Dismal Swamp Vs. OBX

[El_Capitan.Mike]

Doing research on my passage coming up from Lake Champlain to Cape Canaveral this Fall.

I see most people who choose to go inside of Hatteras choose to go down the Dismal Swamp instead of over to Coinjock and through the Outer Banks, but I can't find any information on exactly why. Is it just because it's faster or is there a reason a sailboat wouldn't or couldn't make it through OBX?

The only issue I could find is bridge clearance at the Washington Baum Bridge at 65 feet, but I imagine if you mast was that high you wouldn't want to go inside anyway. With my Pearson 36.2 CB at 52 feet and 4.5 foot draft I don't see why it would be a problem for me.

The reason I ask is because I've enjoyed many vacations in the Outer Banks and would love to spend a few days there on the way down.

[ggray]

Fewer power boats, more scenic (some would say boring, at least the canal), esp. the Pasquatank), free dock at canal visitor center and at Eliz. City.

[redneckrob]

Originally Posted by El_Capitan.Mike

Doing research on my passage coming up from Lake Champlain to Cape Canaveral this Fall.

I see most people who choose to go inside of Hatteras choose to go down the Dismal Swamp instead of over to Coinjock and through the Outer Banks, but I can't find any information on exactly why. Is it just because it's faster or is there a reason a sailboat wouldn't or couldn't make it through OBX?

The only issue I could find is bridge clearance at the Washington Baum Bridge at 65 feet, but I imagine if you mast was that high you wouldn't want to go inside anyway. With my Pearson 36.2 CB at 52 feet and 4.5 foot draft I don't see why it would be a problem for me.

The reason I ask is because I've enjoyed many vacations in the Outer Banks and would love to spend a few days there on the way down.

Just to clarify, you have to pass most of the Outer Banks on your way to/from the Dismal Swamp. Unfortunately there aren't a lot of good marinas on the actual Outer Banks islands especially the northern end.

I actually think most people do take the ICW rather than the Dismal Swamp, it is the actual ICW route after all. The Dismal Swamp is more senic and I think slightly shorter, but because of the lock timing and inability to pass in many areas generally doesn't actually save much time. The only reason I can think not to go the ICW route is that the mosquitoes at Coinjock are some of the biggest I've seen, but no real reasons not to.

[El_Capitan.Mike]

Originally Posted by redneckrob

Just to clarify, you have to pass most of the Outer Banks on your way to/from the Dismal Swamp. Unfortunately there aren't a lot of good marinas on the actual Outer Banks islands especially the northern end.

I actually think most people do take the ICW rather than the Dismal Swamp, it is the actual ICW route after all. The Dismal Swamp is more senic and I think slightly shorter, but because of the lock timing and inability to pass in many areas generally doesn't actually save much time. The only reason I can think not to go the ICW route is that the mosquitoes at Coinjock are some of the biggest I've seen, but no real reasons not to.

Ah right. I suppose my question should have been why do people choose Alligator River over OBX. Or the Dismal Swamp over the Virginia Cut.

From people I've talked to the route through Coinjock is, like you said, super buggy but also just bridge after bridge after bridge.

I suppose my real question is why the Alligator River over OBX. It looks like it may be a big time saver? Though it would be hard for me to pass up stopping over Wanchese and Orcacoke, or passing up sailing on the Pamlico Sound.

[rwidman]

I choose the Dismal Swamp route (it actually is an ICW "alternate" route) because it's more scenic and relaxing. I did take the Virginia cut once just to see the difference.

If you have a fast boat and are in a hurry, the Virginia Cut route would be faster, but you still have to deal with several bridges that open on schedules, not on request.

[El_Capitan.Mike]

Originally Posted by rwidman

I choose the Dismal Swamp route (it actually is an ICW "alternate" route) because it's more scenic and relaxing. I did take the Virginia cut once just to see the difference.

If you have a fast boat and are in a hurry, the Virginia Cut route would be faster, but you still have to deal with several bridges that open on schedules, not on request.

Right. And it appears that the Virginia Cut has more commercial traffic, and just more traffic in general.

Seems like Dismal Swap is pretty much a straight shot with 2 locks and 1 bridge that most stays open. Looks like there's a fair amount of places to stop along the way as well

[captstu]

I do deliveries (or did before I retired) via Virginia Cut - a bit faster and less lock delay.

Dismal Swamp is scenic, Elizabeth City docks are free, company is nice, visitor's center is a neat experience.

Why do you sail? If it is to get someplace in a hurry, fly. If it is to enjoy the trip, the Dismal Swap is a highlight.

[smj]

We’ve taken both the Alligator River and OBX route. The river offers endless anchoring opportunities while the OBX route offers a stop in Manteo which is enjoyable. The negative of the OBX route is the ever changing channel which supposedly can get shallow, but was never a problem for us in a 3’ draft.
We’ve also taken both the Dismal Swamp and the Virginia cut but prefer Dismal Swamp for reasons given.

[dadster3]

The waters around Cape Hatteras are historically treacherous. When I first had the idea to sail from VA to the Caribbean, I wanted to go offshore, except for the area around Hatteras. Now I will almost certainly take the ICW most of the way. It is, so I have heard, about a 6 wk. trip from the lower Chesapeake to Ft. Lauderdale. If you get in a storm or run aground around Hatteras, you might not get there at all.

