Aug 25 Up the Waccamaw River to Osprey Marina

Aug 25

Peaceful night at anchor in Georgetown. Rain finished up, barely a breeze and just a very gentle swinging of the boat on anchor as the tides changed. Slept in a bit. Had some breakfast. Finally raised anchor around 10. No rush as the run up to Osprey Marina is only a few hours and we told them to expect an early afternoon arrival.

Leaving Georgetown, we head up the Waccamaw River. The lower reaches start with a wide river with marshes but gradually becomes a narrower meandering river through swamplands. The black colored water is indicative of the tannins that leach out of the swamp trees into this freshwater river. I've always found it to be a very beautiful, undeveloped and tranquil section of the ICW. Scenic natural beauty before hitting the garish Myrtle Beach area. It was quite a transition from yesterday's offshore run.

Lower Waccamaw River

We've known about Osprey Marina from our previous travels but had never stopped here. But they have some of the best diesel fuel prices in SC right now and we needed to top off the tanks and their dockage rate is half that of Myrtle Beach marinas. It's a bit smaller and more remote but well run with a friendly and helpful staff. Very protected hurricane hole but a bit tight with room for just a handful of larger boats.

We had hailed the marina about 10 minutes out and made arrangements to come to the fuel dock first and then head to our slip. About 5 minutes later a message comes over the radio a southbound boat saying they are turning into the fairway for fuel. So the marina radio's us with instructions to hold station until they are done. We idled for 45 minutes holding position out in the river while they got fueled up and docked. Not a big issue - just one of those things that happens. We eventually got to the fuel dock, topped off with 350 gallons and then did a masterful job backing off the fuel dock and swinging 180 degrees in reverse to back into our slip. Amazing how well we maneuver without wind or current interfering.

My brother Paul and his wife LeeAnn would be at their condo in Garden City Beach just a few miles away so we planned to meet up on Sat. As an extra surprise they brought my mom down from Charlotte to see the new boat and wish us well on our maiden voyage. This turned into a perfect location to meet up for a nice family get together. We got to see their condo and had a fantastic seafood dinner at Hot Fish Club overlooking Murrells Inlet. Then more visiting and a nice Sunday breakfast aboard the boat before they departed for home. Great to catch up and so appreciate them going the extra mile to bring mom along.