Boat detailing supplies for Summervillethe upper Ashley and the lakes
Compound, polish, cleaner wax and wash care for trailer boats, pontoons and bay boats that split their time between fresh water, the Ashley River and the harbor.
Shop productsVisit the storeWhere the Ashley starts to widen
Summerville sits on the upper Ashley River, well inland from the harbor. The Ashley runs about 30 miles from Cypress Swamp in Dorchester County to Charleston Harbor, and along the way it changes from a blackwater swamp river to a freshwater tidal river and then to a saltwater tidal river. Near Summerville, Dorchester County notes that the tidal current still reverses twice a day at normal water levels.
The Town of Summerville’s Herbert H. Jessen Boat Landing, off Ladson Road, is where the channel widens enough for an average-size motorboat. It has a ramp with docks, a fishing pier and a separate kayak launch. Upstream, the Howard Bridgman River Access at Bacons Bridge is a carry-down site for canoes, kayaks, paddleboards and small johnboats.
A Summerville boat often leads a different life from one kept at a harbor slip. If yours goes home on a trailer or into a garage, it may see more than one kind of water in a season: the Ashley, the harbor, or a trip up to Lake Moultrie or Lake Marion, the Santee Cooper lakes that rank as the state’s third-largest and largest lakes. Darker upriver water can leave a brown line at the waterline, lake trips leave water spots, and a boat that’s trailered a lot needs its gelcoat kept glossy, not just clean. SCDNR counted 8,522 boats registered to Dorchester County owners in 2025. The Jessen Landing is only about 16 minutes from our store, and downtown Summerville is about 21.
From Summerville
- From downtown Summerville (Hutchinson Square): about 14 mi, 21 min
- From the Herbert H. Jessen Boat Landing: about 8.5 mi, 16 min
- Call ahead if you need a particular size or kit.
Approximate drive distances and times without traffic.
Get directionsGloss for trailer boats, clean for any water
A medium-cut compound and a hybrid finishing polish for chalky gelcoat, a cleaner wax for one-step jobs, a water-spot remover, and the wash basics.
Ashley River access near Summerville
These sites are listed by Dorchester County, the Town of Summerville and GoPaddleSC. Lake information is from Santee Cooper.
- Herbert H. Jessen Boat Landing – Town of Summerville; boat ramp with docks, fishing pier and kayak launch off Ladson Road
- Howard Bridgman River Access at Bacons Bridge – Carry-down access for canoes, kayaks, paddleboards and small johnboats
- Ashley River Blue Trail – About 30 miles from Cypress Swamp to Charleston Harbor
- Santee Cooper Lakes (Marion and Moultrie) – Lake Marion is the state’s largest lake and Lake Moultrie its third-largest; check lake levels before you go
Listed for reference only. Marine Detail Supply Charleston is not affiliated with these facilities and does not deliver to them. Check posted rules, tides and closures before you launch.
Summerville care notes
Trailer boats and mixed water need a slightly different routine.
After a river or lake day
- Wash the waterline while it’s still wet. The brown line from darker water lifts much more easily before it dries.
- If you were in the harbor, rinse the salt off the hull, the trailer and the engine before you put the boat away.
- Treat water spots on the windshield and the gelcoat with a spot remover rather than scrubbing harder.
In the driveway
- Garage or driveway time is a good chance to do correction work at your own pace. Start with the least aggressive compound that removes the oxidation.
- A cleaner wax is a solid one-step choice when the gelcoat is dull but not badly oxidized.
- Cover the boat or park it in shade when you can. Summer sun on a trailer boat adds up fast.
MDSC Charleston
We’re in North Charleston, about 20 minutes from downtown Summerville without traffic.
Marine Detail Supply Charleston
7644 Southrail Rd, Unit 400C
North Charleston, SC 29420
(843) 256-3383
noah@marinedetailsupply.com
| Monday – Friday | 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. |
| Saturday | Closed |
| Sunday | Closed |
Frequently asked questions
How far is the store from Summerville?
About 14 miles from downtown Summerville, roughly 20 minutes without traffic. The Jessen Boat Landing is about 16 minutes from us.
Do I need a compound or just a polish?
If the gelcoat is chalky and color comes off on a towel, start with a compound and finish with a polish. If it’s just dull, a cleaner wax may be enough. Bring a photo and we’ll help you choose.
Do you ship to Summerville?
Yes. We offer free shipping on orders over $200 (UPS Ground) and a $7 flat rate on orders under $200.
What are your hours?
Monday–Friday 8:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.; Saturday closed; Sunday closed.
Nearby towns we serve
Our store on Southrail Rd, near the Ashley and Cooper river landings.
See the page →Between the Wando and Cooper rivers, with creek-side resident landings.
See the page →Every town we serve from the North Charleston store, with drive times and shipping details.
See the page →Getting the boat ready this weekend?
Pick up compounds, polish and wash care at the store during the week, or order online.
Shop compounds & polish