Cruisers' Net | Cruisers Helping Cruisers

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
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Jul 31, 2012by: Claiborne Young No Comments
Harbour Town Yacht Basin Photo Gallery
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Jul 31, 2012by: Claiborne Young No Comments
Shelter Cove Marina Photo Gallery
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Jul 31, 2012by: Claiborne Young No Comments
Broad Creek Marina Photo Gallery
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Jul 30, 2012by: Claiborne Young No Comments
Palmetto Bay Marina Photo Gallery
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$Palmetto Bay Marina - Dockmaster\'s Building$

$Palmetto Bay Marina - Dockmaster\'s Building$
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Jul 30, 2012by: Claiborne Young No Comments
Windmill Harbor Marina Photo Gallery
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Jul 30, 2012by: Claiborne Young No Comments
Hilton Head Harbor Photo Gallery
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Jul 28, 2012by: Larry Dorminy No Comments
Praise for Port Royal Landing Marina, AICW Statute Mile 540
Port Royal Landing Marina guards the western banks of the AICW/Beaufort River, a short hop south of downtown Beaufort, SC. This fine facility is a much valued SALTY SOUTHEAST CRUISERS’ NET SPONSOR!!!
I always stop at the PRLM on my way down the ICW. This is how all marinas should be run, good old southern hospitality.
Try it.
Ed Hart
Click Here To View the Cruisers’ Net’s South Carolina Marina Directory Listing For Port Royal Landing Marina
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Port Royal Landing Marina
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Jul 27, 2012by: Claiborne Young No Comments
Skull Creek Marina Photo
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Jul 27, 2012by: Claiborne Young No Comments
Port Royal Landing Marina Photo Gallery
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Jul 27, 2012by: Claiborne Young No Comments
Downtown Marina of Beaufort Photo Gallery
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$Downtown Marina of Beaufort Office and Ship\'s Store$
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Jul 27, 2012by: Claiborne Young No Comments
Ladys Island Marina Photo Gallery
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Jul 27, 2012by: Claiborne Young No Comments
Blackstone’s Cafe (Beaufort, SC) – The BEST Breakfast on the AICW (Statute Mile 536.5)
OK, I’m about to go out on a proverbial limb, and do something seriously DANGEROUS! I propose that the very best breakfast available to cruisers on the entire course of the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway, from Norfolk, VA to Miami, Florida, is found at Blackstone’s Cafe (205 Scott Street, 843-524-4330), located in historic downtown Beaufort, South Carolina, and within easy walking distance of SALTY SOUTHEAST CRUISERS’ NET SPONSOR, Downtown Marina of Beaufort. Yes, in my humble opinion, a better breakfast than Thomas Cafe in Georgetown, South Carolina, than Cox Family Restaurant in Morehead City, North Carolina and even better than the Variety Store Restaurant at Charleston (South Carolina) City Marina.
OK, I know that’s a tall statement, but really, fellow cruisers, you have to taste the white cheddar and fresh mushroom omelet, not to mention the light as a cloud buttermilk pancakes or the awesome “Cajun Shrimp and Grits, not to mention the unforgettable corn beef hash. My oh my, my cholesterol level jumps 10 points by just thinking about a breakfast at Blackstones.
Then, there is the interior decor at Blackstone’s Cafe which I can only describe as eclectic. There are colorful military unit flags sitting cheek by jowl with posters from movies made in Beaufort, such as “The Big Chill.” There’s even outside dining in an open courtyard, which was my chosen spot during a recent July, 2012 visit. The combination of my omelet and the river breezes, well, words just fail me.
Clearly, Blackstone’s is where the local crowd meets for breakfast, of both the nautical and non-nautical variety. You never know what interesting conversation you might run across. Years ago, it was here that I first heard about a strangely named movie that was going to be shot in Beaufort within a few months. Who had ever heard of a story entitled, “Forest Gump?”
Still not enough for you? Well, consider this. Owner/founder Roger Alley came sailing, that’s right, “sailing” into Beaufort, SC some years ago with the intent of only interrupting his cruise for a night or two to sample the many charms of Beaufort. He was so taken with the community that he founded Blackstones (originally a combination gourmet food store and cafe), and he has made his home here ever since!
I WOULD LIKE TO USE THIS ARTICLE TO BEGIN A LIVELY DISCUSSION ABOUT WHO/WHERE YOU THINK THE BEST BREAKFAST ON THE AICW CAN BE FOUND. PLEASE contribute your favorites, by e-mailing me directly at CruisersNet@triad.twcbc.com, or clicking the “Comment on This Posting/Marina/Anchorage/Bridge” link below. Let’s discover together where the best diet busting breakfast spots are to be found. Both yours truly and your fellow cruisers ARE EAGER TO HEAR FROM YOU. So, PLEASE chime in!

