Savannah to Augusta on the Savannah River

[trogers]

Anyone ever navigate this stretch of the US waters.

I'm PCS'ing to the Augusta, GAarea and was thinking about living aboard. I'm curious if I can make it up the river.

I've read some conflicting messages on the internet. Go figure.

I draw ~5' so I figure I would be pushing the limits of credulity for this endeavor. My plan was to do this next spring.

Any suggestions on cruising guidebooks? Something like the "Nitty Gritty Tenn Tom".

Thanks in advance for you insight and advice.

 

[Jaxfishgyd]

Just come back down to jacksonville.... Am SURE you owe me a lot of beer by now...... Not sure Lambs would be where you would want to go... Ortega Landing would probably be a good fit though.......

 

[boatwright]

how about checking a coast guard coast pilot they tell the head of navigation

 

[SKYCHENEY]

You can bring up the navigational charts on the NOAA website. It looks like chart number 11514 and 11515. I see a couple of depths at 6.5ft and a few bridges at 26ft, but other than that, it looks fine.

 

[Walter P]

Several years ago I contemplated that trip and there is a Marina located near the bridge that crosses the river and connects Aiken, SC and Augusta, GA. If memory serves me the trip required at least one lock, but I was assured by the dockmaster there that I should have no problem making the run. You may want to confirm by contacting them directly. The local Chamber of Commerce should be able to supply the phone number.

Walt

 

[trogers]

Thanks all.

Sorry Charlie, Lambs is not in the (immediate) future.

I'm going to be stationed near Augusta for a while and the plan is to stay aboard. I will double check the depths and clearances, but I appreciated the guidance. I read that the one lock which is located about 17 miles south of Augusta and the city of Augusta operates the lock for the Corps of Engineers.

Thank you all for the input. I will pull the NOAA charts and do a full read. I'm not planning on making the trip until next spring so I'm hopeful that spring run offs add a bit to the depths.

If anyone has some "been there, for God sake don't do that" stories, please feel free to enlighten me before I try this little jaunt.

 

[trogers]

NOAA question....

There is a bridge at mile maker 61 NOAA chart 11514. It refers to the bridge clearance HW 15 and LW 26. I presume that HW = high water and LW = low water. That seems to be way too much of a change for tidal effects.

Any local knowledge available?

I'm going to reach out to the USCG station in Savannah and see if they are running patrols up the river with some resultant local knowledge, until then all thoughts and comments are graciously sought.

 

[Walter P]

Tim,

Please keep us up to date with whatever information that you may get. I may be interested to making the trip someday as well. I was thinking of it a while ago but for various reasons, it never happened. Now that I'm retired, it should be an interesting run. One of my closest friends retired to Aiken, SC a few years ago and I have threatened to visit by boat.

Walt

 

[trogers]

Will do Walt.

I'm pursuing back channels via a Coast Guard CPO who has a colleague stationed in the Savannah area. I'm hopeful that he will be able to turn up some good G2 on what issues await me on this trip.

Ideally I'd like to talk to the last coxswain who ran a 41 up the river!

My biggest concern is that bridge at SM 61.

Cheers,
Timothy

 

[Pascal]

have you looked at www.activecaptain.com and Salty's cruisersnet.net ? there could be some info there, esepcially on Saltys' as they cover "side trips"