Bridge comment on Centerville Turnpike (SR 170) Bridge

Comment by: Jane Hawkey, Explorer II, on Apr 21, 2022
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 57'

Contrary to what the Guide says about the bridge tender having the ability to delay the opening for up to 10 minutes for approaching vessels, don't count on it. We were only 5 minutes away and the bridge tender refused to hold the bridge for us. Had to wait another 1/2 hour.

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Bridge comment on Wilkerson (US 264) Bridge

Comment by: Jane Hawkey, Explorer II, on Apr 20, 2022
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 57'

We have air draft of 63.5' so we planned our day, northbound, to arrive at this bridge at low tide (Belhaven tide chart). The clearance board read 64' at low tide! We just squeaked under.

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Bridge comment on Atlantic Beach Bridge

Comment by: Jane Hawkey, Explorer II, on Apr 19, 2022
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 57'

Two hours short of low tide, clearance board reads 65'.

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Bridge comment on B. Cameron Langston Bridge

Comment by: Jane Hawkey, Explorer II, on Apr 19, 2022
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 57'

No clearance boards, north or south!

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Bridge comment on Ocean Hwy. (US 17) Bridge

Comment by: Jane Hawkey, Explorer II, on Apr 15, 2022
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 57'

No clearance board in either direction and loose cables of some sort hanging down alongside lights.

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Bridge comment on Southern Boulevard (SR 700/80) Bridge

Comment by: Jane Hawkey, Explorer II, on Apr 11, 2022
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 57'

The bascule bridge is still under construction with just half span open. There is a temporary steel bridge right after it that lifts on the 1/4 and 3/4 hour. But the catch is that this temporary bridge lifts vertically with a maximum clearance of 65' at Low tide. Our sailboat has 63.5 air draft. At half way rising tide, we approached very cautiously and we just squeaked under with only inches to spare. Be careful!

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Bridge comment on Card Sound Road Bridge

Comment by: Jane Hawkey, Explorer II, on Feb 22, 2022
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 57'

Our air draft is 63.5' and at mid-tide, we cleared but it was close. There is a clearance board and it read 64'. The center span bridge light on the south side is hanging by its cord so we steered around it as we went through.

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Anchorage Review for Pendarvis Cove

Reviewed by: Jane Hawkey, Explorer II, on Feb 3, 2022
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 57'
Draft: 5.5'

The popular Pendarvis Cove anchorage was crowded when we arrived (and the nearby Marina moorings sold out for weeks) so we anchored opposite, on the Stuart side (be careful… shoal). It turned out not the best option…. the black mud was like soft slip and with 20+ kt winds, our CQR was not able to grab and keep a secure hold. We had to re-anchor twice so the next day when space cleared back on the Cove side of the channel, we relocated there, switched to a Fortress anchor, and got a lock solid holding.

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Anchorage Review for Griffis Park–Merritt Island

Reviewed by: Jane Hawkey, Explorer II, on Jan 20, 2022
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 57'
Draft: 5.5'

We came in from an offshore jump and dropped the hook here just before the bridge for two nights rest. There was no wind and our anchor held firm in mud. The few boat wakes were coming from the west side of the channel so we found the anchorage quite comfortable. A few bugs showed up so put up screens if you have them. Didn't go ashore.

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Bridge comment on Christa McAuliffe Drawbridge

Comment by: Jane Hawkey, Explorer II, on Jan 20, 2022
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 57'

Lots of derelict boats. Sail and motor. As one reviewer said of the Cocoa Beach anchorage, lock your boat when you leave it to go into town.

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Bridge comment on Diamond Causeway (Skidaway) Bridge

Comment by: Jane Hawkey, Explorer II, on Jan 17, 2022
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 57'

Bridge is complete. The clearance board is mounted on the side of the foundation piling so it's a bit hard to see until the waterway bends and you get pretty close. That said, one hour past high tide, the board read 70' and with an air draft of 63.5', we cleared easily as we headed southbound.

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Marina Review for MarineMax Savannah Bend

Reviewed by: Jane Hawkey , Explorer II, on Jan 17, 2022
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 57'
Draft: 5.5'

Rating: 5

We stayed here for 2 nights while a winter storm passed. A $8 Uber took us to dinner and an online shop/delivery from Target provided any basic provisions/housewares you might need. The Marina offers all the services and amenities, and we enjoyed Tye immensely. He was so helpful, knowledgeable and welcoming. I hope as the Marina transitions to new owners they support the relaxed and friendly atmosphere that currently exists.

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Bridge comment on Isle Of Palms Connector Bridge

Comment by: Jane Hawkey, Explorer II, on Jan 11, 2022
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 57'

Like previous comments, we could see the clearance board from a good distance, at low tide (Charleston) southbound. It is the largest size board I've seen on the ICW since Norfolk VA. ???? While the bottom of the board was a bit obscured by mud and growth, it read about 66-67'. At an air draft of 63+, we passed under with room to spare.

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Anchorage Review for Dewees Creek - Eagle Island

Reviewed by: Jane Hawkey, Explorer II, on Jan 10, 2022
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 57'
Draft: 5.5'

Deep and comfortable anchorage, surrounded by low marsh all around, much of it under wildlife preserve protection, so lots of bird and dolphin activity. Protected in light to med winds and being this far up Dewey's Creek, virtually no boat traffic or ICW waves.

