Picking up my 450 DB next week in Annapolis and bringing it down to Savannah.

[Son of a son]

Woohoo!

My plan is to come down the Chesapeake to Norfolk, take ICW through the Dismal Swamp and pop out at Beaufort to hopefully run offshore the rest of the way.

I would appreciate any thoughts on this plan, including about how long I should anticipate it taking. (I plan to travel more than sight see). Would I be better off going outside the whole way, weather permitting? Where should I plan to stop for the night along the way?

What is the best weather site to follow while we are on this trip?

This boat has the twin Cummins 8.3’s. I am planning on a planing cruise and the info I have seems to say that around 2200 RPM’s if optimal. With a 400 gallon tank, I would be interested in any thoughts any of you may have about range, whether there is a more efficient compromise between speed and fuel, etc.

Thanks to all!

 

[Misterhelms]

Woohoo!

My plan is to come down the Chesapeake to Norfolk, take ICW through the Dismal Swamp and pop out at Beaufort to hopefully run offshore the rest of the way.

I would appreciate any thoughts on this plan, including about how long I should anticipate it taking. (I plan to travel more than sight see). Would I be better off going outside the whole way, weather permitting? Where should I plan to stop for the night along the way?

What is the best weather site to follow while we are on this trip?

This boat has the twin Cummins 8.3’s. I am planning on a planing cruise and the info I have seems to say that around 2200 RPM’s if optimal. With a 400 gallon tank, I would be interested in any thoughts any of you may have about range, whether there is a more efficient compromise between speed and fuel, etc.

Thanks to all!

I just took that trip somewhat in reverse - from Wilmington, NC to New Jersey. For the North Carolina portion, you are better off going through the ICW otherwise you are going to have to go around the outerbanks which is going to add a lot of time to your trip. I would go from Annapolis to Portsmouth which will take around 6-7 hours. From Portsmouth I would go to Coinjock, NC. It's infamous and the restaurant is known for their Prime Rib. It's only like 58 NM, but it does take some time due to traffic, bridges, and a lock you have to go through. From Coinjock go to Morehead City. That will be another 7 hours or so... then from Morehead City you could then take it off shore from there. I have gas engines so not sure what your fuel efficiency would be.

 

[FootballFan]

Beaufort to Masonboro Inlet (going inside the shoals).
Overnight either Wrightsville or continue down ICW to Cape Fear River (overnight either Southport or Baldhead)

 

[Blueone]

Congratulations.... sounds like a great trip....make sure you explore Annapolis and the Narrows before you leave

 

[Capt. Rusty Higgins]

day 1- Annapolis to BlueWater Marina in Hampton Rhodes
day 2- BlueWater to Oriental Marina in Oriental NC....with lunch at Coinjock (I don't know how to pass that place unstopped, lol)
day 3- Oriental to Wrightsville NC
day 4- Wrightsville to Savannah...or stop in Charleston for a night to extend trip on that cool boat.

These are all pretty easy runs (4-6hrs a day..WEATHER PENDING), and I know each dock master if you need help getting in. Sounds like a fun run, of which I have done probably right at a hundred times now...can we all come with??

Capt. R

 

[spikedaddy99]

Take us along! We love pics. M

 

[Son of a son]

day 1- Annapolis to BlueWater Marina in Hampton Rhodes
day 2- BlueWater to Oriental Marina in Oriental NC....with lunch at Coinjock (I don't know how to pass that place unstopped, lol)
day 3- Oriental to Wrightsville NC
day 4- Wrightsville to Savannah...or stop in Charleston for a night to extend trip on that cool boat.

These are all pretty easy runs (4-6hrs a day..WEATHER PENDING), and I know each dock master if you need help getting in. Sounds like a fun run, of which I have done probably right at a hundred times now...can we all come with??

Capt. R

Thanks Captain! This looks like a good itinerary to start planning. Would you pop offshore at Morehead City? Or stay inside? (Again, I know weather is a big part of the decision.)

 

[FootballFan]

day 1- Annapolis to BlueWater Marina in Hampton Rhodes
day 2- BlueWater to Oriental Marina in Oriental NC....with lunch at Coinjock
(I don't know how to pass that place unstopped, lol)
day 3- Oriental to Wrightsville NC
day 4- Wrightsville to Savannah...or stop in Charleston for a night to extend trip on that cool boat.

These are all pretty easy runs (4-6hrs a day..WEATHER PENDING), and I know each dock master if you need help getting in. Sounds like a fun run, of which I have done probably right at a hundred times now...can we all come with??

Capt. R

***** Treat Rusty's comments as gold. Most authoritative person I know or have encountered on the topic of routes on the east coast. Tons of other stuff he is the master of also.

