Our thanks to Loopers Dan Merrill and Tom Hale for these kind words for Southport Marina, A CRUISERS NET SPONSOR, as posted on AGLCA’s Forum. Southport Marina is located just west of the Cape Fear River along the northern banks of the Waterway hard by flashing daybeacon #2A.
A reminder to all loopers that Southport Marina In Southport NC is a great stop. One of the best run marinas period. Helpful, friendly staff, great facilities, walking distance to restaurants and shopping. Dan Merrill
Every evening at 6:00pm Hank Pomeranz, a retired Navy meteorologist and experienced cruiser provides updates on the ICW conditions with pages and pages of 4 d color handouts. Its FREE! If you are planning to go outside and run along the coast, he will provide you with weather and sea state information for your trip. The briefings are held right in the Southport Marina office building. Second floor room 202 in the past years. His information is all pertinent and up to date!
A tall-masted cruiser with a 6 ft draft asks your advice on doing the ditch with a deep keel. This subject has been tossed around in the past and though most of you Waterway cruisers have only 5 ft of draft, please respond to Pat Chadwick’s request for guidance. Pat does not give us his air draft, another limitation to be considered.
I would appreciate some advice about the practicality of cruising the ICW from Norfolk to Oriental in a sailboat with a 6′ draft. Pat Chadwick
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Comments from Cruisers (7)
Joyce Mango- September 25, 2019 - 1:46 pm
Hey … Just saw this discussion and wondered if anyone had any experience / late intel on ICW from Beaufort to Norfolk with 8 ft draft (C&C 41 – also a tall stick, still getting accurate air draft measure on her, just bought recently). Trying very hard to avoid CH and to avoid having to stay in VA / Chessie for the winter because will have to heat her … Thanks, Joyce
Easy to do, just hang around until a tug pushin barge goes in your direction,then follow him close. Also make sure you have a danforth hanging on the stern rail ready to toss if you hit and a zodiac with an outboard to quickly drag the anchor back another 50 feet to winch your self off.
I’ve done it 10 times my sail 6 ft wing. Good to NC, SC, GA and FL. Stay in mid channel according to channel mrkrs, don’t follow your majenta line on plotter. at line observe other sailors in front of u. Tony Pozun
Good point on bridge clearance. Once you're past Great Bridge, that section of the ICW does not have lunar tides, so it doesn't seem that there's any sense in talking about "timing passage for low/mid tides" to get better bridge clearances. However water levels can be affected by persistent, strong winds. We've been told that a persistent, strong W or SW wind can raise water levels at the NE end of the Pamlico/Pungo area, and therefore reduce bridge clearances, at the Wilkerson. I haven't experienced this, but it's something to watch out for if you've got a tall stick.
Thanks for taking the time to comment. Great to hear from someone who's done it. We haven't decided which route to take, but would be interested in why you have always avoided the Dismal Swamp route.
Assuming that you are talking about the Virginia Cut route rather than the Dismal Swamp (I have no experience with Dismal Swamp), that stretch is one of the least problematic parts of the ICW for 6' draft. We've done it over a dozen times with 6'. Pay attention to staying in the channel in Currituck Sound, and the height of the Wilkerson Bridge.
Bennett Brothers Yachts/Cape Fear Marina, A CRUISERS NET SPONSOR, is located on the eastern banks of the northeast Cape Fear River, just north of the Isabel Holmes – Highway 133 bascule bridge, and only a few steps from the downtown Wilmington waterfront.
Fallen trees and debris are almost a daily occurrence in the waters of the Dismal Swamp Canal and in the Pasquatank River south of South Mills Lock at the southern end of the canal. The US Army Corp of Engineers is normally quick to clear any obstruction actually blocking navigation, but you should approach these two spots with caution in case the obstructions have not been cleared. Our thanks to Blades Robinson for this notice.
Great Dismal Swamp Canal [Pasquatank River] / MM 37.6 / Tree partially obstructing waterway A pine tree has fallen and is obstructing 50% of the canal at MM 37.6 N 36*23.236 W 076*16.221
Great Dismal Swamp Canal [Pasquatank River] / MM 40.8 / Obstruction There is a partially submerged piling or tree in the waterway near the Dismal Swamp MM 40.8. Mariners use caution.
