Albemarle Plantation Marina, a port on the Albemarle Loop, both CRUISERS NET SPONSORs, is located just off the AICW on the northern shores of Albemarle Sound on Yeopim River/Creek.
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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. See Updates for recent news from New Bern Grand Marina.
It has been a beautiful winter in the lovely historic district of New Bern, NC. Mild, temperate weather has offered temperatures recently in the 70’s & 80’s. Our mild winter has refreshed the souls of many and we are looking forward to wonderful new year.
3/23/20 We are seeing an increase in reservation requests as the cruisers begin to head north, however, we are now operating on a wait list into April. We are adding folks to the reservation log and asking them to call ahead to confirm availability. As you are probably aware, we have to monitor and pay close attention to any updates governing port laws and boating. As of right now, we are able to assist boaters and can take reservations.
As for fuel, the Galley marina is the closest marina with fuel. Last I heard, all was good with fuel supply.
Millissa
Long Term Boat Slip Rentals Available—Boat Slip Ownership Program
Ask About The Marina’s Come, Stay & Play Promo-Save $150 or 12%!
Discover Boating in historic New Bern. We have a number of boat slips available for purchase during our renovation phase.
· Come see the marina and NC’s original capital city!
· Restaurants, shopping, dining—all within minutes of the marina!
· 10 minutes from EWN Regional Airport!
· Home of Hatteras Yachts!
Meet Our Team – New Bern Grand Marina Yacht Club
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A longtime CRUISERS NET SPONSOR, Edenton always has an exciting calendar of events for all ages. Edenton is at the mouth of the Chowan River on the northwest shore of Albemarle Sound.
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North Carolina historian David Cecelski searched the Forest History Society’s archives for photographs of coastal North Carolina and came across images of logging and lumber mills taken between 1900 to 1950 along the coast.
Our Coast’s History: Working in the Logwoods
Coastal Review Online
Many of you have experienced the hazards of floating and submerged debris during river flooding along the Waterway. This cleanup effort benefits boaters as well as the environment. The first of its kind for the state, the North Carolina Marine Debris Action Plan released earlier this month is a coordinated effort to prevent and remove marine debris along the state’s coast.
Click here for Group Rolls Out Marine Debris Action Plan
Coastal Review Online
Bald Head Island is home to Bald Head Island Marina, A CRUISERS NET SPONSOR, which is found hard by the seaward mouth of the Cape Fear River, within sight of the “Old Baldy” lighthouse!
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Click here for Making Island Memories Photo Contest
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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.
It has been a beautiful winter in the lovely historic district of New Bern, NC. Mild, temperate weather has offered temperatures recently in the 70’s & 80’s. Our mild winter has refreshed the souls of many and we are looking forward to wonderful new year.
If you haven’t visited our marina, please ask fellow boaters who have stayed with us. Our rates are very reasonable and our location simply can’t be beat. Boaters know best so we encourage everyone to do their research, and then, if your journey permits…consider a visit to the New Bern Grand. Stay for awhile…or a lifetime.
Please be sure to call us to secure your reservation ahead of time. For more information, visit our website @ https://newberngrandmarinayachtclub.com/ or call us at (252) 638-0318.
The marina’s new 712′ wave attenuation wall will be complete within the next couple of weeks. As a lieutenant level sponsor and supporter of the AGLCA, we couldn’t be more proud to share this good news with each of you.
Additionally good, the DoubleTree by Hilton will complete their renovations by or before April 2020. Our neighbor, the New Bern Riverfront Convention Center has been completely remodeled and has been open for business since October 2019. Lots of new restaurants and shoppes too! Great things are happening all around us and we hope to see lots of cruisers at the marina this year.
Please be sure to call us to secure your reservation ahead of time. For more information, visit our website @ https://newberngrandmarinayachtclub.com/ or call us at (252) 638-0318.
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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! See January 2020 in Washington.
The 6 most Instagrammable spots around Washington, NC
WRAL.com
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Our thanks to Looper David Heinsohn for these kind words, as posted on AGLCA’s Forum, for two stalwarts of Southport Marina, a longtime CRUISERS NET SPONSOR. This Cruisers Net editor has been profiting from the advice and wisdom of Robert and Hank for years!
Mollie, with Chris and I stopped at Southport Marina, in Southport,
NC this afternoon. What a wonderful and surprising stop.
Robert Creech: We attended the Joe Wheeler Rendezvous, in October. I
attended both of Robert’s Briefs. They were great. As a Harbor Host,
before we started south, I asked him to make some suggestions for us on
our passage as first timers, from Portsmouth, VA to Jacksonville. He
offered up some good suggestions. We’ve not followed all of them, but
they’ve certainly been valuable.
