Long Term Anchoring in New Bern, NC

[Captain Smollett]

Long term anchoring and making a 'base camp' in a southern town was discussed on the 5/6/2014 chat.  The idea, presented by Jim_ME, is for northern based sailors to keep a boat at a southern port for winter escapes to southern locales.

We talked about New Bern, NC as a possible site (there are MANY good places from Chesapeake southward), and I thought I'd give it an overview.  We have the "Cruising Stations" idea to provide shoreside support for transients, but this idea is "leave your boat unattended here a while."  As such, I'm writing this from a different perspective than the usual 'anchoring / visiting for transients' type of thing in most cruising guides.

I think it would be cool for others to start threads on long term anchoring in their locations as well.

Navigating to and around New Bern: 

The main chart of the area is 11552 "Neuse River and Upper Part of Bay River."

This chart is available for free from NOAA in three formats:  Regular RNC BSB, Single RNC in PDF format, and as Chart Booklet PDF.

Also, Maptech Waterproof Chart 90 "Pamlico and Neuse Rivers" has this chart, 11552, and part of 11553 on one side and uses 11548 and 11554 for the other side.

The Physical Anchorage in New Bern:

Here is a snapshot from 11552 of the area that I call the "City Anchorage," though it's not run by the city at all.  There are no specific regulations, limits or involvement of any government agency, obviously so long as you don't anchor in the channel or in such a way to endanger property.



The anchorage, "A," lies on the Trent River off one of the boat ramps at Lawson Creek Park (named after Colonial explorer John Lawson, co-founder of New Bern who was beheaded by local Native people).  To get there from the Neuse River, you have to pass through TWO opening bridges, though the railroad bridge is generally open unless a train is expected or they are working on the bridge.  In my observation, they generally do not open the railroad bridge if it's closed, so if it's closed, you just have to wait it out.  However, I have seen them open for waiting boats when they knew the train was delayed.

The Cunningham Bridge over the Trent River opens "on demand" except certain times, in which it opens on a half-hour schedule.  The bridge tender monitors Channel 13 on VHF, and I have passed through this bridge with sails up (both motorsailing and just sailing) without hassle and have seen other boats do so as well.  Clearance on the new bridge when closed is, I think, 16 ft.  This charted vertical clearance (14 ft) and a lot of online references to this bridge are for the older bridge before it was rebuilt (re-opened in 2010).  If traveling to New Bern or planning to leave from upstream the Cunningham Bridge, check the LTM for closure information; they sometimes close for things like bike races and whatnot. One other point about the Cunningham Bridge to keep in mind...they do not open in high winds (above 30 knots I think it is, though it may be a lower limit).

There are parts of the anchorage that have a lot of trash in the water which is mostly debris from old, destroyed docks and at least one shipwreck.  There are also lots of crab pots in the area.  Stick more to the area marked as "A" in the chart above, the little basin between the Hwy 70 Bridge and the channel going behind Jack's Island (so called island, but not shown as an island on the chart) and the anchoring is less foul with debris.

There are two channels to keep clear: the first is the main channel between the railroad bridge and the Hwy 70 Bridge over the Trent River (fixed, clearance 45 ft) and the second is a channel that runs behind Jack's Island (part of Lawson Creek Park) to the second boat ramp (second boat ramp not shown on this chart but it would be on the left edge right where that creek bends to north).

There is a lot of high speed power boat traffic in this area, so anchored boats do get waked a lot.

The holding is generally good in the sand and mud bottom. There is not-bad protection from direct wind, but E and W winds can work the Trent to a froth.  Lots of boats anchor here to ride out hurricanes.

There is no need for large, heavy permanent moorings to 'moor' here for extended periods.  Modified Bahamiam Mooring and Star Mooring such as described in Lin and Larry's "Cost Conscious Cruiser" and Eric Hiscock's "Voyaging Under Sail" will work fine using the boat's normal cruising anchoring gear (assuming not undersized!).  Boats in the anchorage run from single hook to moorings, so there is no "set" way.  I can provide details on the two anchor setup I used to leave my boat in Georgetown for 18 months as an example, but here's low quality art showing the concept:



Some parts of the anchorage offer from-the-water views of Tryon Palace (Colonial Governor's Mansion).

