CODA Mid-Atlantic 2025 (1).

CODA : Leaving North Carolina.  

24 April 2025 

Coinjock docks, Coinjock, North Carolina  

Enticing boat at the Coinjock docks.

Marc-  Coinjock is an Algonquin name meaning and of the blueberry bogs.  It lies on the eastern edge of the Great Dismal Swamp and is home to wind ground blueberries.  Unfortunately we did not find any blueberries.

We arrived on board Coda last night after a 13 hour drive from South Hero, Vermont that included a 2 mile ferry crossing of Lake Champlain and a 23 mile multiple tunnel and bridge crossing of Chesapeake Bay from the Delmarva peninsula.  All was fine.   This morning the wind had removed something over 6 inches from the water level in the Lamb's marina basin. Coda was partially resting in sand.  Mr. Lamb simply indicated that it was soft sand and we can pull it off easily into deeper water at the fuel dock.  This plan sounded good since we needed fuel anyway.  Mr. Lamb must have grown up as a can-do farmer since nothing seems to stop him.  He indicated where I should tie the boat and I just hand winched it over to the fuel dock using Coda's genoa sheet winches.  We then filled up and were off on our merry way no worse for the experience.

Our second exciting event of the day came as we were leaving Elizabeth City via the lower Pasquotank River.  Elizabeth City is home to a very large US Coast Guard Search and Rescue base. It's also a training base and some of the younger members were out on the River when they came upon Coda.  Charlie was at the helm and I was storing provisions when we were hailed by the Coast Guard.  The Coast Guard boat came from behind and then alongside Coda.  The Chief officer indicated that we would be boarded for a safety inspection.  Then they just came aboard without either boat slowing down or attaching to each other.  Two Coast Guard officers came aboard and proceeded to ask a series of questions and to view certain locations on the boat.  They inspected the holding tank set up and made certain that any discharge seacock was sealed off with a wire tie.  Next came the inspection of fire extinguishers.  Extinguishers must be less than 10 years old.  Two of mine were 4 years old and one was 12 years old.  The regulations require only 2 extinguishers so we passed.  Whew!  There were various safety placards and documentation of a plan for waste management.  The officers only found one thing missing: an oil discharge placard.  I know there is one such placard on this boat but I could not find it.  They decided to give me a warning and left.   Several minutes later they came back with a free placard and the warning went away.  All of this was handled in a professional and friendly manner.  One of the Coast Guard officers admitted that he wants a sailboat after seeing Coda.  We spent some time discussing their mission and how far they go out to rescue sailors in distress and their resources.  They also pointed out that they have an observation blimp at the base.  It is housed in a funny looking building that looks like a beached whale.  

The rest of the day was rather routine with motor sailing over to Coinjock via the Virginia Cut canal route.  Things got more exciting when we tied up at the Coinjock docks when an incredible wooden boat tied up behind us.  The amount of brightwork on "Enticer" is impressive.

Where it all began.

Leaving the City of Hospitality:  Elizabeth City.

Elizabeth City bridge.

The Coast Guard appears out of nowhere.

The 2 officers who board Coda.

6 officers on board the Coast Guard boat.

This boat is so big and beautiful that I could not get it all in one photo.

Charlie Langworthy type finishes all over this boat.  Perfection in wood!

CODA BACK IN THE THE USA 2025 (95).

CODA : In water storage in North Carolina continues.  

14-23 April 2025 

Lamb's Marina, Pasquotank River, Elizabeth City, North Carolina 

Coda in her storage spot at Lamb's Marina.

Marc-  I am writing this from my dining room table in Vergennes, Vermont where it snowed yesterday.

The snow stuck to the grass for a while but it has already melted on the green grass on the lawn.  I was not quite sure what to expect for weather on my drive up in a rental car.  We stopped in Washington, DC for one night.  Washington was in full bloom with cherry blossoms aplenty.  It was nice to visit with our friends the Gilmartins that live there.  I dropped Michael off in New Jersey and it looked like spring had arrived there as well.  As soon as I reached Albany the trees were without leaves and no flowers could be seen.  The Adirondack high peaks still had plenty of snow.  The wether forecast is for temperatures to surge into the 70's in the coming days.

Washington Cherry blossoms.

Nice homes in the Mount Pleasant Historic District of Washington 

where we stayed.

Flowers everywhere.

All the homes seem to be masonry townhouses and all merge together. They are quite soundproof.  Another feature is a back street with back yards and parking.  The backs of houses face each other on the back street and the fronts face each other on the front street.  Cool urban planning.

The blog is on hold until I return to Coda on April 23rd.

 

    

CODA BACK IN THE THE USA 2025 (94).

CODA : Exploring northern North Carolina continues.  

14 April 2025 

Lamb's Marina, Pasquotank River, Elizabeth City, North Carolina    

Deep in the bottom of the Dismal Swamp Canal route.

Coda found herself a deep water marina.

Marc-  This was one of the best sailing days of our trip so far.  It started off with a light southwest breeze of 10 knots that built into 15- 20 knots with 30 knot gusts.  We motorsailer out the Alligator River.  Once in the Albemarle Sound the wind took hold and Coda took off averaging 7.5 knots under sail alone.  We reached 8.5 in gusts.  We were able to sail right up the Pasquotank river up past the sprawling Coast Guard base.  Elizabeth City is the Location of a major search and rescue Coast Guard base.  https://www.dcms.uscg.mil/Our-Organization/Director-of-Operational-Logistics-DOL/Bases/Base-Elizabeth-City/. 

