Charleston Boating World?

[rbyham]

Considering moving to Charleston SC in a couple months. Looks like a great spot for a boater but I was looking for input from those who know the area. I see nearby Santee lakes, the river system and obviously the ocean but can others talk to me about options for a 22' Larson Hampton that has always been a freshwater boat...

 

[rbyham]

Re: Charleston Boating World?

Looks like nobody from Charleston on these forums... or maybe it is not the boating community it appears to be. Curious as a trailerable freshwter pocket cruisier who like fishing, tubing grands, and boat camping, where in Charleston I could do those activities? Thanks again...

 

[StitchSC]

Re: Charleston Boating World?

I cant really help you with the freshwater aspect down here as i am exclusively salt water, but here is a link to a charleston sc forum that may be able to.

 

[StitchSC]

Re: Charleston Boating World?

uh....forgot the link....

http://www.city-data.com/forum/charleston-area/

 

[Krichbourg]

Re: Charleston Boating World?

There is no lack of places to do any of the things you talk about. Tubing, skiing, fishing or just cruising. As a kid, growing up around here, we skied in the Stono River all the time. Fishing is good in the inland waterways as well as out in the ocean. I tend to stay inland. I am re-discovering the area myself. Moved away for a while but now I'm back. The only boat camping I've done was via canoe along the Santee river but I'm sure there are many places. There are lots of good public boat ramps all over the area, some more crowded than others. I prefer to stay away from crowded areas but there are several places where people regularly raft up and socialize if that's what you like. I wish I could be more specific, but I'm relearning the area myself. There are plenty of areas to do all the stuff you mentioned. Hope this helps.

 

[rbyham]

Re: Charleston Boating World?

Thanks all. I am here for the weekend house hunting. Very impressed. Water and boating opps are majorly diverse. Should be fun!

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: Charleston Boating World?

It's a major boating area. Great variety of boating, from cruising to tubing to fishing. Nice to have a boat that does all three.

Try to find a place to keep the boat in the water and you will use it a lot more; if not a dry slip (trailer parking at a ramp). You will love life a whole lot more.

Switching from lake to coastal, you will need to understand tides and currents (and they aren't the same) and know that wind blowing against the current is choppy. The bottoms are inconsistent (sometimes shallow in open water, deep in narrow) with lots of shifting sand bars, as well as mud flats and oyster rocks. The good news is that the soft bottom is forgiving--but get a SS prop.

Get on a local fishing forum if you want the real 411.

No point now in talking about what kind of boat is best suited there since you already have one, but look around so that when you are ready to replace yours you'll have some ideas.

http://www.tidalfish.com/forums/forumdisplay.php/13-South-Carolina-Angler

 

[robert graham]

Re: Charleston Boating World?

Lots of boating in Charleston area...Ashley and Cooper Rivers are tidal, brackish, fairly busy shipping/commercial traffic, lots to see. Stono River better for skiing, tubing, recreational boating, barrier islands/ocean is within a couple of miles for saltwater fishing, beaches, etc. Plenty of nice public boat ramps. Most folks love Charleston. Good Luck!

 

[Samvq1]

Re: Charleston Boating World?

Lake Moultrie is a short drive away. It is a very large lake and it can get pretty crowded on the weekends. I haven't been there in quite a few years. I can't remember the river but there is a lock into the lake.

 

[nlain]

Re: Charleston Boating World?

I am not from there, just a little South, but I know there have be several trips made up that went from the Lake Moultrie area to Charleston and back by water. I wanted to go on one of them but could not make it. I can say, get some good charts of the waters as well as a GPS with charts, depthfinder/fishfinder and enjoy. One thing we tell new boaters in this area, Ga and SC, is to travel the rivers carefully at low tide to see what is out there under the water at high tide, you also get to spot the structure that may hold the fish.

 

[captain zac]

Re: Charleston Boating World?

Lake Murray would be one of the best freshwater fishing in the area for striper
They hold large pro tour. here
1.5 hrs from CHS

 

[nosaj]

Re: Charleston Boating World?

Sorry so late to this party. We moved here from Alabama this past December.

Boating is great, but you do have to be cautious to other boaters like anywhere else. Seems like daddy warbucks sends all his teenage kids out with his boat and beer every weekend.

