power squadron classes
The Power Squadron offers the most comprehensive 'basic' class covering topics from terminology to piloting to adverse weather situations. It is more of a course, really, with six, two-hour sessions and an exam. The link below provides some scheduling and contact info. It is not specific to powerboats. I believe if you've sailed before, then you need to get back on the water a few times and it will come back to you like riding a bike (maybe with the help of a little reading too). I will assume you plan on cruising down the Intracoastal Waterway to get to North Carolina. Provisioning will be different whether you take the C&A canal or the Dismal Swamp route. Also, the Dismal Swamp route spits you out about 10 miles up Albemarle Sound, whereas the C&A takes you inside the western shore of Currituck Sound straight to Roanoke Island. I've sailed from Virginia Beach to Richmond on an O'day 22. I didn't consider the trip particularly long, but I planned it carefully not having many options for keeping food and water and gear for two people. Any ICW guide will show you all the amenities along the way on both routes to help you plan. I do not know where you want to go in the Outer Banks, but there are only a few places to dock north of Kitty Hawk, and the water is very shallow. I'm not familiar with the availability of berthing south to Oregon Inlet. South of that there are a three sparsely situated towns until you come to Buxton, 40 miles south of Oregon Inlet. Nothing is free except anchoring. If you anchor, you'll need a dinghy because you will most likely be fairly far offshore to keep water under the keel, even with only 2 feet of it with the board up. The water and rise of the shore is very shallow. I recommend chart 12204 and the small-boat portfolio chart for the same area (if 12204 is not the small-boat chart itself). Sailing opportunities around Hampton Roads are abound to refamiliarise yourself. I volunteer with the boy scouts for Tidewater Council, and we maintain a small fleet in Little Creek. The purpose is to provide some big boat action to units, but we have sailed with individuals and families looking for a day on the water. I do not yet know our yard schedule for winter haul-out as that will be finalized next week. I would invite you to consider our services. If you reply to this post expressing interest with an email address I will contact you.
