Pamilco Sound Advice

[Don]

Seeking advice, pros/cons on sailing up the Pamilco Sound from Adams Creek in lieu of the ICW route. Basically for a change and to see some new sights. My boat is in NC now and I am planning to head back up to Annapolis in a week or so. I was thinking of going Oriental - Ocracoke, Ocracoke - Englehard, then Englhard - Manteo. Then hook up with the ICW in the Albemarle. Is this realistic? I know the Sound can be a challenge so I'm seeking for any advice I can get.BTW, I have a '93 37.5 and usually avg 6-7 knots sail or motor.

 

[Andy Howard]

Pamilco Sound

Spend a week or a year, you'll have a great time. Ocracoke is one of my favorite places, we're heading there for the Indian Island to Ocracoke race on the 21st. Let me know if you'll be there as we throw a nice after race party, (we're known as "the drinking club with a sailing problem"). Call ahead at Englehart as the shrimp boats sometimes take all the slips. My only real advice is to watch out for is the wave action. The Sound is only about 20 feet deep at the most, so waves tend to be short, steep, and choppy. By the time they build to 3ft it's a very bumpy ride.The bridge over Croatan Sound has a 45' clearance. So you'll use Old House and Roanoke Sound Channel to get to Manteo. It's well marked, just long and tedious with no room for error. Keep an eye on the weather and you'll have a great time. The link below is to a Noaa site with detailed wind and wave info.

 

[Vic]

Actually a lot easier ... set the GPS and then ..

all you have to look out for is crab pots. Anchored in Manteo and a little cove right off the IC near Neuse River Junction. Vic"Seven"