OK- I found some old threads about launching/storing in myrtle beach, but would like an update since the newest one is a year old. Please give me the scoop on launching/ storing as I plan to visit in two weeks. Also need lodging info for 5 since no reservations yet. Thanks in advance.

--
Eric C

Force 5 project boat
Unnamed

Previous boat
1980 Nacra 5.2
"Double Vision"
--

I will be there later in August, staying at the Marriott. Beach access around the Marriott is controlled by "Lacks Beach Service". The Marriott said Lacks was hired by the City to manage the beaches. Once launched, Marriott said I could keep the boat up by the hotel overnight (mast up, no sails).

You can reach them at 843-655-4754 to find launch spots. Let me know how things go.

--
Karl, Captain of Stayin' Thirsty
2011 Hobie 16SE
Atlanta, GA
--

I have gotten in touch with a Sergeant Kane with the Myrtle Beach Beach Patrol, who is responsible for controlling access to the beach. He has told me that there is an area near 69th street where cats can be kept for a time period. We are going to be staying at the Caravelle Resort located very close to that area. He said no permit is required but that information regarding dates, owner info, hotel, etc. was required. I am planning on going down next Wednesday for three days. I have to pick up some PVC for the trip up and down the beach then there. Anyone know where I could store the trailer? I'm sure the hotel won't like that. Local marina?

BTW- great sail on Lake Hartwell, GA last weekend. Even buried the leeward hull up to the beam once, thought a pitchpole was imminent, but the Nacra just pulled the hull back up once speed dropped off. WHEW!

--
Eric C

Force 5 project boat
Unnamed

Previous boat
1980 Nacra 5.2
"Double Vision"
--

Quote

Even buried the leeward hull up to the beam once, thought a pitchpole was imminent, but the Nacra just pulled the hull back up once speed dropped off. WHEW!

It gets less scary after the first dozen. I have buried my 5.7 hull to where the beam is shooting water over the tramp, & the rear end never lifted clear. I find it will go to where the bridle wire is just under, & throwing water at you, then it comes back up. A couple of times I've stuffed a wave, & put both hulls under.
Usually speed gets scrubbed pretty quickly in those cases, & you ask your crew what the hell are they doing up around the mast!



Edited by Edchris177 on Jul 19, 2011 - 10:53 AM.

--
Hobie 18 Magnum
Dart 15
Mystere 6.0XL Sold Was a handful solo
Nacra 5.7
Nacra 5.0
Bombardier Invitation (Now officially DEAD)
Various other Dock cluttering WaterCrap
--

OK guys, I'm psyched! Got all the blessings needed to bring my cat down to MB; will leave tomorrow. Have permission to rig and leave on beach; fairly close (300 yards?) to the hotel. Also have permission to store trailer. Will keep boards and sails in hotel room when not sailing. Upon returning, I'll post all of the pertinent data- location, contacts, etc. Maybe I'll see another cat jockey out there?

--
Eric C

Force 5 project boat
Unnamed

Previous boat
1980 Nacra 5.2
"Double Vision"
--

Have a great time. I sail on the SC coast at least once a year near Pawleys Island. Look forward to your pics. Stay perpendicular to the waves - on the way out - weight forward, weight back when coming in - I love riding the waves in.

--
David
Memphis, TN
'84 Hobie 18
--

I won't be in Mrytle till Aug 15th, but will be very interested to hear about your experiences.

--
Karl, Captain of Stayin' Thirsty
2011 Hobie 16SE
Atlanta, GA
--

OK- here is the Myrtle Beach Scoop to the limits I have learned. This will be rather lengthy, but want to make leave out any pertinent details.

First off, to get blessings on keeping your boat on the beach, contact Sgt Phillip Cain with the MB beach patrol pcain@cityofmyrtlebeach.com. I though it would be a big hassle and cost some money, but he was a great help. For the time I was there (3 days) there was no fee to keep the boat on the beach. Sgt. Cain basically wanted to know a description of the boat, the time I would be there, contact info, etc., which I emailed to him.

