Great Cruising to Bohicket Marina

by P/C Debra Allen, P

Veteran cruise organizers Charlie Bruce and Bryant Blakeslee planned a spectacular three-day weekend cruise to Bohicket Marina and Yacht Club for a dozen Lake Murray Power Squadron boats on 24-26 April.

The majority of the cruisers arrived at County Farm Landing in Charleston Friday morning. They joined Splash, Sea Q and Wild Meridian who towed down Thursday afternoon and spent the evening at River's Edge Marina.

Cdr Jeff Langlois led the first flight of boats down the Ashley River at 1100, with P/C David Allen leading the second flight about 10 minutes later. You could not have wished for a more perfect day to be on the water with friends.

The first interesting news trailing back over the radio from Lake Murray's first flight of boats was the current report from Elliott Cut, heading into the Stono River. Going against the current, the cruisers were reporting only making 4 knots while pushing 2500 RPMs. Even on the trip back to Charleston on Sunday, Wild Meridian "idled" through the cut at 8.4 knots — excellent training for our members who have less experience with coastal tides and currents.

You will notice in the photos below that it appears someone is standing by the bow of their boat (about knee deep in water). Appearances are correct. The photo had to be taken at distance so that Miss B-Haven could avoid the mud bank that our esteemed commander found. We never did get a clear story on why Splash was off the channel; but, we learned another lesson — always pay attention to what is happening around you, even when you're not under power.

Fortunately, Jeff quickly cut his engines, no damage occurred and two vessels were able to practice their rescue techniques, pulling Splash into deep water before what is now know as Langlois Flats became Langlois Island — since the tide was on its way out.

After that bit of excitement, everyone experienced an uneventful run down the Intracoastal Waterway to the North Edisto River, pass the shrimp boats at Rockville and into Bohicket Marina. No one even had too much difficulty docking at Bohicket, which is known for the fast currents.

A favorite spot on arriving at Bohicket appeared to be the Parrot Cove Ice Cream Cafe, which was visited by several of our 34 cruisers before Lake Murray's traditional dock party got underway. Dock party hors d'oeuvres were really special Friday and Saturday evening. And, guys, Sep Harvin's son and friends (they were the guys on Betty B without their wives) set a new standard by preparing ribs, chicken wings and boiled shrimp for the dock parties. Topping off the wonderful eats was Mr. B's Mojitos, which seem to be poured from a bottomless jug!

Whether we set out to be too adventuresome or we drank too many mojitos, Saturday's cruise was scaled back to just visiting Morgan Island to see the monkeys. Well, we arrived to find no monkeys! At least not until we had rafted up, finished lunch and finally they appeared. They seemed to enjoy watching us as much as we did them.

Visiting the monkeys was a delight, but the highlight of Saturday's cruise was our run off shore for the return to Bohicket.

When Sunday arrived, we would have been making excuses to stay another day, except the no-see-ums were unbearable (especially every morning before the breeze came up). The concluding hours of our cruise and tow home were uneventful, although we must extend thanks to the young gentleman at County Farm Landing, who after dropping his jet ski in the water used his small Toyota 4x4 to pull Last Tango's rig up the ramp.

Seems Mike Verdone's truck was unable to pull his 30-foot boat up that slippery ramp at low tide. However, it all worked out and a stranger's kindness made up a little for the bedlam that we found on arriving at County Farm Landing, which was in use beyond capacity.

Thanks to Miss B-Haven and Southwind for their photo contributions to those of Wild Meridian. Click on the images below and see how much fun you missed. Then, check out Lake Murray's 2009 Cruise Schedule. Next time, don't get left sitting at the dock!