Our shrinking rights and the fight in Oriental NC

[GothVanhellsing]

Originally Posted by valhalla360

If they've been there for months or years...YES, they should make room for others to share the PUBLIC space.

The marina actually helps in allowing more boats to utilize the small harbor. As the one poster indicated, at least one boat has built a permanent moring but I assume never went thru any public notice or permitting process. If you didn't like the marina plan, did you go and voice your concern at the public meetings?

This should be interesting. What boat out there built a permanent mooring?

The answer is none

[rolandcavanagh]

I've been passing through Oriental 'most every Spring and Fall for the last 5 years. Generally for only one night, get provisions or parts, maybe visit the tiki bar, dinner, coffee in the morning, move on. A pleasant community, and convenient stop. Paid for a slip a couple of times, hitched to the town dock a couple more, anchored in this much-discussed little anchorage a few times, got skunked (no space) once, I think, and passed on by.

One year there was a smallish white sailboat, disheveled and appearing abandoned, with about 10:1 scope, sweeping the anchorage. "Rude", we thought, and carefully anchored on it's perimeter with short scope, and spent a nervous night. Glad to see it was not there on our next pass through.

We're watching this thread with interest, because selfishly, we'll be passing through in about three weeks. "Recession" and all, our budget only allows a few marina nights on this trip RI to FL. Sad to think that if the town dock and this anchorage is full that we'll have to pass by. Sad for us because it's a nice break, sad for Oriental because we would exchange cash for goods and meals.

Not commenting on the social or territorial controversies, just presenting our selfish facts.

[psneeld]

Originally Posted by rolandcavanagh

I've been passing through Oriental 'most every Spring and Fall for the last 5 years. Generally for only one night, get provisions or parts, maybe visit the tiki bar, dinner, coffee in the morning, move on. A pleasant community, and convenient stop. Paid for a slip a couple of times, hitched to the town dock a couple more, anchored in this much-discussed little anchorage a few times, got skunked (no space) once, I think, and passed on by.

One year there was a smallish white sailboat, disheveled and appearing abandoned, with about 10:1 scope, sweeping the anchorage. "Rude", we thought, and carefully anchored on it's perimeter with short scope, and spent a nervous night. Glad to see it was not there on our next pass through.

We're watching this thread with interest, because selfishly, we'll be passing through in about three weeks. "Recession" and all, our budget only allows a few marina nights on this trip RI to FL. Sad to think that if the town dock and this anchorage is full that we'll have to pass by. Sad for us because it's a nice break, sad for Oriental because we would exchange cash for goods and meals.

Not commenting on the social or territorial controversies, just presenting our selfish facts.

I've expressed the same thoughts occasionally through the thread and now probably considered by some as a self centered, mean spirited, rich elitist, bigoted, power mongering, hateful, rumor spreading, etc...etc...and worst of all a REPUBLICAN power boater....

and all I want is a fair shake at anchoring in Oriental when passing through if there's no room at the dock...but for some that places us in the "whiner" category and that long term anchors outs were there first and displacing them will "ruin" anchoring rights for the rest of us cruisers.

[Delancey]

Originally Posted by rolandcavanagh

I've been passing through Oriental 'most every Spring and Fall for the last 5 years. Generally for only one night, get provisions or parts, maybe visit the tiki bar, dinner, coffee in the morning, move on. A pleasant community, and convenient stop. Paid for a slip a couple of times, hitched to the town dock a couple more, anchored in this much-discussed little anchorage a few times, got skunked (no space) once, I think, and passed on by.

One year there was a smallish white sailboat, disheveled and appearing abandoned, with about 10:1 scope, sweeping the anchorage. "Rude", we thought, and carefully anchored on it's perimeter with short scope, and spent a nervous night. Glad to see it was not there on our next pass through.