The day before our arrival in Southport, I called to warn him we were
expecting to be in town the next day. We talked about some problems we
were having with the boat. As we were arriving on a Saturday, he offered
to do a bit of boat part shopping for us. What a relief! Then I got to
spend some quality time on his front porch swapping lies, err I mean Sea
Stories, err that is chatting.
If you’re coming through be sure to let him know you’re coming so he
can at least say hi.
Hank: The folks at the marina told us about a weather and route briefing
that happens every night at the marina. The briefing is put on by Hank.
Sorry I don’t have his last name, my bad. The brief is also sponsored by
the Southport Marina, Carolina Yacht Care, and Zimmerman Marine. Robert
also told us about it.
For two hours Hank provided detailed information about the weather
going south from here and known problem areas along the AICW. Included
was a take home printout of all the slides so you don’t need to take
notes. This was a very detailed brief, with lots of valuable
information. That slide printout will be in the cockpit with us until we
reach Savanna.
A thank you to Hank and all of the sponsors for their work on this
project.
Bottom line, we’ll be stopping in Southport again on our northbound
trip if at all possible. Might even spend a couple of days as it sounds
like there’s some good food to be had nearby as well.
David
M/V Mollie
Click Here To View the North Carolina Cruisers Net Marina Directory Listing For Southport Marina
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This definitely good news for Ocracoke, a popular port for cruisers .
Click here for Disaster Recovery Bill Clears Legislature
Coastal Review Online
Morehead City Yacht Basin, A CRUISERS NET SPONSOR, is located on the southern flank of the marked channel that runs west from Mile 203 of the Waterway, just north of the Morehead-Beaufort high-rise bridge. Our thanks to Bru Brubaker for these king words.
We continue to stop at Morehead City Yacht Basin because of good protection, proximity of restaurants, GREAT dock hands, clean facility, good bathrooms, easy off and back on ICW, and the nice boaters who use this marina. If fueling and/or pumping out, pay attention to the floater in the basin; the depth is shallow outside it. The Ruddy Duck Restaurant has outstanding crispy duck in a serving large enough for lunch seconds the next day.
Bru Brubaker
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Oriental is home to longtime CRUISERS NET SPONSOR, Oriental Marina and Inn, lying on the eastern banks of inner Oriental Harbor. Our thanks to Bill Brubaker for these kind words.
Great help getting us in. Adequate depth under our 4′ keel. Bathrooms good. Restaurant was closed, but we’ve eaten good food here before and were disappointed we arrived on the only day closed during the week. However, great meal at M&M’s restaurant a short walk away. My wife likes shopping in this little town.
Bill Brubaker
Click Here To View the Cruisers’ Net’s North Carolina Marina Directory Listing For Oriental Marina
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Our thanks to experienced cruiser and Cruisers Net friend, Tom Hale, for sharing information on his recent passage of Problem Stretch Lockwoods Folly. See also Local Notice 10/24.
October 30, we transited Lockwoods Folly. What I found may be useful new information for southbound cruisers. I notified Bob of my observations just after we cleared the area.
· The first important note is that the USCG moved G47A, on October 29. It does not show on any charts yet. I have drawn a blue cross on the attached screen shot at the approximate location I noted in passing.
· As you approach from the north you will now see that R46, and G47 and G47a are almost in a line.
· You can transit this area by leaving R 46, 50-60 feet to starboard, and then steer half-way between the greens and the shore. The shore is very steep don’t be afraid of it!
· After passing G 47a make a very slow turn turn toward R48 following Bob’s route. Then make a lazy turn at R48 as you head down the center of the channel.
· Both R46A & 46B were physically removed months ago but NOAA has not caught up.
· There is a route laid out on the Aqua Map charts by Bob423 following the USACE way points. I’d recommend that waypoint #2 be placed 60 feet south of R46. It will make the course through here much easier to follow as you will have visual aids to help you, and this route has acceptable depths of 8’+ at MLLW.
· You can probably get through here, even at low tide, just honoring the ATONs. I drove through here using Navionics Sonar Charts and the ATONs, but laid a track in Aqua Map at the same time which is the blue line you see below. It seems that either on of these apps will get you around this shoal.
Cheers,
Tom
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The Federal Emergency Management Agency has denied North Carolina’s application to provide assistance to individuals in Dare, Hyde, Carteret and New Hanover counties who suffered losses due to Hurricane Dorian, OBX Today reported Wednesday. On 10/20 Fema granted request for additional funding to the community.
