This isn’t really a boat or motor question so lets just file it under general advice.
We are taking a group of boats from the tail race down to Beaufort for a long weekend. I understand there are landings on either side of the canal there and we’re torn over which to use. My main concern is security. Does one have better lighting, supervision, etc. than the other? We are leaving the cars there for 2 nights and not real familiar with the area so we’re looking for some informed advice. Of course, if there is some factor other than security that plays into it I’d love to hear about that as well.
I’ve used the landing across the river from Gilligans and never had a problem. It is a nicer landing and I don’t know of anyone that has ever had a bad experience there. The landing at Gilligans is a pay landing, and not as nice in my opinion. It’s a lot harder to load your boat on that landing because there isn’t a “cut” to get out of the current.
Another quick question. One of the participants of this expedition says that he put in a Gilligans once and had a problem with it being low tide. Had to ride down to Bushy Park and put in. Would the tide be a problem on the public ramp. Put in will be in the morning at high but take out will be sun. afternoon at low.
Never had a problem at the public landing and I’ve put in when you could walk out on the Marl on the edge. Pretty sure they just dug that out earlier this year.
I HAVE USED THOSE RAMPS FOR DECADES. IF JUST A DAY TRIP THE PUBLIC IS FINE FOR YOUR TRUCK. IF OVERNIGHT I’D USE GILLIGANS. oops sorry.
i put a 20’ bayboat in at gilligans all tides with a 2 wheel drive with no problems. if you’re not sure of the ramp watch until a guy with a nice big bassboat uses the ramp and follow their lead. i assure you they know where the ramp is bad.
The trip is done!! We ended up putting in at the public ramp but left the trucks at Gilligans. It wasn’t that big of a deal considering how much manpower we had (guests). We arranged it with the Gilligan’s folks ahead of time and they were fine with it. You could probably put a freakin’ yacht in at the public ramp. It was a nice facility.
As far as the trip is concerned we had a great time. We went all the way to Beaufort on Friday, messed around on Sat., and came back on Sun. If you’re “Charlestoned Out” I’d highly recommend it. The ride from Chas. to Beaufort is really fantastic. Mostly rivers with little rough water and fantastic scenery. For the record, it took us almost exactly 6 hrs to get there and we were running in the mid-high 20’s the whole way with lots of pee breaks and about 30 minutes floating along while we ate. It is my new go-to trip although it really needs a 3-day weekend. If you plan on going and need any other advice PM me.
Stayed at the Rhett House B&B. Good choice since it is a very short walk from Downtown Marina. We had enough folks to get the rate down even with Best Western which is right there as well.