Subject: Little Mud River mile 654
Date: Tue, 15 Jan 2013 17:52:57 -0500
Skinny water. One hour before low tide, only 6 feet of water.
Between R192 and G193 green side best.
Between G193 and R194 red side best.
Ray Schmidt
Click Here To View the Cruisers’ Net’s “AICW Problem Stretches” Listing For Little Mud River
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Our “onsite reporter”, Roger Long, gives us the good news that the bridge has been repaired. Capt. Long had been anchored in the immediate area waiting for an opening since early Saturday. Thank you, Roger! However, he warns that more problems with the old bridge may arise before the new bridge is completed. Skidaway Narrows Bridge crosses the ICW at Statute Mile 592.5. A new high-rise bridge is under construction immediately north of the old bridge.
Opened Sunday evening 12/23/12. In view of the big head shaking gathering by a bunch of people who looked like they had been pulled from church and family activities, I expect there will be more uncertainty about this bridge in its short time remaining.
Roger Long
Click Here To View the Georgia Cruisers’ Net Bridge Directory Listing For Skidaway Narrows Bridge
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I traveled through Little Mud River on Sunday December 2 at 12:33PM to 12:48PM ‘“ about 1 hour before mid-tide ebbing. A high tide of 7.56′ occurred at 10:18AM. Lowest reading observed was 11.2’. Adjusted MWL would be 8.48′ between R194 and G195.
Other boaters have reported that this area has a very soft bottom so it’s possible I was reading through the soft mud to the harder bottom and that the depth is slightly less than my findings.
However, there are also reports of recent commercial traffic with tugs and barges in this area. One first hand account saw a tug with 8′ marking on the bow plow through Little Mud River at dead low tide. I think it’s safe to conclude that caution needs to be observed simply because of the area’s reputation, but it is certainly safe to navigate Little Mud River at mid-tide or less.
Hugh 17
Click Here To View the Cruisers’ Net’s “AICW Problem Stretches” Listing For Little Mud River
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It might help to understand the posting below, if you were first to take a look at the portion of chart which depicts the northern entrance to the excellent Walburg Creek anchorage, from St. Catherine Sound. As you will see, there is a long shoal charted as “Middle Ground” which thrusts into the western flank of the creek’s entrance.
The classic way to avoid these shallows has been to continue cruising east, as if you were going to follow the St. Catherine Sound Inlet to the open sea, and then curl back around to the south and west from a position east of marker #7.
What Captain Long is attempting to do, as described below, is find a way to short-cut the long cruise east to get past #7. Looks like he may have found a way for the moment, BUT, as he notes, depths in this region are subject to rapid and uncharted changes. Cutting the corner may be a risky proposition, and the responsibility to take such a chance rests entirely with each individual captain!
When coming across Saint Catherines Sound in a stiff breeze as I did yesterday, it’s tempting to cut across the long shoal that forms an extension of the north bank of Walberg Creek if you plan to seek shelter there. It’s also tempting at the end of a long run to this beautiful spot.
BobT’s friends in Second Wind ran the magenta line which goes far out into the entrance of the sound to the ocean. This left them with a hard slog under power back up to the creek. It also could have left them in a dicey situation if their engine hadn’t started, being carried out to sea by two knots of current. It would have been tough in those conditions to set sail and beat to windward in the nasty chop.
There have been a lot of changes in this area and the chart is pretty much fictional now. Since it was calm this morning and I planned a very short day, I decided to do a quick survey. My soundings are in red, corrected to MLW with the tide data in my Garmin chartplotter.
The highlighted track shows my attempt to feel my way along the 8 foot sounding line. There are some 10 foot spots along that track but I was shy about pushing right in with a lot of current behind me. When I found the 5 foot spot earlier on, the depth change was quite fast.
Roger Long
And, here is some additional info from Captain Long:
You should probably mention that I took the shortcut over the 9 foot, now 32 foot soundings and went very near the 5 foot sounding early this year and didn’t notice the depths being significantly different than the chart. I may not have been paying as much attention but this appears to be an area subject to fast changes.
