and then sailing up the coast to charleston on a mac 26s. I am planning a new adventure...I have never been down a river before, but thought it would be an exciting and new experience. Has anyone ever done the section of river downstream from Augusta? I am a little worried about shoaling, and steerage, probably have the mast down for possible power lines... Anyone have any information/advice?
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Sounds like fun
I've always wondered how that route would play out. I'm originally from Aiken, SC and know Augusta well. Now in the Charleston area, spent a lot of time in Tybee, too. Wikipedia says your route is fine, just look out for the shifting sands in the Savannah River.
I've always wondered how that route would play out. I'm originally from Aiken, SC and know Augusta well. Now in the Charleston area, spent a lot of time in Tybee, too. Wikipedia says your route is fine, just look out for the shifting sands in the Savannah River.
I saw the wikapedia site too...
had alot of good info...probably print it out to learn some of the history I'll be passing by. As the wika site said though, there is no substitute for local knowledge. I actually saw the charts on the free web site someone listed here for the savanna river...so i may try and get charts. I am a bit reluctant to not have the sails up....but it should be a fresh boating experience, and i am hoping i won't have to crank motor to high, as the current should help. I'll be glad to raise those sails when i get to savanna though!
had alot of good info...probably print it out to learn some of the history I'll be passing by. As the wika site said though, there is no substitute for local knowledge. I actually saw the charts on the free web site someone listed here for the savanna river...so i may try and get charts. I am a bit reluctant to not have the sails up....but it should be a fresh boating experience, and i am hoping i won't have to crank motor to high, as the current should help. I'll be glad to raise those sails when i get to savanna though!
Too Shallow
Jim, The Savanah river between Augusta and Savannah is too shallow from what I have been told. A keeled sailboat would get nowhere! If you ever went to downtown Columbus on the river walk and looked out on the Savannah River its rocks and shallows!!!! You would think it would be a great adventure as too the Altamaha, Ogeechee and St. Mary's rivers that run to the sea from far inland Georgia, but I would do my research on the Savannah river west of Port Wentworth (just west of Savannah) and evaluate if even a pontoon boat could get through those waters. Good luck Bob
Jim, The Savanah river between Augusta and Savannah is too shallow from what I have been told. A keeled sailboat would get nowhere! If you ever went to downtown Columbus on the river walk and looked out on the Savannah River its rocks and shallows!!!! You would think it would be a great adventure as too the Altamaha, Ogeechee and St. Mary's rivers that run to the sea from far inland Georgia, but I would do my research on the Savannah river west of Port Wentworth (just west of Savannah) and evaluate if even a pontoon boat could get through those waters. Good luck Bob
If you go to this link you will find NOAA chart
viewer.http://ocsdata.ncd.noaa.gov/OnLineViewer/AtlanticCoastViewerTable.htm from there select charts numbered: 11513, 11514, 11515. That will take you to 81d 46m west. I don't know how close that is to Augusta.
viewer.http://ocsdata.ncd.noaa.gov/OnLineViewer/AtlanticCoastViewerTable.htm from there select charts numbered: 11513, 11514, 11515. That will take you to 81d 46m west. I don't know how close that is to Augusta.
According tto the charts there is at least 7 feet
up to 33 deg 10 min N and 81 deg 46 min W. That is about 10 miles down river from Augusta. As a crow flies it may be only about a hundred mile from Augusta to the sea, but if the crow has to row a boat around all of those bends it may be two hundred miles.
up to 33 deg 10 min N and 81 deg 46 min W. That is about 10 miles down river from Augusta. As a crow flies it may be only about a hundred mile from Augusta to the sea, but if the crow has to row a boat around all of those bends it may be two hundred miles.
Interesting!!