The only place to keep cats on the beach is at 67th street. A quick check of Google satellite image will confirm the presence of a "fleet" of cats stored there (mostly hobie 16's). We stayed at the Caravelle Resort, a few hundred yards away, allowing me to carry my sails/rigging down to the boat. Although staying elsewhere would not present challenges. At 67th street, there is public access with parking, if you get there early enough. When we arrived, I pulled into the small lot (no room to turn a trailer around), and disconnected the trailer, parked the truck. Wheeled the trailer by hand (wide access for emergency vehicles to a spot on the beach next to the other cats. We were able to borrow someone's beach wheels for the return trip- much easier. I was told it was OK to borrow beach wheels from others, as long as I didn't damage them. Set up boat (mast/rudders) and towed the trailer back to be kept at the Caravelle parking deck (with their permission). Parking deck there is a pain- very little room to maneuver, and crazy people flying through there. I don't know of any other locations to keep a trailer. There are a couple of marinas in town that would probably be a logical option. Like all the other cat owners, I left no lines/rigging other standing rigging and halyards on the boat when I was gone. Look to see what is left on the other boats and don't leave anything that is easily removable. Access to water good with soft sand up the beach and hard packed sand down to the water. There is a shallower area just offshore that one needs to be aware of when launching/returning at low tide.

As for our sailing, wind was up about 15-20kts while we were there. Better to sail earlier before seas and winds get to be too much, IMO. First day, beated from 67th street all the way down to the Boardwalk. Broad reach return thrilling- just off the beach, surfing waves. Second sailing day was cut short. I waited too long to go. Seas too big; wind too strong (~20kts?); too much work and not enough fun, for me. Too afraid of breaking my 30 year-old boat or my 45 year-old body. Tacks through strong wind and heavy seas very tricky. Could never get the bows through the wind as waves sucked every bit of momentum I could build up to attempt the tack. Tried different timing- crests vs troughs- no difference. Finally figured out how to backwind the jib to back the boat through the tack. I didn't attempt any jibes- too afraid of breaking something on my 30 year-old boat with wind that strong. Reaching/surfing scary that day as bows plowed under the surf several times, even though we were as aft as we could get. No pitchpole, though, thanks, Nacra.

Overall, had a great time sailing there. Looking forward to a return trip sometime soon.

--
Eric C

Force 5 project boat
Unnamed

Previous boat
1980 Nacra 5.2
"Double Vision"
--

Wow, thanks for the great info. I will print this out for my own trip in 15 days.

--
Karl, Captain of Stayin' Thirsty
2011 Hobie 16SE
Atlanta, GA
--

I'm at the Marriott Grand Dunes. The hotel lets me keep the boat on their beach overnight, tucked back up against the dunes, which is very cool. At night, I strip off anything that is easily removable and keep the sails in the hotel room. There is a road right next to the hotel that provides beach access, although it is marked for "emergency vehicles" only. The lifeguards had no issue with me putting my boat on the beach wheels and rolling it down their access road. The sailing has been nothing short of phenomenal.

Gettiing the boat out past the surf amongst the swimmers is not without it challenges, but certainly doable. The winds have been howling at 15-20 mph, easy to fly a hull with two adults. I did some solo sailing and was even hiked out a few times. It was amazing. Coming back in, I simply point the boat straight at the beach and ride the waves right onto the shore. Awesome.

--
Karl, Captain of Stayin' Thirsty
2011 Hobie 16SE
Atlanta, GA
--

I'm a new Hobie 16 owner in Surfside Beach, just south of Myrtle. I thought I'd add to this thread that the city of North Myrtle Beach is now beach cat unfriendly.

Also, the City of Myrtle Beach law doesn't actually confine boats to 67th Ave N, although I haven't test that, yet ;)

If anyone is in need of short term trailer storage, please feel free to contact me via pm, I will store your trailer for sailing tips!