Boy, the incident Captain Arnold describes below would have put my heart in my throat, at least until the “wave” came.
A curious event – Early in the morning just by the Atlantic Bridge I saw what appeared to be a body floating in the water. I headed towards it and it suddenly waved at me! Turned out to be a Coastguard rescue practice and the gentleman concerned quite safe.
Arnold
Dowry Creek Marina has the deserved reputation of being one of the friendliest marinas on the AICW!
Mile 132.3 – Dowry Creek Marina. Another very friendly and delightful marina for either fuel or transient layover. Just a gorgeous club house and bar, swimming pool and first class showers and rest rooms. Owner Mary Klapperich keeps everything in shipshape condition. Easy markers in and out.
Arnold
Click Here To View the North Carolina Cruisers’ Net Marina Directory Listing For Dowry Creek Marina
Mile 50.9 – Elizabeth City. Another example of the well known hospitality of dockeepers Sam and Doug and others helping to welcome boaters. My Chinese motor scooter had suddenly stopped working – an emergency in my book since I have found it so useful for getting to grocery stores. Having determined it was an ignition coil failure, Susan Hartley of the Welcome Bureau not only ran me some 8 miles to only scooter store in town – but waited there as we tried to find a replacement part and ran me back! Fitted the new coil, paid the $50, pressed the button – Bingo! – I was back in business at 45mph and 126 mpg……..
The Farm Fresh grocery store will still pick you up and take you back – but the week before some boater got the service but bought only a single pack of cigarettes! Now that’s just not fair folks! Great showers at the Fitness Center – $2 but well worth it. The nearby coffee shop sells a great Reuben sandwich. It’s hard to beat Elizabeth City for a free 2 or 3 day dockage.
Arnold
I am sorry to hear that there was someone abusing the wonderful service of the Fresh Farm Store. However I can say that on the 15th several of the Firstmates more than made up for that. Ken from Fresh Farm picked up 4 of us and we filled up his trunk with all of our provisions. The downtown area is lovely but saddly many storefronts and buildings are vacant. In my hometown of Portland, Maine, waterfront property like that is prime territory.
Joanne
Lambs Marina is a small facility, located a few miles north of Elizabeth City, off the AICW Dismal Swamp Alternate Route/Pasquotank River. Its dockage basin is well sheltered, and they offer the only fuel now available on the North Carolina portion of the Dismal passage. There is also a welcome fresh seafood market on site.
With high blustery south winds the dockage at Elizabeth City tends to be uncomfortable. So I moved up river to the old NS railroad bridge and moored in nice quiet area just north of the bridge. Unhappily during the night the wind changed and thus the current with it and I drifted some 200 yards before my anchor snagged on a sunken log. I had to cut it loose in the morning. But this mishap was much compensated by the friendly reception of owners Larry and Georgia Lamb, who built this marina years ago and really know how to meet the needs of boaters. Larry even ran me to a store in Elizabeth City to get parts – and kindly offered me an old style anchor as a spare, which I turned down not wishing to be a pest. This marina has everything – propane, low cost fuel, a monthly slip rate of only $3.50 a ft and an equally low transient rate for boats with less than 6ft draft. There is a great little local restaurant nearby – and a fresh fish and bait store. So here’s to you Larry and Georgia – may you last forever!
Arnold
Click Here To View the North Carolina Cruisers’ Net Marina Directory Listing For Lambs Marina
And, if you do stop here, by all means please stay with our good friends at Oriental Marina (and Toucan’s Restaurant), a SALTY SOUTHEAST CRUISERS’ NET SPONSOR!
The recession has put some businesses in Oriental at risk and they need cruisers to stop in for an overnight visit. Please do. The restaurants are all open and the food is still as good as ever. Inland Waterway was giving deals on marine supplies this week. There are two dinghy docks, one on each side of the bridge.
We are departing from Oriental on Calculation bound for the Bahamas in a few weeks.
Doug Sleigh
Subject: South Port, NC
Cruising News: This is definitely a town to not by-pass. We’ve been in a slip in the marina for a few days. The last time we were here was at least 7 years ago and it was definitely nothing to write home about. The transformations are amazing. A great amount of creativity and detail went into the planning of the entire layout! We continue to exclaim to each other about how beautiful and inviting it is.
