There are some spots on the ICW that offer little tolerance for 6′ draft sailboats. For example, the ICW at Lockwoods Folly Inlet, which was last dredged in January/February 2012. But reports are already showing MLW depths have deteriorated to 4.5 feet in a portion of the marked channel.
Simply, I need mid- to high-tide to pass. Cricket Cove Marina places me within 20 miles of the inlet, leaving 20 miles to Southport, NC. So the problem is high tide on June 3 with an extra 4.5′ occurs occurs at 4:45 PM and sunset is 8:06. Moving at 4 knots, the math doesn’t work.
As a result, currently holding at Osprey Marina while seeking local knowledge reports from charter fishing captains to see what mean low water depths are in Little River Inlet. I have an extensive inventory of charts, but nothing on this inlet. Perhaps an opportunity to sail offshore to Cape Fear?
6/6 UPDATE: Got some intel and have shared it with Cruising News. For details, view: Detailed Report on Little River Inlet, South Carolina, Navigation (near Statute Mile 342) Additional details about Cricket Cove have also been posted.