Great Dismal Swamp canal? for a sailboat 40' tall drawing 5 feet with board up? I’ve never made the trip so any advice is welcome.
Best way south (inland) from Norfolk? the ICW-1 or
- Thread starter Donald6441
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Best way you deceide
I have taken my 33' sailboat both ways. Through coinjock is probably the easiest but the seanery is best coming through Elizabeth City. We have free dockage at the waterfront for several days and usually a great sail when you leave Elizabeth City for the Albemarle Sound. The George Washington/Dismal swamp canal has a few snags if you draw 5' but you should be fine. Snags are at the lake drummand canal intersection so watch it there. Also a nice Welcome center at the North Caroilina line if you come our way. Take you pick. I am heading south next week so maybe I'll see you on the water. 25' hunter, I single hand , heading to Beaufort.
I have taken my 33' sailboat both ways. Through coinjock is probably the easiest but the seanery is best coming through Elizabeth City. We have free dockage at the waterfront for several days and usually a great sail when you leave Elizabeth City for the Albemarle Sound. The George Washington/Dismal swamp canal has a few snags if you draw 5' but you should be fine. Snags are at the lake drummand canal intersection so watch it there. Also a nice Welcome center at the North Caroilina line if you come our way. Take you pick. I am heading south next week so maybe I'll see you on the water. 25' hunter, I single hand , heading to Beaufort.
Dismal Swamp
Leaving New Briton, Ct. around Oct. 20, heading towards Key West. Sailing a 31 Allmond, named Eva's Journey. Will do the Dismal Swamp, and hope to meet up with lots of you from this board on the way.
Leaving New Briton, Ct. around Oct. 20, heading towards Key West. Sailing a 31 Allmond, named Eva's Journey. Will do the Dismal Swamp, and hope to meet up with lots of you from this board on the way.
Skipper Bob;s Guides
Don, I relocated my C 320 from the Hudson River, NY to New Bern, NC last June. It was my first trip and I took the Virgina Cut without problem. I draw 4'10". I highly recommend two guide books both by Skipper Bob. One is for anchorages along the way which we used throughout the journey. The second is for marinas ... It was nice to know if you are facing fixed or floating docks before entering. John s/v Lady K
Don, I relocated my C 320 from the Hudson River, NY to New Bern, NC last June. It was my first trip and I took the Virgina Cut without problem. I draw 4'10". I highly recommend two guide books both by Skipper Bob. One is for anchorages along the way which we used throughout the journey. The second is for marinas ... It was nice to know if you are facing fixed or floating docks before entering. John s/v Lady K
Dismal ......
Although good/best is subjective, IMHO you can't make much better time via sailboat on the Coinjock route, and there's so much less powerboat traffic on the Dismal Swamp route that I always take it. Done it with both 5' wing and 6' fin, w/o problems. You hear/feel a little bumping/grinding along the way, but never any damage. Well worth the trip. Only limitation is fuel...not available until Alligator River south of the Albemarle. Call the NC Welcome Center and they will give you the latest conditions. Very, very helpful people and always looking to promote the DSC. Do it, you'll like it. Search the archives, I've written here before with suggstions for legs/tie-ups along the way.
Although good/best is subjective, IMHO you can't make much better time via sailboat on the Coinjock route, and there's so much less powerboat traffic on the Dismal Swamp route that I always take it. Done it with both 5' wing and 6' fin, w/o problems. You hear/feel a little bumping/grinding along the way, but never any damage. Well worth the trip. Only limitation is fuel...not available until Alligator River south of the Albemarle. Call the NC Welcome Center and they will give you the latest conditions. Very, very helpful people and always looking to promote the DSC. Do it, you'll like it. Search the archives, I've written here before with suggstions for legs/tie-ups along the way.
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