To Scallywaggers, here is a map showing Erik H's trip itinerary....

Notes on Friday from me as a local but not official until Erik H chimes in....
- There is usually a light land breeze or wind in the mid am during summer, then calm at lunch as the change occurs in temperature, then a gradually increasing sea breeze as the afternoon progresses, maybe up to 12 knots, then decreasing until calm at evening. (Any storm will change this pattern, of course.)
- 80% of the time, a NOAA forecast for thunderstorms for the Wilmington area will produce the rain and wind two to four miles inland and not hit the beach because of the sea breeze that holds it off. Those other 20% will get you of course.
- If there is small craft advisory, best bet would be to use the ICW up north, 8 miles, to the anchorage.
- First, and best chance for fuel is Joyner's Marina
SEE HERE
that is right across from NC Wildlife Ramp that is the Scallywag Official Starting Place.
- The anchorage could get crowded Friday afternoon, so it would be best if we get there soon on Friday, but with the Fourth not being a weekend date this year, it could be less popluated than past years.
- The Friday night anchorage is 34 10.408 N, 77 49.483W roughly. This is Masonboro Island, only accessible by boat, so uncrowded most of the time. There is plenty of place to camp out with tents as well. There is ocean/surf access 200 yards over the dunes, and the sound is good for fishing and swimming in calmer waters. (Wear foot protection from some oyster shells, although the anchorage is sandy bottom with a beach that is broad at low tide and small at high tide. High tide is 630 pm, (somebody check me) so the barbeque area could get skinny but it is rare that the beach is all under (neap tide and full moon, etc) ,anyway, it is a great place and those of you that love Cape Lookout, well, this is our version.......calm waters with sand separating you from the ocean and a great walk on a practically deserted 7 mile island.
- Dogs are supposed to be leashed............ but most are not..... no NC rangers except on the major holidays so far....
- I suggest anchoring stern first with bow anchor out and stern anchor on beach. Then adjust anchors as tide moves. I hope to assist anyone who has not done this. Even though I usually try to stay clear of other boats, I think, since we will be one group, we could get fairly close together with fenders out it need-be for space.....
- There is space for tubing as well if you have kids and a strong engine.
- Saturday morning will be a trip to Wilmington per Erik's post above. 8 miles south then 10 miles north, maybe a bit more.. There are two shortcuts, one from the Friday night anchorage south bypassing Shinn's Creek and the other at the south end of Snow's Cut, taking a sharp right turn north. Both shortcuts have serious shoal danger but I use them OK with my foils all up and go slow and at 1/2 tide and rising or better..... We can discuss with Erik Friday night.
- The ride north is scenic on the Cape Fear and we will be against the tide, (subject to someone else confiming the tide tables.) so we will be losing 2 to 3 knots speed on the trip.
- We will pass the the Wilmington Docks on the left as we near Wilmington and there is a good chance we will pass ocean going freighters, but the Cape Fear River affords plenty of room for our Macs.
- If anyone has lost out a chance to dock at the City Docks through Erik H, I may have a suggestion or two for anchorages.
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Wahoooooo!!!! Get er done.....!!! Come on, anyone who wants to....