Need Vacation Ideas in Charleston!

[Ed DiGirolamo]

Hi! I need some help. My wife and I have been sailing our Hunter 23.5 for 5 years now on various inland lakes (Carlysle, Mendota, Lanier). I would say I am a vary competent lake sailor. Now that we've moved to Georgia and the kids are old enough (7 and 3), I want to get the boat in some saltwater! Actually, I simply want to plan a family vacation where we stay on the boat for about 5 nights at a nice marina on the ICW. I'd like to get some experience out there on the ICW. I am thinking of going to Charleston since a cruising guide I have says that there's a lot for a family to do in the city. (The kids/wife probably won't want to actually sail for more than 2-3 hours a day). I'm looking for a marina that is friendly to small boat transients, has a ramp since I will be trailering up there, showers, and a close restaurant. A "resort marina" would be nice if it had a pool. We hit a set-up like that years back up in Wisconsin on Lake Winmnebago and had a fantastic time! Since I have no saltwater or ICW experience, I'm also looking for a location and staff that can help me gain some experience without getting the wife too uncomfortable. Has anyone done something similar? Anyone have a Marina that they'd recommend? There are a lot in the cruising guides, but how do you tell the good from the bad?Any help will be greatly appreciated! Thanks.

 

[Patrick Neeley]

Charleston

There are two marinas I would suggest to you. The Charleston Harbor Marina (843) 9712580 and the Ashley Marina (843) 7221996. They can tell you where to launch. There was a ramp at Remply, but I think they closed it for rebuilding. There may be one at the City Marina you can use, but you will have to call them at (843) 7235098. They may also be able to take care of you for the week with a slip. Call the marinas and see what they suggest for you to lauch. There is the Wild Dunes Yacht Harbor at (843) 8865100 and they have a ramp and slips, but it is about an hour of motoring down from there to the Charleston Harbor before you can sail. Once you are in Charleston, ther e are lots of things to do -- the Patriot's Point Maritime museum with the Yorktown Aircraft Carrier, a WWII diesel electric submarine, a WWII destroyer, and a Coast Guard vessel and this is at the Charleston Harbor Marina. Across the harbor is the town of Charleston with the old homes, the Charleston Aquarium, the IMAX theater, and this is near the Charleston Museum which is the oldest museum in the US. Fort Sumter is a boat ride from the Patriot's Point Marina. There are wonderful restaurants here downtown, in Mt. Pleasant, on Sullivans Island, and Isle of Palms. The markets downtown at market street and the shops are a must for your family. There are horse and buggy rides with very knowledgeable guides to tell you of the history. The secenery is outstanding. The beaches at Isle of Palms are wonderful.We brought our 23' O'Day down here in 1993. We moved down here 2 years ago for good. We have since traded up to a 30' Hunter. So, be careful, you too may decide to move down here.Good luck on finding a ramp and a transient slip for your stay.Patrick Neeley

 

[bruce little]

Savannah is great

Charleston is nice but you might want to Try Savannah first if you have not had ICW experience. Charleston can be confusing if you are unfamiliar with the local waterways. Savannah is a bit easier and calmer in terms of traffic. Sail Harbor Marina in Savannah takes transients and there is a very good ramp about a half mile from the marina on a sheltered creek. The ramp is on Turners Creek on Wilmington Island. There are many wonderful things for the entire family to do in Savannah. Charleston, certainly should not be overlooked, but Savannah might be good prep for such an adventure.