Whether you are traveling north or south, the rivers and communities that frame the Albemarle Sound are inviting you to explore their shores and experience their warm southern hospitality. A community of marine businesses and historical locations, several of whom are CRUISERS NET SPONSORS, located on and around the Albemarle Sound of North Carolina, have organized to serve boaters through the Albemarle Loop. For more, see FOCUS ON Albemarle Loop.
Snowbird Alert! By Claude Milot
By some estimates, as many as 7,000 boaters sail the ICW between points north and Florida every year. When the weather turns cold in the fall, some can’t wait to leave New York or New England and head south.
The problem is, because of the hurricane season, insurance companies won’t cover boaters past Hatteras until November 1st. Rather than linger in cold waters, many boaters who have already begun their trek south will seek temporary anchorage in the Carolinas. And this has created an opportunity for Albemarle Sound marinas to provide a practical solution for these boaters, as the Albemarle Sound happens ideally to be the half-way point between, say, New York and Miami, a perfect place to linger in October while awaiting November 1st.
Three marinas on the Sound are participating in Snowbird Layover, a program specially designed to benefit ICW boaters: Columbia Municipal Marina, Edenton Harbor, and Albemarle Plantation Marina.
ICW boaters will be able to tie up in Columbia—slippage free—for two weeks prior to November 1st. Main Street has shops and restaurants, and Pocosin Arts, a gallery and teaching studio that has been offering programs and workshops since 1995. Nearby are the headquarters and wildlife exhibits of Pocosin Lakes Wildlife Refuge, as well as the start of the ¾ mile Scuppernong River Interpretive Trail.
Edenton Harbor offers one week of free slippage to ICW boaters who can use that time to experience this living monument to the colonial era. North Carolina’s first capital is noted for its authentic architecture from the 18th and 19th centuries. Visitors can take walking tours or guided trolley tours of the historic district or take a leisurely walk along tree-lined streets to soak up the beauty and charm of “the prettiest town in the south.”
From October 15th to December 1st Albemarle Plantation Marina will offer two weeks of free slippage to ICW boaters pausing on their migration south. Albemarle Plantation is a resort with a wide variety of amenities available to visiting boaters. It has two restaurants, the Clubhouse Restaurant for fine dining, and the more casual Dockside, famous for its wood-fired pizza oven. It also has the challenging championship Dan Maples golf course, with discounted greens fees for boaters. Also available to guests are walking trails, tennis courts, a fully equipped exercise room, and the best bocce courts in North Carolina.
The welcome sign is out at Columbia, Edenton, and Albemarle Plantation for ICW migrants needing a great place to hang out before November 1st. Come on down!
Dateline: Randallstown, MD The Albermarle Loop has been on our agenda since last year. After a year delay getting a new HVAC system we moved SIGMACHI to Olverson's Marina on the Yeocomico River (off of the southern Potomac River…Virginia side) where we headquartered for the Summer. Concurrent with the prospect of Hurricane Dorian and the need for some fo some repairs including for bottom painting and the team of Krentz Marine Railway finding and fixing a starboard enginr oil leak thatour prior yard's crew maintained didn't exist!
SO…come sometime in October we hope to start to amble South towards Florida and savor the Albermarle Loop, visit friends along the Neuse River, and New Bern and…yeah…an adventure of a lifetime with my Co-Captain Jeanne! Alan V. Cecil M/V SIGMACHI 40ft. Pacemaker Flush Deck Fly Bridge
Having been temporarily closed on Monday, the USACE had it re-opened by Monday evening.
We had a pocket of storms blow through on Friday night, resulting in some downed trees and a temporary closure of the canal. I’m aware the USACE is currently working on the problem. It was a hard fast storm, with local damage from high wind and hail. The advisory from the Norfolk District is attached and has been posted on the Dismal Swamp Welcome Center’s Facebook page.
Donna Stewart, TMP Director, Dismal Swamp Canal Welcome Center Chairperson,Camden Tourism Development Authority 2356 US Hwy 17 North, South Mills, NC 27976 252-771-8333 | dstewart@camdencountync.gov www.DismalSwampWelcomeCenter.com www.VisitCamdenCountync.com
Whether you want to revisit the past, satisfy your curiosities, discover the arts or explore your true nature, you can do it from the heart of the Inner Banks – Washington, North Carolina. Washington City Docks, A CRUISERS NET SPONSOR, has proven to be well worth the journey up the beautiful Pamlico River! Our thanks to Bob McLeran for theses good words.
