Belhaven Waterfront - Click for Chartview

Guinn Leverett, Jr, Town Manager of Belhaven, confirmed Captain Goodman’s information. According to Mr. Leverett, recent dredging disturbed objects in the bottom which compromised the normal 9ft depth at dockside. (There is still 4ft of water at the dinghy dock location.) Two submerged obstructions were removed on Thursday and the remaining objects will be removed by Saturday, May 25. In addition to the 210 feet of dock space at the downtown dock, there is a newly completed secondary dock with 180 feet of space just a short distance upstream in the Pantego. If you have any concerns about docking at the Town Dock, contact Les Porter, Harbor Master at Belhaven Waterway Marina, as well as Dock Master of the Town Dock, at 252-944-0066.

Cruising News:
Had difficulty on 23May13 entering free docks. Divers put floats on obstructions found on the bottom after a boat struck something. I was told at the Belhaven Marina that they are planning to dredge the basin. There was no sign indicating it was closed. Don’t know how long the free dock will be closed.
Tom Goodman

Click Here To View the Cruisers’ Net’s North Carolina Marina Directory Listing For Belhaven Town Dock

Click Here To View the Eastern Florida Cruisers’ Net Marina Directory Listing For Belhaven Waterway Marina

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Very few cruisers travel the Waterway after dark, but just in case, please note the restrictions given in this Local Notice to Mariners. Figure Eight Island bridge crosses a long, narrow portion of the Waterway north of Wrightsville Beach.
Of course, you may be able to get a good view of the fireworks from the AICW, by loitering just south or north of the restricted zone!

NC– FIGURE EIGHT ISLAND – ATLANTIC INTRACOASTAL WATERWAY – FIREWORKS DISPLAY – SAFETY ZONE
Mariners are advised that a fireworks display will be held on May 31st at 9:30 pm. A safety zone will be established on all waters of the un-named channel north of the Figure Eight Island within a 300 yard radius of the fireworks site in approximate position 34-16-21”N 077-45-15”W., approximately 600 yards southeast of the Figure Eight Island Swing Bridge. This safety zone will be enforced from 08:30 PM to ½ hour past the conclusion of the event. This is necessary to control vessel traffic for safety of life and property on navigable waters during the event. Vessel traffic will be restricted on the entire un-named channel north of the Figure Eight Island Causeway. The fireworks will be launched from shore, which will be marked by a sign labeled “DANGER FIREWORKS STAY AWAY”, to provide on scene notice that the safety zone will be enforced. Vessels may not enter, remain in or transit through the safety zone during the enforcement period unless authorized by the Coast Guard Captain of the Port, or his or her designated representative on scene. All persons and vessels shall comply with the instructions of the Captain of the Port or the designated on-scene-patrol personnel, and upon being hailed by siren, radio, flashing light or other means, the operator of a vessel shall proceed as directed. For any comments or questions, contact the Marine Event Coordinator at Coast Guard Sector North Carolina, (252) 247-4525, or at NCMarineEvent@uscg.mil CHART: 11541

Click Here To View the Cruisers’ Net’s North Carolina Bridge Directory Listing For Figure Eight Island Bridge

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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 View the North Carolina Cruisers’ Net Marina Directory Listing For the Edenton City Marina

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Dowry Creek Marina - Click for Chartview

Dowry Creek Marina is a fine family owned and family run marina that has received MANY laudatory reviews here on the Cruisers’ Net. This facility lies off the AICW/Pungo River, north of Belhaven.

