Cruisers' Net | Cruisers Helping Cruisers

Mar 30, 2012by: Larry Dorminy No Comments
Praise for East and South Lake Anchorages, AICW Statute Mile 82
The entrance to East Lake and South Lake anchorages lies along the AICW/Alligator River’s easterly shoreline, east of flashing daybeacon #10. We strongly suggest that you NOT attempt to access this anchorage without a well functioning GPS chartplotter aboard. A portion of the approach runs through a narrow, unmarked, neck-like channel. Easy to do with a chartplotter, but very difficult with DR navigation.
Heading northbound. Winds were howling today, gusts to 30 mph. Hopeful that the bridge would open. Great bridgetender. Went to the anchorage in Little Alligator River’¦nasty, crossed the river to the East & South Lakes. Followed our GPS to the middle of the South Lake. Five boats anchored here tonight in very calm water despite the 15 MPH winds. Will definitely keep this anchorage in mind the next time we are in the area. Our 5’5’³ draft had no problem getting in here! (3/29/12)
Just noticed the statement for sufficient room for 38 foot vessels, every boat in here tonight is over 40 feet. Can’t believe the room back here. So much room, a beautiful anchorage.
Click Here To View the Cruisers’ Net’s North Carolina Anchorage Directory Listing For East and South Lake Anchorages
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of East and South Lake Anchorages
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Mar 26, 2012by: Larry Dorminy No Comments
Praise for Deep Point Marina, Cape Fear River, AICW Statute Mile 307
Deep Point Marina lies in the Cape Fear River via a marked entry channel northwest of Cape Fear River/AICW marker #20 and is a SALTY SOUTHEAST CRUISERS’ NET SPONSOR!
Deep Point Marina was the best place we’ve found. The people are GREAT and helpful, place was CLEAN, and the overnight rate was the best we found. we will stop back to see them.
Faith Olsen
Click Here To View the Cruisers’ Net’s North Carolina Marina Directory Listing For Deep Point Marina
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Deep Point Marina
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Mar 21, 2012by: Larry Dorminy No Comments
Report on Jordan Creek Anchorage, AICW Statute Mile 140
Jordan Creek lies well to the west-northwest of the Waterway’s flashing daybeacon #4, along Pungo River’s westerly banks. This stream plays host to the River Rat Yacht Club, one of the most fun loving organizations of its type to be found anywhere.
Cruisers sometimes anchor on the waters of Jordan Creek, and we do list this haven in our “North Carolina Anchorage Directory.” However, while we have always found 4 1/2 foot depths if this stream is carefully approached, the thin water reported below by Captain Beard is for real!
I have gone in here and anchored off the club. Entrance is marked but shallow, less than 4ft.
Earl Beard
Click Here To View the Cruisers’ Net’s North Carolina Anchorage Directory Listing For Jordan Creek
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Jordan Creek
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Mar 21, 2012by: Larry Dorminy No Comments
Shoaling Reported on Approach Channel from Beaufort Inlet to Beaufort, NC Waterfront
This shoaling seems to lie at the southern end of Radio Island between marker #22 and marker #2 at the south end of the main channel leading from Beaufort Inlet into the Beaufort waterfront. Fortunately, most of us will be able to cruise through 9-foot MLW depths without a problem, but this report does signal that these waters will have to be carefully watched for future shallowing!
NC ‘“ BEAUFORT HARBOR ‘“ SHOALING
Shoaling to a depth of 9.0ft MLW has been reported in the vicinity of Beaufort Harbor Channel Warning Daybeacon A (LLNR 34811 [34°42.3091N / 076°40.7363W, 34.705152 / -76.678938]). Chart 11545
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Daybeacon A
Click Here To View the Cruisers’ Net’s North Carolina Marina Directory Listing For the Beaufort Municipal Docks
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of the Beaufort, NC Waterfront
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Mar 19, 2012by: Larry Dorminy No Comments
Differing Opinions on New Bern Grand Marina off the Neuse River in New Bern, NC
The New Bern Grand Marina lies along Trent River’s northern banks between the low-level Trent River highway and railroad bridges. It seems pretty clear both from our own experience at this facility as well as the wealth of contrary views below, that the predominant opinion is, and should be, that New Bern Grand Marina is a fine facility
The marina and hotel are now two seperate amenities. NO SECURITY at night. The grounds are littered and it looks like a third rate glorified lawn mowing company has tried to landscape..the day I visited they blew their lawn clippings and leaves in the water for your boat pumps to get stopped up. This marina is not what it was when I visited two years ago..we are very disappointed and will not be staying there.