Roger
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of the Walburg Creek Anchorage
A visiting cruiser had informed the owner that in my “Cruising Guide to Coastal South Carolina and Georgia,” I had less than nice things to say about visiting this body of water. Turns out the CGSC-GA edition in question was at least six years old, and, at that time, there was a seriously scuzzy, combination bar and marina perched on the shores of Troup Creek. Hence my less than glowing recommendation.
Happily, those days are LONG GONE, and there is every good reason for cruisers to visit the facility which now occupies these shores, Hidden Harbor Marina. And, to bring this discussion full circle, that is one of the real problems with paper cruising guide. They often hang around far past their “sell-by” date.
So, if you have old editions of my cruising guides or anyone elses, use them for a bon fire, and get the latest edition of all your guide books, or better yet, get your data on marina, anchorages and bridges right here, on the Salty Southeast Cruisers’ Net!
Click Here To View the Georgia Cruisers’ Net Marina Directory Listing For Hidden Harbor Marina
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Frederica River flows east and south from the AICW’s marker #229. Previous postings on the Cruisers’ Net have established that a dinghy dock has opened here, where formerly landings at the National Monument were not permitted from the adjacent anchorage. Happily, it’s now easy to come ashore and tour this most worthwhile attraction. Just take note of the tidal “dry” time at the dinghy dock two hours before and after low tide.
We entered from the south side of Frederica River. We noted no problems with shoaling. We went up about 1/2 mile from the junction with the Mackay River. We had good 3g with Verizon.
John Pholeric
Click Here To View the Cruisers’ Net’s Georgia Anchorage Directory Listing For Frederica River
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There are three recommended anchorages along the course of the Umbrella Creek alternate route. This passage is designed to allow cruisers to avoid often ROUGH St. Andrew Sound.
Captain Davis’ remarks below refer to the anchorage in Umbrella Creek, west of the marked alternate route.
We entered from the Jekyll Sound end [Umbrella Creek] . There is a nine foot bar, but deep inside. Both sides are grass so no wind protection. Under settled conditions it makes a good stop.
Jim Davis
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Captains Glen and Jill Moore provide an excellent picture of and approach to this long-time trouble spot where depths can change quickly due to the narrow channel. And we heartily agree that these miles of undeveloped and unspoiled Waterway in Georgia are well worth the necessary planning and navigational care.
We traveled through Hell Gate on 11/9/12. The shallowest spot observed on our path was 8′ MLW south of floating R90. Using the large Georgia tides to your advantage, Hell Gate depths provide a good margin of error on your course through this narrow stretch of the ICW.
Some cruisers avoid the Georgia ICW due to stories of shallow water. They miss one of the best cruising areas of the southeast coast. Those on a delivery schedule, just trying to get south or north as quickly as possible, can save much time by going outside. It is about 115 sm from Hilton Head, SC to the St. Marys River entrance at the Florida line, while traveling between the same destinations following the ICW is a curving course of 150 sm. But, for cruisers searching for memorable experiences, it is 150 miles of natural beauty, 100’s of anchorages, and many interesting places to visit.
The term ‘Problem Stretches’ may be part of the problem, adding to a level of fear causing cruisers to avoid Georgia. Yes, there are areas that require attention and planning, all of which are documented on the Salty Southeast Cruisers’ Net website. So, there should be no surprises. The site’s new feature of recently sounded and recorded depths by ARGUS research vessels, detailed directly on NOAA charts, provides accurate and easy-to-understand information on depths. Spending a little time researching the waterway on SSECN, annotating information directly on your charts, will provide a valuable guide to safely cruising Georgia’s section of the AICW. Navigation of these waters is a bit more challenging, but the challenge of navigation should be one of the experiences enjoyed in cruising ‘” a n endeavor rewarded by the outstanding cruising experiences these waters can provide.
The narrow, and sometimes shallow, Georgia passages should be viewed as `Areas of Concern,’ requiring increased levels of attention and planning. Often in life, the greatest of rewards require higher effort to achieve.
PBS created a documentary of the Georgia barrier islands which provides a visual and narrative description of the history and beauty of one aspect of this area: http://www.gpb.org/secretseashore#
Glen and Jill Moore
DeFever 40 Last Dance
Very good to hear positive comments about the Georgia ICW.
