Southport Sports & Outdoors Tips by grandmaR

MM 315.0 St. James Plantation Marina

The rate was 95 cents a foot with a Boat US discount. They have floating docks for up to 8' draft.

This marina is sort of strange. They have no problem with taking transients, but they have no services - no showers, and no laundry although they do have ice and fuel. They have internet access and bathrooms in the marina trailer which is only open 8 to 5. Otherwise no bathrooms. They do have fuel, ice and water, and there is a restaurant that is about 1/2 mile away. They also apparently have bikes.

Equipment: They say that they have:

151 wet slips with floating docks
8' draft MLW
Ocean access 6 miles north and 5 miles south
Fresh water connections
Shore power (30 & 50 amps)
Fuel pumps (gas and diesel)
Pump-out service
Dry rack boat storage: 160 boats up to 35' long(Second dry rack storage facility being planned)
Pressure washing and boat detailing services
Interim ship's store stocked with marine lubricants, cleaners and fuel treatments, fishing tackle and apparel
Annual boat show in the spring

Address: 4006 St. James Drive

Directions: On the ICW at St. M 315
Dockmaster: Jerry Helms Jr.
Channel 16 VHF
Latitude: 33º 55' 35"
Longitude: 78º 07' 32"

Phone: 910-253-0463

Theme: Boating/Sailing

MM 309.3 Southport Marina

When we came south the first time in 2000, we stayed at Bald Head, because Southport was full. On the way up, we went outside from Little River to Cape Fear and bypassed Southport. Coming south in 2001, we went to South Harbor Village, but Bob was spooked by the large amount of current, so we finally ended up at Southport Marina in the spring of 2002. $1.15/ft, and $4 electric and free cable. They put us on the face dock south of the gas dock. Their restaurant is closed on Mon. They will let you do email in the office. I noticed that you cannot go down the concrete pier, you have to walk on the floating docks. This is because the rebar in the concrete under the pier has rusted, and parts of the concrete have fallen off, so it isn't safe.

It is in a basin so is protected from current, but there is some wake from passing boats.

Equipment: From internet material: This marina's extensive docks -180 wet slips up to 120', 207 dry storage racks, floating docks, Cable TV, High speed fuel pumps, Shower and laundry facilities, 75-ton open hoist, & 20,000 lb. fork lift - welcome the cruising boater with fuel, power, transient slips, restaurants, repair service, a clubhouse and supplies. An outdoor tiki lounge invites one and all to kick back with a cocktail or soda after a hard day of boating. It is one of only about a dozen North Carolina marinas with pump-outs. This marina is owned by the federal government and leased to operators.

Address: 606 W. West Pl., Southport/ ICW MM 309

Directions: US 17 from Wilmington, left onto NC Hwy 133 at intersection of NC Hwy 211, left as far as you can and then right.

Other Contact: (910) 457-9900.

Phone: 910-457-5261

Theme: Boating/Sailing

MM 309.0 Free Dock

The Provision Co. has a free dock which will hold two 40' boats. Only an extension cord could be plugged in, not regular boat power. Free overnight with meal (which is very reasonable in price).

The guys there had no clue as to what the depth at low tide would be, but one of the girls said she fell off the dock once, and she could stand up in the water - only up to her chest. She wasn't a particularly big girl.

Equipment: There is also another free dock in this basin with 15A electric. Four feet at low water with a very high pier and a limited 24 hour stay. This dock is past the fishing docks to the T-pier on the port.

Directions: Right off the ICW as you go by Southport

Theme: Boating/Sailing

MM 311.4 South Harbour Village Transient Dock

The South Harbour Village marina was not even open until June 2001, so it wasn't there when we came up last time.. It was a former menhaden plant. The fuel is not particularly cheap. Nov 2001 they were getting it for 67 cents(diesel) and selling it for $1.09. (our guest signed for a fuel delivery when she was up doing email.)

They have a long face dock and put transients inside and outside on the face dock. There are slips sticking out into the basin from one end of the face dock, and two sections in the basin and one section at the far end of the face dock. There is a grass lump used to be under the old docks for the menhaden boats. That dock doesn't go out as far in that area.

They wanted us to come in and tie port side to, which necessitated getting into the dock with the port side next to the inside which should have been easy. Unfortunately the boat only backs to starboard and the wind was carrying us away from the dock.

As we tried to turn to make another pass, the current caught us and carried us sideways down the fairway. As Bob tried to regain control without running aground on the grass lump or hitting anyone else's boat, the dock master and other boaters ran up and down the piers trying to decide where we'd end up and wanting to protect their property from us crashing into it. Eventually at the end of the fairway, the cross dock lessened the current, and Bob was able to back all the way back up to the entrance and make a better approach. The dockmaster's comment was: "I guess I forgot to tell you about the current". He did take one of us to the market in his car.

Equipment: They advertise a 1000 ft. floating dock at a perfect parallel to the channel, making it an easy-in, easy-out dock. Amenities include 30, 50 and 100 amp power, cable TV, gas, diesel, a pump-out station, a courtesy phone, Internet access, laundry, showers, a full-service restaurant, a deli and an 18-hole golf course on site. In addition to the transient dock, there are 119 slips. On site lodging is available, as well as fuel, groceries, and Internet services. Laundry and showers await you in our dockhouse, and for the mega-yacht goer, 100 amp service, 35 gallons per minute fuel pumps, and 12 feet of water depth at low tide.

Their transient overnight fee is $1.00/ft, $3.00 for 30 amp and $5.00 for 50 amp. Monthly it is $7.25/ft and metered power (28 foot minimum), Quarterly it is $21.00/ft and Annual it is $81.00/ft. Cable TV is free as is water.

Address: Fish Factory Rd. Southport

Directions: Just south of red ICW marker 8/ mile marker 311, one mile south of the Cape Fear River.

Phone: 910-454-7486

Theme: Boating/Sailing

Website: http://www.southharbourvillage.com/