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The event described below sounds like an absolutely wonderful festival. And, all the described activities will take place within walking distance of the breakwater protected Edenton City Dock. So, make plans now to point your bow westward on Albemarle Sound, and visit the historic community of Edenton during the very special weekend!
15th Annual Edenton Music and Water Festival
brought to you by Scotch Hall Preserve
Free – Boat Rides, Paddling, Wooden Boat Show, Roving Musician’s, Richmond Triumph Register Car Club, Maritime Speakers, Joy the Clown – May 31-June 1st
Edenton, NC – Kick-off this year’s festival on Friday evening, May 31st with a Guided Paddle along Queen Anne and Pembroke Creeks at 6:30 pm or if paddling is not your favorite activity, join the Edenton Historical Commission at the 1767 Chowan County Courthouse for the Speaker’s Forum on 18th Century Sailors at 6:30 pm and as a $15 adult/$5 student ticket holder you are eligible for a sailing on the Periauger at either 4 or 5 pm weather permitting.
The Festival rolls into Saturday, June 1st with many new features in celebration of Edenton’s 300th a hand-made Wooden Boat Show and Exhibit by our very own Edenton Boat Builders with some in the harbor and others along the shore such as International Sailing Class Optimist Dinghies and a 14 ft. Lap Street Row Boat to name a few that can be seen. Another first in place will be the Richmond TRIUMPH Register Car Club with TR 2s – 8s from the 50’s – 80’s parked along South Broad Street. Among our tried and true come backs will be Paddling with the Periauger, Boat Rides along the Bay, Joy the Clown, Sharks Teeth Digging, Edenton Steamers Interactive Games, Inflatables and the Student Art Exhibit in the Town Council Chambers throughout the day.
The Main Stage has many wonderful performers scheduled: 10 am – Skye Fortenbery & Cody Rea; 10:30 am – Patrick Rose; 11:00 am – Amy Peters; 11:30 am – Drew Armstrong; 12:00 noon – Chuck Hodges; 12:30 pm – Caston Young; 1:00 pm – Sojourner Band; 2:00 pm – Clay and Thomas Willis; 2:30 pm – Old Fish Hatchery Records; and 3:00 pm – CONNECTED from Elizabeth City State University making for an outstanding day of entertainment.
For those that like a tasty treat, we will have Ice Cream, Funnel Cakes, Hot Dogs, Hamburgers, Farmer’s Market Items, Snow Cones and Walking Tacos. The Chowan Arts Council has many of their fine Artists at Work and with so many talented entertainers, Roving Musicians along South Broad will complement the Destination Downtown Sidewalk Sale mid-day so plan on making “One of Americas Prettiest Towns” as recognized by Forbes.com your destination and enjoy what Edenton has to offer on and off the water overlooking Edenton Bay!
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of the Edenton City Marina
Columbia City Dock - Click for Chartview
We wish more cruisers would choose to depart the familiar confines of the AICW, and cruise west on Albemarle Sound to this impressive body of water’s many anchorages and ports of call. The Scuppernong River, which makes into the sounds southern banks, west of Alligator River, is one of the best destinations for Albemarle Sound cruising, and the free (for 48-hour) Columbia Town Docks are a great place to rest from your travels. Or, you could choose to pick up a wet slip at Cypress Cove Marina (see below). Either way, it’s well worth your time, IF the Albemarle does not have its dander up!
We stayed at the Columbia City Docks at the beginning of May 2013. Passage up the river in our Silverton 36C, (38 inch draft) was simple just follow the markers and look out for fish traps. The dock is well sheltered and in pretty good shape. At the time we were there, no water or electric were available. There was a pump out connection we did not use. We were tied up on a Saturday overnight and were the only ones at the dock.
Columbia is a small town and you can walk around it in less than an hour. Not a whole lot of things to do. The NC visitirs center is located just under the bridge. Most of the stores downtown were either deserted or closed.
