We understand from other contributors that Leland Oil Company Marina, under a new owner, is steadily making improvements to this very affordable facility. We hear, too, that the owner will take time to drive you to nearby stores. Note that if you have never visited the backwater village of McClellanville, SC before, you owe it to yourself to stop here, and at least take in the community. It’s like stepping into a time machine that transports you to what most of the Low Country must have looked like 50 years ago. Try it, you might just like it!
Had to duck in for a week because I ran out of time in getting the boat to Charleston and had to be back at work. I was too late to make the bridge. I had fueled at Leland’s a few miles earlier and decided to turn and go back. The folk are very friendly, accommodating and $1.00 / ft. I would stay again if needed.. Tom Hughes aboard Catalina 390 `Island Time’
The Charleston City Boatyard is found on the northern reaches of the Wando River north of red marker #40
I’m writing now not as an editor, but as a Do-It-Yourself boatowner. As some of you may have experienced, DIYers do not always get a fair shake at some boatyards. As a Charleston City Marina slipholder, I am pleased to report that our recent haulout, stay and launch at the Charleston City Boatyard was a thoroughly pleasant experience – if bottom painting can ever be pleasant? Not only were we treated with respect as DIYers, but the service was prompt, friendly and professional. All charges were exactly as quoted. The Yard Manager, Chuck Wood, and his crew handled all work with efficiency and on schedule. This was our first visit to the City Boatyard, but it won’t be our last! Larry and Dona Jean Dorminy
Charleston City Boatyard 130 Wando Creek Lane Charleston, SC 29402 Office: 843-884-3000 Fax: 843-884-7989
Charleston Harbor Marina, A SALTY SOUTHEAST CRUISERS’ NET SPONSOR, is on the Cooper River’s eastern banks near Patriots Point between Horse Reach’s flashing markers #34 and #36.
We stayed at this marina for Charleston Race week. The service was responsive and prompt. Enjoyed the fact that here are many good restaurants within walking distance. Also Whole Foods and Harris Teeter for groceries. Starbucks is also close to the grocery stores. A visit to the Yorktown and a round of golf are near by. Mary-Ann aboard s/v Escape
The City Boatyard is located on the Wando River north of the Charleston Harbor . Follow the Wando River and the Boatyard will be on north side of the river, past the Don Holt Bridge (I-526) at Marker #40 immediately before of the Highway 41 bridge.
Have had Elixir– 34′ PDQ- hauled at Charleston City Boatyard for bottom paint and some maintenance that I do not feel comfortable doing myself. Was a very good experience! They even suggested different methods of work that would save me money!!! I had a problem with a coolant leek on port engine– sent a very knowledgeable mechanic immediately to correct the problem. I think I paid a premium price, but the attitude, competence and follow up is very worth it. I had gotten another quote for another yard, but they never replied to 3 follow-up emails that I sent with some questions re the work. I’ll be back there [City Boatyard] for future work!! Captain Charlie Ridley on Elixir
Sunday Boaters! Hot Dogging can occur anywhere – in a quiet anchorage or in front of a crowded marina where wakes and noise seem not to matter in the least to the offending boaters. The quiet waters of the beautiful Waccamaw River would be a very tempting playground for such Sunday drivers.
[Sunday, April 24, 2011] I was amazed – astonished – at the amount of small boat traffic on the upper Waccamaw. Many drunken kiddies showing off on a nice early spring day! Peg and Jim Healy aboard Sanctuary
We have received a number of recent reports of shoaling south of McClellanville and have set a Navigation Alert near green marker #37, statute mile 431.
4/24/2011, we departed Dewees Creek NORTHBOUND, at 06h15, about 1 hour before low tide. That brought us through Andersonville and McClellanville through the low tide period in the area. Our chartplotter’s Tide Almanac reported the low tide at 0.3 ft above datum for that low tide. Several observations. It was a very quiet morning on the water, so we ran the charted midline course. For that entire 25 mile run, we never saw less than (to be very conservative) 8 to 8.5 ft of water. Yes, lots of mud flats and dock floats sitting on the bottom, and careful about following the magenta line, but no water depth problems! Second, after the tide started rising around McClellanville, we had a fair current all the way in to Myrtle Beach. In fact, we averaged about 1 mile per hour greater SOG than we run in normal, still water over that distance, and made 100 miles from 06h15 to 17h45, which we deemed a long but not uncomfortable day. Peg and Jim Healy aboard Sanctuary
The Esterville Minim Creek Channel connects the North Santee River with the Western Channel of Winyah Bay south of Gerogetown, SC. The missing range markers are charted between green marker #7 and red marker #16. Range markers are typically not as sturdy as daymarkers and a good high wind will often knock them down.
