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Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums

General Sailing Forum

cruising coastal south carolina

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Chip Hunt
Navigator

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120 Posts

Initially Posted - 10/27/2003 : 12:36:52

i have an 84 model c25 fk/tr called 'slowly but maybe.' most of the sailing i do is in and just outside of charleston harbor. we have great sailing here, and due to the mild winters, we can sail year-round. this past spring, i took a 4 day sailing trip in the area. all told, we put about fifty miles under the keel, about half of it under sail, the other half was spent motoring up the stono river and in the ICW. we basically circumnavigated james island. i am posting because i know of at least 2 other c25 owners here in charleston, and i was hoping to get some of their stories (or anyone else's for that matter) about weekend sailing/cruising trips here in this area. i am basically looking for ideas for another similar cruise. anyone have any such stories? i also think that reading about other short cruises taken by members of this forum are very intersting, so post away if you would!

84 c25 fk/tr
Slowly but Maybe

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ddlyle
Captain

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302 Posts

Response Posted - 10/27/2003 : 18:01:01

Hi Chip,
I live in Hilton Head and sail just around here.
Charleston would be a stretch for me since I work and usually don't take very many days off.
My wife and I went to Beaufort with our yacht club and spent the night at the downtown marina and sailed back here the next day.
whoopee ... big trip.
But it was fun.
I saw your post about SC so I figured I should respond.
I think there are some others in your area.
Hope you find them and can arrange an outing.
I prefer day sailing and personally don't feel like "camping"
on my boat more than a night or two.
We had a great cool breeze the one night we slept on our boat
so it was very comfortable and there were no bugs (thanks to the breeze).
If you're ever in Hilton Head ... look me up.

Edited by - on

mtiffee
1st Mate

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USA
57 Posts

Response Posted - 10/27/2003 : 19:42:38

Rockville makes a nice 3 day weekend. Depending on the wind, tide, and waves, it can take anywhere from 6 - 10 hours to make the trip offshore. (The C-25 doesn't seem to do well to windward fighting 4 foot swells in only 10kts- you might have to motor sail if that's the case.) Stay a day around rockville, and return on day 3.

If you want, you can return via the ICW. If you plan it right, there is a tidal "hill" at the 1/2 way mark. It's a 7-8 hour motor trip if you ride the flood tide to that hill and ride the ebb tide away from that hill. There is a chart that shows James Island to Edisto which includes the ICW route back. I did this trip in a MacGregor a few years ago for the rockville regatta.

If you just want an easy overnight spot, I love to anchor on the backside of Morris Island. (Between the Island and Fort Sumpter) There's a great little cove in there. Just bring the bug spray. I've stayed on the boat and I've also camped there in a tent.

If I read your post right, I assume you sailed out of the harbor, south along morris island, and the entered the mouth of the stono and motored up the stono to wappoo cut and back to the harbor.. ?? Is that right? I haven't entered the stono river from the Atlantic, heard it's pretty shifty and shallow? Is there a channel marked? Why did your trip take 4 days?? where did you stay? That trip could easily be done in 1 day, or 2 with an overnight stop.

You're right about the winter, it's the best time for sailing because of the strong winds after a front passes, but it can still get pretty darn cold and wet with the spray.

Where do you keep your boat?

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Chip Hunt
Navigator

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120 Posts

Response Posted - 10/28/2003 : 09:46:19

yes, we went out of the jetties, down morris and folly islands, and then into the mouth of the stono. yes, the entrance to the stono is awfully sketchy. at one point, we were about a mile offshore in only 5 feet of water (way too shallow for my tastes, as i have a fin keel drawing 4 feet). we anchored up at the confluence of the kiawah/stono rivers, and spent 2 nights on the hook. we had the dingy with us, and we were able to row to shore (when it wasnt raining, which it did most of the time we were there. the next morning, we motored up to the stono marina and spent the night at the dock, ate at cappy's, had hot showers, etc. the final day we motored up thru the wappoo and into the harbor, raised the sails, and sailed back to the cooper river marina. it was a great trip. the only anxious time was entering the stono from the sea. the route is marked by bouys, but the tide dead low at the time we entered, thus the 5 foot depth. if i were to do it again (and i would), i would make sure the tide was higher before i tried to enter the stono.

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mtiffee
1st Mate

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USA
57 Posts

Response Posted - 10/28/2003 : 14:08:34

I might have to give that route a try, if there are bouys at the mouth of the stono. I have the wing keel, so I have a bit more breathing room.

My boat is at the Cooper River Marina as well, "Mae J" is on her transom, slip D8. Oh, and she's for sale! :-) I just recenty bought a J/24.

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Chip Hunt
Navigator

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120 Posts

Response Posted - 10/29/2003 : 09:32:56

im in slip d 19 at the CRM.

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Dave Bristle
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
10005 Posts

Response Posted - 10/29/2003 : 11:53:49

One observation about tides... If you wait for dead high to approach a river mouth, and then run aground due to some shoaling that may have happened in a recent storm, it can only go from bad to worse. Low to flood tide is less risky, and mid-flood is probably best (unless you're a swinger). In known trouble spots like that, it can be worthwhile to call a local marina for conditions and advice before you leave.

Around here, with 7-9' tides, ledge rock, and boulders, we really have to plan ahead!

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arlingva
Navigator

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USA
116 Posts

Response Posted - 11/06/2003 : 22:21:45

I grew up on James Island and went in and out of the Stono Inlet frequently in a power boat. I would NEVER DO IT IN A SAILBOAT with a keel unless I was following a shrimp boat that did it every day. You have been warned!

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The Officers, Staff and members of this site only provide information based upon the concept that anyone utilizing this information does so at their own risk and holds harmless all contributors to this site.