The highlight of the trip was dinner at the Salty Oyster. This is a fairly new restaurant located on the main street in the old Woolworth building. The food was great.
Dave Boxmeyer
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of the Columbia City Docks
The narrow (compared to other Albemarle Sound rivers) but deep Roanoke River, is the southwesternmost of the nine rivers which feed into Albemarle Sound. In years past, cruising upstream to the community of Plymouth, NC, was frustrating for those looking to find wet slip dockage. There were some city piers, but they were forgettable, to say the least.
Now, below we hear a very brief report from Captain Jean Thomason that Plymouth has invested in new docks for visiting cruisers. WE WOULD VERY MUCH LIKE TO HAVE MORE DETAILS ON THESE FRESH FACILITIES. If ANY of you have stayed at Plymouth since their new wet slips opened, PLEASE share a full account with your fellow cruisers.
You can use the “Comment” function below, or follow the “Click Here to Contribute Cruising News” link found on the upper right of this, and all (except Chart View) SSECN pages. Many, many thanks in advance!
Because our marina (Cypress Cove, formerly IYC) is at Columbia, we often cruise west on Albemarle Sound. Plymouth on the Roanoke River has just opened new town docks. We hear they are nice and free. Plymouth has shops, a museum (with replica of the Abemarle, a Confederate ironclad) and a lighthouse in the historic part of town along the waterfront.
Jean Thomason
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of the Plymouth City Docks
We wish more cruisers would choose to depart the familiar confines of the AICW, and cruise west on Albemarle Sound to this impressive body of water’s many anchorages and ports of call. The Scuppernong River, which makes into the sounds southern banks, west of Alligator River, is one of the best destinations for Albemarle Sound cruising, and the free (for 48-hour) Columbia Town Docks are a great place to rest from your travels. Or, you could choose to pick up a wet slip at Cypress Cove Marina (see below). Either way, it’s well worth your time, IF the Albemarle does not have its dander up!
Because our marina (Cypress Cove, formerly IYC) is at Columbia, we often cruise west on Albemarle Sound. It’s a nice trip if the waves are 2 ft or less and the wind is behind you. Edenton is nice but so is Columbia which has a free dock, a relatively new shower building and a pumpout available. Nice town to stroll around – waterfront boardwalk – several restaurants. Cypress Cove is improved over its former life as IYC – the folks are friendly and helpful and many repairs can be done on-site.
Jean Thomason
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of the Columbia City Docks
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Cypress Cove Marina
On 5/9/13, as part of a North Carolina Wish List,we posed the following question:
Statute Mile 84 – who has spent a night or two at Alligator River Marina, just north and west of the Alligator River Bridge? Please describe your experience and impressions at this marina. What sort of depths did you observe between the Waterway and the marina entrance? Did you dine ashore, and, if so, how was the food?
Responses follow:
In 15 years of cruising coastal NC we have probably spent more nights here [Alligator River Marina] than anywhere else – probably 25% were weather related delays Our stays with Miss Wanda have always been good but realize some visitors have not shared our opinion. Food in the convenience store-truck stop –marina is well priced, fast and welcome break from the boat.
Gray & Betty Riddick
I saw no issues with depth entering this marina (at least 8 feet everywhere). The staff was very helpful with docking. There is a lot of very nice grass for the dog to run and a nice clubhouse and laundry facility as well. There are limited hours for service in the small restaurant attached to the gas station out front, but the food was very good. I particularly enjoyed the alligator bites appetizer (couldn’t resist). This is a perfect stop to wait out any weather before crossing Albemarle Sound going northbound.
Larry Freedman
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Alligator River Marina
Route 13 Bridge - Click for Chartview
Well off the familiar path of the AICW, the Chowan River is a deep, blackwater river that runs west and north from the westerly extreme of Albemarle Sound into remote Gates County, North Carolina.
