Reviews from Brenda Sanderson (16)

Anchorage Review for Piddler Island

Reviewed by: Brenda Sanderson, Last Chance, on Nov 8, 2023
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 45'
Draft: 4.0'

Stopped here late in the day not knowing if our nearby once favorite Rockhouse anchorage is still cluttered with derelict sailboats. Was pleasantly surprised there was area enough for several boats to anchor. There is a permanent sail cat anchored on the WG anchor symbol nearby was okay. Wakes weren't too bad since it is across from marinas with a slow zone. Dinghy to Off the Hooks or Down the Hatch restaurants. Fuel is available within sight. Would definitely stay here again. Review based on entering from north off ICW and returning southbound to ICW, not the actual ocean inlet.

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Anchorage Review for Bull Creek - Daufuskie Island

Reviewed by: Brenda Sanderson, Last Chance, on Nov 1, 2023
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 45'
Draft: 4.0'

Very secluded stop convenient to the ICW. We went half way between the designated anchor symbol and the Inner Bull symbol to get more wind protection during a cold front in late October. Make sure you have current depth info as there are very deep holes and shallow areas within a few feet of one another. Tour boats go by in fair weather as does small fishing boats but calm after sunset. Excellent T-Mobile coverage and TV reception. This creek can hold several boats along a mile or so up from the ICW. Enjoyable surroundings with decent wind protection.

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Marina Review for Jennings Boatyard Inc.

Reviewed by: Brenda Sanderson , Last Chance, on Oct 21, 2023
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 45'
Draft: 4.0'

Rating: 4

Solid 4 stars for what it is and price. which is a working DIY boat yard that takes in transients as well as long term tenants. The small marina has aging floating docks so you need to watch your footing at night. At a buck a foot plus electric you get clean bathrooms and a really nice free laundry. Staff is friendly when they are around. A great feature of Jennings Boatyard is that if you get no answer on the phone, you can still come self service and leave a check or cash in the drop box. Great for after hours arrival. Fair WiFi and cell signal. Dinghy to nearby restaurants or 15 minute walk to Leadbellies restaurant next door.

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Marina Review for Top Rack Marina

Reviewed by: Brenda Sanderson , Last Chance, on Jun 7, 2022
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 45'
Draft: 4.0'

Rating: 3

One of our regular stops twice a year migrating on the ICW. See our previous review. Had to drop a star due to new rate structure. No more free overnight dockage without power and now $75 w/o electric and $90 with electric. No drinking water except at fuel dock so no rinsing salt off boat or easy tank fill up. Still a good and convenient stop, just not a bargain anymore.

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Marina Review for Top Rack Marina

Reviewed by: Brenda Sanderson , Last Chance, on Nov 2, 2021
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 45'
Draft: 4.0'

Rating: 4

Top Rack Marina is one of our regular stops but their main business is being a boatel for rack stored boats. Usually competitive fuel, convenient to stage the lock and draw bridge combo at Great Bridge and attractive price at $60/night which includes electric. Slips are available first come, first served. Floating docks with Ipe wood (pronounced ee-pay) perpendicular to the ICW channel provide super easy docking. Lots of new young staff but very polite and attentive. Top Rack mostly does not monitor or respond to VHF radio calls. During our four day stay in late October we saw a couple of boats hail for fuel and then passed on by. Good wi-fi. This place gives you a great opportunity to save money over the downtown marinas if you don't want to spend time in town.

While it is an excellent stop, there are some limitations. Water is only available at the fuel docks. The boat business and the Amber Lantern restaurant no longer gives incentives or discounts from using one or the other, other than you can dock for free only while dining but must move on or pay to spend the night. The Amber Lantern has always been a popular linen cloth dinner spot for cruisers.

You will get rocked occasionally form inconsiderate large boats trying to make the lock opening however, the waves or wake are mostly to your bow or stern depending on which way you choose to tie.

