Charleston Area Boat Slips? (North Charleston, Goose Creek: rent, condos, subdivisions)

[Breezes]

My wife and I are hoping to relocate to the Charleston area within the next few months (possibly on the outskirts toward Summerville). We love sailing and have really been looking forward to the opportunity of enjoying all that the Charleston area waterways will have to offer. However, its clear that the price of boat slips will be considerably higher than what we currently pay in Virginia. I have my 25' Hunter in a wet slip on a Marine base here at a monthly rate of $5.00/ft.

Obviously the higher quality sailing experience comes with a higher price tag, but is it even reasonable to hope to find a place to keep the boat wet for, say, $8.00 - 10.00/ft? I would be a bit uneasy about mortgaging a slip, so any info regarding monthly or annual rent rates would be greatly appreciated. Also, are there any marinas with mooring fields at a cheaper rate? Any condos or subdivisions with inclusive slip privileges?

Fair Winds!

[mcevoy34]

Did a google earth search for you, but could not pin point the marina I was looking for. Any ways, sounds like your a military officer. At one time at the Naval Weapons station in Goose Creek. Way back were officers housing was/is (the end of Red Bank Rd). I believe there were slips available to Officers. It was along time ago. But, it could be what you are looking for. If it is still there.... May be some one else here was more info.

[dspguy]

I was just looking at marinas in Charleston last weekend.

Most marinas charge about $12-13/foot and have a 25-foot minimum. If you have a sailboat, it rules out a few marinas since many of the bridges that span over the rivers here are not drawbridges. There simply isn't enough clearance. For example, Bristol Marina is north of the Route 17 bridge (not enough clearance to go under the bridge with most sailboats). However, City Marina is just on the other side of that bridge and could accomodate.

The cheapest marina we saw was in North Charleston. It was a municipal marina called Cooper River Marina (www.ccprc.com). They offered rates as low as $10/foot if you are a Charleston county resident and about $12/foot for non-residents (Summerville is not in Charleston county). However, when I looked, they had a waiting list (only about 4 ahead of me) for a slip. Also, the marina itself is "off the beaten path".

[OleTomCat]

You may want to look up on lake Moultrie as well, it will be fresh water sailing on a large lake.