FEMA Denies Individual Assistance Request
Coastal Review Online and OBX Today
10/21 FEMA Grants Request for More Assistance
Coastal Review Online
Having just celebrated their 30th anniversary, the Dismal Swamp Canal Welcome Center is located adjacent to the Dismal Swamp State Park, offering trails, exhibits and ongoing programs in Camden County, NC. Docks and information are provided at the Dismal Swamp Canal Welcome Center, A CRUISERS NET SPONSOR and a NC DOT Rest Area facility. Our thanks to Welcome Center Director, Donna Stewart, for this update in response to Canal Transit Recommendations.
We love seeing boaters coming our way, and want everyone to have a positive experience. Thanks for the good advice. We do have duckweed, a result of a normal small petal plant, which because of heat, nutrients, and no exposure to brackish water, has proliferated. Cold weather causes it to die. The storm debris, leaves and pine straw, sticks from Hurricane Dorian added body to the mix. A drop in temperatures should ease it along. Thanks for sharing your experience.
Donna Stewart
Oriental is home to longtime CRUISERS NET SPONSOR, Oriental Marina and Inn, lying on the eastern banks of inner Oriental Harbor. Our thanks to Edith and Mason for these kind words as posted on AGLCA’s Forum.
I feel the need to put in a plug for Oriental Marina & Inn as a stop after resuming travel south. There are other dockage options, but this marina has the only fuel in town, Tiki Bar, pool, Toucan restaurant on-site and others within easy walking distance. Grocery store has a shuttle service. Good shopping and an art gallery right across the street, along with coffee, ice cream and other delights at The Bean. Oriental is pet and people-friendly. If you’ve been there, you know– if you haven’t, give it a try!
We completed our Loop in April of this year and are now home in Beaufort. Look us up if you come this way. Safe travels everyone.
Edith & Pat Mason & Bee
Esther Girl OA456 Classico
Click Here To View the Cruisers’ Net’s North Carolina Marina Directory Listing For Oriental Marina
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A longtime CRUISERS NET SPONSOR, Edenton always has an exciting calendar of events for all ages. Edenton is at the mouth of the Chowan River on the northwest shore of Albemarle Sound. Our thanks to Ben and Brenda Sanderson for these kind words as posted on AGLCA’s Forum.
Normally, when we find cool little towns, docks and anchorages we tend not to publicize them. [just kidding] Edenton, NC is a treasure that we have visited about a dozen times or so over the tears of traveling the ICW. This small town is very welcoming but has a limited protected town dock that is very nice. There is a hardware store a few with wine steps from the the dock and if still there a Tastee Freez a couple of blocks away. This is a town that you can walk by dozens of Victorian style homes within 5 minutes of tying up and wish you end here up in a dirt home here after years of boating. Great park areas around the water. There is a neat summer league baseball team, the Edenton Steamers (think about the name) to watch. One of the NC gems to visit.
Ben & Brenda Sanderson
Click here for Fall, Fresh, and Haunting …
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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.
Click here for New Product Show Recap, Join Us In Annapolis, Beautiful Topcoat Paint
Having just celebrated their 30th anniversary, the Dismal Swamp Canal Welcome Center is located adjacent to the Dismal Swamp State Park, offering trails, exhibits and ongoing programs in Camden County, NC. Docks and information are provided at the Dismal Swamp Canal Welcome Center, a NC DOT Rest Area facility.
Our thanks to these Loopers for their recommendations for transiting the Dismal Swamp Canal as posted on AGLCA’s Forum. Dismal Swamp Canal Welcome Center and Albemarle Loop are CRUISERS NET SPONSORS!
The best source of up to date information is to call the Deep Creek Lock. 757.487.0831. You want to speak to “Robert”. Robert Peake is the lock master and has been working the lock and the Lake Drummond water management for a long time. He will give you real time up to the minute evaluations of the condition and whether it is appropriate for your boat. If Robert is not on duty, go ahead and ask the lock master your questions, but also ask when Robert will be back on duty! Check in with Robert later. Also note that the lock has a schedule. Do not call Robert during the time he is locking boats or opening the bridge. The folks at the welcome center are terrific, however they are not as knowledgeable of the latest conditions of the entire canal.
Also please be aware that there is a sailboat rally of about 15 boats leaving Hampton on October 20. That will tie up the lock and visitor center as well as tying up the docks in Elizabeth city on October 21 and 22. This would be a good time to take the Virginia Cut route, not the Dismal Swamp Canal.
Tom Hale
Tadhana
Helmsman 38
The Dismal is our preferred route. Yes, a 5′ draft boat can do it. Single engine with a keel is obviously most desirable. Exposed wheels are ALWAYS at risk everywhere, including the Albemarle and Chesapeake Canal.
