New Bern, Neuse ? ?

[Ed Schenck]

Can anyone recommend a favorite marina on the Neuse? There are several to choose from on the Related Link website. I have only ever visited Matthews Point(http://www.matthewspoint.com/). It has the advantage of being closer to the sound and the disadvantage of being closer to the hurricanes. We like Oriental but that entails a time-consuming ferry ride to get down to the beach.We are hoping to winter there next year. Might even stay long term. We have been enjoying Atlantic Beach and Beaufort for many years. We think the Neuse and Pamlico Sound might be ideal until we jump out to the Caribbean islands sometime.

 

[Ken - Kerr Lake NC]

Check out Bath Harbor

Bath Harbor is very well protected, great sailing on Pamlico sound easy access to outerbanks. check out at www.bathharbor.com.Phone 252-923-5711, Paul ?

 

[Mike Collier]

Ed, you could try

Fairfield Harbor. It's close to New Bern and Oriental. I have a friend that keeps his Pearson 30 there and he has avoided the brunt of the hurricanes. There is a small marina or two in Bridgeton (see yellow pages under marinas or boatyards). New Bern has a large upscale marina, but there is a nasty little swing bridge to contend with at the harbor entrance. Then, Whitaker Creek, Deatons or Oriental Marina might have slips, or can suggest others that do. Check the site pamlico
c.com for more information. Also, Claiborne Young produces The Guide to Coastal NC that has excerpts on the web. The area has many small marinas tucked away in various places. You just have to ferret them out. Kern Rush (a local broker) of Harbor Yatchs 888-427-2679 knows the area and could be a good source of information. You can't avoid the ferry ride unless you are close to New Bern, or further inland. You should be aware that the closer to the ocean you get the higher the slip rent. Moreover,I suggest that you find a slip as far inland from the OBX as possible if you want to lessen the potential damage of hurricanes. Then, it should have a sheltered cove to anchor in during a storm. Most of us do not stay tied to a slip for a Category One or higher storm. North Carolina is sailings best kept secret. Most boaters who pass through on the Ditch miss much of what the coastal waters of NC have to offer. The sounds and estuaries are shallow, but the channels are marked that lead to interesting places to visit like Bath, Belhaven, Washington, Ocracoke and New Bern. Since you've been here you know it is a wonderful place for sailing. Hope this helps.

 

[Denis]

New Bern

ED,We stayed this summer in New Bern at the Grand Sheraton Marina on the recommendation of the local Hunter dealer. We were not disappointed; nice accomodations, reasonable rates, and walking distance to the historical sites. We then stayed in Oriental and Ocracoke island. Loved Oriental and had a great time sailing across the Pamlico Sound. In Ocracoke we stayed at the Anchorage Inn Marina, OK but expensive. Next time we will stay at the town docks, less facilities but much cheaper.

 

[Don s/v Tellico]

New Bern...

I bring my 37.5 down here (I'm in New Bern now, just arrived 2 weeks ago) for the winters, unless I am heading way further south. New Bern is a very charming town and that swing bridge isn't really very nasty at all. The bridge tenders are actually the most accomodating I've encountered on the ICW. The town values the boating community and the swing bridge is only the local route into town, so nobody seems to complain. Also, Hatteras Yachts are built here and are routinely docked at the Sheraton as new, for demos, for repairs, etc. Since Hatteras is a major employer, the open bridge seems to symbolize income to the locals. Smart thinking huh?The real issue is whether you want the boat to be in town with an hour boat ride (and occassionally good sail) down the river, or you want the boat to be down the river with a 10 mile minimum car ride to town for almost anything (groceries, parts, rest., etc.) I choose town and lots of folks do. Two main marinas here, Sheraton, as discussed, and Bridgepoint (former Ramada). They are literally accross the Trent River from each other. (New Bern, like Pittsburg is at the point formed by the Neuse and Trent rivers.) I keep my boat at the latter, which has very, very good rates (at least as compared to Annapolis, my summer place) and a nice little liveaboard/weekend crowd. There are also 2 others being built this winter so there may be more options next year.OTOH, Oriental is very charming and considers itself to be the sailing capital of NC, which is true. But, IMHO, it's a little too far off the beaten path for comfort (30 miles). Part of the road down to Oriental is currently being 4 laned which will improve things. Oriental has a 50' or so bridge which limits my anchoring ability, and the currents and winds out there can be tough to deal with, especially in the winter. I use it as a nice overnight, or stopover on the way up/down the ICW. Check out towndock.net. It's the local web page for Oriental and is quite entertaining and updated weekly I think. (Also, Oriental is getting a West Marine, which I think will be the closest one to the ICW anywhere.)Feel free to email me if you have question - dcdon@hotmail.comCome on down, you'll enjoy it.

 

[Ed Schenck]

Thanks all.

I'll print these and take them with me in a couple of weeks. Plan is to spend a week or two down at Atlantic Beach after the elections(sure wish I had done an absentee). We will have lots of time to check out your recommendations. We come in on rt. 70 so New Bern is on our way. Thanks again.