🌊 Welcome aboard! In this episode of Sailing and Cruising the East Coast of the United States, join host Bela Musits and boat owner Mike Malekoff as they share a captivating leg of their journey from Brunswick, Georgia to Burlington, Vermont. Today’s featured stop: the historic and charming port city of Charleston, South Carolina.

⛵ In this sailing podcast episode, we take you behind the scenes of a real-life coastal cruising adventure aboard Mike’s Hunter 44 Deck Salon. From navigating offshore in the Atlantic Ocean to docking in one of the East Coast's most iconic sailing towns, this episode is packed with storytelling, lessons learned, and seafaring camaraderie.

⛵ What You’ll Hear in This Episode:

• How Mike and Bela planned and executed an offshore sail to Charleston

• The surprises that came up despite perfect weather forecasts (spoiler: plans go awry at sea!)

• First impressions of Charleston Harbor and why it's a must-visit for any East Coast cruiser

• Anchoring tips, marina reviews, and navigating the approach to Charleston

• An authentic day-in-the-life look at living aboard while coastal cruising

• Reflections at anchor after a long sail and how the boat (and crew) held up
  

📍 Location Highlights:

• Charleston, South Carolina – Historic, hospitable, and full of nautical charm. We discuss what makes this city such a welcoming port, from its protected anchorage to vibrant waterfront culture.

• Offshore Route – Our sail from Georgia to South Carolina: how the weather evolved and the real-time decisions made while underway.

• ICW vs Atlantic – Why we chose to go outside the Intracoastal Waterway for this leg—and how that decision played out.
  

🧭 Gear & Boat Info:

• Boat: Hunter 44 Deck Salon

• Navigation: Windy, Navionics, NOAA charts

• Weather: Light winds forecasted… reality was a bit different

• Conditions: Calm seas, shifting winds
  

🔔 Don’t Miss an Episode! Subscribe and click the bell to be notified when new episodes drop! We post regularly about:

• Coastal navigation and trip planning

• Marina reviews and anchoring guides

• Boat maintenance and living aboard

• Interviews with sailors and cruising experts
  

👍 Like, Comment & Share if you're enjoying the journey!

Connect With Us:

Our email is Sailingtheeast@gmail.com

Happy Sailing!

Bela and Mike

🔎 Keywords (for SEO): sailing Charleston, coastal cruising podcast, Hunter 44 sailboat, sailing South Carolina, East Coast sailing, offshore sailing Atlantic, ICW alternatives, Charleston marina, liveaboard sailboat, cruising lifestyle, real sailing stories, podcast for sailors

Welcome back to another episode of Sailing and Cruising the East Coast of the United States! In Episode 138, we continue our adventure as host Bela Musits and fellow sailor Mike Malekoff embark on a remarkable journey to move Mike’s Hunter 44 Deck Salon sailboat from Brunswick, Georgia to Burlington, Vermont.

Join us for another unforgettable leg of our journey as we sail into the historic harbor of Charleston, South Carolina — just as the sun rises over the Atlantic.

⛵ Episode Highlights

• Navigating the busy and narrow Charleston Harbor entrance

• Watching the sunrise over the city’s historic skyline

• Tips for timing your entrance into Charleston based on tides, currents, and bridge openings

• Mike and Bela’s observations on boat handling, navigation, and local traffic

• Why Charleston is a must-visit for East Coast cruisers
  

🎙️ What You’ll Hear in This Episode This is episode, recorded live aboard the boat. While the sound quality reflects the real-world sailing conditions, the authenticity shines through. There’s nothing quite like hearing the boat creak, the birds call, and the excitement in our voices as Charleston slowly appears in the dawn light.

📍 About Charleston, South Carolina Charleston is one of the most beloved ports along the Atlantic and ICW. Known for its charm, maritime history, and vibrant waterfront, it’s both a rewarding destination and a navigational challenge. Bela and Mike share their perspective on arriving by boat, navigating the commercial traffic, and enjoying the skyline view from the water.

📚 For New and Experienced Cruisers Whether you’re dreaming of sailing the ICW or are already planning your trip, this podcast delivers real-time lessons from sailors who are out there doing it. Learn from our experiences — the wins, the mistakes, and the little things that make a big difference.

Thanks for joining us on the water! Stay tuned for the next leg of our journey — and fair winds to you, wherever you're cruising. 🧭⛵

Tune in wherever you get your podcasts—whether on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, or your favorite app. Don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review, and share with fellow sailors!

Connect With Us:

Our email is Sailingtheeast@gmail.com

Happy Sailing!

Bela and Mike

Welcome back to another episode of Sailing and Cruising the East Coast of the United States! In Episode 137, we continue our adventure on the Intracoastal Waterway (ICW) as host Bela Musits and fellow sailor Mike Malekoff embark on a remarkable journey to move Mike’s Hunter 44 Deck Salon sailboat from Brunswick, Georgia to Burlington, Vermont.

This episode—recorded directly from the cockpit while under sail at 2:00 AM during Bela’s night watch—captures the raw, real-time audio of sailing at night.

Night Sailing on the Atlantic:

Sailing at night is a whole different world. The water is quieter, the sounds sharper, and your senses are dialed up. In this episode, we reflect on what it’s like to helm a 44-foot sailboat after sunset and how we manage watches, lights, navigation, and fatigue.

The Magic of Night Watch:

There’s something special about being the only one awake while everyone else is sleeping below deck. It’s peaceful, introspective, and a perfect time for enjoying our place on the globe.

• Night navigation

• Sharing night watches on a two-person crew

• How to stay alert and avoid fatigue

• Tips for safe and smooth sailing at night

• Why nighttime on the water can be both eerie and beautiful
  

Tune in wherever you get your podcasts—whether on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, or your favorite app. Don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review, and share with fellow sailors!

Connect With Us:

Our email is Sailingtheeast@gmail.com

Happy Sailing!

Bela and Mike