Choosing Marinas in NC/SC area for the winter

[Capt. Rusty Higgins]

Sea Ray of Charleston recommended you go elsewhere and having AJ doing what good dock masters do, is saying a lot about the place??? It does say a lot about the duty that an AJ performs but nothing more. I had no problems there and would have no problem returning. And I have moored in Hall's slips more than once. Sorry I could not be more help.

R

 

[bmac]

Alex

I received a winter special from the City Marina in Charleston this year. Maybe they only send them to prior customers. I'd give them a call, but you are right, it isn't cheap, but it's not Ft. Lauderdale expensive eithe. I think for four months my boat would be around $4k this year in Charleston.

 

[Boat Guy]

I don't have any basis down south....

But, I called a marina in Key West and was told 60/ft per month + Electric and water... It would be about $3k for the month.... Is that indicative of the south Florida area? (mini diviation from the OP's question)

 

[Lucky's]

I don't have any basis down south....

But, I called a marina in Key West and was told 60/ft per month + Electric and water... It would be about $3k for the month.... Is that indicative of the south Florida area? (mini diviation from the OP's question)

I'm not in the Key's by any means, but where I'm at (just North of Palm Beach), the going rate for annual is $12-$15/ft/mo and monthly is $17-$22/ft/mo. I don't know exact rates but I know Key Largo is gonna be less than Key West and still gorgeous water.

Here's one in Islamorada on the ocean side with a monthly at $17/mo/ft. That's not bad! Maybe I'll move mine...

http://snakecreekmarinakeys.com/?ut...medium=link&utm_campaign=TDC_Link_advertising

 

[Converse48]

Seems like an awful lot of trouble to boat in 50 degree temperatures. Why aren't you going to Florida?

 

[Alex F]

Sea Ray of Charleston recommended you go elsewhere and having AJ doing what good dock masters do, is saying a lot about the place??? It does say a lot about the duty that an AJ performs but nothing more. I had no problems there and would have no problem returning. And I have moored in Hall's slips more than once. Sorry I could not be more help.

R

Rusty,

It's just sounded funny when I put these two together:

Wilmington is a downtown location, you do not want to leave your boat there.....

.... I did not have a problem in Wilmington but I had AJ watch my boat all night....

The thing is that the more I inquire about Wilmington the more hearing these type of remarks. It maybe overstated and the place could be very interesting and fun, but my comfort level dropped down as far as leaving my boat there all winter. There should be plenty of other options, so I'll keep searching.

You might have special arrangements with Hall's, but when I called a nice lady explained that it's just a service yard and she gave me few places around to call for slip rentals.

Alex

I received a winter special from the City Marina in Charleston this year. Maybe they only send them to prior customers. I'd give them a call, but you are right, it isn't cheap, but it's not Ft. Lauderdale expensive eithe. I think for four months my boat would be around $4k this year in Charleston.

Brian,

I got a promo flyer from them last year and if I recall correctly it was around $2,300 for 4 months.

Seems like an awful lot of trouble to boat in 50 degree temperatures. Why aren't you going to Florida?

FL is on the radar but not for this year. I'm not looking to boat in 50 deg (btw, as you know it's over 70 deg on the bridge when sun is shining and heater is off). Not boating for couple of months is a small compromise, since we usually don't boat for at least 6 months. There are number of reason to do NC/SC. The simple one is, I just want to try and see how it works out so I can have better long term plans.

I don't have any basis down south....

But, I called a marina in Key West and was told 60/ft per month + Electric and water... It would be about $3k for the month.... Is that indicative of the south Florida area? (mini diviation from the OP's question)

Eric,

I've done some research and quickly learned that the prices are all over the place. Usually you find some high end places with sky rocketing prices ($2500-$4K per month range), but searching in more detail you can find number of very nice places in the area for fraction of that price. The key is to keep searching until you find what fits your needs best (not just price wise).

 

[Alex F]

Does anyone have any info on Southport?

 

[OldSkool]

Come on down to Beaufort,SC. Downtown marina is right on the downtown waterfront. Foot access to good restaurants. Easy cruises from there to Charleston, Hilton Head, Savannah and even Jacksonville.

:thumbsup::thumbsup:
Lived in Beaufort for 6 years, sure do miss the annual festivals and blessing of the fleet. Marina is nice and peaceful.

 

[alnav]

Alex, did you consider Oriental when you looked at New Bern? It's fairly close but on other side of the Neuse River. It's a boating-oriented small town (albeit with a sailing emphasis) but has lots of marinas and services. Also Morehead City just a little further south has a wealth of facilities.

I am guessing this doesn't apply to you but for future viewers to whom it might I would commend Camp Lejuene on the New River to those eligible to use military recreation facilities. There are two fairly large marinas, one on Camp Lejuene and the other on the Air Station across the river which have both been recently rebuilt and seem to be first-class and certainly secure. Rates appear to be as low $5/ft/mo.

