Archive For: NC8 – Neuse River

Some 48 hours ago, we put up a posting (linked below) about River Dunes Marina hosting the Coastal NC 2011 Leukemia Cup Regatta (6/4/11 to 6/5/11). Soon after this article appeared, we received the following inquiry:

Is the approach to River Dunes still a maze of crab traps? I tried a few years ago and it was impossible to figure it out.
Tedd Greenwald

Now, the “approach” to River Dunes from the AICW/Neuse River is by way of Broad Creek, which cuts into the Neuse’s northern banks, near AICW/Neuse River marker #4. Personally, we’ve never had an unusually bad problem with crab pots on this stream, though we have certainly seen plenty of these pests on here over the ears. Anyway, I forwarded this above inquiry to Director of Operations, J. C. Cappelman, at River Dunes, and received the following reply.

There probably will be a fair amount of pots in the creek.They do however leave room for passage.By June 1st they have to be in shallower water anyway,so this tends not to constrict the channel.
J.C. Cappelmann,
Director of Operations, River Dunes

Click Here To View An Earlier Article About River Dunes and the Coastal NC 2011 Leukemia Cup Regatta

Click Here To View the Cruisers’ Net’s North Carolina Marina Directory Listing For River Dunes Marina

Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of River Dunes Marina and Broad Creek

Captain Jones exposes his sailor’s soul as he cuts corners to shorten the distance traveled. Such tactics do have advantages for the slow boat, BUT keep a sharp eye on the chart and on your depth finder!

AICW Shortcut Around Maw Point Shoal – Bay River into Neuse River:
I see no point in going all the way out to the Neuse River Junction marker when it is easy to take the hypotenuse from #1 off Deep Point to #2 marking Maw Point Shoal. The minimum depth between these markers is 8 feet approaching #2. Moon River said he didn’t want to have to explain to his insurance company why he was out of the channel when he ran aground. Point taken, but the purple lines drawn on the chart are meant for powerboats who hardly notice the few extra yards. I guess it’s the racer still in me which refuses to take the long way around.
Captain Ted Jones

Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Bay/Neuse Rivers Intersection

Not only a great marina, but great food as well! River Dunes is located off Broad Creek that departs the Neuse River between AICW markers #4 and #6 and they are A SALTY SOUTHEAST CRUISERS’ NET SPONSOR!

Please be aware that while the main dining room in the Harbor Club is open only on weekends,there is a chef prepared family style dinner served downstairs in the gathering room Sunday -Thursday. This is a great venue and has become a big hit.The fireplaces will be roaring and the wine a’flowing
J C Cappelmann

Click Here To View the Cruisers’ Net’s North Carolina Marina Directory Listing For River Dunes Marina

Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of River Dunes Marina

We continue to receive such positive comments about River Dunes Marina, A SALTY SOUTHEAST CRUISERS’ NET SPONSOR! River Dunes is located in Broad Creek off the Neuse River north of Oriental.

Just spent two nights at River Dunes off the Neuse River in Oriental, N.C. and toured this fantastic facility with J.C. Cappelmann, Director of Marina Operations and our former Dockmaster in Oxford. Very upscale and well thought out.. if you’re traversing the ICW and are near Oriental this is worth checking out … it’s definitely got my 5 star rating ! This is, indeed, the Ritz-Carlton of Marinas and will become your favorite stopover for a little quiet R&R in a most beautiful & protected setting … give it a shot … you can Thank me later.

Captain John Wolfe

Click Here To View the Cruisers’ Net’s North Carolina Marina Directory Listing For River Dunes MArina

This sounds like fun! Broad Creek is off the Neuse River north of Oriental. Click the chartlet below to view this area.

When staying at River Dunes or anchored in Broad Creek, take a dinghy ride up the north side tributary at marker #4 to Paradise Cove (252/249-2025), a blue building with cupola at the end of the first or second side channel to your right. It’s a hoot. Rose, the proprietor will keep you entertained. Ask about the huge (12 ft long) dinosaur bones on the wall. No food served, but on weekends the locals do a pot luck there and boaters are welcome to join in.
Alice and Phil Priemer, aboard M/V Wonderland, 49′ Gulfstar

River Dunes Marina, A SALTY SOUTHEAST CRUISERS’ NET SPONSOR, is located off the AICW’s run along Neuse River, in Broad Creek between unlighted daybeacons #1 and #2.

We just spent another wonderful afternoon & evening at River Dunes Marina, ICW Mile Marker 173 up Broad Creek about a mile. Where can a cruiser find such a hospitable marina that for $1.25 per foot you can enjoy the outdoor pool & Jacuzzi’s, exercise room, laundry, two courtesy cars, bikes, and I’m sure other items I have yet to experience. If you’re there on the weekend you can enjoy the fantastic view from there top-notch restaurant. Since stopping there last spring, J.C. and his team have installed outdoor fire pits that are sure to be a hit this fall & winter! If you find yourself thinking about stopping in the Oriental, NC area, give River Dunes a try, you won’t be disappointed! And no, we have no affiliation with River Dunes…other than satisfied customers!
Todd & Brenda Lanning aboard Life’s2Short, 1985 40′ Oceania Trawler

When staying at River Dunes or anchored in Broad Creek, take a dinghy ride up the north side tributary at marker #4 to Paradise Cove (Tel
252/249-2025), a blue building with cupola at the end of the first or second side channel to your right. It’s a hoot. Rose, the proprietor will keep you entertained. Ask about the huge (12 ft long) dinosaur bones on the wall. No food served, but on weekends the locals do a pot luck there and boaters are welcome to join in.
Alice and Phil Priemer, aboard M/V Wonderland, 49′ Gulfstar

Click Here To View the Cruisers’ Net’s North Carolina Marina Directory Listing For River Dunes Marina

Long a major center of North Carolina sailing, the weak economy seems to be taking its toll on this wonderful old town on the Neuse River.