Little Washington is a little out of the way for cruisers on the ICW, but it is absolutely worth the short detour to spend a few days in this very hospitable village on the Pamlico River. Super-easy entry to docks, several nice restaurants to choose from, and the towns-people couldn’t be more helpful and friendly. It’s really a don’t miss stop. Bob McLeran
New Bern Grand Marina, A CRUISERS NET SPONSOR, lies in the heart of downtown New Bern, North Carolina, along Trent River’s northern banks between Trent River highway and railroad bridges.
Swan Point Marina guards the Waterway’s western banks, immediately south of the AICW/New River Inlet Problem Stretch intersection. Blades Robinson’s recent critique of Swan Point Marina, which is still suffering the aftermath of Hurricane Florence of August 2018, does not compare with these pre-Florence comments as posted by Skipper Schucker on AGLCA’s Forum. Cruisers Net hopes that Swan Point Marina can soon get back to being a safe and enjoyable marina. Swan Point Marina is not the only business or residence that is still waiting for promised financial aide or insurance following the 2018 hurricanes in North and South Carolina.
Swan Point Marina – July 2019 / SM 246.8 Cruising News I have been born and raised in the South and my mother taught me the phase “If you don’t have anything nice to say, don’t say anything.” So following her advice, my “review” of the Swan Point Marina would stop after this … For the sake of other travelers though, I must continue. The good: -The dock master Jim provided excellent information on how to enter the marina and cross past the shoal that set off our shallow water alarms (at dead night tide). -We were placed on a (OLD/wooden) floating dock. -There was electric at the pedestal when we arrived. -The floating dock was afloat -The on-site washer and drier looked to be reasonably new. -I have not had any of the dock boards break as I stepped on them, though due to their flex, it is apparent that they need to be replaced. The bad: We have had multiple power fluctuations that result in our onboard inverter taking over and having to manually restart some of the onboard electronics that shut down when the dock voltage drops. One of the sunken sailboats in the marina was removed this evening using a tractor. This is either a graveyard for old boats or at the very least, an “assisted living facility” for boats. My opinion is that at $1.50 per foot for transient dockage, Swan Point Marina is charging too much. On my return trip this will be a facility that I will likely bypass unless there is significant rehabilitation. Assuming that a good rehab is forthcoming, I will anxiously support the owner and and update the Cruisers Net. Note: The website for Swans Point Marina was not active when I went online today. That may be a sign of the financial woes affecting the facility. I provide photos that support my honest critique. While the dock master was very helpful he is not in a position to make costly improvements and the owner is likely struggling to get money from an insurance company, assuming they had insurance. The attached photographs should help tell the story and allow you to “connect the dots.”
This is the dock masters sailboat. Bert far from Bristol condition, the dock master stated he plans to leave shortly and relocate to another location further north. i.e, he is leaving this marina
This sunken sailboat has been there for a period of time. To the marinas credit it was removed by a salv0r in exchange for the lead keel ballast.
You may notice the list at the end of the floating dock and this inoperable electric pedestal. Also note the far right piling showing that old fire hose is what secured the floating dock to the piling. Most of the dock was secured to pilings with pieces of fire hose. Regretfully, the left corner of the dock that is most susceptible to being grazed by a boat uses a steel hoop that can easily gouge a fiberglass vessel. Also note the steel barge in the background that partially obstructs the entry channel. Because of the cross current, several vessels have reportedly gone aground trying to avoid the barge.
As so many of you have, Robert Waldrop and his wife are about to step off land and live on the water. If you have marinas that you can recommend as good liveaboard locations, let us hear from you.
My wife and I are in the process of downsizing to acquire a liveaboard boat and become part-time cruisers, living full-time on our boat. Part of this process entails searching for liveaboard marinas, as we don’t necessarily want to be on the hook all the time especially as my wife will still be working full or part-time (she’s an OR scrub tech). We’re currently in North Carolina and planning to relocate to the west coast of Florida, depending on her new job location. Any information for marinas allowing liveaboards in North Carolina, South Carolina, or the west coast of Florida up thru Alabama (NOT GEORGIA – after this anchoring regulation issue they won’t see ANY money of mine!) would be welcome. Robert L Waldrop
As Blades Robinson relates below, this straight narrow channel exits Cape River northbound at lighted ICW marker 177 and ends at the southern entrance to Snows Cut. In April, ICW marker 163 was reported off-station. Our thanks to Blades for this update.
