Canals and Rivers NC

Buddy boat IP38 Moondance runs the canal...

This is our 5th passage through the waters of the Neuse River, Pamlico River, Alligator River and Pungo River and we never seem to get tired of taking in the diverse scenery and wild nature of this beautiful waterway. This trip was unusual in the fact that we could sail the entire area and some boats even ran a full jib, on a beam reach, while running the 22 nm Alligator River-Pungo River canal. From beautiful sunsets on anchor in the Alligator River to beam reaching across Albemarle Sound in 1-2 foot chop to a custom ultra light sea plane doing fly-bys and Marine Corps jets making practice flights, this leg is always so interesting.

IP38 Moondance Crossing Albamarle Sound

Along the canal we spotted many turtles and a few birds and one deer along the water's edge. When heading north, this leg ends in the CITY OF HOSPITALITY, Elizabeth City, NC where the famous ROSE BUDDIES host a free wine and cheese party for the visiting boaters. Former Mayor Steve Atkins and Charlotte Underwood, Director of the Convention and Visitors Bureau were our gracious hosts. There is no other town on the entire waterway that makes cruising boaters feel more welcome and more at home than Elizabeth City, North Carolina. Imagine giving away free docks and free water and free wine and free WiFi and free snacks just because we stopped in and visited. NO OTHER CITY does this! It is always a joy to spend time here and to support the local town by shopping, dining and spending money here. We will spend two days doing just that with our buddy boat friends Nina and Bob on IP38 Moondance. (Good-bye to new friends Dave and Suzy of IP37 Cay Paraiso who took the Virginia Cut route to Norfolk on their way home to Maine.)  Welcome to Elizabeth City, NC!

Here are some photos of this section

Alligator River-Pungo River Canal, 22 nm long

IP38 Moondance reaching across Albemarle Sound

R. E. Mayo Shrimp Dock and fishing fleet, Hobucken NC

Beautiful colors reflecting on the waterway

Jeff and Susan, of Active Captain website, passed us with their 53 footer named A Capella

It has been a VERY WINDY year. We needed to strike this flag, 1,875 nm so far

View from the helm while running the canal

Cypress tree stumps along the waters edge are so photogenic 

Sunset over the Alligator River after our first 90 degree day this year!

Alligator River Bascule Bridge, notice the flags blowing in nice 20 knots of beam winds

We got buzzed by a custom ultra light sea plane, how cool!

The pilot waved at us!

Our two day runs, about 50 miles each day

From Beautfort, NC we sailed north up the Neuse River to Bonner Bay where we anchored out. This map begins at Bonner Bay where we crossed Bay River and then motorsailed through the Alligator Pungo Canal and anchored in the Alligator River. From there, we sailed north on a nice west wind of 15-20 across Albemarle Sound and up the Pasquotank River to Elizabeth City.  We have had 3 days of great sailing - so much fun!

Here is our Spotwalla Trip Map
https://spotwalla.com/tripViewer.php?id=86e952b4252ab9f2e