Always good to hear about great marine repair firm, and it sounds as if we have a very good one in Morehead City and Beaufort. Read on!

I just wanted to forward a truly great cruising experience.
We have an electronic 5 KW generator (BTW: I will never again, if at all possible, buy another fancy genny with all the bells and whistles, give me the old fashioned, if it runs it generates) that had yet another electronic sensor go bad.
We were in Beaufort NC and I called Town and Country Marine (the authorized generator warranty repair facility). Eric the tech drove over to the Sanitary Restaurant ($10/night, no hook ups) and took a look at the problem and said he would order parts. We proceeded to go over to Beaufort Town Docks ($2.25/ft I believe, plus electric, grade c bathrooms), where we stayed for two nights (didn’t need the genny here so no hurry on parts). I called Margie at TCM and she asked me what I was doing paying for slip fees at BTDs; she told me to get right over there, no slip fees, since they were doing the work.
Due to a bunch of circumstances, we ended up staying at TCM from Thursday through Wednesday morning. Eric made several trips to the boat, troubleshooting
the problem and getting parts. When it was all said and done the bill was only $17.50 for part shipping, as the generator was still under warranty.
They treated us like Royalty, let us use the facilities, courtesy car. Everything.
I wouldn’t even begin to promise everyone that anytime you stopped for maintenance work you will get this type of royal treatment. The most important thing was they kept us informed. Told us what was happening; when there was a delay, we knew about it. They treated us with the best of customer service. And yes they advertise in the Waterway and Maptech cruising guides.
So when you swing through Beaufort NC, and you need a slip for the night or if you need some work done, give Margie or Steve a call, and tell ’em Happy Clamz
sent you.
Leslie and Doug
Happy Clamz

Click Here For More Information On Town Creek Marina

Here's some GREAT cruising advice about visiting two of North Carolina's most popular ports of call!

If you can, stay at the Beaufort Muni Docks, as recommended above. Across the street from the marina is Clausen's  Have a derigible.  You can also anchor in Taylor Creek, but it can be crowded and tight.
If not in Beaufort town, there are two other choices locally.  The Morehead City Yacht Basis is a good stop.  It's right off the main ICW channel, to your left going north, after you pass under the high rise
bridge at Radio Island.  On the corner of 6th St. and Arundel St., visit ACE Marine and Rigging.  No place like it anywhere, and excellent prices.
And in Beaufort but on the Newport River side, there's Town Creek Marina.  It's out of town, but bikes would be adequate.  Be careful getting in there; make sure your charts of that harbor are up to
date.  Use the Gallant Channel, but confirm with the marina.  There is a lot of shoal water in that area, and at least on older charts, a channel shows that has actually been closed to navigation for years. The marina itself is a good stop, with a restaurant and a large service/parts operation onsite.
Someone else mentioned the Cape Lookout National Seashore bight.  It's a very cool spot, and I recommend it highly.  Be aware of the weather when you go, as the trip from the Beaufort Inlet to the Bight is 8 miles or so, and offshore.  Beam seas can be quite bouncy in the shallow waters of the NC coast when the winds are up in the Atlantic.
Peg and Jim Healy aboard Sanctuary,
currently at New Plymouth, Green Turtle Cay, Bahamas

I second everything Skipper Fowler says below. Spouter Inn is absolutely wonderful.
Spouter Inn is located directly on the Taylor Creek – Beaufort waterfront.  They have some dockage of their own, but only for vessels as large as 36 feet or so. Fortunately, Spouter Inn is within easy walking distance of the Beaufort City Docks, right on Front Street.

Hello Claiborne:
Just wanted to let you know that we have been visiting Beaufort, NC this weekend, and we had the good fortune to have both lunch and dinner at Spouter Inn restaurant. We are very pleased to report that everything is just the same as when we last visited. Owners Robin and Matt are still there. The Bird Shoal sandwich for lunch, and the Scallops Parmesan for dinner, are both to die for. Oh yes, Susie had the "Eggs Orleans" for Sunday brunch. This was a delectable combination of English muffins, crabcakes and poached eggs, all covered with Hollandaise sauce. Yuuummmm!
Thanks for letting us know about Spouter Inn in your North Carolina cruising guide. If you ever need any help with your restaurant reviews, let me know!
Skipper Fowler