I found those charts very interesting. If indeed those are controlling depths it is conceivable to navigate a vessel down the Savannah River from Augusta, but not a sailboat! If you look at a map of Georgia the run does not go thru many towns and I would bet that probably a dozen or so bridges either they be railroad or two lane vehicular would limit clearance. Its a lonely stretch as it is driving from Augusta to Savannah so supplies and gas would be dificult to obtain unless extra fuel was taken. Add that the river is narrow and meandors and you have a challenging situation. I for one would consider the trip in a 20 - 24 ft cuddy cabin power vessel with shoal draft, short shaft outboard, small back up 5-10 H.P kicker outboard, a case of bug spray, a couple of shotguns so you can shoot back at what ever is shooting at you from the banks, snake bite kits, and enough survival gear to rival a month in the Austalian Outback!! Your in deep woods, Georgia Pine and snake country and for most of the way, all alone. If you are really considering this.......study it well, take a trip down to Georgia to that part of the stae, call the GA Department of Natural Resources, make alist of each county you would go through, contact each County Departm,ne of Health and Sheriff's office and inquire about the river and amenities in each county. Personnally, your on the verge of a Lewis and Clark type expedition and I think that alone is worth the adventure, BUT....leave the sailboat at home!!! Bob
I found those charts very interesting. If indeed those are controlling depths it is conceivable to navigate a vessel down the Savannah River from Augusta, but not a sailboat! If you look at a map of Georgia the run does not go thru many towns and I would bet that probably a dozen or so bridges either they be railroad or two lane vehicular would limit clearance. Its a lonely stretch as it is driving from Augusta to Savannah so supplies and gas would be dificult to obtain unless extra fuel was taken. Add that the river is narrow and meandors and you have a challenging situation. I for one would consider the trip in a 20 - 24 ft cuddy cabin power vessel with shoal draft, short shaft outboard, small back up 5-10 H.P kicker outboard, a case of bug spray, a couple of shotguns so you can shoot back at what ever is shooting at you from the banks, snake bite kits, and enough survival gear to rival a month in the Austalian Outback!! Your in deep woods, Georgia Pine and snake country and for most of the way, all alone. If you are really considering this.......study it well, take a trip down to Georgia to that part of the stae, call the GA Department of Natural Resources, make alist of each county you would go through, contact each County Departm,ne of Health and Sheriff's office and inquire about the river and amenities in each county. Personnally, your on the verge of a Lewis and Clark type expedition and I think that alone is worth the adventure, BUT....leave the sailboat at home!!! Bob
Only one case?
You'd want more than a case of bug spray! The Mac 26s can act like a powerboat if it wants so I think it'd fit the bill just fine. I do agree that the length of the trip is probably twice as long as the crow flies. An the largest town you get to along the way is probably Rincon and it ain't all that big, and you don't get real close to it. I say do it, but definitely over-prepare.
You'd want more than a case of bug spray! The Mac 26s can act like a powerboat if it wants so I think it'd fit the bill just fine. I do agree that the length of the trip is probably twice as long as the crow flies. An the largest town you get to along the way is probably Rincon and it ain't all that big, and you don't get real close to it. I say do it, but definitely over-prepare.
I think that I would plan that trip for feburary
when the bug population was at the minimum. I doubt that you could plan on reprovisioning along the way. There seems to be one bridge with a high water clearance of 29 feet and a low water clearance of 40 feet. Other web sites indicate that the land is either forest or agriculturual. The state roads don't seem to get real close but county roads probably come to the rivers edge in many places.
when the bug population was at the minimum. I doubt that you could plan on reprovisioning along the way. There seems to be one bridge with a high water clearance of 29 feet and a low water clearance of 40 feet. Other web sites indicate that the land is either forest or agriculturual. The state roads don't seem to get real close but county roads probably come to the rivers edge in many places.
It has been a long week and this is a good
subject for armchair explorers. I am glad you asked. I had been looking for something fun that wouldn't involve much work. Take a look at this site. http://www.lowersavannahriveralliance.org/
subject for armchair explorers. I am glad you asked. I had been looking for something fun that wouldn't involve much work. Take a look at this site. http://www.lowersavannahriveralliance.org/
I can battle the banjo with my ipod!
