16th-17th.May.2019 Wrightsville Beach - Swansboro - Beaufort, NC

one of many ICW markers

When we transited this stretch southbound in 2013 with Jorge & Kim, we passaged "on the outside," so we chose to passage "on the inside" northbound. 

There were several bridges along the way where we had to wait for openings. The first was the Wrightsville Beach Bridge, which opened on the hour every hour. That one was easy to time because it was so near to the anchorage. Five miles further north was the Figure Eight Bridge, which opened on the hour every half hour. Slow boats like ours cannot make those five miles in a half hour; so it was going to be 11/2hr. to get to the other side of that 5 miles. This is one reason cruisers will choose going on the "outside" vs. "inside" … to avoid bridges. 

As we neared Figure Eight Bridge, we overheard a radio conversation between its bridge tender and the captain of a trawler that had recently passed us. The bridge tender was explaining to the trawler captain that he would be able to clear the bridge, as there was 28' of vertical clearance at that moment (it changes with the tides). The charts state that this bridge's vertical clearance is 20'. The captain was explaining to the bridge tender that his trawler's height was 27' plus he had an antenna, so he preferred to wait for the opening. The tender was advising that he simply lower his antenna to pass through. The captain thanked him for being so helpful, but stated again that he preferred to wait for the next opening. There was more said - it was quite entertaining to listen to; but as their conversation concluded, the bridge tender said that because he was a good guy, he'd open the bridge for this captain. 

We weren't far behind when we heard this. What?! Here we were travelling at a more leisurely pace than we otherwise would have, knowing we'd just have to wait when we reached the bridge. Gil revved up the engine. I got on the radio. He was a good guy, as he waited for us before opening the bridge. That was lucky. 

homes along the ICW

The ICW from Wrightsville Beach to Swansboro is predominantly canals through land cuts; but it does cross several inlets, and so we saw a number of working boats.

another shrimper

After 9hr. of motoring we had made almost 60 nautical miles to Swansboro, where we chose to anchor for the night. Swansboro is just inside Bogue Inlet at the southern end of Bogue Sound. 

The following day, having the canals behind us, and Bogue Sound in front of us, with the weather co-operating, we were able to SAIL the remaining distance to Beaufort, NC. Just as we had done with Jorge & Kim in 2013, we dropped anchor in Taylor Creek, across from the town dinghy dock.