Three of the four range markers between the North Santee River and the Estherville – Minim Creek Canal (mm 416-418) are missing. There was at least 7 ft. at mean low through the cut when we went through so it should not be a problem, but if you are looking for them they are gone. Mitch and Carole Brodkin
Not only “very nice”, Isle of Palms Marina is also A SALTY SOUTHEAST CRUISERS’ NET SPONSOR! Their lowered transient rate is certainly good news in this economy! Isle of Palms Marina lies southwest of flashing marker #116, on the charted cove indenting the southerly shoreline
The Isle of Palms Marina (about mm 456) has reduced their transient rates to $1.50/ft. The rate is stay in effect probably until Memorial Day. They also have a Boat US fuel discount. Price was $3.77 for diesel today. It is a small marina with floating docks. Very nice. Mitch
We stayed there a few days ago agree with this posting. It is a nice stopover place. It is a short walk to the beach from the marina. Gladys & Steve aboard Misty Moose
Osprey Marina lies right where the Waterway leaves Pine Island Cut (a. k. a. “the Rock Pile”) and sweeps south into the beautiful Waccamaw River. Osprey Marina is A SALTY SOUTHEAST CRUISERS’ NET SPONSOR!
One of the perks of docking at Osprey Marina is the willingness of a local Italian restaurant to either deliver a meal or come fetch the crew members and take them to the restaurant. Twice we’ve had excellent pizza delivered, but this time we asked to be picked up and driven there. The driver was within a minute of the appointed 6 pm time, picking us up in his own Honda. We were served gigantic portions of lasagna and penne al la vodka, which we are still eating days later. The same pizza delivery guy drove us home to Osprey, and we were back aboard before sundown.
Staying at Osprey due to the above reviews. Agree with all said above. Miles was excellent getting us settled in. We are still well provisioned so we did not take up the restaurant service but were told that was an excellent food and groceries. Janet aboard s/v Triple Play
Scenic, historic Waccamaw River flows across Horry County from its northern boundary of North Carolina to its southern boundary at Georgetown County where it empties at the end of its 140 miles journey. Stately live oak trees draped with Spanish moss border the banks of the black water that has served Horry citizens from beginning days of Native American settlements, Revolutionary battles, Civil War skirmishes and African-American communities to the present. Exerpted from www.horrycounty.org
The cruise up the Waccamaw River was spectacular. There was almost no other boat traffic, always a plus, and the weather was superb — clear blue skies and the sort of sparkling clarity in the air one only gets following a passing cold front. The river is wide, getting gradually narrower as one heads upstream, and the foliage on either bank was lush and green. The smooth water was marred only by it’s brown color. This was once big time rice-growing country, and the fields by the river are open and flat with what once were active tidal dams at intervals along the river banks which were used for controlled flooding of the rice paddies. It was cool and sunny, and the current was with us. What more could one ask for? Checking back to the log of this stretch a year ago, one will find that we were bedeviled by black and yellow flies on this portion of the cruise, and while they didn’t seem to be hungry, they were a disturbing distraction to our enjoyment. Nothing of the sort marred this beautiful day, and we were almost disappointed when the river became narrow and meandering, meaning we were almost at our destination. Ted Jones
Harborwalk Marina, A SALTY SOUTHEAST CRUISERS’ NET SPONSOR! is the northwesternmost marina on the downtown Georgetown/Sampit River waterfront.