I will be starting well south of augusta...at least half way to the coast. Just looking for something a little different with unique challenges to remember... Helping me with the biggest challenge as of late....(esp. as I sit here on a Monday)....getting through this damn 5 day work week someone came up with so I can pay off all the ubiquitious money sieves modern society, with it's morgages and verizon, cable, etc. bills, surrounds us with! Whats that song? Spend my time making money and my money making time...I know we are lucky to have civilization and jobs in one of the best countries on the planet....but sometimes the work corral we herd ourselves into seems a bit crazy! Guess I having one of those mondays...gonna sign off before the babble busts loose even more. Thanks for the info everyone.
I will be starting well south of augusta...at least half way to the coast. Just looking for something a little different with unique challenges to remember... Helping me with the biggest challenge as of late....(esp. as I sit here on a Monday)....getting through this damn 5 day work week someone came up with so I can pay off all the ubiquitious money sieves modern society, with it's morgages and verizon, cable, etc. bills, surrounds us with! Whats that song? Spend my time making money and my money making time...I know we are lucky to have civilization and jobs in one of the best countries on the planet....but sometimes the work corral we herd ourselves into seems a bit crazy! Guess I having one of those mondays...gonna sign off before the babble busts loose even more. Thanks for the info everyone.
Be the first to write a guide book
Well Jim, we will all be waiting to see how it goes. Since their is not much written on navigating the Savannah River from Augusta (I still would not a risk taking a sailboat without the mast laid down on the deck), you can be the first to publish a waterway guide. Their must be a ton of local knowlege in these small towns that rely on the river for fishing and recreation, its just where to find it. Heck you might even identify a new species of some flora or fauna. A hundred miles of meandering river, heavily forested, away from civilization between South Carolina and Georgia? What an adventure that would yield in a novel or guide book. Tales abound of a 30 meter giant headed worm that travels the Altamaha River. No telling what lurks in the Savannah, or what lost tribes live along the banks deep in the woods. You do know that the Savannah River Nuclear Plant in Aiken, South Carolina has reported "glow-in-the dark" frogs and deer that are known to frequent the Savannah River. This really is a National Geographic thing you know..... Gods Speed! Bob
Well Jim, we will all be waiting to see how it goes. Since their is not much written on navigating the Savannah River from Augusta (I still would not a risk taking a sailboat without the mast laid down on the deck), you can be the first to publish a waterway guide. Their must be a ton of local knowlege in these small towns that rely on the river for fishing and recreation, its just where to find it. Heck you might even identify a new species of some flora or fauna. A hundred miles of meandering river, heavily forested, away from civilization between South Carolina and Georgia? What an adventure that would yield in a novel or guide book. Tales abound of a 30 meter giant headed worm that travels the Altamaha River. No telling what lurks in the Savannah, or what lost tribes live along the banks deep in the woods. You do know that the Savannah River Nuclear Plant in Aiken, South Carolina has reported "glow-in-the dark" frogs and deer that are known to frequent the Savannah River. This really is a National Geographic thing you know..... Gods Speed! Bob
Critters!!!
Oh, its not just the radioactive critters from Par pond at SRS that got away, but the ones they caught and escaped and never could catch, like the 35 foot aligator, the mutated 8-foot man with one eye and wood-nymphs that drove the guards crazy! I would be more concerned about the creature from the black lagoon. Yep, that Savannah River east of Aiken and Augusta.....sure would be interesting to paddle along.
Oh, its not just the radioactive critters from Par pond at SRS that got away, but the ones they caught and escaped and never could catch, like the 35 foot aligator, the mutated 8-foot man with one eye and wood-nymphs that drove the guards crazy! I would be more concerned about the creature from the black lagoon. Yep, that Savannah River east of Aiken and Augusta.....sure would be interesting to paddle along.
Sounds like a good adventure.
