The intersection of the ICW and Lockwoods Folly has been a Problem Stretch for years and requires almost annual dredging. Recent reports confirm shoaling and a channel shift here, /154017 and /156435. SSECN stills recommends mid to high tide for passage through Lockwoods Folly. Our thanks to John Winter for this update on this Problem Stretch.
Came through July 12 2016 at .6 feet above low tide. Shallow at 46B. At 8 feet even make sure you follow the nuns. Red nuns are against the rocks [see second link above for channel]. Stay equal distance between Nuns. John Winter
Dredging of this perennial AICW Problem Stretch was last done in the Spring of 2014. From John Winter’s report, dredging is needed again. As always, we recommend caution and mid to high tide for this intersection. Thank you John for this update. /span>
Came through July 12, 2016 at 0.5 feet above low tide and saw 3.9 feet where all the nuns are at one point. Stopped and felt around side to side and could not find any deeper water. We draw 46″ but did not feel bottom. John Winter
Coming south 16Aug16 at +1′ above low. Draw 4′. At idle speed ran hard aground in mid-channel just past green buoy. C-Map charting [updated Sep15] shows channel angles sharply toward red at the green buoy — should have followed its suggestion. My mistake was to “stay mid-channel.” The bottom raised VERY quickly, almost a wall. After backing off, saw above 10′ in area on line between reds.
July 16, 2016 Just touched at Shalotte inlet. In the middle of the marked channel with the tide up 1.7 feet. Our draft 4.5 Ft. Felt like a sand ridge. Fortunately we are a single so no harm done. Captain Jerry Taylor
For an update on the opening-this-fall restaurant at Port City Marina, click the link below. Port City Marina, A SALTY SOUTHEAST CRUISERS’ NET SPONSOR, is located along the eastern banks of the Cape Fear River, in the heart of downtown Wilmington, NC.
A SALTY SOUTHEAST CRUISERS’ NET SPONSOR, Southport Marina is located just west of the Cape Fear River along the northern banks of the Waterway hard by flashing daybeacon #2A.
Our thanks to Contributing Editor, Captain Jim Healy, for shareing his perspective on Beaufort and Morehead City, NC, home to SALTY SOUTHEAST CRUISERS’ NET SPONSOR, Morehead City Yacht Basin, located on the southern flank of the marked channel that runs west from Mile 203 of the Waterway, just north of the Morehead-Beaufort, Newport River high-rise bridge.
Beaufort, NC: This is a seaport town near Morehead City; it’s a very pleasant, laid-back, “chillaxin'” place with a small but well done Maritime Museum, many shoppes and some nice local restaurants. For those who might enjoy a short off-shore (maybe 10 miles) cruise, depart the Beaufort Inlet and head out the the bight at the Cape Lookout National Seashore. [See Claiborne’s article on Cape Lookout.] It a large, well protected anchorage, with access to the beach for campfires and swimming. The bight itself is well protected from winds and ocean sea states, but the trip out and back can be too much for some if the wind offshore is up. Plan accordingly. Jim Healy
This wonderful expanded tour of the Albemarle Sound now includes five Salty Southeast Cruisers’ Net Sponsors. And below, SSECN Contributing Editor, Captain Jim Healy adds his thoughts on the Albemarle Loop.
Press release for the Albemarle Loop The Albemarle Loop announces the expansion of its membership by three (3) to a total of nine (9) marinas for 2016, offering free dockage and pump outs where available. Members offer two days of free dockage along with many amenities including swimming pools, golfing, tennis, restaurants and other boating necessities that make your stay at these marinas an enjoyable experience. See details of where these amenities are offered at http://albemarleloop.com/Marinas.html . The new marinas for 2016 are:
The Manteo Waterfront Marina is located in a tranquil setting less than a mile from the Roanoke Sound. It is a small, deep, and well-protected harbor, and can accommodate vessels up to 150 feet in length. Take a stroll along over a mile of boardwalks on the Manteo Waterfront. Near this site the first English colony was born on American soil. Dock your boat in the protected waters of Dough’s Creek and enjoy all the amenities this quaint island village has to offer. There are approximately 20 transient slips and 33 slips dedicated to seasonal and annual boaters. All slips feature 30 and 50 amp power, cable television, and free wireless Internet access. The air conditioned comfort station located at the marina features separate men’s and women’s bathrooms, clean showers, and coin operated washer and dryer. Boaters come to Manteo for its coastal charm and relaxed atmosphere.
