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    • Great Dismal Swamp Canal Passage Report by Joshua Gordan

      Set in beautiful Camden Count, NC, the Dismal Swamp Canal Welcome Center provides free dockage for cruisers' on the Dismal Swamp AICW Alternate Route

      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 are provided by the Dismal Swamp Canal Welcome Center, A CRUISERS NET SPONSOR and a NC DOT Rest Area facility. See Fall Update.

       

      Greetings,

      Winston Fowler has asked me to send some photos and comments on my transit of the swamp on my cape dory 28. 
      I entered Deep ck lock yesterday10/12… stopped at the visitor center, and passed through to Elizabeth city today. 
      People have a concern about duckweed… right now, there is very little until you get a mile or so from south mills. There, It is moderate, not really fully covering the canal. After south mills, it is relatively full, for about a mile past turners cut .. where it clears up altogether.  I have included some photos… And also of my sea strainer , which I did not clean the entire way, so this is the total accumulation. 
       
      Other impressions; 
      Robert will be missed at Deep Creek, but the young man who is tending now is cheerful, and engaged. He called a few times, explained the process, and was happy to be there.  This contrasts the older guy at south mills, who lifted the bridge without warning me ( I was still anchored) , and so the bridge we as open for a bit longer that it needed to be… Once in the lock, he drove to the far end and let the water out… The gates opened, but of course I could not tell if he was on his way back to toss lines… I set myself free, and motored out. He was still in the lock shack… Good thing I didn’t wait for him! Just a few words would make his and other’s days go better. 
       
      I think that the side and overhead brush is pretty ragged, and encroaches on the navigation. There is one spot that required snaking my 42′ mast between trees on opposite banks.   There are three large floaters along the way that could do some real damage  The big transit season is coming up, and it’s too bad it is in this shape. Most of the side waterway signs are damaged or overgrown. 
       
      Still, it is a beautiful trip, and a resource that VA and NC should take care of. 
       
      Thank you for all you do for us boaters! 
      Sincerely,
      Joshua Gordon. S/V Wayfinder
      Uscg 100 ton master
       

      Comments from Cruisers (1)

      1. Robert Nordstrom -  October 15, 2021 - 1:00 pm

        I agree with the comments above, It is no big deal to transit the DSC and you must remain on your toes both overhead and in the mirrored waters ahead of you. I still prefer this route in our 40' Manta Catamaran. However, with a 65' air draft and a relief at the helm, we cleaded the top of the mast of $500 worth of hardware with an overhanging tree that was overlooked.

        Still a beautiful trip that we will make again.

        Reply to Robert
    • Sailing 4 Smiles Charity Heading South

      Sailing 4 Smiles is a team of regular and part time licensed dental providers, sailing professionals and volunteers who are committed to helping others.  During a stop in St. Augustine,  S4S enjoyed the architecture, history and a visit to The Webster School Head Start Program.

       

       

      Sailing 4 Smiles

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    • Fall Update from Dismal Swamp Canal Welcome Center Director, Sarah Hill


      Set in beautiful Camden Count, NC, the Dismal Swamp Canal Welcome Center provides free dockage for cruisers' on the Dismal Swamp AICW Alternate Route

      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 are provided by the Dismal Swamp Canal Welcome Center, A CRUISERS NET SPONSOR and a NC DOT Rest Area facility. See September 16 Update.

      Greetings,

      Hope you had a great weekend!  We are starting to see an uptick in boating traffic along the canal as well as the beginning of some fall colors appearing.  Boaters have reported some patches of duckweed near the South Mills drawbridge and lock, but at this time no major issues.  We’ll keep you updated if something changes.  Our neighbors at the Dismal Swamp State Park remain closed to visitors due to construction. The park’s pedestrian bridge was removed from the water last week to be worked on. 

      Canal is open to traffic with locks operating on their normal schedule.  We look forward to great fall season and appreciate everything you do to keep boaters updated & ready to cruise the Dismal Swamp Canal! 

      Please let us know if you have any questions or we can assist in anyway.

      Many thanks,

      Sarah

       

       

       

       Sarah Hill
      Director, Dismal Swamp Canal Welcome Center

      Chairperson, Camden County Tourism Development Authority

      2356 US Hwy 17 North, South Mills, NC 27976

      252-771-8333 | shill@camdencountync.gov
      www.DismalSwampWelcomeCenter.com

      www.VisitCamdenCountync.com

        

       

       

      Click Here To View the North Carolina Cruisers Net Marina Directory Listing For the Camden TDA/Dismal Swamp Canal Welcome Center

      Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of the Dismal Swamp Canal Welcome Center

      Comments from Cruisers (1)

      1. Jim Ward -  October 29, 2021 - 5:51 pm

        To all East Coast Boaters – this passage is a must. History, primitive beauty, and welcoming layovers are not to be missed. And this welcome center has the nicest people I have ever met. Get a sticker for you car or boat and a cap for your noggin!

        Reply to Jim
    • How To Plan The Perfect Fall Getaway In Edenton, NC, Albemarle Sound, NC


      Edenton, NC - the prettiest town in the South!

      A longtime CRUISERS NET SPONSOR, historic Edenton always has an exciting calendar of events! Edenton is at the mouth of the Chowan River on the northwest shore of Albemarle Sound

       

       
       
      800-775-0111 • info@visitedenton.com
       
      Hello!
       
       
      Pumpkin Spice Lattes, Halloween decorations, and the cooler fall air are sweeping across the country.
       