I think contacting the natural resources department for conditions along the river would be wise. If they can put you in contact with some of the officers that patrol those waters it would be nice to get their recommendations. Ask about shoaling, would not completely trust the charts unless the soundings were done fairly recent. Ask about known rocks or roots that maybe be protruding from the bottom along the way. Pack well like a hicker going into the wild; water purifying tablets, snake bite kit, mosquito netting etc. Take a CB radio as it would probably work better than a cell phone or VHF. Make a float plan and advise friends or family about the intended route, stops and time schedule. If able to call along the route check in with them. When you are out in the wild you don't know what is out there; I would take a shotgun just for peace of mind. It could be used to take care of a pesky alligator or to show the local boys that you are not alone.
I think contacting the natural resources department for conditions along the river would be wise. If they can put you in contact with some of the officers that patrol those waters it would be nice to get their recommendations. Ask about shoaling, would not completely trust the charts unless the soundings were done fairly recent. Ask about known rocks or roots that maybe be protruding from the bottom along the way. Pack well like a hicker going into the wild; water purifying tablets, snake bite kit, mosquito netting etc. Take a CB radio as it would probably work better than a cell phone or VHF. Make a float plan and advise friends or family about the intended route, stops and time schedule. If able to call along the route check in with them. When you are out in the wild you don't know what is out there; I would take a shotgun just for peace of mind. It could be used to take care of a pesky alligator or to show the local boys that you are not alone.
239 miles from thurmond dam to mouth of the river
If you have the new Mac with a larger engine you should be able to cover that distance pretty fast. But if I had a bass boat or a ski boat you could run the distance in a day if you had fuel. 30 mph isn't unreasonable for a bass boat and they don't need that much water. So 10 hours at 30 mph is 300 miles. I'd figure two days but if pressed you could do it in a day !!!! Even if your average speed was 20 mph you could do it in 12 hours=240 miles. I'd betyou can find some fishermen that have made the trip. Does Strom Thurmond Dam have a lock??? IS there a marina with sailboats??? If sailboats can lock through I'd bet some local sailers have made the trip. Keep us Posted. Augusta is one of those places I'd live if I could get my sailboat to the sea.
If you have the new Mac with a larger engine you should be able to cover that distance pretty fast. But if I had a bass boat or a ski boat you could run the distance in a day if you had fuel. 30 mph isn't unreasonable for a bass boat and they don't need that much water. So 10 hours at 30 mph is 300 miles. I'd figure two days but if pressed you could do it in a day !!!! Even if your average speed was 20 mph you could do it in 12 hours=240 miles. I'd betyou can find some fishermen that have made the trip. Does Strom Thurmond Dam have a lock??? IS there a marina with sailboats??? If sailboats can lock through I'd bet some local sailers have made the trip. Keep us Posted. Augusta is one of those places I'd live if I could get my sailboat to the sea.
I can't imagine anyone making a trip along
such a beautiful river and being in a hurry. For such a trip as that you need to be able to go slowly and see the details along the way. That is very well settled territory and the voyage would not be like Burt Reynold's Deliverance. The last time I checked a Mac 26 only needs about 2 feet of water to float so if you did go aground you could just hop out and push off and climb back in. Below the "fall line" you won't find much in terms of rocks and almost everyone has a depth sounder. Large scale charts and a GPS will allow the trip to be fun and still be a great exploration. Investigate the tributary streams on each side of the river. Take lots of time and enjoy.
such a beautiful river and being in a hurry. For such a trip as that you need to be able to go slowly and see the details along the way. That is very well settled territory and the voyage would not be like Burt Reynold's Deliverance. The last time I checked a Mac 26 only needs about 2 feet of water to float so if you did go aground you could just hop out and push off and climb back in. Below the "fall line" you won't find much in terms of rocks and almost everyone has a depth sounder. Large scale charts and a GPS will allow the trip to be fun and still be a great exploration. Investigate the tributary streams on each side of the river. Take lots of time and enjoy.
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