Roanoke Is. to Hattaras - Who?

[rgranger]

Hey All

I'm looking for some info.

I'm taking a long-ish trip just messing about the inner side of N.C. OBX this summer. I've sailed all of the legs of this journey at some point in the past with the exception of a leg from Manteo to Hatteras.

From Manteo your choices are to go south through a dredged canal for quite a bit or first go north around the top ... then there is pleanty of room to sail on the western side of Roanoke Is. Going south it looks like a 7 hour leg with about half of that motoring through a narrow dredged canal.

1. Who has made that trip?
2. Does 7 hours seem about right?
3. Is it better to motor the canal South or does it make sense to first go north and then sail South along the Western side of Roanoke Is.?

I have a swing keel so I can be bold(er) but I still want to be smart-ish about it.

Any dos, don't or just plain old tips for a better journey would be appreciated.

I have three weeks before I depart and I'm going crazy...

 

[Benny17441]

Raising the swing keel beyond the 1/2 point will significantly reduce stability so do not be too bold. When motoring in a long and narrow channel always glance back at past markers every few minutes to ascertain you have not drifted off the channel.

 

[rgranger]

Raising the swing keel beyond the 1/2 point will significantly reduce stability so do not be too bold. When motoring in a long and narrow channel always glance back at past markers every few minutes to ascertain you have not drifted off the channel.

Thanks Benny... that is a good tip about looking back.

Fair winds,

r

 

[gettinthere]

You can clear the bridge on the west side of Roanoke Isl? I think it's in the 50's. Too low for us.