Plenty of places call themselves a marina when they are really a ramp and a dock. For anyone wanting a marina with gas dock in South Carolina and everything else alongside it, the difference matters. A Full service marina in South Carolina should mean you can keep the boat, fuel it, pump it out, store your gear, buy ice and bait, and eat dinner without ever trailering out, and that is the standard worth holding any marina on Lake Thurmond to.
Plum Branch Yacht Club and Lakeside Grill sits at 1 Yacht Club Dr in Plum Branch, on the South Carolina side of the lake. Here is exactly what is on site, and the questions worth asking before you sign for a slip anywhere.
Quick Answers
What does full service mean at a marina?
Slips with water and power, fuel on the water, pump out service, a launch ramp, storage, and a store for supplies. If you have to leave the property for any of those, it is not really full service.
What slip sizes are available at Plum Branch?
Slips run from 10 by 25 feet up to 22 by 90 feet, and most are covered with water and electric service at the slip.
Is there a gas dock?
Yes. The gas dock serves all types of vessels, and the ships store beside it sells ice, snacks, tackle, lake maps and other supplies.
How far is it from Augusta and Greenwood?
Plum Branch is an easy drive from both, which is why it works as a marina near Augusta, GA and a base for boating near Greenwood, SC.
What Is Actually on Site
The easiest way to judge a marina on Lake Thurmond is to list what you can do without leaving the property.
What does the marina offer?
Four core services, and what each one looks like on Lake Thurmond.
| Service | What Plum Branch offers | Why it matters |
| Slips | 10 by 25 to 22 by 90 feet, mostly covered, water and power | Sun and storm protection, shore power at the boat |
| Fuel | Gas dock serving all vessel types | No trailering out to a road station |
| Pump out | In-slip pump-outs for a nominal fee | Holding tanks emptied without moving the boat |
| Launch | Ramp sized from fishing boats to large houseboats | Day trippers and big boats both get in |
That combination is what separates a full service marina in South Carolina from a public ramp with a courtesy dock, and it is why a marina on Lake Thurmond with all four on one property saves real time every trip.
The Gas Dock and Ship’s Store
Fuel and supplies on the water sound like a small thing until you have hauled jerry cans down a Lake Thurmond ramp.
Why does an on water fuel dock matter?
Six reasons boaters look for a marina with gas dock in South Carolina rather than a ramp alone.
- Fuel without trailering: you top up on the water and go, instead of pulling the boat to fill it at a road station.
- Every size of boat: the gas dock handles fishing boats, pontoons, cruisers and houseboats alike.
- Ice and drinks: the ships store keeps ice, beverages, snacks and ice cream for a day on the water.
- Tackle and lake maps: useful when you are new to the lake or chasing fish in a different cove.
- Charcoal and toiletries: the small things campers and overnight boaters forget.
- Apparel: when the weather turns and you packed for sun.
Plum Branch is a marina with gas dock in South Carolina waters that serves every size of boat, but hours change with the season, so call (864) 443-3000 for current gas dock and store times before a trip, especially outside the summer months.
Storage, Camping and Dining on the Same Property
What makes a Lake Thurmond marina genuinely full service is everything around the slips.
What else is on site?
Six things on the property beyond the docks.
- Storage units: 41 units measuring 13 by 35 feet, with concrete floors, electricity and lockable doors, though they are not climate controlled.
- RV storage: space for RVs as well as boats, useful for owners who visit between seasons.
- Campgrounds: RV sites with 30 and 50 amp service and water, some with septic, plus primitive tent sites and a bathhouse.
- No RV size limits: larger rigs fit, which is not true of every lakeside campground.
- Lakeside Grill: a seasonal menu of seafood and meat, first come first served, open Friday evening and weekend afternoons.
- Events: boat parades, fireworks, concerts and a summer 4H2O camp run with Clemson University.
For anyone planning boating near Greenwood, SC or a weekend out from Augusta, having the slip, the campsite and dinner on one property removes most of the planning.
What to Ask Any Marina Before You Sign
Whichever marina you choose on Lake Thurmond, these questions save surprises later. A marina near me search returns ramps and full-service operations side by side, and these questions sort them out.