 

[kkalsch]

I would go to Morehead City, Beaufort NC before I went to New Bern ,Oriental . My dad has lived in Wilmington for 20 years near Carolina Beach and has never mention to me anyway that it was a high risk area -they go down town all the time to eat dinner on the docks -he is 83


BTW...Here's the problem...if you stay at Morehead City or Beaufort NC you will not want to leave.....

 

[sdarc]

That I will agree with. Hated that I never got the chance to bring my boat there. Actually it was when I was sitting at the inlet at the Fort watching the boats when my wife said "We should maybe get a boat". Her butt ended up in the truck so fast she didn't know what hit her. We went boat shopping.

 

[Alex F]

Alex, did you consider Oriental when you looked at New Bern? It's fairly close but on other side of the Neuse River. It's a boating-oriented small town (albeit with a sailing emphasis) but has lots of marinas and services. Also Morehead City just a little further south has a wealth of facilities.

I am guessing this doesn't apply to you but for future viewers to whom it might I would commend Camp Lejuene on the New River to those eligible to use military recreation facilities. There are two fairly large marinas, one on Camp Lejuene and the other on the Air Station across the river which have both been recently rebuilt and seem to be first-class and certainly secure. Rates appear to be as low $5/ft/mo.

Al,

Your point did cross my mind, but I was under the impression that Oriental, Morehead City, Beaufort NC were just popular stops along the AICW. I didn't hear or have a chance to look into them from a winter home port point of view.

I just glanced at the difference between Beaufort NC and SC and it's about 250-300 miles difference while the AVG temps is only 2-6 degrees difference. So, the focus is now on the difference in cruising area and things to do in the area. Since we haven't been in either region, I lean toward the closer to home one. So, I'll be searching more on Southport, Oriental, Morehead City, Beaufort NC areas.

 

[islandhopper00]

Alex, just make sure you know the difference in pronunciation of the NC and SC Beauforts!

 

[bahamabreisus]

There is a big difference between Wrightsville and Wilmington. Downtown is not a great place late night. Again, we will no longer spend a night there anymore. Wrightsville is a great place, good inlet and safe. Harbour Village in Hampstead is about 10 miles north. Much cleaner water than Wrightsville. Our web site harbourvillagemarina.com has a lot of info. Good luck with your choice

 

[JimT]

There is a big difference between Wrightsville and Wilmington. Downtown is not a great place late night. Again, we will no longer spend a night there anymore. Wrightsville is a great place, good inlet and safe. Harbour Village in Hampstead is about 10 miles north. Much cleaner water than Wrightsville. Our web site harbourvillagemarina.com has a lot of info. Good luck with your choice

I agree about Wrightsville Beach. Great place for boating with many restuarants close by as well as shopping. Downtown Wilmington is 15 minutes away by car. There is a West Marine just over the bridge and a lot of boating services available.

 

[Alex F]

There is a big difference between Wrightsville and Wilmington. Downtown is not a great place late night. Again, we will no longer spend a night there anymore. Wrightsville is a great place, good inlet and safe. Harbour Village in Hampstead is about 10 miles north. Much cleaner water than Wrightsville. Our web site harbourvillagemarina.com has a lot of info. Good luck with your choice

Thank you. We're looking at Harbour Village as well.

 

[Kendall]

I like Wrightsville Beach way better than Wilmington's water front if I had the choice. Wilmington is the place to go to eat, shop etc. but I would keep my boat in that beautiful aqua water in WB...

If being warm for the winter is the issue then I would be no further North than Fort Lauderdale. If you are looking for a place to keep the boat where you wont be bored for the winter then as before Charleston ranks highly compared to others you have mentioned. You can stay in Charleston walking distance to downtown for $400/month...see below:

http://charleston.craigslist.org/boa/4097079155.html

This is not the nicest marina in Charleston but it was not bad last time I checked. Parking can be limited sometimes but there are options. Price can't be beat. The 90 miles past Myrtle is offset by being able to take I-95 all the way to I-26 and cut over to Charleston...check out the actual time difference...

Happy Boating!

 

[Alex F]

Kendall,

Thank you for the tip. I'm reviewing my options in Charleston as well.

 

[SearayPaul]

Ashley has a lot of current and some slips are very tight with little room to maneuver . Be sure you know what slip you are assigned. Some of the slips are easier than others to get into. Also check MLW as some of the slips get very skinny at low tide. At slack tide plus or minus thirty minutes it is very doable. Good luck with your decision.

 

[Alex F]

Ashley has a lot of current and some slips are very tight with little room to maneuver . Be sure you know what slip you are assigned. Some of the slips are easier than others to get into. Also check MLW as some of the slips get very skinny at low tide. At slack tide plus or minus thirty minutes it is very doable. Good luck with your decision.

Thanks Paul.

I've heard about the current running through the marina, skinny water is what I wasn't aware of. I'll inquire about it.