05/20 - 05/23 - Carolina Loop

[naptime]

Hello Cbrats, any one interest in the Carolina Loop this coming spring? This is about a four day trip starting in Norfolk, VA at mile marker “0” on the intercostals waterway. First day going to Coinjock, NC about 50 miles from Norfolk. There is a great restaurant that has the best steak on the east coast. Second day traveling about 32 miles from Coinjock on the North River into the Pasquotank River to Elizabeth City, NC. Elizabeth City has many amenities and is very welcoming to transient boaters. Third day going from Elizabeth City to the Dismal Swamp Canal Welcome Center about 20 miles. This is a remote area with few amenities, but if you like nature you will be home. Forth day travel back to Norfolk about 32 miles. All in all there are 3 locks and much wilderness to travel. If we pick a Friday start we can have a long week end arriving back in Norfolk on Monday. Go to http://www.discoverelizabethcity.com/pdf/Brochures/EC-CVB-LoopBrochure-lores.pdf for additional information. I am open to the date and it would be great to have company.
Richard Clagett

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[DoryLvr]

Depending on when, and a weekend would be best, I may be very up for this. I have considered it but would feel better doing it with company. Lets talk.

[srbaum]

I'm game...
Though I am new to this group, I purchased a 22 for this very purpose of doing this sort of boating.
My dock is only less than 4 miles from MM zero and could be used to stage the boats (for start and finish).

[Ron Cowan]

As you start to set dates etc., please keep the site posted because this is the type trip that I would love to trailer to and see a different area. Being retired, I can fit to about any timing as long as something major is not on the plan already. Shall start a search to see exactly where you are talking about. Sounds good!
Ron

[journey on]

Trick question: what does coinjock mean?

When we stayed there a very BIG cruiser also docked there. I'd always been impressed with boats that used 50 amp service. This one tied 2 ea 50 amp supplies together. That's enough electrical service for a house.

Boris

[Almas Only]

An excellent route choice. We've boated these waters many times, and depending on scheduling, would like to come along.

[Captains Cat]

I did that in the "reverse" in 2003. Dismal Swamp Canal going down, Albemarle Canal coming back to Norfolk. A nice trip! There are some pix in my album.

Charlie

[jhwilson]

Richard,

We would certainly be interested in this trip. We had hoped to do a good part of it this fall but didn't work out. I'll send you a PM and provide email address and phone information.

Harper

[naptime]

Thanks to all that responded, looks like I’ll have some good company on the trip in the Spring. I have been thinking about a date in the May/June timeframe. I talked with Tivo (Litl’ Tug) who lives in the area, his suggestion for good weather was to take the trip sometime between 2 weeks before to 2 weeks after Memorial Day. My constraints for that time frame would be staying away from Memorial Day weekend and the first weekend in June which has been traditionally the Langford Bay C-Dory gathering. Going with a weekend schedule (leaving Friday from Norfolk and returning on Monday) to include those folks that work, that leaves May 13, 20 and June 10, 17 for a start date. I would like to settle on a date by January in order to begin the detailed trip planning. For those interested, think about the dates and get back to me in December.

I will be out of town for the next 2 week enjoying Thanksgiving in West Virginia with my family, so I may not be able to access the C-Brat site until early December.

Boris – I always thought the meaning of Coinjock was a gambler on a one-arm-bandit. However after a web search I found it had to do with mulberries.

Steve – thanks for the offer of your dock, depending on the number going and the size of your dock we may be very interested.

All, any suggestions for the trip are greatly appreciated.

Happy Thanksgiving – Richard Clagett

[damason]

We are interested in making this trip, however, we have plans to go west to Yellowstone by car in late May and June 2011. We are looking to do this in the fall of 2011. We plan to trailer from Florida to Edenton NC. Cruise from Edenton to Coinjock to Chesapeake VA to the Dismal Swamp to Elizabeth City and back to Edenton. As we are retired we plan to take a week or so to do this spending several days each place and not be in a hurry. I will post info in the late summer to see if any body wants to join us at least for part of the trip.

[jhwilson]

Richard,

Regarding the dates, any of those you listed would be fine for us with slight preferences for the May ones.

Harper

[srbaum]

Another item that may be of interest to those that want to trailer near mile marker zero is that there is a very nice double boat ramp very close to my house that has loads of parking. I will check to see if you can leave your rig at the ramp thoughout the weekend adventure if you have interest. Google Portsmouth's City Park.

[Sea Angel]

We are very interested in this adventure, if all goes well with health. This has been a desire for a very long time.

We, too, have spent many years (1988 -2003) on the North River from below the locks to Coinjock on my 18' SeaRay. The Coinjock Restaurant there had the best Prime Rib I ever had, back then. It was located across from the Midway Marina.

You may want to be thinking of going the early part of May to keep away from the beginning of the hurricane season and the heat/humidity that starts to really come in June. Hopefully we will have a wet spring so the locks will be allowed to function more frequently.

Water levels are also wind driven, not tidal. When the wind is from from the north for a period of time it will drive the water south from the locks at Great Bridge; but not as much along the "captured" Dismal Swamp Canal. The C-Dories will not have too much trouble if this happens, but will have to keep your eyes open for stumps along the channel's edges.

Charlie's route may be a wise track for anyone who finds they have to make good time to return to Norfolk in a hurry. The Dismal Swamp Canal is all "no wake" and slow going. Returning via the North River will allow you to make up time at cruise speeds, as needed, with fewer and shorter "no wake" areas.

Charlie and Dave- Do you think 2 days to make Eliz. City with one night on the Canal due to normal lock schedule is correct? I know Coinjock to Norfolk/Hampton is an easy run in one day.

I think the north bound "snow bird" traffic may be lighter at that time also.

Art

[Captains Cat]

[richnkay]

Richard
Kay and I will keep watching this post and your plans. It sounds like a great trip and one we would like to join in. I guess the deciding factor for us would be the weather up here and what date we can get Annalee ready to role.
Rich.