Little River SC to Swansboro NC

[sarbog]

Anyone made this run and have an idea how long it takes. Bringing a 340 Sundancer from Little River to Swansboro on Monday. Really would like to do it in 1 day.

 

[pilot2fly]

Well I can tell you that the first half of the trip is pretty effortless to Wilmington on the ICW. We bought out boat in Little River a couple of months ago and drove it to Wilmington. All was well until we got to the Shallotte Inlet area. It dropped down to 3 feet right in the waterway and we ran aground while properly navigating the buoys. Luckily, we got off the bottom and stayed slow until after we fully passed the inlet. At the time they were dredging so it may be fine now, but just a word of caution. Go slow and you should be fine. Make sure you follow the other boats.

Also, when you enter the Cape Fear River and come up to Snows Cut, be mindful of the markers leading back into the ICW at Carolina Beach. It can get shallow real fast if you don't stay in the channel.

Make sure you call up the Little River swing bridge on Channel 9. They open on demand. You won't fit under it. Our 290 wouldn't fit either.

It can be done in one day. It took about 3.5 hours from Little River to Wilmington with a fuel stop and a snack stop. Get fuel at Cricket Cove Marina in Little River. We got ours for $3.70/gal in early March and it was the cheapest by far. Easy to get in and out of but be mindful at low tide.

 

[JimT]

When you say Wilmington do you mean Wrightsville Beach? Wilmington is not on the ICW.

 

[sarbog]

Good info. If I can make Wrightsville Beach in 3.5 hours I can do it in 1 day. Only another 3 hours or less to Swansboro, depending on Surf City and CLNC swing bridges. I've done it in 2 in my 270. If weather cooperates I plan to jump out Little River inlet and run offshore to the Cape Fear.

 

[sarbog]

How are the no wake zones in the Little River to Cape Fear River stretch?

 

[bahamabreisus]

Not a lot of no wake zones, but a bunch of docks with boats floating at them. Holden Beach area idle only near the bridge area, Much faster of shore if good water. Fill up tanks in SC and top off in Sneads Ferry. Cheapest fuel in NC

 

[mquiet]

+1 for what bahamabreisus said. From just south of wrightsville it is hard to run on plan until you are north of Hampstead. I run my 340 down to wrightsville all the time from Hampstead and trying to get in top is just a huge waste or time and fuel. Your run from SC to NC does sound like a nice boat ride.


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[pilot2fly]

When you say Wilmington do you mean Wrightsville Beach? Wilmington is not on the ICW.

Yep, meant W.B. Just so used to saying Wilmington.

 

[JimT]

Where are you in WB? I used to be at Seapath.

 

[pilot2fly]

Scotts Hill Marina