Mike Thompson
These comments are contrary to everything I have experienced at the New Bern Grand Marina. The marina is neat and clean. The staff is great, always going the extra mile to insure those of us who actually have boats there are happy and comfortable.
Jim Powell
The negative comments above are from a man having a bad day for some reason. We keep a boat at New Bern Grand and we couldn’t be more pleased. The staff is helpful and courteous, the docks and grounds in top shape, the atmosphere and neighbors friendly and pleasant. We get a weekly email of news, status, reminders, and are kept informed of all events.
New Bern Grand is in the middle of downtown New Bern and is convenient to everything. The unhappy boater is right in one thing, there are now two separate business entities. It’s been transparent to the slip holders thus far.
One other thing, though New Bern experienced a 9-foot water surge with Hurricane Irene and it’s streets were under 2 feet of water, the marina and residents suffered no real damage.
Ben
We stay at this marina every spring on our way north, usually for a month, and are headed there in two weeks. Called a good friend who is a longtime liveaboard there, and he confirmed that the marina has changed hands, but says he hasn’t noticed much change. We look forward to going back.
Dennis Jay
The negative comments above are from a man having a bad day for some reason. We keep a boat at New Bern Grand and we couldn’t be more pleased. The staff is helpful and courteous, the docks and grounds in top shape, the atmosphere and neighbors friendly and pleasant. We get a weekly email of news, status, reminders, and are kept informed of all events.
New Bern Grand is in the middle of downtown New Bern and is convenient to everything. The unhappy boater is right in one thing, there are now two separate business entities. It’s been transparent to the slip holders thus far.
One other thing, though New Bern experienced a 9-foot water surge with Hurricane Irene and it’s streets were under 2 feet of water, the marina and residents suffered no real damage.
Ben
We stay at this marina every spring on our way north, usually for a month, and are headed there in two weeks. Called a good friend who is a longtime liveaboard there, and he confirmed that the marina has changed hands, but says he hasn’t noticed much change. We look forward to going back.
Dennis Jay
Click Here To View the Cruisers’ Net’s North Carolina Marina Directory Listing For New Bern Grand Marina
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of New Bern Grand Marina
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Mar 19, 2012by: Larry Dorminy No Comments
A Tall Ship Will Make Washington, NC Waterfront Docks Its New Homeport

Washington, NC is a long-time and much valued SALTY SOUTHEAST CRUISERS’ NET SPONSOR!
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, March 14, 2012, WASHINGTON, NC
The Schooner Jeanie B, a 72′ tall masted sailing vessel, will be coming to the City of Washington and become a fixture to the community of Eastern North Carolina.
The Washington Harbor District Alliance helped to formulate the new partnership between the City of Washington and The Schooner Jeanie B. This partnership creates a relationship that couples the vibrant waterfront in Washington, NC with the educational and family sailings of the vessel. Schooner Jeanie B will reconnect the rich history of Washington’s past which was active with tall ships with the present when she arrives March 21.
The Schooner Jeanie B is a traditional sailing vessel that sails with Camps Sea Gull and Seafarer during the summer months and Boy Scouts of America and the Pamlico Sea Base during the spring and fall months. Jeanie B teaches principles of sailing, ship handling, and traditional navigation including using the stars to find their way. Team and character building are another benefit the campers, scouts and students experience living aboard the boat
as they travel around the Inner Banks of North Carolina visiting various ports such as Manteo, Ocracoke, Washington and Beaufort.
The Jeanie B also provides sailing excursions during the week and weekends from the docks in Washington, NC. She can take up to 25 passengers for afternoon and evening sunset or star gazing sails. The captain and crew of Jeanie B can put you at the helm of the 72′ vessel, allow you and your friends to raise her sails and navigate along the Pamlico River or just sit back and enjoy the peaceful sail of an afternoon or evening.
To celebrate the arrival of Schooner Jeanie B, the City of Washington, NC welcomes her March 21 – 24 with an array of activities. Jeanie B will arrive in Washington on the afternoon of Wednesday, March 21 and that evening a lecture entitled, “Equinox, Solstice, Hallmark and Hershey. A talk on astronomical events and how they merge with our lives” will be given by Dr. Lee Sutton, owner and operator of the schooner. Jeanie B teaches celestial navigation and her arrival, to coincide with the Vernal Equinox on March 21, couples that teaching to her new home. The lecture will take place at the North Carolina Estuarium along the Washington waterfront.
Thursday and Friday, March 22, 23, the vessel will be offering free tours from 10am until 2pm. Saturday, March 24, Jeanie will be offering free to all the public multiple sailings from the docks of the City of Washington.