Rusty has helped me considerably over the years with planning routes. When we were headed north a couple of years ago, Rusty hit the nail directly on the head with every item he shared with me.

 

[Capt. Rusty Higgins]

I will always use the ocean routes when possible, so yes I certainly would come out Morehead. Lately I have gone from that inlet, around frying pan shoals and make Georgetown SC (another cool little spot that you can take a very short walk to chow).
Now since Mark (Potentate of Belhaven NC) has pipped in, he is so right in suggesting there are more than one way to run this route, and as you get closer, feel free to ask more. Cool places all the way, it just matters on your fuel range and you desire for a days run.
If we have to do the Intercoastal for weather reasons, we will plan another route.

Let me know!

R.....say Hi to Deb for me coach!

 

[fwebster]

Rusty,

Did the Bellehaven marina ever sell? And, is that restaurant next door to the hardware store still cooking local beef for weary travelers? I guess I am a small town country boy at heart, but those little local gems you occasionally uncover in out of the way spots in God's Country (small town south), along with the local folks trying to scratch out a living along the waterfront are some of the things I enjoy the most about cruising in the south.

 

[bahamabreisus]

Don't plan on Southport NC, the marina was wiped out by the last hurricane. slips might be a little tight 50 miles or so each side of Southport.

 

[Son of a son]

Capt. Rusty (or anyone else),

It looks like we will try to hit Deltaville, VA the first night. I would like to push farther, but we have to get the boat ready and I am not sure we will be able to leave the dock before noon.

From there, I was thinking the next leg would be Coinjock. The map looks like we could get farther, but it seems as if the going is very slow once you hit the ICW. But I don’t want to pull in too early and waste daylight.

You indicated above that Portsmouth (which is about 50 miles from Deltaville I think) to Oriental could be done in about 6 hours, so adding the Deltaville leg will put us at 8+ hours, which may be a little much for my wife and 8 y.o. Son.

Is there anywhere between Coinjock and Oriental you could recommend?

Thanks.

 

[Misterhelms]

Capt. Rusty (or anyone else),

It looks like we will try to hit Deltaville, VA the first night. I would like to push farther, but we have to get the boat ready and I am not sure we will be able to leave the dock before noon.

From there, I was thinking the next leg would be Coinjock. The map looks like we could get farther, but it seems as if the going is very slow once you hit the ICW. But I don’t want to pull in too early and waste daylight.

You indicated above that Portsmouth (which is about 50 miles from Deltaville I think) to Oriental could be done in about 6 hours, so adding the Deltaville leg will put us at 8+ hours, which may be a little much for my wife and 8 y.o. Son.

Is there anywhere between Coinjock and Oriental you could recommend?

Thanks.

Only thing I would say based off experience ... is don’t try to stick to a “schedule.” go with the flow and give yourself enough time to have delays. If you attempt to stick to a timeline you could make bad decisions trying to adhere to that timeline.

 

[dtfeld]

Sounds like a great time!!!

However, speaking of weather...2 Tropical Storms in the Atlantic. Supposed to stay offshore at this time, but could also impact the eastern seaboard next week. Even if well offshore, that may make for a rough ride if outside. Start monitoring keep an eye out and see what develops.

It may be prudent to stay put or have contingency plans at all stop over points.

 

[Son of a son]

Good advice from both of you. I am trying to make marina reservations, but I realize we may or may not make it to those stops in time. Nice to have a booked slip though.

Those storms have me worried, not so much for a landfall, but for keeping us in the ditch the whole way. No way I am going to get of the outer banks with no where to hide if those things are kicking up a sea.

 

[Jaybeaux]

Good advice from both of you. I am trying to make marina reservations, but I realize we may or may not make it to those stops in time. Nice to have a booked slip though.

Those storms have me worried, not so much for a landfall, but for keeping us in the ditch the whole way. No way I am going to get of the outer banks with no where to hide if those things are kicking up a sea.

I'm not sure of the timing of your trip, but the Norfolk Southern Railroad bridges over the Elizabeth River (around mile marker 5.8?) which are usually in the "open" position, are scheduled for maintenance. They are getting two 60-hour maintenance periods during which the bridges will be in the "down" or "closed" position, thus being closed to navigation. We were scheduling a trip from Sept 19-27 hitting Portsmouth, Coinjock, and Manteo. We had to adjust our trip to meet the RR's schedule. We dropped Manteo and will turn around at Coinjock.

As Capt. Rusty said, Bluewater in Hampton is a great place to stop....they have "excellent" fuel prices. Tidewater Yacht Marina is currently unable to pump diesel.

Have a great trip.

Jaybeaux