Request for destination recommendation

[Jeremy K]

Hello all. I have an elderly M25, looking to take a trailer-sail this Spring or Summer, hoping for some recommendations. Timing: most likely mid-late 5/14, but could be as late as mid-8/14; Duration: 1 wk with the w/e on either end; Location: anywhere on Atlantic coast from Boston to Daytona Beach; other desires: a marina to tie the boat up at for the week, vacation rental homes w/in walking distance of the marina, average daytime temps 70-80's, the marina with short motor at most to (of course) awesome sailing!

As an example of a trip we took earlier this year: in March we (family of 6 with 4 kids aged 13-24) trailered ~ 10 hours (from eastern KY) to Hilton Head, put the boat in at a ramp and motored over to the yacht basin on Calibogue Sound where we tied up for the week. Pluses: very nice marina with quick access to the Sound, very nice vacation homes, fun sailing (with dolphins!), great food. Minuses: too cold (why did I think it would be warmer? I dunno...); sorta minus: Calibogue Sound is real nice, but it's not all that big, and it has lousy access out to the ocean.

So: any suggestions?

[davidbourne]

Hey,

Look into the Isle of Palms area north of Charleston and Mt Pleasant, SC. Fishheadbarandgrill, here on the forum could give you the local details, as could bahamabound. Both live in the area.

I'm from Georgetown, an hour north. It's a nice area, but too far inland for what you want. You could look into Litchfield and Pawleys Island, a 20 mins drive N. Both have homes on the south end that have docks with creek access. That could be a good alternative to keeping the boat at a separate marina.

My first mac-family trip was at Kiawah, SC. I kept the boat at the Bohicket Marina. It was fun, but I had to drop the boat in the water almost an hour away in Rockville, SC so it was a lot of extra driving. The resort was not very trailer friendly, either.

I made a map for you with some ideas.
http://goo.gl/maps/pycWg

[Jeremy K]

Great, thanks, that's just the sort of ideas I'm looking for!

[davidbourne]

This water temperature data may be helpful as well. I used it for winter cruising ideas in Florida.

http://www.nodc.noaa.gov/dsdt/cwtg/satl.html

[stone_love]

south carolina has some weird weather.


I'm about 4 hours from Charleston or Hilton head in the upstate.

Last april the temps were so cold that i was catching trout off of my front porch. Coat, pants, shoes, winter hat.

In March the year before last i was up in the mountains of SC in March trout fishing in 80 degree weather..no shirt, shorts and wading in the water.

If you want to better your chances of warmer weather head further south. If you are going in April/May its still not quite busy season until you get to southern Florida. I would think that you could get a list of marinas from Charleston to Savannah to Jekyll Island to jacksonville to Daytona and keep driving until you get the forecast you're looking for.

As a kid we would pack up and head south and not stop until we hit warm weather.

Personally I prefer 85+ deg temps and water temps of 70+. I have no issues with Venice, Fl or Indian Rocks beach, Fl in August when it's 90+ and the gulf feels like bath water.

[fishheadbarandgrill]

Charleston, SC is fantastic in May. Warm enough during the day and cool enough at night. Once you're into June and beyond, it's going to really hot and humid. I have a friend who rents his house on the water with a dock behind IOP. Easy access to the Harbor and then the ocean. There's also a kazzilion homes for rent on IOP. If you can hit IOP/Charleston in May, you can't go wrong. I'd be glad to assist as necessary, just PM me.

Bob