Hello Everyone! I got such great advice last time, I thought I would try again. As I plot my course for my journey from NYC to Key West (May through June 2001, and looking for crew). I have charted a course that takes me "inside" when rounding Cape Hatteras. My problem is this. Plotting the course from the Pamlico Sound to Cape Lookout I am noticing that in some cases the map is indicating extremely low water numbers in between sections of the channel that goes from Cedar Island all the way to Cape Lookout. To be more specific, my maps show less than 3 feed in a section between the southernmost section of the Pamlico Sound to the first channel marker (indicating that a high tide passage is the only option for a monohull). This happens a few times along the channel. Is this true? Is there another route to take when you don't want to round Cape Hatteras? It seems the obvious route considering the banks protect you the whole way to Onslow Bay. Any takers? Gerry
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I 've made that trip twice...
...in a freind's 35' sportfish between Cape May NJ and Stuart Fla. Two years ago we came north outside, stopping over at St Simons Ga, then to Beaufort/Morehead city, then up the canal to the Neuse River and then Pamlico Sound, with a stop behind the Outer Banks, then out at Oregon Inlet and north to Cape May. Did that in 3.5 10 hr days but we had a slight (avg trip speed 24.5 knots) speed advantage over your 380
. Last November we followed a 54' Viking south to Morfolk, where the winds and seas forced both of us inside. We went down the ICW thru the Albemarle, the Pamlico, the Neuse, the canal to Beaufort, and on down inside to Myrtle Beach. We got back outside from there to Fernadina, Fla, and then were blown back inside the rest of the way to Stuart Fla. Many more stopovers and the trip speed average was much closer to what you will do, but with all scenery and the stopovers it was a much more enjoyable trip. Never did we see less than 5' in the ICW, and less than 6' was rare, but there were spots where you didn't want to stray outside the icw channel even a little, as then it got really thin. I can't imagine where you are describing as we would have lost two very expensive props at that spot if it really was only 3'. Good luck and have a great trip.
...in a freind's 35' sportfish between Cape May NJ and Stuart Fla. Two years ago we came north outside, stopping over at St Simons Ga, then to Beaufort/Morehead city, then up the canal to the Neuse River and then Pamlico Sound, with a stop behind the Outer Banks, then out at Oregon Inlet and north to Cape May. Did that in 3.5 10 hr days but we had a slight (avg trip speed 24.5 knots) speed advantage over your 380
. Last November we followed a 54' Viking south to Morfolk, where the winds and seas forced both of us inside. We went down the ICW thru the Albemarle, the Pamlico, the Neuse, the canal to Beaufort, and on down inside to Myrtle Beach. We got back outside from there to Fernadina, Fla, and then were blown back inside the rest of the way to Stuart Fla. Many more stopovers and the trip speed average was much closer to what you will do, but with all scenery and the stopovers it was a much more enjoyable trip. Never did we see less than 5' in the ICW, and less than 6' was rare, but there were spots where you didn't want to stray outside the icw channel even a little, as then it got really thin. I can't imagine where you are describing as we would have lost two very expensive props at that spot if it really was only 3'. Good luck and have a great trip.Don't try it
If I understand you correctly your talking about the Core Sound, which is a 35 mile long stretch of very shallow water between Cedar island and Cape Lookout NC. I've been on it in small fishing boats and a hobie cat, the depths run from 2 to 8 feet and there is very little tide change. The channel is poorly marked. You will have to head up the Neuse to Adams Creek where you reenter the ditch to reach Beaufort. If your planning to leave the Intercoastal Waterway when you enter the Albemarle Sound to head down the Pamlico Sound you will also need to pass Roanoke Island on it's Eastern (Seaward) Side as the Bridge on the Croatan is not tall enough for you ( I think it's 45 feet but my charts are on the boat) They are building a new bridge that will be finished in about a year. The Eastern channel is tricky but well marked. I would guess that 99% of the cruisers stick to the ICW while traveling through NC.
If I understand you correctly your talking about the Core Sound, which is a 35 mile long stretch of very shallow water between Cedar island and Cape Lookout NC. I've been on it in small fishing boats and a hobie cat, the depths run from 2 to 8 feet and there is very little tide change. The channel is poorly marked. You will have to head up the Neuse to Adams Creek where you reenter the ditch to reach Beaufort. If your planning to leave the Intercoastal Waterway when you enter the Albemarle Sound to head down the Pamlico Sound you will also need to pass Roanoke Island on it's Eastern (Seaward) Side as the Bridge on the Croatan is not tall enough for you ( I think it's 45 feet but my charts are on the boat) They are building a new bridge that will be finished in about a year. The Eastern channel is tricky but well marked. I would guess that 99% of the cruisers stick to the ICW while traveling through NC.
Okay! Now I see it!
