Cruisers' Net | Cruisers Helping Cruisers

Oct 8, 2012by: Larry Dorminy No Comments 32.5251,-80.1259999
Report from North Edisto River Inlet, well off the AICW, south of Charleston, SC

View In Chartview

North Edisto River Entrance - Click for Chartview
The AICW intersects the North Edisto River at Statute Mile 497. You must abandon the Waterway and cruise downstream some 8.5 nautical miles to reach this river’s inlet.
Cruising News:
I recently transited the North Edisto R inlet from West to East.
Both R-6 and R-4 as shown on Chart #11522 are missing. R-2NE is in the position as shown.
I favored G-9 off Deveaux Bank going thru the deepest water of the middle bank thru the old position of R-6 and on to R-2NE at mid high tide with nothing less than 13′. Ebb tide with NW 10k winds.
65′ MV draft 5-5′
Ray Cope
UPDATE – October 10, 2012, we just received the report below from Capt. Rob Bessinger and have consequently rescinded our Navigation Alert for these waters.
According to USCG Local Notice to Mariners, Distrcit 7, Week 40/12 [the first week of October], Chart 11522, the North Edisto River Entrance Lighted Buoy 6 (R6) is fixed and has status of “Watching Properly”
Rob
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of North Edisto River Inlet
Share:
Be the first to comment!
Oct 5, 2012by: Larry Dorminy No Comments
More Good Words for Awendaw Creek Anchorage, AICW Statute Miles 436

Awendaw Creek - Click for Chartview
Located halfway between Georgetown and Charleston, SC, Awendaw Creek has been successfully accessed for anchoring by several recent cruisers. On the south side of the Waterway, Awendaw Creek is best approached through its northern entrance which is due south of marker #48 and just west of marker #47 in Harbor River.
Anchored here on 10/1/2012-all positive comments on this anchorage are true. Went in at 1 hour before low tide and never had less than 8′ and mostly double digits in the anchorage. `No-seeum’s’ came out at sundown but an `Off’ coil kept them to a minimum.
Capt. Pat Carter
Oct 10 we anchored at Awendaw Creek turned the corner in charted 13 feet but saw 16 feet, surprisingly very quiet night even though it appears to be wide open.
Doug Cordello
Click Here To View the South Carolina Cruisers’ Net Anchorage Directory Listing For Awendaw Creek
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Awendaw Creek
Share:
Be the first to comment!
Oct 3, 2012by: Larry Dorminy No Comments
Good Visits to Harborwalk Marina and Georgetown, SC, AICW Statute Mile 403
Harborwalk Marina, A SALTY SOUTHEAST CRUISERS’ NET SPONSOR! is the northwesternmost marina on the downtown Georgetown/Sampit River waterfront. Check out their shiny new, first-rate, shower and laundry building!
Jim and I spent a month at Harborwalk on our way north this summer and are now here for a few days on our way back to Florida. The marina is small but the service from Chris and Steve is top-notch. Everything is maintained very well, from the office to the rest rooms, the laundry area and the docks. All of it is always clean and tidy. Very convenient location ‘“ step off your boat and in less than a minute you’re in downtown Georgetown. Walk a couple of minutes in the other direction and you can buy shrimp fresh of the boats. Georgetown and Harborwalk are both on our `places to stop at again’ list. And if you’re here for a couple of days, be sure book a spot on Captain Rod’s Low Country Tour boat and go shelling at the beach!
Paula Spence, M/Y Sea Eagle
Click Here To View the Cruisers’ Net’s South Carolina Marina Directory Listing For Harborwalk Marina
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Harborwalk Marina
Share:
Be the first to comment!
Oct 2, 2012by: Larry Dorminy No Comments
A Visit to Charleston Harbor Marina and a Word for Pet Owners, AICW near Statute Mile 465 – Mount Pleasant Side of Charleston Harbor
The Ehlers have a good suggestion for all pet owners at this or any marina. Like most marinas today, Charleston Harbor Marina – A SALTY SOUTHEAST CRUISERS’ NET SPONSOR! – requires at all pets be leashed, but that rule is so often ignored.
We have stayed here a couple of weekends with our boat `Keeper of the Stars’ and we found it very nice and staff friendly. There are 2 things that we would like to mention, #1’¦We wish they had a general store on site instead of having to leave the property to buy soft drinks, cleaning supplies etc. #2 and most important to us’¦.I wish they would make people put their dogs on LEASHES at all times’¦.I have 2 small pugs that are on leashes and when ur big dog comes over and gets my dogs riled up’¦your dog better not cause me a problem, because I will protect them at all costs’¦so keep your dog on a leash!!!!!
