sailing the sound

[captainlouie]

My wife and I will be heading south October 12th-ish from Norfolk to florida and ultimately the bahamas. However, as we are a cat and only draw 2', for the NC portion we were thinking of sailing from elizabeth city to roanoke to ocracoke to oriental as opposed to the standard ICW route. It seems like it would be more interesting but nobody seems to do this. Is it because of storms and the shallow sound and the resulting rough seas or is it because most sailboats draw too much water or is it something else entirely different? Has anyone out there sailed this route or have advice?
Thank you

[PBzeer]

The west side of Roanoke Island is limited by a 45' vertical clearance bridge, so you have to go around the east side, which is a very long marked channel. I would imagine that's one reason more people don't go that way.

[camaraderie]

Louie...see my response on the other thread you asked on. (Oriental to Ocracoke) You CAN do it.

[captainlouie]

Cam - Thank you. I'm thinking that I'll go from elizabeth city to Manteo in one day but is it possible to hit hatteras or ocracoke in one day or will I need to anchor overnight? If I will need to anchor is there any good protected water?

[PBzeer]

I went from Manteo to Elizabeth City in one day, so that's certainly doable. Be careful though, going into the channel to Manteo, Cam can tell you just which marker number to go wide of. Orcacoke is around 60 nm so that would be a long day, but possible.

[camaraderie]

Actually I think Ocracoke is 54nm from Manteo and you can anchor in Silver Lake. A long day but do-able if you get an early start since we still have daylight savings this year till 10/28.

As to getting in to Manteo, as John said it is a bit tricky but not bad.
Heading south in Roanoke Island channel turn to starbord at marker can 29A to enter the Shallowbag Bay channel. Leave the can WELL to starboard as you round it and then move to the southern half (green side) of Shallowbag Bay channel to pass markers 3 and 5 and then there are no problems as you follow the rest of the markers to number 10 where you will take a 90 degree right after the marker and point to the gazebo and town docks. Give a yell on 16 if you do come and I'll talk you in!