeed, this facility sits hard by the downtown Beaufort business and historic district. There is so much to see, do and eat in downtown Beaufort, we simply can’t get enough of this place!

Downtown Marina of Beaufort – Beaufort, SC, ICW mm 536. We stop here each year and are always glad that we did. The location is super, great proximity to a very quaint downtown area and plenty of restaurants and shopping. There are excellent boating services, capable mechanics and technicians, so it is a very good place to stop whether you need services or not.
Sabra Morgan

Click Here To View the Cruisers’ Net’s South Carolina Marina Directory Listing For Downtown Marina of Beaufort

Click on Chartlet Below to Open a Chart View Window,
Centered on the Location of This Marina:

I’m very glad to hear that Barefoot Marina is progressing so nicely under its new ownership. By the way, don’t confuse this facility with the Barefoot Landing Transient Dock, which is located on the opposite (ocean) side of the Waterway.

Barefoot Resort – North Myrtle Beach, SC, ICW mm 354. This is our home marina!!! The ownership of this marina has transferred this past year, and the marina is doing great! The facilities are top notch, well kept, and definitely what you expect from a resort location. They are full service, with showers, laundry, and fuel onsite, and unbelievably great restaurants and shopping very nearby. Our harbor master and dock master are people who have been with Barefoot Yacht Club from its opening, and they are truly committed to serving the boating public. We have been members from the beginning and are thrilled with the changes that have occurred these past few months. We highly recommend this marina as a stop on your trip southbound this winter!
Captain Ron and Sabra Morgan

Click Here To View the Cruisers’ Net’s South Carolina Marina Directory Listing For Barefoot Marina

If you’ve had experience anchoring at Bluffton, please give a heads-up to the captain of Sea Huddle at tracyhellman@bellsouth.net.

Where exactly did you anchor? My daughter will be attending USCB this fall and we are looking for a good anchorage in the area.
Captain Tracy aboard Sea Huddle

Click Here To View the Cruisers’ Net’s for a Recent Report on Bluffton Anchorage

As the Parkers now positively confirm via their keel, this Problem Area cannot be traversed at low tide if you draw more than 4 feet, especially at the north end of the cut.

We bumped our way northbound this morning at low tide. We saw 4′ soundings mid channel. At the north end #177 sat high & dry about 25′ on shore–stay clear of this one. On our way back we’ll wait for high tide for this cut.
Susan Parker

Click Here To View the Cruisers’ Net’s “AICW Problem Section” Listing For Ashepoo Coosaw Cutoff