Everett Marine and Cypress Cove Marina is a boating and fishing community located off the Scuppernong River about a mile west of the Columbia Docks. One of only 2 Albemarle Loop members offering both diesel and gasoline fuel, marine supplies and the only member offering repairs and a boat lift. With a friendly southern hospitality they specialize in routine marine engine service and custom installation of accessories on new or used boats. Slips feature 30 and 50 amp power, and free wireless Internet access. The air conditioned comfort station located at the marina features separate men’s and women’s bathrooms, clean showers, and coin operated washer and dryer.
The Dismal Swamp Welcome Center is a NC DOT facility providing travel and tourism to both highway and waterway traffic. With the 150’ bulkhead, numerous boats are rafted up on their transit through the canal free for one night or more depending on weather. The Dismal Swamp Visitor Center has free wireless Internet access and comfort station featuring separate men’s and women’s bathrooms and clean showers. Located adjacent to the Welcome Center, the NC State Park provides numerous opportunities for eco-tourism with an exhibit hall that allows visitors to learn the natural and cultural history of the swamp. Rangers will guide you on exciting explorations where you’ll uncover fascinating natural surroundings, and make great discoveries about the world in which we live.
The Albemarle Loop is a non-profit organization that provides the boating public with an exciting opportunity to cruise and explore the protected waters of historic Albemarle Sound. Visit the friendly communities surrounding Albemarle Sound as you share your boating experiences with other families (at a very low cost) and in high-quality marinas. Contact the Albemarle Loop at 427 Albemarle Blvd., Hertford, North Carolina, 27944 or email info@AlbemarleLoop.com or call (252) 426 – 4037 or visit http://albemarleloop.com.
Jim Healy writes:
The Albemarle sound is a shallow body of water; the “deep water” range is 12′ – 18′. These waters are home to many crab fishermen; crab pot floats are to be found virtually throughout the sound. The sound lies geographically East-West, and the prevailing winds are from the West and Southwest. Winds greater than 15 kts can raise uncomfortable beam seas for North-South crossings. Winds greater that 20 kts can produce uncomfortable chop in all directions. While not technically part of the ICW, this “loop” is centered around the ICW Routes from Norfolk/Portsmouth to the southbound ICW at the Alligator River in North Carolina. The “Albemarle Loop” is a cruising route that touches some wonderful and oft-overlooked venues. On the Crystal Coast, the towns of Manteo and Ocracoke are excellent stops. On the Western Albemarle, the towns of Edenton and Plymouth are delightful. The history of the Albemarle dates to the earliest English colonists. At Manteo, visit the Lost Colony Plantation. At Edenton, visit the revolutionary period Chowan County Courthouse, St. Paul’s Church, learn of the ladies of the Edenton Tea Party, and visit many other historical sites. Here is a link to information on the Albemarle Loop: http://albemarleloop.com. Jim Healy
Some really superb information you posted. I was searching more for Boat lift but there is only few info about this. would like to read more stuff about Lake Boat Lift… Thanks…!!
Larry… just a short note to avoid any potential confusion on Manteo’s participation. Carl Jordan, dockmaster advises that “Visitors with loop coupons will be given dockage, a free pump out and water per the Albemarle Loop guidelines on a space available basis up to 2x per year. Bathroom, Shower and laundry access and full electrical, cable and wireless access are also available at deeply disounted rates for Loopers.” Contact Carl at 252-473-3320 for further details. Thanks!
