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SailingAnchorage in Banks Channel at Wrightsville Beach is
free. The limit is 30 days every 180 days. Find complete information on
area anchorage and marina services in our chapter on
Marinas and the Intracoastal Waterway.
Wrightsville Beach Ocean The Wrightsville Beach Ocean Racing Association (WBORA)
was founded in 1967 to promote local keelboat ocean racing and cruising.
While WBORA folks love a relaxing day sail, they are invigorated by the
way racing stretches your sailing skills, pumps the adrenalin and tests your
mettle against the forces of the sea. Competition is friendly, and sailors
can find casual or more serious competition within the fleet. Crew spots are
often available. The WBORA spinnaker fleet typically races standard buoy
courses, while the non-spinnaker (cruising) fleet typically sails a modified
triangle course using government markers. While WBORA hosts a standard point
race series for members during the summer season, several invitational races
are open to non-members for those who'd like to give racing a try. WBORA
also coordinates cruises to out-of-town regattas or just for fun. WBORA has
coordinated cruises to Southport, Beaufort, Mile Hammock Bay, Long Bay and
downtown Wilmington. Cruises to regattas offer an event to attend when you
arrive. For more information about WBORA, call Mike Hession, WBORA
Commodore, at (910) 509-1427. |
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Cape Fear Yacht Works As the largest manufacturer of custom sailboats in the
Carolinas, Cape Fear Yacht Works prides itself on producing dreams, not just
boats. In addition to innovative design and construction of new boats, they
have an excellent reputation for repairs and refurbishments and promote
safety in the workplace and in their products. Insiders say that designer
Bruce Marek couldn't design a slow boat if he tried, and that has proven
true with their CF38 Regatta version, currently racing in major regattas and
in use by college sailing teams. All CFYW boats are built by hand by North
Carolina craftsmen in the United States to meet or exceed ORC Category 1 and
ABYC Compliance Standards. |
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Priority Sailing Academy |
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David and Carolyn Pryor provide individual,
couple or group instruction for youths and adults aboard a 25-foot Catalina
sloop or their 52-foot cutter on weekdays or weekends. Both boats are
exciting to sail. Inexperienced students start with an Introduction to
Sailing class and can progress through courses such as Basic Keelboat, Basic
Coastal Cruising, Bareboat Charter, Coastal Cruising and Advanced Coastal
Cruising. Learn to Cruise adventure weeks may go to Charleston and
Georgetown, South Carolina, or Beaufort and Cape Lookout, North Carolina.
Priority Sailing Academy is affiliated with the American Sailing
Association. The certification you receive upon completing the classes is
recognized internationally. Once you have been certified you may charter
other boats to practice your sailing skills on your own or cruise with
friends and family. Team training for business groups is available as well.
To quote the Pryors: "You will learn to sail the seven Cs: captain, crew,
charting, compass, currents, communication and courage. If your interest is
in sight-seeing cruises, such as a Full Moon Cruise or a Sunset Cruise, or a
wedding or family reunion, Priority Sailing is a great place to arrange it
(see our
Attractions chapter).  |
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Salt Marsh Kayak Company |
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Salt Marsh Kayak Company rents small sailboats at a
facility across from the Blockade Runner Resort Hotel on Wrightsville
Beach. Previous sailing experience is necessary; for novices interested
in trying basic sailing, a one- or two-hour lesson is typically all you
need and lessons are available through Salt Marsh. The rental facility
is open seven days a week during the spring, summer and fall, and kayak
rentals, lessons and tours are also available. Reservations are not
required but are highly recommended on weekends or for large groups.