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Bridge comment on Ocean Hwy. (US 17) Bridge

Comment by: Jane Hawkey, Explorer II, on Jan 9, 2022
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 57'

No bridge clearance board at all, S-bound or N-bound, at this Ocean Hwy bridge! We approached ever so slowly. Our forward motion was thankfully slowed further by a bit of wind on the nose so we could just creep forward, but at the same time we were pushed by an ebbing tide, just off an hour off high tide. Our air draft is 63' plus a tricolor and we…. just…. cleared…. :>(
Too close for comfort with no clearance board to go by.

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Bridge comment on Benjamin E. Thrailkill, Jr. (SC 544) Bridge

Comment by: Jane Hawkey, Explorer II, on Jan 9, 2022
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 57'

When we hailed the Socastee swing bridge tender, we asked if she knew the Socastee Hwy fixed bridge height. She said 64'. We passed under without a problem, on a mid-tide, an air draft of 63' + tricolor light, and confirmed 64'+ on the bridge clearance board.

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Bridge comment on Barefoot Landing Swing Bridge

Comment by: Jane Hawkey, Explorer II, on Jan 9, 2022
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 57'

This swing bridge opens on signal (VHF 9 in SC) and the bridge tender was very friendly. Give him (or her) a heads up call so when your vessel is in sight by the him/her, opening can begin.

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Nav Alert comment on Caution - narrow channel and rock ledges, miles 349-352

Comment by: Jane Hawkey, Explorer II, on Jan 9, 2022
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 57'
Draft: 5.5'

At low tide (Myrtle Beach) and southbound, drawing 5.5', we passed through the "rock pile" area with 5-8' depth under our keel. The rocks are wide and flat and clearly visible at low tide on either edge of the channel. The Pile zone began at day mark G 15A and ended at G 17A. There were two small R nuns (16A and B) and a G barrel (17) at the southern section of the Pile to guide us. We stayed in the center of the channel and had no problem.

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Bridge comment on Robert Edge Parkway Bridge

Comment by: Jane Hawkey, Explorer II, on Jan 9, 2022
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 57'

No visible clearance board on this Robert Edge Parkway bridge. At low tide (Myrtle Beach) and southbound, our air draft of 63' cleared with no problem.

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Bridge comment on Nixon Crossroads Bridge

Comment by: Jane Hawkey, Explorer II, on Jan 9, 2022
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 57'

No visible clearance board on this Nixon Crossroads bridge. At low tide (Myrtle Beach) and southbound, our air draft of 63' cleared with no problem. Be prepared, however, for Capn Poo swing bridge immediately following. If you have current behind you, there is not much maneuvering room in the channel.

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Bridge comment on Mannon C. Gore (Sunset Beach) Bridge

Comment by: Jane Hawkey, Explorer II, on Jan 8, 2022
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 57'

At just past high tide (Myrtle Beach SC), the bridge clearance read 64.5', and with an air draft of 63+tricolor, we passed under no problem.

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Bridge comment on Ocean Isle (NC 904) Bridge

Comment by: Jane Hawkey, Explorer II, on Jan 8, 2022
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 57'

Clearance board at 65', at high tide. At our mast height of 63' + tricolor, we cleared Ocean Isle bridge.

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Bridge comment on Holden Beach (NC 130) Bridge

Comment by: Jane Hawkey, Explorer II, on Jan 8, 2022
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 57'

Just shy of high tide, we cleared this bridge with a board reading 65'. Vessel air draft 63' plus tricolor.

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Bridge comment on Swains Cut (Middleton Street) Bridge

Comment by: Jane Hawkey, Explorer II, on Jan 8, 2022
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 57'

This relatively new bridge has plenty of clearance. We passed easily under at mid-flood tide with board reading 67'. Our air draft is 63 feet plus a tri-color.

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Bridge comment on Oak Island (NC 133) Bridge

Comment by: Jane Hawkey, Explorer II, on Jan 8, 2022
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 57'

Oak Island Bridge. We passed under with clearance board at 66.5' during mid-flood tide (Southport). Plenty of room to spare. Out air draft is 63 feet plus a tri-color.

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Marina Review for Carolina Beach Marina and Mooring Field

Reviewed by: Jane Hawkey , Explorer II, on Jan 7, 2022
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 57'
Draft: 5.5'

Rating: 5

Good protection (no fetch to speak of) and secure mooring balls with easy grab loops. At $20/night, a dinghy dock and nearby restaurants and shops, who could ask for more? Just beware if you're taking your pooch ashore, any empty sand lots in town will likely be full of very prickly burrs hard to get out of fur and between toes. And that includes your bare feet! ;+)

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Bridge comment on NC 210 Hwy. Bridge

Comment by: Jane Hawkey, Explorer II, on Jan 7, 2022
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 57'

Our mast is 63' plus tricolor light and with a reported bridge clearance of 64' and motoring south-bound on a mid-flood tide, we were worried. But when we got to the bridge, the clearance board read 65' (go figure?!) so we cleared this bridge with inches to spare… albeit not much.

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Anchorage Review for Hurricane Island Foundation Moorings

Reviewed by: Jane Hawkey, Explorer II, on Sep 7, 2020
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 57'
Draft: 5.5'

Picked up a mooring ball. $15 suggested donation and peace of mind. Beautiful island to explore. Trail to early 1900s quarry.

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Anchorage Review for Inner Ledges

Reviewed by: Jane Hawkey, Explorer II, on Aug 19, 2020
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 57'
Draft: 5.5'

Exposed to SW waves so can roll a lot.

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Bridge comment on Wilkerson (US 264) Bridge

Comment by: Jane Hawkey, Explorer II, on May 14, 2020
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 57'

At one hour past low tide (tide was rising), clearance was 65’.

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