The Salty Southeast Cruisers’ Net is very pleased to announce that our latest SSECN Sponsor, Port City Marina, will open during this upcoming summer (2013) in downtown Wilmington, NC. This facility will offer the cruising community just about everything that a cruising captain and crew could desire, and will be a MAJOR boost to the cruising amenities offered by the city of Wilmington.
Port City Marina will be located upstream of the existing city docks, also on the Cape Fear’s eastern banks. The marina’s basin has been dredged (see photos below) immediately north of the Wilmington Convention Center.
Coupled with SSECN Sponsor, Bennett Brothers Yachts – Cape Fear Marina, and the city docks, cruisers will now have a HOST of reasons to abandon the familiar confines of the AICW, and cruise upstream to this exciting port city.

Artist's Rendering of Port City Marina

The text below is taken from a recent Port City Marina Press Release:

Port City Marina Dockage Basin Dredging

New Destination Marina on the North Carolina Coast
Wilmington, North Carolina, December 11, 2012’“Wilmington, North Carolina is excited to welcome the Port City Marina.

North Carolina based developer, USA InvestCo, recently announced plans to construct a 204-slip state-of-the-art marina located on the Cape Fear River in the heart of Downtown Wilmington, NC. The floating docks, which will accommodate boats up-to 130 feet in length, is scheduled to open in early summer 2013. The marina will provide all the amenities and conveniences of a modern marina including on-site restaurants, fuel, pump out, high-speed wireless internet, and customer-service orientated staff. Port City Marina will pride itself as being the first full-service marina located in the heart of a Historic Downtown in the mid-Atlantic.

Within walking distance, Boaters will find a vibrant array of locally owned shops and restaurants, a thriving art and cultural scene, the Riverwalk and historic district, the USS North Carolina Battleship (open for tours), horse-drawn carriage rides, or the simple enjoyment of Wilmington’s great sunsets from the comfort of the boat. Wilmington offers a cosmopolitan scene or a retreat to the natural wonders. With over 30 miles of shoreline, the Wilmington area has access to 3 world-class beaches; Wrightsville, Carolina, and Kure, all a short drive away. For those who like to hit the links, Wilmington boasts some of the area’s most enjoyable and beautiful courses, challenging all levels of golfers. With convenient access to Wilmington International Airport (ILM), the marina expects a healthy transient & seasonal customer base to round-out the annual dockage from the local market.

Consistently ranked as one of the East Coast’s top 10 cities to visit, Wilmington, North Carolina is where old world charm and the 21st Century meet to create a memorable experience for all ages.

Wilmington is not just another marina stop on the way to a destination, Wilmington is THE destination.

Location: Wilmington, North Carolina
The Marina is conveniently located just 2.7 miles from the Wilmington International and Executive Airport (ILM), and only minutes from NC-74/76, NC-17, and Interstate 40.

Marina Amenities
‘¢ Located in the heart of Historic Downtown Wilmington
‘¢ Only 5 Minutes from the Wilmington International Airport (ILM)
‘¢ State-of-the-Art Floating Concrete Docks for Boats up to 250’ LOA
‘¢ Drafts up to 25 Feet
‘¢ On-Site Concierge Desk & Marina Store with ATM
‘¢ Walking Distance To Shopping, Dinning & Entertainment
‘¢ 2 Premier Bar/Restaurants On-Site
‘¢ Future 10-story Indigo Hotel one block away
‘¢ Fuel-Service Fuel Dock with Ethanol-Free Gasoline and High Speed Diesel
‘¢ Metered Water & Electric Service (30, 50, & 100 amp; Single & Three Phase)
‘¢ Free High-Speed WiFi
‘¢ Daily/Weekly/Monthly/Seasonal/Annual Rates
Getting on Board
Port City Marina is currently under construction with a Grand Opening scheduled for summer 2013.

For more information or to join the mailing list for updates, visit http://www.portcitymarina.com or call 910.251.6151.