After this arrival celebration, the schooner will make Washington, NC her permanent home and be available for corporate, family or group sailings throughout the year. For additional information, please contact the Jeanie B at 804-519-0174 and schoonerjeanieb@gmail.com
For more information Contact Lee Sutton at 804-519-0174 or Beth Byrd, Director Washington Harbor District Alliance at 252-947-1487, whda@washingtononthewater.com
Beth Byrd
Director
Washington Harbor District Alliance
102 East 2nd Street
PO Box 1988
Washington, NC 27889
Cell: 252-947-1487
Email: whda@washingtononthewater.com
Web: www.whda.org
Much appreciation goes out to our Corporate Sponsors and the City of Washington for their support:
Click Here To View the Cruisers’ Net’s North Carolina Marina Directory Listing For the Washington City Docks
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of the Washington City Docks
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Mar 19, 2012by: Claiborne Young No Comments
Anchored on Taylor Creek (Beaufort, NC – near St. M. 201)
An interesting series of events described below, but the real lesson here is how much current exists on the very popular Taylor Creek anchorage, just off the Beaufort, NC waterfront, and how carefully one must anchor, and maintain those anchors.
We remember Taylor Creek readily, mostly because of the currents. Anchored at the eastish end, in a fairly narrow section, we seemed to either be too close for comfort to the island or too the channel. Nothing we did could change this. Our neighbor though, never seemed to move more than a couple feet. So one day, I rowed over to see how they were anchored, anxious to learn a better way.
Turned out the woman was by herself, her husband having been taken to the hospital several days before because of a heart attack. She was besides herself because of a storm that was forecast for that evening and her rodes had wrapped around themselves so much that her scope had significantly been reduced, and she was pretty certain that one, if not both anchors had tripped (originally anchored Bahamian style). In addition, their engine was overheating and she wasn’t comfortable operating it to begin with.
I offered to help do what I could and she enthusiastically agreed. I went back and got Jill, so the three of us could sort out her predicament. Pulled her anchors up and discovered that she was right in her assessment, although only one anchor had tripped, the wrapping having pulled it halfway up the other anchor’s rode. Got her reanchored (her engine was overheating) and Jill and I went back to our boat, happy that we did a good deed. We still chuckle when we rethink of this event, thinking that boat was so well anchored and that we could learn something from her, when it turned out it was borderline, at best.
As it turned out her boat started swinging just as far and wide as ours did, so we learned nothing there; but, it didn’t drag throughout the storm. Her husband returned two days latter and the impression we got was that he wasn’t very pleased that we helped his wife… never said hello, even thought he motored right by us repeatedly, never said thanks. We still can’t understand that part, but none-the-less, we’d do it again if the opportunity presented itself!
Rudy
Briney Bug
Click Here To View the Cruisers’ Net’s North Carolina Anchorage Directory Listing For the Taylor Creek Anchorage
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of the Taylor Creek Anchorage
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Mar 12, 2012by: Claiborne Young No Comments
New Grocery/Deli Open on Beaufort, NC’s Front Street, Within Easy Walking Distance of the Municipal Docks (St. M. 201)
During a recent research visit to the northeastern and central NC coastline, we were delighted to be taken on a tour of a new, downtown Beaufort grocery store and deli, soon to be opened as Taylor’s Creek Grocery (525 Front Street, 252-838-1495). We saw shelves being stocked with what looked to be delectable yummies, and extensive coolers about to be loaded with all sorts of cold drinks, including beer and wine. Equally impressive was the large deli corner, where everything was shiny new, and looked to be just waiting to churn out a mouth watering selection of sandwiches.
And, what’s best about this new facility from a cruiser’s point of view, is its location, within easy walking distance of the Beaufort Municipal docks. In fact, the store’s position at the corner of Front and Queen Streets, places it just across the road from the eastern tip of the city docks.
We were told Taylor’s Creek Grocery would be open for business by mid-March, 2012, and, indeed, all the activity we saw would tend to suggest that this opening date is on target. So, now, in addition to Community Market (a couple of blocks from the city docks on Broad Street), and taking a courtesy car to the local Food Lion and Piggly Wiggly supermarkets, cruisers who berth at the Beaufort Municipal Docks have a very attractive provisioning possibility within easy walking distance!
Click Here To View the Cruisers’ Net’s North Carolina Marina Directory Listing For the Beaufort Municipal Docks
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of the Beaufort, NC Waterfront
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Feb 10, 2012by: Larry Dorminy No Comments
Praise for The Boatyard at Hampstead, Top Sail Beach, NC, AICW Statute Mile 264.5
The Boatyard at Hampstead, NC, lies on the west side of the Waterway at Marker #90, 1 mile north of Harbour Village Marina and 1 mile south of the Top Sail Beach swing bridge, adjacent to Anchors Away Boatyard. Their phone is 910-270-2194
We used The Boatyard at Hampstead during a recent boat sale while working as the yacht broker, and found this yard to offer excellent service, very pleasant to work with, and very conscientious.