Oriental is getting sadder each day, for boaters. Whittaker Creek we hear no longer sells fuel. Inland Provision Company is out of business due to personal reasons, and locals are not so sure about its re-opening. Oriental Hotel and Marina still sells fuel. Oriental Harbor Marina no longer takes transients unless you stay for a month or more. They do have an arrangement of some sort with Oriental Motel, we are told, for overflow on occasion. Fortunately, M&Ms and most shops are still there along with the neat Boating Consignment shop on Broad Street.
John and Sue Winter aboard Just Relax

Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Oriental, NC

River Dunes Marina, A SALTY SOUTHEAST CRUISERS’ NET SPONSOR, is located west of the AICW on the southeastern shores of Broad Creek between unlighted daybeacons #1 and #2.

River Dunes, near Oriental that has been advertised and posted on many sites does have the $1.25/ft, and all the amenities that everyone mentions and is a must stop for R&R. HOWEVER, they told us this deal is only temporary in order to get more people in to look at property. Look for them to raise prices to the $1.75 range next year if they sell more lots/build houses. So, I caution your readers to call for pricing before making reservations and then be surprised. But, even at $2, if one wants hot tubs, swimming, etc. first class, then, the $2 would be worth it. After you go up the Broad Creek, turn sharp to port up a small canal. You will not see the marina from Broad Creek as you would think, and could possibly end up traveling a couple more miles to another private facility that you can see from marker 4 by accident.
John and Sue Winter aboard Just Relax

Click Here To View the Cruisers’ Net’s North Carolina Marina Directory Listing For River Dunes Marina

The New Bern Grand Marina lies just inside the intersection of the Trent and Neuse Rivers, along the Trent’s northern banks between the low-level Trent River highway and railroad bridges.

The marina at New Bern is now called “New Bern Grand Marina” if I remember correctly, hopefully they will not change their name anymore (Was Sheraton Grand). Still a fantastic place, but they no longer sell fuel, but do have pump-out. BOATUS. The hotel will take you for shopping for $5 each way. Dockmaster’s phone is 252/637-0318 (versus the hotel desk number in the book).
John and Sue Winter aboard Just Relax

Click Here To View the Cruisers’ Net’s North Carolina Marina Directory Listing For New Bern Grand Marina

Matthews Point Marina is located in Clubfoot Creek off of the Neuse River just west of where the AICW turns south into Adams Creek.

Matthews Point Marina up the Neuse on Clubfoot Creek is a good haven per your book. Water depth is 5.5′, but it is easy to get in and out (N34.54.383, W076.45.804). Facilities are still about the same as described in your book. We recommend it for a stop on the way to/from New Bern/Trent River.
John and Sue Winter aboard Just Relax

Click Here To View the Cruisers’ Net’s North Carolina Marina Directory Listing For Matthews Point Marina

River Bend Marina is located off the Trent River departing at Marker #18 (35 04.488′N, 077 07.814′W). River Bend Marina sounds interesting if your draft doesn’t keep you away.

Took a couple days off work to move the boat out of Earl’s way. So I moved our “Sand Castle” way up the Neuse River into the Trent [River] and found “River Bend Marina”. This is a nice, pleasant establishment off of marker #18 on the Trent River hidden way, way back via canals in a neighborhood. Nice tavern there just getting started by friendly owner George. Good very helpful and accommodating staff. A few convenience/grocery stores in walking distance, and another sports-bar/tavern “Attitudes” which is pretty nice. I took our boat this deep inland to avoid any run-ins with Hurricane Earl, and thoroughly enjoyed the laid-back atmosphere of the marina and it’s surroundings.
If you want that “Heart of Darkness” feeling (NARROW waterways) of cruising and can tolerate the occasional – and unpredictable 5-foot depths of the Trent River, River Bend Marina is a nice place to stop on the way up the Trent however far you choose to go.
One more note about the Trent – depths average 8-20 feet most of the way, but early on, there are variable changes down to about 5 foot of water. I never kicked up mud in our 3-1/2 draft trawler, but got a little concerned a couple times nonetheless. You will also find some 30 foot holes. Not a river for 6+ drafts, but definitely out of the way, and probably best after bug season. Look hard at chart 11552, check fuel (no diesel past New Bern) and have a good idea how far you want to go. It’s remote. Enjoy.
Captain Ben

Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Trent River Marker #18,

New Bern, NC is located 21 miles up the Bay River departing the AICW at statute mile 161. Neuse Starter and Generator Service, Inc. is located at 104 Duffy Street, New Bern, NC 28560 252-633-0719

Had a great experience with Neuse Starter and Generator Service in New Bern, NC. Two Thumbs up service!
Capt. Ralph Chappell

Click Here To View an Earlier Discussion on New Bern, NC