Shore Access and Amenities:

Lawson Creek Park is the closest shore access to the anchorage.  There are two boat ramps (both with floating docks) and several grassy areas suitable for launching canoes, kayaks and dinghies.  There is a bathroom at the park, but it's a bit of a walk (few hundred yards) from the shoreline nearest to the anchorage.  This park would be fine for day use of the boat, but would not be good for general access since the gates are closed at night and it's not the best place to leave a car unattended overnight.

New Bern Grand Marina "C" allows dinghy access and parking can probably be arranged.  NBGM also has bathrooms, showers, laundry and pumpout.  Call for latest info on services and costs to anchored transients at (252) 638-0318.  Downtown New Bern with a variety of shops and restaurants is a block's walk from the New Bern Grand's docks.

Bridge Pointe Marina "B" may also allow access dinghy access, parking, bathrooms, showers, laundry and pumpout to transients.  Call (252) 636-3637 for latest info.  Outback Steakhouse is adjacent to Bridge Pointe Marina, and the marina used to allow free dockage for Outback customers.

Both of those marinas are between the Cunningham Bridge and the railroad bridge. Neither of these marinas sell fuel.

The closest fuel dock is at "The Galley Store" "D" which is on the Neuse River (that is, on the Neuse side of both the Cunningham and railroad bridges) just upstream of Union Point Park and past the Comfort Suites.  If your boat has inboard, non-portable tanks, this is your only option in town. The fuel dock is at the restaurant Persimmons (pricey, fancier cuisine) if you want to tie alongside for that kind of meal.  There is also a small marina at this location, but it's tight and not well protected from anything except a westerly wind.

There are several "City Docks" at Union Point Park; I've seen pretty big boats tied up there for a night or two, and they could be used for dinghy access. Beware, though, that several of these docks are old and fixed, so a dinghy could get UNDER the dock and be damaged.  The one new one is a floating dock that was replaced after Hurricane Irene.  These docks are charted above the "10" sounding label just East of the Cunningham Bridge. There are bathrooms at the park, and there's a ramp there, too. As with Lawson Creek, I would not leave a vehicle there overnight or for extended periods.

Please note that the chart's position for "Union Point" is not quite right for the area called Union Point Park - Union Point Park is the corner of land just above that prominent 10 ft sounding label.  The dolphin shown just right of "HOR CL 90 FT" marks the ramp at Union Point.  The small peninsula charted at that dolphin is where the gazebo for Comfort Suites motel is located, so the motel is about where the "Pt" is written.

Air Travel to/from New Bern - There is a small airport in New Bern (Coastal Regional Airport, KEWN) with services from US Airways and Delta. The airport is about a 1 mile walk from Bridge Pointe Marina.  Note that it is sometimes cheaper to fly into Raleigh-Durham (RDU) and rent a car if you don't mind the 2 hour drive.

If you need a boat yard, the closest yard is Duck Creek.  See this post for more detailed specific information on yards in this area.  Duck Creek has a travel lift and can commission/decommission boats off trailers.  The problem I have with Duck Creek is getting in and out of there can be tricky with the wind tide.  One could be yard bound waiting for the water to blow in deep enough to leave the yard, all the while paying for the stay.  The charted depth of the creek is 6-8 ft with 7 reported in the yard's marina; with wind tides blowing out up to 4 or more feet, one could easily have less than 3 ft.  Also, the mouth of the creek, (where it intersects the Neuse River) has a charted depth of 3 ft except for the unmarked or poorly marked channel.  The approach to the mouth of the creek requires "local knowledge" to enter without grounding.

Dominant Winds:

Technically, our dominant wind is from the SW, but all winds from the west side of the rose are fairly common. West and NW seem to rule the anchorage, perhaps due to land effects (the Hwy 70 Bridges, etc). 

NE winds come from fronts and blow water from the Neuse into the Trent with about 2 miles of fetch; NE winds were the most uncomfortable at B Dock at Bridge Point Marina in terms of wave action.  The anchorage is slightly more protected from this than the marina.

East winds are rare, but do happen.

Thunderstorms in summer are common.  Nor'easters in winter march across about 1-2 per week.  They vary in strength.  We've seen over 50 knots in the marina from winter systems.

Sailing in summer is not ideal; there is generally little wind, very hot temperatures and quite high humidity. 

