Their is a wealth of useful cruising news and tips in Captain message below, all centered on the Neuse River city of New Bern, North Carolina. If you plan an upcoming visit to New Bern, and you should, don’t dare miss this posting!

We lived in the condos that overlook the [New Bern Grand] marina for eight months in 2009 while our boat was being renovated.
For a great walk, turn right at the end of the docks toward the new bridge. The sidewalk takes you around the convention center where you turn right into a waterfront park. Staying close to the water takes you into an eight square block historical residential area that includes the local library and a solid magazine collection.
There are two great, local coffee shops. One is three blocks away on Middle Street, which dead ends into the marina and one two blocks away on Craven, which also dead ends into the marina. Two restaurants we liked are Captain Ratty’s, one block away on Middle and the Chelsea, three blocks away at Middle and Broad.
The big box stores, such as Walmart and Lowes, as well as the West Marine store and Harris Teeter, are about a ten minute car trip in the same direction.
If you need a Captain to move your boat or for a day’s instruction, I highly recommend John Watson who lives a block away and has a boat in the marina (252-626-2280).
If you need boat repair of any kind, the guy to call is Danny Swindell. He works at Hatteras and, if he can’t help you, he knows everyone who is good in the area who can. (252-229-4806)
I believe the best boat painter on the east coast is Bruce Mallard who lives in the area and can be reached at 252-670-8255.
If I had been staying in the part of the marina that is directly off of the deck of the hotel, I would not have been a fan of the music that plays each weekend night during the summer until 10 p.m.. It is loud and the crowd can be noisy.
Larry Hall

For excellent, one call repair on all your systems I recommend calling Forrest Jastram. He has a lot of experience, has spent years cruising FL and the Bahamas,and if you are anchored out he will come out to your boat. Call 252-876-3838
Sue Rogers

Click Here For The Cruisers’ Net’s North Carolina Marina Directory Listing For New Bern Grand Marina

Click Here For The Cruisers’ Net’s North Carolina Marina Directory Listing For Galley Stores Marina

Click Here For The Cruisers’ Net’s North Carolina Marina Directory Listing For Bridge Pointe Marina