Advice for ports sailing south along the east coast.

[DockDoc]

Originally Posted by Steve Bean

Every place has cool history when you dig for it.

I feel an archeology joke is in here somewhere.

[Cadence]

Originally Posted by DockDoc

Normally we would be heading out across the gulf and going south to Nassau this time of year, but there isn't any "normal" this year.

Our plan now is to leave the Chesapeak and plunk our way down the east coast to Cape Canaveral seeing the sights on the way.

I am looking at stops at Beaufort NC, a familiar port to me, Charleston SC, also familiar, and then Savannah which we have never stopped at, continuing to Cape Canaveral which I spent a few hours fueling and provisioning one time.

We are 42 long, 26 feet wide, 4.5 foot draw, and 69 foot air draft. Can I get some recommendations on places to pull in, between the above listed, please?

I don't need fancy marina's and amenities, just places that might have natural beauty, cool history, or just a safe place to anchor and get a rest.

I thank you all in advance.

Cheers,

SV Fernweh

McClellanville between Beaufort, NC and Charleston is a nice unspoiled small town. Fresh shrimp and Bull's Bay oysters available, either at the dock or the restaurant.

[grandmaR]

I don't know how much visiting you are going to want to do that isn't within walking distance of the marina - but. From Beaufort N.C. you can visit Harker's Island, Morehead City (which is more for motor yachts than sailboats) and if you are early enough you might could get a boat out to Cape Lookout.


If you went in Bogue Inlet you could go right up to Swansboro, and then from there you could go all the way down the ICW through Camp Lejeune to the New River Inlet. (It's an experience)


The next place is the Cape Fear River - not only can you visit Southport and Bald Head, but you can also sail up the river to Wilmington N.C. Also there is a ferry from Southport to Fort Fisher which is a Historic site and there is also one of the NC aquariums.


If you go in the Little River inlet, there is the town of Calabash and then there are two swing bridges before you get to Barefoot Landing. You'd have to backtrack though as I don't think you can go all the way through the Rockpile


I have never been into Murrell's Inlet (we are always in the Waccamaw River at that point), but if you go there, the thing to see is Brookgreen Gardens.


Winyah Bay is a good inlet and you can go up to Georgetown, SC which is a nice town. From here, the ICW doesn't have any bridges all the way down to McClellanville which is a shrimp boat port with a little museum and a lot of live oak trees hung with Spanish moss. there are numerous inlets all along the coast - I think you's have to go back out before Isle of Palms because there are a couple of bridges between there and Charleston


You can go in South Edisto Sound and go right down to Beaufort, S.C. which is a lovely historic town. I like it better than Beaufort N.C.



Port Royal Sound is the next good inlet. Hilton Head is south of it and Hunting Island is north. Parris Island and Port Royal are straight ahead.



Savannah River is next - you go past Tybee


We usually stay in Thunderbolt, but I don't think you can get there from the Savannah River - you would have to come in the Wilmington River.


After the first two times, we always went outside from Charleston to the St. Mary's River because going through Georgia was a PITA. We do like to visit Jekyll Island, and you might also like St. Simon's. If you come in to Jekyll Creek, you can stay at the marina there by the bridge and then just sail down the ICW past Cumberland Island to either St. Mary's Georgia and/or Fernandina Beach.

[JasonS]

Cumberland
Fernandina Beach
St Augustine
Palm Beach
Ft Lauderdale
Miami
FL Keys

[zstine]

Wrightsville is very nice. easy in-out

[svfinlandia]

Originally Posted by grandmaR

I don't know how much visiting you are going to want to do that isn't within walking distance of the marina - but. From Beaufort N.C. you can visit Harker's Island, Morehead City (which is more for motor yachts than sailboats) and if you are early enough you might could get a boat out to Cape Lookout.

If you went in Bogue Inlet you could go right up to Swansboro, and then from there you could go all the way down the ICW through Camp Lejeune to the New River Inlet. (It's an experience)

The next place is the Cape Fear River - not only can you visit Southport and Bald Head, but you can also sail up the river to Wilmington N.C. Also there is a ferry from Southport to Fort Fisher which is a Historic site and there is also one of the NC aquariums.

If you go in the Little River inlet, there is the town of Calabash and then there are two swing bridges before you get to Barefoot Landing. You'd have to backtrack though as I don't think you can go all the way through the Rockpile

I have never been into Murrell's Inlet (we are always in the Waccamaw River at that point), but if you go there, the thing to see is Brookgreen Gardens.

Winyah Bay is a good inlet and you can go up to Georgetown, SC which is a nice town. From here, the ICW doesn't have any bridges all the way down to McClellanville which is a shrimp boat port with a little museum and a lot of live oak trees hung with Spanish moss. there are numerous inlets all along the coast - I think you's have to go back out before Isle of Palms because there are a couple of bridges between there and Charleston

You can go in South Edisto Sound and go right down to Beaufort, S.C. which is a lovely historic town. I like it better than Beaufort N.C.

Port Royal Sound is the next good inlet. Hilton Head is south of it and Hunting Island is north. Parris Island and Port Royal are straight ahead.

Savannah River is next - you go past Tybee

We usually stay in Thunderbolt, but I don't think you can get there from the Savannah River - you would have to come in the Wilmington River.

