South carolina boating suggestions?

[Steve Paskey]

I'll be going to Columbia on business for a couple of days in mid-October, and I'm thinking about taking a week's vacation when I'm done.

Any suggestions on good spots to putter around in a small boat under sail or outboard? (I'm between wooden boats, so I'd be taking my 16-foot fiberglass swampscott dory.)

One thought is the ACE basin on the coast south of Charleston. Any info re boating there or other places in SC (including info on launch ramps) would be much appreciated. Thanks!

[imported_Snatchblock]

There is an access site that is on the ICW about an hour north of Charleston on uS 17 that I have stopped at a couple of times on trips just to eat a bite. I always thought it would be fun to launch a boat there and go exploring.

[Buddy]

Lake Murray, right "in" Columbia is big and uncrowded.
In Charleston, enjoy the harbor. Put in at Shem Creek in Mt. Pleasant on the east side, or a Wapoo Cut on the west side. Go out to Folly Beach and put in at the bridge, sail over to Sandy Point on Kiowah Island- way far from cars and a great "boating" beach.
ACE BAsin- great ramp at Bennetts Point. Lake Keowee or Jacosse up in the Northwest corner would be a bit cooler this time of year- many great ramps and campsites too. Great bike and kayak stuff here.

[Buddy]

Forgot Steel Bridge ramp and dock on Highway 17 ( in the ACE Basin too) at the Ashepoo River. Great black water river yet still wide and open.

[Chadd Hamilton]

Steve, the sailing in October is usually very nice here in Charleston. Actually, there is the Georgetown WoodenBoat Festival the weekend of the 17th. It's always a pretty good time and the Sampit river is fun to explore.
http://www.woodenboatshow.com

Email me if you do come down and we'll try to meet up.