Sailing the Carolinas - my first time...

malyea · #1 (**permalink**) 12-30-2011

Starting to trip plan a bareboat charter to sample sailing in the Carolinas and looking for ideas to help build a 5 to 7 day itinerary...sooo...

Any info would be appreciated such as good anchorages, marinas, seasonal conditions, daytrips ashore, highlights, history, etc - you know, the sort of stuff you learned after sailing the area a few times (first hand experience preferred but beggers can't be choosers-thanks for any info).

Also, please list any and all bareboat companies you may know of (especially the smaller 'Mom 'n Pop' operators that I may miss in a Google search).

Lastly, thanks for all the previous info on the Keys - we had a great charter last Feb - my article is in the Oct 2011 issue of Florida & Southern Sailing Information - SOUTHWINDS | Sailing & Cruising - Florida - the South

Happy New Year to all!

PBzeer · #2 (**permalink**) 12-30-2011

Would help to know where you're starting from and have to get back to.

jtsails · #3 (**permalink**) 12-30-2011

Malyea,
I posted the info about charter companies in your thread in the chartering forum and haven't run across any others since then. I did charter the Bene343 from the Oriental School of Sailing and it is a very nice boat. We had a few problems but I don't want to be unfair to them since we did the trip the week after hurricane Irene and they had warned us that the boat was not really prepped. We chose to go anyway and deal with any problems ourselves. Had a great trip and they were very fair to us on the fees.
I'll try to give you a brief rundown of the destinations in the Neuse and Pamlico area.

Washington is at the head of the Pamlico river and has a nice city dock and waterfront. I can't give you much info about the attractions, it's been a long time since I visited.

Bath is about 15 miles down the river and is an interesting little place if you like history. They have a visitor center and a nice walking tour of the historic homes. The city dock is free but has no power or water. You may be able to get a transient slip at the marina there but call first. Not much there as far as restaurants.

Belhaven is on the Pungo river. Way back in the day, we used to go to the River Forest Manor for the Sunday Buffett and it was very good but from what I have heard it has really gone downhill.

Ocracoke is across the Pamlico Sound and is one of my favorite places. The park service has docks with power/water but no showers. Lot's of good restaurants and the whole village is accessible by walking or renting bikes (lot's of them available). Day trip to Portsmouth Island is very interesting, but take one of the tour boats, not navigable by sailboat.

Oriental is a great sailing town at the mouth of the Neuse River, lots of marinas and a free city dock (no services). Lots of info available on other parts of this site so I won't waste space here.

New Bern is about 30 miles up river from Oriental. Nice marina at the Hilton hotel and lots of restaurants etc. Tryon Palace is interesting to visit. I'm sure that other folks here can give more info.

Beaufort is about 20 miles south of Oriental going down the ICW. Nice marina at Town Creek but I much prefer to stay on the City Docks on Taylor Creek. Staff is very friendly and they have power/water and even a loaner car. Several good restaurants along Front St. and it's always entertaining to have a cold beverage at the Dock House (also good for lunch). The mariners musuem is worth a visit too.

Cape Lookout and Lookout Bight area is a great anchorage. It can go from lots of boats during the weekend days to very secluded during the week. No facilities but easy anchoring in ~25 feet of water with a sand bottom. You need a dinghy to get to shore where you can explorer the beaches and visit the lighthouse.

Others can probably help with info on other areas.

SecondWindNC · #4 (**permalink**) 12-30-2011

Carolina Wind is a family operated marina in Washington, NC and we offer bareboat and captained charters. Check out our site at www.carolinawind.com. Glad to help with any questions you may have!

CaptainForce · #5 (**permalink**) 12-30-2011

I like jtsails' suggestions. I would add Manteo and some ports up the Alebemarle Sound or Elizabeth City if you would be adding some more northern areas. Take care and joy, Aythya crew

malyea · #6 (**permalink**) 01-03-2012

Thanks to all (and especially jtsails- great info!). Since we'll bareboat, we'd be starting out in either Charleston, Oriental, Washington or Beaufort depending on the charter company.

How about best time of year for this area? What seasonal considerations come into play that can shape the quality of the trip? Of course there's the obvious; it's cooler in the winter - less swmming; warmer in the summer - more bugs and then Jun thru Nov - hurricanes. But how 'bout any less obvious seasonal considerations for Carolina sailing?

Thanks

PBzeer · #7 (**permalink**) 01-03-2012

May - June. less high temp/humidity issues.

Your best bet is Oriental or Washington. From either place you can do a circle, that can be mostly all sailing. A lot depends though on just what you want from the trip. If you want to sail and sightsee, then a loop from either of those places can take you to the "highlights" of places to go. If you just want to sail and anchor out, then there's other choices.

What ever you do, if you don't already have tow insurance, and it isn't covered by the charter company, get the unlimited from either TowBoatUS or SeaTow.

malyea · #8 (**permalink**) 01-03-2012

Thanks PBzeer! What other choices - If you just want to sail and anchor out, then there's other choices. - if this is the case?

PBzeer · #9 (**permalink**) 01-03-2012

As far as I recall, there are free docks at Oriental, New Bern, Elizabeth City, Edenton, Manteo, Bath and Washington. There are anchorages all over the place.

Starting from Oriental, head down the Nuese, then up the Bay River and bear to port at the fork, then anchor off to starboard a little ways in. If the winds right, you can do it all under sail. Next day, head back down the Bay, take the Hobucken Cut, then across the Pamlico River up to Belhaven. Keep going to the Alligator-Pungo Canal (most of this will be motoring) and anchor at, or just before where the Alligator turns north (and widens out, Mi Marker 49 I think).

Next day, head up the Alligator to the Ablemarle Sound, then choose west for Edenton, or north for Elizabeth City. There is an opening bridge on the Alligator and the run from the bridge to the sound can be tricky if you don't pay attention. Next day, head back south to Manteo (be careful at the turn to the channel leading in from the main channel).

From Manteo, head to Orcacoke, then head back towards Oriental, spending the night in South River, for an easy run into Oriental next day. From Washington would be similar.

marianclaire · #10 (**permalink**) 01-03-2012

As posted there are many choices for anchoring.
New Bern between the RR bridge and the highway bridge. Functional but lots of road noise. If you can get under the bridge and up the Trent some it is quieter.
Upper Broad Creek: nice
Goose Creek: more secluded
Clubfoot and Mitchell Creeks: Nice and Matthews Point Marina.
About .5 miles east of Great Island in 7 ft of water: Nice pocket for calm or S winds.
Oriental: Friendly town etc.
Under the bridge, 43+- ft clearance; Greens and Smith Creeks. Good protection and a short trip to Oriental.
Cedar Creek off of Adams Creek.
South River: Miles of options and mostly secluded.
Lower Broad Creek.
West Bay: Tons of space and privacy. Not a good place if buggy and mostly marsh so protection is not the best.
Silver Lake at Ocracoke: Does not get much better for protection and things to do.
I have used all of these except West Bay. Lots more near Beaufort and even more to the north. Dan S/V Marian Claire