Is it possible to transit the ICW from Norfolk to Wrightsville Beach with a sailboat drawing 6' with an air draft of 63.5'. Heading south, with the intention being to escape the cape, is Wrightsville the logical point to head back outside or is there a more preferred inlet?
Hi, I don't know the answer to your question but I am curious as to how you got on with your shaft problems a couple of months ago.
I don't think you can get under the Wilkeson bridge, at the south end of alligator canal around MM120 or so. It s 64' on the charts but is reported to be a foot or two less. You may be able to run the sounds from the Albemarle although a 6' draft is close to the limit in some spots. Not sure what the bridges are in that section Further south everything should be 65' and you can play the tides. Beaufort is a much better inlet that WB, Where again 6' may require some tide once inside Here is a link to my notes from last fall. We stayed south this summer so some shoaling info may be outdated sandBARhopper Boatips : ICW Notes
As Pascal said you should run the Albemarle and Pamlico. I just ran Boston to Thunderbolt last week in an 85' motor yacht that draws 6'5" ...came inside at Norfolk and went back outside at Beaufort. Mind the channel markers and you sould have no trouble with a 6' draft. Leaving Norfolk if you're at Gilmerton bridge at 9:30am you'll arrive at the Steel bridge and then at the lock right on schedule (at approx 10 knots) minimizing your waiting around time. 65' is the published height of the fixed bridges but as you will read and hear, some are thought to be lower than advertised. If you stay inside to Wrightsville Beach the Masonboro is one of the better inlets for getting back outside (in a power boat, anyway). Trust the buoys.
I just found out that this boat was ordered with an optional deep keel and is 7 ft draft. That, I suppose ends any thought of going inside past Hatteras? Will put an update on the Hundested system on the powertrain thread once I get to a better internet connection...
Well, alligator river and canal is out because of the bridge having less than 65'... The next route west of manteo is out because of the 45' fixed bridge which leaves you with the channel on the east side of manteo with a 65' bridge. I don't know if you can take 7' thru old house channel. There is one comment on Active capt about 7' minimum, that s cuttingly close. Get local knowledge from either the local sea tow or tow boat us
I used to run up the sounds there and just made it under a bridge with a perhaps two feet to spare- and I need 45 feet. The post above may be talking about that bridge.
Looks like we just suck it up and head offshore. Leaving from Nova Scotia, Florida bound via the east coast. Have had our fill of heading out to Bermuda at this time of year and looking for a low impact trip. Hatteras looks like the price we pay for staying west...
