Reviews: Charleston Maritime Center

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  • Review for Charleston Maritime Center

    Reviewed by: Graeme Walker , Confirmed Aquaholic, on May 3, 2023
    Vessel Type: Power
    LOA: 54'
    Draft: 4.0'

    Rating: 4

    This is a small city marina with only ~10 slips, all the interior ones are too shallow, i.e. 3' or less. They are waiting on dredging but caught up in environmental approvals. Close to Aquarium and also the International African American Museum which is closed until at least June 2023. Easy walk to free DASH bus to Information Center and then free bus to downtown. Harris Tweeter within walking/biking. There is significant wake however, they even attempt to put wake attenuation across the entrance at night, doesn't do much. No water on the south dock as there is a leak in the pipes, they will provide a hose if you ask. Free laundry which is always nice. The tour boat lineups overlook your boat if you're on the south docks. We like it.

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  • Review for Charleston Maritime Center

    Reviewed by: Rich Inman on May 1, 2023
    Vessel Type: Sail
    LOA: 50'
    Draft: 4.0'

    Rating: 4

    Stayed here in Feb23 (southbound) and are back now May23 (northbound). Yes it rocks, especially on the center dock exposed directly to the channel (our Feb23 stay) the slips aren't as bad. They just installed new power/water pedestals (in Feb they were falling over and water was off). Employees are friendly and helpful. Single shower room ( but fits two ;-), toilets separate, free laundry. Much better dining/provisioning location than the west side Gucci marina, but you should time your entry with slack tide.

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  • Review for Charleston Maritime Center

    Reviewed by: Daniel Warthan on Apr 18, 2023
    Vessel Type: Power
    LOA: 40'
    Draft: 4.0'

    Rating: 4

    Staff very helpful. You are in the very best location for exploring Charleston. The marina is only for transients with 10 days or less a stay. If there is any NE winds or maybe east winds you will have alot of movement. Showers good; Laundry is free but only available during office hours.

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  • Review for Charleston Maritime Center

    Reviewed by: Maria Langer on Mar 17, 2023
    Vessel Type: Power
    LOA: 32'
    Draft: 2.5'

    Rating: 3

    Firs of all, do not ignore the complaints about rocking boats. This is a REAL problem. I spent two nights here and the first 24 hours went from bad to worse. It was the first time I was ever wakened in the middle of the night by my boat rocking so violently that I was being tossed around in my bed. The condition persisted into the next day and didn't ease up until after noon. I was offered a more sheltered slip but the waves, current, and wind in the small boat basin made me concerned that I would not be able to move the boat across the marina safely. The wind died down and so did the wake; my second night was much calmer.

    The staff was helpful but not very enthusiastic about providing service beyond what was necessary.

    There is water taxi and tour boat traffic all day. The water taxi was not an issue but the tour boat had long lines of passengers. There is no security gate for the dock.

    Restrooms and the single shower were adequate but on a very high second floor. I didn't see an elevator but have to assume there was one somewhere.

    The only reason I see to go to this marina is its location and relatively low price. It is walking distance from not only the historic district of Charleston, but a Harris Teeter supermarket and numerous restaurants. The Aquarium is nearby. It was also considerably less expensive than larger marinas on the other side of the peninsula. Leaving the area to head north on the ICW was quick and easy.

    Bottom line: I would neither recommend this place nor stay here again. However, if you don't mind potentially rough conditions and want to be close to what Charleston has to offer, it's worth consideration.

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  • Review for Charleston Maritime Center

    Reviewed by: Teresa Scott on Oct 18, 2022
    Vessel Type: Sail
    LOA: 40'
    Draft: 5.5'

    Rating: 5

    Stayed a couple of nights waiting for weather to pass. People were helpful and very nice. Didn't use the showers but the laundry is good. Restaurants and grocery within walking distance
    Downside is the rocking from wakes.

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  • Review for Charleston Maritime Center

    Reviewed by: Bill Kight , Cookie, on Jun 30, 2022
    Vessel Type: Power
    LOA: 27'
    Draft: 2.2'

    Rating: 4

    This is a well-run municipal marina with very competent dockhands. I visited in early June 2022. Showers and bathrooms were clean. The downside is the near constant rocking of your vessel from wakes and waves.

    Charleston historic sites are within easy walking distance. A water taxi comes to the marina if you would like to go to the other side of the Cooper River to visit Patriot's Point and the museum ships there. Cost is $14 to ride all day. A ferry to Ft. Sumter is close by.

    A Harris-Teeter grocery is a few blocks.

