South Carolina Yacht Club Cruise Fleet Member Report

This report describes what the member encountered on the date indicated.  

Member Name:   K. C. Moore, Jr.

Date:  October 5, 2006

Vessel Characteristics:  Cotton Blossom, Grand Banks 42, draft 4.5', typical speed;  in ICW 10 kn., ocean passages, 14 kn.

Trip:   Depart Windmill Harbour late afternoon to anchor in Mackay Creek overnight so as to get an early departure next morning and catch the flood tide up the Beaufort River on the way to the Marsh Harbor Boat Works.  Had a peaceful night at anchor, but with one or two late night outboards passing.  

Location Reports This Trip:  two

Location:  ICW MM 558 (departure).  Mackay Creek anchorage.  Beautiful spot with National Wildlife Preserve on one side and extensive marshland on the other.  Choose your anchorage to suit wind conditions.  (Chart 11516)  

left: Pinckney Island Shore Where We Anchored

Departed ICW at MM 558 (approx.), swung west out of the ICW channel about 4/10 mi. south of Red "24" leaving this mark well to starboard to avoid the shoal running from well south of the mark and up to and to the west of Last End Point.  Went under 25 foot charted clearance bridge.  Bridge fenders were have been taken out, but the widest open span was the obvious choice.  Proceeded straight (perpendicular to bridge) so as to avoid uncharted oyster beds to port after bridge for about 1/2 mile until Moss Creek markers (the green is much easier to see than the red due to the orientation of the red markers) were visible at "10 o'clock," and then headed for them.  Mackay Creek is charted the rest of the way, with greens to starboard and reds to port (heading north).  Approaching green "7" from the south we don't get too close to the mark, staying 30-40 yards away.  We saw some 8' depths (adj. to low tide) around red "8," our usual anchorfage, but proceeded about .7 miles further to anchor at 32 degrees, 45.9 minutes/80 degrees 46 minutes in 22 feet of water (adj. to low tide).  We usually anchor in the 8' area between "8" and Pinckney Island, but this time the winds there were a little strong.  

Upon leaving in the morning, we exited the north end of the creek  We stayed a bit to the northwest going between "5" and "3" to avoid a shoal reported directly between the marks.   In going between "3" and "1" watch the set of the tide in Port Royal Sound, particularly on an outgoing tide.  As we got close to "1" we encountered spots which would have been no more than 5' at low tide.  We never ever shortcut "1" as the area south of a line between "3 and "1" is very shoal (I have heard of dinghies going aground south of this line).  We make it a practice not to go out this end of the creek at dead low tide.  

Mackay Creek is also an alternate route to the ICW to get from Calibogue Sound to Port Royal Sound for those who can get under the 25' bridge.  Our trip to Marsh Harbor was uneventful.

Location:  ICW MM 534.5  Marsh Harbor Boat Works.  (843) 521-1500.  Full service boatyard, both power and sail, but no transient dock space and not close to stores, restaurants, etc.  We are repeat customers as we like their service.  They have a marked channel leading in from ICW with daymarks.  For a vessel drawing 4' or more it would be a good idea to arrive at half tide or better to be sure of access to all docks and to the sling area. Most boats coming from Windmill Harbour will want to go up the Beaufort River on a flood tide in any case, and this normally will take care of any water depth problems.  Wide range of services available.  Sometimes will provide rides back to Windmill Harbour and sometimes does boat pickups and deliveries.