New Bern to Oriental to Beaufort, NC

[BruceW]

I have been thinking about next chance to go somewhere in the boat. I probably will just daysail around New Bern for awhile.

When I get a weekend, though, I'm going to go to Oriental and back. I have anchored out from Oriental a few times in the old Suncat and P-21.

To branch off from Oriental, I'd like to go "down the ditch" to Beaufort.

Any of yawl who have done this, how long a trip is this? I probably wouldn't want to just go there and back, but incorporate this trip as part of a few-day cruise and go on out to Cape Lookout.

Anyone got pictures of this route?

Okay, sure, Salty, I know; it's cold there. Well heck, I'm just dreaming of a cruise and hoping to get it figured out so when the weather fits, I am ready to Go!

[wes]

Hi Tiger - I'm very interested in this idea. I have sailed from New Bern down to Oriental in my 19, but never Oriental to Beaufort. As you said, it requires motoring through the ICW canal, so I imagine this is a full day trip each way, not a round trip in a single day. Based on study of the charts, arriving at the Beaufort end of the trip is tricky because of all the commercial traffic; careful navigation needed through some shoal waters as well. Tons of people have done the Beaufort to Cape Lookout trip and raved about it.

I keep my 19 up the Pamlico River between Washington and Bath, but sometimes put her on the trailer and drive to Oriental, launch at the public ramp there, and sail around Oriental for the weekend. When I finish my restoration of the CP 27, I can sail down the river to Oriental although this will be a full day of sailing, around 10 hours I think.

I'm very interested in the Oriental to Ocracoke trip as well. No need to motor through the ICW canal etc. But I've heard the crossing of the sound can be treacherous in a small boat if the wind kicks up.

It's a beautiful area with lots of interesting places to go, and I'd love to be part of a group to do some of this exploring together. Charlie Deisher is also in New Bern and might be interested in joining in, also possibly Mark Hardy who lives in Raleigh (I'm in Durham) and keeps his 16 near Washington too.

Wes

[BruceW]

Wes,

I have done the Beaufort to Cape Lookout trip a few times, with a group, and it is indeed a great trip; that was when I could trailer over there, and just launch there.

I'd certainly enjoy meeting up in Oriental sometime, and or sailing along with others from New Bern to Oriental as well.

Mark is someone I met when I had the Slipper 17; he used to take his boat to Jordan Lake like I did. I thought he had a Legacy; is that the same as a 16?

Regardless, I'd be very interested in working out some trips of varying lengths of time depending on the destinations.

[Citroen/Dave]

I am in striking distance from Lynchburg, VA.  I would consider a several day outing in NC, trailering my CP 16/2.  Keep me on the list.

[BruceW]

Very cool, Dave!

I live in Raleigh, keep the boat in New Bern. Not a bad drive for such good sailing!

[wes]

Tiger - I used to be a Jordan sailor too, and first met Mark there as you did. It was a good place to learn and practice, lots of sailors at Vista Point on weekends. But I got frustrated with the squirrelly winds, the jet skis, and the powerboats jockeying for position at the ramps. I have been much happier at the river, though it's a 2.5 hour drive from Durham.

Mark does have a CP 16, by the way, not a Legacy.

Wes

[MHardy]

Guys,
I sort of did the Oriental to Beaufort trip a few years ago with a friend on his Hunter. We started from a slip on the other side of the Neuse, just up river from the ICW canal. It took around 4 hours. Wes is correct, you motor the entire way from the Neuse to Beaufort - it is very narrow. We did have some dolphins with us for a while, which was very cool. We took a slip at the town docks for the night. It's a fun weekend trip.

[Salty19]

Okay, sure, Salty, I know; it's cold there. Well heck, I'm just dreaming of a cruise and hoping to get it figured out so when the weather fits, I am ready to Go!

No dreaming allowed either!   

