Charleston SC Sailing in January

[Tom Hoffman]

My wife and I will be in Charleston, SC in mid January for 3-4 days and would like to sail. Does anyone know of a place where we might rent a boat for an afternoon or morning sail.

We are currently in Virginia and will be leaving here at the end of her work assignment in Mid Feb. Hope to go to Florida or Houston/Galveston on the next assignment in March.

We are looking forward to coming down to Charleston to eat good sea food and discover the history or the area.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Tom Hoffman

 

[Kemo Sabe]

Put an ad in the Charleston craig's list. I know there are places to rent sailboats there, but do not know the names. I think there is a dealer called Carolina Yacht Sales who may be able to help. (google) Also, call the Charleston Yacht Club for help.

 

[Fly_H23]

I found this club online but not sure if they have short term memberships.

http://www.carefreeboats.com/charleston/boats?no_redirect=true

 

[Crazy Dave Condon]

call Chuck, owner, of St. Barts Yachts in Charleston and tell him his big brother kidding of course or crazy dave referred you to him. He knows everyone and thing vesus you trying to look all over the place.

dave condon

 

[Tom Hoffman]

Thank you all. The vacation has come and gone and we are back freezing our tookesses off in SW Virginia.

We had a great time and did meet a couple of fellow sailors. We had a nice time with them, went out to eat and then spent a day with them doing tourist things.

Went to Magnolia Plantation and it was really nice. We did try and get near a beach to no avail. You need to rent a house on the beach to be able to get near one.

Didn't get any sailing done, Our new friends told us that the river channels and sand bars and tides make it very chancy for someone un experienced in the area to be able to sail.

I can understand that, I am sure I would not be to forthcoming with my boat to turn it over to a total stranger and say have a good sail, under those conditions.

Weather was gorgeous in the mid 70's the whole time we were there.

Looks like we may be off now to southern Texas for the Spring. We leave Virginia on the 8th of Feb. should be and interesting trip.

Tom...

 

[Crazy Dave Condon]

Tom ;

Are you the one at Smtih Mt. Lake? If not, what part of S.W. VA.? I use to be an investigator thru out the coal fields as well and when I experienced three days underground due to a roof mine collapse, that was the end and then I went to full time selling sailboats vs. part time.

crazy dave condon

 

[Tom Hoffman]

Hi Dave, Nope, I am not the one. We are in a camp ground in Max Meadows Va. That is at the junction of I-77 and I-81. Most problems we have had have been 20 degrees and a power outage that lasted 40 hours. Luckily we had a generator from the last 20 hours power outage. We are done here in about 8 days and then on to somewhere else.

Tom...

 

[Crazy Dave Condon]

Tom;

I know where you are at. Do you have your boat with you?

I adjusted all claims when I-77 was built in Virginia many years ago having lived in Roanoke, VA where I began my dealership.

Where will you be going from there as I know the area welll where to sail at? Need any info, email me privately at davecondon@mindspring.com

Did you see any snow during your stay and I suspect that you are in a campground near the intersection of I-77 and I-81

crazy dave condon

 

[Tom Hoffman]

Hi Dave

Yes, we are two miles NE of exit 80 on E Lee Hwy We are in the newest campground. Built about 4 or 5 years ago, It is snowing right now which is the 4th snow since the 1st of Jan. No boat here, I tried to buy a Gloucester Dory (wood) with sails and all equipment, but it had a trailer and was to heavy to put on top of my P/U topper.

Our next destination is still up in the air, and we may not know till later in the month. I am hoping for S Texas or S Carolina. Hope to find out soon.

Later...

 

[Crazy Dave Condon]

How much longer at that location?

If you are into biking, the New River Bike Trail from Pulaski to Fries, VA and you can get on it near where I-77 goes under the New River. It is state maintained and well cared for going along the river which is an easy and nice ride. Anothere is near Abingdon but that section from White Top down to Damascus by bike is appx. 14.5 miles and all pretty much downhilll. It is called the Virginia Creeper Bike Trail and was formerly of the N&W Railroad which I got to see the last train out back in 1977. Even knew where some moonshiners near you were many moons ago.


dave condon

 

[Tom Hoffman]

Hey Dave,

We will be out of here on Thursday. heading for St Louis. Leave the trailer and then on to Iowa for a couple of weeks.

We went to Draper Mercantile and saw their bike shop, didn't realize that there was a bike trail.

We do have old fat peoples bikes with us, but I can't really ride up any hills. I had both hips replaced last year and the muscles still are not back up to snuff. Living in a hilly campground hasn't helped much either. Be glad to get out of here.

Get some where warm and level for the next campground. Maybe Bullhead City AZ. Now that would be cool. Maybe make it to the Trailer Sailor Get together in lake Mead.

It is frustrating not knowing where and when some thing in advance. Oh' well, that is what we signed up for.

Tom...

 

[Crazy Dave Condon]

The Virginia Creeper Trail from White Top to Abingdon is a little over 14 miles long along an old railroad bed but well maintained by VA Park System and all down hill other than a few flat spots here and there. The New River bike trail along the river for the most part is flat. Both are beautiful and easy to do even though you are in the mountains surpisingly.

If you had time, Abingdon has the Barter Theater for plays and is excellent. Roanoke also has some nice places to visit and Smith Mt. Lake for sailing is good nearby. You came at a bad time of the year. One thing to mention is that the VA park system is considered one of the best in the US. I would suggest checking it out for two week stays or shorter near the ocean, bay and so forth.

Dave Condon

 

[DAVA390]

Tom, if I`m not being too nosy, do you still have your 26 back up north? Are you guys camper based now?