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Cruising from Charleston to Lake Moultrie
Treb
Guest
0 post
24-Jul-2008
8:40 AM 		We are interested in cruising from Charleston, SC to Lake Moultrie the week after Christmas (2008). I have reviewed the map on your web site Charleston to Columbia and the information about the Pinopolis Lock.

I was wondering do you know where I might find additional information. I am interested in marinas (with fuel – gas, overnight docking, water, and waste disposal), water depths (currents and tides), restricted areas (hazardous), maps and any pertinent information regarding cruising.

We will be in a 32 foot cruiser with a minimum depth of 3’.

Any suggestion you can recommend would be greatly appreciated.

If you know of other organizations that may be able to supply me with additional information please feel free to forward them this email.

Thanks,

August Moon

1 post
10-Aug-2008
8:59 PM 		Charleston to Santee-Cooper
See my post on Claiborne Young's websight, cruising.net. (I think).. The prettiest part of water on the east coast is north of the CSX Bridge on the West Cooper River. If you need mast clearance, call CSX 24 hours in advance. Charts are published by the SC DNR, and available at most boating stores in Charleston.
From the drawbridge, follow the marked channel through the rice fields, past Mepkin Abby, and up the Tailrace canal. The Gilligans Restaurant, below the Pinopolis Lock, is excellent. They serve SC seafood, and it is worth the stop.
Locking into Lake Moultrie is simple. The lock is open during daylight hours. Pinopolis Lock was the largest (75 Feet lift) at the time it was built. Enter the Lock, tie onto the bulliards, and enjoy the lift.
Lake Moultrie is a huge inland sea. It is over 75,000 acres, and generates its own weather patterns. Although it is somewhat shallow (avg. 20 ft. plus) it is an excellent sailing lake. Follow the marked channel to the diversion canal, which connects Lake Moultrie with Lake Marion.
The Canal Restaurant, on the Diversion Canal, has the best fried catfish in South Carolina. There are also cabins for rent.
The intrepid boater should continue through Lake Marion. For those of us raised in South Carolina, Lake Marion conjures memories of tree stumps, a sunken forest, and hazards. That is no longer the case. Many of the stumps have rotted over the past 40 years, and a cleared navigation channel makes it possible for a vessel drawing less than 6 feet to travel all the way to Columbia, when the Congaree River is running at normal levels.
Follow the marked channel to "Marker 79 Marina" near Vance, SC. Marker 79 Marina is the brain-child of Capt Bill and Beverly Detyons of Charleston. They brought a 150 foot cruise ship up to the Marina from Charleston, so you should not have any problem. Marker 79 Marina offers very reasonable slip rent, a Tiki Bar, live bands, and a family environment. There are bathrooms, a shower, power and water, wi-fi internet, and access to excellent restaurants, golf courses, and what is probably the best "hurricane hole" on the East Coast. Even at the low water levels of last winter, the "deep water" berths kept plenty of water beneath the keel of the 9.2 meter S-2 Sailboat "August Moon". It is definately up-scale, so don't expect the normal, inland "buy bait here" mentality. Marker 79 Marina was designed to provide an alternative for Charleston boaters tired of paying outrageous property taxes and exhorbitant slip rent. It is also drawing interest from sailors from the Columbia area, that are tired of sailing land-locked Lake Murry.
Eventually, Marker 79 will be expanded to accept over 250 slips. With outrageous property taxes on boats in Charleston County, and run-away slip fees, Marker 79 offers an affordable alternative.
By sailboat, it is a full day's cruise from the Ashley Marina to Marker 79 Marina. By power boat, it is the equivilent to a day's cruise to Georgetown or Beufort. It is also a lot prettier. It offers a variety not found on the ICW. The Pinopolis Lock lift is worth the experience.
Orangeburg boaters, who are keeping their craft on the coast, should definately check out Marker 79 Marina on Lake Marion.
I hope to see y'all at the Tiki-Bar. Tell Capt. Bill that you heard it from me.
Larry Salley
S/V August Moon