This is a stream all too rarely visited by cruising craft, particularly as it hosts one of the finest anchorages you will ever find, anywhere, anytime, on Bennetts Creek. There is also another good anchor down spot behind Holiday Island.
Very, very few cruisers venture upstream on the Chowan as far as the Highway US 13-158 bridge, whose reconstruction is described below. HOWEVER, this work may indeed affect some local, year-round Albemarle Sound/Edenton, NC cruisers, so if this accurately describes you, take note!
NC —ALBERMARLE SOUND — CHOWAN RIVER – BRIDGE CONSTRUCTION
Mariners are advised that construction activity will commence on or about July 1, 2013 through August 1, 2014 at the US 13-158 Bridge across Chowan River, at mile 36.7, between Winton and Tarheel, NC. A new fixed bridge will be constructed adjacent to the existing fixed bridge. The purpose of the project is to reduce traffic congestion and improve travel time and safety along US 13-158. The new fixed bridge will provide a minimum vertical clearance of 34 feet, above mean high water, with a 66-foot wide horizontal clearance. The existing span is currently charted with a 35-foot vertical clearance, above mean high water, with the same 66-foot wide horizontal clearance in the navigational channel. To
facilitate the work, construction barges and tugboats will be in the area performing pile driving, concrete footing construction, erection of precast concrete girders and superstructure. We are also advising mariners use extreme caution when transiting the area. Construction tugboats will monitor VHF-FM Channel 13. Chart: 12205.
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Route 13 Bridge
Alligator River Bridge - Click for Chartview
AICW cruising veterans have long known the decrepit Alligator River Swing Bridge (closed vertical clearance – 14 feet), will not open in high winds due to the possibility of mechanical injury to the bridge mechanism. Now, we hear this same, troublesome span may not open in heavy fog!!!
Cruisers from Maine who are used to traveling in fog should be aware that the Alligator River Bridge will not open in reduced visibility as they are afraid cars won’t see the stop lights. There are no set standards. According to the bridge tender, it is up to his discretion. I can see cars half a mile down the bridge from where I am now anchored in the middle of nowhere. With the current weather report, I could be here all day and night.
Roger Long S/V Strider
Kudos to the bridge tender. We have watched semi’s and others gun it to get across the ARB swing span after the lights have turned red. The tender is responsible for all the users, even the irresponsible ones.
Chris
Click Here To View the North Carolina Bridge Directory Listing For the Alligator River Bridge
As part of its 300′th Anniversary, the charming and historic town of Edenton, North Carolina, our newest SALTY SOUTHEAST CRUISERS’ NET SPONSOR, is planning on a HUGE event to welcome the cruising community during the first part of May, 2013. PLEASE take a good look below at all the details already in place! We will bring you more information as soon as it becomes available.
Notice the FREE dockage at the city marina (during the week of 5/6/13 to 5/12/13 ONLY!), and the anticipated water taxi if the marina becomes full, and some vessels need to anchor off the town waterfront! Coupled the with this community’s many historic and striking homes and public buildings, CRUISERS HAVE MANY, MANY REASONS TO LEAVE THE COMFORTABLE CONFINES OF THE AICW AND CRUISE WEST ON ALBEMARLE SOUND TO THE EDENTON WATERFRONT! SEE YOU THERE!!!!
Claiborne,
Please see below information on the upcoming Cruiser Rally in celebration of Edenton’s 300th Anniversary that we hope you can be a part of and offer to cruisers you think would be interested:
We have established some parameters for the proposed Cruiser Rally at Edenton and done some tentative planning of a program to tempt some of the ICW cruisers heading North in the spring, to turn left and visit our historic and pretty little town.
Basically, we will throw the doors open between the 6th and the 12th of May 2013 to all visitors by water. We will offer free docking, free trolley tours, free guided tours, free shuttle bus to get to shops for all water borne visitors. There are only 9 docks at the town harbor that have electricity and water available, but overflow can tie up along the inside of the breakwater and we are planning a water taxi service if people elect to anchor in the bay.