Southport Sail and Power Squadron David Pryor, who has been sailing since he was a child,
recognized the need for a local chapter of the U.S. Power Squadrons when
he moved to Southport from Michigan. In January 2002, he chartered the
Southport Sail and Power Squadron. The Squadron teaches Boat Smart, Chart
Smart, GPS, Introduction to Sailing, Skipper Saver and Instructor
Development courses free of charge (except for the cost of materials) to
anyone who is interested. Members of the organization have the opportunity
to take numerous additional courses related to boating, including Sail,
Piloting, Weather, Seamanship, Cruise Planning, Celestial Navigation,
Marine Electronics and Engine Maintenance. The Southport Squadron has more
than 100 members, and there are quite a bit of expertise and education
resources available within the membership. Some members are licensed by
the U.S. Coast Guard to take passengers for hire as well as to offer
custom cruises and private instruction to the general public. The squadron
provides monthly programs or activities and renders free safety
inspections to the general public. |
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Supplies, Accessories and RepairThere are many area businesses that provide service for marine supplies and repairs.
One of the biggest and most well-stocked is Boater's World Discount
Marine Center in University Commons Shopping Center on S. College Road in Wilmington,
(910) 452-3000. For additional listings, see the Yellow Pages of local
phone books and our Marinas chapter.
Masonboro Boat Yard & Marina, Inc. Located at ICW mile 288 on Whiskey Creek (5 miles south
of Wrightsville Beach), Masonboro Boat Yard and Marina is a private
facility that offers dockage (for sale or rent) for boats up to 60 feet,
and dry-rack storage for boats up to 28 feet. A three-story clubhouse
includes four private showers, a full kitchen, laundry facilities, a club
room and a glorious unobstructed view of the water and unspoiled Masonboro
Island. You're guaranteed to find some interesting conversation among the
residents. |
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Wilmington Marine Center |
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At this marine center you'll find various marine-oriented
businesses, including a yacht service company with a 75-ton travelift and
railway haul-out capacity to 400 tons. The center includes a chart and ship
supply company, fabricators and welders, boat builders, dock manufacturers
and diesel mechanics. The facility is located at marker 59 on the Cape Fear
River between Snows Cut and historic downtown Wilmington. |
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Blackbarry Marine When Barry Adkins was a young man and working in a shop,
he was really into his work and was always the grimiest one at the end of
the day. His co-workers began calling him Black Barry and it stuck. When
he opened his marine repair shop he had difficulty coming up with a name
that someone else had not already thought of, so he decided on his
nickname, knowing no one else would have that! Blackbarry Marine carries
G-3 aluminum john boats ranging in size from 10 to 20 feet and packaged
with Yamaha outboard engines. With at least 50 in stock, they are bound to
have just what you are looking for. They carry the Triumph line of boats
with either Yamaha or Honda outboards as well. The newest line of boats is
the Cape Horn. These offshore boats are from 17 to 31 feet and offer
incredibly dry and soft rides. The parts department can outfit your boat
from stem to stern with everything from anchors to zincs, and the service
department can take care of all repairs and services to your boats, motors
and trailers. Shallotte Marine Supplies Inc. Serving the southern Brunswick County area since 1968,
Shallotte Marine Supplies' motto is "service is our policy." They offer
complete boat and motor repair by factory-trained mechanics, motorboat
sales, marine hardware and accessories. Boat storage by the month or the
year is available, and Shallotte Marine specializes in saltwater rigging. |
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Scuba
Diving
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Diving the southern coastal waters offers
rewarding experiences to collectors, nature-watchers and wreck divers,
despite there being no true coral reefs in these latitudes. A surprising
variety of tropical fish species inhabit these waters, including blue
angelfish, damselfish and moray eels as well as several varieties of sea
fans, some as large as 3 feet in height. Spiny oysters, deer cowries, helmet
