SC harbor launch fee?

I know this question has been asked before, but I can't seem to find a straight answer. Is there a fee to launch a kayak in sc harbor? I know of a few places where parking is free if you get there early enough, but what about launching? I have never seen any signs on the kayak floating dock about launch fee, but I have heard of yakers being asked to pay. I've also checked the harbor masters website and could not find and info on kayak launching fees there.

Yes, there is a fee. I haven't been this year, but I believe it was $6 last year, and another $6 if you want to park in the lot (you can park for free along the street). There is pay station in the middle of the parking lot, and it takes credit cards.

I get the impression that some kayak fishermen try to launch/land without paying, and no doubt they are sometimes successful. But, I think that's a bad idea. On multiple occasions, I've heard people grumbling (very loudly, when I was within earshot) about kayakers not paying. If we get a reputation as freeloaders, it's likely to result in higher fees and/or more vigorous enforcement (probably both).

I always park/launch in there so I always pay.  Just park, walk over to a blue box, pay your $10, and place the tag on your dash.  Done.

I was wondering if there is a season pass one could purchase and the cost.  I can't find info on the Harbor's website either. 

There is an annual pass for cartop launching which includes parking in any of the visitor spaces only.  Good for 1 or 2 vessels. 
$250 per year, drops to $175? on July 1st, then lower again in maybe Sept. 
Daily fees are $6 to launch and $12 to launch and park. 
The harbor staff is on top of it too!  You will be ticketed if you don't pay, especially if you're parked in the lot. 
Also, check your credit card statement, because I've been doubled charged for launching on the same day.

If you can pull your kayak, across the harbor by the restaurant  (the lighthouse side), park in the street and launch from there.  Its free!

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You can park on the street for free, but there is still a $6 launch fee. Only 'legal' launch spots are the main boat launch, 'A' dock and 'F' dock. New Port commission rules as of 2013 make it illegal  to launch anywhere else within the harbor. Sucks… but thats the deal.

Good to know.  I'll be launching some place else then.  Thanks for the info.

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Good to know.  I'll be launching some place else then.  Thanks for the info.

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I have never paid except when it's a tourney or I have someone without a kart I've gone with.. I launch from the harbor.. Many people can tell you how to do it, so if interested, I'd be glad to help you save a couple bucks...

Good to know.  I'll be launching some place else then.  Thanks for the info.

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I have never paid except when it's a tourney or I have someone without a kart I've gone with.. I launch from the harbor.. Many people can tell you how to do it, so if interested, I'd be glad to help you save a couple bucks...

Rippinlips

I actually launched at the harbor last Friday after a failed beach launch.  No one told me that there was a fee thinking it's only for motor boats.  No one came and told me to pay.  We were there good 15 minutes before we kayakwd out of there.

There was a fellow kayaker who happened to be using his boat that day.  He said that he normally lauch on the light house side / park in the street "free" he said.  So do tell please.

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Sounds like you got the tip!