Dismal Swamp Canal

[wolverine]

The paperwork for the boat we purchased is finished and now I'm waiting to have the prop and raw water intake cleaned before sailing her home. (advised by the broker since it has been in the slip for over 2 months)

I'll be bringing her south through the Dismal Swamp Canal and I read that in the fall the duckweed can become rather thick and clog water intakes causing engines to overheat.  None of the articles mention what months they consider "fall", so I'm asking our very knowledgeable members if they have any info on it.

Thanks, Carl

[Norman]

Phil McCall and I were on the canal at Halloween 3 years ago, the floating vegetation clogged his raw water filter about 50% from the north end to a couple of miles south of the locks, and return.  He cleaned it shortly after we reached the clean water north of the locks.  Be sure that you have the tools, and know how to clean yours, and you should be fine.

His filter is very easy to clean with minimal mess, and we had no overheating problem, just cleaned it because we knew we must have stuff in it.  That was a warm year, and there were a lot of leaves still on the trees, so likely a better than average growth year for such vegetation.

Is your wife going to crew on the trip back to Oriental?

[CharlieJ]

Years ago I traversed Dismal- stopped at the  locks half way down for Halloween eve. Was a beautiful trip. We got trick or treated at the locks :D

[CapnK]

Carl - can't help with the Dismal, but some insight on your other alternative, Great Dam -> Coinjock - can be made in a long day, and there are plenty of places to pull off along the way on the twisty parts of the North River. There's a very scenic and easy calm weather place (ie big fetch to the S) past Coinjock, down where it opens up at MM58. Likely a great anchorage there in the Fall.

Do be wary at the mouth of the Alligator if wind has been from the S. When I went through with the A-30 it had been blowing all day, not strong, only 10-12 or so, maybe getting to 15 right at sunset. With the fetch there, though, it was rough enough in the Middle Ground that a leg was knocked out of my bow pulpit by the waves, and current was running at 2-3mph. Once through, if it's late, the mouth of the Little Alligator immediately to the West there is an easy spot that is protected from the southern fetch by shallows.

Last, FWIW - My next leg was ~45 miles from there to the W end of the Pungo Canal. Due to the improper prop on the boat (and thus my 4-4.5mph top "speed"), I did all that at once to avoid daytime traffic in the Canal. Started into the cut right at sunset, got anchored in Pungo at other end around midnight. I think that was a good call as the cut is pretty narrow, and there was only one other boat all night long, a trawler going my way. He pulled off and anchored in the ditch (on the S side) next to the bridge at MM114.

[wolverine]

All great info and I thank you.  I'll need to do more research as to when the vegetation gets bad.  The boat's bottom is being cleaned this weekend and I'll go up Mon or Tue to retrieve her.  Originating from the Midwest, when I read "Fall" I think October.  I'm hoping that since it's still early September, I won't have the vegetation to deal with.  I will be bringing my wetsuit and snorkel gear so I can keep an eye on it.

Being a boat I'm not familiar with, and only sailing small boats for years, I'm a bit apprehensive about sailing/motoring in a river with other boat traffic, current, and tides.  I'm doing this solo too.

[wolverine]

I called the welcome center and emailed the locks.  The welcome center said the traffic has been very light this year, but no duckweed is present at this time.  The locks also said all is clear.  Joel at the South Mills lock even sent me pictures from this morning showing no duckweed.  It looks like everything is ago for next week.  I reserved a U-Haul 10' box truck one way for the trip up. I'll be able to carry all my provisions and the drop off is less than 10 miles away so I can ride my bike back to the marina.  I'll be sure to take plenty of pictures and when I have cell service I'll posts updates along the way.

[Norman]

Which marina are you departing from?

Many years ago, I considered buying into a Siedelman (sp) 29 partnership, and the test sail went very well.  Returning to the home of the leader, I read the rules and terms in the contract.

It proved to be an eye opener.  The "senior" members held full control, new members did not get to be seniors for several years, Solo privilege's required many dual hours with senior members, and overnight was not available to junior members.  The monthly fee was the same for all.  I took a walk on that deal.

The vessel suited me just fine, but my mission called for a couple of overnights and a 9 day cruise each year.

[wolverine]

I bought it through Regent Point Marina in Topping, VA.  I test sailed it with the broker and the owner who is a real nice guy.  Gave me his cell number if I have any questions on the boat or maintenance.

[Norman]

I have been there once, a co worker had a sailboat there.

Nice people, good maintenance facility.

[CapnK]

WRT other boats, AKA the snowbird migration :) , it's a bit early for that, so you probably won't be in a ton of traffic.

I made it from Deltaville to Norfolk in a pretty easy all day trip, dropped hook in the basin behind Old Point Comfort. Easy and well protected spot, there. Would put you well in range of reaching the Dismal Canal the next day.

[wolverine]

I left Topping,VA at 930am Saturday September 25th and arrived home in Oriental, NC yesterday October 1st at 440pm.  I had heard the Dismal Swamp Canal was closed due to an electrical failure at the lock.  I called before leaving and it was confirmed, so I took the Elizabeth River route instead.  Saturday I only made about 20 miles as the winds were very light.  Sunday I cruised down the Chesapeake under genoa alone and into Norfolk where I dropped the hook.  From Monday on the wind was on our nose and we motored most of the way.  I did try to sail a couple of times, but could only get 2 1/2 knots and after watching all the other sailboats disappear over the horizon, I gave in.  With the 15hp Yanmar running at the recommended 2800-2900rpm, she was pushing just over 6 knots.  I spent the day cleaning up her interior, and this weekend she'll get new oil and filters.  Her deck needs a good scrub down too as the anchor chain brought up a lot of mud.  With her board up she only draws 3', but the 1st night I still managed to ground her.  It was a very soft grounding and the waves and me walking bow to stern a couple times had her floating again in minutes.

[Norman]

 :)  Congratulations on purchasing a vessel that was truly ready to go!

Closure of the Dismal Canal was unfortunate, but proper advance knowledge avoided inconvenience, so put you on the alternate route in a good mood, which always enhances a trip.

The alternate route is not better or worse, just different.  I would be very happy to go either way.

After settling in at Oriental, I hope that you review the logs and notes, then give us a more detailed narrative, so we may enjoy the cruise too.

The weather the past few weeks has been a very nice entry into the fall season of sailing, and although the wind did not favor your route, a lack of storms is always to be enjoyed.  Light wind is synonymous with pleasant wave conditions, so the open water lacks the adventure that many experience on your route.

Great to read your thumbnail report!

[wolverine]

Unfortunately I didn't keep a log.  I injured my left hand a few weeks ago and it makes holding a pen painful.

[Bob J (ex-misfits)]

Congratulations on having an uneventful trip home!

[wolverine]

Congratulations on having an uneventful trip home!

I wouldn't call it uneventful.  I had a fire aboard before leaving the dock, ran aground the 1st night, almost ran aground again, and assisted another sailboat that looked it was on fire.  Fortunately, it was only spewing black smoke that was unspent fuel combusting in the exhaust.

[Bob J (ex-misfits)]

You mentioned the soft grounding but not any of the other stuff. My original comment, never mind :)

[wolverine]

Yeah, I forgot about those events. 🤔

[Frank]

Glad your shake down cruise went as good as could be.
Pictures?

[wolverine]

Pics?  Oh yeah, I have plenty!  Again, I forgot and their still in the camera.  I'll upload them to the computer and post some later today.

[wolverine]

here are some pictures from the trip.  i forgot to turn on the camera's GPS feature so i'm not sure where some of these were taken.  i'll try to put them in order.