Looking for pros/cons about Pamilico Sound area in NC

Rick D · Feb 7, 2014

And...

Rich Stidger said:
I would like to talk lto anyone who lives in NC and/or keeps their sailboat in the general Pamilico Sound area.

I'm interested in the quality of the sailing, prevailing weather, and about the pros/cons of living in NC for a retiree. I'd like some specific comments and recommendations for any area in this part of NC.

...I might be interested too..

kito · Feb 8, 2014

I am looking for input on this topic too. I live in western nc but plan on moving my boat to the Oriental area after it's restored. I only sailed inland lakes but heard the Neuse River area is great for sailing but the Sound can get thin in spots.

Chris Patterson · Feb 8, 2014

You know, if I could possibly talk the leader into it, I would take a step south to South Carolina inna minute. I have lived in N.C. for years, and also S.C. (along with a dozen more and I think 22 countries). But S.C. has much lower taxes, on about everything. No inspection stickers, trailer tags, all kinds of things. I figure the inspection thing comes from the idea of trying to inspect the clunkers and were just overwhelmed, the Cash for Clunkers campaign got 90% of them off of the roads, and roughly 40 million Obama bumper stickers. (Just a joke people, please!).
A look at a chart will tell the tale, as they're certainly more inlets, and sounds in N.C. than S.C.
But in my opinion, there is just not that big of a sailing community in N.C. Even in Oriental and New Bern where there are thousands of boats, I rarely see them leave the docks. Maybe that's just my perception, but compared to other places, it's just not a crowded state on the water.

I don't mean this to say I'm downing North Carolina. I would like to, but the fact remains that I DO maintain a few addresses in this state, and my head does in fact hit the pillow here most times as well, (just not at any of the aforementioned addresses

).
But I think a firm look at the differences in the two states are night and day. To do again, and I might, go south a couple more miles.

Just what I think. Others opinions I'm sure are different..

gettinthere · Feb 8, 2014

We were quite impressed with New Bern, nice medium small town. We were not impressed with Oriental, small spread out, not much there. River Dunes marina was beautiful but way out in the middle of nowhere. Perhaps live New Bern b7t keep boat at River Dunes. It has quick access to open water.
Weather is very hot in summer and pretty cold in winter. Pamlico develops a good chop pretty quickly. There are several reefs that I think help create this chop.

locomo14 · Feb 8, 2014

Retired in N C

Rich Stidger said:
I would like to talk lto anyone who lives in NC and/or keeps their sailboat in the general Pamilico Sound area.

I'm interested in the quality of the sailing, prevailing weather, and about the pros/cons of living in NC for a retiree. I'd like some specific comments and recommendations for any area in this part of NC.

Retired and moved to New Bern NC (Fairfield Harbour) from NY. Sailing on the Neuse is fantastic. River is wide and long with enough water under keel. Pamlico is also good although thin in some areas. Yes it's hot in summer and cool not cold in winter but you average about 4 months more boating than in northeast, have been here 3 years and have yet had to winterize.
As far as taxes go they average about 1/3 of what they were in NY. Hope this helps.
Jim

rgranger · Feb 8, 2014

I take a week long trip in either the Albemarle or Pamlico every summer. It is much less crowded than the Chesapeake Bay with a great many secluded anchorages. I'd recommend a shoal draft (or swing keel) boat. There are a great many places you can access if you can get the keel up out of the muck. Oriental is another great little town with a very active sailing community. They have a few sail lofts and a West Marine etc. In the Albemarle sound, most towns have free bath houses at the public docks and allow up to 48 hours of free tie ups. So you can cruise in comfort and keep the budget low. Because of the shoal nature of the Albemarle and the long fetch west to east, it can get very choppy at 15 kt wind but the Pamlico is not as prone to steep choppy seas.

Get a copy of this book

http://www.landfallnavigation.com/-bes019.html

It is by Clairborne Young. It has very detailed descriptions of all of the sites to see in each town, docking, amenities, stores within walking distance, some history of each town etc. I use it extensively and have found it to be very reliable and while on a passage I have even seen my kids reading it to get excited about the next stop.

