The Alligator River-Pungo River Canal is scenic and heavily wooded at it's upper end. Farther on are areas that have burned in the past, but now they have their second growth. The canal is relatively narrow, and boats dragging huge wakes have a tendency to damage the banks. Each year, more and more trees topple into the water.
The last six miles of the Alligator River-Pungo River Canal are shallow, especially along the south edge. We keep a close eye on the depth sounder and stick to the center of the channel and squeeze to the north side carefully as we pass the tug "Lisa Moran."
The Alligator River offers limited protection, especially in any northerly or easterly wind. It is not a spot to wait out a cold front passage, nor is a refuge if the Alligator River Bridge cannot open because of strong winds. It was a very rough fifteen mile passage, with winds gusting to 33 knots and no where to hide. Then the bridge tender informs the boats heading north that he might not open the bridge which would allow us to get to the marina on the other side. We were lucky that the bridge tender shift change brought in a new guy that opened the bridge.
Alligator River Marina is a well-protected harbor and the only fuel available along the 86 miles to Coinjock. We were so happy to be there after a rough day. It was in the middle of nowhere, but a safe port in the storm.
The marina office and restaurant was in the Shell station and they cooked up some mean fried chicken for Bob and fried soft shell crabs for me. Sorry, too tired for pictures.
"Red sky in the morning, sailors take warning" as we head out into the notorious Albemarle Sound. This is a large shallow sound that has a bad reputation for choppy seas. We headed out of the marina with four other boats with a 15 knot beam sea and we got the crap kicked out of us. When I say it moved furniture and everything packed in the v-berth came crashing, it was bad!
Coinjock Marina is the only stop traveling north and has become a well known place for of all things, it's 32oz. prime rib. So over martinis and prime rib (16 oz.) we swapped sea stories with our new found friends, Linda and Bill Daley on their way back to New Hampshire.
Bill and Bob at Coinjock Marina.
This is Jack, the marina mascot.
Next stop is Norfolk, Virginia.
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