There is a passel of useful cruising news in Captain Arnold’s long posting below. Pay particulary attention to his description of visiting downtown Savannah. Wish I could join our “made Englishmen” at “Abes” for a drink of Mount Gay Rum tonight (see below)!

Subject: Cruising Georgia
Cruising News: After (officially) the coldest winter ever in Florida, it’s a relief to again have warmer climes while slowly cruising north “as the azealas bloom”.
Some comments possibly of interest to “snowbirds” enjoying the ICW in Georgia.
1) Bad shoaling to report in the Little Mud River – I registered around 5 ft mid tide and mid channel. At one point the mud blocked up my knotmeter (yet again).
2) A delightful mooring for sure is the Wahoo River at Mile 630. 15ft or so of water and not too bad a current with good solid anchor holding.
3) The infamous Hell Gate cut (Mile 602) has recently been dredged and showed no problems except fairly substantial cross currents. Stay in mid channel and you should be OK.
4) Following irreverent tradition I was able to quaff a gin and tonic and under a full moon armed with such moonshine I managed to moon the Moon River. There are not many people can make such a claim with any degree of authentication.
5) Kilkenny Marina offers a low overnight transient fee, lower than normal diesel cost, and rustic surroundings of bygone days. Watch out for those no see ‘ums however.
6) A pleasant mooring just south of Isle of Hope Marina and you can either dinghy in for general facilities at a sight fee – or dock at everage rate. Very friendly and worth a stroll ashore.
7) Pick an incoming tide to go up-river to Savannah which offers one of the best Free City Docks on the ICW – even including free power and water! You’re right downtown in the Historic District and while touristy it does offer some delightful strolls in the many parks covered in azaleas. Churchills Pub now alas only opens after 5pm but a great little local bar is ‘Abes’ on Lincoln Street very close to the dock. Avoid the costly tour buses but at any normal bus stop the Free Shuttle arrives every half hour to take you to Kroegers grocery store and others. Riverside Park can get a bit noisy at night (it was Spring Break for me) but people walking by constantly seemed to get more enjoyment watching my cat than the variety of guitar players and break dancers. Once a week the City Dock is cleared to allow an American Cruise boat to dock – so check with the Visitors Centre. Overall I would say – Savannah is a MUST. Thank heavens Sherman left it standing!
Soon , fully provisioned and all systems GO, I will set off slowly for Charleston where, as yet, I have failed to find any free dock -or even any marina with low transient rates. If anyone knows of such, please let me know.
Happy Cruising to one and to all.
Cap’n Arnold