Georgetown trip over Labor Day weekend....

[CliffA]

we are thinking about making another run down the ICW to Georgetown this year during the Labor Day holiday.....a couple years ago we launched at Murrells Inlet but it only took 30 mins or so to get to Georgetown....this year we want to put in further upstream of Georgetown to where we have at least an hour or two trip......anyone have suggestions where to put in?.....we would like to leave the truck and trailer in a protected launch site if possible but that is not a must have.....

thanks...

cliff

 

[islandhopper00]

How far North? N. Myrtle at Harborgate Marina is a nice ramp under the HWY 17 bridge. However, that puts you north of the "Rock Pile" section of the ICW and many a prop has been torn up in that section. (ask me how I know) Plus that section is considered the "ditch" portion and not really desireable for sight seeing. (although Eagles seem to nest in that area).

When you say Murrell's Inlet do you mean Waccamaw River, ICW side?? If you ran from Murrell's Inlet down the coast, up Winyah Bay to G-town you were hauling mail to do it in 30 mins.

 

[CliffA]

thanks.......we put in at Wacca Wache Marina on the Waccamaw river....the Harborgate Marina may be an option.....how hard is it to avoid the rocks in the 'rock pile'?.......i think someone mentioned to me they launched in Conway one time and made their way down to Georgetown....has anyone made this trip?....

cliff

 

[JimT]

Bucksport Landing Marina at MM #377 in Conway may be an option.

There are a few places in the ditch where there are rock outcrops out near the channel. Do some research and figure out the locations and you won't have a problem. Many deep draft boats make the trip every day without issue.

 

[islandhopper00]

thanks.......we put in at Wacca Wache Marina on the Waccamaw river....the Harborgate Marina may be an option.....how hard is it to avoid the rocks in the 'rock pile'?.......i think someone mentioned to me they launched in Conway one time and made their way down to Georgetown....has anyone made this trip?....

cliff

You pretty much have to stay near the middle of the channel, AND don't let the big boats (deep drafters) push you out of your side!!!!! I gave alittle to much for a sail boat hogging the entire middle. The next sound I hear was metal hitting stone! Sadler did the same thing the very same trip! (in a different spot at a different time).

Conway to G-town is a neat trip worth doing. There is a marina and boat ramp right in downtown Conway (I don't remember the name). The river portion is neat and very winding. You go past some not so often traveled areas and almost looks spooky (at night). Use your track back feature on the GPS and you'll find your way home easier. I didn't do it and there is a couple of splits in the river that look the same.

Name of the Marina in Conway is.......Conway Marina. haha

 

[CliffA]

thanks for the replies.....if we do the Conway trip will we miss the 'rock pile' in the river?....

cliff

 

[JimT]

thanks for the replies.....if we do the Conway trip will we miss the 'rock pile' in the river?....

cliff

Yes, the areas of concern are north of the 501 overpass.

 

[islandhopper00]

Jim is correct.

I would also advise you to mark (GPS) the "proper" entrance/exit of the Conway river, to the ICW. Reason being, there are a couple of coves and confusing areas that can be mistook for the entrance, and have stumps logs etc under water there. One of our members took a wrong "entrance" and tore up a Bravo III.

 

[islandhopper00]

I don't mean to scare you or come off as a know it all, sorry if I do. Just trying to pass on some experience so that you don't fall into the same traps "we" have.

By the way Cliff and Jim, have you seen the CB trip planned for the last weekend in Aug? It'll be in Charleston (Cole Creek). I haven't announced it yet but I think I'm going. Check it out.

 

[CRUZ'N]

IHopper & Jim, I'm curious, are you referring to the ICW stretch of rocks on either side adjacent to the Grand Strand Arpt. The North Myrtle Bch arpt up the large bank ? It's always of concern when I pass thru there, but I have never heard of any strikes. I've gone thru high & low tides, on and off plane. Maybe I just lucked out ....

 

[JimT]

The area we are referring to starts at the 501 overpass and runs north to about Barefoot Landing. Its narrow with steep rip rap banks hence the name the "ditch."

You are fine if stay in the middle of the channel. As Islandhopper says the larger deep draft sailboats will often hog the middle of the channel sometimes forcing a game of chicken for channel space. The ICW Cruising Guide details the location of the rock outcrops. Make note of the locations and if need be wait for clear passage if there is traffic. There is no problem if you stick to the middle of the channel even at low tide.

 

[islandhopper00]

The problem you encounter when trying to navigate the "Rock Pile" is when there is other boat traffic present. People tend to have heard the stories and will hog the middle of the channel, specially sail boats and larger deep draft boats. At high tide the rock outcroppings are not visible, at low tide some show. So at high tide it's hard to tell exactly where the rocks are. If you do the nice guy routine and let a scared boater push you to the side you risk touching. If you hold your course, then you risk a middle finger gesture.
I used to do the nice guy routine untill I let a sail boat push me onto the rocks. Not anymore, I'll take the finger gesture from the offending boat if they don't move over and allow both of us to pass on our own side. Now commercial traffic and large vessel owners that ANNOUNCE their intentions over the VHF, I'll wait or give way for.

The entrance to the Rock Pile is marked. There are signs on piles telling where the bad part starts and finishes.

 

[CRUZ'N]

Thnx for responses, I've been thru there many times. The times I've transited that area, there hasn't been any traffic, so I'm always in the center. In narrow channels either Ill give way, especially if they have a following current, or they'll give way! I'm not risking prop damage. Tim

 

[islandhopper00]

Thnx for responses, I've been thru there many times. The times I've transited that area, there hasn't been any traffic, so I'm always in the center. In narrow channels either Ill give way, especially if they have a following current, or they'll give way! I'm not risking prop damage. Tim

With a boat as large as yours, when there is traffic it would be a nice gesture to call a securite' securite' on the vhf and announce the direction of travel and time you expect to transit the pass. I realize "most" people don't listen and alot don't know what a securite' securite' is.......but some of us do and will even thank you for the info! haha