I am still amazed that there is not more organization with local boat dealers, builders etc to try and focus on this issue. We did have the SC Marine Association at one time, but I don’t think that exist any longer. I know many people that have gotten rid of boats over the last several years due to not wanting to deal with the headaches at the boat ramps. It would seem that there would be more interest to make sure we have adequate facilities for more people to buy and enjoy owning boats.
10% of what is spent on all fishing tackle goes to a tax hidden from the general public. Federal Excise Tax. Huge tax! It goes to the government then comes back to the state to be spent for DNR and things like: water access. I’ve heard it goes to good use with DNR but maybe we need to divert some of these funds to water access…Anyone listening?
1966 13’ Boston Whaler “Flatty”
2018 Sportsman Masters 207 www.eyestrikefishing.com#predatorsstriketheeye
I agree Dave and the tax does not surprise me at all. I think part of the problem may be that the boat ramps as far as I know (Which is not much) are run and maintained by the counties. I would think it would be in the best interest of people that build and sell boats to push for more money to be spent on water access before all of the property with access to the water is developed. I am not sure if it is a case of someone getting things organized or if everyone is just so busy right now that they really don’t have the time to get something going. I cannot remember the last time we added a boat ramp in this area. We took one away in North Charleston several years ago.
With Charleston continuing to grow the way it is, the area needs more boat ramps. Problem is with the property values of anything with a waterfront being what they are now it’s going to be tough to procure the spots.
After being released, a lot of fish die, but a lot of them live also.
Plus the government is putting all that money to good use like filling in all those pot holes, giving teacher raises, making sure inmates have Tablets & Internet.
Drystack is crowded as well. Should the asset bubble stay inflated, it’ll be interesting to see the adoption of the mega center consoles here in Charleston. The money is certainly here for them, but trailering a forty footer with quads every weekend would be miserable.
Plus the government is putting all that money to good use like filling in all those pot holes, giving teacher raises, making sure inmates have Tablets & Internet.
Really Einstein, lumping road repair and teacher raises with inmates?
This is one of two landings in North Myrtle Beach. Johnny causey landing. closed over a month. Spalling concrete falling from bridge. not a clue when it will be reopened. Waiting on DOT to Inspect bridge.
All of our landings get super crowded on JI during the weekends and we are lucky enough to have a lot of landings in a 30 minute radius. Its still not enough though and it gets a little hazardous when its so crowed.
Ramps are like closets. Build more and pretty soon you will be able
to walk across the harbor on all the hundreds more boats launched.
Without new ramps, this place is already looking like Long Island Sound
on a Sunday afternoon.
More ramps-more boats-more owners who don’t know Port from Starboard and have no knowledge of navigation.
Maybe we should tear out a few instead of building more:)
16’ Alumacraft Mod V Hull Jon Boat
25hp Yammy 4 stroke
I spoke with a couple of dry stack companies earlier this week, one we had finally gotten a spot but it was at $630/month, that translates into about $300 to put your boat in 25 times a year. The other place I spoke with had a waiting list of over 80 people. Charleston is full.
After being released, a lot of fish die, but a lot of them live also.
For the last 10 years, all my wife and I have talked about was retiring and moving to the Charleston area. Sadly, I don’t think that will happen now. The growth and cost of living is plain unappealing at this point and the lack of landings and proliferation of boats all combine to make Charleston someplace I don’t think we can move to. I hate it, I love the water, I have friends there but man, the powers that be down there need to get it together and support the growth that has occurred.
“Apathy is the Glove into Which Evil Slips It’s Hand”, but really, who cares?
Don’t give up on your dream DF.Move to Jacksonboro and you’ll be fine.Fish during the week and and stay home on the weekend.If you’re retired,you’ll be able to pick and choose when to travel and avoid traffic.
This boat ramp problem can been cured at the developer level- every waterfront community should be required to have a neighborhood ramp as part of the dock master
plan(required by OCRM) for the development. It should have been implemented 30 years ago, but it still could do lots of good.
Or a fee added to the construction of all new houses that would go directly to procurement, building and maintaining new boat ramps.
And…that’s the other side of the coin I mentioned in the article. Seems to be two opinions. We need more access, or keep it as it is, as it will keep more people away. I call the latter one the “ostrich” theory. Just my opinion though.
1966 13’ Boston Whaler “Flatty”
2018 Sportsman Masters 207 www.eyestrikefishing.com#predatorsstriketheeye
Unfortunately, the many people that buy boats for the first time have no knowledge of the lack of boat ramps UNTIL they buy a boat and experience it firsthand. I definitely see your point but, I’m not sure the lack of ramps is a factor in boat buying. Lack of ramps is definitely a problem but, lack of decency, knowledge, consideration for others and just plain old common sense make using many of the ramps a PITA.
“Apathy is the Glove into Which Evil Slips It’s Hand”, but really, who cares?