We left the protection of the ICW at Cat Island and entered the western channel of Winyah Bay where the wind really began to howl. It was against the ebb tidal current causing steep, short seas which covered the bay. Everywhere we looked were windblown streaks of foam, and every wave was breaking at its crest, I estimated it was blowing force 8, similar in appearance to what we had experienced a year earlier at Fort Myers, Florida. Despite the strong adverse current, we were driven to hull speed by the wind, dead astern — surfing — showing 6 and 7 knots actual speed on the GPS. It was an exciting, but not a dangerous, ride, and we were happy to make Georgetown by lunchtime. A call to the harbormaster at Harbor Walk Marina had obtained a slip. We were met at the dock where we tied up with surprisingly little difficulty with the wind pushing us away from the float and toward the shoreline rip rap, only feet away. Good line handling and, dare I say it, good boat handling saved the day. After we got tied up, the wind began to really howl. Two boats came in after we did, their crews wide eyed and appearing thankful to have found shelter. Captain Ted Jones
Charleston City Marina, A SALTY SOUTHEAST CRUISERS’ NET SPONSOR, is our home port, so it’s natural that I like to brag about the excellent facilities, convenient location and friendly personnel.
Even with all the marina offers, the office staff has added free coffee (compliments of BoatUS) , complimentary USAToday and two computer stations for transients’ use. Located in the Dock Office at the north end of the MegaDock, the cyber-cafe has two lounge chairs in addition to the separate computer table and stools. Free WiFi service continues to be available in slips. Larry
St. Augustine City Marina lies on the western side of the Waterway just below the Bridge of Lions in downtown St. Augustine.
We were at the fuel dock at St. Augustine Municipal Marina by 1400. I’ve decided I really don’t like this marina, which is a shame because most of the people are very nice, and the facilities are excellent. The floating docks are aligned parallel to the shore, which normally would be appropriate. However the current does not flow parallel to the shoreline but the axis of both flood and ebb flow is 10 degrees or so off parallel, and therein lies the problem. It is difficult to line up with a slip, and as we found out a year ago, impossible to back out of a slip against the current when it pushes your boat sideways before it can clear the slip. There is, then, no way to escape. The engineers who laid out the docks (if, indeed they were engineers) should have angled everything to line up with the current flow. Added to the problem on the north side is the close proximity of the Bridge of Lions. Getting sideways to the current here could sweep your boat under the bridge leaving your rig behind. Docking at marinas which are aligned with strong currents (I’m thinking Ashley Marina and the City Marina in Charleston) is a piece of cake as one can use the current to advantage both when it’s favorable or contrary. Not so in St. Augustine. Captain Ted Jones
Similar docking woes in Beaufort, SC. Nevertheless, Downtown Marina of Beaufort is a SALTY SOUTHEAST CRUISERS’ NET SPONSOR! and is on the AICW at Statute Mile 536.5.
I encountered almost the same situation at the Beaufort, South Carolina municipal marina, and on trying to back out against the current with ample on shore help was in fact caught and turned sideways against the main dock. It was quite a feat getting the bow turned back into the current and finally out. For power boaters this is not much of a problem, but for sailboats with single screw auxiliary diesels it is a big challenge. James Williams
Never attempt nor accept a down current slip assignment at St. Augustine’s City Marina. The slack current time at high and low tide is VERY short. `WARNING’ Always dock into the current at a slip at this marina. Stay on the fuel dock until the current is in your favor before moving to an assigned slip with a single screw vessel. `The VOICE of experience’ David Burnham
Having read a negative comment about the St. Augustine City Marina, I would like to post a favorable comment as I would hate to see anyone miss this great place that is so friendly and convenient to the historical district, not to mention they have the best fuel prices I could find in a 60 mile radius. The docking here was a breeze and my better half easily maneuvered our 48 foot powerboat `Tropical Breeze’ into her assigned slip. During our 3 days here we observed many arrivals and departures of all kinds of boats, none came close to being swept under the bridge. Doug Cordello
Read and heed Larry’s earlier posts. This is tricky if you are not familiar with this marina and the tide. I learned to only approach this marina during a slack tide with my boat. I have a Hunter 36. Crew safety has to be your number ONE concern. Perry McDonald
Formerly Barefoot Resort Yacht Club, Barefoot Marina has received numerous words of praise under its new management team. The easily accessed marina is located on the west side of the Waterway just south of the Barefoot Landing Bridge and opposite popular shopping mecca, Barefoot Landing.
