[dirtchickn]

Oriental is the second greatest place on earth (after West Marine with the wife''s credit card). I have a Columbia 26 MKII and draw 4''6" and have never gone aground due to low water (going aground for stupidity is another story). Actually, the only real problem is in the Marinas around Oriental, they tend to dredge to a depth of 7 feet every 2 or 3 years, and getting out of your slip when the wind blows from the west, or southwest. West wind will blow all the water out of the Pamlico (up to 3 foot drop) But once you are in the Neuse River, the water averages 20'' deep. If you make it back to Oriental, stop by Pecan Grove Marina Slip 81 and look us up.

Rich and Diana Trumper
Second Wind