Need info for trip..Norfolk to Ocracoke NC
Jrjn4sail
Ocracoke from Norfolk VA? I intend to motor down the ICW and then Sail back.
I have been told I would only make about 60 miles in a 12 hour day.
I have a 23' Coronado w/ a 6hp outboard.
Also looking for inexpensive places to stop along the way. I am guessing it
will take 2 1/2 days one way.
This is my first time sailing out of area.
I plan on making the trip in 2 weeks and would like to hear suggestions to
make my trip easier.
Jim Carlberg
VA Beach
Rich Hampel
keel is too deep. Dont hurry the trip. Do be sure to stop in Coinjock, NC (Coinjock Marina has to
be one of friendlest places on the earth). I usually just stop for the night in any of the small
tributaries that feed the ICW in this section between the Elizabeth River and the Sounds.... just be
sure that you double anchor (fore and aft) so you dont swing into the main channel; be sure to be
OFF the ICW if you anchor as there can be large barge traffic. At Roanoke Is. there is a nice
marina in Manteo ... from there you can take the channel down to Ocrakoke; but, I usually find so
much to do on Roanoke that I never seem to get past it. Also the Albemarle Sound is quite an
unspoiled cruising ground, very pretty, not many other boats at all, quite friendly people, etc.
Get the Cruising guide to the NC Sounds.... will be a real help.
Jim
I've taken boats from 27 to 49 foot up/down the ICW from Norfolk-Beaufort and
rarely manage to do 60 miles a day Are you single-handing?
I highly recommend stopping at Belhaven and dining at the River Forest Manor.
It has a reputation for the best southern cooking in the region, and is worth a
try, forget your budget in favor of excellent cuisine. Belhaven is about 118
miles south of Norfolk on the ICW. You can also walk 1/3 mile to town to get
provisions and beer.
When you get back from (or before you depart for) your cruise, please come to a
meeting of the Southern Bay Sailing Club and tell us of your adventures, ok??
It would be great to hear your ICW sailing stories.
regards,
Jim
From the Southern Bay Sailing Club, website:
http://clubs.yahoo.com/clubs/southernbaysailingclub
and the Chesapeake Bay, the best sailing area in the world!
To reply, remove "motion" from this e-mail address.
Bill Round
overnight docking at a highway/waterway rest stop at the NC border and
Elisabeth City offers a night of free docking at their city docks.
Regards
Bill Round
Schooner CAPER DREAMS
Lying New Bern, NC
Douglas King
> Does anyone know about how long it would take for me to sail/motor to
> Ocracoke from Norfolk VA? I intend to motor down the ICW and then Sail back.
> I have been told I would only make about 60 miles in a 12 hour day.
That seems rather optimistic. I have found it takes hard pushing and long days to
make more than 35 to 40 miles on the ICW, and that's with a crew for relief on the
helm.
> I have a 23' Coronado w/ a 6hp outboard.
> Also looking for inexpensive places to stop along the way.
There you are in luck, there are lots of cheap places. Most of coastal NC is
cheaper than most of the Chesapeake at this point. I would also recommend that you
anchor out at least every other night... which is free....
> I am guessing it
> will take 2 1/2 days one way.
That is very ambitious. And what's the hurry? I would guesstimate 3 days
(Norfolk-Coinjock-Wanchese-Ocracoke) as sort of a minum and that allows very
little time for pleasure sailing, exploring, gamming with new friends, etc etc.
You'd have to bypass some fun places too, like Elizabeth City, the whole Dismal
Swamp (despite it's name it is a beautiful place), Belhaven, etc etc.
>
>
> This is my first time sailing out of area.
> I plan on making the trip in 2 weeks and would like to hear suggestions to
> make my trip easier.
Relax and take more time. Another point is that Pamlico and Albemarle Sounds have
earned their reputation for being rough bodies of water. You may find yourself
waiting for better weather or wishing you had!
Make the loop from Norfolk to Coinjock to Elizabeth City and back up the Dismal
Swamp. See how you like it, how much ground you can realistically cover, how your
equipment stacks up. There is always *something* that either needs fixing or
rplacing or throwing overboard, as well as something that you think of along the
way that you wish you'd brought. Go cruising! Don't jam yourself trying to get
from place to place in a big hurry just so you can brag you've been to Ocracoke!
And take up Jim's offer, too. The SBSC is a great bunch of folks.
Fresh Breezes- Doug King
Njord
Have not seen a date for opening yet in Local Notice to Mariners.
Njord
--
Any fool can carry on but a wise man
knows how to shorten sail in time.
- Joseph Conrad
"Bill Round" <ro...@ncfreedom.net> wrote in message
news:3aee6cc1...@news.ncfreedom.net...
Dduelin
Fl portions in 25 and 30 foot sailboats, between Sebastion Inlet and
Savannah, mostly logging solo miles.
By using all of 12 hours and more depending on the time of year and weather,
50 - 60 miles is easy. You can't eat a leisurely breakfast and stop for
lunch mind you, but at 5 or so knots you will still see alot, especially
compared to the motor vessels passing you on a plane. You have to be moving
early and stay at it all day.
The first couple of times I traveled the ICW I did not have an autopilot to
help, just a line wrapped around the tiller from side to side. Pack snack
meals that you can eat at the helm, use a kneeboard or clipboard to hold the
chart & pencil close by, and have a decent pair of binoculars to help with
some of the longer ranges. Also a good ICW guide is important, I like the
the Moeller's one myself.
You will have a blast... the difference between an ordeal and an adventure
is attitude.
Dave Doolin