Jim and Tera Ehlers
Click Here To View the Cruisers’ Net’s South Carolina Marina Directory Listing For Charleston Harbor Marina
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Charleston Harbor Marina
Share:
Be the first to comment!
Sep 26, 2012by: Larry Dorminy No Comments
Uncharted Markers/Shoals on AICW/Ashepoo River, Statute Mile 512

Click for Chartview
Even the latest chartplotters cannot keep up with aids to navigation added to mark shoaling, and it can be confusing to approach a marker that often just does not make sense when looking at the chart. Thanks to Capt. Butler for bringing these uncharted markers to our attention!
New red nun 166 in Ashepoo River to mark shoal and the QR168 where you make the hard turn to port for the cutoff. Also noticed a new G175 in place of the range in Rock Creek.
Karen Butler
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To A “Navigation Alert” Position at Ashepoo River
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Marker #175
Share:
Be the first to comment!
Sep 25, 2012by: Larry Dorminy No Comments
Invitation to Explore the Upper Cooper River, off the AICW from Charleston Harbor, Statute Mile 469
If you hurry, you can still catch this river cruise that begins Tuesday, 10/02/2012. Capt. Corgen has titled the cruise “Up the Cooper to Lake Marion and beyond”. Sounds like a great trip!
Claiborne:
I think John Winter, JUST RELAX, mentioned to you maybe 6 weeks ago or so that several AGLCA boats were going up the Cooper. Well that several are 2, YOUNG @ HEART and ODYSSEE. We are leaving from Maritime Center next Tuesday morning, October 2. ODYSSE will leave their home dock on Distant Island Creek in Beaufort Sunday afternoon and spend Monday night in Charleston, YOUNG @ HEART is a James Island boat and will be leaving from their dock on Parrot Point Creek at high tide Tuesday morning. Tuesday night will be spent at Gilligans dock in Monks Corner. Wednesday they will go through the 75′ single chamber lock at Pinopolis into Lake Moultrie. Trip is expected to turn around in the Congaree River above the Hwy. 601 bridge, adjacent to the east end of the Congaree National Park. We’ll be posting our odyssey as we can on our blog, http://www.gorgensodyssee.blogspot.com.
Chuck Gorgen
Click Here To View the Cruisers’ Net’s South Carolina Marina Directory Listing For Charleston Maritime Center
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Charleston Maritime Center
Share:
Be the first to comment!
Sep 23, 2012by: Larry Dorminy No Comments
Good Words for Myrtle Beach Yacht Club, AICW Statute Mile 346
Myrtle Beach Yacht Club on Coquina Harbor has been a great stopping place and a friend to cruisers for years and a recent dockage rate reduction is certainly good news for the fall migration!. Naturally, they are a SALTY SOUTHEAST CRUISERS’ NET SPONSOR!
MBYC is in Little River, not Myrtle Beach. We stayed here on our way north last spring, and then again last week (13 September). Both times we have been very pleased. The staff is knowledgable and very helpful. They drove us over to West Marine late in the day before it closed. Facilities are A-1. Good value. There is a nice walkway for exercise that goes all around Coquina Harbor. People seem to be very friendly. We would definitely go again.
Dunniganj
Click Here To View the Cruisers’ Net’s South Carolina Marina Directory Listing For Myrtle Beach Yacht Club
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Myrtle Beach Yacht Club
Share:
Be the first to comment!
Sep 17, 2012by: Larry Dorminy No Comments
Good Visit to Bucksport Marina, AICW Statute Mile 377
Many good words about newly renovated (and under new ownership) Bucksport Marina and their on-site restaurant, continue to be recorded here on the Cruisers’ Net! And, of course, these good people are a SALTY SOUTHEAST CRUISERS NET SPONSOR! PLEASE patronize them and all our other sponsors whenever possible!!!!
A great place in a spectacular location. Good food and music on the deck (And they are adding a larger covered deck). Staff is friendly and helpful and anxious to make your stay a great one.
Dan Virga
Click Here To View the Cruisers’ Net’s South Carolina Directory Listing For Bucksport Marina
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Bucksport Marina
Share:
Be the first to comment!