Sonny
Click Here To View the Cruisers’ Net’s “AICW Problem Stretches” Listing For Hell Gate
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Today, 11-12-12, we transited the Little Mud River at 3/4 tide and saw nothing less than 12′, which would have been 7′ at low tide. We followed previous comments and favored the outer range just off center.
Depth rose quickly after G195.
Martha
Click Here To View the Cruisers’ Net’s “AICW Problem Stretches” Listing For Little Mud River
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Update on Jekyll Harbor Marina:
Here is a loaded barge going north, draft 8ft, Tug draft 8 ft going via ICW at Jekyll Harbor Marina. The tide is out low at over 6 ft. going to a low of 7.
He will pass green 19 by taking center of channel. The 90 ft “Adventurer ” just left the dock headed south. Jekyll Harbor is a great place to be and enjoy for the winter. We caught 3 # of shrimp in 20 mins last night with a cast net a half a mile from the dock.
Bike ride today saw deer and an alligator. Fishing is great, Reds and Trout are catching! Sunsets are remarkable. The beach is a 1/2 mile bike ride away and almost deserted. We are looking at 70s this weekend.
Click Here To View the Cruisers’ Net’s “AICW Problem Stretches” Listing For Jekyll Creek
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To This AICW Problem Stretch
Click Here To Read an Earlier Posting on Depths in the AICW/Jekyll Creek
The Savannah/Thunderbort version of the venerable Hinkley Yacht Services overlooks the Waterways’ western banks, immediately north of the Thunderbolt high-rise bridge.
In September 2011 we hauled our 34 year old, 44FT. Thompson Trawler, LILY MARIA at the Chesapeake Marine Railway, Deltaville, VA { Contact:J. Farinholt. {804}776 8833 } for serious bottom work.High pressure water utilizing a special nozzle removed old paint.Voids and dings filled, sanded and two coats of West Marine Premium Gold ablative anti fouling applied. This was our second visit to Chesapeake Marine Railway and have always been pleased with there work and consideration to customer needs. Good people!.
In May 2012 we short hauled for an insurance survey and seemingly the overly enthusiastic pressure wash removed most of the still active ablative paint.Four months in Georgias fast flowing, nutrient rich rivers found LILY MARIAs bottom reminiscent of a tropical rain forest, with abundant slime, weed and small barnacles. A marine biologists delight , a skippers horror show!!.
What to do?.Haul in Geogia or wait until we returned to Marathon for the winter?. Greatly reduced speed, slugish manouvering and no doubt increased fuel consumption favored Georgia.
By telephone we contacted 7 reputable boat yards including 2 in Florida where we had hauled in prevous years for quotations. For a fair comparison we reduced each quote to a $ per foot cost. The quotation from Hinkley Yacht Services in Thunderbolt GA came right in the middle of our tabulation. After several discussions with Gebel Seese , Hinkley Service Manager, {Contact: {912} 629 2400 } it became apparent to us that Hinkley offerred the best possible value consistent with top quality materials and skilled labor.
We found the Sea Hawk web site informative and following Gebel Seese advise we specified Sea Hawk, Tropikote, based on proven longevity and effectiveness of anti fouling properties. Further, via Sea Hawks appointed applicators a written guarrantee is issued which appealed to Jean and I.
Haul out day saw LILY MARIA in the slings for a full 8 hours while she was scraped,pressure washed and lightly sanded. Of special note,the running gear and scoops were restored to bare metal by the addition of a small amount of silicone sand added to the pressure wash water.This coupled with the extensive work undertaken the prevous year at the Chesapeake Marine Railway has restored the bottom of LILY MARIA to a clean fair surface. As one interested bystander said “Your 35 year old boat now has the bottom of a 4 year old”. We especially appreciated the care and hard work in prepping the bottom on which the finished job would depend.
Metal primed, 2 coats of Tropikote applied with 3 on the waterline and LILY MARIA was ready to be launched within 5 working days.
Durring the haul out we lived aboard with minimal inconveience. Hinkley provides good clean shoreside facilities adjascent to the work area. The work areas are tidy, well organized and the work scheduled so the job progresses without interruption.
