Anchorage Review for Neuse River - South River

Reviewed by: Richard Trumper, Island Fox, on Nov 13, 2024
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 34'
Draft: 4.5'

Updated review. Lukens has a seawall and dock for going ashore, making landing much easier. Stayed 3 days and never worried about anchor (it came up with lots of sticky, stinky mud)

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Anchorage Review for Union Point Park

Reviewed by: Richard Trumper, Island Fox, on Nov 13, 2024
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 34'
Draft: 4.5'

Easy Anchorage just past the bridges. Anchor out of the channel between red 32 and red 34 in about 8 to 9 feet of water with a sandy mud bottom. Short dinghy ride to park docks and restaurants and shops are right there. Was here on a weekend, so some wakes from passing boats and about 10 boats anchored out, but otherwise a great spot.

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Anchorage Review for Neuse River - South River

Reviewed by: Richard Trumper, Island Fox, on Aug 26, 2024
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 34'
Draft: 4.5'

Stayed right in front of Lukens cemetery. Wind was 15-20 on Neuse River from the NE, saw 5-8 anchored here. Held great in black sandy mud. We were the only boat here, not even any mosquitos or flies! Cell is limited to 1 to 2 bars on Verizon and 0 to 1 bars on AT&T.

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Marina Review for Homer Smith Docks and Marina

Reviewed by: Richard Trumper , Island Fox, on Aug 26, 2024
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 34'
Draft: 4.5'

Rating: 5

3rd visit and the facilities are as good as they were 2 years ago when new! Docks are an easy approach even in wind and tide and Dan makes the process even easier. Less than 10 minutes to waterfront shops and restaurants walking past historic homes and close to a neighborhood grocery.

Aug 2024 Pricing was $100 plus $15 for power. Water and Ice at no extra charge. Marina car available.

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Anchorage Review for Cove in South River

Reviewed by: Richard Trumper, Island Fox, on May 31, 2024
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 34'
Draft: 4.5'

Nice anchorage just on west side of main channel, plenty of depth and good holding in mostly mud. It's just a bit further than most weekenders go, so it's usually a little more private. There can be bugs, so have the screens ready. Decent (2 bars) of cell service using Verizon.

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Anchorage Review for Neuse River - South River (Southwest Creek)ek)_

Reviewed by: Richard Trumper, Island Fox, on Jun 12, 2023
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 34'
Draft: 4.5'

Quiet remote anchorage with good holding in soft mud. Almost an hour (at 5 knots) from entrance to South River, Come here when you just want to be alone. Poor cell coverage.

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Marina Review for Church St. Town Dock

Reviewed by: Richard Trumper , Island Fox, on Jun 15, 2022
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 34'
Draft: 4.5'

Rating: 4

As others have said, well worth it for the price $51 for 34' boat with 50 amp service.

BE AWARE of strong current. We docked in opposing wind (20ish) and current (at least 3 or 4) and it was "adventurous". No harm done, only bruised egos.

LOVE downtown. Small bottle shop and multiple restaurants right on waterfront, along with a excellent small local grocery.

No Bathrooms or showers.

Can't wait to come back.

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Bridge comment on Figure Eight Island Swing Bridge

Comment by: Richard Trumper, Island Fox, on Jun 15, 2022
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 34'

Opens on the hour and half hour, bridge tender was extremely polite and professional - even waved out the window as we went by! If you're in a sailboat like we are, you need to be here on the top of the hour to make Wrightsville if you're heading south. We missed the top of the hour and had a long slow motor but were rewarded with a bluefish and a small spanish mackerel trolling a pink squid.

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Bridge comment on SR 74 Bridge

Comment by: Richard Trumper, Island Fox, on Jun 15, 2022
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 34'

Passed through at 5PM, bridge master was polite and opened exactly on time. Current, wind and traffic make this bridge trickier than most. There are restaurants and marinas immediately to the south and lot of boats coming and going, but even more so at 5pm.

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Anchorage Review for Wrightsville Beach

Reviewed by: Richard Trumper, Island Fox, on Jun 15, 2022
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 34'
Draft: 4.5'

Easy anchorage to arrive and leave from and wide open with room for lots of boats. Waiting out NE wind with decent protection. Lots of summer boat traffic makes this anchorage (of course) a bit rolly. Small well stocked grocery 5 minute walk, lots of restaurants easily accessible by dinghy. Fuel readily available as well. 5 minute walk to ocean.

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Marina Review for Homer Smith Docks and Marina

Reviewed by: Richard Trumper , Island Fox, on Jun 12, 2022
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 34'
Draft: 4.5'

Rating: 5

First rate facilities! Basically brand new condition. Beautiful floating docks. Dan met us at the dock and helped tie us up. 3 fantastic bathrooms, loaner car, Free Ice. Easy approach from the north. Walk to town in less than 10 minutes. Definitely will be back.