CarlN · Feb 8, 2014

Coming out of Manteo NC two weeks ago. Less ice in Bristol

Nereussailor · Feb 8, 2014

I stayed in Oriental for a few days back in 2007. It's a cute little town but not a lot there. If you're looking to find work, New Bern might be better. If you're looking to get away from everything Oriental would be the spot. My intention was to move there, but I realized that I was looking for a place that was a little warmer. I kept moving south until I made it to Florida. Best move I ever made.

CarlN · Feb 8, 2014

I would certainly spend some time down there looking at the options. Personally, I'd go for Beaufort as there's more going on in the way of music restaurants, etc (although Oriental has some). From Beaufort it's only 3 hours by boat up the ICW to Pamlico sound so the area becomes a nice weekend trip destination. And just a few hours sail to anchor in Cape Lookout national park which is in my top 10 anchorages on the US East Coast. It's a full day (with good winds) to safe no-bar entrance and anchorage at Wrightsville Beach.

Big advantage of New Bern is a good airport.

River Dunes is an outstanding protected marina with, I expect, very good deals on the real estate. 20 minutes by car to Oriental (or anything else).

Also look at Manteo and Ocracoke if living on an island sounds fun (bridges to Manteo, ferry to Ocracoke). Great folk music scene at Ocracoke.

Gunni · Feb 8, 2014

Rich, I have done a bunch of sailing in the Albemarle, Pamlico, and Core sounds, and down the Neuse and out of Beaufort. I've run the Oregon and Ocracoke inlets in powerboats. Would not consider either under sail because of the constantly changing bottom. The areas that are suitable for a 40ft. keelboat are very limited - the Neuse and Beaufort. You could squeeze into Manteo, but it would be very limited navigation to get there. NOW, there are boats, small swing keels, catamarans, and trimarans that would open up HUGE areas for exploration: 100's of square miles of shoal water, pristine beaches, deserted islands, wild ponies, vacant anchorages and fantastic sailing conditions. Remember, the Wright brothers research led them to this place because of the consistent good winds. If you had a boat that only needed 3 feet of water to sail to wind, 1 foot to go down, you would love the area. The towns are fun, and the people are generally laid back, especially the islanders.

capta · Feb 8, 2014

Reality check. Ask about the mosquitoes and no-see-ums; that's what would make or break any area I was looking to move to.
I'd consider the Charleston area as well; I loved it there and could retire there if I couldn't be down here in the Caribbean. Great sailing in the harbor and a few trips to Beaufort or Hilton Head each year should satisfy most.

gettinthere · Feb 8, 2014

Charleston is a beautiful city. Probably more expensive area than the Outer Banks region.

If we're expanding the range, I'd throw in Panama City, Fl. Almost no canes have hit there, a lot to do in the area and beautiful beaches.

Chris Patterson · Feb 9, 2014

Well, if ya get down my way Rich, I could bore you with the history of this place from S.C., up to Wilmington. TOO damn much information probably, (I like history as well).

I will be outside the first of March though. I've gotta boat move from Miami to Conn. then. Maybe I'll pass somebody then, but I'll be movin...

bugaloo · Feb 9, 2014

Rich, I live in Morehead city and sailing here is great. It's kinda in the middle of NC and close to the ocean, we sail south to Wilmington, north to Ocracoke, SE to some of the best fishing grounds in the world, west up beautiful Bouge sound, and then sometimes follow the ICW North for a short trip to Neuse river and then on to Newbern or the Palmlico and Core sounds. Sometimes just across the Neuse to Oriental for lunch. Lot's of sailors come down to cape lookout to anchor and spend the weekend so You can see it's a well sailed place. Lots of history here and so far as water is concerned its a lot like any other place on the coast plenty of it for 6 ft draft boats one just has to learn where it is and how to read the bottom. I draw 4.5 when loaded and have no trouble going in and out of the inlets up and down the coast here. Oregon inlet is bad but I don't go there. So when you come this way e me and I'll help any way I can

