To Dismal or...?

[DeborahLee]

Your speed is more limited in the swamp and if you miss the lock you could end up spending the night, so the cut is faster.

[Alex F]

Originally Posted by DeborahLee

Your speed is more limited in the swamp and if you miss the lock you could end up spending the night, so the cut is faster.

Great! Thanks.

I found few more threads and it seams like the CUT is the way to go when one is pressed for time.

[Waterway Guide]

Yes. I think of it as an extra day, since we usually plan to spend a night at one of the free docks. There's also a 6-knot speed limit. But you can enter the first lock at the 8:30 or 11am openings and make it the 23 miles to lock through at 1:30 or 3:30, respectively. But it's much better to not be in a hurry! Happy cruising!

[familycruisers]

Just as an update, we have decided to Dismal!

[Alex F]

Originally Posted by Waterway Guide

Yes. I think of it as an extra day, since we usually plan to spend a night at one of the free docks. There's also a 6-knot speed limit. But you can enter the first lock at the 8:30 or 11am openings and make it the 23 miles to lock through at 1:30 or 3:30, respectively. But it's much better to not be in a hurry! Happy cruising!

I know what you mean. It's just on the way South I treat my cruise more of a delivery trip, while on the way back North it's about the journey when I'll take my time.

Does anyone know how's the cell service coverage (I have Verizon as carrier) while cruising in Albemarle, Croatan and Pamlico Sounds?

[AnchorageGuy]

Originally Posted by Alex F

Does anyone know how's the cell service coverage (I have Verizon as carrier) while cruising in Albemarle, Croatan and Pamlico Sounds?

Alex, It depends on where you are. Those sounds cover a lot of square miles. There are some places with great coverage, some are marginal and some not at all. Along the main ICW route we found only the Alligator River with no coverage using Verizon. Once you get off on side trips, it gets spotty unless you are near towns and major areas of development. Chuck

[Alex F]

Chuck,

It looks like the Alligator River stretches roughly 20NM. Is it all no wake zone? Do you loose a coverage most of the way or just as you get closer to the middle of the stretch?

Is the ICW route via the Alligator River preferred over the run through the Croatan Sound and then to Pamlico Sound?

[AnchorageGuy]

Alex, We had coverage in the northern end, it gets spotty south of the bridge and we lost it altogether at the south end. The Croatan Sound route is very weather dependent so you may or may not have the time or conditions to use it. You draft will also help make this decision. The ICW route is the most used. Both the Albemarle and Pamlico ICW route should be used with caution in certain weather conditions. Chuck

[Alex F]

It sounds like I have to keep my options open and play by the weather. If the winds are calm I guess cruising via the Sounds would be faster and shorter.

I draw 4'.

Lack of cell signal could be a problem for me. Do you have a cell booster? I wonder if that would pick up something in that area.

[s/v 'Faith']

Glad to OP decided on the dismal swamp, excellent.



The alligator river gives you about one day without cell coverage... Not really a big concern. Hardly worth the purchase of extra equipment.....

[Alex F]

Is the Alligator River mostly a no wake zone?

[AnchorageGuy]

Originally Posted by Alex F

Is the Alligator River mostly a no wake zone?

No. I would suggest you do some serious studying before making the trip since there seems to be a lot your concerned with. We actually enjoy the occasional lack of cell coverage. There is no reason for us to be connected every second of every day. Chuck

[familycruisers]

Think we actually are planning to still"do the sounds" after Elizabeth City, but we are in no hurry, besides beating the really cold stuff.

[Alex F]

Originally Posted by Waterwayguy

No. I would suggest you do some serious studying before making the trip since there seems to be a lot your concerned with. We actually enjoy the occasional lack of cell coverage. There is no reason for us to be connected every second of every day. Chuck

Chuck,

That's exactly what I'm in the middle of, doing the homework, reading cruising guides, searching the web, studding the charts, asking questions, etc, etc...

I appreciate the tips.

[jstevens]

Alex,
As a further response to your question of no-wake zone in the Alligator River. As Chuck posted there is not a no-wake zone in this area (other than when passing under the Alligator River Bridge. However just like everywhere else on the ICW care with your wake is necessary to share this waterway with other craft. In the Alligator River this should not be a problem as it is wide and fairly deep. Most of the slower vessels (sailboats, trawlers, etc.) stay in the marked channel and the larger, faster powerboats generally stay far enough outside the channel to mitigate the wake for the other vessels.
You identify your vessel as a 420DB, which I assume is a 42' Searay. You should be able to run the Alligator River at whatever cruising speed you are comfortable with so long as you give other vessels a wide berth.

John