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  • Review for Charleston Maritime Center

    Reviewed by: Gena Olson on May 24, 2022
    Vessel Type: Power
    LOA: 50'
    Draft: 3.5'

    Rating: 4

    We loved the location, east side of peninsula. Quiet, friendly staff. We did get rocked now and then. 3 blocks to a fantastic grocery store! Mile from Visitor Center. Equidistant from historic district and city market as from the larger marinas on west side of peninsula.

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  • Review for Charleston Maritime Center

    Reviewed by: Gena Olson on May 24, 2022
    Vessel Type: Power
    LOA: 50'
    Draft: 3.5'

    Rating: 4

    We loved the location, east side of peninsula. Quiet, friendly staff. We did get rocked now and then. 3 blocks to a fantastic grocery store! Mile from Visitor Center. Equidistant from historic district and city market as from the larger marinas on west side of peninsula.

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  • Review for Charleston Maritime Center

    Reviewed by: Ray Sirois on Mar 24, 2022
    Vessel Type: Power
    LOA: 32767'
    Draft: 3.5'

    Rating: 4

    Well no ice here. Bring cart to grocery store walking distance????. Laundry is Free 2 washers 2 dryers. Big washer that can fit blankets in??. Great crew always lending a helping hand. Currant here but doesn't bother

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  • Review for Charleston Maritime Center

    Reviewed by: Tony-Donna Lagera , Tranquility Eh!, on Mar 22, 2022
    Vessel Type: Power
    LOA: 45'
    Draft: 3.8'

    Rating: 3

    This marina is in a great location near downtown Charleston. The have a great and super helpful staff and the marina is in very good shape with floating docks. There are plenty of places to walk the dog adjacent to the marina. We were here for a week and our only complaint is that our boat was constantly rolling and being hit by wakes, sometimes from some very large boats including a cruise ship that gunned it right outside the marina. I think for a couple of days while visiting Charleston this would be the perfect spot.

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  • Review for Charleston Maritime Center

    Reviewed by: Bob423 on Jan 11, 2022
    Vessel Type: Sail
    LOA: 42'
    Draft: 5.0'

    Rating: 4

    This is our favorite marina in Charleston. It's within walking distance to downtown and only three blocks from Harris Teeter, a huge supermarket. We always provision here. On the downside, the marina is exposed to wakes from passing traffic, it doesn't bother us but does bother some people. If you arrive at anything other than slack tide, be sure to pay close attention to maneuvering in your slip, the current can catch you if you're not careful. On a positive note, the dockhands are experienced in docking boats and they've been excellent. The WiFi is average, usable. They have ice, showers, and a Captain's lounge. Be sure to explore the dozens of restaurants within walking distance in Charleston, a delight! There's also a large Apple store for those wishing to explore that option.

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  • Review for Charleston Maritime Center

    Reviewed by: Captain Gene , Galene, on Nov 1, 2021
    Vessel Type: Power
    LOA: 39'
    Draft: 4.0'

    Rating: 4

    October 31,2021 happy to return here as our last visit was 2016. It is wise to come in at slack tide making it easier. Access to downtown is a reasonable walk and Harris Teeter is a couple of blocks for reprovisioning. WiFi worked well enough to update our charts. Staff helpful. Fort Sumter visitor center a short distance if you want to tour it. Light winds made our stay not too much rolling but if winds are up from SE ,or E, or NE rolling would make this uncomfortable. Some wakes do roll you here but not really an issue this time. Free laundry a plus. Only one shower for everyone.

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  • Review for Charleston Maritime Center

    Reviewed by: Capt. Sterling on Jul 23, 2021
    Vessel Type: Power
    LOA: 40'
    Draft: 4.0'

    Rating: 2

    Dockmaster was not knowlegable, had us fender up on the wrong side for docking conditions, docks are terribly exposed to huge wakes. Will not dock here again.

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  • Review for Charleston Maritime Center

    Reviewed by: Chris Osborne on Jun 24, 2021
    Vessel Type: Power
    LOA: 33'
    Draft: 3.0'

    Rating: 1

    I'm a local charter captain that buys $2000-$3000 in fuel per week. Charleston maritime center is hands down the worst fuel dock in Charleston. They always act like it is a huge imposition to fill you up. The marina is shallow with terrible cross current. The fuel is cheap but good luck getting them down there to fill you up. Every single time we go here it is a nightmare. Just pay the extra money and fill up at Charleston marina or literally anywhere else. It's not worth the headache. The manager won't call you back either.