As well as the land based activities that concentrate on the historic buildings of Edenton, there will also be kayaking available either using the town kayaks or cruisers own, to explore the creeks that extend on either side of the harbor. These could also be explored in dinks. We are exploring ways of having this as a water borne guided tour.
To help with the passage up to Edenton from the Alligator River, some of our members are planning a cook out in the Yeopim River and the Scuppernong River which effectively splits the journey in two. Cruisers could use these events as a prelude to arriving, but early arrivals could also attend as it is only a half day trip to either or both locations. Dates and further details on these events will be coming soon.
The plan is to have the week act as the collection time for the cruisers then at the weekend have a reception and welcome hosted by the Edenton Yacht Club on the Friday evening, followed on Saturday evening by a presentation by some speakers. We are hoping that you will be persuaded to talk about the various opportunities for exploration around the west end of the Albemarle Sound. In the hope that this will give the cruisers that have made the trip up, something to go and look at before they leave on the way back.
There will be slips available at the Edenton Marina too, but they are somewhat removed from downtown and it would probably be better from a social point of view to anchor off and be part of the action rather than be round the corner and a bit out of it.
Information about Edenton and the 300th celebration can be accessed on their web site, www.visitedenton.com The local marinas can be checked out at http://marinas.com/browse/marina/US/NC/1/E
If you could let your members know that this event is going to happen and get them to pencil in attending that would be much appreciated. I will forward more detailed information as we get closer to the time and it would be nice from an organization point of view if we could get potential visitors to register in some way so that we know what to expect and can plan accordingly.
I had thought that if we pin down the dates and locations of the feeder events in the new year, then we could ask for a commitment, always realizing that stuff happens when on the water and that nothing is cast in stone. But a general idea would be a great help.
Thank you for you help so far. Please feel free to advise and guide us in providing the information needed to attract a substantial crowd to make the trip up the sound to see us. We know that they will find it worthwhile, what do we have to do to make them realize it?
Best regards,
Brian FitzSimons and Nancy Nicholls
Edenton Yacht Club and Chowan County TDA
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Edenton Harbor
Below, our strategic partners Captains Mark and Diana Doyle, founders and owners of On The Water ChartGuides, give a concise and accurate report of the current situation at the northern mouth of the Alligator River, where the AICW flows south from Albemarle Sound into this body of water. Note that Diana and Mark confirm our earlier posting here on the SSECN (see http://cruisersnet.net/?p=98565), that the infamous “magenta line” is charted on the WRONG side of marker #8A. Be SURE to pass this marker to its EASTERLY side!
Hi Claiborne,
Diana and I crossed the Albemarle Sound southbound last week and re-surveyed the known Alligator River Entrance ICW trouble spot … with its westward shoal and mis-charted Magenta Line.
As you can see from the attached screenshot, the depths are fine if you follow the navaids, NOT necessarily the Magenta Line.
Southbound, you would honor R6 and the G7-R8 pair, then (importantly) depart the charted Magenta Line, honoring floating navaid Red 8A, to stay off encroaching Long Shoal Point, finally re-joing the ICW and the charted Magenta Line at G9.
I’ll re-survey the other known ICW trouble spots as we continue southbound and share these with your SSECN readers.
Best and see you On the Water,
Captains Mark & Diana Doyle
http://www.OnTheWaterChartGuides.com
Cruised through the northern Alligator River dog leg. No problem. Follow the marks.
Raymond W. Smith
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To This AICW Problem Stretch
Salmon Creek, near the mouth of Chowan River, well southwest of marker #2CR, makes a fair overnight anchorage, but water levels have shoaled on this stream during the last several years. Minimum depths of 6 feet can now be expected only as far as the second point of land making in from the southerly banks. Past this point, soundings drop off to 4 feet or sometimes considerably less. Consider setting the hook just short of the second southern entrance point, where there is plenty of swinging room for boats up to 42 feet in length and fair protection from all but northern and northeastern winds. There is a large industrial plant on the creek’s southern shore, but the rest of the banks are undeveloped.
