Carolinas Fleet Southport Trip

[Pete]

Carolinas Fleet Southport Trip and Floatplan
October 7-14, 2006


Urgent-- We are changing the number of days we will be in Southport, and adding a new stop at Bald Head Island. For now, all boats will continue to the Southport South Harbor Village Marina for the first night. Then, on site, Captains will decide on a possible divergence to Bald Head Island.


Ahoy Carolinas Fleet members! Our upcoming trip to Southport and back promises to be one of the best, if not challenging trips we have planned. Our planning meeting on Sept. 4 went very well, however, there are some last minute updates to our itinerary. I hope your vessel preparations are proceeding nicely…it’s going to be exciting, so lets get on with it!

Saturday, October 7
Participating Cape Dory Owners will rendezvous at Oriental #1 between 7:30 and 8:00 AM to begin our day trip down the ICW to Beaufort and Morehead City, NC (approx. 5 hrs). On our way, we will make a decision upon arrival to either continue down the ICW to our first destination, or anchor in Cape Lookout Lighthouse for an early departure (4:00 AM) the next morning. This will be entirely dependent on the weather. If we decide to continue our Southerly movement down the ditch, we will arrive at our first destination in Swansboro at Casper’s Marina (910-326-4462) for Sat. evening (approx. 5 hrs).

Sunday, October 8
For those Fleet members continuing on from Swansboro, we will leave at approx. 8:00 AM for our next destination, Wrightsville Beach (approx. 10 hrs.). The Fleet will anchor just inside Masonboro Inlet for the evening. This will be the rendezvous point for any Cape Dories sailing offshore and entering via Masonboro Inlet.

Monday, October 9

From the Wrightsville Beach area, we will require about 7 hrs. to move the remaining distance down the ICW, cross the Cape Fear River, and maneuver into the Southport area. Our destination is actually a mile or two past (South) of Southport, where we will arrive at the South Harbor Village Marina. This is a new marina near a residential area, and according to the Dockmaster (Seth) he has plenty of room. Make your reservation by calling 910-454-7486. Our intent is to stay in Southport through Wed. morning, departing again for the trip home. Ron Turner has advised that securing a rental car(s) might be a good idea if we are going to visit Southport and the surrounding areas. We intend to rent a mini-van from Enterprise Car Rentals which serve the nearby airport. Optionally, we may decide to visit Bald Head Island Marina and stay Tues. evening.

Tuesday, October 10
We are considering adding an extra night visit to Bald Head Island. All boats will continue to the Southport, South Harbor Village Marina. Once on site, Captains will decide on a possible divergence to Bald Head Island.

Wednesday, October 11
Our reverse destination is again Wrightsville Beach (Sea Path Yacht Club). Our intent is to connect with Wilmington Cape Dory Owners over dinner later that evening. Approximate trip time is 7 hrs. (Sea Path Yacht Club 910-256-3747).

Thursday, October 12
If favorable weather prevails, we have two options. We can either cruise out of Masonboro Inlet early (4:00 AM) for the 13 hr. open water trip back to Morehead City, or continue up the ICW, arriving at Casper’s Marina again (Swansboro) in about 10 hrs.

Friday, October 13
This day will begin the final ‘slog’ back up the ICW to Morehead City (5 hrs.) and on to Oriental (5 hrs.) arriving late in the day back home. For those returning from seaward (outside), they will have arrived in Morehead late in the day Thursday, and anchored overnight in Taylor’s Creek. These boats can have a leisurely morning, requiring only 5 hrs. to make Oriental on the same day.

Trip Notes
As discussed in our planning meeting, Captains must insure that their vessels are ready to make this extended trip. Additionally, for those intending to sail outside, all safety gear, including harnesses and tethers, spotlights, foul weather gear, working radios, GPS equipment, etc. must be onboard and in working order. The outside passage is approximately 65 nautical miles and will take 13 hrs. or more in less than perfect conditions. The first portion of the outside trip will be before sunrise. Captains intending to make this passage are encouraged to bring experienced crew along that are familiar with rotating watch sessions.

The ICW portion of the trip requires passage through several bascule bridges. The bridge tenders should be hailed on VHF channel 13 with your name, the vessel’s name, and your intentions to pass through the bridge. Wait for the bridge tender to give permission to continue; follow his instructions.

VHF hailing and general conversations will be on channels 16 and 72, respectively. Cell phone coverage is spotty and sometimes unreliable on the Coast…coverage may be completely unavailable offshore.

File a float plan with someone shore side that can check on you at points along your voyage; optionally you may relay an OK message via cell phone to a friend or relative once coverage is established.

For those Captains carrying BoatUS insurance, you will need to obtain temporary extra coverage for the offshore sail. Additionally, make sure your policy includes the ‘unlimited towing’ option!

As always, navigation is the responsibility of the Captain, as well as the safety of vessel and crew. The information contained herein is intended as a guide, and not for explicit navigational purposes.

Cruise Captain: Lou Ostendorff
Crewing Aboard s/v CD31 “Bellus”
Cell# 919-906-2418


Fleet Captain: Pete Cregger
Commander, CD31 “Bellus”
Cell# 919-608-2759

Captain Ron Turner
Commander, CD30K “Luvit”
Cell# 252-626-0924

Captain Dick Turner
Commander, CD31 “Mystical”
Cell# 252-670-8020