Seen posts in the past about the dicey conditions of this ramp. Buddy just got a 28’ Pro cat. We usually launch at the marina with my 21’ key west, but with the length of this monstrous thing, we are a bit leary with the “s” turn. Trailer is like 35’ long. How is the ramp at live oak these days? Parking? Fees now? Thanks, all.
The ramp at live oak is pretty nice, the problem is that the current really rips through there. Unloading isn’t usually much of an issue, but loading back up in current running that hard makes it pretty tricky. Also, you have to pay park entry fees of $5 per person, so take only as many people with you as you need, pick up the rest at the marina on the way out.
'06 Mckee Craft
184 Marathon
DF140 Suzuki
Live Oak at mid tidal stage is one of the most difficult landings to navigate, but, it’s not a problem if you do it right.
Idle up against current parallel to shore, very slowly advancing. Get the tip of your bow up against the down current trailer guide. Cut wheel and pull right in.
No issues, no broken stuff, no divorces. Don’t try to vector in at speed and thread the needle. BAD things happen.
At dead low tide there is a dropoff at the bottom of the ramp, so with that long of a trailer you might want to avoid dead low. It is a quality, yet expensive, landing.
2000 SeaPro 180CC w/ Yammy 115 2 stroke
1966 13’ Boston Whaler w/ Merc 25 4 stroke “Flatty”
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Marina ramp should not be too much of a problem in that boat. Years ago I would help one of my friends/optiker’s former employee occasionally pull a 34 Atlantic out at the marina on a converted mobile home trailer when they needed to change zinc’s or touch up the bottom paint. I don’t know that we could even drive at night at that point.
You can make the S turn. I’d much rather launch at the marina than pay the exorbitant “spectator” fees at Live Oak. I’ve seen bigger center consoles launch during the Governor’s Cup when they had the sponsor tents set up on the side of the approach road. Even with restricted area to move around they made it.
Appreciate all the replies. How about the hours of live oak, in case we go that route? Not coming in until after 6 pm and may launch before 5 am some.
quote:
not a problem if you do it right. Idle up against current parallel to shore, very slowly advancing. Get the tip of your bow up against the down current trailer guide. Cut wheel and pull right in. No issues, no broken stuff, no divorces. Don't try to vector in at speed and thread the needle. BAD things happen.
I don’t know that ramp at all, but I do know a lot of ramps with strong side currents. The above advice is spot on.
Capt. Larry Teuton
Swamp Worshiper
Ever try Steamboat? Nice landing on the north! Nice dock to catch boat when launched or retreived!
I saw a huge Cat trying to load up at Live Oak & I watched for 20 minutes & he still couldn’t get it. He finally left, guy with him said they would try again at slack tide.
We’ve used Live Oak early in the morning and was always open. Only problem early is there is no light on the ramp.
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Originally posted by boatpoorEver try Steamboat? Nice landing on the north! Nice dock to catch boat when launched or retreived!
I’ve been out there once with my key west. Went out to Botany area. What’s it like if you are going offshore? Wondering if it’s marked well going out past Deveraux for folks not having been that way before. Longer run to Edisto Banks from there, probably, right?
Easy acCess to o[pen water out the N Edisto. Not much farther to the banks from there! I have no problems with my 28 Bertram other than the few overhanging branches on the road!
28 Pro Cat should not be a problem at the Marina. I have pulled out my 30ft little cruiser there and have seen much bigger go in and out of there. Just back on in and be patient…you might have to “wiggle a little” going in. Also time your tide
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Come and go at high tide and you will be fine. Mid tide can float a trailer if the tide is ripping. Low isn’t much better because the ramp goes only so far out and I’ve see trailers drop off and bottom out. If you can avoid live oak landing, you should unless it is flood tide. Hope this helps.
Capt Buddy Bizzell
Edisto Palmetto Charters
803-603-2781
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Being on the water is a blessing, catching fish is a bonus!
the best landing on the island is dawhoo by far. The marina is fine, but if you can’t back a trailer stay out. Live oak has a lot of current, and at low tide a large boat can back off the end of the ramp and bottom out a trailer. It was rebuilt 4-5 yes ago and was not rebuilt exactly right.
Steamboat is ok, but the parking is thin and it can be tight for larger boats at low tide. I use the marina and steamboat the most due to proximity for where I want to go.
The offshore run on the north side is 8 miles shorter offshore to the banks, than the marina. Overall distance is ~1mile longer.