The owners, Pamela and Gerald Foy, took over the yard a year ago, April 2011. This full service yard is just off the ICW north of Wrightsville Beach, very convenient to those cruising the ICW. They are listed on Active Captain as a “1st choice”.
Calvin Cornish and Wendy Young, MTOA #2641
“Blue Crab” 32′ Island Gypsy, Punta Gorda FL
The Boatyard at Hampstead’s web address: www.theboatyardathampstead.com
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of The Boatyard at Hampstead
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Jan 28, 2012by: Larry Dorminy No Comments
Word of Caution re Anchoring in Elizabeth City, NC, Dismal Swamp Route, Statute Mile 50
While most cruisers opt to either tie up at the free Mariners Wharf City Docks or anchor south of the HWY 158 bridge, Mark is correct that the little cove north of the bridge at mile 50 does appear to be a good anchorage, but is not. However, south of the bridge puts you much closer to the downtown area. Also, note that the facility described as “a marina on the south shore” below, is really the private Elizabeth City Yacht Club.Either way.
However you visit, don’t forget Elizabeth City is a SALTY SOUTHEAST CRUISERS NET SPONSOR!
CAUTION when anchoring near 50 mile mark! Right at the 50 mile mark, there is a Marina on the South shore. It’s close to the highway, and it gives the appearance of a nice place to anchor ‘¦ figuring nice folks are nearby, (with about 30 boats docked at the marina), and nothing else. And it appears that if necessary, one can dingy up and get to shore if needed. HOWEVER ‘¦ look close at the charts! There are very ugly serious underwater hazards out from the pier, both to the East and West of that 50 mile line on chart. Looking out away from the pier to the NNW and North East, these nasty hazards are visible when the wind blows hard from the North for a few days. There is a particular nasty sunken barge NNW of the pier!! A Tow Boat had a very hard time pulling a 40’ cruiser off a sunken barge last year. The story is this area was used as a graveyard for numerous wood barges back in the day.
This area is a good place to anchor, as long as you stay very far from shore, and are East of the 50 mile line. If you see evidence of a sunken barge up near the shore, there is likely another big one 200 to 300 feet closer to you that you cannot see. If you stay directly North of this pier/marina/yacht club, you’ll be fine. The club boaters know of these hazards, and will watch out for you when coming and going. There’s plenty of room for a boat to anchor and local boats to work around you. On a direct line from this pier, I’m guessing one has clearance from obstructions to no more than 100 feet to the West, and at maybe 300 feet to the East. That pier is the Pasquotank River Yacht Club. We hope to mark these hazardous soon. We’ve been unsuccessful with getting any government agency to take it on, so we may try to do it ourselves. We usually have no slips available, but don’t hesitate to holler and say hi! However in an emergency, don’t hesitate to beach it between pier and our club house which you can see just SW of pier. Some members have beached there to clean the bottom. If you see anyone hanging around the pier, and want to dingy over for fresh water, that shouldn’t be a problem; hopefully you can talk someone into handing you a hose to let you fill up. We know it’s a bit awkward getting water downtown.
Mark H.
Click Here To View the Cruisers’ Net’s North Carolina Marina Directory Listing For Mariners Wharf [Elizabeth] City Docks
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Elizabeth City, NC
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Jan 20, 2012by: Larry Dorminy No Comments
Report from Lockwoods Folly/ AICW Intersection, Statute Mile 321
Lockwoods Folly Inlet (NOT the AICW) was closed to navigation in October of 2011 and as reported below, dredging is underway. We will update the condition of the inlet as we get word, but for now, even though the depths at the intersection of the Waterway and inlet are good, you should still avoid the inlet passage!
1-20-12
Lots of dredging going on as we go through this area. we have no problems and we showed 16 feet as we passed the inlet. Just after fell to 8-10. this is low tide at 8:30 AM
Penny and Dick
Penelope catamaran
Click Here To View the Cruisers’ Net’s “AICW Problem Stretches” Listing For the AICW/Lockwoods Folly Inlet Intersection
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To This AICW Problem Stretch
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Jan 9, 2012by: Larry Dorminy No Comments
Baird Creek Adventure, Upper Neuse River, off the AICW near New Bern, NC
Baird Creek, charted as Beard Creek,liess on the north shore of the upper Neuse River north of Wilkinson Point. As Cat. Ben points out, it is marked by a single marker #1. All of us who have done any gunk-holing will enjoy this delightful tale of keel versus bottom, which will also explain why this particular creek is NOT in our North Carolina Anchorage Directory. Thanks for sharing, Capt. Ben.