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Free Dock Review for Great Bridge Dock #2 (Chesapeake, VA)

Reviewed by: Brenda Sanderson, Last Chance, on Jul 3, 2021
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 45'
Draft: 4.0'

Rating: 4

Free 48 hour county courtesy dock. Part of Great Bridge Battlefield & Waterways Historic Park, managed by Chesapeake, VA Parks and Rec. Fixed docks can handle about 4 – 5 boats if people dock properly and assist others coming in by moving. The 48 hour rule is strictly enforced by some park rangers. Originally it was a 24 hour limit so ignore that bit if you see older reviews. No utilities but walk/bike to grocery store and restaurants. The park is steadily growing with more walks, history markers and visitor center.

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Marina Review for Top Rack Marina

Reviewed by: Brenda Sanderson , Last Chance, on Jul 3, 2021
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 45'
Draft: 4.0'

Rating: 4

We favor Top Rack Marina. Cheap and cheap fuel. It's essentially a boatel but has four slips that can actually fit 45 – 50' vessels. Nice floating docks. First come-first served, no reservations. If you are over 50' ask for the slip next to the diesel pump as it has extra room for you anchor to overhang. $60/night with electric. Potable water only at the fuel dock. They also have about four FREE docks with no elect. power. Super easy as it is literally on the ICW and positioned that the boat wakes hit either bow or stern. The bonus here is the Amber Lantern restaurant. Upscale just a little over fast casual at dinner time.
Would get a 5th star if had water at slips and Wi-Fi. 5G in area.

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Marina Review for R. E. Mayo Seafood Marine Supply

Reviewed by: Brenda Sanderson , Last Chance, on Jul 2, 2021
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 45'
Draft: 4.0'

Rating: 4

MM 157 R.E. Mayo Seafood. Looks like a rough commercial seafood processing plant with a couple of fish and shrimp trawlers. It is. However, they have first come first served docking at the lower south end, about 4 - 6 boats depending on size and a couple of spots at the north end, just don't dock anywhere around building where they fuel and the large commercial trawlers come in to dock. There are some 30 amp electric and some 20 amp outlets scattered about and we usually just take what we can get. No easy drinking water hose hookup.
When docking, be careful as the rustic docks have shards and hardware sticking out. Fender well after docking as inconsiderate cruisers will occasionally rock you. Dirt cheap! Under 50 cents per foot and that includes Wi-Fi. No bathrooms or showers, just an old fashion outhouse. Just walk inside the shop and pay. They have an extensive supply of commercial fishing stuff and parts and filters as well as fresh and fresh frozen seafood for sale. Depending on season, often you can buy fresh shrimp or fish right off the dock before it's processed. Cool T shirts. We have stayed here numerous times and note that Mrs. Potter, the owner, has made dock improvements with overlaying concrete sections over the old.

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Marina Review for Piney Narrows Yacht Haven

Reviewed by: Brenda Sanderson , Last Chance, on Jul 2, 2021
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 45'
Draft: 4.0'

Rating: 5

This marina is one where all 280 slips are privately owned. Owners put their slips up for rental through the marina office and/or privately via Snag-a-slip or other venue. Most of the slips are covered. Fuel and pumpout. Marina is within walking distance to several restaurants and pubs, hotels and motel. A 28 mile paved bike path connects to the marina. Enterprise car rental nearby. Bike to West Marine, Safeway, True Value hardware, Big Lots and farmers market. Marina is gated for security in a protected basin so tidal but no current. Travelift and marine repair onsite.

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Anchorage Review for Awendaw Creek

Reviewed by: Brenda Sanderson, Last Chance, on Jun 22, 2021
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 45'
Draft: 4.0'

Very nice but mostly open. One of our favorite places to drop the hook. Moderately high current but excellent holding. Good fishing and you can run the dinghy to the ocean and beach in a few minutes. Gray clay under sand for super grip holding. Great TV and 5G cell.
We held great through TS Claudette with 40 mph winds recorded on out weather instrument. 80# Mantus was hard to get up it was buried so deep into clay sand.