What should you check first?
Six questions worth asking at any marina on Lake Thurmond.
- Is the slip covered? Covered slips protect gelcoat, upholstery and electronics from the South Carolina sun.
- What size do you actually need? Measure overall length including the swim platform and any outboard bracket.
- Is power metered or included? It affects the real monthly cost more than the slip fee suggests.
- How does pump out work? In slip service beats moving the boat to a station.
- Are transient slips available? Plum Branch keeps a limited number for short stays, so call ahead.
- What about low water? Lake Thurmond levels move, so ask how the docks and ramp handle a dry summer.
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Savannah District manages the lake and publishes current lake levels, and SC DNR boating covers registration and safety rules for South Carolina waters.
Keeping Your Boat at a Full Service Marina on Lake Thurmond
If you are looking for a slip, a storage unit or a place to fuel up on Lake Thurmond, call and ask what is available for your boat size. If you landed here from a boat slips near me search, the same call answers it. Transient slips are limited, so a quick call before you head out saves a wasted trip, and anyone coming from Augusta or Greenwood can usually be on the water within the hour.
Plum Branch Yacht Club and Lakeside Grill, 1 Yacht Club Dr, Plum Branch, SC 29845. Call (864) 443-3000 or email info@plumbranch.com. Get directions on Google, see the marina services, or browse the photo gallery.
Call (864) 443-3000 to ask about slips, storage or fuel.
Hours change with the season. Always call ahead for current gas dock, store and grill times.
Quick Summary
A full service marina in South Carolina should let you keep, fuel, pump out, launch and supply a boat without leaving the property, and Plum Branch Yacht Club on Lake Thurmond is a worked example of what that looks like. Slips run from 10 by 25 feet to 22 by 90 feet, most are covered, and they have water and electric service at the slip. In slip pump outs are available for a nominal fee, and a limited number of transient slips are kept for short stays. The gas dock serves all vessel types, the ramp takes everything from fishing boats to large houseboats, and the ships store carries ice, drinks, snacks, tackle, lake maps, charcoal, toiletries and apparel. Beyond the docks there are 41 storage units of 13 by 35 feet with concrete floors, electricity and lockable doors, RV storage, and campgrounds with 30 and 50 amp RV sites, water, some septic sites, primitive tent sites and a bathhouse with no RV size limits. The Lakeside Grill serves a seasonal seafood and meat menu on a first come basis. Before signing for a slip anywhere, ask whether it is covered, what size you really need, how power is billed, how pump-out works, whether transient slips exist and how the docks cope with low water.
Key Takeaways
- On Lake Thurmond, full service means slips, fuel, pump-out, launch, and supplies on one property.
- Plum Branch slips run from 10 by 25 to 22 by 90 feet, mostly covered.
- The gas dock serves every vessel type, from fishing boats to houseboats.
- In slip pump-outs mean you never move the boat to empty the tank.
- 41 lockable storage units with power sit on the same property.
- Transient slips are limited, so call ahead before a short stay.
- Hours change with the season. Check before you go.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Can I keep a large boat or houseboat at Plum Branch?
Yes. Slips go up to 22 by 90 feet and the Lake Thurmond ramp handles large houseboats. Call with your boat dimensions so the marina can confirm the right slip before you commit.
2. Are the storage units climate controlled?
No. The 41 units are 13 by 35 feet with concrete floors, electricity and lockable doors, but they are not climate controlled. They suit boats, trailers and gear rather than anything sensitive to heat.
3. Can I stay overnight on a transient slip?
Transient slips are available for short stays, but there are only a few. Calling (864) 443-3000 before you set out is the only reliable way to make sure one is free.
4. Is the marina a good base for boating near Greenwood, SC?
Yes. Greenwood and Augusta are both within an easy drive, and having slips, fuel, camping and food together makes Plum Branch a practical marina near Augusta, GA or Greenwood for weekend boaters.
5. Can I eat at the Lakeside Grill without a boat?
Yes. The grill is open to everyone on a first come, first served basis, with a seasonal menu of seafood and meat. Opening days are limited, so check current hours before driving out.