Beaufort SC navigation

[Sweet Dreams]

Will be on the Whale Branch River at Seabrook the wk of mothers day. We have not boated this area and would like cautions and suggestions for safe day trips. We need to get a map, but already have Claiborne Young's cruising guide and of course GPS. Just knew the more we learned now, the more relaxed we can be and enjoy the cruising! Also, any suggestions on where to get a map from ahead of time. Thanks!

 

[roostrs]

Will be on the Whale Branch River at Seabrook the wk of mothers day. We have not boated this area and would like cautions and suggestions for safe day trips. We need to get a map, but already have Claiborne Young's cruising guide and of course GPS. Just knew the more we learned now, the more relaxed we can be and enjoy the cruising! Also, any suggestions on where to get a map from ahead of time. Thanks!

You shouldn't have any problems, make sure you go to Monkey (Morgan's) Island.

 

[Sweet Dreams]

Where is Monkey Is and whats special about it?

 

[SearayPaul]

Currents in that area are fast and there is a large tidal range. Know what the tides are doing and plan ahead as docking can be tricky. There is also some shoaling in this area. When I went down the ICW last year on a very low tide dead in the middle of the channel it was about 3 feet or less in places. I was on plane and I could see black mud behind the boat.

On the north bound trip across the sound it is very easy to get lost. The readily visible markers lead you out to sea on an easterly course. Watch your chart very closely as you exit the sound you are looking for a little cut on a NNW heading. The marker is just inside the passage. I donot remember the number, sorry.

Fun trip easy to do. This is a very pretty area. Search my name for a couple of trips I have posted up about.

Good Luck

 

[Sweet Dreams]

Hi Paul,
Searched and found your posts last night. Looked like some good trips. The directions you were giving...Was that to Monkey Is or where? Are yall off any the week we are in Beaufort?

 

[Sweet Dreams]

Obviously there are not alot...any? CSR's in the immediate Beaufort area. Surprising since it is such a beautiful place and boating community.

 

[SearayPaul]

Those directions were for coming across the sound from Beaufort on your way back to Charleston. One trip I was with a big boat whose GPS was broken. He had asked me to show him the way home. He took the ocean route despite my lead and warning on the VHF. After a little bit he came back to join up with me. I was glad to see even the big boats miss that turn since I thought it was just me. I have never looked for Monkey Island so I am no help on that one.

 

[Sweet Dreams]

Those directions were for coming across the sound from Beaufort on your way back to Charleston. One trip I was with a big boat whose GPS was broken. He had asked me to show him the way home. He took the ocean route despite my lead and warning on the VHF. After a little bit he came back to join up with me. I was glad to see even the big boats miss that turn since I thought it was just me. I have never looked for Monkey Island so I am no help on that one.

Oh ok. The seabrook I mentioned where we are staying is the town of Seabrook. Not the island near Chas. It is just out side of Beaufort on a river off of hwy 21. Supposedly 10 mins by car , 20 by boat into town.
We hope to make a run from there though. Either to Savannah or to Chas so thanks!

 

[SearayPaul]

You might want to stop at Beaufort's Downtown Marina. They have a nice park there along with a nice down town. There are many resturants in that area also with good Margaretas. The tide is swift there so ask for docking instructions. The dockmaster is very good about advising you on tie ups and helping you bring your boat in safely.

Of course you have to stop at Harbor town in Hilton Head just to see the light house and to eat at the resturant under it. No tide issues here. Lots of little shops if you are into shopping. Shelter Cove is another nice stop. Disney shoots off fireworks there a couple of nights a week. The fireworks schedule is announced in advance so you can plan ahead. There is a large tidal variation here but no current issues in Shelter Cove.

Never been further south though.

 

[Sweet Dreams]

You might want to stop at Beaufort's Downtown Marina. They have a nice park there along with a nice down town. There are many resturants in that area also with good Margaretas. The tide is swift there so ask for docking instructions. The dockmaster is very good about advising you on tie ups and helping you bring your boat in safely.

Of course you have to stop at Harbor town in Hilton Head just to see the light house and to eat at the resturant under it. No tide issues here. Lots of little shops if you are into shopping. Shelter Cove is another nice stop. Disney shoots off fireworks there a couple of nights a week. The fireworks schedule is announced in advance so you can plan ahead. There is a large tidal variation here but no current issues in Shelter Cove.

Never been further south though.

Thanks Paul. Will definately post pics of whrever we end up that week. Got a gulf stream charter scheduled too so hopefully we will have something worth posting there too!

 

[roostrs]

Where is Monkey Is and whats special about it?

They raise monkey's there for test labs. It is pretty cool to see a population of monkey's in the SC low country hanging out in the trees. Can't give a whole lot of navigational aid as it has been about 15 years since I've been there. There is a large creek on the Coosaw and Combahee River side of Morgan's Island. Head in on that creek until you see a dock. Just sit out in the creek a few minutes and they will show up in the trees. It really is a cool site to see. Your size boat should be no problem getting in there. Just ask at any marina and someone should be able to give you some coordinates. It's worth the trip out there though.