Marinas in Georgia, SC, NC for 3-4 month stay

[dcareri]

After spending 5 years in the Caribbean, we're heading to the east coast in late June.

I'm working my way through Dockwa and other sources looking at marinas north of Brunswick, GA and south of Wilmington NC. that can accommodate our 27' beam and 77' mast height for a 3 or 4 month stay on our 45' cat.

Obviously, there are a lot of marinas in the target area but though I'd reach out to anyone with personal experiences and recommendations they'd like to share.

Thanks in advance for helping to make my research easier.

[SailingHarmonie]

We liked the safe harbor marina in Charleston. No low bridges, and the city is fun to walk with outstanding restaurants. They have a very long face dock. Well run, well maintained.

[ranger58sb]

We stayed once at Beaufort (NC) City Docks and there was a big cat on the outside during that period...

-Chris

[gonesail]

Brunswick Landing marina in GA has plenty of big cats there. But summers are tough and buggy there.

[Tin Tin]

Thunderbolt Marina is nice and takes big cats.

[Rhubarbx3]

Dallas Bluff Marina Sapelo Sound GA call Del 9128325116

[Scrimshaw4]

I second the recommendation for Brunswick Landing Marina. Great atmosphere, secure and very reasonable. Since you'll be there during the "Season" it's also a good hurricane hole. Safe Harbor in Charleston can get rocky with wake action and it's pricey. Thnderbolt is a bit remote for services and right on the river.

[AA3JY]

Originally Posted by gonesail

Brunswick Landing marina in GA has plenty of big cats there. But summers are tough and buggy there.

Along with a recent announced increase in slip rates and most Marinas don’t charge 23 cents a kilowatt/hour like BLM does.

[Scrimshaw4]

While .23/KWH might seem high, drawing 40 amps continuously for 24 hrs. equates to approx. $26.50/day. That's a lot of air conditioning running continuously. (1 amp = .12kwh) Compare that to the cost of running a diesel generator for 24 hrs. per day at .25 gal. per hour with diesel at $5/g providing 26 amps per hour =$30/day. Just sayin ....

[AA3JY]

Originally Posted by Scrimshaw4

While .23/KWH might seem high, drawing 40 amps continuously for 24 hrs. equates to approx. $26.50/day. That's a lot of air conditioning running continuously. (1 amp = .12kwh) Compare that to the cost of running a diesel generator for 24 hrs. per day at .25 gal. per hour with diesel at $5/g providing 26 amps per hour =$30/day. Just sayin ....

How else are they to pay for all that supposed free beer and washing that they market as 'Free'..along with their $24.00/month 'Environmental fee' to dispose of all that 'Free Beer'.:>

[dcareri]

Thanks for all the info so far. I think the bug situation at Brunswick will keep us from going there. Top of the list so far looks to be Charleston Harbor Resort, Palmetto Bay on Hilton head, and Safe Harbor Charlestown next in line.

[gonesail]

also if in SC area you could check out St. Johns Yacht Harbor on Johns Island.

[flightlead404]

Originally Posted by dcareri

Thanks for all the info so far. I think the bug situation at Brunswick will keep us from going there. Top of the list so far looks to be Charleston Harbor Resort, Palmetto Bay on Hilton head, and Safe Harbor Charlestown next in line.

Look at safe harbor skull creek in Hilton head

[caradow]

I just spent 3 months at BLM last summer. Have been in a lot of marinas up and down the east coast.

IMHO I think BLM sets the standard for other marinas to follow.
First of all I really did not have any problems with bugs. Maybe the person that complained about that was there before they started spraying more.
Also despite having AC on my boat I did not run it all the time. Anyway you stated you just spent 5 years in the Caribbean.

The most important thing it is a real hurricane hole. Just be aware that several boats sunk in Charleston Harbor with the storm that came through last year.

My dislikes about the place is that any day sailing is a real effort with a 5 mile truck to open water. Those black birds in the fall when the acorns are blooming are a real pest. Now and then there is a smell from the local industry and nearby sewage station.

I chose BLM because safety was my greatest concern!
Compared to damaging your boat from a storm these stated issues are very minor.
When I was leaving they had all 600 of their slips filled with 200 people on their waiting list.

[AA3JY]

I know of at least a dozen old time slip holders have left due to recent changes to slip rate increases and the way they charge/billing.. heard a rumor of charging 1000 dollars for a weeks stay and this was to a former employee..