The vertical clearance of some Waterway bridges has been at issue for some time, especially during periods of extreme high tides. Skipper George relates a recent incident of “bridge too low and mast too tall!” His advice to contact Port Royal Landing Marina, A SALTY SOUTHEAST CRUISERS’ NET SPONSOR, is very good advice. This fine facility is located directly off the AICW’s run south from Beaufort, SC, on the western shoreline, just north of the McTeer Bridge and south of marker #244.
We turned back today, unable to negotiate the bridge at high tide with our 64 foot mast. Call Port Royal Landing Marina for for a reading as you approach the bridge. 1 843-524-4422. Jim George
Beaufort, SC, will begin fining or removing boats remaining in the Beaufort City Anchorage, just to the west of the Downtown Marina, A SALTY SOUTHEAST CRUISERS’ NET SPONSOR!. This anchorage has been designated as the location of a city mooring field since 2011. Today is the last day of a 30-day period during which boats anchored in the proposed mooring field to remove their vessels, be fined or agree to rent a buoy in the new field. Our friend John Kettlewell sends us this story from the Beaufort Gazette: http://www.islandpacket.com/2014/02/08/2937028/monday-is-deadline-to-move-boats.html
The city will be Installing 16 professionally-managed moorings for transient boats in an approved area of the Beaufort River, The new moorings will replace the approximately 12 randomly placed anchoring and also will involve removal of dilapidated boats which will improve water quality. In years past as many as 500 visitors come to the fine city of Beaufort South Carolina. They come for the charm of a small seaside village and the simplicity. They come because it quaint and has that non-commercial touristy cost usually associated with most waterside cities like Hilton head, Daytona, and Panama City Beach. Curtis
As someone who has cruised to Beaufort many times, and who lived and worked there for several years, I lament the passing of another anchorage on the ICW. I will say that the anchorage was notoriously difficult, with strong currents and nasty exposure in bad weather. It was not ideal, but those of us who prefer to use our own anchoring gear will now be bypassing this spot and likely the downtown area. Factory Creek across the way still has some anchoring room, and it is also possible to anchor north of the bridge outside of the channel. However, neither area provides convenient access to downtown. Plus, I strongly suspect, as is the case most places moorings are put it, that they will not pay their way and the city taxpayer will be burdened with another expense. John Kettlewell
As more and more cities and counties go broke, this kind of thing is going to become more and more common. It’s a lot more fun to go where you are wanted, rather than just tolerated, or looked at as a cash cow. The Bahamas just keep looking better and better. R. Holiman
Ice cream is often the most sought after commodity whenever going ashore, regardless the time of day. When in Beaufort, enjoy the recommendations offered by Skipper Susan Landry, co-owner of Beach House Publications, publishers of “The Great Book of Anchorages,” (http://www.tgboa.com)
Beaufort has their ice cream shop, Southern Sweets Ice Cream Parlor, hidden in the Old Bay Marketplace on Bay Street. Across the street from the waterfront, you will enter the mall. Near the entrance on the right, tucked quietly away, is the ice cream parlor. They have many selections to chose from and this is a true, old-fashioned store. Marilyn and Jack Sheehy started the parlor in 2001 and are wonderful hosts. They serve Greenwood ice cream and Marilyn has even added a lunch menu with homemade salads. Stop by to say hello and sample one of the many flavors. You are also invited to create your own frozen concoction and have it named for you. Susan Landry
Ice cream is often the most sought after commodity whenever going ashore, regardless the time of day. When in Georgetown, enjoy the recommendations offered by Skipper Susan Landry, co-owner of Beach House Publications, publishers of “The Great Book of Anchorages,” (http://www.tgboa.com)
I can not count how many times we have been into Harvest Moon ice cream in Georgetown, but there is a second shop, Sweeties, there as well. When nothing but a cold cone will do, either of these shops will fit the bill. Both shops are right on Front Street. The selections are plentiful and again, service with a smile. Who wouldn’t like working in an ice cream shop?? Susan Landry
In reponse to an earlier SSECN posting on an alternate to Ashepoo-Coosaw Cutoff (see /?p=120938), Captain Mullins and crew took the Round-your-elbow route into St. Helena Sound to avoid the Cutoff and did so successfully.
