BigWhoop wrote:
Once upon a time, grasshopper, when catamarans only had one hull ....
Hey
BigWhoop - we saw those aluminum parts and may go that route but didn't have time to order plus they are a bit pricey. Thanks for the info on the Holt handles too - we'll check that out.
badgerfan - the dowel idea is good. I was also thinking if we need these to last longer I could find some kind of lock washer to bend under the handle to reinforce.
Oak Island was a blast. We put in at the west end of the island at the Lockwood Folly inlet - notice a little public parking lot (there is also a circular turn-around just down the road) at the end of Kings Lynn Dr - pulled the boat off there and wheeled downhill to the beach north of the lot for rigging and putting in. Then sailed out the inlet to the Atlantic. From the lot the “crew” not on the boat can walk over the dune to the main beach where we can beach and trade off.
I was surprised how shallow the area was (inlet and beachside). We had to walk the boat in the inlet at some spots at low tide and at waning tide the inlet current was moderate but still a factor. The shallow area beachside made for a lot of waves too which were fun but got a little hairy for us newbs at times – if went out further it was deeper but again as newbs we didn’t venture far from shore this time.
We saw a vertical pipe extending a few inches out of the water close offshore and later found out it was the funnel/boiler of the Civil War
blockade runner Bendigo hulk that lies below
. We avoided the area after that
There were a few motorboats, a smattering of PWC, and no other sailboats so were pretty much by ourselves keeping in mind these were weekdays.
We’d go again but might also try the Cape Fear River/sound off Southport like you mentioned but would need to find a put in spot. We jumped the Ferry to Ft. Fischer for the heck of it and seemed like there was a lot of room, good wind, and calmer seas. It would be a load of fun to go Southport -> Bald Head Island!
[shout out to Genmar Star and Gary for lots of tips]