Sep 8, 2012by: Larry Dorminy No Comments
All Welcome at Harbourgate Marina, AICW Statute Mile 347
Dockmaster Susie Watkins is one of the most knowledgeable and professional marina operators in all of South Carolina. You can scarcely coil you lines at a better place than Harbourgate Marina, and they are a SALTY SOUTHEAST CRUISERS’ NET SPONSOR!
Always Welcome in North Myrtle Beach at HARBOURGATE MARINA. Call early to make your reservations. 843-249-8888
Transient Rate $1.50 or say you saw our ad on Cruisers’ Net.
A Friend of Claiborne.
Susan Watson
Click Here To View the Cruisers’ Net’s South Carolina Marina Directory Listing For Harbourgate Marina
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Harbourgate Marina
Share:
Be the first to comment!
Sep 1, 2012by: Larry Dorminy No Comments
Perspective on Cooper River Marina, off the AICW on the Cooper River, North Charleston, SC
Cooper River Marina is located in what was a backwater section of the old Charleston US Navy Base, and it’s quite a drive to get pretty much anywhere from its docks. Still, the rates are reasonable, and if you have readily available shoreside auto transportation, this facility is a possibility in the greater Charleston area! Captain Harvey gives us a bit of its history.
I have been familiar with the Cooper River Marina since it was new after Huricane Hugo wiped out the old US Navy sailing facility. It was originally built as a US Navy military marina. When the Base closed the Charleston County Parks took over. It is a very nice facility and the employees and manager Matt Driscole are the best. However the county parks has never recognized the military men and women who paid for the marina through non-appropriated funds through the use of commissarys and exchanges. Its just a hard spot with me, but I feel the County should honor the military with a military rate for long term dockage. After all the sailors and airmen paid for it.
Manning J. Harvey III
Click Here To View the Cruisers’ Net’s South Carolina Marina Directory Listing For Cooper River Marina
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of
Share:
Be the first to comment!
Sep 1, 2012by: Larry Dorminy No Comments
Stricter Overnight Docking Restrictions at Georgetown Waterfront, AICW Statute Mile 403
Georgetown, SC has done a wonderful job of dressing up their waterfront with a long wooden “Harborwalk” that provides access to the very heart of downtown Georgetown. A number of the town’s leading restaurants and shops open onto the boardwalk which also offers free dinghy dockage for visiting vessels at anchor in the adjacent wing of Sampit River. Putting all this together, Georgetown remains one of our very FAVORITE ports of call, and a SALTY SOUTHEAST CRUISERS’ NET SPONSOR.
However, when you visit Georgetown, please be SURE to pick up a wet slip at one of the local marinas, or anchor in the branch of Sampit River and then dinghy ashore. Overnight tie-up, for vessels or dinghy, has never been permitted at the Harborwalk docks, but obviously too many cruisers have failed to pay heed to the signs. Now, the local government is getting SERIOUS about it!
Cruising News:
I don’t know if it has been reported yet , the city of Georgetown , Sc. has always had signs on the town docks that read ” NO OVERNIGHT DOCKING PLEASE” now they have added signs that read “OVERNIGHT DOCKING PROHIBITED” with an ordinance no. and a fine of $1092.50!!! YES THOUSAND!!
I can only assume they mean to enforce it! Over the years I have seen many boats tied up overnight especially during the boat migration seasons. The town fathers have obviously become boater unfriendly. I wonder if the Chamber of Commerce is aware??
Bill Gaughan
We have this local response from our good friend, Chris Carroll of Harborwalk Marina, A SALTY SOUTHEAST CRUISERS’ NET SPONSOR!
Claiborne,
These docks were always meant to be for stop, shop, eat, etc. but not for overnight stay. Our local tour boats use them if they have a handicap passenger that needs to board as well as local pleasure boaters in for an hour or so.
The problem arose from a few transient and local cruisers staying multiple nights and taking up the docks. One of the local tour captains decided to leave his boat there overnight in order to accommodate a handicap passenger early the next morning (since he was afraid someone else would get it that night). When he arrived the next morning, he had a $1,000 ticket. He went to court to argue the fact, since he watched others do it all the time and it wasn’t enforced. He semi won that battle as the ticket was thrown out and new signs were put up. The amount of enforcement still remains to be seen.
I don’t think by any means this makes the City or county of Georgetown `boater unfriendly’. The docks should be used what they were intended for.