On our trip south on an Ocean Alexander 58, 4 ft. draft, we determined that we were going to transit the Ashepoo Coosaw Cutoff at low tide so we decided to turn left, heading south, after we passed through the cut at Fenwick Island. The Ashepoo river had 20 to 25 ft. of water in the middle and we followed it to the mouth, exited and went out in the St. Helena sound, turned north and bypassed the problem stretch all together. I would recommend this route for anyone with a 4 or 5 ft. or deeper draft heading into that area.
The intersection of Northern Fields Cut and the Wright River lies north of the intersection of the Waterway and the Savannah River. Shoaling there has always been an issue and even with last year’s dredging, shallow depths might be expected. However, Captain Mullins offers good advice for a clear passage.
Just helped take a Ocean Alexander 58 through Field’s cut at low tide.(4 ft. draft) Entering the cut from the north going south, you must stay close to the green markers on the left for the first 150 yds, then edge over to the red side until you approach the Savannah River and exit close to the Red side. We had a fish finder screen aboard and when we entered the cut, we could see how the bottom jumped up about 100 yds from the north entrance. There was a sailboat in front of us that tried to stay on the Green side all the way and had run aground 4 times by the time we caught up with him. Phil Mullins
Harbour Fish House Restaurant and Adjacent Ship's Store
SALTY SOUTHEAST CRUISERS’ NET SPONSOR, Charleston Harbor Marina, sits on the Mount Pleasant side of Charleston Harbor, hard by Patriots Point (between Horse Reach’s flashing buoys #34 and #36). This fine facility has been trying to build a second restaurant and an on-site retail facility for years. They have now succeeded. I personally visited Charleston Harbor Marina in November when I attended and spoke to the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway Association annual conference in Charleston. I was very impressed with the new Harbor Fish House restaurant’s (843-284-7067) atmosphere and particularly the view of the ships at adjacent Patriots Point. I did not get a chance to sample the bill of fare, but that oversight will be corrected SOON! As noted by Skipper Fowler, the marina now provides trolley service to downtown Charleston. The trolley will drop off and pick up cruisers at Meeting Street, AND the really fabulous Harris Teeter supermarket on the Charleston peninsula. The same trolley will also take you to, and retrieve you from, the beaches on nearby Sullivan Island! Wow, talk about the one of the best getting even better!!!
View From Harbor Fish House Restaurant
Hello Claiborne: We recently spent some time at Charleston Harbor Marina, and were very impressed with the changes we found since our last visit. In particular, there is a large, new building on the upstream side of the parking lot which houses Harbor Fish House restaurant and a variety and ship’s store. The view from the restaurant’s large, interior glass windows is very nice, with many tables sporting a view of the historic ships at adjacent Patriots Point Park. Our fresh catch of the day was delectable. The on-site store is heavily oriented towards clothing and some gift items, but they do have cold drinks and one small section of marine items. We took advantage of the marina’s new trolley service (at least new to us), and rode into downtown Charleston to restock the galley at Harris Teeter. This is one of the best versions of this supermarket chain we have ever visited! Be sure to check the trolley schedule before leaving, or you could have a long wait to return to the marina. We didn’t have a chance to take advantage of this, but the same trolley service will carry visiting boaters to the beaches on nearby Sullivan Island. Hope to give that trip a try during out next visit. So, there you have it. Some really neat, new services at this marina! Skipper Fowler
The Waterway runs along the north and west side of Daufuskie Island, out of Calibogue Sound at Statute Mile 565, west of Hilton Head Island, as the Waterway scampers south towards the Savannah River.
I thought I would mention a couple of other things. First, if going to Hilton Head, Daufuskie Island will make a great day stop or even over night. You can tie up at the Melrose ferry dock and rent a golf cart. Bicycles work well there as well as on Hilton Head. Don on “Moonstruck”
Here are good words for Downtown Marina of Beaufort as originally posted on Trawler Forum, http://www.trawlerforum.com/. A SALTY SOUTHEAST CRUISERS’ NET SPONSOR!, Downtown Marina is located north of AICW marker #239, a short distance west of the Lady’s Island swing bridge, in the heart of downtown Beaufort.
I like the Beaufort Downtown Marina. They are right downtown with several restaurants very close by. Blackstones is best for breakfast. They have a loaner car for grocery shopping. If you want to anchor or take a mooring ball, you can tie up to the park wall during the day, but not overnight. Tides are pretty swift in that area. Don on “Moonstruck”
Here are good words for Shelter Cove Marina on Hilton Head Island as originally posted on Trawler Forum, http://www.trawlerforum.com/. Shelter Cove is located in a man-made cove on the southeastern shores of Broad Creek (Hilton Head Island) near markers #22 and #23.
