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NC Outer Banks Marinas

6K views 19 replies 10 participants last post by  topsailbeach 
#1 ·
We've talked about moving our PSC 31 from Lake Michigan to NC coastal area. We'll soon be returning north from FL and thought maybe we could stop around there for a few days and check out marinas. I know a few members are from around there Asylum (although I recall Larry sold it) and Irish Eyes. I'd appreciate hearing if anyone has suggestions or recommendations.
 
#2 ·
What part of the Outer Banks are you interested in? N.C. offers some great sailing in the sounds and rivers - Pamlico Sound and the Pamlico and Neuse Rivers, including Ocracoke, which is considered part of the Outer Banks. At Ocracoke there is the Anchorage Inn and Marina.

But most of the Outer Banks - Kitty Hawk, Kill Devil Hills, Nags Head, up to Corolla and down to Hatteras, is generally more known for sportfishing than sailing. Colington Harbour has some sailboats but I think you have to live there to get a slip. Manteo may have some facilities as well.

I've been asked about Outer Banks sailing before, so I too would like to hear from those who have sailboats there.

For keeping your 31 in coastal N.C., there are lots of great places to do that in areas like Washington, Oriental, New Bern, Beaufort/Morehead City, etc. but those are south of what's considered the Outer Banks.

Does that help at all or is it clear as mud? :laugher
 
#3 ·
Manteo would probably be your best bet, but anywhere along the Outer Banks is going to be shallow. For sailing, Oriental is rightful called the sailing capital of NC. It offers the most possibilities for everything from day sails or overnights, to week long excursions.
 
#6 ·
Washington is THE place for Pacific Seacrafts since they're made here now! Those guys are a great resource, and it sure is nice to be around the other PSC boats. At Carolina Winds, where I keep Kon Jeni-Al, there must 8 or so others...from the 31 footer to 40. The thing I like about Washington is the access from the mainland. From Charlotte, where I live, it takes me about 3:45 minutes to reach, as compared to over 5 hours for Oriental. I guess you'll be coming down from the north so think Raleigh, then 1:45 minutes from there.

Washington is pretty deep and very protected. It does take 30 minutes or so to get to the sailing ground, but the upside of that is protection from storms.

Washington is a great little town. It's probably the most historical town I've seen in N.C. and I'm a native.

Alan
 
#5 ·
Where would you be coming in from when you come to use the boat? Flying in to Raleigh, driving in, etc?

In general, what coastal N.C. offers is great sailing, forgiving cruising grounds, fresh seafood and neat maritime communities to visit. What it doesn't have are big urban areas or a busy nightlife. For many sailors that seems to be a favorable trade.

From what you've said so far, Washington and Oriental would be the first two places I would suggest checking out. Of course I'm partial to Washington.
 
#7 · (Edited)
Sheraton (Bridge Point): Right in town of New Bern, very convenient, they
are probably more expensive then others, hotel on site.

Carolina Wind : Right in town of Washington, very convenient, but space was at a premium
when I was there 5 years ago. Have to travel about 5 miles before you get out of the channel.
Lots of road noise from nearby bridge and can have lots of current.

Dowry Creek : 2 Miles from small town of Belhaven, family owned, one of the most popular
stops for snowbirds. Fuel available, exposed to SE. Had the cleanest facilities when I was
there. Very quiet. Has pool/clubhouse.

Whittaker Creek : Right in town of Oriental, across the creek are 2 boatyards.

Northwest Creek : Huge, condo type marina, well protected, about 6 miles from New Bern.

Wayfarers Cove : Super protected, entrance is claustrophobic, about 25 miles from New Bern,
8 miles from Oriental, boatyard as well (I think allows do it yourself).

This doesn't include Beaufort, most of them you are sailing within 1nm, I don't know about
wireless for all since some of them I haven't been to in years. The ones on the neuse are
closer to the ocean. Some kick you out if a hurricane is approaching.
There are others, some are too shallow for deep draft sailboats. With the exception of NW
I been at all of these. Coming from Raleigh, Belhaven would be 2.5 hrs, Oriental is about 4
hours. Assuming you are going back to Michigan and leaving the boat here, you might want
to consider leaving in same marina as one of your fellow PSers.
Prices will run +/- $250 for a 31.

One more thing, Pamlico doesn't have lunar tides, but does have wind tides, water levels can
fluctuate +/- 2 feet or more depending on the wind. Keep this in mind.
Tom
 
#8 ·
This is great and we're thinking out loud. We're retired and would like to have a longer sailing season than we get in Wisconsin. I have family in the Carolinas so we thought it might be a possibility to keep the boat there. We'd drive down and stay a month or so at a time.
While we've sailed extensively on the Great Lakes and Caribbean we've never sailed coast-ally and this area seemed like a good choice.
I didn't realize there were so many choices in Marinas.
 
