Pamlico Sound Anchorage

[Iain]

I will be moving my sailboat from Oriental to the Outerbanks and I am looking for an anchorage or marina on the west side of the sound as a half way point.

Any sugestions???

[cheoah]

Iain, where in the Outer Banks? South River is just downstream from Oriental, Broad Creek too. I've anchored in Wysocking Bay in fine weather, and you can anchor out in the middle of the sound, too, in the right conditions. Oriental is really a day trip to Ocracoke, and besides going up towards Bay River, can't think of any other stops. Not sure where you mean in O.B. though, as Manteo would be very different answer.

Chase

[Iain]

The boat will be going to Colington Harbor.

I have done the trip to Ocracoke then to Manteo many times. I am just looking for a more direct route. As of now I am planning on sailing from Minnesott beach to south river then to a marina in Englehard then to colington.

I was wondering if I had any anchoring options on the west side of the pamlico sound along my planned route.

I prefer to anchor out so I was looking for an alternative to the marina in Englehard.

[cheoah]

Hi Iain, Wyesocking Bay is an option if you draw only 4.5-5'. There are some markers into the bay.

With my old boat, I could sneak under the 64 bridge when coming south from the Albemarle. Stressful first time I did it, but very handy thereafter. Whats your air draft? This is no all-weather anchorage, it is exposed, but it is in the general area you wanted an anchorage.

[Iain]

Air draft is about 43'

Water draft is 4'4"

Thanks for the info I will check it out!

[Cruiser2B]

I went from oriental to englehard back in march. i was on my way home to Norfolk and wanted to sail. We went to the marina in Englehard. Owner met us on the docks and gave us a ride into town...I think we paid $1.50/ft. Lots of fishing boat traffic early in the am. overall we got a good nights rest.

[cheoah]

Maybe you've been under that bridge before, but I checked my log and my Cape Dory 30 was closer to 40', with Croatan bridge height charted at 45'. Looked like inches from the helm, which means feet.

[cheoah]

Cruiser2B, did you go under the Croatan Bridge or Roanoke Sound with your Alberg?

[Cruiser2B]

We went around to Roanoke Sound. It was a nice day trip from Englehard to Manteo. If i remember correctly about 12 miles of motoring though the sound to Manteo. Once in Mateo we stayed at the Manteo Waterfront Marina. CF member took care of there and helped get us settled for the night, showers....what a great place and nice facility, has an achorage right off there as well. Nice town and I am glad we stopped there. After that sailed through the Ablemarle into the North River into the ICW.

[Wishinforwind]

WHOOO HOOOO I live in englehard! Glad to find someone sailing in my area!

[Iain]

Thanks for the help. I ended up anchoring in Pains Bay north of Englehard. Actually anchored outside pains bay (due to 4' draft) behind the shoals(that acted as a small breakwater). With a strong south wind that did not let up it made for a rough and bumpy night and NO sleep!

On a positive note I received NO complaints from the wife!

[Wishinforwind]

The sound can get a little rough I will agree. tho with a south wind there is realy no "calm" harbor on that side of the sound your kinda exposed there. But there are enough shoals and what not to tuck up behind and get a little relief. BUT on a side note with a nice little south wind 0 bugs. I would have set all 3 of my anchors and slept like a baby. Yea I set 3 anchors at night Just to be a old worry wart. But i have never broken anchor yet! Me daddy called it the chicken foot set. Just don't be a dork like my best friend and tie down all 3 anchors to the same point on the boat. Wich happened to break off one bad night and he tore his bow pulpit off. I am still ribbing him about that.

[UneeklyCommon]

Middletown Anchorage! Pretected by shoals to the East. 10 feet deep in much. Cheers, and may the wind be with you!