We anchored here last night with two other boats ( two 42 foot trawlers and a 39 foot sailboat). Depths got very shallow well before the Sage plant, Don’t go too far past the old decrepit tour boat moored at a dock on the northern shore. We saw three nearly submerged piles towards the southern shore as we came into the creek entrance so stay in the center. As mentioned by others, the dinghy ride up the creek is marvelous. Fall is a nice time to visit Salmon Creek.
Buzz Savage
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Salmon Creek
The charming river village of Columbia lies along the Scuppernong River, which makes into the southern shores of Albemarle Sound, west of the AICW’s passage across this body of water. In addition to the free city docks, there is also a private marina and boatyard known as Cypress Landing. The only disadvantage to this latter facility is their location on the opposite side of the river and Highway 64 bridges from Columbia’s downtown district.
Using your “Cruising Guide to North Carolina” as a resource, we recently cruised up the Scuppernong River to Columbia, intending to use the town docks. Immediately past the marina, and within sight of the town docks, we had to stop and turn back due to some low branches overhanging the waterway. Our boat is a 36′ Marine Trader trawler with a flybridge, so sailboats and boats like ours would have to stop, although lower boats can make it.
Wade Ehlen, MT 36 Shady Lady, New Bern NC
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Columbia, NC
The Edenton Town Docks overlook the Edenton city waterfront, north of unlighted daybeacon #8. Edenton, one of the Colonial Capitals of North Carolina, lies well off the AICW, on the western reaches of Albemarle Sound.
The charted power lines that Wade mentions below cross the width of Abemarle Sound from Horniblow Point to Mackeys.
In addition, today we cruised into Edenton, which is just as you described [in "Cruising Guide to North Carolina"], except Mario’s Restaurant has been sold and is now known as Kristys Place. Anyway, on the way to Edenton, we went under the overhead power lines [as charted], but there weren’t any lines! There are a couple of barges with cranes, however, so I think they’re stringing new lines.
Wade Ehlen,
MT 36 Shady Lady,
New Bern NC
A couple of days ago I emailed you about the “missing” power lines as you cruise towards Edenton NC. Well, today I spoke with the captain of one of the tugs working with the barges – he told me that the TOWERS are going to be replaced with higher ones, so I guess the project will be going on for a while.
Wade Ehlen
MT Shady Lady
New Bern NC
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Edenton, NC
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Overhead Power Cable
Earlier, we ran a series of photos showing the historic Roanoke River Screw Pile Lighthouse, freshly perched atop its new home overlooking Edenton Harbor and Town Docks (see http://cruisersnet.net/?p=87872). Then, just today, we received a fresh set of photos from Captain Greg Han, showing the lighthouse being moved to its new resting place. Excellent pics!
Cruising News:
Recently the Roanoke River lighthouse was installed in its permanent home at Edenton harbor. A party atmosphere took over the town park while the crews readied for the transfer from land to a platform over the harbor waters. House moving is a slow and careful business so the crowd thinned considerably by the time the crew was ready. The house was rolled across the divide inch by inch on a study network of girders.
Allegria had a front row seat in Edenton’s terrific town harbor (first two nights free).
Gregory Han
Follow the Photo Gallery link below to check out these images for yourself!
Old Roanoke River Lighthouse Now Set In New Edenton Harbor Home
The historic community of Edenton, North Carolina lies near the western extremes of often choppy Albemarle Sound. Edenton is actually the state’s oldest town, though Bath, NC makes that claim based on incorporation dates. Edenton plays host to a wealth of historic homes and structures. We always feel that a visit to Edenton is like stepping back into America’s Colonial and Revolutionary past. And as Jim and Talley affirm, a visit to this city is well worth any cruisers’ time and effort.