The labor force,many of whom worked at the old Palmer Johnson yard, are experienced, skilled craftsmen and proud to carry on the the quality work that Hinkley is renowned for. This full service yard maintains many boats that are not Hinkley built and despite there insistance on customer service and quality there priceing is most competitive.Hinkley is not a do it your self yard.
We are extremly satisfied with our Hinkley experience which was beyond our expectations. The job was completed on time, within budget and to a high standard. On the run south we have noted at least a 1.25 increse in speed at cruising RPM plus resultant fuel savings.
Jean sums it up best of all by saying “the only problem I see with Hinkley is that we now have no choice but to return for all future haul outs!!
Colin Day
Jean Henderson
Click Here To View the Georgia Cruisers’ Net Marina Directory Listing For Hinkley Yacht Services
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Captain Gaffney telephoned the SSECN offices a few weeks ago, and asked for marina advice in the Savannah, Georgia region. We suggested he check out Isle of Hope, Fort McAllister and Thunderbolt Marinas. While he seems to have found a new home at Isle of Hope, it’s good to see Captain Gaffney was also impressed with Fish Tales restaurant at SALTY SOUTHEAST CRUISERS’ NET SPONSOR, Fort McAllister Marina.
As for Tim’s comments about the strong currents at Fort McAllister, welcome to the Georgia coastline. These swiftly moving waters are SOP for the entire stretch from southern SC to northern Florida.
Good afternoon.
Hope you and your better half are well!
I got your latest news briefing and it reminded me that I had not reported back from last weeks investigative trip to Savannah. Well we were all over!
We were treated so well by everybody from John Henson or Hanson, the manager at West Marine, who echoed your thoughts on Marinas. To Chris and Rick at Isle of Hope. To the folks at Fish Tales, the restaurant at Ft. McAllister.
We were amazed at the flow of current at Ft.McAllister and even stronger at Savannah yacht club. Looked to be 3 or 4 knots! We are use to zero on the Tennessee. 🙂
We did not talk to the owner at Ft.McAllister as it was just not what we wanted for a long term home. But for a short term look good. We thought the restaurant was good. It really does seem to cater to the fishing crowd.
Thanks again for sharing your thoughts. Now, we just have to make the arrangements to truck the boat there early next year.
Tim
Click Here To View the Georgia Cruisers’ Net Marina Directory Listing For Fort McAllister Marina
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Fort McAllister Marina
Good afternoon.
Hope you and your better half are well!
I got your latest news briefing and it reminded me that I had not reported back from last weeks investigative trip to Savannah. Well we were all over!
We were treated so well by everybody from John Henson or Hanson, the manager at West Marine, who echoed your thoughts on Marinas. To Chris and Rick at Isle of Hope. To the folks at Fish Tales, the restaurant at Ft. Mcallister.
We visited both of the Marinas 3 times and fell for Isle of Hope. I can see myself there for a few years, with the town near by and the other things that offers us. Restaurants and hotels if family visit.
Thanks again for sharing your thoughts. Now, we just have to make the arrangements to truck the boat there early next year.
Tim
Click Here To View the Georgia Cruisers’ Net Marina Directory Listing For Isle of Hope Marina
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Below, we present some cruising wisdom concerning the Georgia portion of the AICW, from a veteran cruising duo! Take their words to heart! It’s GOOD advice!
Cruisers should not be afraid of shallow waters in Georgia, but they should be cautious. A review of the online resources The Salty Southeast Cruisers’ Net (AICW Problem Stretches and Navigation Alerts) and Active Captain hazard markers will provide information on all areas of concern. The review should be done with charts in front of you so that you can
annotate problems areas directly on the charts.
We have just completed a month of cruising and anchoring on the Georgia Coast. Our experience was that the problems areas were not as shallow as some have reported. Those who experienced skinny water may have been out of the center of the channel. With 7 foot tides and a little planning, one should always be able to have plenty of water under their keel.
Glen and Jill Moore
DeFever 40* Last Dance*
Cumberland Island has always been one of our favorite destinations and anchorages. There is much history, nature and beauty to be enjoyed. Many of our cruising friends just sailed by Cumberland Island on their annual treks up and down the east coast. After convincing them to stop at Cumberland, they stayed 5 days, exploring many areas of the island. They now visit every year.
