South Carolina Sailors

[Matt]

Hi,It's looking like we will be relocating from the Pacific NorthWest to Columbia, South Carolina a little later this year. I've heard lots of good things about the sailing out of Charleston, SC, but nothing first hand. Does anyone have any good (or bad) to say about the sailing in this region? Also, does know of any marinas in particular that they would recommend? Also, what about the alligators? I've heard rumors that perhaps I might need to learn to swim a bit faster (like you'd do anything but swim fast in the Puget Sounds....Brrrrr!) should the need to take a dip be a bit overwhelming....any truth to that? We have also heard good things about Lake Murray just outside of Columbia. Anyone have a boat on Lake Murray? Should we seriously consider this as an option for our Hunter Vision 32? Thanks for any insight. We haven't actually been to Columbia, Lake Murray, or Charleston yet, so any advice or discussion would be helpful. Hopefully, we'll get a chance to visit in the next several months. I'm also in the middle of trying to find a boat transporter...<sigh>... We are *definitely* looking forward to the consistently warmer weather down there.... ;-)matt

 

[Steve Kamp]

Matt, S.C. is an excellent sailing home. Lake Murray is a large lake near Columbia with year round sailing opportunities. There are two clubs in the Columbia area near the dam (the Columbia Sailing Club, and the Lake Murray Sailing Club). The lake has had the water level reduced for a couple of years due to a long term construction project by S.C. Electric and Gas at the dam, but as the project nears completion, the water level is rising. The interim period has given lakeside property owners the opportunity to perform shoreline and dock maintenance. Charleston is a major port city with a deep water harbor. There are several marinas, ASA and US Sailing schools, charter companies, and dealerships. Access to the Atlantic is easy and well marked. The harbor has several commercial anchorages and the commercial traffic is often heavy on the Cooper River, less so on the Ashley. The city is considered a must do stopover on the ICW. Don't fret about alligators. Lake Murray is too cold for them. They are not a problem in Charleston harbor because their habitat is generally fresh water marshland. You are likely to encounter them around golf course water hazards. You should be more concerned about sharks.With our 260, my wife and I sail not only the fresh water of the Upstate but venture to Beaufort, Charleston and Georgetown as well. See you on the water,Steve Kamp, H260, "Carolina Girl"

 

[Bill]

Hilton Head Island

Having moved to Hilton Head Island by choice 5 years ago, and glad every minute since then, I suppose I am a little partial to HHI. It's on the SC coast just north of the GA line, in fact almost within site of Savannah. There are a number of good marinas here. Many golf courses if you do that (I don't). 12 miles of beach perfect for jogging if you do that (I do). The alligators hang out in the in-island ponds--they call them lagoons here. The ICW goes past HHI on the mainland side. E-mail me if you'd like more info.bthiers@hhhealth.com

 

[Stan]

Charleston

I sail a Beneteau 361 out of Charleston althoughI live 5 hours away in Atlanta. We have been docked at the City Marina for 3 years and think it is absolutely wonderful. The Marina has clean well maintained showers and restrooms and,can you believe it, a 'pump out boat'. After a weekend of sailing we just leave our boat name and the marina pumps out the waste. The sailing in Charleston is wonderful. The harbor is big enough, about 100 square miles, to sail and enjoy the wind, but getting offshore is only 2 hours of sailing. On nice days we sail out of the harbor, having raised the sail just minutes from the dock, and go offshore.