We're watching this thread with interest, because selfishly, we'll be passing through in about three weeks. "Recession" and all, our budget only allows a few marina nights on this trip RI to FL. Sad to think that if the town dock and this anchorage is full that we'll have to pass by. Sad for us because it's a nice break, sad for Oriental because we would exchange cash for goods and meals.

Not commenting on the social or territorial controversies, just presenting our selfish facts.

Maybe you should consider going elsewhere? You sound to me like the type of individual with limited means whose presence is not desired by community. Oriental has made it's position clear through their deeds and actions.

Anchor + no money = go away!
Marina + money = how y'all doin?

[Captain Bill]

Originally Posted by lancelot9898

" I would not get my hopes up about the marina getting blown away."

Captain Bill,

I'll give you the benefit of a doubt that just maybe I didn't make myself clear, but I do NOT hope that nature destorys that marina. I did not want to keep my boat there since I do not think it is well protected. River Dunes is much better as you seem to agree.

I absolutely agree with you, it is way too exposed. I think I noted that most people evacuated the Marina before Irene. With 9.5 ft of surge there must have been 6 feet or more of water over the breakwater, not to mention the waves on top of that. My comment was meant to indicate that there was little damage to the marina itself. The few boats that were left in the marina during Irene did not do well. A couple ended up in green creek. One trawler whose lines held dropped on top of the pilings as the water receded. The result wasn't pretty. A lot of people went to River Dunes and a bunch of the smaller boats went way up the creeks and lots of people got hauled out by the local boatyards.

[Delancey]

Originally Posted by psneeld

I've expressed the same thoughts occasionally through the thread and now probably considered by some as a self centered, mean spirited, rich elitist, bigoted, power mongering, hateful, rumor spreading, etc...etc...and worst of all a REPUBLICAN power boater....

and all I want is a fair shake at anchoring in Oriental when passing through if there's no room at the dock...but for some that places us in the "whiner" category and that long term anchors outs were there first and displacing them will "ruin" anchoring rights for the rest of us cruisers.

There's plenty of slips in the marina, why don't you just stay there instead?

[Delancey]

Originally Posted by Delancy

There's plenty of slips in the marina, why don't you just stay there instead?

Oh wait, I see where you prefer to stay at the "free" town dock if you can't find a spot to anchor.

Sounds to me like you are also the type of person the town sought to discourage from visiting when they gave up the anchorage for the marina development.

Maybe you could try New Bern or Washington? I hear they are both lovely towns not at all blighted by industry with plenty of quaint fishing village charm!

[boatman61]

Originally Posted by Delancy

Maybe you should consider going elsewhere? You sound to me like the type of individual with limited means whose presence is not desired by community. Oriental has made it's position clear through their deeds and actions.

Anchor + no money = go away!
Marina + money = how y'all doin?

That's a bit unfair... in all things there's a middle ground and as for not being able to leave Oriental without an engine that's ********...
I've sailed Taylors Creek, Beaufort to Whitaker Creek, Oriental without an engine.. and back.
Folk are usually 'stuck' somewhere in a boat by choice...

[valhalla360]

Originally Posted by GothVanhellsing

This should be interesting. What boat out there built a permanent mooring?

The answer is none

You can play semantics with legal language, but when a boat has been tied to the bottom in one spot for a year, that qualifies as permanent in most peoples minds.

[Delancey]

Originally Posted by boatman61

That's a bit unfair... in all things there's a middle ground and as for not being able to leave Oriental without an engine that's ********...
I've sailed Taylors Creek, Beaufort to Whitaker Creek, Oriental without an engine.. and back.
Folk are usually 'stuck' somewhere in a boat by choice...

I agree, it seems to me to be quite unfair. But it is the town's choice, one they are certainly entitled to.

[boatman61]

Originally Posted by Delancy

I agree, it seems to me to be quite unfair. But it is the town's choice, one they are certainly entitled to.

Actually it was your post I was referring to as being a bit unfair... not Oriental... seems to me some one... or two are taking the piss out of the good folk in the town...

