I'm a new owner of a CAL 2-29, new to sailing as well. The previous owner and I are sailing her down the ICW from Virginia into NC. Recommendations? Time required? Stops along the Chesapeake-Albemarle canal? Thanks
Sailing my boat home
- Thread starter Windy Dawn
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Our friends took their Hunter 30 through the Dismal Swamp to Elizabeth City. They really enjoyed the trip. There are places to tie up overnight, and the route is protected all the way. You can motor as far as you want. They were doing about 40 nm per day.
Remember the later in the season it gets the shorter the days. You need to figure that into your stopping points. I like the alligator river marina as you can fuel and eat and dock there. I heard it just changed hands but I would still make it a stop just to check it out. I don't know where you're starting from in VA but I like the Tidewater Yacht marina. Last time there it was awesome, also fuel, food and dock. Don't know how far south your going but in NC, I really loved the River Dunes Marina in Broad Creek off the Neuse River. I don't take the Dismal Swamp route, just don't see the need. Either way have fun.
Check availability of Dismal. It was badly damaged by Mathew and has only recently reopened with 5.5 feet depth.
https://www.waterwayguide.com/nav-alert/4-6619/dismal-swamp-canal-closed-update
Virginia Cut is not a bad way to go but you miss Elizabeth City.
Have a good trip.
https://www.waterwayguide.com/nav-alert/4-6619/dismal-swamp-canal-closed-update
Virginia Cut is not a bad way to go but you miss Elizabeth City.
Have a good trip.
WD figure the top speed or your cal and how many hours of usable daylight and you can figure roughly how far you can travel in a day. Take an hour off for slowing down to 5 knots under bridges and near marinas, actually not that bad and in a small boat like yours there is probably no wake any way. Take another hour to finding your way to the marina you pick and docking and that's how many days it will take. Not a carved in stone type of trip. I run 7 knots and slow down for bridges etc. and make it in 2 nights, 2.5 days.
going the Dismal Swamp canal, keep a watch out for snakes in the trees.
Plus two for the Alligator River Marina and the channel is on the north side of the bridge but not well marked. Since the Albemarle is shallow, high winds equals high and many waves. Not sure where in North Carolina you are going but Belhaven is a good place to stop and then Oriental. Remember entering Oriental you will see a bridge but be careful as it is only 45 feet clearance. Several excellent yards in Oriental but will not mention names as I respect the three primary. Going down the ICW, the Corps Creek Bridge cleaence is not 65 feet as some would tend to think so with any high mast, be careful but not sure. Use to be a dealer in North Carolina and now retired.
Plus two for the Alligator River Marina and the channel is on the north side of the bridge but not well marked. Since the Albemarle is shallow, high winds equals high and many waves. Not sure where in North Carolina you are going but Belhaven is a good place to stop and then Oriental. Remember entering Oriental you will see a bridge but be careful as it is only 45 feet clearance. Several excellent yards in Oriental but will not mention names as I respect the three primary. Going down the ICW, the Corps Creek Bridge cleaence is not 65 feet as some would tend to think so with any high mast, be careful but not sure. Use to be a dealer in North Carolina and now retired.