Earlier, we reported here on the Cruisers’ Net that the historic Roanoke River Screw Pile Lighthouse had been restored, and was slated to be perched atop a series of pilings in the Edenton City Dockage Basin (see http://cruisersnet.net/?p=81847). Well, as you can see form the photo on the right of this posting, taken 5/15/12, while it looks like some construction is still ongoing, this old sentinel has now been set atop its new home! How utterly appropriate that this historic structure has been returned to its natural habitat, perched atop a series of “screw pilings!”
And what are “screw pilings” you may ask. Well, they are simply pilings that have been “screwed” into the bottom strata!
If Manteo looks like Norman Rockwell, then Edenton looks like Walt Disney. This is the idyllic little town main street leading up from the simple little harbor. Something like you would expect to find forgotten in some New England fishing village. There are houses dating from 1750’s. There are monuments and statues celebrating battles before our countries revolution. Formal English gardens open to the public for all to see. There are a couple of back yards that go on forever. Everywhere you look you see residential architecture depicting taste and grandeur, not efficiency and mass production.
This little town is anxious for the cruising community to frequent. They are improving the harbor, and restoring the old light house. They’ve moved it to sit atop new screw pilings as it was designed to be installed. Maybe the last square light house to sit on screw pilings. There is a large light cupola at the top of the house. With a good light in there, you will be able to see it from all over the eastern end of the Albemarle Sound and Chowan River.
Great walk around town. There is a really outstanding hardware store. The dock master has a courtesy car if no one else is using it, and there is a Food Lion just a mile up the road.
Ya got to come see this town. It’s great!
Jim and Talley Powell
And just across from the lighthouse is the 1758 Cupola House Museum and Gardens. Please do come to visit!!
sally francis kehayes
cupolahouse.org
Cruising News:
Recently the Roanoke River lighthouse was installed in its permanent home at Edenton harbor. A party atmosphere took over the town park while the crews readied for the transfer from land to a platform over the harbor waters. House moving is a slow and careful business so the crowd thinned considerably by the time the crew was ready. The house was rolled across the divide inch by inch on a sturdy network of girders.
Allegria had a front row seat in Edenton’s terrific town harbor (first two nights free).
Gregory Han aboard Allegria
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Edenton, NC
Click Link Below to See Additional Photos of the Roanoke Lighthouse Newly Perched Atop Its New Home at the Edenton Town Docks
Southern Shores, NC is north of Kitty Hawk and the waters are north of the Wright Memorial Bridge and used primarily by shallow draft vessels. Daymarker # 7 is part of the entrance channel into the Southern Shores Harbor.
NC – PAMLICO SOUND – SOUTHERN SHORES – SHOALING
Shoaling to a depth of 1-2 feet MLW has been reported in the vicinity of Southern Shores Daybeacon 7 (LLNR 31300). Chart: 12205.
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To A “Navigation Alert” Position at Southern Shores
We present the report below without prejudice or further comment, except to say that over the years many cruisers have written to praise Alligator River Marina and its proprietor, while others have reported just the opposite. There doesn’t seem to be any middle ground in regards to cruisers’ feelings towards this facility.
Well, I’ve never before posted negative comments concerning a marina… but after 40 odd years of cruising, Captaining and being in the marine industry, our experience at the Alligator River Marina merits commenting…
We were heading North during Mid/late August 2011, called ahead during the late afternoon to see if a slip was available. A very pleasant young lady advised that there would be space available and to tie up on the south dock and come inside to register. We called again just prior to arrival and ordered food, as the store/restaurant closes at 1930.
Upon arrival we found the staff (gas station attendant and grill cook) to be pleasant, accommodating and rather friendly for being at the end of a days work. Our food was ready, we filled out the dockage form- paid for the slip and food and tipped the clerk and cook well for their kindness.
There was only one other transient boat at the marina, the place was essentially empty.