There are (3) nice marinas downtown that offer nightly and hourly transient dockage when available. I should know, I operate one. Thanks.
Chris Carroll, Harborwalk Marina
Click Here To View the Cruisers’ Net’s South Carolina Marina Directory Listing For Georgetown Waterfront Anchorage
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Georgetown Harbor
Click Here To View the Cruisers’ Net’s South Carolina Marina Directory Listing For Harborwalk Marina
Share:
Be the first to comment!
Aug 25, 2012by: Larry Dorminy No Comments
Myrtle Beach Yacht Club Lowers Transient Rate, AICW Statute Mile 346
Myrtle Beach Yacht Club on Coquina Harbor has been a great stopping place and a friend to cruisers for years and this rate reduction is certainly good news for the fall migration!. Naturally, they are a SALTY SOUTHEAST CRUISERS’ NET SPONSOR!
Cruising News:
MBYC has lowered it’s transient dockage to $1.25/foot with a Boat/Us discount of .25 cents
Bud Coonfield myrtlebeachyc@sc.rr.com
Click Here To View the Cruisers’ Net’s South Carolina Marina Directory Listing For Myrtle Beach Yacht Club
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Myrtle Beach Yacht Club
Share:
Be the first to comment!
Aug 17, 2012by: Larry Dorminy No Comments
Glowing Review of Bucksport Marina, AICW Statute Mile 377
Many good words about newly renovated (and under new ownership) Bucksport Marina and their on-site restaurant, continue to be recorded here on the Cruisers’ Net! And, of course, these good people are a SALTY SOUTHEAST CRUISERS NET SPONSOR! PLEASE patronize them and all our other sponsors whenever possible!!!!
This location is quaint and beautiful! The view is simply fantastic and Chef Jay made our visit extremely memorable. The food was delicious and the Chef came over and talked to us, it was so personable! If you have yet to stop while heading south, DO NOT pass this place up!!
Mae M
Click Here To View the Cruisers’ Net’s South Carolina Directory Listing For Bucksport Marina
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Bucksport Marina
Share:
Be the first to comment!
Aug 15, 2012by: Claiborne Young No Comments
Don’t Even Think About Anchoring In The Charted “Oxbow” Off the AICW/Dawho River (Statute Mile 500) – Captains Mark and Diana Report
I well remember one delightful October afternoon in 1983 when we came cruising along the AICW’s run through South Carolina’s Dawho River. This stream, along with a man-made canal, serves to connect the AICW between the North and South Edisto Rivers.
Anyway, we were on our initial research trip, seeking out anchorages for the first edition of my “Cruising Guide to Coastal South Carolina and Georgia.” As I always still do to this day before beginning on-site research of new waters, I had poured over (in this case) chart 11518, looking for good anchorage possibilities. And here, hard by marker #128, were several charted oxbows which NOAA reported as having 6 to 12 foot depths.
Well, like Diana and Mark, we arrived, THANK GOODNESS, at MLW. Imagine my astonishment when our first look inside all three oxbows revealed nothing but MUD!!!! To say the least, we warned everyone away from these potential traps and cheats in the pages of “CGSC-GA!”
A check of the very latest version of chart 11518 on the Cruisers’ Net’s “Chart View” module, shows that NOAA is FINALLY showing no depth on the northeastern oxbow at MLW, but is still erroneously promising some MLW depths in the south side oxbow, which is the subject of Mark and Diana’s article below (see chartlet at right – click to open a Chart View page centered on the oxbow in question). It only took NOAA 29 years to correct 1/3 of their error. Need I say more about my opinion of the NOAA charting folks.
So, if you seek to safely drop the hook on the Dawho River section of the South Carolina AICW, please continue cruising west, pass under the Dawho – Edisto Island Bridge, and give Fishing Creek along the northerly banks a try. Even this body of water has a TRICKY entrance. Follow the link below to learn how safe entry can be achieved!

Check Out the MUD!
Hi Claiborne,
No names mentioned here … but someone asked us about anchoring in the oxbow off Dawho River R128.
We told them: In a word, DON’T !!!
As you well know, the closest tide station, Dawho Bridge, has an STR (Spring Tidal Range) of 7.2 feet, which can make a lot of South Carolina and Georgia bad ideas seem like good ones … especially when NOAA charts the oxbow at 7 feet low water.
[See depth-annotated track and NOAA chart screenshot below.]
