There is currently an ongoing discussion on both the AGLCA mailing list and MTOA List-Serve, about marinas in Charleston, South Carolina. Both strings were begun by a question posed by Captain George Grafter (see below). As you will see, this ended up being a string mostly about the Charleston Maritime Center, which is located on the western shores of Cooper River, near the heart of downtown Charleston.

I’M PLANNING ON SPENDING A FEW DAYS IN CHARLESTON SC IN MID SEPT. I’M FAMILIAR WITH THE CITY MARINA. DOE’S ANYONE HAVE OTHER RECOMMENDATIONS AT A REASONABLE COST & CLOSE TO DOWNTOWN?
THANKS FOR THE HELP,
GEORGE GRAFER
TIME OUT

Last time we were in Charleston we stayed at the maritime center on the north side of the city across from patriots point and loved it. Closer to the city and $1.40 FT in April 09. GREAT grocery store nearby within walking distance, (Harris Tweeters). Close to bus line and much closer to walk to the city than the city marina.
The docks are susceptible to waking but not bad most of the time. We will go back.
Summering in Old Saybrook CT
Ray and Linda

We stayed at the city marina in Charleston when we were there this spring, but other loopers stayed at the Maritime Center which is on the other side of the city right downtown and a few blocks from the Market. I believe it was much more reasonable and close to everything.
Barbara Benjamin
Golden Lily – Nordic Tug 42

We were in Charleston last month and the Maritime Center is the best deal downtown. The tall ships were in town and so the Maritime Center was unavailable to us at the time. Still, it’s right downtown and reasonable, as mentioned in another post, any of the other reasonable marinas require a car. Golden Lily is right on, and it’s good to hear from Golden Lily again (Joe Wheeler the last time).
Don & Rebecca,
m/v Andante, Monk36

We second the comment regarding the Maritime Center, which we stayed at last Nov. Very convenient to the downtown market, restaurants, etc. (means walking distance for senior citizens) with a grocery mid-way between the market and the MC. It was a pleasant stay. A tour boat docks there and the working port is nearby – those are the only distractions we can recall.
Bob Baker

We just spent a week at the Charleston Maritime Center, had planned to stay a day or two. Fantastic location and service, even free laundry.

The location is so good that we were still discovering great places within a couple of blocks until the day we left. Everything from Blockbuster to bike rental to decent tours is right at your dockstep. The breakwater dosn’t stop many of the rollers from the bay, but it is worth it for the location and price.
Hal and Cheryl Baker

We just spent a week at the Maritine Center, the rate is great by day and for a week you get two days free. Fantastic location, we were still finding great places within a two block walk the day we left.
Try the East Bay Deli and the Bakery right across the street.
Hal and Cheryl Baker, onboard Mas Bueno in N. Myrtle Beach

Click Here For More Information Concerning the Charleston Maritime Center