Prime sailing is early Fall, with Spring a close second.  The 'season' extends well into late October or November, but there really is no "off season" here if you dress for cold.  We've sailed in each of the winter months.  Winters have periods of cold (teens at night) and periods of mild (30's at night, up to 50's during the day), so finding a window for a fairly comfortable departure is generally possible.  The problem, though, is you might not be very far south when the next cold "snap" hits.

Winter can be quite windy, too.

Weather in Fall is best characterized by the descriptor "cold rain."  3-4 day sets of rain with temperatures in the 30's are common in November and early December.


Tides:

Neither the Neuse nor Trent Rivers at New Bern experience any lunar tide to speak of (generally a few inches at most), but we do have a local "wind tide."  It would be easy to misinterpret the wind's effect on the water if you just look at a map or chart of New Bern.  One might assume that a NW wind would lower the water and a SE wind would raise it.  This, however, is incorrect.

To understand the wind tide, you have to look at the orientation of Pamlico Sound. The Sound is located on a SW-NE line, with the mouth of the Neuse at the SW end.  The water rises and falls in New Bern according to the water blowing into and out of Pamlico Sound.  So, a NE wind blows the water from the Sound up the Neuse and causes our water to rise.  A SW wind has the opposite effect.

The range of the wind tide can be +/- 4 ft or so of 'nominal' depth.  Both duration and strength of wind cause the 'tide.'  One of the worst 'low water' winds I've seen came at the tail end of 3-4 days straight of 20-25 knot (sustained) SW winds, and the water was low enough that boats at Duck Creek Marina were hanging by the docklines!  Our slip was nominally 10 ft deep and we draw 4.25 ft (light boat) and did not bump, so even at this extreme, the wind tide did not exceed about 5-5.5 ft.

Hurricanes:

August and September are our most likely months for direct hits from tropical systems.

Significant impacts in the last 20 years, all in August or September, include Irene in 2011, Fran in 1996 and Floyd in 1999. Even the Great Chesapeake Bay Hurricane of 1769, one of the strongest recorded storms of the 18th century, and one that devastated New Bern with a direct hit, was in September.

We seem to get a reasonable threat (ie, one to take seriously) about once every three years or so, with not all threats resulting in direct hits.  For example, Earl in 2010 was predicted to hit the New Bern area hard and barely glanced.  It was the next year's Irene that hit the area, and we were only about 20 miles (as the crow flies) from the western eyewall.

Even without a direct hit and associated big winds, we do get significant rain events from the Florida and Gulf storms, however.  A week or so after Earl failed to materialize into anything out of the ordinary at all (we topped out with 16 kt sustained winds), we got hammered by rain from one of the gulf storms.  We got over 10 inches of rain in one day.

If you anchor here, your biggest threat from hurricanes will likely be the other boats.  The anchorage is the closest to several marinas in the area, and some of the people that evacuate the marinas to anchor out lack proper ground tackle.  Though 'poor anchoring' damage was limited here in the town area, down on Broad Creek (about six miles away), one boat drug and took 13 other boats with it.  One boat from Broad Creek was found after the storm 85 miles away in Englehard.  But, in town there was far less problem.

Some people do elect to haul out for hurricanes, with Duck Creek being a popular destination yard for that (see above for comments about Duck Creek).  Irene damaged several boats in the yard at Duck Creek.

Exploring the Area:

There is actually a pretty good bit of cruising the up both Trent and Neuse Rivers from New Bern.  Suppose you've left your boat here six months and are just arriving to go on an extended cruise and that you want to take a short shake-down cruise to check her out.  Such a trip up either river would provide this opportunity in addition to being cruising grounds off the beaten path (few transient cruisers venture farther upstream from New Bern).  There are also some fun gunkholing opportunities for exploring by dinghy.

Trent River:

Cruising up the Trent will depend on being able to clear the 45 ft fixed Highway 70 Bridge.  If you can clear that bridge, you can theoretically make it all the way to the low fixed Hwy 17 bridge in Pollocksville, 16.4 statute miles from the ramp at Lawson Creek Park (there's also a ramp at this bridge in Pollocksville).  However, there are two overhead powerline crossings, one at 69 ft but the other at 48 ft Authorized Clearance.  The latter is just downstream of Hayward Creek of the shore of the big high dollar homes of the town of Trent Woods.

The river is deep or has a marked channel between New Bern and Pollocksville.  The marked portion ends at the cut to the town of Riverbend (private dockage only, but would serve in an emergency).  On the chart, the cut to go to Riverbend is at daymark "20."

