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Please Note That Postings Below From Fellow Cruisers Are Listed in Chronological Order, Based on Publication Date
This missing marker is at the narrow mouth of the North River on the north side of Albemarle Sound. The missing marker was reported last fall, but so far we’ve had no reports of contact with any remains.
G 171 in the channel between the North River and Albemarle Sound is missing at Mile 65. Use care in case there is a broken off stub. There is a now a new red buoy about opposite but it does not change the fairway line.
Roger Long
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of North River Point
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.
The Waterway channel narrows considerably at the intersection of the North River and Albemarle Sound. Shoaling from North River Point has been reported on both sides of the channel as it passes through a spoil area.
Here is what I noted today, I didn’t look at the red side but I know from comments that it shoals up. I always favor the green there, passing about 100′ to 150′ from G169. Note that g171 is missing and that a floating R168 has been added.
Favoring the green side gives about 12mlw. On both plotters this results in remaining just outside the dashed channel line on the green side.
Capt. Pascal aboard Charmer 70′ MY 6+ draft
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of North River Point
The so-called “Carolina Loop” cruise consists of a journey north on the Dismal Swamp Canal, to the Norfolk, VA area. Most cruisers stay here for night or two, then cruise south via the AICW principal route, alternately known as the “North Carolina – Virginia Cut” and the “Albemarle – Chesapeake Canal.” This latter passage flows through a lock at Great Bridge, VA, then down the North Landing River, across a dredged passage bisecting northern Currituck Sound, through a canal bisecting the marina rich, but tiny village of Coinjock, NC, down the North River to a short hop west on the Albemarle Sound, and finally north on the Pasquotank River to Elizabeth City, NC. This latter community is a SALTY SOUTHEAST CRUISERS’ NET SPONSOR, and has the deserved reputation of being one of the most cruiser friendly stops anywhere.
Of course, you can start the loop at any convenient place, and there are variations, but the account above lays out the general route. It’s a great trip!
I did the Carolina Loop last year from up in the Chesapeake to Norfolk then to Coinjock, Elizabeth City, Great Bridge, Norfolk and home. It was a total of 245+/- miles. It is a wonderful short trip with a lot of wilderness and undeveloped river country. It was not a difficult trip from a navigation or logistical point of view but a nice introduction to canal, river, sound and swamp cruising. I recommend it as a test cruise and short adventure for anyone in the Tidewater area. There are three locks (Great Bridge, South Mills and Deep Creek), a few bridges and some open sound to traverse. The only real issue is the limited opening times of the locks. That changes from time to time based on water levels so check before you leave as to what schedule they are operationing on now. In Coinjock there are two marinas for fuel, food and lodging. There are many in Norfolk and Portsmouth and Elizabeth City has free docking at the town docks but not power. Water depth was never an issue but be alert to snags in the Dismal Swamp part and the North Landing River sections. Have a good time.
Jim Wagner
(Daddy’s Dream
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Mariners Wharf Docks
Click Here To View the Cruisers’ Net’s North Carolina Marina Directory Listing For Midway Marina
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Midway Marina
Click Here To View the Cruisers’ Net’s North Carolina Marina Directory Listing For Coinjock Marina
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Coinjock Marina
Midway Marina and Motel flanks the western banks of the Coinjock canal portion of the Waterway, south-southwest of flashing marker #123.
good fuel stop. staff helpful.
Ed Kroposki
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Midway Marina and Motel
This notice is referring to shoaling at the Waterway’s narrow channel leading from Albemarle Sound into the North River via the VA-NC Cut. A sharp watch should kept between markers 168 and 173.
LOCAL NOTICE TO MARINERS: Week 25/11
Shoaling to a depth of 5.3 ft MLW has been reported in the vicinity of Great Bridge to Albemarle Sound Light 170 (LLNR 37810). Mariners should use extreme caution when transiting the area. Chart : 12206.
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Marker 170
Midway Marina and Motel flanks the western banks of the Coinjock canal portion of the Waterway, south-southwest of flashing marker #123.