After the first two times, we always went outside from Charleston to the St. Mary's River because going through Georgia was a PITA. We do like to visit Jekyll Island, and you might also like St. Simon's. If you come in to Jekyll Creek, you can stay at the marina there by the bridge and then just sail down the ICW past Cumberland Island to either St. Mary's Georgia and/or Fernandina Beach.

I think it that you did not notice that his last height is 69 feet. That keeps him from getting through several places that you mentioned with 65 foot bridges.

Al, S/V Finlandia

[svfinlandia]

Recite logged me out again before I can finish typing in my reply, but I have posted this time and pasted my pasted my reply.
Here it is, and I hope logged me out before I get a chance to send it this Most of the above is very good advice. However, I believe that everyone left out some very good overnight anchorages in other inlets.
I single-hand and therefore try not to run more than 10 or 12 hours at a time without pulling off somewhere to rest.
The following are inlets that I have used. I have a 6 foot draft so with your draft you should have no trouble at all getting in and out, just watch your charts and mind the tides.
Starting from Beaufort, NC The first inlet that I have used is Masonboro. There is a good anchorage just inside to starboard. Southport, NC is an easy trip from there or you can head straight on to little river inlet on the North Carolina, South Carolina line. There is another good anchorage just inside to starboard again. Charleston, SC would be the next stop.
From Charleston there is St. Helena sound or on down to Port Royal sound. Port Royal Sound will take you up to Beaufort, South Carolina. It is a nice town and you will see Hilton Head Island and Paris Island on the way, Or if you just want to anchor for the night there is a very lovely anchorage to starboard up Station Creek.
The next inlet is St. Catherines Sound. Once you get inside the inlet there is a good anchorage to port in Wahlberg Creek.
The next inlet is St. Simmons Sound at Brunswick GA. If you go in there be aware that there is a RORO sunk just inside the channel, but I am sure it is well marked since they are disassembling it the last thing I heard.
Someone mentioned Jekyll Island and it is very good stop, but I don’t think your mast will fit under the ICW bridge. You could go in the next inlet south, St. Andrew Sound, and backtrack up to the bridge. There is the small anchorage there just before you get to the bridge and a good marina right across from it.
Next would be Cumberland sound, also known as St. Marys inlet. Cumberland Island is a good place to visit and the town of St. Mary’s is very boater friendly with a nice anchorage.
The next major inlet is the St. Johns River at Jacksonville, FL. After that is St. Augustine, which has already been mentioned, and then there is Ponce De Leon inlet just south of Daytona, but unfortunately there is a 65 foot bridge between Ponce inlet and Daytona.
Next would be in Port Canaveral. There is no anchorage there, but there are several Marinas with fuel. Fort Pierce would be next. It’s a good stopover with a good anchorage just inside the inlet to starboard.
Study your charts and Pay attention to the tides and currents and you will have no trouble with any of the above inlets.

Al, S/V Finlandia

[svfinlandia]

Well, it scrambled the first part but it looks like it went through. I think you will get the message after the first couple of paragraphs.
Don’t know why I’m having so much trouble with the site this time. Maybe a lot of traffic on the web because of the elections in the US.

Al, S/v Finlandia

[GRIT]

Are they having an election in the usa?

Cheers.
Paul.

[DockDoc]

Just got home from work and read thru the posts. Great stuff, thank you all so much.

[bluedotvoyages]

We recently did a webinar on this for SSCA, covering all SC and GA coastal ports - you can download the presentation here. We tend to prefer the less inhabited areas as well.
There are also plenty of pics and videos if you wanted to get a feel for some of them before you go. Have a great trip!

https://bluedotvoyages.com/ssca-pres...ing-locations/

[Moontide]

Couple more suggestions for you.


If you don't need fuel or provisions I prefer Lookout Bight over Morehead/Beaufort NC. Very protected with long empty beaches. Much easier to find a spot to anchor and quiet.



Wrightville Beach, NC. Good anchorage, 15 min from Wilmington airport and home to my favorite Mexican restaurant (Tower 7). Plenty of room to anchor and several marinas serving transients.



Also inside the mouth of the St Mary's river just north of the Florida state line. Good protected anchorage and large nature park. Wild horses come down to the beach in the mornings. The US missile subs are based upstream and you might get to watch the show if one is coming or going. Serious CG escort for these guys.



I noticed a mention of the Canaveral Locks. I did go inside one time. Have air draft of 71' but figure 75' with antennas. Power lines looked close and the bridge operator said not a lot of clearance, but apparently enough. This was couple of years ago. (I thought my chart mentioned 85' for the power lines.



St Augustin is also a good one.



If you want to do all day hops PM me and I can get you a spreadsheet with all the distances. The only overnight I do is around Hatteras, unless it is getting too cold.

[Stmurray62]

Try Amelia Island, aka Fernandina Beach.

[skipgundlach]

Amen to Charleston (anchor opposite the aircraft carrier near the Avenel bridge).

Nobody's mentioned Beaufort SC; it's awesome, though you'll have to anchor some way downstream due to the standard bridge...

[Captain Graham]

I would recommend New Bern NC.
It is the first capital of NC and where Pepsi was invented.
You can dock and walk to the small downtown area.

A 2nd location is Wrightsville beach NC.
They have a free anchorage with a city dock with an outdoor freshwater shower.
https://paddling.com/paddle/location...-public-docks/