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Bridge comment on Core Creek (NC 101) Bridge

Comment by: Richard Trumper, Island Fox, on Jun 12, 2022
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 34'

June 12 2022 1PM over 65' clearance - closer to 67' per height boards, south wind 15 knots

Low tide was at 133PM

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Marina Review for Sea Gate Marina

Reviewed by: Richard Trumper , Island Fox, on Jun 12, 2022
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 34'
Draft: 4.5'

Rating: 5

Gas $6.04
Diesel $6.39

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Marina Review for Port City Marina

Reviewed by: Richard Trumper on Sep 21, 2021
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 40'
Draft: 4.5'

Rating: 4

Tanner and Taylor we helpful (information wise) and the marina is well built and the docks first rate. We came in after hours and had no issues docking thanks to the very wide fairways. Only challenge was crab pots outside of marina that would have been near impossible to see after dark. Bathroom trailers leave a bit to be desired, but didn't need them much. Marina restaurant was fantastic. Price was $2.25 per foot, plus $10 for electricity (50 amp) so it's not the cheapest place to stay and they do not offer many discounts (No Boat US)

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Anchorage Review for Neuse River - South River

Reviewed by: Richard Trumper, Island Fox, on May 22, 2021
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 34'
Draft: 4.5'

Anchored Saturday May 22 2021. Almost flat calm, 6 other boats and there is lots of room and the depths match charts very well. Anchored in 10 feet with a muddy bottom, and Mantus grabbed instantly. Some green flies and mosquitoes. Full bars with Verizon. Oh, and lots of dolphins all around.

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Anchorage Review for Oriental - Greens Creek

Reviewed by: Richard Trumper, Island Fox, on May 12, 2021
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 34'
Draft: 4.5'

Water can be shallow, but if you can get under the bridge there is good wind protection from most directions. This creek is all residential with little or no access to town other than by dinghy. A great place to anchor and watch the 4th of July fireworks that are set off from the bridge.

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Anchorage Review for Oriental - Neuse River

Reviewed by: Richard Trumper, Island Fox, on May 12, 2021
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 34'
Draft: 4.5'

This is our home port. Great small town of less than 1000 people. Small anchorage and a few transient marinas make up the waterfront. There is a large free dinghy dock with access to trash and recycling. There are 2 Restaurants (M&M's and Toucan Grill) and a Coffee Shop on the waterfront as well as a few more within 15 minutes walk. Free pickup service from the Piggly Wiggly grocery store is available for supplies. For most things boat and gift related, visit Pat at the Provision Company.
They even have local and organic food. There is also a West Marine and The Village Hardware Store also within walking distance. Add a brewey, art gallery, boutique womans clothing store and downtown is a wonderful place. Finally, there are 2 large boatyards on Whittaker Creek for haulouts and repairs. Dogs run free and people wave and say hello.

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Marina Review for Galley Stores Marina

Reviewed by: Richard Trumper on May 12, 2021
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 27'
Draft: 4.5'

Rating: 3

Easy to enter, only "wind" current to deal with. Get's narrow fast if all slips are occupied. Floating docks with 50 Amp service. Stayed 2 nights. Easy walking to downtown restaurants and shops. West Marine is a 10-15 minute car ride and not well suited for sailors. Great boatyard across the harbor (Bridgeton Boatworks). Galley Stores Marina is a working BP gas station and convenience store with a better than average wine selection! Loses points for bathrooms and shower situation.

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Bridge comment on Florida Ave. & Southern Railroad Bridge

Comment by: Richard Trumper on May 12, 2021
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 40'

Be Aware - This bridge does not open during rush hour. We spent and hour doing small circles in front of the old factory before a tug let us tie up to the barge he was pushing.

• WG Editor Comment:
  

  The bridge listing defines the restricted times.

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Marina Review for Shell Morgan Landing Inc.

Reviewed by: Richard Trumper on May 12, 2021
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 40'
Draft: 4.5'

Rating: 3

Stayed Dec 29 2020 - Was only place to get fuel (gas) and the staff was helpful. Real shallow (soft mud) to the right side of the entrance. No real dock or seawall, just a metal retaining wall with grass and sand behind it. Long walk to small grocery store, but we saw an alligator warming himself in the sun. Bathrooms were a bit suspect, walls don't go all the way to the ground. But, they also had 2 major hurricanes just a few months before.

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Marina Review for Morgan City Boat Dock

Reviewed by: Richard Trumper on May 12, 2021
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 40'
Draft: 4.5'

Rating: 4

Stayed Dec 30 2020 - Definitely call ahead for navigation advice to avoid the sandbar that runs most of the length of the waterfront (seagulls stand there and watch you dock). We called and spoke to a Town employee (dockmaster?) It seems odd to leave the money in the dropbox on the dock but it worked out well. Very little services for a "marina" (only power and water) but excellent place to stop and explore. The locals all wanted to talk and tell you about the town, with one guy taking us on an hour long mini tour of the historic district. And, we loved Rita's Maes. Also has a decent Marine/Hardware store 1 block away.

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Marina Review for Orleans Marina

Reviewed by: Richard Trumper on May 12, 2021
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 40'
Draft: 4.5'

Rating: 4

Stayed here New Years Eve 2021 on a boat delivery. Came into the Marina in the dark with 1 engine and had no issues. Very well lit entrance and markers. Docks are secured by large steel gates/doors and the other boat owners were friendly. Close to boat yards, parts stores and mechanics (walking distance). I agree it can be a bit of a party atmosphere just outside the marina, but it is New Orleans and it was New Years Eve!

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Marina Review for Manteo Waterfront Marina

Reviewed by: Richard Trumper on May 12, 2021
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 34'
Draft: 4.5'

Rating: 5

We were based here for 5 years and LOVED it! Multiple high quality restaurants nearby, 2 grocery stores within walking distance, lots of great shops and a movie theater just across the street. This town also does lots of special events (First Friday, Dare Days, Parades, Etc) so keep an eye on the Town's website.

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