[Sand Castle]

Originally Posted by rolandcavanagh

Sad to think that if the town dock and this anchorage is full that we'll have to pass by. Sad for us because it's a nice break, sad for Oriental because we would exchange cash for goods and meals.

Not commenting on the social or territorial controversies, just presenting our selfish facts.

Roland, you are spot on!

I keep a boat in Oriental and pay my slip fees. I have nothing in the world against the permanent live-aboards. But - Oriental's anchorage is small and I know through forums like this and letters to the editors, at my guess around 10 cruisers have said they're passing Oriental by thus far.

My contention is that the permanent anchorers are blockading the local economy of the town. When I was in New Bern, I would cruise and anchor in Oriental or tie up at the free dock. Occasionally I would pay the ~$70 to pull into Oriental Marina. But that's $70 I lose to eating at M&Ms or other places, or buying a little hardware to fix my old girl (the boat, that is. In most cases).

By beefs in order are:
1. Hogging the anchorage.
2. Scaring off other boaters from what space is left by the anchoring style and derelict appearance of their crafts.

Thank you permanent anchorers, you've basically hogged for yourself, what many wish to enjoy. And by your blockade, you are starving the very businesses that keep the town vibrant and people employed.

(So, all you wonderful folks talking about the anchorers rights and freedoms and compassion for the wonderful French vagrants, please remember the business they're scaring off, and the craftsmen, shop, and pub owners who will have to lay off people or cut back hours because boaters will pass Oriental by. I hope you will be as compassionate for the weathered single mom who will be cut from her job bar-tending, as you are for the lazy but exotic French bums, whose story is more appealing to you.)

Pardon my cynicism, but this is how the economy works...

[Delancey]

Originally Posted by boatman61

Actually it was your post I was referring to as being a bit unfair... not Oriental... seems to me some one... or two are taking the piss out of the good folk in the town...

Sorry, I misunderstood you. Not sure what was unfair about my comment though, but maybe you misunderstood me. My comment was to mom and pop cruiser who can't afford a slip, not the Frenchies. But, whatever. Cheers

[Sand Castle]

Originally Posted by Delancy

Oh wait, I see where you prefer to stay at the "free" town dock if you can't find a spot to anchor.

Sounds to me like you are also the type of person the town sought to discourage from visiting when they gave up the anchorage for the marina development.

Maybe you could try New Bern or Washington? I hear they are both lovely towns not at all blighted by industry with plenty of quaint fishing village charm!

Sir,

1. Look at a chart. Oriental is on the ICW. Both Wash and NB are 30 miles off of it.
2. You sound like you've never been to any of these places, so I'll chalk that up as ignorance. The towns you mention are not cookie-cutter.
3. If a cruiser goes from New York to Florida, as they frequently do, covering 80 miles a day they might arrive in south FL in about 3 weeks. Maybe a little less. So lets say 21x$80/night is $1680 - for slip fees all the way. Cheap ones in some cases.
4. That $1680 is a fat month of living expenses on the boat and the cruisers would rather save that on fuel (about 450 gallons of diesel), or chow (about 150 light shrimp kebab dinners cooked on the boat, with beer)

Oriental is one of those towns, very chill, where its a nice place to spend a little money from the kiddie and grab a pleasant beer in a bar frequented by other sailors and cruisers.

I've been to all of the places you mention, but only one of them is directly on the snow-bird route.

[Sand Castle]

Originally Posted by boatman61

That's a bit unfair... in all things there's a middle ground and as for not being able to leave Oriental without an engine that's ********...
I've sailed Taylors Creek, Beaufort to Whitaker Creek, Oriental without an engine.. and back.
Folk are usually 'stuck' somewhere in a boat by choice...

Boatman - YOU are my new idol.

The French boaters actually having free will and not being victims.
Imagine that.

Next beer is for you. Cheers.