Your comment "getting down there offten" seems to indicate that you do not live in Topsail, but some where inland.
Depending on where you live you may wish to try the inland lakes, there are many. While "I sail on lake Jordan" does not sound as daring as "I Sailed in the ocean", the lakes have many advantages.
First there are many, Waccamaw is about 30 miles west of Wilmington. Gaston and Kerr are on the Virginia Line north of Raleigh. There is Jordan and Harris to the west of Raliegh. In addition to these large lakes there are many small lakes like Buckhorn near Wilson and the Tar River near Rocky Mount, etc.
They each have there positives and negatives, but generally all have the same general advantages. They are usually closer than the ocean. When you sail on a lake you do not have to worry about currents, narrow channels, and the presence of boats 5 times the size of your boat. They are better regulated. ( You have less drunks trying to "drive" their boats at top speed or not paying attention, or you get drunk from the breath of the man rigging his boat beside you in the launching area ) The scenery is usually better. (You can not beat the color of the fall leaves as you sail along the shore of Jordan, Harris, or Kerrr)
If you like to camp there are some great places on Kerr and Jordan where you can put your boat 200 feet from your camper or tent.
Unless you plan to spend all of the time on your boat using the motor and use the sails for decoration; size of the body of water is not as important as you think. There is little difference in sailing up the Tar River Res from sailing on the inland water way. If you are sailing on Jordan or Kerr, at 5MPH you the same area available to sail, as you have on the ocean.
My thoughts