Glen and Jill Moore
DeFever 40* Last Dance*
We have camped on Cumberland and boated there many times. The last time we took our son, his wife and two granddaughters and our Golden Retriever Midas to the north end ocean side for some fun on the beach.
Mike
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of
There are several rivers flowing into the AICW stretch, just north of infamous Little Mud River. Darien River departs westward at marker #183, and runs upstream to an interesting city marina/dock at the charming community of Darien, Georgia. Here you will find free 48-hour dockage and a host of interesting restaurants and other businesses.
PLEASE NOTE: Marker # 184 denotes the AICW passage, not the Darien River channel!
Darien, Georgia
AICW Marker #184
On October 25, 2012, we are currently docked at the free Darien docks. This a wonderful place, well worth the trip of about seven miles up the Darien River. We came here on 10/24 at dead low tide. We saw two places with some shallow depths, one at R10 with 5.5 feet and one at R12 with six feet. At both locations depth went back up to 12+ feet very quickly. At low tide, the shoals are very visible, and the channel markers, and chartplotter were accurate. It took us about 1.25 hours to get here after leaving the ICW at R184. It was a pleasant run. We are a trawler, cruising with a sailboat. The town is lovely, with a Piggly Wiggly about a mile from the docks, and a hardware store about two blocks. The Wine Bar, near the hardware store is beautiful. This a wonderful side trip. Do not miss it. There are about 30 large shrimpboats docked just downstream of us. The only reason for four stars rather than five is the lack of restrooms, but it is free, including 30 amp power and water. What more can you ask for two nights free.
Thanks Claiborne for the suggestion on this one.
Norman Mason
Monk 36, Peggy Sue
Norfolk, VA
Click Here To View the Georgia Cruisers’ Net Marina Directory Listing For Darien City Docks
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Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Fl G Marker #183
According to a spokesperson at the marina, the MLW in the entrance to Delegal Creek is 3 ft with a tidal range of 8-9 ft, so mid to high tide would be the best time to enter Delegal Creek. Once in the creek, there is plenty of depth, however the entrance channel is an issue if you draw more than 3 ft. The entrance channel begins northeast of waterway flashing daybeacon #86. just north of Hell Gate.
What a gem! Almost as nice as DIYC! We have just returned home from a wonderful weekend at the south end of Skidaway Island, GA, where we spent three nights at Delegal Creek Marina. This was the home marina for Bruce and Jeanne Elder when they were “looping” back in 2006-7. Bruce and Jeanne still live in The Landings near the marina. We had a nice visit with them.
Delegal Creek is just north of Hells Gate at MM 601 on the ICW. Neat, clean, and friendly, $1.25 per ft. Billy, the Harbormaster makes it happen. This a place to relax, no commercial venues close by, but you can order a very tasty Chicken Pot pie to be delivered to your boat. 96 miles of bike paths and walking trails on the Island. Courtesy vehicle is a golf cart.
If you’re just looking for a relaxing evening as you head south this fall, would recommend this to an alternate to Isle of Hope. One drawback, there is a shoal that is about 3.5 ft at 0 water at the entrance to the creek between G3 and R4, follow the channel not your chartplotter, so generally not accessable two hours either side of low tide, but channel is well marked and we had no problems getting in or out.
Chuck and Claria Gorgen
ODYSSEE
Click Here To View the Cruisers’ Net’s Georgia Marina Directory Listing For Delegal Creek Marina
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This text makes for VERY INTERESTING reading.
First, let’s address the issue of depths and dredging at SALTY SOUTHEAST CRUISERS’ NET SPONSOR, Jekyll Harbor Marina (http://www.jekyllharbor.com/). We telephoned this facility and talked with one of the assistant dockmasters on 10/22/12. And, we were told, yes indeed, the permitting to dredge process is going forward, and Jekyll Harbor’s dockage basin will most likely be dredged sometime within the next year.