As promised we stopped off at Midway Marina again on our way back North. We are just as impressed as we were last fall. The dinner was wonderful. A labor of love and you can taste it in every bite. Unfortunately the cable TV was not working. It was a Sunday night and we had been looking forward to Desperate Housewives. The owner immediately offered us a key to one of the Motel rooms so we could watch it. He goes out of his way to make sure his customers are happy. Thanks Terry!!!! We will be back.
Claudia Young
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Midway Marina and Motel
It is my own, purely personal, opinion that BOTH Midway Marina AND Coinjock Marina are first class operations, and that both their restaurants are well worth your time. Some feel one way, and some the other. I know of one very nautical couple who live in nearby Elizabeth City, who would not be anywhere else on Friday nights but at Coinjock Marina’s restaurant, And, as you will see below, Captain Claudia was equally impressed with Crabbies, the on-site dining spot at Midway Marina.
Just returned from a dinner at Crabbies. It was delicious and the service was wonderful. Everybody talks about Coinjock Marina and how wonderful it is. I believe it is all hype. We were very disappointed the last couple of times we stayed there. This time we decided to give Midway Marina a try. I would urge everyone to do the same. The people here are very friendly and helpful and Crabbies Restaurant makes Coinjock look like a greasy spoon. We will definitely return and we hope you will too.
Claudia Young
We have stayed at both Midway and Coinjack and had dinners at both. Our experience has been great at Midway in that last spring we got there one day that Crabbies was not open. A few boats had arrived and the dockmaster came around asking if we would go if it was open. Well a number of couples said yes and they opened the restaurant and served us a wonderful meal. That is the great service all of you are talking about. Remember that Jeff????
Dick and Elle Lassman
Click Here To View the Cruisers’ Net’s North Carolina Marina Directory Listing For Midway Marina
Click Here To View the Cruisers’ Net’s North Carolina Marina Directory Listing For Coinjock Marina
Broad Creek, one of many North Carolina bodies of water with this name, lies to the west off North River just before entering Albemarle Sound southbound.
Our next stop was Broad Creek just north of Albemarle Sound. A lot of crab pots in the creek, but good holding and a quiet night.
Captain Donnie Young aboard Cloud IX
Click Here To View the Cruisers’ Net’s North Carolina Anchorage Directory Listing For Broad Creek
South of Coinjock, in the NC-Virginia Cut route, Broad Creek lies just off the AICW to the west of quick flashing red marker #164 and green marker # 163.
Anchored near the “9″, just above the anchor symbol on the chartlet, on a friend’s 49 DeFever, 4.8 ft. draft, in late July, 2010. Spectacular location, beautiful, very protected, no problems holding at all with a 66# Bruce. Don’t miss this beautiful place.
Capt. Norman Mason aboard Peggy Sue, Monk 36
Coinjock Marina has been making and keeping friends in the boating community for years, but this may be the first mention of homemade potato chips as the deal maker! Blessed are the many charms one finds in various locales along the Ditch!
Coinjoc [Marina]k is awesome, the food is great and the people are friendly. I must say the homemade potato chips were the best thing we ate on the whole trip from NY to FL!! We will always make a stop in Coinjock when traveling on the ICW.
Captain David Johnson
Click Here To View the Cruisers’ Net’s North Carolina Marina Directory Listing For Coinjock Marina
Isn’t it grand when we hear stories like this about the folks we all deal with as we travel up and down the Ditch? My own experience reflects exactly these sentiments: first rate people at Midway Marina. I know for a fact that Midway’s staff rafted a host of “fall-migration” boats three-deep during hurricane Noel to help them through the storm!
I would like to thank everyone at Midway Marina for all of their help and encourage everyone to stop in. We lost a transmission on our 36Trojan and had to turn back to a marina. It was our good fortune to choose Midway Marina. The owner and staff at Midway not only helped us find a great mechanic but also put us up in a slip until the repairs were finished! Several times they grilled and invited us to join them. They ran us to town for supplies, loaned us their computer and overall treated us like old friends. On top of all this we found the best fuel prices around as well as great food at the restaurant next door! Many thanks to everyone at Midway Marina for turning this into a wonderful experience.
