Charleston, SC Anchorages

[Holding Pattern]

We've been in and out of Charleston multiple times and have come to despise the anchorage in front of the city & marina... has anyone found good anchorage in the Cooper River? I don't see much but, then again...
Any good suggestions from locals or somoene who knows the area better?
I'm also thinking about the commercial anchorage E of town simply for the swinging room.
Any local spots we are missing?

[Vasco]

I like the anchorage by City Marina. If you anchor in the south end by the range targets it's fine. There's a bit over six feet at low tide there. If you want a quiet anchorage go south under the Wahpoo (sp) bridge and anchor behind the little island on the left. Go in hugging the shore where the condos are. Very quiet. We used to anchor here the night before heading south to beat the Wahpoo bridge restrictions in the morning.

[Maren]

Originally Posted by Holding Pattern

We've been in and out of Charleston multiple times and have come to despise the anchorage in front of the city & marina... has anyone found good anchorage in the Cooper River? I don't see much but, then again...

There is the aptly named Cooper River marina. It has deep water drafts and no height restrictions; 30 and 50 amp service. It's also 15 minutes away by car from downtown and really out of the way. But as a driver you really need to know how to get there as you pass through the naval base to get to the marina. If you get a taxi, plan on the driver thinking you are luring him to his death.

Most of the working is on the Cooper the pleasure is on the Ashley. Boats that is, not ... nevermind.

If your mast is less that 55 ft (plus about 4 ft if you time the tides) you can get to the Ashley Marina and Ripley Light Marinas

There is also the Charleston Municipal Marina which is near the City. The good thing about them is they are close to downtown and the busses run ever 15 min or so. All of these are 50 amp.

West of peninsular Charleston is Wappoo creek. There is an anchorage there too. I don't know too much about it

[GordMay]

From Tom Dove’s Intracoastal Waterway guide:
Tom Dove Home Page

MILE 462, SC - BEN SAWYER BRIDGE
Monitor VHF 13 and check the morning and evening opening restrictions. The marina just south of the bridge is convenient and friendly while you wait for repairs to the bridge mechanism. Inlet Creek at mile 461 is a good layover point north of the Ben Sawyer. Watch for shoaling for about a mile north of the bridge. (Crescendo, Freedom)

MILE 464, SC - COOPER RIVER
It might be possible to anchor off the city park under the I-526 fixed bridge. There is a little dock where one could come in by dinghy, and there are bathrooms which are open during the day. However, there is a lot of current in the river and not much shelter from wind at this point, although there isn't as much commercial traffic as lower down. There is nothing in the way of shopping facilities near this park. (Rosalieann)

MILE 469, SC - CHARLESTON HARBOR
Good anchorages in the Ashley River are adjacent to the USCG, before the Municipal Marina and to port, next to the 55' bridge at the marina. Holding is good, but current is swift. Both Ashley and Municipal marinas have dinghy docks and the municipal marina may have rental moorings, There's a courtesy car for slipholders at Ashley marina. Motel available. Ashley Marina runs an on-demand shuttle bus from about 8am to 9pm, and will take transient tenants to and from the marina, and between shopping, dining, and tourist spots. (Freedom, Rosalieann, Butter, Dory)

MILE 471, SC - WAPPOO CREEK
15 feet of water if you stay close to the main shore behind this marshy island (approach from N only) just south of the drawbridge. Strong current but good shelter from wind. Purple martins keep the bug population under control. Dinghy ashore for easy access to groceries and a bar/grill. The bridge is restricted 0630-0900 on weekdays.(Crescendo, Freedom, Dory)

MILE 472, SC - ELLIOTT CUT NAVIGATION NOTE
The water really rips through between Wappoo Creek and the Stono River; expect five knots. Try to hit this spot with a favorable current and do give a call on VHF 13 and 16 before entering; it's hazardous to meet another vessel here. Turbulent water has taken a toll on the sides of the cut, with homes on the shore trying their best to hold their real estate. (Crescendo, Freedom, Luv It)

Anchor between ICW and Buzzard's Roost marina. Plenty of room. (Windchime)

[Holding Pattern]

HAH! The anchorage in front of the USCG station sucks... the percentage of local/abandoned boats is extreme (2/3 of the anchorage at least) and many of them are on wicked scope.
We gave in and found a spot there, though (laundry needs outweigh comfort) but opposing wind and current often puts boats either together or too close. 7 foot tides, 15-20 foot @ high, you do the math on scope, then look at the chart and take away 2/3 of the area for abandoned sails...not to mention that all the local speedboats play TRON through the anchorage.
Marinas are out of the question, at $2+ per foot per night the kitty would get real skinny real quick...we're waiting on the next window to get to Cape Fear or Beaufort, NC...

[ssullivan]

Originally Posted by Holding Pattern

HAH! The anchorage in front of the USCG station sucks... the percentage of local/abandoned boats is extreme (2/3 of the anchorage at least) and many of them are on wicked scope.
We gave in and found a spot there, though (laundry needs outweigh comfort) but opposing wind and current often puts boats either together or too close. 7 foot tides, 15-20 foot @ high, you do the math on scope, then look at the chart and take away 2/3 of the area for abandoned sails...not to mention that all the local speedboats play TRON through the anchorage.
Marinas are out of the question, at $2+ per foot per night the kitty would get real skinny real quick...we're waiting on the next window to get to Cape Fear or Beaufort, NC...

Come on up to Beaufort. The weather's fine. (Ok, actually, it's not... ha ha) There is a front coming through and seas are kind of iffy.