Outer Banks CP16 spring exploration trip...Suggestions please.

[Blown Away]

I'm beginning to plan a two week trip in my CP16 to explore The Outer Banks this coming spring and would appreciate suggestions on the best places to sail to and from and areas of interest to visit. Thanks in advance

[Bramble]

Places  to see:
Southern
     Beaufort, Ocracoke, Portsmouth Village, Cape Lookout, Shackleford Banks
Northern
     Roanoke Island, Kitty Hawk, Edenton (not exactly outer banks, but nicer than Elizabeth City
Numerous bays & creeks to explore.
A lot of big water between some of these.  That's no problem for a C-16 if you pick your weather window, & two weeks should allow that

[Bramble]

sorry,  I accidentaly posted it too early

Claiborne Young: Cruising Guide to Coastal North Carolina
    Full of great info 7 takes you mark to mark from VA to SC

How familiar are you with the area?
mike

[Blown Away]

Mike, Thanks for the info! I'm not at all familiar with the area but has been on my bucket list of places to visit and sail in the 16.

[Bramble]

The area is amazing, both for scenery & history.
There is a lot of big water you can cross (i.e with a 16, out of sight of land)
& a lot of skinny water (i.e. places where even  a 16 will go aground.

Check out the NC Wildlife website for lists of boat ramps.

mike

[Blown Away]

My initial thought was to launch from Roanoke Island and make my way south but was planning on talking to someone familiar with the area before doing so to choose the best options. I'll definitely check out everything you mentioned. Thanks

[Bramble]

Get the relevant noaa charts.  The maps are deceiving. It looks like a string of islands that you can pull into, but in most places the water is 1 to 2 feet deep for a half mile into the sound.  From Roanoke Island there are no anchorages to speak of, only narrow channels going into marinas, until you get to Hatteras or Ocracoke, & both have a very long channel to get to the harbor.

You are going to have a lot of fun this winter studying charts & planning your routes.

mike

[Blown Away]

Mike, Great info many thanks! The Outer Banks have been on my mind for the last five years and I have yet to do any serious research. While watching Dorian slam thru Hatteras I decided to start my research and make definite plans for a spring trip. Looking forward to visiting the area! I'm heading to the boat tomorrow morning for the weekend and plan on doing dome night time research on the places you've mentioned.

[Catawampus]

Beeeee careful! Lots of hazards. Easy to run aground and require rescue.

[Blown Away]

Catawampus, Thanks for the tip! What's normal tide fluctuation there? Also is the bottom sand, mud, rock, or a combination?  Here in the south it seems like years go by before markers are replaced after storms and hoping that's not the case there.