Now for the restaurants! We live to eat, unfortunately—not eat to live! This morning we had breakfast at PJ’s, just across the street. The food and service were great. It’s a very popular place and there was a continual stream of patrons coming in for brunch. Last night we’d planned to go to the Provision Company but the wind died down and the mosquitos, the size of hummingbirds, were attacking in droves so we opted for inside seating at Fishy Fishy! Bill had Fish and Chips, I had the BEST Shrimp and Grits I’ve ever had, and we both had wine for under $30!!!
We’ve ridden our bikes all over this town (which doesn’t take long) and there are so many cute shops, antique stores, cafes and bars–and a Super WalMart is a mere 2 miles up the main drag.
Plan a stop in Southport. “You’ll be glad you did!!!”
Laura Lane Bender
There is also free (24hr) overnight dockage on the city dock….fyi w/15 amp
Bill & Ana Feller
Knot Tide Down
The marina was fine, but we also went to Fishy Fishy after reading the comment above, and if that was the only shrimp and grits I ever had in my life, I would never have them again. Shrimp was almost raw, sauce was so much not to my liking that I left half my dinner. It will be hard to convince either of us to eat out again for awhile.
Beverly Feiges
Click Here To View the North Carolina Cruisers’ Net Marina Directory Listing For Southport Marina
We have had several earlier postings here on the Cruisers’ Net about the Morehead City Docks, which have only been in existence for about a year. A few months ago, I visited these piers for myself, and discovered that they are located on the western (or, you might think of that as southern) end of the dowtown Morehead City waterfront. They consist of modern, floating docks, and all the retail businesses and restaurants in downtown Morehead City are within easy walking distance.
We are currently in a slip at the new Morehead City Docks. They are floating docks with water and electricity for $1.50 foot. Plans for shower/restroom/laundry facilities are in the works. Right next to a nice waterfront park with trash bins. Very well lit at night.
Ed & Eva Higginson
S/V Makai
The Ruddy Duck Tavern, located in the heart of the Morehead City, NC waterfront, has made an appearance before on the Net’s “North Carolina” cruising news section. I have yet to sample the bill of fare here, but everyone agrees that it is awesome! Now, it looks like they have free dockage (for restaurant patrons I’m sure) as well. Also, note Captain Feller’s remarks below about the adjacent Morehead City Docks, and the pier at Sanitary Fish Market.
Subject: Morehead City, NC
Cruising News: As you’re headed south, be sure to tie up to Ruddy Duck Tavern’s free dock and enjoy their fare. The facility and decor are very nice, service was superb, and food was awesome as well as surprisingly low priced. This restaurant is located next to Sanitary Restaurant and is definitely a stop to not miss.
Laura Lane Bender
The city docks were free for the day with electricity and water….fyi ruddy did not have water when we were there……sanitary was only $20 flat fee, no elect or water……we stayed at both
Bill & Ana Feller
Knot Tide Down
We are currently in a slip at the new Morehead City Docks. They are floating docks with water and electricity for $1.50 foot. Plans for shower/restroom/laundry facilities are in the works. Right next to a nice waterfront park with trash bins. Very well lit at night.
Bear Creek sits off the western flanks of the AICW, just south of Gale Creek. I have never recommended this stream as an anchorage, and have chosen not to include it in the “North Carolina Anchorage Directory” as it has an unmarked, twisting entrance channel, flanked by shoals. As you will read below, Captain Watson used a GPS chartplotter to skirt past the aforementioned shallows, and he has certainly proved it is possible to do that. It’s up to each individual captain to decide if they should follow the same procedure, or just avoid this potential anchorage entirely.
Subject: Bear Creek Anchorage
Cruising News: Went into Bear Creek (just south of the Hoboken Cut off Back River)for the first time. Unmarked channel, used the chart plotter and had at least 7 ft back to the end of the charted 7 ft tongue. Good holding (CQR) Would be a very good anchorage for protection from N winds. Watch the entrance, some big shoals on both sides, channel [is] “S” shaped.