Techniques for an uneventful transit:
1) The control depth for the canal is 6-1/2 ft. It’s 22 statute miles from Deep Creek Lock to South Mills Lock. The locks open on schedule: 08h30, 11h00, 13h30 and 15h30. There is a speed limit, but it doesn’t matter. You have 5 hours to go 22 miles… If you enter the system at 08h30, and travel at slightly less than the speed limit, you will easily make the opening at 13h30. (Southbound, that plan gives you time to clear South Mills at 13h30 and get to Elizabeth City for the daily Wine and Cheese Gathering.) Do not race down the canal. Plan to arrive not more than 10 minutes before bridge opening/locking time. There is no place to tie up (well, best to assume there won’t be a place to tie up), and the earlier you arrive, the longer you will need to station-keep at the bridge by the lock before its scheduled opening time.
2) there is waterlogged tree fall on the bottom of the canal, and on the bottom of the Upper Pasquotank as well. Go slow. This stuff won’t bother anything if you’re at idle speed. It’s possible you’ll hear a thump. Won’t hurt anything if you’re going slow. We have been through there many time, with no thumps. Yes, we have had thumps. We go slow. No damage because we idles along at 4+ MPH (Statute MPH, not “knots”).
3) If you lock through with other boats, space out about 1/2 to 3/4 mile. That way, if prop wash from a boat in front of you does pick up something from the bottom, it will have time to settle back down before you get to it.
4) there are no lateral markers in the classic sense of dayboards. But there are 2″x2″ sticks painted red and green in some places. Immediately south of South Mills lock comes to mind. Be on the lookout for them, and honor them as lateral markers.
5) When you clear South Mills, you will almost certainly encounter some floating green “stuff.” IT WILL NOT CLOG SEA STRAINERS. It’s on the surface. The patterns in the water make a pretty wake.
Jim Healy
Monk 36 Hull #132
The Dismal is scenic. At 5 foot draft you may bump at times. Sailboats go this route all the time but they have protected props. Right now there is a lot of duckweed on the water so you will need to check your strainers.
The route through Coinjock is also very scenic although maybe a little longer. If you have the time come and do the Albemarle Loop.
Bill Denison
We draw 5’4″ and have gone through the Dismal Swamp canal twice, most recently in late April. We go slow, less than 4 knots, and stay back at least a half mile when following other boats. We bump a few times but no damage resulted.
I have heard other’s say they incurred damage in this stretch, but that hasn’t been our experience. Good luck, and I hope you enjoy the canal.
Mike Bell
M/V Inshallah
Defever 48
We passed through a couple days ago and heard Robert's warning about duck weed but carried on. The strainer was full at the Visitor's Center and easily cleaned out. on approach to the South Mills Lock the temp started to spike. We idled out after the drop and tied to the pilings outside. The entire raw rater system from through hullabaloos to strainer was packed full of duck weed. It took 10 minutes to clear. And then before we pulled into E City, I cleared the entire system 3 more times. This is a Catalina 34 with the intake about a foot below the surface. Much deeper and you won't get much. We draw about 4.5' and had a total of 34 log bumps including ratatatat on the Max Prop. No vibration.
We love seeing boaters coming our way, and want everyone to have a positive experience. Thanks for the good advice. We do have duckweed, a result of a normal small petal plant, which because of heat, nutrients, and no exposure to brackish water, has proliferated. Cold weather causes it to die. The storm debris, leaves and pine straw, sticks from Hurricane Dorian added body to the mix. A drop in temperatures should ease it along. Thanks for sharing your experience.
Love the Dismal Swamp!
A CRUISERS NET SPONSOR, Manteo Waterfront Marina is located on the western shores of Doughs Creek, northwest of marker #10. And Manteo Waterfront Marina now has slips available for annual lease!
Click here for the Cruisers Net Focus-On article about the marina and town.
| And after several peaceful, fun, relaxing and enjoyable days in Manteo, consider the Albemarle Loop where other towns and marinas, that were spared the wrath of Dorian, have their welcome mats out and offer even more southern hospitality, local events and culinary delights to tease and please your appetites. Check out the Albemarle Loop and all that the participating marinas offer https://www. And for goodness sake, as you head on south, there are many other “boater’s paradises” along the western shores of North Carolina’s rivers and sounds. All with their unique contributions to your cruising enjoyment and experiences. This year, the Fall of 2019, we encourage you to enjoy more of what is often passed by or only briefly enjoyed. That old saying, “It’s not just the destination, it is the journey” is loaded with truth. So create those special smiles that can not be erased, make your journey the objective or destination. Wishing all blue skies, gentle breezes, good health and good time. Carl Jordan, Your Host, Manteo Waterfront Marina, Manteo, NC |
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