Dismal Swamp vs Albemarle Canals

tackdriver · 09-10-2009, 14:57

Hi all, when I came up from Florida I went through the A & C canal, I'm about to head South again and was going to take the Dismal Swamp Canal instead for some variety. Are there any pros and cons between the two. The A & C route was pleasant enough, but pretty curly.
cheers
James

Vasco · 09-10-2009, 16:25

Never done the Dismal Swamp route as the water was usually too low. They say it is pretty but check the lock schedule if you're going to go that way. Elizabeth City has a reputation as being very cruiser friendly. Myself I like the Currituck Sound (Virginia Cut) route as Great Bridge is a good stop and there are lots of good anchorages after Coinjock and some good spots to tuck in if Albemarle sound isn't cooperating.

CaptForce · 09-10-2009, 17:14

I've done both, but once I took the Dismal Swamp route, I never went back. It excells if you cruise at less than 7 kts. and you draw less than 5 feet. 'take care and joy, Aythya crew

Intentional Drifter · 09-10-2009, 17:29

Beautiful route, very interesting history. Here's a shot of our buddy boat waiting for the lock to open. No doubt about it, though CaptForce is right. We draw not quite 4' and still touched in a few spots. Be prepared to feel occasional "ka-bumps" on your hull, too, from submerged limbs.

ID

GeoPowers · 09-10-2009, 22:25

I grew up here (Camden)...I would certainly be careful about water depth going through the DSC. It can be kinda buggy, too, depending on the temp. Very pretty, though, IMO, and of course I'd want to go that route just because I grew up there, and Currituck was our rivals in football!

Island Mike · 10-10-2009, 04:18

We took the Dismal last winter, it was beautiful, we are a 40 foot ketch drawing 5.5 feet, always had at least 1.5 under the keel, we just poked along. We were in no hurry and wanted to enjoy the trip.. I would certainly do it again, probably should try it in the summer, probably even more pretty. Elizabeth City is very accomadating to boaters. Free Dockage, how can you beat that? Good Luck and have fun.

One thing we did do was call the lock master to inquire about the water levels in the swamp.. Fortunatly for us we had enough water, Im not sure if that is always true.

karenmccraw · 10-10-2009, 10:30

We did the Dismal Swamp for the first time on a trip we took in July from Oriental to the Chesapeake. I did a very long blog entry s/v Glory Days: July 2009

You can find the portion about the Dismal Swamp a few pages down.

Our draft is 4'11" and we didn't touch bottom at all. It was beautiful, but we were grouped with a clan of power boaters and it wasn't the pleasant experience I expected. If I did it again, I would wait until the next lock opening to get to do it alone!!

jimking100 · 10-10-2009, 18:21

I draw 6'8" and was planing on doing the dismal swamp in November. Am I hearing correctley that 6"8" will not make it.
jim

Island Mike · 11-10-2009, 03:50

As I had said, we draw 5.5 and frequently saw 1.5 under the keel; I think you would be pushing it with 6.8 draft. If the water level was down any from when we went you probably would not make it, too bad...However, you should still call the lockmaster, maybe he could give you a better insight than I... Good Luck

**Hud3** · 11-10-2009, 03:58

Here's a link with some good info: Atlantic Intercoastal Waterway

motion30 · 11-10-2009, 08:04

Maybe it is me but I want to avoid a place called The dismal swamp

09-10-2009, 14:57	#1
tackdriver Registered User Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Australia - but currently in Florida, going south Boat: Beneteau Oceanis 390 - 39' - sv The Office Posts: 89	Dismal Swamp vs Albemarle Canals Hi all, when I came up from Florida I went through the A & C canal, I'm about to head South again and was going to take the Dismal Swamp Canal instead for some variety. Are there any pros and cons between the two. The A & C route was pleasant enough, but pretty curly. cheers James __________________ -------------------------------------------- http://www.billson.com

09-10-2009, 16:25	#2
Vasco Registered User Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Toronto in the summer, the Bahamas in wintertime. Boat: CS36Merlin, "La Belle Aurore" Ben393 "Breathless" Posts: 2,451	Never done the Dismal Swamp route as the water was usually too low. They say it is pretty but check the lock schedule if you're going to go that way. Elizabeth City has a reputation as being very cruiser friendly. Myself I like the Currituck Sound (Virginia Cut) route as Great Bridge is a good stop and there are lots of good anchorages after Coinjock and some good spots to tuck in if Albemarle sound isn't cooperating. __________________ Rick I Toronto

