North Carolina loop

[mnh]

Hi all,

We have our sailboat (45ft yawl) in the Deale Md, Chesapeake bay area for the next couple of seasons. This May, we plan on doing a loop trip through NC. and back. By Loop. I mean down to Beaufort, and back up into the Chesapeake over 4 weeks. I'd like to either come down the coast, past Hatteras, then back into the ICW, or vice versa. I looked at the pilot charts for that time of year, and it looks like the wind can go in many directions.
I would plan to sail the ocean portion with wind from the beam, or below, hopefully.
So, my question is, is there any advantage to going either down along the coast around the Cape (North to South), or, up along the coast (South to North), given the gulf stream effects? Is there a counter coastal current inside the stream that's of any help?
Also, not having rounded the Cape, does one stay completely outside of Diamond shoals, and by about how much?
Given that I'll probably be passing the Cape at night, are there many fixed fishing nets, traps etc to worry about around Diamond shoals.
I sincerely appreciate any advice offered here on my cruise plans. Thanks!
mnh

[marlinmike]

Other then seeing what you are made of, not really sure why one would choose to go outside NC/Hatteras area other then if your vessel is very deep draft. You have a couple routes right within the sound area as well. If you want to try an ocean run, head out from Moorehead City Inlet and pick a spot further south that interests you and come back ICW.