In the morning we took on almost $1,400.00 in fuel and bought breakfast for our crew of three. Between the prior night’s dinner, dockage, breakfast, and some odds and ends from the store, we spent near $1,700.00.
Our main concern was staying ahead of Hurricane Irene, as she was about 4 days behind us when we arrived. Our destination was Long Island.
In fairness, the marina is an adequate, no frills facility, with clean hot showers, laundry, a lounge with TV and internet access, all in a good location. The owner, Ms. Wanda on the other hand is someone we won’t soon forget…
Shortly after departing, we had a minor mishap and damaged one propeller. We telephoned the marina and asked (as their welcome package indicated) if they could arrange for a diver to change the prop. Ms. Wanda indicated that she would arrange for a diver to come to the marina, took our phone number, and said to come back.
Upon returning to the marina, she advised (with a smile) that the diver would not be available until the following afternoon. I explained that we would explore other options, as we wanted to stay ahead of the Hurricane, and that I wished we had known about the diver’s availability prior to returning.
Her displeasure (actually anger to near the point of rage) over our electing to explore our options was evident in her tone of voice, facial expressions and posture….
She simply said, “I doubt you’ll find another diver”. We telephoned a local marine surveyor friend and were able to arrange for a diver who could have been there in two hours. I advised Ms. Wanda that we had located a diver who would be there by late morning, thanked her for calling her diver, and asked that she please cancel his appointment for the following day.
A short while later she came to the boat… banged on the hull and said, “Make sure your diver gives me a certificate of insurance naming me and my marina”…. I called the diver and relayed her message… he said it was not a problem, and that he had dealt with “Wicked Wanda”(His characterization…not mine!) in the past. He then asked that I give her the phone…
This is where it got rather interesting… Ms. Wanda repeated the issue about the insurance and then told the diver that he would have to see her upon arrival, and pay her $30 “for the pleasure of diving from her dock”… an argument ensued between the diver and Ms. Wanda…she returned my phone and said, “I told you you wouldn’t find another diver”
I would have gladly paid the additional $30 to be on our way and ahead of the hurricane.
As I walked back to the boat she turned and said, “I guess you’ve got a real problem now”…
Throughout this situation I chose to maintain my self on the high road and was nothing less than polite… I simply responded, “Well Ms. Wanda, I must tell you, never will I spend $1,700.00 at anyone’s establishment to be treated this way… you have a nice day, we’ll be leaving shortly”
Before I could hit the start button she had us untied and free of the dock….simply unbelievable!
We got underway and arranged for the diver to meet us at Coinjock later that evening. Upon arriving at Coinjock we learned that she had called ahead… we assume in an effort to get us shut out. As always, Coinjock was a pleasure with Louis’ pleasant staff, excellent food, and live music.
Unfortunately, the diver was unable to remove the prop… we limped up to Portsmouth, VA where we were hauled by Full Throttle Marine at Tidewater Marina. It is without reservation that I recommend Full Throttle. They were prompt, friendly, courteous, and quite reasonable for the short haul and changing of both propellers.
Later we were told (but could not confirm) that Ms. Wanda had actually requested the diver to come the following day… If that is true I find it unconscionable that she would attempt to delay us by more than a day in the face of a hurricane for a few paltry dollars in dock fees and food from her store.
Would I stay there again?…Likely not, but anything is possible while on the water! Granted her fuel prices are as good as you’ll find in NC… but whoever you buy fuel from, she gets a piece of the pie… she is the local marine fuel fuel distributor!
Capt. Jerry
We, too, have had a very bad experience with the Alligator River Marina. It was several years ago, we were traveling south and needed fuel. We, of course, did the usual callings and everyone was polite and nice.