jibes138 · Feb 10, 2014

Likewise Rich. I keep my boat in Beaufort and love it. Been there about 5 years. I spent three years or so in Oriental, really quiet place if you want just kick back and read a book. Sailing is great in either place but a lot more going on in the Beaufort/Morehead area. I can't recommend coastal real estate at this time though. The new flood insurance has rate going up into the high thousands per year for coastal properties. A big fight in congress under way and all kinds of properties are going on the market as people try to bail out. One friend is faced with $7K a year just for flood insurance then needs wind insurance for storms also. You can go inland 10 or 20 miles and not have these exhorbitant expenses. Little Washington (Washington on the map) and Chocowinity are both also good spots to keep a boat up the Pamlico river. Again very shoal draft is preferred. Belhaven is also a possibility and Elizabeth City/Edenton. I live in the Greenville area and have been very happy. Large enough city with great medical facilities, a major university (ECU) and the density of medical professionals and employees at the University keep the area a little more upscale than many. Kinston a little northwest of New Bern on Route 70 is another possible area, there is a nice new golf course near there called Cutter Creek with new housing going in and Airbus just put in a major factory in Kinston bringing in some wealth, the downtown shows some signs of revitalization with good restaurants, a brew pub, etc. Far enough to be out of the flood zones but only about 40 minutes to get the Morehead/Beaufort. Greenville to Beaufort is about 85 miles. New Bern to Beaufort is about 45 miles. Figure winter as mid November to Mid March. The rest of the year is comfortable over 70 degrees. Also the best scuba diving north of Florida is off the NC coast. I'd be happy to meet with you if you make it down. Send me a PM if you want to connect. Maybe all the guys in the area could connect in Morehead at the Sanitary or Ruddy Duck or something for lunch? Climate is definitely milder than the Chesapeake. I do winterize the boat just to be safe. It is on the hard right now and we had some temps down in the low teens, don't want to bust a hot water heater or fresh water pump. If the boat was sitting in the water I'd be less concerned as the water temp keeps the boat a little warmer than the air temp. Great area to be retired, lots to do. I do play golf all winter daytime temps usually in the 50's.

kito · Feb 10, 2014

Any recomendations for good affordable marinas in the Beaufort/Morehead City area?. I know the Admiral would love that area over New Bern or Oriental due to the closeness to the beaches. I just don't want to give half my monthly retirement income for a marina slip.

Gunni · Feb 11, 2014

One thing I will note that may not be so evident to people looking at the North Carolina lowlands - it is a Hurricane magnet. It even has the curve of a catcher's mitt. As recently as 1999, back to back hurricanes inundated most of eastern North Carolina and dropped like 30" of rain in two weeks. Rocky Mount, Greenville, Tarboro, Washington, Oriental were devastated by flooding that reached well past the 500 year flood mark, and stayed there for 2 weeks as the water had no where to go. The losses were in the Billions. The Neuse, Pamlico, Roanoke, New, Pungo, and N.E. Cape Fear river drainage is very low land. THAT is why flood insurance is expensive in Carolina. Check you flood maps before buying property, you may literally be buying "bottom land". It is cheap for a reason.

I grew up in the area and I can tell you that long before they started building golf courses and yankees started retiring there, the area was sparsely populated, mostly farmers, and the people knew that when a hurricane approached, you headed for the piedmont. When a hurricane looked like it was coming inside the barrier islands - you ran. Fast. Nobody lived on the barrier islands year round except the lighthouse keepers, and the coasties.

jibes138 · Feb 11, 2014

Gunni, The flood insurance is a massive increase that is being proposed by the federal government. There is a campaign in Congress to stop the implementation of the increases that will apply to all coastal areas from Texas up to Maine. This has nothing to do with the 2009 flooding in the area. I have flood insurance in the Greenville area and it is about 350 bucks a year. People on the coast are looking at having to pay 7K or more based on the increases proposed. They have not yet been implemented as all the coastal congressman are trying to stop it. Yes the land is very flat and drainage is poor. Wilson NC is about 65 miles from little Washington and is only about 85 feet above sea level, But the coastal flooding is all related to storms that can have 10 to 15 foot surges. Belhaven has new building codes, you can't build a house out there unless it is on stilts (not sure the exact height but around 10 feet or so).

Looking for pros/cons about Pamilico Sound area in NC

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