This is one of my favorite places to stop whenever heading north or south from Albemarle Plantation. Staff is very friendly and knowledgable. Rates are good and there is a lovely club house where there is a social hour each evening. Loaner cars are available for trips into town.
Bill Denison

Click Here To View the Cruisers’ Net’s North Carolina Marina Directory Listing For Dowry Creek Marina

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SALTY SOUTHEAST CRUISERS’ NET SPONSOR, Bennett Brothers Yachts/Cape Fear Marina, lies on the eastern banks of the Cape Fear River, just above the downtown Wilmington waterfront. Not only is this a first class marina, but the on-site repair yard is second to none. BE SURE TO CHECK OUT THIS FACILITY’S FREE WEEK’S DOCKAGE OFFER AT http://cruisersnet.net/?p=112269!
The note below was copied from the AGLCA forum, and was in answer to a question about where one can find a good “hurricane hole” during the hurricane season.

Bennett Brothers Yachts has the best “in my opinion” on the east coast GAI am a member of the Cape Fear Marina and have two 50 foot slips. This Cape Fear/Bennett Bros. is a definite hurricane hole and well protected. Just my 2 cents. Come on up but make sure you call them ahead of time….. it can get populated fast….. 910-772-9277.
GM

Click Here To View the North Carolina Cruisers’ Net Marina Directory Listing For Bennett Brothers Yachts/Cape Fear Marina

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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 View the North Carolina Cruisers’ Net Marina Directory Listing For the Columbia City Docks

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Bald Head Island Marina - Click for Chartview

Beginning Thursday, May 24, Bald Head Island is hosting a full-blown, five day Memorial Day Celebration. From surfing lessons and paddleboard excursions, to a reptile roundup and a turtle trot, there is certain to be an activity for every member of your family. Evening events include a Howl at the Moon party and food booths of international cuisine. The celebration ends with a Memorial Day Observance on Monday. For the full schedule of activities, see the link below.
Of course, your best bet for a waterside view of the celebration is Bald Head Island Marina, found hard by the seaward mouth of the Cape Fear River, within sight of the “Old Baldy” lighthouse! Naturally, they are A SALTY SOUTHEAST CRUISERS’ NET SPONSOR! What a great long weekend!

http://www.baldheadisland.com/uploads/2013MemorialDayBrochure.pdf

Click Here To View the North Carolina Cruisers’ Net Marina Directory Listing For Bald Head Island Marina

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This sounds like a wonderful adventure. Contact Kacie Wallace at the email below to determine what requirements are needed to be a support vessel.

Cruising News:
On June 8, World Oceans Day, YOLO Board team rider Kacie Wallace and friend Kimberly Sutton will begin paddling up the North Carolina coast, from the South Carolina state line to Virginia. The two are making the trip to raise awareness of plastics pollution in the ocean. And they’re looking for a support boat to accompany them. kacie.wallace@gmail.com, or visit http://www.supthemag.com/features/industry-news/yolo-board-team-rider-to-paddle-300-miles-for-plastic-pollution-awareness/
You may also reference this website: http://paddleforthenccoastline.weebly.com
HB Koerner

Yea! we have a volunteer, but as Capt. Koerner suggests, stay in the loop and we will post progress reports as they come in.

May 19
I have contacted Kacie, and she has accepted the use of my boat for the support vessel. Having said that, I would like to keep other cruising sailors in the loop on this because, as we all know, stuff happens.
I have a 2007 Pacific Seacraft 31 cutter, Take Five, and will be traveling at about the same speed as the Stand Up Paddleboards (SUP’s). I will have Kaycie’s brother to assist me as crew. We have berths for everyone, and room for the boards on deck, albeit a snug fit at night.
I shall keep you up to date on our progress. I need to use the Cruisersnet website to locate a marina closest to the SC/NC border, and make reservations to that we may depart on or about June 8.
HB Koerner

We have visited with the Wilmington Marine Center on many occasions, and have always been impressed with the services available here. The problem is that visiting cruisers will have to undertake a fairly lengthy taxi ride to and from the dockage basin to the downtown Wilmington business and dining district.