Bill Watson
Mile 160.8 – Bear Creek. Time for me being of the essence, I endured very rough weather crossing the Pamlico River and had one hell of a time finding the Goose Creek markers. But eventually no problems mooring overnight in Bear Creek – if you take care to slowly follow the channel and don’t stray into the shoals all around.
Arnold
Subject: Belhaven Restaurants
Cruising News: In the the past years if you visited Belhaven on a Monday night you would find all the restaurants closed but that has changed. Located on Pamlico street just two blocks from the waterfront is Georgie’s Sport & Oyster Bar which is now going to be open on Monday nights. If you enjoy fresh seafood this is perfect stop for southbound cruisers.
Les Porter
The Oriental Marina is in downtown Oriental, has twelve slips, and is much more protected than other marinas in the area. It has a full service hotel, a restaurant, and exceptionally clean showers. Once there, most all of Oriental’s shopping and eating facilities are within a short walking distance.
John M
We do very few marinas, but we love this one. Great showers, friendly staff, and good on-site restaurant. A bunch of us were stuck there for three days because of the weather and the dockmaster drove us to the grocery and a fresh produce market. We have also gotten rides back from the grocery folks after walking the mile to get there. A good chandlery-hardware store-gift shop a half block away and lots of good restaurants. Not to be missed!
Allen
Click Here To View the North Carolina Cruisers’ Net Marina Directory Listing For Oriental Marina
The recession has put some businesses in Oriental at risk and they need cruisers to stop in for an overnight visit. Please do. The restaurants are all open and the food is still as good as ever. Inland Waterway was giving deals on marine supplies this week. There are two dinghy docks, one on each side of the bridge.
We are departing from Oriental on Calculation bound for the Bahamas in a few weeks.
Doug Sleigh
Bridge Pointe Marina (formerly the Ramada Marina), sits on the opposite shore of the Trent River from the New Bern Grand Marina. If you do berth at Bridge Pointe, and wish to visit downtown New Bern, and it’s many dining plus historical attractions, you will need to dinghy across Trent River. The old swing bridge is still under reconstruction.
Also, don’t forget Galley Stores Marina, located on the Neuse River side of New Bern. This is the city’s newest marina, and they are a SALTY SOUTHEAST CRUISERS’ NET SPONSOR!
Most vessels that are slipped here [Bridge Pointe Marina] are on six month contract, with some month to month, and some on shorter term transient daily/weekly. Many of the shorter term are boats from homeports further north that flock to the vicinity of 35 N to stage/ wait out the end of hurricane peak activity. The Sheraton Grand across the river sponsors a Bahamas Bound weekend seminar in October and many transients fill up the immediate area, including anchoring on the Trent just upriver from the railroad bridge, dinghying in to the seminar. The Outback Steakhouse is located about 350 yards from the marina and many local boaters will tie up on the long face of `C’ dock (next to the Trent River Bridge, currently being rebuilt) for dinner at the resteraunt.
Steve
Hello, Mr. Young,
My wife and I recently cruised up to Virginia from Florida. Our route north included taking the Virginia cut in lieu of the Dismal Swamp Canal route. On our return, however, some fellow cruisers told us it would behoove us to take the Dismal Swamp and make a stop in Elizabeth City, NC. They said the city is boater friendly and we should have an enjoyable visit.
We followed their advice and took the Dismal Swamp route, arriving in Elizabeth City on Monday night, September 14th. We met two other cruisers at the Visitors Center on the Dismal Swamp canal and arrived with them at Elizabeth City simultaneously. We checked in with the tourism center and were given a rousing welcome. They catered to our every need, including offers for rides to grocery stores. laundromats, to purchase ice and pretty much anything else we needed. The dockage was COMPLIMENTARY and they also provided Wi Fi computer service. Later in the day, a representative came by each boat and advised that they were hosting a wine and cheese reception for the visiting boaters. We decided to attend and were greeted by a member of the “Rosebuddies”. This is a group that was started many years ago for the purpose of making cruising boaters feel welcome in Elizabeth City. Part of the reception was giving a rose to each female member of a boating party. In addition, the Mayor of the city was in attendance at the reception and made it a point to greet each boat owner and their respective families personally. I don’t believe I have ever visited another town anywhere in the United States in a boat and had the mayor come out and greet us. Mayor Steven Atkinson told us about the many services and programs that are available to us cruisers as well as their many attractions, especially the Albemarle Museum. Lastly, the rosebuddy who spoke to us advised us on additional areas of interest to boaters together with local knowledge of the water which enabled some of us to shorten travel time and several miles on our way south after leaving Elizabeth City.