This area has many spots to be explored by dinghy; from the creek that joins Lawson Creek to the river, the "F Channel" (obvious on the chart since it resembles a capital "F"), the small lakes in the Old Towne neighborhood. 

Across from the access to Old Towne is Brice's Creek and one can explore miles and miles of this black water creek so long as you can clear the 15 ft fixed bridge about 1 mile from the mouth.  Just past this bridge is a convenience store with a ramp and beaching, so one can stop for a break from the water.  Continue past the store/ramp, to pass Creekside Park (with dockage, a popular canoe launching point), the airport, an NC Wildlife boat ramp in Croatan National Forest and continue farther up until the way is blocked by down trees.

Continuing up the Trent from Old Towne, this section has the northern bank lined with multi-million dollar homes and passes a a yacht club and the New Bern Country Club.  Past the Country Club, Wilson Creek splits off to the North, which is crossed by a 6 ft fixed bridge, but the creek above the bridge is worth checking out.  The area of the Trent near Wilson Creek is part of the town of Trent Woods, home of some of New Bern's 'celebrity' residents.

Hayward Creek is fun to explore by dinghy as well, though this one will likely be off limits to the big boat due to the power line clearing at only 37 ft.  The side creeks wind quite a ways back, and offer lots of opportunities to view wildlife.

In addition to these areas, there are a lot of other small, unnamed creeks and nooks and crannies that are fun to explore.  Exploration in the area can yield sightings of river otter, deer, osprey, kingfishers, hawks, turtles, snakes, nutria, and a host of other species.

Neuse River:

Upstream of New Bern from the area of Union Point or the Galley Store fuel dock, the river is crossed by a railroad swing bridge that is normally open.  Expect delays if the span is closed, but as for the Trent River swing bridge, I have seen them open for waiting boats if they knew the train was delayed.

Upstream of this bridge, the river gets significantly narrower and shallow except in the marked channel. About 1.5 miles from the bridge, there are ramps on both shores.  The ramp on the eastern shore is an NC Wildlife ramp but the one on the western shore is a City of New Bern ramp at Glenburnie Park.  This is a neat little part with pavilions, dog walk and disk golf course.  There is a dock at the park, but it and the ramp area was damaged in Irene and the water access is still being rebuilt / repaired as of May 2014.  Also, the Glenburnie ramp may only have about 3 ft of water on the approach.

Further upstream on the western shore is the Hatteras plant.

At about 4 miles from the bridge, there is an overhead power line with clearance of only 40 ft, so this may be the turning around point unless exploring by dinghy.  If you can clear the 40 ft power line, Swift Creek branches off at daymark "22" about 5.5 miles from the railroad bridge.  This oxbow creek meanders through land owned by Weyerhauser and kept as an "Environmental Awareness Area" called "Cool Springs."  They hold classes and programs and guided hikes on the property, and there is also an NC Wildlife Ramp up Swift Creek.

If you continue up the Neuse, there is a low fixed bridge at Hwy 43 that a sailboat will not clear at 7.7 miles, but of course dinghies can continue upriver (all the way to Raleigh if you wish!).

This overview of exploring the waters around New Bern does not cover anything from the Neuse River Highway 17 High Rise Bridge downstream, as those areas are covered pretty well by the cruising guides.

[Grime]

Thanks for the very informative article.   

Charlie J can chime in here to correct me but. I don't think there would be a safe anchorage to leave a boat unattended from Corpus to Orange Texas. I know around here you leave a boat unattended and it will be stripped within 24hrs or less.

[Captain Smollett]

That's a good point, and I failed to address theft.

Strip the boat of visible valuables here and she should be fine.  Folks will steal outboards and cockpit based electronics, but for the most part...sailboats are not 'targets' themselves.

There are boats in our anchorage that have been there for years without significant molestation.

[CharlieJ]

Thanks for the very informative article.   

Charlie J can chime in here to correct me but. I don't think there would be a safe anchorage to leave a boat unattended from Corpus to Orange Texas. I know around here you leave a boat unattended and it will be stripped within 24hrs or less.

Trying to think if I have ever seen a boat anchored anywhere on the Texas coast, for other than an over night stop. Other than Offats Bayou up by Galveston. Never recall ever seeing a boat on  a mooring either. Just aren't any.