I have a stopover planned in Okracoke NC, so I guess I head north from there back into the Pamlico. Then further north to Rattan (past Brant Shoal). Then through Adams Creek. Thats going to add some miles (not very direct at all). My only other option seems to be to head out to sea at Okracoke inlet, however I've been told that these are some of the most dangerous waters around. In partiucar the reach from Okracoke inlet to Cape Lookout (I guess all the partially submerged wrecks are a hint). Thanks for the insight. I've heard many bad things about this area and sailboats. Kind of reminds me of my home waters around the Jersey coast. Way to shallow to be considered. Gerry
I have a stopover planned in Okracoke NC, so I guess I head north from there back into the Pamlico. Then further north to Rattan (past Brant Shoal). Then through Adams Creek. Thats going to add some miles (not very direct at all). My only other option seems to be to head out to sea at Okracoke inlet, however I've been told that these are some of the most dangerous waters around. In partiucar the reach from Okracoke inlet to Cape Lookout (I guess all the partially submerged wrecks are a hint). Thanks for the insight. I've heard many bad things about this area and sailboats. Kind of reminds me of my home waters around the Jersey coast. Way to shallow to be considered. Gerry
Oregon Inlet? One more thing....
Actually, one more thing as I re-read your post Andy. I was planning on a passage from Rudee Inlet to Okracoke on the outside. I enter Pamlico Sound at Oregon Inlet (completely bypassing the ICW). Oregon Inlet looks to have the same type of shallow water, however it was isolated enough to see my way through it. Is this also a problem? G
Actually, one more thing as I re-read your post Andy. I was planning on a passage from Rudee Inlet to Okracoke on the outside. I enter Pamlico Sound at Oregon Inlet (completely bypassing the ICW). Oregon Inlet looks to have the same type of shallow water, however it was isolated enough to see my way through it. Is this also a problem? G
Here I go Again
Garry, I hate to keep comming at you with all these "negative vibes". I called the dockmaster at the Manteo Town Docks, he's a liveaboard, delivery skipper, and knows these waters better than anyone. Oregon Inlet is no good, the CG changes the channel monthly. He suggested the the 80 mile offshore run from Beaufort to Masonboro inlet as the only one he uses unless your willing to go past the Eastern wall of the Gulf Stream. Here's my suggestion for a little diversion, Use the ICW, to the North River on the Albemarle, then instead of entering the Alligator river to Belhaven, head to Manteo. It's a great town, good resturants etc. Let the dockmaster know your heading south down the Pamlico, so he can tell you about any recent changes to the south channel. Then head down the Pamlico Sound to Ocracoke. Another great little out of the way place that, less palm trees, will remind you of the keys. Then up the Neuse where you reenter the ICW to Beaufort for the first offshore run. The daysail down the Pamlico will feel like being offshore because your out of sight of land. The bottom line on the oregon and Ocracoke inlets are that they are simply not all weather. You might consider going out them on a perfect day, following a local fishing boat with a skipper you trust, but comming in is a different matter.
Garry, I hate to keep comming at you with all these "negative vibes". I called the dockmaster at the Manteo Town Docks, he's a liveaboard, delivery skipper, and knows these waters better than anyone. Oregon Inlet is no good, the CG changes the channel monthly. He suggested the the 80 mile offshore run from Beaufort to Masonboro inlet as the only one he uses unless your willing to go past the Eastern wall of the Gulf Stream. Here's my suggestion for a little diversion, Use the ICW, to the North River on the Albemarle, then instead of entering the Alligator river to Belhaven, head to Manteo. It's a great town, good resturants etc. Let the dockmaster know your heading south down the Pamlico, so he can tell you about any recent changes to the south channel. Then head down the Pamlico Sound to Ocracoke. Another great little out of the way place that, less palm trees, will remind you of the keys. Then up the Neuse where you reenter the ICW to Beaufort for the first offshore run. The daysail down the Pamlico will feel like being offshore because your out of sight of land. The bottom line on the oregon and Ocracoke inlets are that they are simply not all weather. You might consider going out them on a perfect day, following a local fishing boat with a skipper you trust, but comming in is a different matter.
Sailing the Pamlico Sound
Hi Gerry, You've gotten lots of good advice here. Sailing the Pamlico Sound is pretty nice. It's a lot like being offshore, but a little more protected. You shouldn't have any trouble if you've got good charts. Some of the channels get remarked every few months with shifting sands etc., but they are marked pretty well. The Core Sound channel would probably be passable in a 380, but not a lot of fun as it is narrow in some places and just one alternating red or green bouy every 2 to 3 miles. Also, it's not that scenic. Definately try to stop at Okracoke. The folks at the Anchorage Marina are great. Two more favorites are Howards Pub (good food and great selection of beers)and The Pelican Resturant. Oriental is also a nice stop. It's about 44 miles by water from Ocracoke. Have a Great Trip, Joe C. in NC H260 Windward Passage
Hi Gerry, You've gotten lots of good advice here. Sailing the Pamlico Sound is pretty nice. It's a lot like being offshore, but a little more protected. You shouldn't have any trouble if you've got good charts. Some of the channels get remarked every few months with shifting sands etc., but they are marked pretty well. The Core Sound channel would probably be passable in a 380, but not a lot of fun as it is narrow in some places and just one alternating red or green bouy every 2 to 3 miles. Also, it's not that scenic. Definately try to stop at Okracoke. The folks at the Anchorage Marina are great. Two more favorites are Howards Pub (good food and great selection of beers)and The Pelican Resturant. Oriental is also a nice stop. It's about 44 miles by water from Ocracoke. Have a Great Trip, Joe C. in NC H260 Windward Passage
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