Well, the cruising community has heard my appeal to name/discuss their favorite breakfast spots, and the SSECN has been honored with a TON of welcome input. So much, in fact, that this collection of messages is too lengthy to insert at the bottom of this posting.
Instead, click HERE to check out what and where your fellow cruisers are recommending as the best coastal breakfast spots to be found!
Click Here To View the Cruisers’ Net’s South Carolina Marina Directory Listing For Downtown Beaufort Marina
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Downtown Beaufort, SC
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Jul 26, 2012by: Claiborne Young No Comments
Thoroughfare Creek Anchorage (off AICW/Waccamaw River) – Statute Mile 389 – Captains Mark and Diana Report
Now here’s a really useful article from our strategic partners, Captains Mark and Diana Doyle, founders and owners of On The Water ChartGuides. Sometimes we all, or at least I do, get so wrapped up with memories of an anchorage’s natural beauty, rich history and superb shelter, we forget there may be another side to the story.
And, indeed, that is just the case here. Along a river replete with wonderful spots to drop the hook overnight, Thoroughfare Creek vies with Bull Creek for the best of the best in this region. And yet, as you will see below, there may be certain times of the year when a disadvantage or two may show up in these waters. Read on!
The Waccamaw River in Summer: More PWCs than Mosquitoes
Thoroughfare Creek October 15 Versus June 15
We often revel in the changing seasons. Every transit is different depending on the weather, the seasonal cloud formations, the patterns of bird and mammal migration, and the colors of the wooded shores or saltmarsh expanses.
But here’s a seasonal change we weren’t expecting: the Waccamaw River in summer.
For most experienced ICW cruisers, the Waccamaw River is one of their favorite cruising grounds. Anchorage after peaceful anchorage, typically the only boat tucked into a surreal cypress setting draped with Spanish moss. Birds call from the dark swampy woods and ospreys whistle from their huge stick nests.
But that’s the Waccamaw River of early spring or fall. Come summer, especially on weekends, this waterway that is part of a national wildlife refuge becomes a playground for the jet skis, pontoon boats, and Baja cruisers from nearby overflowing Myrtle Beach.
Don’t believe us? We witnessed quiet Thoroughfare Creek anchorage (STM 388.8) become a speedway for party boats to access the sandy bluffs at charted Belin, known to locals as “Sandy Island.” It looked like Coney Island!
So we gave up on anchoring in Thoroughfare Creek, deciding to press on along the magenta line. We departed the Waccamaw with the company of a noisy jet skier, zig-zagging back and forth right off our stern using our wake to “catch some air.”
Sheesh …
Best and see you On the Water!
Captains Mark & Diana Doyle
http://www.OnTheWaterChartGuides.com
I live in the area and often anchor in Thoroughfare Creek for the evening. It is a beautiful and very special spot. Fortunately for most cruisers, it is quiet and serene during the normal passage times. Just plan to forget it on the weekends from Memorial Day through Labor day’¦.Before and after that, it’s all yours!
Geoff Groat
Click Here To View the Cruisers’ Net’s South Carolina Anchorage Directory Listing For the Thoroughfare Creek Anchorages
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of the Thoroughfare Creek Anchorages
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Jul 25, 2012by: Larry Dorminy No Comments
High Praise for Barefoot Marina, Myrtle Beach, SC, AICW Statute Mile 353.5

Barefoot Marina
Don’t confuse Barefoot Marina, A SALTY SOUTHEAST CRUISERS’ NET SPONSOR!, with Barefoot Landing Transient Dock, which is located on the eastern (ocean) side of the AICW in Myrtle Beach, while Barefoot Marina guards the western banks. As Capt. Chace confirms below, the new incarnation is better than ever, and we are very impressed with the marina management. Because of the shoaling at low tide, we have a Navigation Alert posted here.
Barefoot Resort Marina: This was, and will be again, our home marina. We live at Barefoot Resort so this was an obvious choice for us. We have sailed up and down the East coast between here and New England for the last several years. Lately more north than south I’m afraid. We have seen the good, the bad and the UGLY when it comes to east coast marinas. In my opinion you will not find a nicer, cleaner and more upscale facility then Barefoot Resort Marina. Bill Rathburn and George have been friends and honorary crew members aboard Spirit, our C&C 40. They are also very pet friendly with our Labrador Genny. You all know that they are quite competitive regarding dock fees. Spirit has a 7′ draft. (7’3’³ to be exact). She gets in and out at high water. Other times require caution as we have been aground there also. But forewarned is forearmed as I like to say. Just be aware of the height of tide when approaching with over 5′ of draft. It is worth it.
Capt. Bill Chace
Click Here To View the Cruisers’ Net’s South Carolina Marina Directory Listing For Barefoot Marina
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Barefoot Marina
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Jul 23, 2012by: Claiborne Young No Comments
Edisto Marina Photo Gallery
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Jul 23, 2012by: Claiborne Young No Comments
Mariner’s Cay Marina Photo Gallery
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$Mariner\'s Cay Marina - Google Earth$

$Mariner\'s Cay Marina$
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Jul 23, 2012by: Claiborne Young No Comments
Bohicket Marina Village Photo Gallery
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$Bohicket Marina Village Fuel Dock and Dockmaster\'s Office$
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Jul 22, 2012by: Larry Dorminy No Comments
More AICW Shoaling Reported Near Isle of Palms, (Statute Mile 460)
From earlier reports and as Captain Bell confirms, the water gets thin between AICW markers #111 and #119, north of the Waterway’s entrance into Charleston Harbor. While not yet designated an SSECN Problem Stretch, we have established a Navigation Alert for these waters and caution should be exercised through the AICW channel past the Isle of Palms.
Three days ago we had to wait for one hour past low water, which was `0’³ tide, to pass between 117A and 119. Our sailboat has a five foot draft. We made two slow attempts to pass but ran aground mid channel and west or land side of mid channel. NOTE: while we waited for an hour past low tide we made an attempt to bypass the low spot by going around the Atlantic side loop. The chart shows deep water, which there is until you are 100 yards from 119, then there is a shoal that is less than four feet. So back to 117A you go.
David Bell
Click Here To View the Cruisers’ Net’s “AICW Problem Stretches” Listing For the AICW North of Ben Sawyer Bridge to Isle of Palms Bridge
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To This AICW Problem Stretch
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Jul 20, 2012by: Claiborne Young No Comments
St. Johns Yacht Harbor Photo Gallery
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$St. Johns Yacht Harbor Dockmaster\'s Building and Ship\'s Store$

$St. Johns Yacht Harbor Dockmaster\'s Building and Ship\'s Store$

$St. Johns Yacht Harbor Cruisers\' Lounge$
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