The New Bern Grand Marina lies in the heart of downtown New Bern, North Carolina, along Trent River’s northern banks between the low-level Trent River highway and railroad bridges.
James Lea’s comments are in response to a recent Local Notice re shoaling at Lockwood Folly. Cape Fear River intersects the Waterway at Mile 309. Little River Inlet lies south and east of the Waterway, right at the NC-SC state line, intersecting the Waterway at Mile 342.
This section of the ICW can be easily avoided in good weather by using Little River and Cape Fear River. Little River is well marked and frequently used by boats of all sizes. The currents in the Cape Fear River can be a challenge, particularly if the wind opposes current, but it is an all-weather entrance. In six trips up and down the ICW we have never transited this section of the ICW [Lockwood Folly], always enjoying a nice sail while listening to all the VHF chatter about passing and depths. Highly recommended. James Lea
Lockwoods Folly passing is no problem at this time! Just follow the markers as they move from time to time. If you want to be extra cautious travel through on a rising tide.
Bath Harbor Marina is located on the eastern shores of Bath Creek, north of flashing daybeacon #4. For an indepth report on Bath, see /126912 by Captains Chuck Baier and Susan Landry.
Bath Fest: Where Art Meets History! BathFest
Bath Fest 2016 is merging with the First Port Celebration to bring a combined event to Bath on May 28, 2016
Many thanks to the volunteers, vendors, and visitors who make BathFest a great success every year! For photos and additional information, visit the Bath Historic Site’s Facebook Page
Always good to hear words of praise for one of our newest SALTY SOUTHEAST CRUISERS’ NET SPONSORS! Homer Smith’s Docks and Marina are located on Town Creek in beautiful Beaufort, NC.
Went into Homer Smith last week and it is a gem and is going to be a top notch marina (actually already is). Fairly easy walk to town great folks and much easier to dock than downtown docks. Also the price is much better, facilities are much better, and the attitude and service of the owners and staff far exceeds the downtown docks. This is now the place to stay if you want to see Beaufort. He has plans for expansion and even more services down the road. Navigating from the north is a piece a cake as you do not have to go under the lift bridge (which is being replaced). Leaving to founder the bridge is same as before. North bound boats can either go under the bridge, or take the Gallants Cut (even though longer, it is easier). Extremely nice docks. John Winter
Taylor Creek runs along Beaufort’s waterfront and the “jig” David Mentions is at the creek’s east end. The Creek connects several narrow cuts through Back Sound that are often used by shallow draft vessels to reach the anchorage behind Lookout Bight.
My question is, has anyone traveled from Beaufort, NC down Taylor’s Creek toward Harkers Island recently? Is the little jig at the end of Taylor’s Creek passable to vessels drawing 3-1/2 feet, and is it reasonably accurately portrayed on the latest charts? Also, is the channel past Harkers Island and through Barden Inlet to Cape Lookout similarly passable and well charted? Thanks. David Swanson s/v Lucky Penny
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Comments from Cruisers (2)
Don Mercz- October 2, 2017 - 4:08 pm
Has anyone transited the east end of Taylor Creek heading up behind Harker’s to the Cape Lookout Bight recently? I’ve done it several times before in a 16′ skiff without any problems, but it’s been a couple of years. At that time, there were nothing (that I could see) marking a “channel” at the end of the creek. I’ve got a slightly larger skiff now (18′), and will probably be passing thru about 2 hrs. after low tide – just wondering if anyone has had recent experience with that route. Thanks – Don
David, The cut on the east end of Taylors Creek has more markers than this chart is showing. At mid to full tide you can get through here, however the run to the Hook inside has much shallow water and would require local knowledge to run in a vessel drawing 3.5 feet. It would be much safer to run out Beaufort Inlet and down the front side of Shackleford Banks to the Hook of Cape Lookout. Just stay a half mile off the beach.
