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2022 Cruise Information for DIYC Cruisers

Introduction – The DIYC has had a wonderful history of power boat cruising all over the low country.  Unfortunately, we hit a dry spell thanks to Covid.  However, last year, then Cruise Captain Dale Kirby, restarted our cruising and brought it to a new level with a variety of interesting and innovative cruises and events.

Our plan for this year is to try to keep up with what RC Kirby did last year and add some new and different locations and events.  I hope you will be able to join us for as many of these as you can.  If you have questions or have not cruised with us in the past, the following is intended to help you out.

Types of cruises – There are five categories of cruises and each has their own distinctive flavor.  They are:

         Overnight cruises

         Distance/Destination cruises

         Sandbar cruises

         Popup/evening cruises

         Events

Let’s take a look at each category in more detail, and what we have planned for this year.  This a general description and will be followed by “Save the Date” announcements, details and signup instructions.  For those who sign up for an event, we will send further emails as needed.  Final dates depend on shore arrangements, tides, and of course, the weather.

Overnight cruises – We have one overnight powerboat cruise in mind for this year.  After having gone to Charleston for the last two overnight cruises, Savannah is our target this year.  An overnight cruise generally has a more substantial distance to cover and ends up at a marina or yacht club where we tie up for one or two nights depending on your schedule.  Arrangements for the tie up and hotel accommodations are made in advance and there is usually a social event along with sight seeing at the destination city.  Cruisers usually go in one or more groups so assistance is available if there is a problem.

But there is also an overnight cruise for the sail boaters among us!  Last year PC Scott Johnson organized and led an overnight cruise to Edisto for sailors who stayed ovenight on their boats. He plans to do the same for at least one or possibly two cruises this year.

Destination / Distance Cruises -  A destination cruise is a group cruise to someplace interesting or fun, where generally lunch and an activity happen before the return cruise to Dataw.  This year trips to the Ace Basin Nature Center, Battery Creek, Harbortown, Beaufort Yacht and Sailing Club, and the Edisto Yacht Club are in the works. 

Two Distance Cruises are planned as well that will help you burn lots of fuel.  Around St. Helena Island and around Beaufort/Port Royal/Paris Island will clean out the carbon in your engine.

Sandbar cruises – Some of the best loved and most fun events are sandbar cruises.  The idea is to time the tides at our target location so that we arrive one hour before low tide and leave 2-3 hours later when the rising tide lifts us off.  You need a couple of anchors (the stern one can be small) so after the boat is gently nudged up onto the beach, it can be secured.  Picnics, adult beverages, bonfires (for the evening cruise), swimming (it does get hot around here in the summer), and general fun are the rule.  Trips to Fripp Inlet sandbar, Capers Island sandbar, and at least two to the Morgan River sandbar, one of which should be an evening cruise are in the plan.

Popup evening cruises -  We hope to have three or four of these low stress, quickly planned cruises this season.  Thus, the name Popup Cruise.  These cruises, in company, will leave Dataw in the early evening, go to someplace close to home where the boats will raft up and anchor to enjoy the evening and being out on the water.  Jenkins Creek both sides, behind the Morgan River Bar, and even around the red nun on the Morgan River that is not used for navigation are options. Because we are not traveling far, sailboats are welcome.

Events – RC Kirby broke ground last year on some terrific events that are truly memorable.  Blessing of the Fleet kick off the season.  The Poker Run, Pirates at the Pier, and finally the Boat Parade close the season.  There will be much more information on these fun events as we get closer.  Time and space do not permit me to describe them here.  Ask anyone who went last year to any of them and you will get an earful.  Watch for the announcements and don’t miss them.

Experience  - We have a wonderful mix of very experienced cruisers, new members/boat owners who are just getting started and a large group in the middle.  Regardless, all are welcome to sign up and we will make every effort to help newcomers get comfortable with their boats and our low country waters.  Generally it is helpful to have some experience for the destination/distance cruises and the overnight to Savannah, but it is not required.  The format of the cruise itself is to cruise in company.  The cruise captain for the day will lead and there will be a trailing boat to help out anyone having a problem.  The cruise will sometimes split up into a faster group and one that is not as fast.  Radio communications will be monitored on all boats so a working VHF radio is required.

Guests – Over time cruisers tend to develop a favored crew that will do the heavy work and provide adult refreshments.  However, this year we are encouraging all to reach out and invite some new folks who have not had a chance to get out on the water.  This will get some new members for the DIYC and keep our marina dry stacks full.

Volunteers – Here is the big one.  None of these events will be as good as they should be without volunteers to organize, communicate, and execute the plan.  In fact without volunteers, some of them may not happen.  Past experience has shown that DIYC members are fantastic volunteers and I am sure that will be the case for a season of fun on the water.  The new website will have a drop down item on the home page where you can volunteer for anything on the calendar.  Be patient while we work the bugs out,  but we will have it going as soon as we can.  In the meantime contact me if you want to get involved.  (jbflanagan@comcast.net).

Sign up – Last year we bumped against a size limit for some of the events.  In the end we did not have to leave anyone out, but it was close.  This year with the aid of the new web site, we will set a limit on the number of cruisers where needed.  If there is a limit it will be stated on the announcement along with instructions on how to sign up.  It will be on a first come first served basis and when the limit is reached sign ups will stop.  I do not think it will happen often, but it may happen.

Finally, the chart below (if blown up) will show the routes of some of our away from home waters cruises.

2022 Cruise Chart