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Marina Review for Leland Oil Company

Reviewed by: Brenda Sanderson , Last Chance, on Jun 22, 2021
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 45'
Draft: 4.0'

Rating: 4

Just a couple minutes up Jeremy Creek is a competitively priced fuel dock. Newer floating face dock in great shape to starboard side as you are approaching. Hang fenders just above waterline and use your own dock lines. They do allow overnights and have utilities, 50 & 30 amp. Bathrooms with showers. No pumpout. Small, peaceful village. Walk to seafood market that sells local boat catch as well as import and walk to T W Graham & Co restaurant. Super friendly dockhands.
One word of caution, since this is the only dock around, it can fill up on weekends with center console fishing boats so call ahead for space on the dock.

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Anchorage Review for Ramshorn Creek

Reviewed by: Brenda Sanderson, Last Chance, on Jun 20, 2021
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 45'
Draft: 4.0'

Revised 6/20/21. Great all-around anchorage with decent protection from waves and some wind depending on location as there is sporadic tree clumps on northwest shore. Open fetch to southwest but you can go up to but not quite all the way to the first bend for additional north wind break. Excellent swing room and can hold many boats along this lengthy stretch. Don’t be confined by anchor markers although the WG marker is about the best place in most weather situations. Deep water most of the way, go up to bend if desiring shallower water. Cell service but not 5G. Good TV reception. Not really dog friendly. Stayed here three times and always happy. Anchor comes up clean. Extremely easy.

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Anchorage Review for Church Creek - New Cut Landing

Reviewed by: Brenda Sanderson, Last Chance, on Jun 18, 2021
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 45'
Draft: 4.0'

Excellent anchorage with good protection to south by trees and north & east by marsh grass. Moderate current and can hold many boats. Go past private mooring ball. Very nice swing room. Easy on and off ICW. Be careful if you come in at high tide as this area of SC has a large tidal difference and the sides drop down accordingly. I anchor in the middle and it leaves plenty of room for other boats to go around either side. Like other linear anchor creeks, feel free to go in past the WG marker. Not real great current and very good holding. Stayed here multiple time. Not really dog friendly. 5G.

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Anchorage Review for Rockhouse Creek

Reviewed by: Brenda Sanderson, Last Chance, on Jun 12, 2021
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 45'
Draft: 4.0'

Somewhat easy anchorage just off ICW. Caution: I would not use the old anchor symbol from WG. That lies in a narrow busy weekend channel. Aqua Map USACE shows best way in. Favor east side coming off ICW. Favorite of ours and stop at least once each year. Great wave protection but can get some if staying close to ICW. Room for several boats with good holding. Drop the dinghy and run out to the sandbars and beaches just in from the ocean inlet. Good fishing. Remote sandy shore access. Note as of 6/12/21 there are 3 permanent sailboats taking up the prime anchorage real estate.

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Anchorage Review for Addison Point - South of Bridge

Reviewed by: Brenda Sanderson, Last Chance, on Jun 12, 2021
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 45'
Draft: 4.0'

MM 885 Addison Point anchorage. NASA Kenedy Space Center. The four quadrants of the bridge causeway and distant shore provide wind and wave protection, just choose which one works for the wind at hand. These areas are mostly open otherwise. The anchor areas are far enough off the ICW to dissipate the waves. The southeast quad is fantastic for view launches and taking distant photos of the rocket displays.
As far as dog shore access, you have to dinghy into the corners to find sandy spots as the causeway itself is rough rip rap.
Scenic rating is 4 only due to space center views.

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Anchorage Review for Hole in the Wall Island R112

Reviewed by: Brenda Sanderson, Last Chance, on Jun 11, 2021
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 45'
Draft: 4.0'

We stop here at least once each year, coming in from the south side this time as suggested by Alyse. Previously came in from north by Red 110 but that way has a shoaling channel to figure out each time. No need to stick to the anchor symbol as there is plenty of space to move around. Good fishing.

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