rental sailboats

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Dec 7, 2007
44
Islander- Mark 11- Ellenton Florida
We are going to Kills Devil, North Carolina outer banks. Would appreciate if anyone can anyone tell us where we can find sales boat rental in this area. We would like something in the category of 26 to 30 foot boats. We have looked on the internet to find boat and only have come up blank in Kills Devil.

How are sailing conditions in the area of Outer Banks?

Thanks you Ironhors42
 
Jun 4, 2004
844
Hunter 28.5 Tolchester, MD
We've vacationed Near Frisco on the Outer Banks several times but have not sailed there. Seems like lots of shiftiing chanels at the inlets and some significant surf on the ocean side. Try googling the Oregon Inlet area as a major boating area.
 

biggio

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Aug 12, 2007
87
Catalina 27 Mandeville, La.
I don't want to spoil your plans. I have never sailed there but, I was in the Navy and we hated operating in that area. You have two major currents working against each other in that area and it was a rough ride on a destroyer under normal weather conditions.
The only time I ever puked at sea (besides a night of drinking Canadian grog and a chilli diner.) was in this area. But to clarify I don't have any knowledge of what the sailing is like.
 
Oct 26, 2008
6,247
Catalina 320 Barnegat, NJ
I don't think you will find anything like that ...

I used to make regular spring and fall windsurfing trips to the OB's and many family vacations to Nags Head & other locations in the summer. We never saw ANY sailboats of any size in those areas. I used to trailer our Hobie 16 and sail it in Roanoke Sound from Nags Head to Kitty Hawk. The problem is that the water is way too shallow for vast areas of water inside the Outer Banks and there is virtually no access to the ocean for a sailboat. Oregon Inlet has nasty currents and ever-changing shoals. The marinas on Roanoke Island are virtually all filled with sport fishermen. You may want to look in Manteo on Roanoke Island for the only possibility. I never even noticed any marinas along the stretch from Kitty Hawk to Nags Head, probably because the water is too shallow to get in anywhere. Obviously there is nothing on the outside, except vast stretches of ocean front beaches. You can rent windsurfing gear or kite sailing gear (or take lessons) at Kitty Hawk Sports in the complex right across from the sand dunes (if they are still there). I think they also have facilities in Nags Head. Look for the sound-side facilities as you are travelling south just before you get to the intersection that takes you to Roanoke Island. All windsurfing and kite sailing in that area is on the sound. To use the ocean for windsurfing, everybody goes south to Cape Hatteras. In the later summer, especially August, there will only be wind if a front is passing through. It can blow very strong for a few days (if you are lucky enough to catch a front) and then be virtually still for days on end. There doesn't seem to be any in-between gentle winds. The Hobie Cat wasn't much good most of the time in the summer because the air is too lifeless. The spring and the fall is when the fronts move thru far more often. It seems to me that along that area of the coastline it is either blowing 30+ or not at all ... in the summer 95% not at all. I suspect that is why I have never seen a sailboat in the whole stretch of water from Kitty Hawk down to Cape Hatteras either soundside or in the ocean.
 

Pops

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Apr 11, 2004
154
- - Albemarle Sound
The Outer Banks is a great place for sailing, The sounds are huge, with plenty of water. We are also just off the ICW so we have access to the entire Eastern seaboard. There are tons of sailboats here primarily in the Kill Devil Hills area which has great access to the Albemarle Sound. Unfortunately, The only rentals available are small daysailers and Hobies. I live and sail here. If you have any questions let me know.
 
Dec 7, 2007
44
Islander- Mark 11- Ellenton Florida
Thanks for the good news. Coming July 30th for a weddng on the 31st and leaving on August 3rd. Day sailor would be fine. Can you tell me name of rental place so I might call ahead? If you are available, would enjoy meeting you. We will be staying at the Sea Ranch. Just send me a way to contact you. Thanks again, really appreciate the info.

PS thanks to all that responded.
Ironhors42 (Phil)
 
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