Cruising News:
The long keel, forever hallowed be its name.
I may not lay claim to being the dumbest boater, but I strive for the top-five.
In North Carolina, we have three types of bottoms, pecan-sandy, chocolate-pudding mud, and occasionally rocky-road-oyster shoal. Hungry yet? We love to gunk hole. It’s almost not an adventure if I cannot jump out of the boat and pull it along with the rope or kedge the anchor. Where’s the fun in being sensible? Markers in our waters are usually inaccurate because last month’s hurricane made a shoal where the channel used to be. Soft groundings come with the territory.
What has saved us in our limitless search for shallow waters and low-cost barnacle scrapings has been our beloved full keel. That and our craft tops out at about eight knots. With a wind. In shallow waters I have the deep sagacity to reduce speed to around 3 knots, so as not to bump anything too hard. One day, I hope to be a smarter captain, but our current mode of gunk-holing has provided hours of adventure, angst, and amusement to my first mate, and I for one refuse to deprive her of the joys of seeing mud churn off our stern. She’s become quite the expert at spotting it.
On our last adventure, we decided to explore the deep reaches of the Northern Neuse River on Baird Creek just after Thanksgiving. It is marked by a single green “1” daymark and a smattering of private PVC pipes with colored tape jammed in the ground. If you were a golfer, you would call this one hazard-filled course. For a boater it generally tracks around 5 feet deep if you are mostly lucky and very careful. Ours is a single-screw trawler with the aforementioned full keel. Believe me, this captain needs it. Drawing a hair over 42 inches of water, I make it a point to scout out sailboat masts in any unfamiliar harbor, because it’s a good bet that that captain will need a full five feet to knock around in there. Seeing a few masts, we gingerly entered Baird Creek in the afternoon, threw out anchor and proceeded to lounge a bit. I had some minor wiring repairs to do with the generator, so went about that a little after some engine cooling.\
Around dusk we fired up the generator, only to realize the repairs made did not fix the root problem, which was the transmission of current from the output leads to the rest of our craft. Including the Two-cycle AC (It’s November and a little chilly. After some mutual frowning and head-scratching, my first mate advises me that with the low temperature forecast, we might do better comfort-wise back at our slip, about 10 miles up the Neuse. So after some long deep breaths, inhale/exhale style – to draw in air for the work ahead of course, I agreed with my mate and decided to get about hoisting the anchor.
Now, this is where the real adventure begins – Anchor, up, no worries. Despite scrubbing and rinsing we still brought a good amount of chocolate pudding aboard as we pulled chain in the dark. In addition, what I failed to notice upon coming into little Baird Creek, was that the wind had shifted to the North, blowing water up the Pamilco Sound and draining the Neuse a bit – lowering the water with one of the Neuse’s famous – or infamous – wind-tides. Our depth finder gets psychotic under 4 feet and we start showing about 700 feet of water whenever this happens – so 700 feet showing usually means we’re near a touch-point, and we were seeing this. We get going about a hundred yards and feel the slow, gentle shudder of bottom. OK- no good. Adrenaline and dismay. We back off a little, free ourselves, and try in a different direction. OK, not so bad, but not for long. We find bottom again. Gentle shudder. Chocolate pudding again. It’s pitch black out except for the small lights of the relatively few homes on Baird Creek. So we back off again and track slowly and surely very close to some of the homes with modest piers. This seems to work. Eventually, gingerly, and nervously we were able to exit Baird Creek with our running gear and some portion of our wits intact. But I can assure the reader any future trip there – in or out – will be in daylight and with a south wind keeping the water high in the Neuse. For Baird Creek – boater beware!
Thanks once again to King Neptune for providence and our long keel for its patience – it’s saved us from ourselves many a time.
Capt. Ben
M/V Sand Castle
Neuse River
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Beard Creek
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Jan 9, 2012by: Larry Dorminy No Comments
Belhaven Town Dock Open for Business, Pantego Creek, AICW Statute Mile 135.5
Construction on this municipal dock was begun this past fall and its completion is very welcome news for folks wanting to visit the charming town of Belhaven. Docking is free with a 24 hour limit and the dock also provides dinghy dockage for cruisers anchored in the nearby Pantego Creek Anchorage.
Just thought you might like to know the Belhaven Town dock has been finished. I have attached three photos of the 1st two boats to dock. The BYC (Belhaven Yacht Club) found and assisted the town of Belhaven in getting the grant to do this project.