I like Shelter Cove on Hilton Head. It is about a 25 minute run up Broad Creek, but worth it. 7 or 8 restaurants surrounding the harbor plus more within walking distance. A supermarket is also within walking distance. Palmetto Bay Marina is on the way to and from. Captain Woody’s restaurant there is good. Moonstruck
AICW/Upper Waccamaw Intersection - Click for Chartview
Back on 12/24/13, the Salty Southeast Cruisers’ Net (along with many other nautical publications) made the sad announcement that the USCG would be removing all aids to navigation on the upper portion of the Waccamaw River, abandoned by the AICW (see /?p=130563). As SSECN Senior Editor, Captain Larry Dorminy, commented at that time, “While depths in the Upper Waccamaw are reported to be good, the removal of these daybeacons and buoys will certainly make this side trip upstream to Conway, SC more difficult.” Then, HAPPILY, we received the note below from veteran cruisers, Captains Jim and Peg Healy:
Claiborne, When Sanctuary and crew made the side trip to Conway, SC, in October, 2013, the lateral daymarks in the river were in good condition. With the USCG announcing plans to permanently discontinue the daymarks on the upper Waccamaw, there are very few reliable sources of navigation guidance for cruisers, and particularly first-time/less-experienced cruisers. There are some large tributaries and embayments that intersect the river. Some are large enough to be confusing to those not familiar with the area. As you know, there are no NOAA charts of the upper Waccamaw that cover the upper river. So, I superimposed Sanctuary’s GPS track on a road map of the area. I hope this will be useful in portraying the through-route northbound into Conway. Peg and Jim Healy aboard Sanctuary
Jim and Peg are quite correct. Even though I’ve made this side-trip at least a dozen times over the years, without the various markers, I can easily see my tiny mind becoming confused at some of the forks along the way. Jim and Peg have done the cruising community a tremendous favor by providing the cartographical aids, linked below. A word of WARNING – these “maps” are NOT nautical charts, and cannot be relied upon to always keep you to good depths. Sidewaters off the main, upper Waccamaw River chanel are almost uniformly shallow, so all cruisers should undertake this sidetrip with the full knowledge that they are embarking on a somewhat chancy sojourn. In other words, cruise the upper Waccamaw at your own risk. With that being said, what we have done is blow up Jim and Peg’s maps to a level that cruisers will hopefully find useful, and divided these graphics into four parts. Part 1 depicts the southernmost section of the upper Waccamaw, with the subsequent parts moving farther north with Part 4 leading all the way to Conway, SC, and their friendly city marina. Like Jim and Peg, we hope everyone finds these maps useful!
Agree, these maps are better than nothing but what a shame the CG is removing the markers. This is a great little side trip off the waterway that we have done a couple of times in the last 25 years. And’¦there are a couple of places where you can go wrong if not for a day marker. Caution is the word and I think fewer boaters without local knowledge will be going to Conway going forward. Doyle Evans
We are indebted to Officer Mike Verdolini, US Army Corp of Engineers, for sending this November, 2013 survey of the channel in Calabash Creek. The survey has four parts, one showing the entire navigable channel from the Waterway eatsward, sections one to three showing details of the depths in the channel. Because it is impossible to read the depth numbers in the pictures below, the links to each section are included, allowing you to zoom in and read the numbers. Section 3 also displays the location of all the docks in the creek, as well as the City Dock. Calabash Creek departs the Waterway just south of the NC-SC state line.
Glad to hear that Captains Bill and Laura Bender had such an enjoyable stay at SALTY SOUTHEAST CRUISERS’ NET SPONSOR, Port Royal Landing Marina. This fine facility is located directly off the AICW’s run south from Beaufort, SC, through the Beaufort River, on the western shoreline, just south of marker #244.