Upon arrival at the fuel dock, the wind was blowing very hard (~25k) directly away from the pier. We tried to approach normally but could not. So I called to the dock attendant that we would approach nose on and asked if he could take a line from us and tie it off so we could then use the prop wash on the rudder to force the stern in. He used some choice words about my bad seamanship and told me if I didn’t know how to bring a boat in properly I shouldn’t be boating. He started to walk away. I called to him that I really needed his help and he turned back to us. When we got the bow of the boat near the pier, Suzi tossed him a line and indicated the cleat where we would like him to tie it. He ignored her and short tied the bow to the pier so tightly that there was no way we could bring the stern in. And again he walked away, ignoring our protests. Another boater volunteered to help and we got tied up.
Then, the dock attendant came up to us carrying the fuel pump nozzle and laid it next to our boat, gave me what I would consider a dirty look and walked away. A few moments later I picked up the nozzle and started to fuel our boat. After pumping several gallons the dock attendant came back cursing at me and saying he had not told me to pump yet, and that he was in charge and I wasn’t to do anything until he told me to. I apologized (probably not too sincerely) and he said that he wasn’t finished taking the reading from the last boat which had taken on fuel and that since I had pumped before he zeroed it out, I was going to have to pay what the pump showed was owed and that the previous boat had taken on over a thousand gallons. I explained to him that that was simply not going to happen. We were quite low on fuel or I would have paid for the 3 gallons which I pumped and left. We had intended on taking on over 100 gallons. As it was, we took 30 and went in to pay.
I told the lady inside that her dock attendant was extremely rude. She said, rather coldly, “That’s my husband.” I said, “I’m sorry.”
We will never go back there.
Larry MacDonald
Your timely posting is appreciated. We have not “done the ditch” in about 3 years and will be in that vicinity this weekend. We were discussing whether we should stop in the event that there was new management, but now that we know that WWW is still there, we will–as has been our custom–plan our stops accordingly.
Sharon
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Alligator River Marina
I had the good fortune to visit with both Albemarle Plantation Marina and Yacht Club earlier this year, and I can tell you from personal experience that this is an excellent facility for all cruising craft. And, these good folks are a SALTY SOUTHEAST CRUISERS’ NET SPONSOR!
Albemarle Plantation Marina is located off the AICW, off the northern shores of Albemarle Sound, on Yeopim River/Creek. Click the link below to this facility’s entry in our North Carolina Marina Directory to learn more!
Claiborne:
Things have further changed, [and] management has changed the hands running this [facility] for the better. The new management now has a bistro (Bar & Resturant) at the dock (Called Docksides) along with the mentioned park and outdood grills. Extremely attactive, worth a visit for any traveling boater.
Proctor Baker
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Albemarle Plantation Marina
The charming river village of Columbia lies along the Scuppernong River, which makes into the southern shores of Albemarle Sound, west of the AICW’s passage across this body of water. In addition to the free city docks, described by Captain below, there is also a private marina and boatyard known as Cypress Landing. The only disadvantage to this latter facility is their location on the opposite side of the river and Highway 64 bridges from Columbia’s downtown district.
Cruising News:
Columbia, North Carolina, is one of the most iconic small towns we have seen in a long time. Approach up the Scuppernong River is well marked and uneventful. Turn around in front of the Municipal Wharf is in 25 feet of water. There is 8 feet at the wharf. Cute little town with a main street of about 4 blocks long. Walk to the Food Lion was about ½ mile each way. Lots of cute little stores down town. Free tie up and water. No electricity. Really well protected from winds on all points. Supposed to register at the municipal building immediately adjacent to the wharf, but it’s closed on Sunday. Shower and head is also adjacent to the wharf, and is clean and neat. A pleasant stop over for a change of pace.
Jim & Talley Powell
Columbia on south shore of the Albemarle west of the Alligator River is a brief pleasant visit but very small. The local vineyard has a very nice tasting room/shop and the owner offers vineyard tours if not too busy. Also the nature center is a good visit, howeverColombia is no Edenton, but how can you resist cruising upa river called the Scuppernong!
Joseph Pica
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Columbia, NC
"Blue Run Springs Park Manatees – St. Johns River"
by: Glen and Jill Moore