Andy Fisher
Cruising News:
Had the opportunity to be the first boat docked at the ‘New’ Bellhaven Town dock. Spent the night of 28 December there while aboard a Pearson 424… found pleanty of water for the 6′ draft. We took soundings in the dingy before we went in, and found 8′ all the way in (stay close to the old pilings). The entry channel has good water just stay in the middle until you see the new dock (near the hospital). Stayed the night with a friend on a Southern Cross 31 and were joined by another sailboat the next day. Local paper came out and officially pronounced the dock “open” (we made the front page).
The dock was constructed with money from a grant, and while no signs are up now, there is to be a 24hour limit. Trash disposal is available, and there is a public restroom across the parking lot. Close to the hardware store, and restaurant… great stop!
S/V Faith
Great News! I will make it a regular stop. And if there is any $$$ left over, how about installing a HarborCam so I can see from the waterway if there is room at the dock? Just asking.
Roger Hitchner
Painter, Hershine 41
Amenities? I don’t see power hookups,etc.
Al Ross
There is power and water as well a pump out.
At the very end of the main channel just before the bridge. Have to go in through a very small channel lined with rickety pilings. Looks improbable, but it is there. Wouldn’t have found it without the photos.
Keith
Click Here To View the Cruisers’ Net’s North Carolina Anchorage Directory Listing For the Belhaven/Pantego Creek Anchorage
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Jan 2, 2012by: Claiborne Young No Comments
Jarrett Bay Boatworks Recommended For Dry Storage (Statute Mile 197)
Captain Bill and Kathleen’s response below is in answer to a question which originally appeared on the AGLCA mailing list, asking for dry boat storage recommendations north of Beaufort, SC. Well, Jarrett Bay is actually located north of Beaufort, NC, on the Core Creek Canal section of the AICW.
This is a superb facility for dry storage, and for any sort of repair work. There are many repair firms on-site, including our friends at Core Creek Marine. And, oh yes, even though Bill and Kathleen say Jarrett Bay is “not a marina,” there is some transient dockage available by the fuel dock, and both gasoline and diesel fuel can be purchased.
I would recommend Jarrett Bay in Beaufort, NC off the ICW. You can get their contact info off the internet at They are a repair and storage yard, not a marina. They have an excellent facility and staff, very experienced at storing boats in a manner that avoids hurricane damage. We used them for repairs on our Hatteras when we were passing through on the loop two years ago. We were very satisfied. Ask for Roger Wetherington and tell him Bill Root referred you.
Bill & Kathleen Root
Click Here To View the Cruisers’ Net’s North Carolina Marina Directory Listing For Jarrett Bay Boatworks
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Jarrett Bay Boatworks
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Dec 30, 2011by: Larry Dorminy No Comments
A Good Stay at Whittaker Creek Yacht Harbor, Neuse River, Oriental, NC near AICW Statute Mile 181
Whittaker Creek Yacht Harbor lies on the point separating the two major branches of Whittaker Creek, northeast of Oriental Harbor’s flashing daybeacon #1.
Whittaker Creek Yacht Harbor just northwest of Oriental NC is one of the most relaxing stays I have experienced in 5 years of cruising. The $11.00 a day slip with electricity included (that’s right Eleven) way more than made up for the less than new docks. It’s a short bike ride to a lot of fine restaurants and coffee shops. There’s a marine consignment shop with more stuff than I’ve seen in the Defender catalog. There is a hardware store close by, a grocery store, a marine supply store and a West Marine. They’re all within walking distance but might be to far for someone not used to walking, They are all withing less than 10 minutes biking distance.
I spent three weeks there during the end of November and beginning of December, the best part of my stay was all the great people I met. I was invited to the Orphan Sailor Thanksgiving feast and spent quality time on board other sailor’s boats enjoying adult beverages. I highly recommend visiting, the owner, Knute, will make you feel welcome. If your boat draws more than 5’5″, you have to enter when there is no wind or when the wind is from a northerly quarter, a southerly wind drops the channel depth to less than 6 ft. It’s 6 1/2 ft with no wind and more than 7 with a wind from the north. For those unfamiliar with the Carolinas, there are no lunar or solar tides and the water levels are influenced by the winds.
Henry Zalegowski on S/V Turn’er Loose
Click Here To View the Cruisers’ Net’s North Carolina Marina Directory Listing For Whittaker Creek Yacht Harbor
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Whittaker Creek Yacht Harbor
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Dec 19, 2011by: Claiborne Young No Comments
Captain Wally’s Beaufort, NC Impressions (Statute Mile 201)
The extract below is taken from Captain Wally Moran’s “LiveBloggin’ the ICW” (http://bloggingtheicw.blogspot.com/). He gives some good info about one of our very favorite ports of call, but we must disagree with him about there not being any propane within walking distance of the Beaufort Town Docks. He should have check the Cruisers’ Net’s “NC LPG/CNG Availability” directory at /category/north-carolina-lpg-cng-availability/. By doing so, he would have discovered a long walk would have taken him to Teels Gas Service at 813 Cedar Street (252-728-7039).
