Reviews from Mark Rinkel (1)

Marina Review for Hilton Head Harbor Marina

Reviewed by: Mark Rinkel , Positive Latitude, on Jun 22, 2021
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 43'
Draft: 4.0'

Rating: 1

On Monday, May 24, 2021, we arrived at Hilton Head Harbor RV Resort with our Mainship 430 trawler.  We booked the stay through Dockwa, which included our boat details, weeks in advance. Our plan was to secure the boat and visit locally with friends for a week before a quick trip to California.  We left the boat at this marina last fall for a week on the outside fuel dock had no issues.

When approaching the marina in May, we were initially directed to tie up to the fuel dock.  While checking in at the office, we were given a slip assignment inside the marina basin.  Because we've only seen small boats (15-25 feet) in the basin, I questioned if our larger boat would be ok in the basin.  I was told the first few slips are fine for our size boat.  We left the face dock and made our way to the entrance of the basin at minimum speed.  We were about 90 minutes past low tide.  At the middle of the entrance, we went aground with impact to the port propeller.  Unfortunately, the ground was not soft.  We managed to back up and return to the fuel dock.  A Sea Tow boat happened to pass after witnessing our situation and advised us not to enter for at least 2 more hours.  When we returned to the fuel dock, I inquired about the entrance to the basin.  The dock staff member stated the channel is 8 feet deep and 20 feet wide.  Several hours later, we entered the basin and found our assigned slip.

After securing the boat and leaving the marina, we received an email from the marina advising we may not want to run our air conditioning because we might suck in silt or plug mud at low tide.  Although we appreciate the warning, we were concerned about low tide.  We returned the next morning to find the boat firmly aground at low tide.  The aft end of the boat was lifted approximately 18 inches and the stern lines were strained by the pressure of a lifted boat secured to a dock now sitting in the mud.  We immediately returned to the office to request an assignment on the fuel dock outside the basin.  At the next high tide, we moved the boat back to the fuel dock.

We are facing considerable expense for our prop and shaft as well several weeks delay waiting for repairs.  

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