I have to say that as one who has been cruising for over twenty years, never have we been received so warmly as we were in this small town waterfront town in North Carolina. They are currently promoting “The Carolina Loop” for people in North Carolina, Virginia, and other areas. They have a brochure on their website that provides a detailed explanation of the trip.
I am sure you have probably been made aware of this city, however, I felt I would be remiss in my duty as a fellow cruiser if I did not tell you what a great time we had on our visit. My wife Nancy and I would highly recommend spending time there. Also, we wish to congratulate Elizabeth City Tourism on the splendid job they did making all of us cruisers feel welcome. We will visit this charming city again.
Arlington(Sonny) and Nancy Lambert
S/V Sonrae 79 CSY 33 Hull #10
Fleming Island, FL
Click Here For The Cruisers’ Net’s North Carolina Marina Directory Listing For Pelican Marina
Their is a wealth of useful cruising news and tips in Captain message below, all centered on the Neuse River city of New Bern, North Carolina. If you plan an upcoming visit to New Bern, and you should, don’t dare miss this posting!
We lived in the condos that overlook the [New Bern Grand] marina for eight months in 2009 while our boat was being renovated.
For a great walk, turn right at the end of the docks toward the new bridge. The sidewalk takes you around the convention center where you turn right into a waterfront park. Staying close to the water takes you into an eight square block historical residential area that includes the local library and a solid magazine collection.
There are two great, local coffee shops. One is three blocks away on Middle Street, which dead ends into the marina and one two blocks away on Craven, which also dead ends into the marina. Two restaurants we liked are Captain Ratty’s, one block away on Middle and the Chelsea, three blocks away at Middle and Broad.
The big box stores, such as Walmart and Lowes, as well as the West Marine store and Harris Teeter, are about a ten minute car trip in the same direction.
If you need a Captain to move your boat or for a day’s instruction, I highly recommend John Watson who lives a block away and has a boat in the marina (252-626-2280).
If you need boat repair of any kind, the guy to call is Danny Swindell. He works at Hatteras and, if he can’t help you, he knows everyone who is good in the area who can. (252-229-4806)
I believe the best boat painter on the east coast is Bruce Mallard who lives in the area and can be reached at 252-670-8255.
If I had been staying in the part of the marina that is directly off of the deck of the hotel, I would not have been a fan of the music that plays each weekend night during the summer until 10 p.m.. It is loud and the crowd can be noisy.
Larry Hall
For excellent, one call repair on all your systems I recommend calling Forrest Jastram. He has a lot of experience, has spent years cruising FL and the Bahamas,and if you are anchored out he will come out to your boat. Call 252-876-3838
Sue Rogers
Click Here For The Cruisers’ Net’s North Carolina Marina Directory Listing For New Bern Grand Marina
Click Here For The Cruisers’ Net’s North Carolina Marina Directory Listing For Galley Stores Marina
Click Here For The Cruisers’ Net’s North Carolina Marina Directory Listing For Bridge Pointe Marina
PLEASE CAREFULLY READ OUR DISCLAIMER!
Please Note That Anchorages Below Are Listed in Rough Geographic Format, Moving North to South
PLEASE CAREFULLY READ OUR DISCLAIMER!
Please Note That Anchorages Below Are Listed in Rough Geographic Format, Moving North to South
PLEASE CAREFULLY READ OUR DISCLAIMER!
Please Note That Anchorages Below Are Listed in Rough Geographic Format, Moving North to South
PLEASE CAREFULLY READ OUR DISCLAIMER!
Please Note That Anchorages Below Are Listed in Rough Geographic Format, Moving North to South
PLEASE CAREFULLY READ OUR DISCLAIMER!
Please Note That Anchorages Below Are Listed in Rough Geographic Format, Moving North to South, and east to west
PLEASE CAREFULLY READ OUR DISCLAIMER!
Please Note That Anchorages Below Are Listed in Rough Geographic Format, Moving North to South
Be the first to comment!