Recommendation for Charleston SC Marina

lope4946

lope4946

Member
Sep 4, 2008
175
Aiken. SC
Boat Info
2005 340 Sundancer
Engines
Twin 8.1
I am currently living in Cincinnati, OH and I am probably going to relocate to Aiken, SC. I currently keep my 2002 280 DA on Norris Lake in TN. If I do make the move, I am thinking I would like to keep my boat at a Marina in Charleston, SC or somewhere close to that area. In order to keep the boat out of the sun and sea water, I was thinking of dry docking my boat with one of the marina's and just having them put it in the water when I want to use her on the weekends.

Is this even possible with a boat the size of a 280 (31') and can anyone recommend a marina in the Charleston, SC area that provides this type of service.

Thanks and am looking forward to going from a lake boater to a coastal boater. I have a lot to learn.
 
John,

I think you'll like the boating in this area. You can pretty much boat year around. We have a group of CSR folks who boat together occasionally. Love to have you join us.

Here are two dry stack marinas in the Charleston area I know of that can take your size boat.

RiversEdge marina 843-554-8901

Dolphin Cove marina 843-744-2562


Sadler
 
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Im in Charleston Harbor Marina and LOVE it. Its a little more expensive than some of the other around, but the amenities and close by stuff is awsome (pool, hotel, restaurant, golf, etc). The people (residents) there are really great. Wind and current are an issue here.

The City Marina and a few up the Ashley river are not as conveinent, and they are under the overpass which throws black crap all over the boats, but is less expensive. Not dry dock though.

Dolphin is nice,but about 6 miles ( i think) up the river, so not as easy to get to.

Stay away form the Folly river area, lots of shoaling and shallow issues. Feel free to contact me. If you are in town same time as I am, Id be happy to give you the tour by water.

There is a marina up the Wando River.. I think St Johns or something, Ive heard thats nice...but not sure about dry.



Also, I do not recommend going about without hiring a local captain. You draft the same as me, so watch out around here...... I have used 2 I could recommend.
 
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Thanks guys for the recommedations. If and when I make the move from Cincy to SC I will definetly look you guys up. I should know within the next couple of months whether or not I will be moving. Boating year round sounds very appealing to me.

So I take it that you guys don't have to winterize your boats? When I talked to Dolphin Cove the other day they said if I dry dock with them there is no need to winterize because my boat would be stored in a climate controlled building. If your boat stays in the water year round, do you still have to winterize?

I think hiring a captain is a great idea since I have never boated any where except a lake that is very well marked. What type of navigation equipment should I have on my boat? The only equipment I have on my boat now is the compass that came with the boat. I am assuming at a minimum I would need a GPS unit. I am assuming that I would be boating mostly on the ICW and occasionally going off shore on calm days. What do you guys typically do on a weekend?
 
lope4946 said:
Thanks guys for the recommedations. If and when I make the move from Cincy to SC I will definetly look you guys up. I should know within the next couple of months whether or not I will be moving. Boating year round sounds very appealing to me.

So I take it that you guys don't have to winterize your boats? When I talked to Dolphin Cove the other day they said if I dry dock with them there is no need to winterize because my boat would be stored in a climate controlled building. If your boat stays in the water year round, do you still have to winterize?

I think hiring a captain is a great idea since I have never boated any where except a lake that is very well marked. What type of navigation equipment should I have on my boat? The only equipment I have on my boat now is the compass that came with the boat. I am assuming at a minimum I would need a GPS unit. I am assuming that I would be boating mostly on the ICW and occasionally going off shore on calm days. What do you guys typically do on a weekend?
Click to expand...

No winterizing needed. I just use a bilge heater in case. Water gets in the 40's...

A typical weekend is not typical because of winds and weather for me. Inshore is always pretty calm with exception of winds. I NEVER go offshore with out an EPIRP (i think is the abrev. for the GPS Emergency beacon) and I only go off shore and lacktide early in the AM unless waves are less than 2 feet) Also offshore is not that great unless you fish. Most of the inlets are super dangerous also so you have to time everything here right.

Here is my equip list
GPS is a must.
Up to date paper charts.
Emergency Beacon is a must and super cheap compared to the alternative.
Coast Guard Required equip (you WILL get boarded at some point in the harbor, flares, life jackets, etc)
Ditch Bag with water and rations, and a backup VHF that floats
Spare belts
impellers
Emergency Jump box
Tow Boat US membership is a must here.


the list goes on and on. We do alot of ICW trips for days at a time, so We stock almost everything could we need.
 
Just remember, there are two types of boaters in Chas: Those that HAVE run aground, and those that WILL run aground. Best to follow other boats you know going into the more popular, but unmarked areas around here.

You will love it though. There are many more drystack marinas, but your boat is at the cusp of being too big for most of them here. I would emphasize your wet weight and length when you inquire with them.
 
Looks like I'll be following some other experienced boaters for a while. As far as a dock, I have been pretty spoiled where I am at now. The lake that I keep my boat on is crystal clean and my dock is covered. No sun damage to my canvas and gelgoat and the bottom paint will last 5-6 years. One coat of wax will last me all year as well. I imagine keeping your boat in the water in an uncovered slip on the coast takes it's toll on canvas, gelcoat and bottom paint. This is why I was wondering if dry stack storage is a good lesser expensive alternative.
 
Mambodave,
I am going to have my 320 brought down to Charleston next spring for a trip down the ICW...is navigating around Charleston really difficult with GPS? I would think it would be pretty well marked? I was thinking of having the boat dropped at Patriots Point or City Marina...any suggestions? We are thinking about maybe heading to Georgetown or down to Savannah. Thanks!
 
Miller said:
Mambodave,
I am going to have my 320 brought down to Charleston next spring for a trip down the ICW...is navigating around Charleston really difficult with GPS? I would think it would be pretty well marked? I was thinking of having the boat dropped at Patriots Point or City Marina...any suggestions? We are thinking about maybe heading to Georgetown or down to Savannah. Thanks!
Click to expand...


Some markers missing, low tide is rough, high tide still stay in the channel. LOTS of shoals....
Lot of guys have radar around here to identify the markers. Cant drop at patriots point (no ramp) closest ramp is Remly's Point, but your boat is too big for that ramp. Will you float it off, or need a sling? City Boat Yard can put in for you, but its not cheap.
 
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