Wintering in NC?

an impromptu armada is forming.

We did Charleston a couple of years ago and it was a blast. Also there's a couple of marinas in the Waccamaw river that look interesting. I'm trying to find that magic area that you can drive to in a day and it's not freezing in the winter. Everytime I pass by Wrightsville I always say we should try it. Is it really dead in the winter?
 
Turtlesboat said:
Is it really dead in the winter?
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I prefer it in the winter when its quiet. Dead no, but things close down out of season like other beach towns. Wilmington is pretty close if you need to be suffocated by businesses and people. I have friends in Wilmington and I go down that way year round. It can still get super cold there every now and then.
 
define super cold... Super cold to me is snot freezing to my upper lip.
 
Low 20s and teens. Doesn't happen often and usually doesn't last too long. The past few winters have been very mild in NC. As a beach town Wrightsville is very nice. It doesn't have the large high rise hotels and condo towers so its less crowded. Very clean. The major restaurants on the ICW are open year round and as mentioned Wilmington is a 20 minute drive. It does have the advantage of being about 3 hours closer to NYC than Charleston.

All that said if it was me I would winter in Charleston. It's warmer, there is more to do and you have great overnight trip options to Beaufort, Hilton Head, Savannah or north to Georgetown or Myrtle Beach.
 
Average winter temps in Wrightsville are about 5 degrees cooler than Charleston. Weekend trips to Beaufort NC. Southport, Bald Head and Myrtle beach. Plus cheaper slips. I think there is some selling going on here:smt038
 
Turtlesboat said:
define super cold... Super cold to me is snot freezing to my upper lip.
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My friend majored in surfing at UNC Wilmington. One time I remember visiting in late January when a cold snap kept it below freezing for 4 days. The plus side was it was back in the 60s a week later.
 
What is this candy you speak of? Dave wanted to know.
 
If only there was a way to keep track of all these suggestions and the pros/cons...ideally something electronic...hmmm...
 
I'll put my vote if for Wrightsville Beach (not because that's where I'm at, but because it's a great place for Winter boating!).

At Wrightsville you have.
1. Several spots for fuel
2. A full service MarineMax w/mobile mechanics (the mechanics there genuinely care about the work they do.)
3. Full service marinas if that's what you are looking for (Seapath, Masonboro, Wrighstville)
4. Plenty of privately owned slips (check craigslist) - a lot of the private slips go rock bottom $ after Oct 1st.

For day trips from Wrightsville you are
1. 28 miles to Bald Head Island/Southport
2. 33 miles to downtown Wilmington (if you like to run the river)
3. 70 miles to Myrtle Beach
4. 70 miles to Beaufort
5. 0 miles to a protected inlet that is well dredged, marked and accessible year round in all weather conditions.

Our favorite season is from October to April - the water is crystal clear, the boat traffic is light and dolphins are visible on every trip.

Alternately, Carolina Beach is only 15 miles south of WB and the slips are 1/2 the $$ per month. Their inlet is difficult to enter/exit at times but otherwise it's also a great location. The full service marina down there is Inlet Watch and is home to Bellhart Marine another great local mercruiser shop.
 
bahamabreisus said:
Average winter temps in Wrightsville are about 5 degrees cooler than Charleston. Weekend trips to Beaufort NC. Southport, Bald Head and Myrtle beach. Plus cheaper slips. I think there is some selling going on here:smt038
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I'm with Bahamabreisus. We moved to NC a little over a year ago and have kept our boat in Harbour Village since. Very clean marina. We keep our boats in year round. I set the heat to 55 and don't even use an engine heater. I was swimming in the ICW in January (hooked a crab pot) the water temp was still 63. I am sure SC is slightly warmer, but the family of boaters at harbour Village is like no other. They help each other at every opportunity. Just sayin....:grin:
 
Mike/Dave,

What route are you planning to take:

In DE/MD - C&D Canal or going on the open from Cape May streight to VA?
In VA - Dismal Swamp or the VA Cut?
In NC - The Sounds (Croatan and then to Pamlico) or ICW via Alligator River?
 
mistercomputerman said:
I heard they were already in NC and staying this weekend in Oriental, NC.
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It's time to find a new informant, cuz this one is giving you a bunch of BS info. Lol

Trust me, I know exactly where these guys are.
 
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