Skidaway Island Boating Club

Click the link below to view the Commodore’s Log for May 2023

Commodore’s Log – May

The SIBC boat trip to Daufuskie Island, SC and tour by golf cart Wednesday, May 17^th was a great adventure for the 25 SIBC members who joined. The weather was uncertain up to the morning of the event and there was a 50/50 chance it would be canceled. However, mother nature smiled on us and the day was beautiful, the winds were light and the seas were flat.

The trip to Daufuskie Island in our four boats was very enjoyable and scenic. After a 2-hour transit through Thunderbolt, across the South and North fork of the Savannah River, through Fields Cut and Ramshorn Creek, we docked at the Freeport Marina on a strong ebbing tide. There was plenty of dock space for our four boats since there were only two or three other boats docked. Once we off loaded, everyone made their way to pick up their golf cart and we crossed the island to the Island Shack Café. Once there, we had an “extended lunch” (service was terribly slow). Following lunch, we proceeded to tour Daufuskie Island.

Our first stop was the light house/museum and vineyard. On the way to the lighthouse museum, some of us stopped at the Old Baptist Church which is still holding services in the original church building, a museum in its own right. The lighthouse and museum was a very informative stop and covered much of the early history of the lighthouse and the island. From the lighthouse, it was a short drive to the beach.

The beach was gorgeous. Broad and wide and empty, as if we were the only inhabitants of a deserted desert island. From the beach, there was a clear view of Hilton Head Island and Tybee Island. After taking photos of the beach and our group, we were off to the Daufuskie Island Rum Distillery to taste their wares.

The distillery was in a very picturesque location with a lily pond and a pouch with rocking chairs to enjoy the view. After tasting several of their rums, I preferred their spiced rum (although I am not a rum drinker). Following our time at the Daufuskie Island Rum Distillery we had to head back to Freeport Marina for our 2-hour trip back to Landings Harbor Marina. We left on a strong flood tide but the weather was still great, no thunder or lighting anywhere. Our entire trip was dry…not a drop of rain. Some of the boats even saw dolphins on our way home and the dolphins put on quit a show for us, jumping out of the water, coming up to the boat to say “Hi” and just playing with one and other. I would say that the trip was a marvelous success and a great time was had by all. It was truly a unique experience.

Here is a link to the photo album of the trip:

Click here to view Photos

Download and follow the essential @BoatUS Spring Commissioning Checklist to start the boating season right https://bit.ly/3IQluem

Click the link below to view the Commodore’s Log for February.

\Commodore’s Log February

Click the link below to view the Commodore’s Log for January

Commodore’s Log – January

Ahoy Members!

R/V Song of the Whale arrived in Savannah on January 27th at Rousakis Plaza on River Street. Having sailed from the U.K. to Fernandina Island in Florida, she will follow the migration of the North Atlantic Right Whale from their calving grounds here in the southeast up to Canada, working with leading North Atlantic right whale researchers to address data gaps fundamental to the survival of the species. IFAW commissioned the vessel in 2004 to provide an offshore platform to enhance monitoring and research efforts of marine mammals, particularly whales. The Song of the Whale is a 21-meter sailing vessel, purpose built to be the quietest research vessel in the world.

See photos taken during the visit to R/V Song of the Whale..
Photos taken during SIBC visit

SIBC is kicking off its membership renewal drive for 2023 starting December 26th and ending January 6^th.  In order for you to vote on the new slate of SIBC officers and directors in January, your SIBC membership must be up-to-date.

Household memberships are still only $75 and single memberships are only $50.  SIBC Membership is one of the best values for the money at The Landings and our prices are holding steady even in this inflationary economy.  Your investment in a membership to SIBC is one of the most inexpensive ways on Skidaway Island to meet like-minded boating enthusiasts, to enjoy social activities on and off the water and to learn more about boating in the Low Country.

The SIBC Social Committee has been working hard to develop exciting activities for calendar year 2023 based on the feedback we received from our members survey and we don’t want you to miss out on any of these exciting activities.  The SIBC Board has increased the number of on the water events, social events and learning opportunities in calendar year 2023…so don’t miss out!!  The final schedule of events for 2023 will be solidified in late January or early February.

Navigate to the Membership Application page to pay for your membership with PayPal.

SIBC Membership Application Page

Hope to see you at one of our events…

Hugh Upton
SIBC Commodore