We've already had a few postings here on the Cruisers' Net's "South Carolina" section within the past several weeks about leaving the AICW, and cruising upstream on the Waccamaw River to Conway, SC. However, Captain Lewis' notes before are so thorough, I wanted to give this message its own, more recent posting.

Subject: Waccamaw River to Conway SC
Message: Shirley and I made the trip in our 46 ft/4.5 ft draft Chris Craft and spent the night of 10/28/2008 in the Conway City Marina @ $1/ft – 50 AMP service but no water.  Lowest sounding @ low tide plus 2 ft was maybe 6 ft in the first 1/2 mile after leaving the ICW.  The text of C Young's Crusing Guide is very helpful with navigational supplements.  The City marina looks narrow, shallow, and generally dicey but seems to have 9 feet and steep sides – at least in the initial basin.  The young marina staff is hospitable and helpful – the environment is attempting to embrace tourism and seems not yet gotten together its offerings of tour guides, walking maps, etc.  We passed on the recommended nearby eateries and walked 4 or 5 blocks to the "main" retail street and ate in Crady's Restaurant – very nice and of the linen tablecloth variety – succulent food.  The voyage up the river from the ICW and the return seemed to average 2 1/2 to 2 3/4 hours each way at 7 knots – the radar set at very low range helped me maintain orientation vis a vis the center of the river.  I favored the river to the outside of the curves and found, with some exceptions,  the center of the river generally provided adequate if not comfortable soundings. The slalom technique is helpful. Be prepared for depth fluctuations from 35 feet, 20 feet, to 6 feet and at very short intervals! Must be a hilly bottom! If options are available,  I'd likely be very squeamish about making the trip at dead low tide as the shoaling 1/2 mile or so up the river from the confluence of the Waccamaw and the ICW (about 1 to 2 miles northeast of Bucksport) adds stress and logically moves around some.  The Cypress Inn B&B is adjacent to the Conway City Marina and is very attrractive, neat, clean, etc.  One of the proprietor/operators invited us in and gave a tour – lovely furnished with many period pieces.  We will consider a return trip.  Would make a great rendevous point with friends staying in the Myrtle Beach to Pawleys' Island/DeBordieu stretch. Load your boat with people and some can spend the night in the Cypress Inn and, likely, all could eat in the B&B – with some advanced notice to the proprietors.   Conway is hardly 15 miles by car from Myrtle Beach – but, keep in mind, the stretch now known as "Myrtle Beach" runs for 20 miles along US 17!
Lewis Haselwood

It is quite possible for vessels that can clear a 28 (approx.) foot fixed bridge to leave the ICW near where it enters the northern poriton of the Waccamaw River, and cruise upstream to the city of Conway, SC. Here you will find a small, city marina, that, accoring to Captain Jim's note below, has recently added power hookups to their visitor's dock.
I've always liked this trip. but you do have to pay attention to navigation. Depths outside the marked cut are nil.
I cant' agree with Captian Jim's comments about liking Conway better than Georgetown or Beaufort, but, for those not in a hurry, this is indeed a side trip well worth making.

I made this same recommendation about 2 years ago in this list. I'm glad to see that Conway has gotten even better with the addition of real power. When we were there, I was able to find 15 amp at the base of a lamppole along the Riverwalk.
I place Conway as a better stop along the ICW in SC than MB, Georgetown or Beaufort, but not Charleston.
Jim
(from the GL Mailing List)

If you decide to stop at Conway, SC, be sure you get pumped out first. Their pump out station has been MIA for over three years. The docks north of the marina have 110V service, the City Marina transient dock has 30 AMP power, but is poorly maintained.
Dan

Greetings from Conway, SC,
Just wanted to let those of you who are not in a big hurry to head south this winter that Conway, SC is a wonderful stop and a BEAUTIFUL trip up the Waccamaw River.  Conway is located about 12 miles up the Waccamaw River, head up the river where it leaves the ICW.  Life's2Short runs about 8mph, and between our "speed" and the no-wake areas on the river it took us a little over 2 hours to get up here.  Our charts were only good for the first 6 miles of the river, however the river is well marked and we never saw less than 6' (at low tide) the entire trip.  As an added bonus the 2 free 40' floating docks at the Riverwalk now have 30 & 50 amp power, for FREE!!  The docks are located just below the bridge on your port side.  The town is very friendly and offers a number of places to drink, dine, & shop.  Life's2Short tips their hat to the City of Conway for having such a nice place for cruisers to visit, keep up the great work!
Try the Gouda & Bacon Spinach Cakes @ Berni's, they are to die for!!!
Brenda & Todd Lanning
M/V Life's2Short
40' Oceania