The assistant dockmaster went on to add that there are still 6+ MLW depths on the north side slips. The shallow water problem seems to plague the southern wet slips, where, on a low tide, soundings can fall to 4-foot or slightly less. Transients, however, are almost always accommodated on the outer docks, where MLW depths are 10+ feet! So, clearly, Jekyll Harbor Marina can accommodate virtually any size and draft of transient pleasure craft, even before the aforementioned dredging project takes place.
What is really more interesting, is what is said in the article below about depths on the AICW/Jekyll Creek section of the Waterway. Clearly, there is a real and building problem here, which must be addressed sometime in the future if the AICW is to remain open. All this is, of course, why the SSECN declared Jekyll Creek an AICW Problem Stretch years ago!
Now, and this is also interesting, the Jekyll Harbor Marina assistant dockmaster we spoke with noted that he had just done some extensive soundings on the channel in question. He discovered that if boats pass marker #19 close aboard, they will keep to good water. He also pointed out that commercial tows are coming through Jekyll Creek all the time by employing this navigational tactic.
Of course, having extensively sounded the Waterway passage through Jekyll Creek myself, I can tell you that this may be easier said than done on the water. Nevertheless, it is GOOD advice, at least as of October, 2012. Who knows what it will be like in a few months.Also, may I be so bold as to remind the cruising community that we strongly suggest all captains time their passage through Jekyll Creek for mid to high tide.
Local News
10/19/2012
Shoaling problem worsens at Jekyll marina
By MICHAEL HALLThe Brunswick News
In the absence of help from the federal government, a marina on Jekyll Island is taking the issue of shoaling along Jekyll Creek in the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway into its own hands. Jekyll Harbor Marina, 1 Harbor Road on Jekyll Island, is seeking a permit from the Coastal Marshlands Protection Committee and the Department of Natural Resources to dredge a 1,000-foot by 150-foot section of the creek directly under its boat slips to deepen the area to 10 feet at low tide. The marina’s general manager, Scott Todd, said the dredging is necessary to maintain a business that relies on large, non-commercial vessels with drafts around 6 feet deep. “The worst spots are 4 or 5 feet at mean low tide,” Todd said. But the creek is not much deeper and the marina’s need to dredge under its dock is a symptom of a larger problem, Todd said. “I wish the dredging was in the creek instead,” Todd said. Popular boating enthusiast websites like Cruisers.net list waterway portions in Glynn County as some of the shallowest on the East Coast. Todd has heard the complaints from customers like Joe Fox and his wife, Joyce Fox, who arrived at the marina for the first time Thursday. The couple’s sailboat, Shoban II, has a keel that requires a draft close to 6 feet. “It gets pretty hairy,” Joe Fox said. “We almost ran aground coming in (Thursday).” It is so shallow that most charts of the waterway do not even attempt to recommend a route through the area, Fox said. “It’s probably the only place where they don’t,” Fox said. And he and his wife would know. The couple, along with their Jack Russell Terrier, Matey, have been traveling the East Coast in their boat since December and are on their way home to Apollo Beach, Fla. It was there where a similar problem arose. The waterway needed dredging, but the Army Corps of Engineers, responsible for waterway maintenance, did not have the funding to do it. When the waterway became too shallow, Fox said boaters would simply bypass the section by sailing into the open ocean, something he said would be tempting and easy to do when traveling through Glynn County. Boaters and yachtsmen have told The News in the past that they prefer to risk the open ocean than the waterway because of shoaling. “I bet it is costing this area big bucks in tourism,” Fox said. Boaters traveling up and down the coast often spend a lot of money at stores and on gas when stopped at marinas for a night or two, he said. In Apollo Beach, Fox said the community raised more than $1 million in four years to put towards dredging. Along with state and county governments, the funding goal was accomplished, he said. Andy MacLeod, a boater from Pennsylvania who was docked at the marina on Jekyll Thursday, said the issue will only get worse if not addressed. “There will come a day when this creek is 4 feet at mean low tide,” MacLeod said. That could very well happen in the foreseeable future. Billy Birdwell, spokesman for the Savannah District of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, said there is no funding in the president’s budget for dredging Jekyll Creek. The Army Corps of Engineers is responsible for maintaining the waterways. “We estimate it would cost $6 million to clear Jekyll Creek back to its authorized 12-foot depth if we can place the dredged material into Andrews Island Dredged Material Management Area,” Birdwell said. Andrews Island is used for silt removed from the port’s shipping channel, but it has not been used for waterway maintenance. Congress appropriates funds for dredging in the waterway based on the amount of commercial traffic. Passing pleasure craft traffic is not considered commercial, Birdwell said. Birdwell also noted that the Downing Musgrove Causeway connecting Jekyll Island to the mainland disrupts the natural currents that would keep the creek clear. “Therefore it refills with material quickly,” Birdwell said.
