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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 Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Ladys Island Marina
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 Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Dolphin Cove Marina
Perhaps the #1 advantage of being Survice Enginnering’s ARGUS Project’s strategic web partner, is that the SSECN is the FIRST to receive shallow water updates from the various ARGUS volunteer research vessels traveling Southeastern USA coastal waters. And, that’s just what’s happened here!
Now, it isn’t exactly a surprise that the ARGUS equipment aboard M/V Elixir has just reported finding less than optimum depths along the path of the AICW south of McClellanville, South Carolina. After all, the Salty Southeast Cruisers’ Net declared these waters as an “AICW Problem Stretch” several years ago! However, it’s certainly nice for ARGUS to verify this data, and even to pin-point the shallowest spots!
Take a look at the first graphic below, and note the color coded ARGUS “solution sets” along the track of the AICW immediately southwest of marker #37. This stretch of the AICW lies just southwest of Jeremy Creek and McClellanville. As you can see, Elixir discovered some 6-foot MLW depths right along the mid-width of the AICW channel. Still enough for most vessels, but definitely getting on the thin side:
And, then we have a second set of ARGUS soundings (“solution sets”) depicted in the graphic below, just a small hop farther to the southwest (northeast of marker #40). Again, LOTS of 6-foot MLW depths noted here:
PLEASE NOTE that these depths (“solution sets”) are so NEW, they are NOT yet depicted on the Salty Southeast Cruisers’ Net Chart View “ARGUS Layer.” That will be corrected on our next update from Survice Engineering, due to be received soon. However, we thought this data was so interesting, it was worth calling to the attention of the cruising community even before this update is received and processed!
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To This AICW Problem Stretch
The shoaling reported earlier at the three way intersection of the AICW, Little River Inlet and Calabash Creek seems to have abated. Captain Bell offers good advice concerning the markers through this area.
At the border of North And South Carolina, Heading North, We passed R4 and R2 right on the magenta line provided by Navionics on our chart plotter. After passing R2 we began to favor the outside or green side of the turn heading north. We were at .25′ of tide and did not see less than 11′ of water. Not a problem area.
David Bell
We transit this area almost daily and have had no troubles. The 2 casino boats that turn at this intersection leaving and returning from Little River Inlet have probably helped to keep the area clear of any shoaling. They draw around 8-9′.
Capt. John Schwab
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of This Intersection
Dolphin Cove Marina, A SALTY SOUTHEAST CRUISERS’ NET SPONSOR!, 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.
Local captains who regularly use these spans say that “14ft air draft” is worst case scenario at the highest spring tide. With a tidal range of almost 8ft, it’s possible to have 20ft+ at the center of the arched spans. NOTE that the twin spans in question open on demand except during morning and afternoon peak drive times.
re: `You need to clear a 14 ft air draft to get up river as they do not want to open the two Old Draw Bridges.’ [Earlier comment on accessing Dolphin Cove Marina]
Title 33: Navigation and Navigable Waters
CHAPTER I: COAST GUARD, DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY
SUBCHAPTER J: BRIDGES
PART 117: DRAWBRIDGE OPERATION REGULATIONS
Subpart B: Specific Requirements: South Carolina
117.915 ‘“ Ashley River.
(a) The draws of the US17 highway bridges, miles 2.4 and 2.5 at Charleston, shall open on signal; except that, from 7 a.m. to 9 a.m. Monday through Friday and 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. daily, the draws need be opened only if at least 12 hours notice is given. The draws of either bridge shall open as soon as possible for the passage of vessels in an emergency involving danger to life or property.
Ron Widman
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Dolphin Cove Marina
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Ashley River Memorial Bridge
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We spent the winter this year at the Charleston City Marina (Megadock) and were very pleased with it. I would not go in to the Maritime Center on the Cooper River or the City Marina on the Ashley side at other than slack tide if I didn’t have to. The current can be quite swift in either. Lots of folks love the Maritime Center for its proximity to the Harris Teeter, the hardware store, and the dog park. It is also a shorter walk to the main part of town. We like the City Marina much better for a variety of reasons – the docks and the bath facilities, the friendly and helpful staff, the van which takes people downtown every hour on the hour and to West Marine (and an adjacent Harris Teeter) every day at 11:30 AM. The pumpout boat come to your boat pretty much on demand for $5. The dockage prices aren’t
> that much higher than the Maritime Center, but the fuel prices aren’t cheap by any means. If you make a reservation ask to be on M dock near the bath house if possible. This shortens the walk to the parking lot. If you get at the end of the Megadock your shoes will get lots of wear during your stay. Good luck!
PS- If at all possible, time docking at Charleston Marine Center on or near slack. The current can make things exciting. Ask the guys there when it [slack tide] is when you call them for a slip, they’ll help you out.
Jim Laudermilch
48 Hatteras motoryacht “Snail’s Pace”
Have stayed at the Maritime Center marina 3 times, most recently June, 2012. It is my preferred marina in Charleston for the berthing rate and the great location for both groceries (H-T) and restaurants (many). The freighter and Navy traffic in the Cooper River can send a surge into the marina, but power boat wakes on the Ashley River can do the same for the marinas on that side of town.
The marina has recently upgraded the free laundromat to two machine sets, so it is possible to get a complete laundry done in a reasonable amount of time.
For me the only drawback to the marina is the limited number of slips, especially those for boats over 40′. The last two time I was at the marina I had to tie my 42′ sailboat to a 30′ floating dock. That’s not really a problem for me with a mid-ships lifeline gate. Boats with the gate further aft will want to back into one of these slips. If you are not comfortable tying to a 30′ dock, then make a reservation on one of the 40′ docks.
My recommendation is to stay at the Maritime Center if you are going to spend some time in Charleston. If you are just stopping for a night on a forced march up or down the ICW, then by all means use the Ashley River marinas as they are much more convenient.
John
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Charleston Maritime Center
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Charleston City Marina
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Socastee swing bridge opens “on demand” UNLESS water traffic becomes heavy, as on a weekend, then bridge closures may be required every 15 minutes to accommodate road traffic. This is an understandable situation where the tender is responding to “on demand” from both boaters and drivers. Fortunately, this is a quiet section with no adverse currents to affect vessels having to circle or anchor.
HOWEVER, all of us here at the SSECN share Orient Moon’s mystification as to why the state of South Carolina spent many millions of dollars to construct a high-rise span, and then left, the old, decrepit swing bridge in place. You must have to be a politician to understand!
This bridge is a pain, you never know what to expect. They built a new high rise bridge next to it so I don’t understand why they cannot abide to their on demand status.
Orient Moon
Click Here To View the Cruisers’ Net’s South Carolina Directory Listing For Socastee Bridge
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Socastee Bridge
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