shells, trumpet tritons and queen conchs can be found here. Among the easiest places to find tropical aquatic life is 23 Mile Rock, part of a 12-mile-long ledge running roughly perpendicular to the coast. Another 15 miles out, the Lobster Ledge, a low-lying formation 120 feet deep, is a collectors' target. There are several smaller ledges close to shore in shallower water better suited for less-experienced divers. Visibility at offshore sites averages 60 feet and often approaches 100 feet, but inshore visibility is seldom better than 20 feet. The coastal waters can be dived all year long, since their temperatures range from the upper 50s in winter and low 80s in summer. However, many local charters typically end their diving season in early fall. Some charters organize destination trips after that. Good snorkeling in the region is a matter of knowing when and where to go. Near-shore bottoms are mostly packed sand devoid of the rugged features that make for good viewing and collecting, but a good guide can lead you to rewarding areas. When the wind is right and the tide is rising, places such as the Wrightsville Beach jetty offer good viewing and visibility. The many creeks and estuaries support an abundance of life, and the shorter visibility, averaging 15 to 20 feet, is no obstacle in water so shallow. The waters around piers in Banks Channel at Wrightsville Beach are fair but often murky, and currents are strong. Only experienced snorkelers should attempt these waters or those in local inlets, which are treacherous, and then only at stopped tides. It is neither safe nor legal to swim beneath oceanside fishing piers. When in doubt, contact a local dive shop for information. This region of the Graveyard of the Atlantic offers unparalleled opportunities for wreck divers. From Tubbs Inlet (near Sunset Beach) to New River Inlet (North Topsail Beach), 20 of the dozens of known shipwrecks resting here are accessible and safe. Most are Confederate blockade runners, one is a tanker torpedoed by the Nazi sub U-158, and several were sunk as part of North Carolina's artificial reef program (see our Fishing chapter for more on artificial reefs). These and higher-risk wrecks can be located with the assistance of dive shops. Wreck diving is an advanced skill best undertaken by professionals. Research prior to a dive is essential in terms of the target, techniques and potential dangers, which in this region include live ammunition and explosives that may be found on World War II wrecks. If you observe anything suspicious while you're diving, leave it alone! Under state law, all wrecks and underwater artifacts within three miles of shore that remain unclaimed for more than 10 years are declared state property. Charter boats can be arranged for dive trips
through all the dive shops listed here, but there are others. Also check the
Fishing chapter for fishing charter boats that accommodate dive trips.
Many charter boats are primarily fishing boats, so if you need custom diving
craft, be sure to inquire. Most dive shops can lead you to a certification
class if they don't offer one themselves. Also, proof of diver's
certification is required by shops or dive masters when renting equipment,
booking charters or purchasing air fills. Aquatic Safaris & Divers Emporium This PADI training facility is Wilmington's largest
full-service SCUBA charter service and dive shop. The Emporium offers
instruction, air fills (including Nitrox) and a full range of equipment
for sale and rental. Dive trips on their USCG–certified 48-foot and
30-foot custom dive boats are available, and both are equipped with a hang
bar system, which allows divers to drop down the descent line at the back
of the boat and swim to the anchor line, eliminating tiring surface swims.
The shop is certified by major manufacturers to perform repairs on most
life-support equipment and most other equipment as well. It's open seven
days a week all year. Scuba Tech This is a SDI-TDI and PADI five-star facility and one of
the largest sport diving and snorkeling facilities in the region. Services
include rentals, repair, sales, air (standard and NITROX) and instruction
in diving and snorkeling. Local charters and customized dives to warmer
climes are available during the winter. The staff is fully certified. It's
open 9 AM to 6 PM on Monday and Thursday through Saturday. They are closed
Tuesday, Wednesday and Sunday. |
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Scuba South Diving Company Among the most respected diving experts in the Southport
area is Wayne Strickland, who specializes in dive charters to some of the
less-frequented targets off the Cape plus such well-known sites as the
City of Houston, a passenger freighter that sank in 1878 and which
Strickland salvaged for the North Carolina Maritime Museum at Southport
(artifacts are on display). Strickland will arrange dives to any site along
the southern coast. A recent find is called Megalodon Reef, where you
can find fossilized shark's teeth from Megalodon Sharks along with whale
bone fossils. Trips are aboard his custom 52-foot boat, Scuba South II.
Scuba South sells and rents a full store of equipment, including wet and dry
suits, and provides air fills. Nitrox is available.
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