Cruisers' Net | Cruisers Helping Cruisers

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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Jul 20, 2012by: Claiborne Young No Comments
Dolphin Cove Marina Photo Gallery
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Jul 20, 2012by: Claiborne Young No Comments
Ripley Light Yacht Club Photo Gallery
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Jul 20, 2012by: Claiborne Young No Comments
Charleston City Marina Photo Gallery
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Jul 19, 2012by: Claiborne Young No Comments
Good Dining at Battery Creek Anchorage (Statute Mile 542)
Talk about a coincidence. I had the happy occasion to dine at Dockside Restaurant (843-524-7433) the day before Skipper Fowler filed this report. I AGREE, the seafood is awesome, and I also found the service quite good.
The possibility of dining at Dockside Seafood DEFINITELY makes the prospect of anchoring overnight on Battery Creek, a few miles south of Beaufort, SC, an even better bargain!
Hey Claiborne:
We took your advice and anchored on Battery Creek. We are even more glad that you spoke to us about nearby Dockside Restaurant. We blew up our dinghy, and rowed the short distance to this restaurant’s docks which were easy to pick out from the anchorage. Most of the outer dock was taken up by local shrimpers, and those piers were quite high as well. Fortunately, we found some lower, floating docks on the inside, and were able to easily tie up the dink.
We found the restaurant a warm, homy kind of placed, walled and roofed with lots of knotty pine. There was a GREAT view of Battery Creek from the windows.
Even though we visited on a Thursday night, there was a waiting line by 6:30 pm. Fortunately, we were already well into our dinners by then. I got the fried “Captains Platter” which proved to be enough food for the Russian Army. The flounder was some of the best I’ve had anywhere, anytime. Sue got the broiled seafood platter, and she has raved about the scallops and “local” shrimp ever since.
So, it was a good evening all around at Battery Creek, though my waistline is larger for the visit. I would definitely recommend this anchor down spot to fellow cruisers!
Skipper Fowler
Click Here To View the Cruisers’ Net’s South Carolina Anchorage Directory Listing For Battery Creek
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Battery Creek Anchorage
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Jul 19, 2012by: Claiborne Young No Comments
News From Downtown Beaufort Marina (Statute Mile 536.5)
We had the happy occasion to visit in person with Captains Mandy and Rick Griffin, proprietors of SALTY SOUTHEAST CRUISERS’ NET SPONSOR, Downtown Marina of Beaufort, on 7/18/12. We gathered a whole raft of new and updated information.
First of all, Captain Mandy updated us on the often changing opening schedule of the nearby Lady’s Island Bridge. You can check out the updated regulations at /ladyaeâ„¢s-island-bridge.
Next, we discovered that Downtown Beaufort Marina is running a new, 3-month dockage special. Those who commit to a 90-day stay will pay an appealing $13.50 per foot, per month!
Captain Mandy also updated us thoroughly on the downtown Beaufort Restaurant situation. And, we had the happy opportunity ourselves to dine at Plums for lunch, Blackstone’s Cafe for breakfast and Breakwater Restaurant for dinner. No comment on what all this eating did to my waistline, but all three meals were SUPERB. Downtown Beaufort has an embarrassment of riches when it comes to GOOD dining.
You can check out all Captain Mandy’s other restaurant tips by following the link to Downtown Beaufort Marina’s listing in the SSECN South Carolina Marina Directory, below. Just scroll down to the “Restaurant Recommendations” field.
Next, Captain Rick give us the GOOD news that his facility has received a $100,000.00 community assistance grant. This money will be used to upgrade the marina’s dockside power, particularly the 50-amp hookups, and establish a mooring field west of the dockage basin. Due to the permitting process, the power upgrades are probably six months away, and planning studies are just getting underway for the mooring field. Nevertheless, this is great future news for an already first class facility!
We can say without hesitation that this marina, operated by two of the finest folks in the business, is a great place to visit. We would not take anything for our time spent there and miss the whole crowd down there immensely. Everything you need is close by. Stop in and tell them that Dan and Patsy said hello.
Dan and Patsy Traylor
Winston-Salem N.C.
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 Marina
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Jul 17, 2012by: Claiborne Young No Comments
Good News from Leland Oil Co. Marina – McClellanville, SC (St. M. 430) – Captains Mark and Diana Report