      That also means trips to see beautiful fall colors.
       
      While places like Vermont and West Virginia get a lot of press this time of year, don’t count Edenton out.
       
      We have incredible places to stay, lots to do, and unique things you’ll never see anywhere else.
       
       
      See you soon!
       
      Erienne
       
       
       
      Visit the Prettiest Small Town in the South
      * Shop * Dine * Stay *
       
      STAY CONNECTED WITH US!
       
       
      800-775-0111 • info@visitedenton.com
       
      Chowan County Tourism Development Authority | PO Box 245, 101 W Water Street, Edenton, NC 27932

      Click Here To View the North Carolina Cruisers Net Marina Directory Listing For Edenton Harbor City Docks

      Click Here To Open A Chart View Window Zoomed To the Location of Edenton Harbor City Docks

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    • Praise for Oriental Marina and Inn, Oriental, NC, Neuse River, AICW MM 181


      Toucan Grill and Fresh Bar in Oriental, NC

      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.

       

      Very knowledgeable and helpful dock hands.
      Laid back marina, great place to stop. Great atmosphere due to the friendly folks running it.
      Showers are super clean and they provide towels, soap, and shampoo.
      Tiki bar is cash-only.
      All-in costs seem to be about $2.25 a foot.

      Ben Matthews

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

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

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    • Praise for Dowry Creek Marina, Belhaven, NC, AICW MM 131.5


      Dowry Creek Marina

      A longtime CRUISERS NET SPONSOR, Dowry Creek Marina is owned by the Zeltner family who want to roll out the red carpet to transients, doing whatever you might need during your visit.  This highly praised and transient friendly marina lies off the AICW/Pungo River north of Belhaven, NC.

       

      What a wonderful marina to stay at. Clean, organized and friendly. Will always be a part of our travels. Thanks to all staff.

      Tony Correlli

       

      Click Here To View the Cruisers Net North Carolina Marina Directory Listing For Dowry Creek Marina

      Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Dowry Creek Marina

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    • Praise for onSpot wifi

       
      This Waterway Guide article on one of Cruisers Net’s longtime sponsors, onSpot wifi, is an excellent presentation of the outstanding service offered by onSpot wifi. See Strength In Service from onSpot wifi.
       
       

       

      News from Waterway Guide

      Technical Advice for Marina WiFi from OnSpot

      onSpot WiFi

      For boaters who are underway or enjoying a weekend at the marina, internet connectivity is no longer a luxury. We require it. As boaters we spend time on our vessels working, enjoy waterfront views and our marinas of choice. And we want our marinas to provide good wifi.

      As we’ve reported in the past, onSpot wifi has distinguished itself as a company dedicated to solid engineering and extraordinary customer service. The owner of this company lives this lifestyle. He is currently cruising the waterways aboard onSpot’s R&D boat, stopping at marinas along the way to inspect their networks and better understand the needs of boaters like you.

      Waterway Guide has followed onSpot wifi’s success over the years. They have solved most of the problems unique to marinas. onSpot wifi’s infrastructure is designed for harsh environments and delivers over distance to vessels at docks and slips while managing connections to a marina’s internet service provider. As a result, marina facilities using onSpot wifi offer glowing reviews.

      With installations at most of the leading marinas in the U.S. and Bahamas, onSpot wifi has built a reputation for efficient and effective follow through from its engineering and customer service teams. The company has identified some trends among users who login in to the onSpot signals. Most connectivity problems are the result of users missing a setting or two on their mobile devices.

      onSpot WiFi

      Tips for Best Connection

      onSpot wifi installs a series of access points (AP) along docks and piers that communicate with the marina’s internet modem. Locating the correct AP from the list of available onSpot APs is important when setting up your wireless connection with your computer, phone or tablet. Which one is correct? The answer usually is the one with the strongest signal. And you should always look for the one with 5G associated with it. Remember that boats can be notorious for obstructing signals so you may want to login and work as high up and near a window as you can. Especially if you find yourself some distance from one of the APs installed along the docks. Try the signal that gets the best response.

      onSpot’s Customer Support Team is available 7 days a week from 7am – 8pm via phone and text (954-990-0192) or email (support@onspotwifi.com). They can have you connect your device to the different nearby onSpot APs and easily determine which AP is providing the best connection for your devices.

      (Here’s a link to a .pdf with more details on how to connect)

      Another observation that the onSpot wifi team has made is that some mobile users don’t know that their devices may be switching back and forth from the local cell signal to the onSpot wifi AP signal, attempting to provide the stronger connection. If your cell data is enabled, which is the case for most of us, you may believe that the AP is not working when, in fact, the cell signal has taken over and not delivering the speed you want. The solution is to disable cell data on your device while connected to the local AP as a first option for getting the speed you want.

      Technical advice aside, the onSpot wifi team is unique in the industry. They are boaters who know the value of being connected and communicating while enjoying the lifestyle and adventures of being underway.

      Marinas are increasingly focused on providing good service for all of the obvious reasons. When planning your on-the-water adventures look for facilities that offer onSpot wifi. The Infopane to the left of the map at WaterwayGuide.com reveals facilities that have onSpot wifi (See this link for an example).

      onSpot WiFi

      You can also filter and search with the Marina Comparison Matrix by using the funnel icon on the left side of the map.

      onSpot WiFi

      As more of us are on our boats leaving the crowded highways and byways behind, plan your next adventure with Waterway Guide and onSpot wifi.

      See you out there…

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