Priority, the continued adventure: Last anchor out

The part of the ICW from Georgetown to Charleston is famous and feared for its several very shallow parts, caused mostly by shoaling from water running in and out of inlets. States are responsible for maintainng minimal depths, but given budgetary constraints the work always falls behind.

Some people avoid this stretch altogether, heading outside (i.e. out into the ocean) at the Nynya Bay inlet from Georgetown and then, about 8 hours later, back in at the Charleston Inlet. We did this last year.

We decided to brave the shoals and go inside this year, but we had a plan...we would leave early to catch the first of the shallow regions (near McClennanville) near high tide, and then we would anchor just about 10 miles shy of Charleston so that the next morning we would catch the remaining shallow regions on a rising tide, with the added benefit that it would bring us to our slip at the Charleston Maritime Center near slack tide (i.e. when there is no current to contend with as we maneuver into our slip).

So we cast off from the dock at Harborwalk Marina in Georgetown at 7:30 and motored out into a beautiful sunrise, in the company of about 20 other boats with the same idea. Some heading towards the ocean, some towards the ICW.

Boats heading out of Georgetown

This stretch of the ICW is nearly as beautiful as the Waccamaw river valley, tree lined in places, marshland in places, the occasional dolphin jumping alongside the boat...nice.

Looking forward down the ICW

Looking back along the ICW

As it turned out the current was against us most of the way, so we were a little delayed getting to McClennanville. High tide was at 10:30 and we didn't get there till noon, but the tide had only dropped a foot by then, so we made it through without any problems

There were a few areas that were a bit shallow,,in a few spots there was as little as 1.5 feet under the keel, but that was more than enough to keep us from running aground. It did make me appreciate the fact that Priority has a relatively shallow draft of 4.5 feet..it would have been challenging with a 6 foot or deeper keel!

We arrived at our anchorage - Long Creek - aat 3:30, set the anchor and just sat and admired the surroundings. It's fairly flat, with tall grass and few trees in all directions. Off to the west you can just about make out Charleston. The problem with Charleston in this regard however is that it has no tall buildings so its not very dramatic from 10 miles out.

Setting the anchor. I'm at the Bow, Molli at the helm