Leland Oil Co. Marina
Here’s another excellent report from our strategic partners, Captains Mark and Diana Doyle, owners and originator of On The Water Chart Guides. This article concerns Leland Oil Company Marina, located on the waters of Jeremy Creek at McClellanville, SC. This facility lies about half-way between Winyah Bay and Charleston Harbor.
As has been previously reported here on the Cruisers’ Net, and made clear once again below by Captains Diana and Mark, McClellanville Oil Co. Marina may just be “the” most improved facility in the SC Low Country. Even so, no-one will ever mistake this place for Pier 66, or Morehead City Yacht Basin, BUT with things as they now stand, we can recommend a stop here for those who want to experience a last, little piece of South Carolina Low Country, small town, charm!

T. W. Graham & Co. Seafood Restaurant
Hi Claiborne,
Diana and I were through McClellanville last month and thought you’d like an update on what Dwayne’s up to at Leland Oil.
ICW veterans have long known about the shrimp boat docks at McClellanville, SC (STM 430.0).
In the past, you’d trade beer to raft up for the night In the tiny harbor of Jeremy Creek. But, of course, you’d have to stay up with the shrimpers to drink the beer ‘¦ and then untangle your boat at oh-dark-thirty so they could get off to work and you could catch a few hours of sleep before moving on.
Now there is a more “civilized” alternative. Last year, Dwayne Merritt at Leland Oil put in floating docks to provide a place for recreational boats to tie up for the night, allowing them to keep their beer … and get some sleep.
We recently stayed at Leland Oil and saw first-hand the new floating docks. Very nice! And Dwayne continues to make this facility more welcoming to cruising sail and power boats.
McClellanville is worth a saunter, a quiet village of well-kept houses clustered on a few blocks near the shrimp docks. With its small streets, lack of traffic, and friendly residents, walking the town feels like going back a few decades.
There is one stop in town, the local seafood restaurant, T.W. Graham. In true small-town style, it has abbreviated hours but is worth the wait. FRESH-FRESH seafood!
Best and see you On the Water,
Captains Mark & Diana Doyle
Click Here To View the Cruisers’ Net’s South Carolina Marina Directory Listing For Leland Oil Co. Marina
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Leland Oil Co. Marina
www.OnTheWaterChartGuides.com
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Fishing Creek Anchorage Detail
Successful entry into Fishing Creek is complicated by the presence of a correctly charted, 4-foot shoal which strikes into the stream’s intersection with the AICW/Dawho River, from the east. To bypass this hazard, you must heavily favor the western shores as you enter Fishing Creek’s southerly mouth.
As the creek begins to swing to the northwest, and then north, cruise carefully back towards the centerline. Good depths extend well upstream from this point if you stay anywhere within shouting distance of the mid-width. Most cruisers will probably want to drop the hook short of the stream’s next, sharp turn to the north – northwest.
Click Here To Return to the Full Listing of Specs For This Anchorage
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Jul 13, 2012by: Claiborne Young No Comments
McClellanville, South Carolina Photo Gallery
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Jul 13, 2012by: Claiborne Young No Comments
Harborage at Ashely Marina Photo Gallery
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Jul 13, 2012by: Claiborne Young No Comments
Charleston Maritime Center Photo Gallery
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Jul 13, 2012by: Claiborne Young No Comments
Charleston Harbor Marina Photo Gallery
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$Charleston Harbor Fish House Restaurant and Ship\'s Store (opened, June, 2013)$
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Jul 12, 2012by: Claiborne Young No Comments
Ladys Island Marina – Captains Mark and Diana Report (Statute Mile 536.5)