I do hope you know that I'm of course just joking around with you as are the others.  Sounds like a nice trip down to Beaufort. I'm not from NC but have travelled quite a bit of it as well as along SC coast. Sweet area, hope to sail it one day. In fact I'll be down near Beaufort,SC next week.   Bern to Oriental looks like a nice shakedown cruise.

[BruceW]

yep, back at ya, Salty!

I camped out near Byoofort SC at Hunting Island State Park about 30+ years ago; beautiful area, otherwise known for Marine Corp base.

It's getting close to sailing time; maybe even Sunday!

Oh, and less than 10 days till daylight savings time! Gotta get better even where you are pretty soon. Meanwhile, live vicariously through any who can sail.

Looking forward to more time with the boat.

[tmorgan]

My wife and I are planning to sail in the Oriental area this year.  Keep us informed of a possible trip. We are from Lynchburg as well and sail out of Smith Mountain Lake.

[Razor]

I have made the journey from Fairfield Harbour (several miles outside New Bern) to Beaufort and was able to do it in a day.

Oriental to Adams Creek is appx 5 nm.
Entrance of Adams Creek to Newport River is appx 12 nm
Newport River to Beaufort is 6 nm.
Oriental to Beaufort is appx 23 miles, and can possible do in 5 hrs at 5 knots.
One thing to consider is that an incoming tide may be a couple of knots therefore you may only be able to do 3-4 knots whereas on the outgoing tide, you may go faster than 6 knots.

New Bern to Adams Creek is appx 22 miles. New Bern to Beaufort will be appx 40 miles.
New Bern to Adams or Oriental to Adams is open water therefore you can sail. Transiting Adams Creek is narrow, therefore mostly motoring. Jonaquin's Creek, off Adams Creek is a good place to anchor.


Adams Creek Bridge


Beaufort Docks


Beaufort Anchorage


Jonaquin's Creek anchorage

[deisher6]

Last Sunday, motored mostly from New Bern to Broad creek.  30+ km.  It took about 6-7 hours.  Stayed at Paradise Marina, a great deal, and very friendly.  Monday sailed to Oriental.   The gps said about 14 miles. It took about 5-6 hours. It was a great day so I tacked back across the river a few times.  There are 4, more or less, free slips in Oriental Harbor.  see  http://www.towndock.net/harborcam   However without power it was chilly.  Tuesday sailed mostly back to New Bern in a wide variety of conditions.  I still have the data on the gps, 21 miles, max speed was 7.7mph, it took about 6.5 hours.  It is good to make it to New Bern nlt 1600. The Cunningham Bridge does not open on demand until 1800 weekdays.  It may open at 1700 but I have not tried that yet.

Be glad to make the trip anytime.  Have done similar routes 3 times this year.  I have been thinking about New Bern, Oriental, Beaufort trip.

[jcatkeson]

I have been sailing on and around the Neuse R. for close to 30 years. My previous  boats were diesel. My Yanmar single 7hp used a quart an hour or five miles. A gallon would take me 20 miles. Not so with an outboard on a C23. A trip to Ocracoke from Oriental is about 40 miles. The O/B gets five miles per gallon. I have seen times when there has been no wind in either direction. The usual fuel tank is 3 gallons or fifteen miles. So, where does one safely store the extra six+ gallons? It is gasoline and a lot more dangerous than diesel. I don't see how it can be secured on deck. Securing it beneath the cockpit might permit fumes to escape into the cabin, not a good idea. There are days when I dream of finding a diesel C23 but since there were so few made, a dream is it. Yeah,I know, the pilot house is diesel but not worth one to me.

[BruceW]

Carter,

The Com-pac dealer in Richlands will put one in for you; he sometimes gets used ones he fixes up and puts in. Or you can trade your boat for one of his.

Are you thinking of joining us on our rendezvous? More votes for June 7-8 than any the last I looked.

Bruce

[Elk River]

I don't know how many stanchions a 23 footer has, but I have seen photos of people attaching a plank between two stanchions and lashing fuel tanks to the plank.  That might a possible remedy and it keeps the tanks on the deck.

Elk River