The Tryon Palace Museum is another good reason to visit New Bern and be hosted by the ideally located New Bern Grand Marina! One of our newest SPONSORS, New Bern Grand Marina is on the northern shore of the Trent River between the two bridges near the intersection of the Trent and Neuse Rivers.
Tryon Palace Museum
Hot day? Cool off with Pepsi’s new 1893 Original Cola or Ginger Cola made with Fair Trade Certified sugar and now on sale in the Tryon Palace Museum Store!
If you need crew to handle a sailing vessel and can use Erica on the short trip from the Cape Fear River to Elizabeth City on the Dismal Swamp Route, let us hear from you! Elizabeth City is a SALTY SOUTHEAST CRUISERS’ NET SPONSOR!
I am near Wilmington looking to crew on a sailing vessel heading north towards Elizabeth City. I will be working on a sailboat here until then. Please email me if interested! Manneaej@gmail.com Erica
Port City Marina, A SALTY SOUTHEAST CRUISERS’ NET SPONSOR and newly opened for business, is located along the eastern banks of the Cape Fear River, in the heart of downtown Wilmington, NC.
LIFE ON EL GALEON: AN ALMOST SPANISH SAILOR’S LOG
On May 10, 2016, El Galeon Andalusia maneuvered her majestic mast beneath the Cape Fear Memorial Bridge and returned to Port City Marina, what last summer’s crew called the tall ship’s “most successful port visit.”
Life at Sea
Indeed, record numbers of wannabe pirates, history buffs, and tall ship enthusiasts flocked to Pier 33 to tour the 170-foot replica of the 16th century Spanish galleon.
“We had more than 2000 visitors each of the 10 days we were there,” shared Chef David Garcia Gallardo, one of the Spanish crew. “And Port City Marina was very comfortable, with nice bathrooms!” he said, with a laugh. “This is important to sailors arriving in port!”
Incidents of rude, reckless powerboats have been reported for years now and most likely you have suffered much the same danger either in an anchorage or underway in the Waterway. Then again, you meet these same thoughtless, insane drivers on every Interstate. So…I do not have an answer other than to GRIN AND BEAR IT.
I was amazed at the amount of speedboats running thru the anchorage on plane. A constant parade on a Sunday afternoon. Many seemed to enjoy the sport of slaloming between anchored boats on half plane putting out big wakes. Then to my total amazement, a marine sheriff boat came thru, on half plane, and did nothing about the speed boats running thru here! They really don’t seem to care about basic safety and courtesy in Wrightsville beach. The cop must have been on his way to patrol the bathrooms. Ted
In many places local boaters feel they ‘own’ their waters and we transients are intruders. I anchor at Wrightsville a couple of weeks in the fall AND the spring. I spend money there at restaurants, food and hardware stores, etc. On some weekends there is standing two foot chop from wakes. As a catamaran we don’t roll but it sure is a little lumpy. I actually had a busy-body type lady tell me I should keep the free dinghy dock clear for local boaters. I had to quietly, calmly explain basic economics to her. Yes, we pay no property taxes, etc but neither do we cause wear and tear to the infrastructure or use their schools but we are paying plenty to service providers who DO pay taxes… but only as long as they stay in business. From we boaters.
This happens all the time in that area. This kind of boating does not happen just 10 miles south at the Carolina Beach boat basin. It is a no wake zone and people will remind anyone who makes a wake.
St. James Plantation Marina is on the Waterway’s northerly banks, about one nautical mile west of flashing daybeacon #16.