Recently refinished A, B and C docks
Here’s another excellent report from our strategic partners, Captains Mark and Diana Doyle, owners and originator of On The Water Chart Guides. This article concerns Ladys Island Marina, located just across the AICW from downtown Beaufort, SC.
This facility has been undergoing a slow and uncertain transition for the last several years. At one time, the owners could not make up their minds whether to keep this place a marina, or turn it into boat-a-miniums. Looks like, at least for the moment, they have opted for the marina route.
Hi folks,
Just wanted to give a shout-out to Claiborne and the SSECN, re: Lady’s Island Marina.
When you’re travelling through Beaufort, SC, consider stopping at Lady’s Island Marina on Factory Creek (STM 535.9).
And if you’re considering cruising to Panama and the San Blas Islands, it just became a must stop’”or you’re missing a great resource!
What’s the connection?
The dockmaster at Lady’s Island Marina, Ted Alcorn, and his wife Shari, cruised extensively on their boat s/v Mystique, including four years in the San Blas Islands. During their time there, they were intimately connected with the indigenous community and invited to cultural events rarely attended by outsiders. They’ll generously share their knowledge and pictures of that experience.

Kuna Indian mola
But even if your cruising plans don’t include the San Blas Islands, you’ll still want to view the incredible display of molas (fiber folk art) in the marina office.
We had a great 3-day stay at the marina with its mix of liveaboard and cruising boats. The facility has private shower suites and on-site washer/dryer. Lots of practical services are nearby, including two supermarkets’”and of course an assortment of restaurants, pharmacies, auto parts, paint and liquor stores, etc.
We didn’t have a chance to eat at The Fillin’ Station, next door to the marina, but we hear the inexpensive steak specials on Friday night are to die for.
Next time!
Best and see you On the Water,
Captains Mark & Diana Doyle
http://www.OnTheWaterChartGuides.com
Click Here To View the Cruisers’ Net’s South Carolina Marina Directory Listing For Ladys Island Marina
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Ladys Island Marina
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Jul 11, 2012by: Larry Dorminy No Comments
New On-site Restaurant Now Open at Dolphin Cove Marina, Ashley River, Charleston, SC
Dolphin Cove Marina overlooks the Ashley River’s eastern shores north of unlighted daybeacon #16, northwest of the charted “R TR”. To reach this facility from the AICW’s run through lower Ashley River, your vessel must pass through/under the Ashley River Memorial/US 17 twin bridges.
Dolphin Cove is sometimes overlooked by cruisers who opt for the Charleston City Marina or, on the Cooper River side of Charleston, the Charleston Martime Center or Charleston Harbor Marina.
And, there is certainly nothing wrong with that plan of action. After all, both Charleston Harbor Marina and Charleston City Marina are CRUISERS NET SPONSORS!
However, if you seek a quieter, lower energy setting to coil your lines, consider Dolphin Cove, farther upstream on Cooper River. To access the principal Charleston historic and business districts, you will need a rental car, or a taxi ride, but now Dolphin Cove offers an on-site dining option, as you will discover below. PLEASE give the HydeOut a try, and tell everyone the SSECN sent you!!!
Subject: We have a bigger dock! Restaurant now open!
Cruising News:
The HydeOut (843-745-0426) at Dolphin Cove Marina is now open for lunch and dinner 7 days a week! See our website at www.hydeout-charleston.com for more information. We have 22 dedicated boatslips for your use to enjoy your dining experience.
Jennifer Carter
The shrimp sandwich is amazing! And you’ll love the fried green tomato sandwich if you like something lighter. Either way, the service is great, the food is fine and the setting is sublime. The whole family enjoyed it so much that we’ll be returning tonight (second time this week).
Paula
Click Here To View the Cruisers’ Net’s South Carolina Marina Directory Listing For Dolphin Cove Marina
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Dolphin Cove Marina
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