We needed a place to leave Coda while I rent a car to bring Michael back to New Jersey and for me to go home for Easter.  Maybe I can find some crew at the same time! 

 Lamb's Marina was suggested by Dan, at the Mid-Atlantic Christian University, offers free dockage for short term transients. 10 days is not considered short term.  Larry Lamb was most welcoming and has a nice marina with a well dredged channel and basin (8 feet) with well maintained docks and facilities (at very reasonable rates).  It is surprising how many large sailboats and trawlers are in here.  Mr. Lamb explained that he has to compete with the various "free docks" at downtown Elizabeth City.  His current problem is magnified by a temporary closure of the Dismal Swamp Canal due to a bridge replacement.

Sunset last night at out Alligator River anchorage.

The moon was setting as we raised the anchor.

We turned East and saw the sunrise. 

CODA BACK IN THE THE USA 2025 (93).

 CODA : Exploring northern North Carolina.  

13 April 2025 

Alligator River Deep Point North Anchorage,  Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge, North Carolina   

Osprey looking for prey.

Marc-  We spent 4.5 hours motoring north through the Pungo River to the Alligator-Pungo Canal and anchored at the Southern end of the Alligator River in the National Wildlife Preserve.  There is nothing here but nature.  Our anchorage is well protected from the 15-20 knot winds that would have made crossing Ablemarle Sound very uncomfortable.  After the wet and wild morning we had yesterday will will wait for the 10 knot southwest wind forecasted for tomorrow.

CODA BACK IN THE THE USA 2025 (92).

 CODA : Exploring northern North Carolina.  

12 April 2025 

Dowry Creek Marina, Belhaven, North Carolina   

Moonrise over Dowry Creek.

Marc-  We could not help ourselves this morning and so we just had to visit a few more boats before we left Oriental.  We enjoyed breakfast, coffee and a bagel, at The Bean.  It is quite the village gathering spot in the morning.  We moved Coda over to the fuel dock to top off the tank.  We also took on water.

The first course out of the Neuse River was good for sailing.  The remainder of the day was motoring into 15-20 knot winds from the North with four foot waves on Pamlico Sound. We did have a reprieve taking the land cut through Goose Creek past RE Mayo shrimp fishery.  The wind did calm done finally as we approached Dowry Creek.  Unfortunately two of our hatches were not closed tightly enough during the wave crashing on deck time period.  Those two hatches just happened to be over Michael's bunk in the guest cabin and my bunk in the forward cabin.  Thankfully Dowry Creek Marina has free washers and dryers.  They also have a first rate restaurant.

One last view of Oriental.

A new version of Michael's old boat.

These prices are crazy.

_____________________

A hummingbird gathering on our neighbor's boat.

Moonrise over Coda in Dowry Creek.

CODA BACK IN THE THE USA 2025 (91).

CODA : Well in to North Carolina.  

11 April 2025 

Oriental downtown docks, Oriental, North Carolina   

  

Oriental downtown docks where they just happened to be a boat show going on.

Marc-  We left Mile Hammock anchorage at 06:15 to arrive at the Onslow beach bridge in time for the 07:00 opening and timed it perfectly.  We passed through with a rather large cruising motor yacht behind us.  The weather was mixed, we had rain, headwind, thunderstorms at a distance, and then a stretch of sailing in Bogue Sound with favorable current.  It didn't last since we eventually changed waterways to find contrary current and contrary winds. 

 The best news came when I called the Oriental Marina manager who told me that he had found us a spot to tie up if we didn't mind being in the boat show since an exhibitor had cancelled.  We ended up in a terrific spot in the middle of everything right in front of The Bean coffee shop (they also have terrific ice cream - what could be better.  Two large ice cream cones for $4.50).  We went to visit some of the extravagant boats.  We also visited the "marine garage sale" tent.  The whole atmosphere is very low key and friendly in this self-proclaimed "sailing Capital of North Carolina".  Michael took us to a local restaurant called M&M that was excellent.  We returned to find the whole section of the harbor being used for the boat show cordoned off by the local Sheriffs (and they stayed on duty to guard all of the stuff as well).  They let us pass without a fuss.

Sunrise soon after passing through the Onslow beach bridge.

One of the brighter moments of the day passing a cruise ship in Morehead City.

There were some dark clouds hanging around as we passed through the Commercial fishing fleet docks in Oriental inner harbor.

We made it (no worries about the bowsprit overhanging the dock since there are no tides here).

There was even a quilter's tent.  I bought these beautiful napkins for Sue.

CODA BACK IN THE THE USA 2025 (90).

CODA : Discovering North Carolina.  

10 April 2025 

Mile Hammock Anchorage, USMC Camp LeJeune, North Carolina    

We are anchored at a military training base.

Marc-  We followed the ICW coastal route today from Carolina Beach to Camp LeJeune.  The route is protected by barrier islands and watered by many inlets along the way. These same inlets also create shoal areas that require maintenance dredging to keep the route passable.  We encountered several dredges at work today.  Two drawbridges caused some delay but not much.  We saw dolphins and pelicans all over.  We are anchored with 5 powerboats and we've been traveling with 4 of them over the last few days.  The Marine's have a drawbridge for access to the barrier island that is being replaced.  The construction crew limits boat passage prior to 07:00, between 12:00 to 13:00, and then after 17:00. We have set our alarms for 06:00.

Mother and baby dolphin in the ICW today.

Mile Hammock anchorage.