One reason of course is that most places just don't have any protection from weather, other than in the marinas.

[Jim_ME]

Yes, thank you John and grog for the report on your area.

After reading it, I went there virtually in G-maps and did much with satellite viewing from above, and street views, and even photographs. I only then was able to get how low and flat the terrain is there. Despite your telling me about it, after seeing the actual views, I realized that when I had previously looked at the chart and map, my unconscious mind was was projecting the familiar of how the riverbanks must rise up to higher elevations, as I am used to around my area. Strange how automatic my tendency to do this was, until confronted with the actual reality of you area in the photos. I'll post a few of those views to supplement your description. [Kinda gray overcast day, but does give a sense of the character of the water and surrounding land, etc. Edit: You can tell the direction that the image is looking from the compass, comparing the top (image orientation) to where the "N" North on the outer ring is facing.]

[Captain Smollett]

Hi, Jim.

I only then was able to get how low and flat the terrain is there.

Yep.  Shoreline here is "low and featureless."  It is a contributing factor to the "Graveyard of the Atlantic" reputation here.  Mark I Eyeball relies heavily on man made features.

Those are some good shots from the Cunningham Bridge and  serve to orient with the chart above.  Here are a few words about each from top to bottom:

First:

That's looking from S to N with Union Point Park on the right of the bridge.  To frame left, you can see the edge of the New Bern Grand Marina.  To the left out of frame, that car is passing by Bridge Point Marina.  Our boat would have been about "abeam" of that car if the picture was taken while we were there.

Second:

Center frame is New Bern Grand Marina; the building on the right is the Convention Center.

At the far left of the frame, you can make out the railroad swing bridge.  The anchorage is the other side of that bridge from where the picture was taken.

Third:

Bridge Point on the left, but empty.  The shot was taken while the marina was closed for repairs from Irene.  That's New Bern Grand again on the right, and you can see the railroad bridge and also make out the high rise spans of the Hwy 70 Bridge over the Trent River in the distance.

Fourth:

That looks out into and downstream direction of the Neuse River.  The Bridge visible is the Hwy 17 fixed bridge with 65 ft nominal clearance.  Clear that bridge and continue down and after about 22 miles, Oriental, NC is to port, Adam's Creek (canal to Beaufort and the Inlet) is to Starboard and ahead lies Pamlico Sound.

[CharlieJ]

 ;D ;D

Jim- now you see why it's known as "The Low Country" around there and south to mid Georgia

;D ;D

A lot like around here. I tell folks it's so flat here, if your dog runs away, you can see him for 3 days!!  ;)

[Jim_ME]

Jim- now you see why it's known as "The Low Country" around there and south to mid Georgia  ;D ;D

I was thinking of those very words and nearly included that. Remembered Lyle Lovett's song from his Pontiac album - Walk Through the Bottomland with Emmylou Harris...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yvN29Xv_a-Q

A lot like around here. I tell folks it's so flat here, if your dog runs away, you can see him for 3 days!!  ;)

Ha! That's good. ;D

[s/v Faith]

A truly excellent write up. Grog to you my friend!

Newbern Grand Marina has been in a decline as of late...

They cut off "free" coffee at the hotel for marina guests (how is the coffee "free" when you pay so much for dockage?)... 

Slip holders have been subjected to a series of petty policy changes including asking permission to use carts from other docks...

  And being warned not to open the defective gates without entering the combinations.... The gates they installed do not prevent reaching around and opening the lock from the inside handle... Apparently they think "the townspeople" are so stupid they can only figure this out if they see boat owners doing it....    ::)

  Imagine entering a code in a defective lock in the rain with a cart full of stuff just to make a show of it so the simple town folk don't catch on....  :P

[Captain Smollett]

  Imagine entering a code in a defective lock in the rain with a cart full of stuff just to make a show of it so the simple town folk don't catch on....  :P

Yep, because there are just gangs of town folk loitering around those gangways just waiting for some poor, unsuspecting slip owner to reveal the combination.    ::)  ;D

More likely?  Anyone nearby has HAD a boat there and knows the combination anyway!   ;D ;D

In all seriousness, though...I don't think they used to have locked gates on the docks.  I wonder if they were installed after that one teenager fell off the dock and drowned while he and some buddies were trying to steal stuff from boats one night a couple of years ago.

I could be wrong...I just don't remember there being locks the whole time I've been here.