Advice Requested on Wind and Tide in the Cape Fear River, Southport to Wilmington, NC
Our recommendation to Skipper Harllee is to call Southport Marina, A SALTY SOUTHEAST CRUISERS’ NET SPONSOR, located just west of the Cape Fear River along the northern banks of the Waterway hard by flashing daybeacon #2A. Their daily Weather and Navigation Briefings (see /?p=144528) more than qualify them to provide needed advice and up-to-date information on the Cape Fear river. However, I’m sure Skipper Harllee would welcome your advice as well!
My husband and I have cruised on the Cape Fear River several times from Southport, NC to the Wilmington area in our 27 foot Ranger Tug (single screw) with no problems. But yesterday (Thursday, October 30) we faced confused seas and had difficulty with the run from Snows Cut south to Southport. The wind was only around 12 to 13 knots, but it was from an unusual direction, from the northwest. We tried to time our run for slack current, but obviously we miss calculated and had a following wind and we were going into the current. Very uncomfortable, rough chop and we were glad we finally made it to Southport. Since we plan more trips on the Cape Fear River, does anyone have any advice regarding how to time our trip to match the current and the wind? How do we get accurate information on the Cape Fear current? Thanks so much!
Jo Ann
Click Here To View the Cruisers’ Net’s North Carolina Marina Directory Listing For Southport Marina
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Southport Marina
Comments from Cruisers (5)
Joann –
Getting the correct tidal information is one of the keys for sure. I am not sure what the best tide station is for that area, but Southport, NC should be okay. We have experienced your similar conditions and it seems that tides in the their final stages produce much stronger flows than at the beginning. So the tide could have still be in its final stage of flood and in conflict with the wind and that would be the strongest tidal flow, hence the aggressive chop.
We too are retired and having no schedule is in our favor for sure.
Try mid-tidal ranges if time allows for your cruise or at least when the winds are calmer and maybe even from a direction that gives you some “leeward” protection.
I hope your husband recovers and continues to enjoy boating, as it is and can be such fun for all.
Thanks again for using the Salty Southeast Cruisers’ Net JoAnn. Do stay in touch.
Winston
Winston, thanks for your advice. Since we are retired we have some flexibility on timing. So yesterday with the wind from the north we hit Snows Cut around high tide, thinking that with a dropping tide we would be better off going down the Cape Fear. But it did not work. At what tide level would have it been better for us? And what tide chart is best to use for the Cape Fear anyway when you first come out of Snows Cut? Sorry to be so dense, but it was such an unpleasant experience we would rather avoid it if we can (or I am afraid that our tendancy will be to just use the boat as a condo and never go out, my husband actually hurt his neck and shoulder on the ride down the river so it will be a while before we go out anyway) .
Thanks again, Jo Ann
JoAnn – we used to keep our boat just north of Wrightsville.
Have had all kinds of experiences along the course you described.
The current is always flowing out, the tides will have an impact to reduce flow or cause it to be static. Winds play a big role here if tides flow and winds are in conflict…this can cause nasty chop, especially true at the beginning of flood or near end of outgoing if winds are contradictory to flow.
And there seems to always be a “first time” for most any and every thing when on the water.
Glad you are safe. The vessels can usually take much more than those of us on board.
Best to you and thanks for using SSECN.
Winston Fowler-Sent from my iPad
Having done the Cape Fear River numerous times in atrocious conditions the obvious answer is to not be out there when there is a lot of wind against the current. Most slower vessels prefer to go with a favorable current, but it is worth it to wait at Carolina Beach or Southport if the wind is going to be up and against your favorable current. The good news is that in the fall when headed south the worst winds tend to be from the north so should be behind you with a favorable current.
When the wind and the tide oppose like that for such a long distance those are the condition you will get.
I made that same run into a 30 mile an hour headwind with opposing Tide and three-foot chop. It was not fun.