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I am guessing sailors in Charleston don't keep their boats in their yards like motor boaters. Where do you keep your sailboat? Public or private marina? Yacht club? Up in Charleston or down by the beaches? Are there sailing clubs? I'm not a racer but a day sailor and cruiser. Don't have my own boat just yet but expect to in a few years.
I sailed with an ASA club up here (No. Vermont) that has a membership and you can use any of their boats. I also see there are fractional ownership options around.....although for the price you could have your own boat.
Hope to connect to a lovely sailing community, even without my own boat. I make a great helmsman (person ), 1st mate, deck hand and/or reluctant galley wench.
Stono marina used to be a good place to keep boats fairly inexpensively....
Lots of other marinas around here....
I have a friend that worked at the Rimley Point Marina, he had a 32' power boat for sale that was docked there too, not sure if it is still available, he has too many boats including two sail boats and a small power boat....,
You might consider 2 options: CORA, Charleston Ocean Racing Assoc. and the College of Charleston Sailing Center. For a nominal fee (I think it's about $400/yr), you can use the sailboats at CSA almost anytime you would like. Great folks run that organization and you would more than likely be able to network from there quite easily. The Power Squadron is a good organization and has cruising rallies, but not sure what the story is if you don't have your own boat.
As far as marinas, there are plenty of slips to lease, as well as boat racks for storage. The currents in the rivers nearer the harbor can have some fierce current at their peak, so we prefer slips slightly inland. Having kept our boat at Patriots Point, I would say there is current to deal with and wake from passing container ships. Not too bad, unless you live aboard. The City Marina on the Ashley doesn't have the cargo ships, but lots of what my husband calls "lbfb"...little bitty fishing boats..that don't understand NO WAKE. But it is the preferred marina for snowbird liveaboards who want want to enoy downtown activites while they are here. We like IOP (Isle of Palms) for it's proximity to the beach, barrier islands, golf, and restaurants.
Some folks trailer their boats to a storage facility near their preferred boat ramp. There are so many creeks and rivers to explore here and the fishing is awesome. Weekly races among the clubs held in the harbor, so you may be able to pick up a crew position. Within the housing subdivisions, there are usually covenants that prevent you from parking either your boat or the trailer in view of the street, or even on your own property, so where to keep a boat is something you want to seriously consider before purchasing. Everyone here seems to enjoy the water on some level, so I am sure you will love it and meet many like-minded folks, maybe even some from your own home town!
Will definitely check out your suggestions. Sounds like what I am looking for. I cannot imagine trailering a sailboat. I'd never get the usage out of it that I would want to.
I have to check my cruising logs from my previous trips down the Eastern Seaboard & ICW. Can't remember if and where I stayed in Charleston. I seem to remember being there a night or two and coming ashore for dinner.
Looking forward to meeting some fellow salty dogs as soon as I settle in. Thanks!
Quote:
Originally Posted by ruaduffer
You might consider 2 options: CORA, Charleston Ocean Racing Assoc. and the College of Charleston Sailing Center. For a nominal fee (I think it's about $400/yr), you can use the sailboats at CSA almost anytime you would like. Great folks run that organization and you would more than likely be able to network from there quite easily. The Power Squadron is a good organization and has cruising rallies, but not sure what the story is if you don't have your own boat.
As far as marinas, there are plenty of slips to lease, as well as boat racks for storage. The currents in the rivers nearer the harbor can have some fierce current at their peak, so we prefer slips slightly inland. Having kept our boat at Patriots Point, I would say there is current to deal with and wake from passing container ships. Not too bad, unless you live aboard. The City Marina on the Ashley doesn't have the cargo ships, but lots of what my husband calls "lbfb"...little bitty fishing boats..that don't understand NO WAKE. But it is the preferred marina for snowbird liveaboards who want want to enoy downtown activites while they are here. We like IOP (Isle of Palms) for it's proximity to the beach, barrier islands, golf, and restaurants.
Some folks trailer their boats to a storage facility near their preferred boat ramp. There are so many creeks and rivers to explore here and the fishing is awesome. Weekly races among the clubs held in the harbor, so you may be able to pick up a crew position. Within the housing subdivisions, there are usually covenants that prevent you from parking either your boat or the trailer in view of the street, or even on your own property, so where to keep a boat is something you want to seriously consider before purchasing. Everyone here seems to enjoy the water on some level, so I am sure you will love it and meet many like-minded folks, maybe even some from your own home town!
I'm thinking they mean Ripley Light Marina, Ripley Cove, off the Ashley River. Yes, it is by California Dreaming. Private club that offers some transient slips...I think they only have about 80 slips, and quite a few of those are smaller. There is also a stack storage/launch facility there.
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), 1st mate, deck hand and/or reluctant galley wench. 
Sailing, marinas, and options
Thanks!