Beaufort is the first major ocean access harbour on the ICW, if you don’t count Norfolk, at its head. Most of the traffic now is sportfishermen, recreational boats and the occasional freighter. It’s also the first location where you run into substantial tide and current. Those three feet (approx) of tide create a very strong current that affects how you anchor and how and where you put your rode down. Holding in the anchorage is good though, so once you’ve done a proper job of backing down, you can safely nod off.
The waterfront is one of the nicer ones on the ICW, with a good number of decent pubs overlooking the Beaufort waterfront along its boardwalk. Opposite the waterfront is Radio Island [actually Carrot Shoal – editor] – on occasion you’ll see wild horses there, although I never have for some reason. Beaufort is also where I usually see my first dolphins on every trip south. And for real wildlife, there’s my friend Will and his lime green cat!
Two major downtown Beaurort highlights are the Maritime Museum and the Wooden Boat Building museum, where they actually build wooden boats. The Maritime Museum has an amazing library with thousands of out of print nautical titles, and probably something for everyone. The Maritime Museum at one time used to have a loaner car for transients – that service is no longer, thanks to lawyers and lawsuits making it prohibitively expensive to do so.
That’s unfortunate, because shopping is too far to walk – as is a propane refill, which is truly unfortunate, because the tank for my boat heater JUST RAN OUT, and it’s going to be chilly tonight. I’ll have to hook up the cooking propane. Fortunately, I’ll be in Wrightsville Beach tomorrow, and they DO have a loaner car and the propane refill store is very close.
Wally Moran
LiveBloggin’ the ICW
http://bloggingtheicw.blogspot.com/
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Beaufort, NC Region
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Dec 15, 2011by: Claiborne Young No Comments
A Fond Look at Oriental, NC (Statute Mile 181)
Sign just opposite the free dock in Oriental
The heart warming story below comes to the Salty Southeast Cruisers’ Net from our dear friend, and fellow nautical writer, Captain Wally Moran, and from his LiveBloggin the ICW (http://bloggingtheicw.blogspot.com/). Anyone who has ever visited Oriental will quickly discern the truth of what Captain Wally has to say!
Wally seems to be lingering in North Carolina waters a bit longer than most, before heading south to warmer climes. We’ll keep following his travels here at the Crusiers’ Net as he heads his sailcraft towards the Sunshine State.
A drinking town with a sailing problem…
That’s how Oriental bills itself…well, actually it calls itself the sailing capital of North Carolina, but the t-shirts and coffee mugs all tell a different story.
It’s a friendly town – people wander to the dock to chat after getting their coffee at the Bean, which is across from the free dock (free is good!â„¢).
The town is also the most dog-friendly place I’ve ever been. You’ll frequently see dogs roaming the street, and if one of them decides to lie down in front of the Bean (happens often actually), drivers slow down and move around the pup. It’s really quite a hoot to see – anywhere else it would be honk the horn and get upset time, but not in Oriental.
There is a West Marine, but no other box stores in Oriental. That’s because the locals voted it that way – talk about a great sense of values. West Marine good – Wal Mart bad!
This is a town that, on New Year’s Day when everyone else in America is watching football, is having their New Year’s Regatta. The last time I was here for it, 26 boats were competing. I was heading out that day and darn near became the 27th boat!
The wind today turned strongly into the southwest, and since I hadn’t yet gotten groceries, I chose to remain one more day at the free dock (free is good! â„¢), rather than bash down the canal at the end of Adams Creek on the way to Beaufort. Winds go light tomorrow, so morning will be an excellent time to head out.
Like I said, a great sense of values.
Wally Moran
LiveBloggin the ICW
http://bloggingtheicw.blogspot.com/
We love Oriental and always make a point of stopping there. However, the lack of pump out facilities is a concern. Oriental Marina has none. The public free dock has none. The marina to the west has two portables but they are often out of service. There are way too many boats in Oriental that should be pumping out and obviously do not. The worst part is that no one we talked to about this problem cared. One marina owner said `I don’t have to have a pump out, so why would I want one?’
Ginny Caldwell
River dunes, sailcraft marina and deaton’s marina all have pump outs. Possibly more marinas close by.
