Anchorage Review for Vilano Beach ICW

Reviewed by: Will McCullough on Dec 19, 2024
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 42'
Draft: 4.5'

The saving grace of this anchorage is the proximity to the town fishing pier. Other than that it is very loud with music and party boats. It is also alarming shallow with shoals in many places. Lots of boats here though and the holding is good. Probably a good party going on on shore.

• WG Editor Comment:
  

  Shoaling extends from shore if you anchor further south near the boat ramp.

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Marina Review for Windward at Camachee Cove Yacht Harbor

Reviewed by: Will McCullough on Dec 19, 2024
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 42'
Draft: 4.5'

Rating: 3

Fuel in Florida seems to be much more expensive than up north. This place has a wild entrance with the current but once you are in there it is easy and calm. The Diesel is all the way at the end as is the pump out. Nice people nice service. Only three stars because of the entrance.

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Free Dock Review for Vilano Beach Pier

Reviewed by: Will McCullough on Dec 19, 2024
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 42'
Draft: 4.5'

Rating: 4

We used this dock to run to Publix and grab groceries. There was a lot of current and about 16 feet of water at low tide. What great way to get groceries without a dinghy ride.

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Anchorage Review for Mackay River - Wallys Leg

Reviewed by: Will McCullough on Dec 18, 2024
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 42'
Draft: 4.5'

You're definitely not going to be doing any shopping here! This is a beautiful secluded anchorage just off the ICW with good holding. At low tide this anchorage has incredible echoes. Give a holler and it will come right back to you it's incredible!

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Nav Alert comment on GA: Little Mud River, Shoaling MM 653.7

Comment by: Will McCullough on Dec 18, 2024
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 42'
Draft: 4.5'

After timing Hell Gate perfectly with the high tide we ended up being here at low water. The tide was rising so I decided to creep through at idle speed. When I say low it was LOW. We are a few days past a full moon so there was very little water in here. The bottom must be very soft because we should have felt it. The depth sounder was reading 4.5 to 5 from crooked creek all the way to the southern exit. The worst of the shoaling was at the southern exit where our depth sounder jumped to 4. I Also made sure to keep an eye on all my temps with how muddy the water is around here. My suggestion for any boat drawing more than 4 feet would be to wait for at least mid tide.

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Anchorage Review for Skidaway River

Reviewed by: Will McCullough on Dec 17, 2024
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 42'
Draft: 5.0'

Nice big anchorage on top of a 12 foot deep at low tide mud flat. Our anchor hooked right up and we enjoyed a calm night here. Kind of exposed so I'm not sure I would choose this location for any sort of weather, but great pull over sleep and get back to it spot. There is a decent amount of current but nothing crazy. We did experience a few wakings from maniac center consoliers trying to get home before dark. When the sun went down the traffic ended.

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Marina Review for Toler's Cove Marina

Reviewed by: Will McCullough on Dec 16, 2024
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 42'
Draft: 5.0'

Rating: 5

Liam at the fuel dock was professional friendly and knowledgeable. Great little fishing marina filled with beautiful boats from big Spencer's to 20' Alburies. Plenty of water and nice amenities. Prices on Navionics are way out of date so don't expect $2.75 diesel. Nice access to Mount Pleasant and all its stores. No current and plenty of water.

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Anchorage Review for Five Fathom Creek–North

Reviewed by: Will McCullough on Dec 16, 2024
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 42'
Draft: 5.0'

We were pretty excited to try out TW Graham sea food but it was Sunday… we ended up anchoring in the creek here instead of docking in McLellanville. Once the wind died down and the current straightened us out it was great. Big tides here and in between here and Charleston is pretty shallow. We were happy to have a high tide for that part of our voyage.

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Anchorage Review for Shalotte Inlet

Reviewed by: Will McCullough on Dec 14, 2024
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 42'
Draft: 5.0'

It was hard to get a holding and the currents were too strong to feel safe for the evening.

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Anchorage Review for Swansboro Marker 45B

Reviewed by: Will McCullough on Dec 13, 2024
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 42'
Draft: 5.0'

We attempted this spot at low tide and started touching bottom. We draft a little under 5 feet. Maybe we could get in there at high tide but wouldn't want to get trapped. We ended up anchoring off Swansboro. Decent current but we rowed to shore and walked the town. Very cute little town.

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Marina Review for Town Creek Marina

Reviewed by: Will McCullough on Dec 13, 2024
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 42'
Draft: 5.0'

Rating: 5

I called multiple marinas asking about propane. Daniel here at Town Creek was the only helpful guy in town! Really nice service. We got diesel, water and they let us use their courtesy car to go to Ace and fill our propane tanks.

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Anchorage Review for Gale Creek

Reviewed by: Will McCullough on Dec 13, 2024
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 42'
Draft: 5.0'

Spent a cold December night here. Good mud holding in 6 feet of water. Wind was light out of the north, which was nice. I don't think I would anchor here in a good southerly.

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Anchorage Review for Vineyard Haven

Reviewed by: Will McCullough on Nov 24, 2024
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 42'
Draft: 5.0'

The best collection of wooden boats in America. Although Vineyard Wind's new breakwater has taken up some of this anchorage it is great holding and has ample room for many boats. This side of the harbor is great in all wind direction besides North and North East. There is also room on the south west side of the outer harbor, near the "Back door", for a few boats to anchor but an easterly can give you a roll. In the case of a North Easterly; Lagoon pond is a great option. The bridge opens on the hour in the summer and monitors channel 69 as does the harbormaster. The launch is operated out of the Black Dog dock and monitors Channel 72. Wooden boats full of happy friendly locals will give you a show as they weave through the moorings.

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