I have kept our boat at Barefoot Yacht Club for over a year now and it is a great place for the family. We love the pool and the employees at the marina. There are a lot of things to do close by and we would not keep our boat anywhere else. Skipper Tommy Badurski
I could not agree more! We have had the ‘˜Fran C’ at Barefoot Marina since last July and have nothing but praise for the place and people there. I just wish the restaraunt would re-open!!! Skipper Paul Crosby
Stayed overnight on the face dock on 3/31/11. Found excellent facilities and very friendly personnel. $1.25′ very friendly as well. Skipper Ed Grygent
I could not agree more! We have had the ‘˜Fran C’ at Barefoot Marina since last July and have nothing but praise for the place and people there. I just wish the restaurant would re-open!!! Skipper Paul Crosby
Please note that this grounding was near high tide in the center of the channel. We have reports of recent shoaling in various spots in the AICW between Charleston Harbor and McClellanville, particularly at Mile 431. Past advice has to been to stay in the center of the channel. Maybe this new spot will be an exception. See the link for more on this area.
We hit a shallow spot (less than 5 ft) north of Charleston just past Graham Creek between markers G64 and G61. It was close to high tide and we were aground right in the middle of the channel just opposite a small creek on the east side. I suggest staying to the green side of the channel to avoid this spot! Captains Harriet and Skip aboard S/V Moondance
Get any three veteran AICW cruisers together, and you’ll get four opinions about the best place to coil your lines in historic Charleston. Clearly, Captain Robinson’s vote would go to Charleston Maritime Center (see below), but do note his comment about the “surge.” We have observed this same unfortunate effect as well.
We are staying at the Maritime Center which is on the Cooper River side of town. It is a great location friendly service and really convenient to everything from shopping to the old historic district, great restaurants, the library and more all in easy walking distance. the only down side is the surge especially on days with strong winds, but that is a matter of personal taste. Jack Robinson
This report centers on a section of the AICW north of the Ben Sawyer Bridge and is similar to earlier reports of shoaling between Statute Miles 455 and 465.
BAD SHOAL SOUTH OF MARKER 117AON THE GREEN SIDE APPROX. 1000′ SOUTH OF 117A BEHIND SULLIVANS ISLAND, THERE IS LESS THEN 4′ AT LOW TIDE.
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!
Harbourgate marina is in semi-fresh water at MM 347. The basin is an excellent hurricane hole and if you pay in advance, Susie will only charge you $9/ft [monthly rate]. First class docks, etc. Also you can watch your boat on their harbor cam while you are gone. MB airport has connections to all major cities. Restaurants, West Marine, etc close by. John & Sue Winter
Osprey Marina lies right where the Waterway leaves the Pine Island Cut (a. k. a. “the Rock Pile”) and sweeps south into the beautiful Waccamaw River. Osprey Marina is A SALTY SOUTHEAST CRUISERS’ NET SPONSOR! so let them know you read about them here!
I have stopped several times at the Osprey Marina for fuel (best prices) and left my boat there for a month a couple of years ago. Sheri and the other employees were helpful and friendly and the prices were very reasonable’¦.this is a VERY nice marina. Skipper Jock Ames
We have finally been able to confirm the Rock Creek soundings reported by Captain Ted Jones below, and many earlier contributors to the Cruisers’ Net. Once deep Rock Creek has shoaled badly, south of the stream’s first turn to the northeast, north of the it’s intersection with the AICW. Favor the eastern banks in order to stay clear of the correctly charted shoal making out from lower Rock Creek’s westerly banks.
ICW mile 515 ~ Rock Creek. The chart shows a narrow creek well protected from the NW by tall trees and deep water (except on the west side at the entrance) for much further than we wanted to go. However, the depth sounder indicated otherwise, and as we were turning around we grounded. It was near low tide, and we were able to back off easily and find deeper water (but nothing like the soundings of 22 feet) closer to the entrance, where we dropped anchor for the night. Buttoned up to conserve what heat we had left, we heard the sound of an engine nearby, and I stuck my head out of the hatch in time to see a Pearson yawl go steaming by headed for the spot where we grounded. I yelled, but he didn’t hear me. I watched unable to affect the inevitable outcome as I Gotta Go ground to a halt 50 yards astern of us. We talked on VHF, and I told him where the deeper water was. The skipper, who appeared to be along, said he was not concerned as the tide was flooding. Later, we could see that he had gotten off and anchored south of us closer to the ICW where the chart indicated — and we had confirmed — 7.5 feet. Ted Jones
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To A “Navigation Alert” Position at McClellanville
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