Channel from Marker 177 to 164 Near MM-297 / Good depth We ran this cut today at dead low tide and had a MINIMUM of 7 feet of depth and saw mostly ten and twelves on the depth recorder. FYI. Blades Robinson
The marked entry channel to Deep Point Marina – A CRUISERS NET SPONSOR! – lies northwest of Cape Fear River/AICW marker #20.Our thanks to Blades Robinson for this review.
I had a great visit to Deep Point Marina and look forward to a return visit. Dock master Shan provided good information and shared his local knowledge. A taxi driver (Ellen, who lives aboard at the marina) gave us a ride to “town” for $8 where we enjoyed ice cold adult beverages and an excellent seafood dinner. The marina pool was refreshing and the complimentary washing machines/driers were an added bonus. Before leaving this morning we had an excellent breakfast in the coffee shop located in the Bald Head Island ferry terminal located next door to the marina. The fact that they support the CruisersNet makes this a worthwhile stop. Blades Robinson
Eleven excellent photos from CRUISERS NET SPONSOR, Southport Marina, located just west of the Cape Fear River along the northern banks of the Waterway hard by flashing daybeacon #2A.
North/south Hwy 17, or Ocean Hwy, passes to the east of Hertford and is crossed by a fixed vertical clearance bridge between Ferry Point and Crow Point. If you have local knowledge re the vertical clearance of this bridge or have recently navigated this area, please let us hear from you.
Just wondered if anyone has been through the Highway 17 bridge in Hertford, N.C. lately? Is there a signboard with actual clearance to water level on it? I know the posted clearance to MHW is 33 feet, and my “air draft” is 32.3′, so I would want to make sure I know the real clearance before going through. Thanks. David Swanson
Our thanks to Jim Standing for this report of a recent group voyage to the Albemarle Loop, A CRUISERS NET SPONSOR, in Albemarle Sound. Along the way they encountered two more of Cruisers Net’s finest sponsors, Dismal Swamp Welcome Center and Albemarle Plantation Marina. The Albemarle Loop is also home to historic Edenton, another CRUISERS NET SPONSOR.
Bennett Brothers Yachts/Cape Fear Marina, A CRUISERS NET SPONSOR, is located on the eastern banks of the northeast Cape Fear River, just north of the Isabel Holmes – Highway 133 bascule bridge, and only a few steps from the downtown Wilmington waterfront.
Bennett Brothers Yachts/Cape Fear Marina, A CRUISERS NET SPONSOR, is located on the eastern banks of the northeast Cape Fear River, just north of the Isabel Holmes – Highway 133 bascule bridge, and only a few steps from the downtown Wilmington waterfront. Bennett Brothers has graciously extended their complimentary week of dockage through July 31.
BENNETT BROTHERS YACHTS is offering a complimentary week of dockage at the Cape Fear Marina in Wilmington, NC. Located on the Northeast Cape Fear River just steps from historic Wilmington, it is a great stop for those traveling north this spring. BENNETT BROTHERS YACHTS is a full service repair facility located at the Cape Fear Marina with full departments in all aspects of yacht repair and restoration. Please call BENNETT BROTHERS YACHTS for details – 910-772-9277. We hope to see you around the docks!
Our thanks to experienced cruiser Ben Matthews for this review of the marina and the town. The New Bern Grand Marina, A CRUISERS NET SPONSOR, lies in the heart of downtown New Bern, North Carolina, along Trent River’s northern banks between Trent River highway and railroad bridges.
Hi All – I stayed there in May 2019. Real quick: 1. Docks/electric/water were in great shape for me. Many boaters there and some live-aboards. 2. Amenities – Shower/bath/laundry has to be offsite with an agreement with the local YMCA. 3. Notables: The hotel is still closed from Hurricane Florence. This was a surprise. I was told by a Lyft driver that the convention center was closed and planning to reopen in September. This makes sense as the MS-150 bike ride ( a big New Bern event) occurs then.
I understood also from local information there were disputes about the hotel with insurance and sale options were being pursued. New Bern the town appeared to be in great shape in the tourist/downtown area. Many restaurants full inside and on street tables.
New Bern Grande has many friendly and helpful boaters there. I really like the vibe and the folks. Be aware the staff do close up and leave promptly at 5pm most days. I was helped into my slip by kindness of other boaters. Ben Matthews
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