We play in the Wando, and usually go up the intercoastal to one of the beaches on the barrier islands - Dewee's, Caper's or Bull's. You also have the Cooper.

Chas Harbor is pretty rough after 2pm or so.

On the other end, you have the Wapoo and Ashley rivers, as well as Folly Beach and Kiawah.

We came from lake boating, so this was all very new to us. It took me a month and a good anchor to finally be comfortable in the currents, winds, etc.

There are plenty of boat ramps, but most of them suck at low tide. We use IOP marina as well as the one on Hwy 41 at the Wando.

I explored the Moultrie, but did not really enjoy it. We are going to Lake Murray in 2 weeks for a long weekend. I am hoping it is as clear as some of the lakes were in Alabama.

 

[rbyham]

Re: Charleston Boating World?

Thanks all. I am back from Charleston house hunting. Looks like we will land in the West Ashley area for a home. Looking for info on waters to play in (grands tubing, fishing, cruising). Actually still looking for a boat as well. Thought I had it all set to grab the Larson 220 but the deal did not go through. Probably for the best anyway as that boat had been lifelong fresh water. With house hunting the sudden priority, we plan to wait getting settled in Charleston to restart the boat search there.Thinking to purchase a boat in like September/October range. In meantime will be researching best waters, marinas, and ramps in the West Ashley are. Thanks for any input that comes my way.

 

[rbyham]

Re: Charleston Boating World?

My boat shopping to date tells me we want a pocket/express cruiser. I see that design as best of cruising/fishing/tubing world. But it seems Charleston presents a challenge in that that boat is almost always I/O which to hear it is not the best fresh/salt/brackish solution. Plus Craigslist and local boat yards are better stocked with center console OB fishing or offshore boats. Plus I have always wanted to learn to sail and Charleston appears almost ideal for sailing. So anyway, current quandry is right type boat for us in Charleston and how to find it. Thnx

 

[rbyham]

Re: Charleston Boating World?

Still in moving process. Hope to be in Charleston by Christmas at latest. Still doing internet research to learn more about the area. Currently I have two questions:

1. Inland in Georgia we do not deal with meanies like sharks and gators. But I see both in Charleston waters. When people talk about "playing" in these waters are they concerned about the dangers to tubers/skiers?

2. I am a guy who likes to make a nickel scream. I agree that kept in water gets the most use of a boat. If I settle in the West Ashely area what is my most cost effective (cheapest) option for keeping in water if I end up 25-28 feet? How about dry store? I had a great option in Georgia of covered dry store self-launch 100' from ramp for $50/month. Any way to come close to that in West Ashley/Charleston?

Thanks...

 

[rbyham]

Re: Charleston Boating World?

Any of the fine Charleston folks here want to interact with question #2 above? Thanks!

 

[Lyle29464]

Re: Charleston Boating World?

Loading a 28 foot boat at low tide will mean you really need to have your act together. The only storage area near a ramp I know of is 10 miles inland. Many dry storage places with lots of room. (I used to own one) It would be a short drive from the West area to most of the dry storage marinas. Most of the mini warehouses have space for boats. Look me up where you get to Charleston. I have spent many years in the water. ( yup years) Let me know how many people you plan to take out and I will make some suggestions.

Lyle

 

[nosaj]

Re: Charleston Boating World?

Sharks and gators - Have not seen a shark in the waters we boat in - intercoastal and the ocean inlets. I know they are there, but have not seen any. Have not seen any gators in the Wando which is where we do tubing. Have friends that see them in the Ashley all the time.

Storage - I would seriously suggest you do research and find out what it will take to store your boat. We are in Mt Pleasant, and you will never find anything close to 50 a month near the water. Dry stack for that size a boat will run you upwards of $5,000 per year. A wet slip would be more. I pay 2000 a year for covered storage plus access to a boat ramp. I also pay an additional 300 per year to put in at IOP Marina.

The CHS area is much more expensive that anything you are used to.

 

[rbyham]

Re: Charleston Boating World?

Sounds like I need to be in market for something I can launch when needed and store in yard... too bad... Lanier in GA had several nice. Covered storage places where u launch your own for $50/m or call ahead launch for $15/call... I don't need to go THAT low but $300/m would be out of range... was hoping for like wet 150/m 22-24' boat.

As to gators... so they are seen? And people still "play" in these waters. That will be an adjustment...