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  • Review for Charleston Maritime Center

    Reviewed by: DBrian on Apr 25, 2021
    Vessel Type: Power
    LOA: 41'
    Draft: 5.0'

    Rating: 3

    Compact little marina on the east side of Charleston.
    Pros: Very convenient proximity to grocery and downtown
    Cons: Rough waters, especially during an east wind, but then most places around Charleston are like this.

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  • Review for Charleston Maritime Center

    Reviewed by: Allan and Lindsay , SV Scout, on Mar 11, 2021
    Vessel Type: Sail
    LOA: 40'
    Draft: 6.1'

    Rating: 3

    Convenient location to the city and directly off channel. Floating docks. You can catch wakes all night from large ships passing by. Note- during Covid... bathrooms and showers are not open). Free laundry between 8-5.
    Howie was a rockstar from the time of arrival... helping us get tied to the dock, fuel up, pump out, and with anything else we needed. He made the stay increasingly better with his kindness and helpfulness.

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  • Review for Charleston Maritime Center

    Reviewed by: Andreas , AKKA, on Nov 26, 2020
    Vessel Type: Sail
    LOA: 42'
    Draft: 6.2'

    Rating: 4

    Small but perfect place close to the city. Very friendly staff helps docking, as tide currents have to be observed when entering the slip with or against the waterflow. Excellent Harris Teeter Supermarket is only a short walk away. Free washing machines and dryers are another plus. Wifi was reasonable.
    We would stay here again.

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  • Review for Charleston Maritime Center

    Reviewed by: Bob423 on Nov 6, 2019
    Vessel Type: Sail
    LOA: 42'
    Draft: 5.0'

    Rating: 4

    This is my favorite marina in Charleston. It’s within walking distance to downtown and all the shops as well as within two blocks of a Harris Teeter supermarket. The hardware store by Harris Teeter is no more, oh well. The laundry is free and there’s WiFi some of the time; it’s not great.

    The marina can get rolly in an east wind, it’s not protected from that direction. Presently, it’s very noisy from pounding in a steel foundation for a new museum. I would not recommend the marina until the building is completed.

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  • Review for Charleston Maritime Center

    Reviewed by: Jonathan Walsdorf , M/V Golfinho, on Jun 16, 2019
    Vessel Type: Power
    LOA: 43'
    Draft: 3.5'

    Rating: 5

    Small excellent marina, staff was very cool, namely Logan, Christian and the manager Jeff. I look forward to returning to this place; it is convenient to lots of Charleston stuff.

    My only negative comment are regarding Mother Nature as the tide flow makes entering, docking and departing a bit problematic, but the help from the staff on the docks mitigates this substantially.

    My advice is to approach/depart during slack tide. This is a definite “come back” marina.

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  • Review for Charleston Maritime Center

    Reviewed by: Bob423 on May 5, 2019
    Vessel Type: Sail
    LOA: 42'
    Draft: 5.0'

    Rating: 4

    This is my favorite marina in Charleston. It’s within walking distance to downtown and all the shops as well as within two blocks of a Harris Teeter supermarket. There’s even a large hardware store by Harris Teeter. They have two new commercial grade washers and two dryers and, best of all, they are free! The docks are new since the old one were destroyed by hurricane Matthew. There is also an excellent nature center nearby as well as lots of attractions you can apply for in the kiosk by the laundry room.

    On the downside, it can be rocky in a southeast wind and also from passing boats. We don’t mind but others may.

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  • Review for Charleston Maritime Center

    Reviewed by: Mary on Nov 9, 2018
    Vessel Type: Sail
    LOA: 50'
    Draft: 5.6'

    Rating: 3

    Nice location, but LOTS of current in the dockage. Also be aware of the tides when arriving, reported dockside depth of 20’ is not accurate for all docks. Some of the slips are far less - check with the marina before entering (we saw a 4’ shoal in their basin which is not marked.). The marina staff is very helpful, just verify depths before entering.

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  • Review for Charleston Maritime Center

    Reviewed by: Bob423 on Jul 1, 2018
    Vessel Type: Sail
    LOA: 42'
    Draft: 5.0'

    Rating: 3

    The location here is everything. It's a two block walk to a great supermarket, Harris Teeter, and downtown is only another two blocks with no worries about parking a car (since you're walking). They have two free washers and two free dryers. The only downside are wakes from passing boats or from a southeast wind. I don't mind but others may. The marina is currently closed due to hurricane damage but is due to reopen in the fall of 2018, we hope.

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  • Review for Charleston Maritime Center

    Reviewed by: mark 10 on Jun 1, 2018
    Vessel Type: Power
    LOA: 50'
    Draft: 5.0'

    Rating: 2

    Decent but go to city marina for location.

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