Cliff Kisby
Cruising News:
Let me remind Ms. Caldwell and other cruisers passing though Oriental that most of our marinas and other waterfront facilities here are still very much in recovery mode from hurricane Irene, the worst storm we’ve seen here in recorded history. There are adequate pumpouts if you know where to find them but but some of the regular places are still out of service. Everything should be online and operating when the snowbird migration heads north in the spring.
Captain Andy Denmark
Lower Broad Creek
Oriental, NC
Click Here To View the Cruisers’ Net’s North Carolina Marina Directory Listing For Oriental Marina
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Oriental Marina
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Nov 30, 2011by: Claiborne Young 1 Comment
Dismal Swamp Canal AICW Alternate Route vs AICW – North Carolina, Virginia Cut Route
Friends Doing the Dismal
Fellow nautical writer, Wally Moran, does a very nice job below of summarizing the attributes and demerits of these two alternate AICW passages that lead from Norfolk, VA to North Carolina waters, or the other way around. And, by the way, the text below is copied from Captain Wally’s new “LiveBloggin’ the ICW” site at:
http://bloggingtheicw.blogspot.com/
Will asked me about the two options heading south – the Virginia Cut and the Dismal Swamp. Great question.
Friends doin’ the Dismal
I prefer the Dismal Swamp – it’s wonderfully scenic, as you can see. Good protection from wind, and the stop at Deep Creek Lock to visit Rob, the lockmaster, is always a treat. Leaving the Dismal, you stop by Elizabeth City for a free night’s dockage and the cruisers’ welcome party each evening for a drink, and a rose for the ladies, a tradition started by two locals and now kept up by the city’s Chamber of Commerce.
The only drawback is that the Dismal takes longer to run, and isn’t really feasible for boats drawing over six feet.
The Virginia Cut brings you to Virginia City and the Great Bridge Lock, a marvel to see in and of itself, plus lots of fascinating tugboat and commercial traffic.
I usually do one route on the trip down, and the other on the return, just to enjoy the best of both worlds. The one other proviso is if the exit from the route will permit me to sail on the Albermarle. There is enough distance between them to make a difference in how you trim your sails.
Wally Moran
Hi Claiborne ‘“ my blog showed dozens of unexpected hits today ‘“ so I looked at my stats and, sure enough, they were coming from here [SSECN]. Maybe you can encourage your readers to add to the list of the World’s Greatest Boating Songs ‘“ there will be prizes, such as copies of my video, Sailing South ‘“ First Timer’s Guide to the ICW, or Forbidding, Forbidden Cuba. Maybe I can get you to toss in a copy of one of your books? I refuse to give up my copy of your Florida guide, it’s a fun read.
If anyone is curious, they can get a peek at the trailers for both videos at http://www.thesailingchannel.tv/icw or /cuba.
Thanks again Claiborne. Tomorrow, off to start the ICW for the 18th time.
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Nov 29, 2011by: Larry Dorminy No Comments
More Good Words for Dudley’s Marina, AICW Statute Mile 229
Dudley’s Marina lies northeast of the Waterway near unlighted daybeacon #46A, and just a hop, skip and jump from downtown Swansboro, NC. Those cruisers who are willing to hike or take the Dudley’s courtesy car across the bridge and causeway can find some of the best FRIED (NOT broiled) seafood in the world at Captain Charley’s Seafood Paradise!
We stopped by Dudley’s on 11/23/11 on a short Thanksgiving cruise to Beauford, NC. A thank you from the Halifax Crew to Dudley’s for keeping the dockage fee and the price of gasoline/fuel affordable so we can continue to boat. Very friendly staff and helpful with docking. I recommend them and wil stop in again. Easy walk over the bridge to town from their location.
Doyle and LaVisa (Halifax)
Click Here To View the Cruisers’ Net’s North Carolina Marina Directory Listing For Dudley’s Marina
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Dudley’s Marina
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Nov 29, 2011by: Larry Dorminy No Comments
A Good Visit to Morehead City Docks, AICW Statute Mile 205
In the heart of downtown, the City docks are on the northern banks of the Morehead City waterfront channel, west of Morehead Gulf Docks. Reservations are made by calling 252-726-2457, but payment is made at the City Library one block from the waterfront at 9th and Evans.
We stayed at these docks on 11/25/11. Nice new floating docks and new shower facilities. Manager was very nice and helpful.. Great location for downtown Morehead City and waterfront walk. Fast tide that runs abeam so docking can be tough in fast current. Suggest arriving at slack tide for less stress.
Doyle and LaVisa (Halifax)
Click Here To View the Cruisers’ Net’s North Carolina Marina Directory Listing For Morehead City Municipal Docks
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Morehead City Docks
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