Pamlico Sound, Oregon Inlet

[Dancin Dave]

I'm bringing the boat home next week, and thought I would come up the Pamlico and out the Oregon inlet, as an alternative to the inside icw. Any tips, comments or info would be appreciated.

Thanks :smt001

 

[Four Suns]

I've been in that inlet and it can be a little hairy. Make sure the weather is good and you don't have any easterly component to the wind. Going out the inlet can give you 1 or 2 "oh crap" waves.

As you probably know, the southern entrance to that inlet as well as the inlet itself shifts all the time. Make sure you check out:

http://www.saw.usace.army.mil/nav/

and go print out that area's current surveys. Looks like Oregon Inlet was just surveyed. Make sure you have a magnifying glass and don't rely on your chart plotter. They are generally pretty good about moving the barrel markers in the inlet.

There is a great haulout in Wanchese (by the inlet) to swap your props... Not that I've been there... I accuse them of moving the local markers just to drum up business. They said they didn't need to do that... :grin:

If the weather is not good, Manteo is always a nice town to stop at. I understand not wanting to go through the Coinjock route. Pain in the rear....

I've been on the Pamlico many times. It has either been very nice or very bad for me. The shallow water and winds can kick up a mean chop. That never has bothered me but dodging fish stakes in rough water when you can't see land for over an hour is strange.

 

[Dancin Dave]

Thanks Gary, I appreciate the pointers, and will print that info.

I hope the weather cooperates.

Dave