The truth here is that your Congressperson doesn’t give a hoot about the Intracoastal Waterway or he/she would be fighting to have funds allocated to the Army Corps of Engineers to get the dredging done.
Richard Boehm
We are very pleased to report that we have just heard from Captain Butch Broome, new owner at Georgia’s Fort McAllister Marina. Captain Broome has taken over what has already been lauded here on the Cruiser’ Net by our fellow mariners as a very good marina, and is quickly making it even better.
Fort McAllister Marina has always offered very sheltered dockage, and a few years ago the docks were completely rebuilt and brought up to modern standards. There is also a good restaurant on-site.
Before now, the “rub” was getting up the Ogeechee River safely from the AICW. Some FORMER owners were not overly careful to keep the river channel well marked. THAT HAS ALL CHANGED NOW!
Study the Google Map/Satellite Photo below, just dispatched to the Cruisers’ Net by Captain Broome. As you will see, the Ogeechee River now sports a very adequate series of aids to navigation.
And, if that does not quite put you at navigational ease, the marina will gladly dispatch a guide boat that you can follow from the channel to the marina docks. Just give the dockmasters an advance call at (912) 727-2632.
Oh yes, and I should also add that, as of 10/16/12, Fort McAllister Marina is our newest SALTY SOUTHEAST CRUISERS’ NET SPONSOR!
Attached is our chart. At Green 8 there is a Marina sign with an arrow pointing to the south bank of the Ogeechee, DO NOT pass the sign just turn 226 degrees, you will see Green 9 and Reds 3 & 4. There is also a day Marker in the Marsh on the south side. Pretty easy once you’ve done it.
For first timers we’ll be more than happy to dispatch a guide a boat to lead you to our facility, just give us a call when you get to Marker 98 at 912-727-2632, my cell is 912-313-5042. We also monitor channel 16 and our working channel is 68.
Thanks
Butch
Click Here To View the Georiga Cruisers’ Net Marina Directory Listing For Fort McAllister Marina
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The Sunbury Crab Company Marina lies off the AICW along the western shores of the Medway River, on the charted Sunbury Channel, north of Dickinson Creek. And they are A SALTY SOUTHEAST CRUISERS’ NET SPONSOR!
Warm Hospitality With A Tropical Ambiance.
Sunbury Crab Company Restaurant and Marina just 6 miles off the AICW at MM 620 on the Medway River provides a safe haven and memorable dinning experience. A convenient overnight stop for the waterway traveller or a pleasant place to tarry awhile. The deep water approach on the Medway River is straight forward as long as the chart is studied before hand.
Family owned and operated the restaurant is open Wednesday through Sunday. The layout and colored lights are reminiscent of the islands. A varied menu, but dependent on season, the locally freshly caught shrimp, oysters, fish and crab are outstanding. All dishes are cooked to order and the menu moderately priced. Live music on occasion.
Floating docks, running in line with the current flow, are wide, stable and supported by tall pilings. Water and electric pedestals allow for dockage for up to 12 boats in the 40 foot range. Diesel fuel and ethnol free gasoline is available dockside. No pump out facility at this time. Head and shower facilities are available ashore.
This is much more than just another marina stop as the Maley family, Elaine, Barney and sons Joe and Clay offer a most friendly, helpful welcome to fellow sailors.
The shrimp boat, SEA TRAWLER, Captain Dennis Murphy, regularly docks here to unload his daily catch. These delicious freshly caught shrimp are available for sale.
Colin Day, Jean Henderson . Trawler: LILY MARIA.
Click Here To View the Cruisers’ Net’s Georgia Marina Directory Listing For Sunbury Crab Company
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