09-10-2009, 17:29	#4
Intentional Drifter Registered User Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Pac NW, but presently cruising Boat: St. Francis 44 cat, "Orca" Posts: 737	Beautiful route, very interesting history. Here's a shot of our buddy boat waiting for the lock to open. No doubt about it, though CaptForce is right. We draw not quite 4' and still touched in a few spots. Be prepared to feel occasional "ka-bumps" on your hull, too, from submerged limbs. ID Attached Thumbnails __________________ Intentional Drifter Observations are gold; hypotheses, silver; and conclusions, bronze. Democracy is two wolves and a lamb voting on what to have for lunch. Liberty is a well-armed lamb contesting the vote.--Ben Franklin Everyone is entitled to their own opinion, but not their own facts.--Daniel Patrick Moynihan

10-10-2009, 04:18	#6
Island Mike Registered User Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Jacksonville, FL Boat: Far East Mariner 40 - Tivoli Posts: 522	We took the Dismal last winter, it was beautiful, we are a 40 foot ketch drawing 5.5 feet, always had at least 1.5 under the keel, we just poked along. We were in no hurry and wanted to enjoy the trip.. I would certainly do it again, probably should try it in the summer, probably even more pretty. Elizabeth City is very accomadating to boaters. Free Dockage, how can you beat that? Good Luck and have fun. One thing we did do was call the lock master to inquire about the water levels in the swamp.. Fortunatly for us we had enough water, Im not sure if that is always true. __________________ S/V Tivoli Mike & Paula Last edited by Island Mike; 10-10-2009 at 04:24. Reason: added a comment.

11-10-2009, 03:50	#9
Island Mike Registered User Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Jacksonville, FL Boat: Far East Mariner 40 - Tivoli Posts: 522	As I had said, we draw 5.5 and frequently saw 1.5 under the keel; I think you would be pushing it with 6.8 draft. If the water level was down any from when we went you probably would not make it, too bad...However, you should still call the lockmaster, maybe he could give you a better insight than I... Good Luck __________________ S/V Tivoli Mike & Paula

09-10-2009, 17:14	#3
CaptForce Registered User Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Underway Boat: Morgan OI 413 1973 - Aythya Posts: 197	I've done both, but once I took the Dismal Swamp route, I never went back. It excells if you cruise at less than 7 kts. and you draw less than 5 feet. 'take care and joy, Aythya crew

09-10-2009, 22:25	#5
GeoPowers Registered User Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Everett, WA Boat: Beneteau 393 Posts: 157	I grew up here (Camden)...I would certainly be careful about water depth going through the DSC. It can be kinda buggy, too, depending on the temp. Very pretty, though, IMO, and of course I'd want to go that route just because I grew up there, and Currituck was our rivals in football!

10-10-2009, 10:30	#7
karenmccraw Registered User Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: North Carolina, US Boat: Hunter 405 Glory Days Posts: 1	We did the Dismal Swamp for the first time on a trip we took in July from Oriental to the Chesapeake. I did a very long blog entry s/v Glory Days: July 2009 You can find the portion about the Dismal Swamp a few pages down. Our draft is 4'11" and we didn't touch bottom at all. It was beautiful, but we were grouped with a clan of power boaters and it wasn't the pleasant experience I expected. If I did it again, I would wait until the next lock opening to get to do it alone!!

10-10-2009, 18:21	#8
jimking100 Registered User Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Hampton, VA Boat: Cal 39, Karma Posts: 85	I draw 6'8" and was planing on doing the dismal swamp in November. Am I hearing correctley that 6"8" will not make it. jim

11-10-2009, 03:58	#10
Hud3 Moderator Moderator Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Nevis, West Indies Boat: Island Packet 380 "The Belle of Virginia" Posts: 4,517	Here's a link with some good info: Atlantic Intercoastal Waterway __________________ Hud s/y The Belle of Virginia, IP 380 Nevis, West Indies Click to Search Cruisers Forum Archives

11-10-2009, 08:04	#11
motion30 Registered User Join Date: Feb 2009 Posts: 229	Maybe it is me but I want to avoid a place called The dismal swamp

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