St James Marina, mm 315. Very friendly staff, quiet, protected marina, fuel, showers, laundry, excellent wi-fi, cafe/restaurant, “Tommy Thompsons”, and Enterprise will pick you up! A good place to hide, especially when the weather is bad. Bruce Franz s/v “Hemisphere Dancer” Dickerson 41
As Bruce Franz relates and Ms Wanda confirms, dredging at Alligator River Marina has been completed and invitations are extended to Spring Migrators! ARM lies on the western shore of the mouth of the Alligator River/AICW, just north of the swing bridge and southwest of flashing daybeacon #12. This facility provides the ONLY readily available dockage and fuel along the patch of the AICW between Coinjock, Elizabeth City and Dowry Creek/Belhaven!
Yesterday, proof positive our cruising friend’s 50 ft Gulfstar with a 6 ft draft can enter/leave Alligator Marina and visit Ms Wanda. Bruce Franz s/v “Hemisphere Dancer” Dickerson 41
This Special Notice was issued last year, /148804, and the latest issue serves to urge NC boaters to use extreme caution in the inlets listed below. Shoaling in the inlets may well mean shoaling in the intersection of the inlet with the Waterway. Pay particular attention to the NC Problem Stretches that involve these inlets: Bogue, Browns, New River, Carolina Beach, Lockwoods and Shalotte. Details of these Problem Stretches are found in the links below.
NC – HAZARDS OF NORTH CAROLINA COASTAL INLETS This notice is to notify mariners about accessing hazardous inlets, to heighten public awareness about the hazards that exist in and around the inlets, and to provide the mariner with available information. Mariners are advised that shoaling conditions exist at following North Carolina coastal inlets: Oregon Inlet Hatteras Inlet Ocracoke Inlet Barden Inlet Beaufort Inlet Bogue Inlet New River Inlet Topsail Inlet Masonboro Inlet Carolina Beach Inlet Lockwoods Folly Inlet Shallotte Inlet Shoaling conditions increase the potential for groundings. These inlets are subject to continual and sometimes rapid environmental changes. Mariners are highly encouraged to obtain the most recent U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Wilmington, North Carolina District hydrographic survey information, centerline waypoints and controlling depth at: http://www.saw.usace.army.mil/Missions/Navigation/HydrographicSurveys.aspx Mariners should use caution when navigating in these areas and passage through the inlets is not recommended without local knowledge of the area. The aids to navigation in these inlets may not be charted and may not be marking best water due to continually shifting shoals. Consult Local Notice to Mariners, 5th Coast Guard District for the latest positions and status of aids to navigation: http://www.navcen.uscg.gov/?pageName=lnmDistrict®ion=5 To report any aids to navigation discrepancies (missing, damaged, off station, extinguished lights), shoaling, hazards to navigation, or discrepancies on bridge lighting, please contact Sector North Carolina Command Center (910) 343-2200. LNM 17/16
The New Bern Grand Marina lies in the heart of downtown New Bern, North Carolina, along Trent River’s northern banks between the low-level Trent River highway and railroad bridges.
Welcome New Bern Grand Marina and Yacht Club Salty Southeast Cruisers’ Net welcomes aboard New Bern Grand Marina and Yacht Club as its newest Sponsor. We are honored to be able to connect cruisers and boaters with this outstanding destination up through the beautiful wooded areas surrounding the Neuse River off the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway. Southern hospitality awaits you in this friendly riverfront town and the New Bern Grand Marina is your perfect host. Located in the heart of historic New Bern and within easy walking distance of shopping, dining and many historic sites that date back to its settlement in 1710, New Bern Grand Marina invites you to visit as a transient or to make this your home port with all the many outstanding amenities and even more if you become a slip owner/club member.
Bridge Pointe Marina flanks the southern banks of the Trent River off the Neuse River, opposite the downtown New Bern, NC waterfront.
BridgePointe Marina is the bomb! It’s been a year since I left Bridge Pointe Marina and I’m missing my time there. It’s a really well built and well managed marina with a nice bunch of boaters including some locals and liveaboards who will welcome you to Sunday night pot lucks. It’s also a very good place to leave a boat for the winter, as I did, and I also enjoyed the town of New Bern when I was around. Ben Ellison
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To This AICW Problem Stretch
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