Southport Marina - Click for Chartview

Southport Marina – A SALTY SOUTHEAST CRUISERS’ NET SPONSOR! – lies just west of the Cape Fear River along the northern banks of the Waterway hard by flashing daybeacon #2A.

This newly renovated marina is in the heart of downtown Southport. It is within walking distance of the commercial fishing harbor and many restaurants and stores. The entrance is directly off the ICW on the north shore just after passing the fishing harbor on the starboard side when headed south.
Water depths need to be watched here. Transient boaters are usually docked on the face dock that forms a long T-head with the dock office in the center. Water depths are fine in that area, but elsewhere low tide causes some very shallow spots. Fuel is available and there is a small ships store.
Southport is also a quaint southern town reminiscent of Beaufort, SC, and is well worth a visit. The marina is well maintained and conveniently located.
Ray Kurlak

Click Here To View the Cruisers’ Net’s North Carolina Marina Directory Listing For Southport Marina

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Well, of course, Bald Head Island Marina is a SALTY SOUTHEAST CRUISERS’ NET SPONSOR, as well as being an AGLCA sponsor!
This facility is found hard by the seaward mouth of the Cape Fear River, within sight of the “Old Baldy” lighthouse! Give them a try – you won’t be sorry!

Bald Head Island is at the mouth of the Cape Fear River where it meets the Atlantic Ocean. When going south down the Cape Fear River it is located further southeast past the point where the ICW leaves the river at Southport. The inlet to the marina is on the west end of the island, or equivalently the east side of the river. It is well marked and framed by two short rock jetties. The current on the river runs fast and entrance into the inlet must take that into account. Additionally, the inlet channel shoals and is routinely dredged to maintain ferry access to the island. Transiting at mid to high tide is prudent.
The marina has floating slips and T-heads and good space for transient boaters. There is one restaurant and a ship’s store in the marina plus restrooms and showers. Fuel and a pump out are available. Kayaks and golf carts can be rented to use on the island (there are no cars allowed).
This marina is an excellent jump off point for boaters going offshore headed south. It’s only a short 30 mile trip to the Little River Inlet at Myrtle Beach.
Ray Kurlak

Click Here To View the North Carolina Cruisers’ Net Marina Directory Listing For Bald Head Island Marina

Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Bald Head Island Marina

Deep Point Marina lies in the Cape Fear River via a marked entry channel northwest of Cape Fear River/AICW marker #20 and is a SALTY SOUTHEAST CRUISERS’ NET SPONSOR!

This marina is located on the western shore of the Cape Fear River just north of downtown Southport. Deep Point has floating docks with slips and T-heads and is the operating terminal for the Bald Head Island Ferry. This marina is just a bit south of the NC State Ferry terminal for the Southport-Fort Fisher ferry. It is near the Cape Fear River channel Red marker 20 (nun buoy).
Fuel is available and, seasonally, there is a café in the ferry terminal. Travel into Southport requires a taxi or a car ride. Taking the ferry to visit Bald Head Island is a convenient option when stopping here.
Ray Kurlak

Click Here To View the Cruisers’ Net’s North Carolina Marina Directory Listing For Deep Point Marina

Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Deep Point Marina

“Death and Taxes”…what can you say? Our sympathies Captain Chappell. Fortunately, this situation was resolved.

RE: New Hanover County (Wilmington, NC)
They not only are zealous but are quite bloody minded in the way they deal with People. They continued to bill me for two years after the boat was sold, and just will not accept the fact the boat was not in their County during the next year after I made the mistake of staying over January 1st the Year before.
As I was cruising south’¦.and did not take up a slip or mooring anywhere and thus had no Marina Bill to show’¦they continue to insist I owed them for the full year despite not being there.
They freely admit the Marina documented my departure date but despite having that information’¦.continue to ignore what that statement said’¦.’Departed!’
My advice to all’¦.pass right on through New Hanover County’¦.do not stop’¦do not buy a single thing in New Hanover County’¦.go on into South Carolina where you are welcome and do not have the burden of dealing with the New Hanover County Tax Office.
Their comment to me, `Tax has to be paid every year on your boat!’ sums up their attitude. They refuse to accept that Boaters only have to comply with the laws for the Tax Jurisdiction they find themselves within. Which for them means a great many of New Hanover County boaters cross the SC State Line for a couple of weeks, pay for a Slip and escape paying taxes to New Hanover County’¦.which saves a lot of money for the Boater.
If I had known the Tax problems I would have with New Hanover County (Wilmington, NC)’¦.I would never have stopped there. As people have noted’¦.New Bern Tax folks are quite pleasant and helpful in the way they conduct their business of collecting taxes’¦.which is not the case in New Hanover County.
Ralph Chappell

Cruising News:
I posted earlier about dealing with the New Hanover County Tax Office re Tax issues on my boat. My earlier post was not very favorable about that organization.
Upon reaching a Supervisory level staff member we quickly worked out a resolution that was quite fair and not at all problematic.
Perhaps there is hope after all.
I believe the secret is as always….only deal with a person who has the authority to actually make a determination and not the low ranking clerks who have no decision making authority.
My comments about the North Carolina Tax law re Cruising Sailors remains unchanged. The State drives off way too much business and thus creates a great hardship on businesses that would otherwise enjoy trade with those traveling about on their boats.
The other advice unfortunately remains….be a pack rat with receipts, bills, logs, notes, journals, photographs, and bar tabs….to prove exactly where your boat was at any given day, date, and time. Seems a pity it has to be that way.
Ralph Chappell