Heading north from Beaufort, NC

[saltshaker]

Trying to decide the best route from Beaufort, NC to Sandy Hook, NJ. I don't normally run inside, but many tell me it is a good option to stay inside and then go back out from Norfolk, Va. Outside is about 220NM from my dock to Rudee inlet. Boat is a 65SF that draws 5'6" and needs 44' of vertical clearance.

 

[Diver Down]

You also have the option of staying in the Ches Bay to the C&D Canal, down the Delaware Bay and then outside at the Cape May canal. Yes, a longer run but was necessary for us when the seas were rough.

 

[labrador]

Jack, I'd stay inside from Beaufort, figure 2 days to norfolk. The trip from there to Sandy Hook is easy on the outside. Done both, up the Chesapeake, then out at Cape May, and Norfolk to Cape May. Going out at Beaufort then around Hatteras takes some time. You could always start up Adams Creek and pop out at Oacakoke also. Only 60 to 90 min up Adams Creek into the Neuse.

 

[Diesel]

Jack- When I came from Wilmington to Rudee inlet my first day went out side and then in at Moorehead to Belhaven. Next day was a full days run on ICW to make it to Rudee Inlet. I would still think inside would be best from Moorehead. If you are going to stay at Rudee Inlet let me know as I am at Fishermans Wharf. Straight shot outside from Rudee to NJ on your next day. You won't get under the bridge at Rudee Inlet but Virginia Beach Fishing Center 757-491-8000 has the slips on the East side of the bridge that can handle your big girl.

 

[Tim Powell]

Jack- When I came from Wilmington to Rudee inlet my first day went out side and then in at Moorehead to Belhaven. Next day was a full days run on ICW to make it to Rudee Inlet. I would still think inside would be best from Moorehead. If you are going to stay at Rudee Inlet let me know as I am at Fishermans Wharf. Straight shot outside from Rudee to NJ on your next day. You won't get under the bridge at Rudee Inlet but Virginia Beach Fishing Center 757-491-8000 has the slips on the East side of the bridge that can handle your big girl.

Jack
\First night you can make Coinjock easy call them in the sound and make resorvations it is a long dock on the waterway no slips. Fills up fast so be sure to call. Sorry i do not have the number call by vhf they will answer on 16. The food in the restaurant is gooooood and very reasonable. there are two mariners stay on the east side the food is better and they are good old local boys.
In Bellhaven there is some shallow watter may want to pass that by however a 52c hat lives there and has no problem. The mariner is kinda out of the way not manny big boa slips. I may have that incorrect maybee a lot of slips but the lack of power to match.
Anyway from there you can make the bay easy, We went to york town and stayed up the James river it is out of the way but my wife wanted to visit williamsberg.
Do not run outside you will have to deal with weather and the shols of both cape lookout and diamond in a days run it can completely do a 180 on you.
Stay out of Ocratake unless you know it or have someone with you who does the bottom is hard.The current runs hard both ways there is no mud just hard sand and it hurts. TIM

 

[Pascal]

It s about 185nm from Beaufort NC to Norfolk , most of it is in restricted except Adams creek, a short stretch at Hobuken, and then thru coinjock. After that you have the slow stretch into Norfolk timing the bridges... If you get an early start you can make Norfolk in one day

I stopped at coinjock a couple of times, I found the food overrated and usually prefer to anchor in the alligator river but that's running at 10kts

Tidewater in Norfolk is convenient and usually has cheap fuel, very friendly folks too.

After that if weather is good you can make Sandy hook in one long day if you re in a hurry or split in two with a stop in cape may. Utsch has good fuel price and reasonable dockage. I ve been in there with a 70 and 6+ draft, a little tight but ok. Just stay close to the breakwater and make a tight turn into the marina

 

[Tim Powell]

It s about 185nm from Beaufort NC to Norfolk , most of it is in restricted except Adams creek, a short stretch at Hobuken, and then thru coinjock. After that you have the slow stretch into Norfolk timing the bridges... If you get an early start you can make Norfolk in one day

I stopped at coinjock a couple of times, I found the food overrated and usually prefer to anchor in the alligator river but that's running at 10kts

Tidewater in Norfolk is convenient and usually has cheap fuel, very friendly folks too.

After that if weather is good you can make Sandy hook in one long day if you re in a hurry or split in two with a stop in cape may. Utsch has good fuel price and reasonable dockage. I ve been in there with a 70 and 6+ draft, a little tight but ok. Just stay close to the breakwater and make a tight turn into the marina

Pascal
You turable talking about my duck hunting buddies at Coinjock. It is just good old country cuisuinefrom the good old bubbas trying to make good the best way possible. They do not make duck calls but they love to trout,marlin fish and duck hunt. Note all the labs around TIM

 

[labrador]

There are usually a few fishing boats just in at coinjock. A bottle of adult beverage gives you the best fresh meal cooked on board I have ever had. If you had to you could make it to Norfolk in one day inside. Adams creek before sunrise is no problem as long as you're careful from Morehead to Core Creek, that one you have to pay attention to. I assume you will be going thru the turning basin to get to the creeks. Otherwise if you go thru the Beaufort bridge, be very careful getting to the creeks. Not a oroblem with depth however get out of the channel there and you're toast as it's very shallow and there is a 90 degree turn you can't miss.