Wilmington Marine Centrer is a good stop….about three miles from down town by Taxi or a long Dink ride up the river.
Very sheltered and safe during bad weather.
In town…..lots of places to eat and drink.
Slainte for Irish a few doors down from Front Street Brewey.
A block or so away is Hell’s Kitchen….very much a two thumbs up place for food and drink….was my favorite hang out.
Stay in the channel as it gets shallow fast.
Ralph Chappell

Click Here To View the North Carolina Cruisers’ Net Marina Directory Listing For Wilmington Marine Center

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On 5/9/13, as part of a North Carolina Wish List, we posed the following question:

Statute Mile 61 – who has anchored on Broad Creek, off North River, and west of AICW/North River marker #164? Did you have any trouble finding the entrance to Broad Creek? What depths did you find when entering, and while cruising the interior reaches of Broad Creek? Would you recommend this anchorage to fellow cruisers?

Responses follow:

Broad Creek on the Coinjock Route (Mile 61) is normally a well protected creek and good fishing. But last September I was headed for the entrance when I saw coming right towards me a nasty black thing. About a mile from the creek opening it turned into what appeared to be a 25 ft high white wave heading stright for my bow at some 70 mph! (And I’m not kidding ‘cos it was on the news)
It turned out it was more a rolling mixture of water and air rather than a solid wave – but it grabbed Pisces – a heavy 45,000 lb steel boat – and turned me round twice as if I were a paper boat on a pond. Then 20 minutes of hell being driven back (at maximum RPM) by the horizontal wind and rain. My poor cat Addie was flattened out frantically grasping a ventilator – I had to release the wheel, get on the foredeck, grab him, and literally throw him down below!
I lost a hatch and a few other things yet in a way I was very lucky. I have no doubt that had I been moored in the creek a half hour or so sooner – I would have been blown ashore before I could even start the engine……
God takes care of drunks, sailors, and cats.
Arnold

Click Here To View the North Carolina Cruisers’ Net Marina Directory Listing For the Broad Creek Anchorage

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On 5/9/13, as part of a North Carolina Wish List, we posed the following question:

Statute Mile 282 – who has navigated Shinn Creek, from AICW marker #129, to Masonboro Inlet? Did you find sufficient depths in Shinn Creek? What about Masonboro Inlet itself? Please describe you passage through this inlet, and what you observed.

Responses follow:

Claiborne,
After a rough night at sea, from New Bern to Bald Head Island, we went in Masonboro Inlet a little before 8:00 am. There was a crane, rock barge, and tug in the inlet. Only comment is you need to be lined up straight to the inlet before you get there to see the location of the small buoys that mark the channel, follow them at mid channel depth about 14 feet (min).
At the marker for Banks Channel, green/red (I think ) “WC” look for the green straight ahead (#1), ignore the water to the left, continue on past green 3 and look for a small green can (?) which is 129 AICW, as another guide suggested take this as a green for Shinn creek, pass on left with good clearance and you are in the ICW. It looked confusing as I approached because of the house behind it. I thought it might be a private buoy, but read the number when I got close enough.
The depth was not a problem minimum at least 10 feet.
Bob,
S/V Pneuma

In late April 2013 we used the Mott Channel to enter the anchorage by the bridge in Wrightsville Beach. Late the following afternoon we navigated the Banks Channel and the Masonboro Inlet. The channel and the Inlet were well marked and easily navigated. We did notice the barge, but at that time it was anchored at the junction of the Shinn Creek and Banks Channel. We didn’t see any depths less than six feet.
Jim Murtha

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Recommendations of this ilk from marine professionals are often worth their weight in gold!

This guy is the only marine surveyor I have listed in my “work” phone contacts. We had used him in the past on custom boats and I was impressed. I am not sure of his experience with Hatteras yachts. He is in New Bern, Rob Everly, 670-1976. Hope this helps,

I agree, Rob Eberle is my surveyor of choice, having done several pre-purchase surveys for me and one that BoatUS hired him to do for an insurance claim to one of my vessels.
his web page is http://www.marinesurveyor.com/eberle/index2.html
e-mail: Rob Eberle (eberlemarine@suddenlink.net)
Gordan Pickett

On 5/9/13, as part of a North Carolina Wish List, we posed the following question:

Statute Mile 295- who has picked up a mooring at the Carolina Beach Mooring Field south of Snow Cut’s eastern entrance? Did you find the field easy to enter? What sort of mooring ball condition did you observe? Did you find anywhere to dinghy ashore? If so, did you find any good dining attractions in the town of Carolina Beach?