Kindred Spirit III enjoyed a delightful evening at Port Royal Marina. We’ve been to Beaufort, SC, many time but never to PRM. It isn’t convenient to downtown Beaufort but there is a loaner vehicle, of which we and another couple, took advantage. The town is cycling distance and the marina has loaner bikes. A Doc in a Box and CVS are [within] walking distance. The staff was absolutely wonderful, kind, and genuinely caring. If you’re a paying customer, 2 nights gets you one free. The restaurant adjacent to the marina has GREAT burgers. The marina has wifi, book exchange, captain’s lounge and ship’s store. Bill and Laura Bender
Our good friends, and SSECN strategic partners, Captains Mark and Diana Doyle, founders and owners of “On The Water ChartGuides” (http://www.onthewaterchartguides.com/), give us an updated, graphic report below, relaying what they discovered as they navigated through the AICW – Ashepoo Coosaw Cutoff Problem Stretch on 11/16/13! Note that the Doyle’s soundings were taken near mid tide, so to calculate MLW depths, you must subtract 5.5 feet from their soundings depicted below. Applying this correction, Diana and Mark noted “multiple soundings of LESS THAN 5 FEET IN THE AICE CHANNEL NEAR MARKERS #184 AND #185. CLEARLY all cruisers piloting vessels larger than row boats should transit this AICW Problem Stretch at mid to high tide ONLY! Incidentally, Diana and Mark have recently published a new edition of their immensely popular “ICW CruiseGuide.” Click on the book graphic to the above left for more details, and to place an order!
Hi Claiborne, For those transiting South Carolina, Ashepoo Coosaw Cutoff continues to be a problem area and carries LESS THAN 5 FEET MLLW. I’ve attached a printable high-resolution file of our November 16th survey report and depth-annotated track. Hopefully, SSECN readers cruising this area will find the report useful. Best, Captains Mark & Diana Doyle m/v Semi-Local www.OnTheWaterChartGuides.com
Captain Graham is responding to an earlier posting about an adult beverage store on Lady’s Island, see /?p=128639. Port Royal Landing Marina guards the western banks of the AICW/Beaufort River, a short hop south of downtown Beaufort, SC. Port Royal Landing Marina is a much valued SALTY SOUTHEAST CRUISERS’ NET SPONSOR!
Bill’s is indeed a great liquor, wine, beer store. Here’s another local tip if you are a microbrew connoisseur. If you spend the night or two at Port Royal Landing Marina, just south of the Beaufort swing bridge, there is an amazing selection of about 20 microbrews on draught at, of all places, the PIGGLY WIGGLY, about a half mile around the corner from the marina. Growlers are available in a couple sizes. There is also a larger selection available in bottles. PLUS, the small shopping center where `THE PIG’ as it is known, is located also has a Sears Hardware, a West Marine, and a hard liquor store as well. Marina staff can give you complete directions. They can also have a loaner car you can use if you really want to load up on groceries and growlers. Jeff Graham
A SALTY SOUTHEAST CRUISERS’ NET SPONSOR, Lady’s Island Marina, in Beaufort, South Carolina, lies along the southern shores of Factory Creek, which enters the AICW/Beaufort River immediately east of the Ladys Island swing bridge.
Bill’s Liquors & wines – Beaufort, SC – located within walking distance of Lady’s Island Marina (great place to stay). Although not a brewery but a liquor, wine and beer store, Bill’s has a growler filling station in the beer section and always has 8 micro brews available in 32 oz and 64 oz growlers. Stopped by today and they had a beer tasting scheduled for this afternoon for Westbrook brewery beers, out of Mt Pleasant, SC. They also had Allagash Blonde Ale, Harpoon IPA, Southern Tier Pumking, Lazy Magnolia Southern Pecan, Thomas Creek Up the Creek Extreme IPA, Red Hare Rauchbier, Blue Moon Belgian White. They will also give you a taste of any beer at the station. Joe Moran
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 to the city of Conway, SC has pleased many cruisers and has proven to be a worthy side trip. And now Captain Thomason adds knowledge of a quiet, safe anchorage between Conway and the Waterway. This is very good news indeed, as, prior to this posting, we knew of no other place to spend the evening once the confines of the AICW were left behind, than to continue upstream to the city Marina at Conway. Now, there is a FREE alternative! Unfortunately, this upper section of the Waccamaw is not covered on any NOAA chart, so we must relay on Captain Thomason’s description below to find this anchor down spot. However, using the magic of “Google Earth,” we have isolated a satellite image of this body of water, which you will see on the upper, right corner of this posting! Has anyone else anchored on Cox Lake??? If so, we want to hear from you. Please share your experiences by making use of the “Comment” function at the end of this posting. We can’t wait to hear from you!
