Carolina Loop

V

van lafermine

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Anyone have any experience with the Carolina Loop. From Norfolk thru the ICW down to the Albemarle sound and back up to Elizabeth city and then thru the Dismal Swamp?

I have been studying the guides but am looking for personal experiences. We will be heading down the 2nd week of Aug. and taking about 3 days to do the whole loop. I would like to hear from those who have done part of the trip to those who have done the whole loop.

How are the bugs at that time of yr. Water depths in the Dismal? We will probably not anchor and pull into Coinjock, Elizabeth City and the Welcome Center for one night each.

Thanks for your replies.
 
Coinjock know I'm in the mood for a Prime Rib! or a half a cow that's what is looked like anyway:)

Have a great trip sounds like fun I have never made the loop but I have come up the ICW slow but fun trip!
 
August in the Dismal? Bring LOTS of bug spray and hope your A/C doesn't quit. :)

Bob
 
i've never done the Dismal since the boat i run is too big... the ICW route is ok but i'm not sure it's really worth doing that trip unless you're going to take a couple more days and explore the outer banks. I'd skip Coinjock and from Norfolk head straight to Manteo which i've heard is a nice town.
 
Coinjock doesnt offer much more than a great dinner at the marina. Elizabeth city is a nice walk around downtown and eating at the cypress creek grill.. no electric at the free docks. If the wind is out of the SE, move around the corner and tie up at Jeanette's Foods on the NW side of the bridge.
Water is good right now thru the dismal but that may change if we have a dry summer.
i have done various parts for work and pleasure and thinnk its a great trip to make. On longer trips shoot for Columbia; Edenton, Manteo,
 
I may take Pascal's suggestion and skip Coinjock. But that prime rib sounded good. I have heard Manteo is nice. If I can put in the timeline we may just do that
 
Coinjock is not a destination spot it is simply a good stop for an end of day layover and a great prime rib but cast off in the morning.
 
I think that 3 days will be pushing it. The speed limit in the Dismal Swamp is 5 mph and you will not want to exceed that anyway as you will bring up logs and debris from the bottom if you do. You can make it to Elizabeth City if you make the first lock opening and push it all the way down the Pasqotank river down. But the Pasqotank river is actually the most scenic section imo. Also a day in Elizabeth City and at least a day in Manteo would be worthwhile. Manteo is a very nice layover and not far off the ICW. But getting from there back to Norfolk in a day would also be pushing it. Take your time and enjoy the trip.
 
Manteo is a ways away, but indeed a great stop. Depending on your draft, you may not be able to enter from the north, get local knowledge. Another nice option is to go past Elizabeth City and up the Albemarle to Edenton, another very lovely town (nicer than EC I think) with a town dock. Then back to/through Elizabeth City up the Dismal. August? Wheeew!
 
I ve stopped at coimjock a couple of times, yeah the prime rib is nice but not worth an overnight stop. I usually refuel
In Psmouth and prefer to get across the Albemale and anchor in the alligator river.

Manteo is about 20nm from the Albemale entrance to the ICW and Dismal, or about an hour for a boat like yours. Afaik, it s around 6' into Manteo from the Albemale but again I ve never been there
 
Like I said, best to get local knowledge as it can get very interesting going to Manteo, which is indeed a great destination, but a little knuckle whitening going in uninformed. If the wind is blowing the water out, a little too "interesting". Best to call Shallowbag harbormaster or one of the tow services to walk you in or shoo you off. Range 4 gets you in from the north.

http://www.saw.usace.army.mil/nav/manteo-oregon.htm
 
Good Morning Van,
I am currently 1/2 way through your intended route sitting on the hard at Atlantic Yacht Basin having some maintenance done on Savasa. Our home port is Camden, NC and we ran up the DSC to Chesapeake, VA last week. I fully agree with most of the advice already offered:
1) Coinjock prime rib-nothing to write home about for the most part the 2 times we've experienced it. Big portions but tough. OK I suppose.
2) Cypress Creek Grill-The Admirals favorite eatery in EC (don't order the squid pasta-everything else is very good. Crab dip...mmmm). Would also recommend Quality Seafood on Ehringhaus St. (5 minute walk from the municipal docks) for GOOD, albeit mostly deep fried, seafood-fast, good service but NO "ambiance", just good, quite reasonably priced food. My favorite-fried oysters or maybe the clam strips or...
3) Aug. in Dismal-Yup, bugs and hot (at least last year)
4) I second (or third) Manteo. Nice waterfront with some history (Lost Colony). Restaurant's we've found by the waterfront are literally minutes walk from the municipal marina (first class facility with pumpout-no fuel, very good dock master (Carl), who'll talk you in the last few nav' markers)
Three days???? Well, I suppose it CAN be done if you're a marathoner, but I suggest, as others have, take your time and enjoy the ride. At least a week should provide an enjoyable experience and generate some pleasant memories.
Watch out for the crab pot floats in Albermarle Sound-lots of them ALL over.
Hope this helps.
Regards, Peter
 
All,
Thanks for the reply's! After reading about the entrance to Mateo I am not sure I want to take that chance. I have IPS and am not to keen on rubbing bottom.

We are actually out for 2 weeks but dont have allot of time due to meeting up with other friends who do not want to do the ICW portion. This loop has been on my bucket list so we are going with one other boat. So we basically have 3 nights 4 days to do the trip. How would you handle that if you had the same amount of time?
 
Hiya Van,
Well, I'm only a 1/2 looper thus far. EC to AYB (Mile 12 ICW, just south of the Great Bridge locks) took me 2 days due to speed limits on the Great Dismal Swamp, waiting for lockages/bridges and Savasa's speed limitation of 8 knts. I expect the run back to EC, which I have never done before, will take me 2 days as well (via Coinjock) again due to speed of 8 knts. I'll be doing this stretch on May 18/19 and IF I remember (Ya, ya, the memory isn't the first thing to go...), I'll post my observations. I agree with Ted Williams. The Pasquatank river IS the most scenic. The rest of the canal is somewhat dull IMHO.
Regarding Manteo, I draw 4'8" have been in and out twice with no problems but that's not saying anything about next time.
 
Savasa,
I would be very interested in hearing about your experience. Please keep me posted as to your trip.

I realize that the swamp has a speed limit but I travel rb2@gr5t26kts + at cruise. So when we can run I will take advantage of that and hopefully not miss any sights. I live in the middle Chesapeak and am very familiar with crab pots so kind of use to dodging them. Good Luck!
 
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