Captain Rick
Click Here To View the Cruisers’ Net’s North Carolina Marina Directory Listing For Midway Marina
The AICW stretch through Currituck Sound is a long, boring straight stretch of “minding the markers” and, unless you like open, unadorned water, offers little to occupy the eye or your camera. More than one of you have commented about “getting through it”.
Being 20′ above the water in the fly bridge is helpful. Draft was at 6′ but a few years ago added a full keel that extends below the props and that makes us a bit braver than we should be. I still hate Currituck Sound for some reason and very glad to get past it. A boat ran aground right at the southern end of the Currituck Sound. It was a sailboat that drew 5′ and he looked to be on the green side of the channel and ran hard aground.
Captain Tedd Chappell
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Currituck Sound
If you can deal with the restricted 5-8 ft depths and the many crab traps/pots, you should be able to find good holding in one of the three recommended spots around Buck Island. These waters lie south of Coinjock, along the AICW’s trek through North River.
Submitted on 2010/05/24 at 9:52am
We anchored on the north side on 11/8/2009 for the first time. We arrived late in the day right at sunset. Depths were pretty much as charted and holding seemed good. It was a quiet anchorage that night, but it could be less if traffic passes by in ICW. We had a good night but were fogged in for a couple of hours in the morning.
We usually anchor a couple miles further south and east in the vicinity of Lutz Creek. You will usually find crab pots in all these anchorages.
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Buck Island
We’ve all had crossings or storms that left us exhausted, and how nice it is to find a friendly face, cold beer and good food!
Submitted on 2010/05/22 at 7:47pm
After getting “roughed up” in an Albemarle crossing, we decided to treat ourselves to a slip and dinner. We were greeted and assisted in docking by a very friendly dockmaster and his really cute dog. We went to Crabbies for dinner. Considering the place wasn’t crowded, the service was a little slow. But in their favor, the Yuengling was cold and the food was great.
Only thing that topped that was knowing we were only 50 miles from getting home.
Captain Dick Litchfield
Click Here To View the Cruisers’ Net’s North Carolina Marina Directory Listing For Midway Marina
South of the Great Bridge Lock, Coinjock Marina has long been a favorite stopping and fueling point for AICW cruisers before entering Albemarle Sound.
Friendly, laid back, and helpful. Came through on April 2010. Diesel $2.79. Free showers! Very pleasant place.
Captain Matthews
Click Here To View the Cruisers’ Net’s North Carolina Marina Directory Listing For Coinjock Marina
Shoal water has been a problem along the AICW’s run through Currituck Sound, north of Coinjock, for time out of mind. However, Captain Coleman’s report below is one of the first I’ve heard about actual groundings here, much less multiple groundings. HEADS UP!
Subject: Shallows on ICW SM 46.5
Cruising News: Ran aground (5′ 7″ draft) at the western side of the channel, just 100 yards south of QR 15ft 3M “116″ (4.5 SM north of Coinjock). Towboat said we were third one this season.
Frank Coleman
Many of the people we’ve talked to who have traversed the ICW for the first time assume that the channel runs all the way from buoy to buoy (red to green). After having done it a few times now, we’ve learned to stay at least 50ft, if not more, off of the buoys in most places (i.e. more towards the center). My wife passes the time by “investigating” where the channel is. In August, all the way from Oriental to Norfolk, we NEVER saw less than 10′ when we stayed away from the edges.
Chris
S/V Pelican
Interesting, notice in George and Ann’s comments below, they anchored just “outside” the entrance to Broad Creek. I have never tried this, and while this strategy clearly does not offer the level of foul weather protection availabe on the creek’s interior waters, it DOES avoid the tricky entrance and the somewhat questionable depths inside the stream.
We have anchored outside of the creek a few times, inside the “triangle” formed by the north-to-south soundings of 6, 9, and 8 ft, which are just west of the charted mooring. Good holding and good protection from anything with a westerly component, especially the southwest which is often prevalent here. This has become our preferred stopping point on our north-south voyages before or after Norfolk.
George and Ann
“Incentive” Hatteras 56MY
Click Here To View the North Carolina Cruisers’ Net Anchorage Directory Listing For Broad Creek
"Ladys Island Swing Bridge Opening for Sailboat (Beaufort, SC)"
by: Bob Schwerzel
