We have set aside five days for this cruise. This will allow us to pick the best possible window for our time at Cape Lookout. Weather permitting, we intend to spend our first night in Beaufort and will make reservations with interested fellow SCOO cruisers at a local restaurant. If you and your crew would like, you may want to plan a stop before or after (or both) the Cruise rather than traveling the entire distance in one day. (Darla and I usually budget around five hours to get from the bight to the mouth of Adams Creek in the Neuse River). If you wish to split it up, a couple of possibilities are to anchor in Cedar Creek at the north end of Adams Creek or to anchor or dock in Beaufort.
Since full dinners are difficult to transport via dinghy and serve on the beach, we will plan for two late afternoon potluck hors d’oeuvres and BYOB socials on the beach, and an evening sunset viewing. Of course, one of the main activities at Cape Lookout is relaxing on the beach, so be sure to bring your beach chairs, coolers, floats, kayaks, and paddleboards if you wish. During the summer cruise to Cape Lookout, Darla and I hosted an impromptu float-up at our boat and plan to do so again during this cruise. More specific details will be sent to all members who sign up as the cruise dates approach.
Each captain can set their own schedule and destinations for this cruise. We only ask that you keep your cruise captains informed of your plans and any changes you make to them. We will send out our recommendations and our sail plan as we get closer to the cruise week and the weather/wind forecasts start to take shape. We will also post Beaufort Inlet tide information and offshore wind/swell forecasts starting a few days before departure.
For first timers to the Cape:
Cape Lookout is recognized as one of the Atlantic coast’s undiscovered cruising gems. Although not that far from the mainland, it is offshore from Shackleford Banks with wind-swept beaches, beautiful night skies and, of course, the Lighthouse (currently under renovation), making it feel like a world apart. There are opportunities for shelling, time at the beach, a dinghy ride across the Bight to the lighthouse, watching the sunset and socializing with fellow SCOO members. It’s also nice to simply relax and enjoy this tranquil spot. However, there are no facilities at the Cape, so be prepared to be self-sufficient while there. Note: The anchorage is 20-30' deep, so have plenty of rode on your anchor.
It is best to traverse Beaufort Inlet at slack tide. To find that specific time frame, the Tide Times or Tide Pro apps are great resources (select Beaufort Inlet Channel Range and click on Currents). We will publish slack tide times from Tide Pro for the planned days once we decide on the best weather window. We will build an email group for cruise registrants and post updates via Messenger or WhatsApp starting sometime in the week before the cruise.
We look forward to seeing everyone in the Bight!
Mark James 614.578.6702
Darla Bolon 614.327.7209
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