Dear Claiborne, Cox Lake is a body of water north east of R marker 16 (approximate location N33 47 683, W 079 03 102). Depart the marked route just south of R 16, proceed through the obvious opening to the lake. Depths going in are in the 7-9 ft range. We like to anchor directly across from the opening at the mouth of a wide cove, past a large dock to starboard in 12 to 14 ft of water or deeper in to the cove for shallower depths (10 ft or less). The deepest into the cove we have anchored is N33 47 856, W 079 03 102. Cox Lake is known to locals who sometimes anchor here to party but that’s only happened once for us (and they left at night). Other than the one dock, the shores are natural cypress. At one point there were a couple of very small homemade “houseboats” on the north side of the lake but they have been gone the last two times we anchored. The anchorage is not affected by wakes from boats on the river. A nice spot to pass a quiet night. Hope this helps! Cox Lake is approximately two and a half miles from Conway City Marina. Jean Thomason
Cruisers’ Net has posted reports of shoaling in this Problem Stretch (which the ACOE terms as “behind Breach Inlet”) for months now. (see /?p=120335). And we are once again greatly indebted to Captains Susan Landry and Chuck Baier, owners of Beach House Publications, publishers of “The Great Book of Anchorages,” (http://www.tgboa.com) for providing the superb, in-depth article below. THANKS CHUCK AND SUSAN! Please read on!
Claiborne, We transited the ICW from Dewees Creek past the Ben Sawyer Bridge at 0830 this morning, November 7, 2013. Here are the depths that we found. First, we did study the Corps of Engineers most recent survey to determine on which side of the channel the deepest water could be found. It appeared to us that favoring the red side would be best, and that is what we did. We are southbound, so take that into consideration for the report. All depths reported would be at low tide for today. Before the Ben Sawyer at red “118” we found 8.2 feet at about 30 feet off the marker. The depths increased to 10 feet as we approached Swinton Creek. Very near the crossing at Swinton Creek the depths were 6 feet. Here is a situation where many may get confused. The currents at Swinton Creek and several other crossing of the ICW near inlets are very strong cross currents. As we crossed the creek we were set immediately off to starboard and pushed out of the channel due to the incoming tide. Fortunately the depths as we crossed these creeks were 17 to 20 feet where the current has scoured them out. But if running on autopilot, the course would not be corrected enough to get the boat back into the channel before hitting shoal waters. We have also found that if set by current, looking ahead will give us a false sense of still being in the channel. But if we look behind us, it becomes very apparent the we have been pushed far out of the channel. We recommend hand steering through this stretch and looking forward as well as behind to determine where the boat is. The speed and direction of these strong currents will depend on whether the tides are incoming or outgoing and how strong the currents are at that particular time. Now back to the depths. Approaching green “117” the signboard is missing and the piling only is sticking about 6 feet out of the water and angled toward the channel. Passing Swinton Creek we found depths of 7 feet, then dropping to 6 feet. As we approached first opening to Breach Inlet, the depths were 5.8, then 5.3, then 4.5. At the intersection of Breach Inlet, the depths were 12 feet with very a strong cross current. Beyond that point to the second crossing at Breach Inlet we saw depths of 10 to 12 feet until we reached Inlet Creek where we briefly had 6 feet. The depths came back to 10-12 feet, which continued until the Ben Sawyer Bridge. Beyond Ben sawyer we never saw anything less than 12 feet. As you can see, there is one very shallow area at low tide in the 4- to 5-foot range, so boats with deeper drafts will need to transit at higher tides. With tides in the 5- to 6-foot range for this area, that allows plenty of depths for deeper drafts. We hope this will help all of those that transit this section of the waterway after us. We will keep you posted on any other issues we find. Chuck and Susan. Trawler Beach House The Great Book Of Anchorages <http://www.tgboa.com/> Navigation Notices <http://www.marinalife.com/navigationUpdates/index.cfm> Our Blogs Trawler Beach House <http://trawler-beach-house.blogspot.com/> Voyages of Sea Trek <http://sea-trek.blogspot.com/
Toler’s Cove Marina guards the Waterway’s northwestern shore southwest of the Sullivan’s Island swing bridge.
We pulled in here after a long day southbound on the ICW. They were full, but the staff was very helpful and tied us up at the fuel dock. Easy in, easy out. Good, convenient stop. Bru Brubaker
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