#9 ·
teejay, very helpful list and fair assessments. Have you been to River Dunes? Haven't been myself but I've had some charterers stop through there who said it was very nice. Less accessible, though.

I'll also add Belhaven Waterway Marina.

By the way, the new U.S. Hwy 17 bypass around Washington will reroute most of the heavy traffic off our bridge when it opens sometime this summer.
 
#11 ·
Nope, I stuck with those that I've been to or checked out, River Dunes
must be new, I don't remember seeing it.

Never been to Belhaven, but 1st hand reports say its pretty exposed to
E-SE winds, with 5 miles of fetch. Dowry Crk has about a 1 mile of fetch.
When finished, the fastest way to New Bern might be through Washington.

I second the recommendation of Washington as a great destination,
do they still have the free city docks?

Tom
 
#10 ·
The marina at the Sheraton (now the Hilton) in New Bern is $8 a foot with a year lease w/$15 a month "pedestal" fee and metered electric (cable and phone also available). No liveaboard fee. There is also Bridgepoint and Fairfield Harbour in the New Bern area. New facility at Bridgeton, but there ae financial problems there.

Don't remember the name, but there is a marina on Broad Creek (halfway between Oriental and the Bay River) that's supposed to be pretty reasonable. Also Vandemere Point on the Bay River.

Also in Bellhaven is River Forest, while Oriental has 4 or 5 different mainas. There's even a small marina at Bath on the Pamlico River.

And I've still missed some of them!
 
#12 ·
Yes, the city docks at Washington have both paid slips with water/electricity and free parallel docks with no services. After 48 hours the parallel docks go to $.75/ft.
 
#16 ·
We have a slip on broad creek just past River Dunes. River Dunes has the best pump out we have encountered as well as a nice marina - floating docks, fuel, restaurant.. . There is another marina just past point marina Ensign Harbor:.

There is a list of marinas for NC and other areas on Claiborne Young's site Cruiser's Net » Marinas NC-All with details. We have used Claiborne's cruising guides and found them quite good. Also ActiveCaptain - The Interactive Cruising Guidebook - Marina Reviews, Fuel Prices, Anchorages may have a list of marinas for the area.
 
#17 ·
Looks like you are getting some good responses. I haved lived here a dozen years and I still consider it the best place I have owned and sailed a boat for year-round sailing. There are some caveats. First, get used to the idea of shallow water all of the time. It really is not a problem but requires a different mindset and skill set than Great Lakes sailing. Pamlico Sound almost always has wind, sometimes too much, and when the wind really comes up the short seas are darned uncomfortable. I find Washington and New Bern just too far from real sailing. By the time you get out of your slip and get down the respective rivers, you have wasted too much time. It is always better to drive the distance to get better sailing and on the Neuse you need to be at least as far down river as Northwest Creek marina.
You really need to answer the question as to where you want to live when you are not sailing. For example, Oriental is a great LITTLE town. But, it has nothing in the way of creature comforts including medical. If you like and are able to live in an isolated, rural environment you have lots of choices here. But, if you need real groceries, shopping, medical facilities and so on then you need New Bern or Washington. Perhaps Morehead City. Which takes me to the ocean. If you want easy access to the ocean you need to be in one of the marinas near Morehead City. You won't have as many sailing days on the ocean, but the water is deep, blue, and full of fish. Morehead City and Beaufort are great places; some of us on the Sound motor down there a couple of times a year and it is a few hours down the ICW.
If you are going to live with your relatives and don't mind driving to your boat then you should get down near Oriental. Pecan Grove, IMHO, is the nicest, most protected and accessible marina down there. Send me an e-mail at LSBRODSKY@earthlink.net for more.
Larry
 
#18 ·
Larry, thanks for the articulate response. It gives us some important things to consider.
We're used to underwater bluffs and rocky shoals but don't have to consider tides and currents. By the time our boat is stocked and into the stripe we're about 5 and 1/4 foot depth. I remember you had a shoal keel. I know ours will be problematic but I also know there must be an occasional 6' keel around as well.
Our slip is paid up thru fall but I'm expecting to get a haul down there sometime in fall or winter. I'll keep in touch.
 
#19 ·
No tides and currents to worry about on the Sound except wind driven, the ocean region is a different story. There are plenty of boats with 6 ft. draft around here but I admit that I felt more comfortable with my 4 ft draft. There are plenty of times I would have been aground with 6. It is really an issue mostly when going into the creeks for anchorage. However, because the water depth is dependent on wind direction, with strong SW or W winds even some of the marinas have pretty shallow water in the entrances and at some of the docks. Just part of the local knowledge. Keep in touch.
Larry
 
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