We’ve heard people chatting about this possibility before, so on our last pass northbound (two months ago), we just happened to be passing R128 near low tide.
As you can see in the chart screenshot and accompanying photo, there is plenty of water in the ICW channel but EVERYTHING dries out in the oxbow.
Again, no recommendation being made here. Just sharing data. Captains are responsible for their own decisions and outcome.
Best and see you On the Water,
Captains Mark & Diana Doyle
http://www.OnTheWaterChartGuides.com
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of the Oxbow Off the AICW/Dawho River
Click Here To View the South Carolina Cruisers’ Net Anchorage Directory Listing For Fishing Creek
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of the Fishing Creek Anchorage
Share:
Be the first to comment!
Aug 13, 2012by: Larry Dorminy No Comments
Praise for Osprey Marina, AICW Statute Mile 373
Osprey Marina lies at the southern foot of AICW section known officially as the Pine Island Cut (a. k. a. “the Rock Pile”), just as the Waterway sweeps south into beautiful Waccamaw River. Osprey Marina is one of the finest marinas you will ever discover, and these good folks are A SALTY SOUTHEAST CRUISERS’ NET SPONSOR!
We stayed one night on return from Bald Head to Georgetown and wanted to avoid the carnival of Myrtle Beach. What a great spot! We are a 47′ Beneteau and had no problem getting in and out. The most helpful, curtious staff we have ever encountered. Cleanest baths, laundry and marina building possible. Enjoyed an outstanding Italian dinner with pickup and return service. Couldn’t ask for more, every marina could learn from Osprey. We will be back next time.
Bill Saint
Click Here To View the Cruisers’ Net’s South Carolina Marina Directory Listing For Osprey Marina
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Osprey Marina
Share:
Be the first to comment!
Jul 31, 2012by: Claiborne Young No Comments
Harbour Town Yacht Basin Photo Gallery
1. To see a photo title, hover your pointer over any thumbnail below. Wait a moment, and title will appear
2. For a larger/full size image, click on any thumbnail below; to return to thumbnails, click inside any full size image
3. To browse through full size images, open first image by clicking on it, and then either click the backwards and forwards arrows at the bottom of FULL SIZE images, or use the left and right arrow keys on your keyboard
Share:
Be the first to comment!
Jul 31, 2012by: Claiborne Young No Comments
Shelter Cove Marina Photo Gallery
1. To see a photo title, hover your pointer over any thumbnail below. Wait a moment, and title will appear
2. For a larger/full size image, click on any thumbnail below; to return to thumbnails, click inside any full size image
3. To browse through full size images, open first image by clicking on it, and then either click the backwards and forwards arrows at the bottom of FULL SIZE images, or use the left and right arrow keys on your keyboard
Share:
Be the first to comment!
Jul 31, 2012by: Claiborne Young No Comments
Broad Creek Marina Photo Gallery
1. To see a photo title, hover your pointer over any thumbnail below. Wait a moment, and title will appear
2. For a larger/full size image, click on any thumbnail below; to return to thumbnails, click inside any full size image
3. To browse through full size images, open first image by clicking on it, and then either click the backwards and forwards arrows at the bottom of FULL SIZE images, or use the left and right arrow keys on your keyboard
Share:
Be the first to comment!
Jul 30, 2012by: Claiborne Young No Comments
Palmetto Bay Marina Photo Gallery
1. To see a photo title, hover your pointer over any thumbnail below. Wait a moment, and title will appear
2. For a larger/full size image, click on any thumbnail below; to return to thumbnails, click inside any full size image
3. To browse through full size images, open first image by clicking on it, and then either click the backwards and forwards arrows at the bottom of FULL SIZE images, or use the left and right arrow keys on your keyboard

$Palmetto Bay Marina - Dockmaster\'s Building$

$Palmetto Bay Marina - Dockmaster\'s Building$
Share:
Be the first to comment!
Jul 30, 2012by: Claiborne Young No Comments
Windmill Harbor Marina Photo Gallery
1. To see a photo title, hover your pointer over any thumbnail below. Wait a moment, and title will appear
2. For a larger/full size image, click on any thumbnail below; to return to thumbnails, click inside any full size image
3. To browse through full size images, open first image by clicking on it, and then either click the backwards and forwards arrows at the bottom of FULL SIZE images, or use the left and right arrow keys on your keyboard
Share:
Be the first to comment!