Boat detailing supplies for Charlestonnear downtown and the harbor
Wash care, water-spot removal, metal polish and long-lasting protection for boats on the peninsula, the Ashley River and Charleston Harbor, from our store about 25 minutes north.
Shop productsVisit the storeWhere the Ashley and the Cooper meet
Charleston Harbor is formed where the Ashley and Cooper rivers come together, with Morris Island and Sullivan’s Island sheltering the entrance and Fort Sumter inside it. The harbor is part of the Intracoastal Waterway, so the peninsula sees both local boats and boats moving up and down the coast. On the Ashley side of the peninsula, the marina known locally as the Megadock (now Safe Harbor Charleston City) sits at ICW mile 469.5. Waterway Guide lists the tide range there at 5.6 feet.
That tide range, and the current that comes with it, is part of what makes boats here work hard. Boats at a downtown slip take salt spray most days and sun all day, and the waterline gets a steady film. Larger boats, with more stainless and more canvas, have more to keep up with. The work that matters most here is a gentle wash that doesn’t strip the protection, removing water spots before they etch, keeping the metal bright, and topping up the sealant or coating through the season.
From the peninsula, our North Charleston store is about 15 miles north, roughly 25 minutes without traffic. If you’d rather not make the drive, order online and it ships UPS Ground.
From downtown Charleston
- From Marion Square: about 15 mi, 24 min
- From the Charleston Maritime Center (Cooper River): about 15.5 mi, 26 min
- Take I-26 west toward North Charleston; allow more time at rush hour.
- Call ahead if you’re coming for a specific product or size.
Approximate drive distances and times without traffic.
Get directionsProducts for slips, salt spray and bright metal
Gentle wash care for coated boats, a spot remover that’s safe on coatings, metal polish for rails and towers, and protection for gelcoat and canvas.
Landings and launches around the peninsula
These are listed by Charleston County Parks, the SCDNR saltwater fishing program and Waterway Guide.
- Safe Harbor Charleston City (the Megadock) – Ashley River marina at ICW mile 469.5; tide range listed at 5.6 feet
- Charleston City Marina boat ramp – Off Lockwood Boulevard on the Ashley River; public access with limited parking
- Charleston Maritime Center – Cooper River; paddle-craft launch on the county map
- Brittlebank Park – Ashley River; paddle-craft launch on the county map
- Wappoo Cut Landing – Elliott Cut in West Ashley; one of the county’s busiest landings
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.
Charleston care notes
A harbor slip is a tough place for a finish.
At the slip
- Wash with a pH-neutral soap so you don’t strip the coating or sealant you paid for.
- Treat water spots on glass, gelcoat and metal before they etch. They’re much harder to remove after a few weeks of sun.
- Keep stainless rails, cleats and towers polished on a schedule. Salt air dulls and pits them faster than most owners expect.
Every few months
- Top up protection with a spray-on maintenance product after a wash, instead of waiting for water to stop beading.
- Treat canvas and cushions so they shed rain and stains between cleanings.
- Book the bigger correction jobs for a cooler month, when the boat is used less.
MDSC Charleston
We’re in North Charleston, about 25 minutes from downtown without traffic. Call ahead if you’re coming for something specific.
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 downtown Charleston?
About 15 miles, or roughly 25 minutes without traffic. Allow longer at rush hour.
Do you deliver to downtown marinas?
No. We don’t offer marina or dock delivery. Shop in person at the store, or order online for free shipping on orders over $200 (UPS Ground) and a $7 flat rate on orders under $200.
Is your spot remover safe on a ceramic coating?
Starke Venom is described by Starke as safe on ceramic-coated finishes, and on glass, paint, gelcoat and metal. Test a small area first, as with any product.
What are your hours?
Monday–Friday 8:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.; Saturday closed; Sunday closed.
Nearby towns we serve
Shem Creek, the Wando River and the harbor side of the Ravenel Bridge.
See the page →Wappoo Creek, Elliott Cut and the Stono River landings.
See the page →Between the Wando and Cooper rivers, with creek-side resident landings.
See the page →Keeping a boat downtown?
Browse wash care and protection online, or stop in on your way out of town.
Shop wash care