The boss finally gave me the green light, and I bought a 17’ center console last week! I’m hoping to take it out for its maiden voyage this weekend, and was wondering where y’all would put in under similar circumstances. I’m not worried about backing or loading the boat, as I’m pretty well versed at doing that. What are some good landings where I don’t have to worry too much about running aground or hitting submerged objects? I’d like to fish, but I mainly just want to get a feel for the boat. Any ■■■■■■■■ is welcomed and appreciated, and you can pm me if you’d like. As usual, thanks in advance for your assistance.
“I’m not a hundred percent in love with your tone right now…”
Remleys is one of the better ramps in the area. but it gets real busy. At high tide you can use both docks. plus there is a fishing pier so you will not have to worry about that. It has 3 lanes and good parking
Leeds is pretty good also, but as with every ramp it get busy. no lanes but room for 3 boats at a time. Parking is not so good.
congrats on the new boat! Duncan’s or County Farm or whatever it is called now just South of I-526 on the Ashley River would be a good place to put in and run in the river to get the feel for the boat…remember, life jackets and kill switches!
It depends on the tide. Remley’s can be very difficult to navigate when the tide is moving fast. Leeds is an easy ramp to use. It’s relatively protected. Folly is another nice ramp. Just get there early on a weekend.
I’ll concur with previous posts about Leeds. Also, Limehouse is suitable and it has “fishy” spots not too far from the landing. Just get to in early in the morning before all the “recreators” get there.
Thanks for the ■■■■■■■■ and advice, all. The boat is a 2002 Florida Skiff 17’3" center console. I purchased it from Seawest on this site, who’s a top-notch guy, by the way. Here’s a picture of it:
“I’m not a hundred percent in love with your tone right now…”
If I were coming from the north side (like I think you are, but not sure) and wanted the easiest water run around, I’d put in at the Tail Race across the water from Gilligans (by the MK bridge). Otherwise, I’d probably put in at Remleys and head up the Wando. If you do the latter, be careful about the mess that’s always in the water out a few hundred feet in front of the port docks. Other than that, just follow the markers. What I never liked about the Ashley was all the crab pots. They were always a pain to dodge in the dark (when heading offshore pre-dawn). They may not be there anymore (?). Keep in mind that all of the landings around here are slammed on the summer weekends. Id’ probably avoid the lower part of the Cooper. If you get your markers confused (which happens all the time) in the Stono, Folly, or Ashley, it’s easy to run aground, so keep your markers straight.
Gotcha Covered,
Lee Strickland
Strickland Marine Insurance Agency, Inc. https://stricklandmarine.net
843-795-1000 / 800-446-1862
Nice boat BB… Leeds would be my recommendation. In the vicinity of that ramp there is good deep water and the bottom is mostly mud. Follow the channel markers and it is a good place for a sea trial
Congrats!!! What is the old saying about the happiest day of your life, something about the day you bought it and the day you sell it!!! Nice looking boat!!
Just wanted to say thanks again, y’all, for the advice, as well as the compliments. It’s truly humbling to be able to ask for, and receive, help on a site like this. I hope to be able to repay the favor to each of you in the future…
“I’m not a hundred percent in love with your tone right now…”
where do you live? that will likely dictate what landing you use. i’ve never had any problems with any of the public landings in the charleston area. with the exception of hitting a submerged object and dinging up my prop at remley’s at low tide). but that was 10+ years ago. i assume its been taken care of by now.
Bushy freshwater is good too. A run in there and you dont have to clean the boat/trailer as much after wards. unless its high tide u gotta know the saltwater side though!
Never put in at leeds, but i pass it twice a day for 3 weeks of the year… ive never seen it anything but smooth in the mornings its literally a pane of glass. Supposedly not a bad rin to the harbor either. I second folly though, room to run and play and an island and sandbar to hangout at. If youre not comfortable dont try to cross the inlet on your first time across though. No reason to not take a few poles though! Good luck
congrats on the new boat! Duncan’s or County Farm or whatever it is called now just South of I-526 on the Ashley River would be a good place to put in and run in the river to get the feel for the boat…remember, life jackets and kill switches!
BB, this is my vote. Lots of good fishing in the Ashley too, and not lots of fisherman.
Calm waters and nice ramp, usually not too many people except on Saturdays. But if you get there before 8, you’ll have the place to yourself.
Hang a left when you leave the ramp and this will take you towards Charleston harbor. Stay between the markers as there are some mud flats you’ll find if you stray too far outside them.
Right there in front of Duncan’s is not no wake, but it is courteous to slow down to idle speed because you will be somewhat close to docked boats. As you pass the marina by the Ashley river bridge, that is no wake until you get passed all the marinas.
Maiden voyage is a good time tho take the old lady to California dreaming too. The girls get a kick out of taking the boat to eat there.
Good luck and congratulations on the new boat! Keep us posted!