Responses follow:

The mooring field is easy to enter, with plenty of depth. The mooring balls are large, but the pendants are small and slimy. The dinghy dock is a long, long way down, at the end of the harbor. The moorings do provide a secure place to spend a night or to visit Carolina Beach for a day or two. At $20/night, they are over priced compared to other moorings. At the same price, St. Augustine offers a laundry, captains’ lounge, and quality heads/showers.
Glen and Jill Moore
DeFever 40 Last Dance

We have stayed in Carolina Beach on the mooring balls on 2 occasions. The mooring ball fields is easy to enter right off the channel. The mooring field is less than 10 minutes at no wake speed off the ICW. The tethers on the mooring balls seem short (maybe 5 ft) so it’s easier to grab the tether from the side of the boat rather than from the bow. The city sends a boat to collect the mooring fee about 6 PM each evening.
The City of Carolina Beach has a dinghy dock at the end of the channel which is less than 1/2 mile away. There is also a restaurant at the end of the channel that has a face dock. From the dinghy dock it is an easy walk to the beach.
Jerry Kusky
Knot So Fast

Click Here To View the North Carolina Cruisers’ Net Anchorage Directory Listing For the Carolina Beach Mooring Field

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On 5/9/13, as part of a North Carolina Wish List, we posed the following question:

Statute Mile 146 – who has abandoned the AICW, and cruised upstream on Pamlico River to Washington, NC? Did you stop at Broad Creek, and visit with McCotters Marina? If so, please give us a description of this facility. Or, did you continue upstream to the excellent Washington City Docks? Again, if so, please describe this municipal marina. Did you find any good dining choices in downtown Washington? Is this a side trip you would recommend to fellow cruisers?

Responses follow:

McCotter’s Marina is a good facility for repairs. Bob is the chief facilitator, Mark Henley the owner, and Shirley Long the sail maker and canvas person. All are very easy to work with and accommodating. They have a rather complete ship’s store and if they don’t have it they will get it for you post haste. They do mechanical work and repairs of all sort and Shirley has a complete sail/canvas operation. Unfortunately, no fuel. For fuel one must go next door to the Washington Yacht and Country Club which sells fuel to the public, both diesel and gasoline, and is the only place easily accessible and the only place for diesel west of the Pungo River at Belhaven. Most of Cotter’s docks are new after the terrible fire of a few years ago and the docks are fully serviced.
Bruce Billings
“Coaster”
Chocowinity, NC

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

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On 5/9/13, as part of a North Carolina Wish List, we posed the following question:

Statute Mile 311 – those of you who have spent a night or two at South Harbour Village Marina, near AICW marker #9, please share your experiences. Did you dine at either of the two, on-site restaurant? How was the food?

Responses follow:

Joseph’s Italian Bistro has a VERY loyal following with transient boaters and is open 7 days/week between Memorial Day and Labor Day (otherwise only closed on Sundays). Many return year after year to eat there.
Dead End Saloon/Fish Factory Grill just completed a major outdoor deck re-modeling to make the dining more comfortable and very often features live music. The owner has operated waterfront restaurants in both Baltimore and Southport so she knows how to do it right!
Bill Gregory

Spent several nights there last fall. Joseph’s Bistro is excellent. Great food and service. Marina staff are friendly and attentive.
Werner & Kathie Steuernagel

Click Here To View the North Carolina Cruisers’ Net Marina Directory Listing For South Harbour Village Marina

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