On 7/23/09, as part of a “North Carolina Wish List,” I posed the following question:

The AICW passage across Albemarle Sound is known as the single roughest section of the entire Waterway from Norfolk, VA to Key West, FL. Who has experienced a wild Albemarle crossing? Please share your experience with us, and offer any advice you may have to minimize these potentially difficult waters.

Responses follow:

We went from North River to Manteo for a day then from Manteo to the Alligator River the next day. The winds both days were 15 knot easterlies according to VHF – WX observations. Great sailing conditions for our Morgan 384. First day was a beat the second day was down wind. I think seas might have been 2′. Probably not desirable conditions for small and mid size power boats, but great sailing.
Rick

Our crossing was extremely rough. The weather report was incorrect and we thought we were going to get 1-2 ft. waves with 5-10 and got 4-5ft waves with 20+ winds. While the winds were from the west pushing the waves into us broadside, the passage was miserable. We learned what needed to be stowed below better real fast. Stuff was everywhere.
It got better as we turned into the shifted winds tho slower……We have a 44ft blue water capable sailboat but we were getting the snot kicked out of us. For a more enjoyable trip, choose as perfect weather as you can. This shallow broad expanse can get very nasty.

I had a rough passage going north across the Albemarle – my boat rolls badly in East / West side winds. But it isn’t all that bad – you’re only out of sight of land for a half hour or so. I broke a couple of glasses
Best wishes
Arnold Parkinson
The British Club Worldwide
www.britishclubworldwide.com

Albemarle sound was pretty good for us. We sailed for awhile until the crab pots were just too much to deal with. The seas there were quite pleasant.
Clif & Peta Lewis
s/v Immanuel

Albemarle Sound can be a be `messy’ with the open water and wind, especially during the middle of the day and early afternoon. I try to plan my crossing for the early morning (before 8am) when going south and early evening (after 5pm) when going north. At these times, the wind is not up as much and the water reasonably calm ‘“ well, less choppy. When that doesn’t work out, I just find a good cruise speed that minimizes the pounding and spray and accept that fact that I will be giving my boat a good hosing off when I stop for the night.
Pete

Southbound with forcast winds of 15 to 20 we left Coinjock at 0630. Was two thirds the way accross the sound before the seas built to3 to 4 feet. Adjusted power to adjust speed for best handling. Sloppy but no problem. Just a lot of work.
Dave
on GB 46 At Last

The only time our cat, Jake, has ever gotten seasick was when we were crossing the Albemarle Sound against the wind. Longest 20 miles ever. I suspect it tricks a lot of ocean cruisers who can’t believe an inland body of water can get so messy so fast. If in a sailboat and you can’t motorsail upwind effectively, might as well wait a day.
Marilyn

Miles 51 to 82 – Albemarle Sound. With inclement weather almost daily, I found a gap via NOAA Weather and set off from Elizabeth City around 11am. It was fairly rough in Albemarle – and with any degree of side winds and waves my boat rolls badly. But by means of my patented zig zagging process, we arrived at the Alligator River marker around 6.30pm. I had no trouble going through the entry point – though I do think it essential to first start at marker QG31 – if you try to bypass it then the subsequent markers can become confusing and dangerous. I safely anchored in the Little Alligator just as the sun was setting. Phew!
Arnold

Hope to cross the Albemarle in late April, pending sea trial and completion of sale on a Maryland trawler. Figure to cross the Albemarle about mid-day if plans hold. Thanks cruisers for all your notes!
Ben