[Scrimshaw4]

Elizabeth City is not what it use to be. It's pretty run down and there are few resources within walking distance of the city docks. The docks are in poor shape and exposed to a south easterly. If the rainfall is low the DS canal can be closed due to low water.
The Virginia Cut is in MUCH better shape with support services along the way in Great Bridge and Coinjock. Coinjock also has great prime rib dinner!
Both routes take you to the Alligator River portion of the ICW that bypasses Hatteras. JMHO

[smj]

Originally Posted by dadster3

The waters around Cape Hatteras are historically treacherous. When I first had the idea to sail from VA to the Caribbean, I wanted to go offshore, except for the area around Hatteras. Now I will almost certainly take the ICW most of the way. It is, so I have heard, about a 6 wk. trip from the lower Chesapeake to Ft. Lauderdale. If you get in a storm or run aground around Hatteras, you might not get there at all.

We made it from Marathon in the Keys to Beaufort NC in 15 days only traveling during daylight, so the trip from lower Chesapeake to Lauderdale should be about the same mileage. All depends on how many miles per day you can make.

[rwidman]

Originally Posted by Scrimshaw4

Elizabeth City is not what it use to be. It's pretty run down and there are few resources within walking distance of the city docks. The docks are in poor shape and exposed to a south easterly. If the rainfall is low the DS canal can be closed due to low water.
The Virginia Cut is in MUCH better shape with support services along the way in Great Bridge and Coinjock. Coinjock also has great prime rib dinner!
Both routes take you to the Alligator River portion of the ICW that bypasses Hatteras. JMHO

I agree that Elizabeth City seems to have gone downhill a bit over the years. The first time we stopped there, the Rose Buddies were still around and there was a wine and cheese party on the dock. A month or so ago we were there again and the Rose Buddies had been replaced with homeless people who wouldn't get up from their benches to catch a line and wouldn't even acknowledge our presence.

The docks are the same as they ever were, just a bit older and the wind and waves can make for a rough stay.

On the other hand, the restaurants are open and nice (except on Sunday). You can walk to a small grocery store.

We learned of a small marina just a few miles north of Elizabeth City called Lamb's Marina with great fuel prices, cheap dockage, a walkable grocery store and a couple decent restaurants.

[El_Capitan.Mike]

Originally Posted by smj

We’ve taken both the Alligator River and OBX route. The river offers endless anchoring opportunities while the OBX route offers a stop in Manteo which is enjoyable. The negative of the OBX route is the ever changing channel which supposedly can get shallow, but was never a problem for us in a 3’ draft.
We’ve also taken both the Dismal Swamp and the Virginia cut but prefer Dismal Swamp for reasons given.

That's what my big worry was, if there was something in OBX that discouraged the route through there. I wondered why more people didn't sail through the Pamlico Sound and stop through there instead of just motoring through swamps for days at a time.

Originally Posted by captstu

Why do you sail? If it is to get someplace in a hurry, fly. If it is to enjoy the trip, the Dismal Swap is a highlight.

Exactly why I made this post. Like I said I would like to stop in OBX for a few days, and I would prefer sailing in the Pamlico Sound vs. motoring in Aligator River

Originally Posted by Scrimshaw4

Elizabeth City is not what it use to be. It's pretty run down and there are few resources within walking distance of the city docks. The docks are in poor shape and exposed to a south easterly. If the rainfall is low the DS canal can be closed due to low water.

I agree. My first vacation to OBX we got a hotel in Elizabeth City as it was last minute and money at the time was tighter, and thinking the half hour drive wasn't a big deal. Obviously we were not super familiar with the area. Last time we are doing that! Parking in OBX everyday was the least of my worries.

Originally Posted by dadster3

The waters around Cape Hatteras are historically treacherous. When I first had the idea to sail from VA to the Caribbean, I wanted to go offshore, except for the area around Hatteras. Now I will almost certainly take the ICW most of the way. It is, so I have heard, about a 6 wk. trip from the lower Chesapeake to Ft. Lauderdale. If you get in a storm or run aground around Hatteras, you might not get there at all.

Yes thank you, I am fully aware of the outside route. Hence why I made this post, as I am researching all my routes south.

[TheOffice]

The outside is completely doable given decent weather (southerly wind). Its about 145 miles from the Bay Bridge Tunnel to Hatteras, or a 24 hour trip, and another 100 miles to Beaufort/Morehead City. Leave in the afternoon, round Hatteras the next afternoon and arrive in Beaufort the following morning.

[tml]

Outside Hatteras requires care of the weather. If the weather is adverse don't do it.
On several occasions, weather concerns led me through Coinjock with next stop Manteo. We have a 6'5" draft with 63' air draft. Haven't been to Manteo this year but they were supposed to have their miserable approach channel straightened if so the most annoying part of Norfolk to Beaufort is no more.
Manteo is a great place to visit with a municipal marina that is very cruiser friendly. Definitely worth a few days more if you rented a car and toured the outer banks.
From Manteo its a long sail down Pamlico sound with an after dark arrival to anchor outside the entrance to River Dunes another cruiser friendly marina. Then a day to Beaufort.
If the weather is good personally much prefer outside of Hatteras but down Pamlico sound is a pleasant alternative.
Tom