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
SCOO’s 2026
3rd ANNUAL GERRY CROWLEY MEMORIAL REGRETTA REGATTA
The Sailing Club of Oriental (SCOO) formally announces the 2026 REGRETTA REGATTA.The Regatta, in honor of past commodore and long -time Regretta Regatta chairperson, Gerry Crowley, will be held on the Neuse River off Oriental, NC on WEDNESDAY, September 16th, 2026. Start time will be at 11:00 am.
This event is open to both sail and power boats. (Any sailboat utilizing an engine is a power boat and relinquishes any sailboat “right of way”)
To inform, refresh, and remind, the REGRETTA is a fun “race” (emphasis on fun, not race) that takes advantage of the “Three Cheat Rule”……you are allowed three (3) cheats. For example, you might sail during the race with your engine on and in gear, to be more competitive with the hot-shot any and all power boats. You also might decide the racecourse is tooooooo long and ignore one of the course-designated marks to win the more contested race to the head of food line at the social that follows the REGATTA.
Shore–side social activities for race participants include trophy presentations followed by a “covered dish social” at 4:30 pm at the Whittaker Point Marina.
The “three cheat rule” does not go in to effect until your boat is on the water. Therefore, if you wish to participate. you must register for the race.
Additional information and “Sailing Instructions” will follow.
Hope to see everyone on the “course”.
From REGRETTA Headquarters:
Joe and Carol Glorioso Ray and Kathy Ruppert
Here's the latest about our upcoming cruise to (Little) Washington on Sept 20-23. If you'd like to attend, please be sure to sign up on our SCOO website. (For logistical reasons, we will not be going to Bath as a group.) We are your cruise leaders, Jeff and Ann Boswell, and look forward to this trip together! We have a Catalina 350 called Heels Me.
If you have already reserved a boat slip at Washington Waterfront Docks, excellent! If you haven't, we urge you to check out their availability. (*See below for more info on that.)
If you plan to go, please text Ann at 919-593-9806 with your boat name, attendees' names and cell numbers to confirm. This will help us create a text thread that will help us communicate efficiently with everyone during the trip.
Here's the trip in a nutshell:
Sun, Sept 20: We plan to leave our dock at 9 am. Feel free to hail us on Channel 16, and then we can go to another channel, as needed. Fly your SCOO burgee! We will anchor on way.
Mon, Sept 21: Arrive by 3-4 pm. Meet for a potluck meal at 5:30 pm at the marina picnic tables. Bring your own drinks, plates, cutlery and bring a main dish or side dish to share. We can always go out somewhere for ice cream or dessert afterwards.
Tues, Sept 22: We will be very close to shops, restaurants, the NC Estuarium, the Underground Railroad Museum and the town boardwalk. Enjoy the day as you wish. At 4pm, we'll meet for drinks and shared appetizers. For dinner, we'll pick a few restaurants and go out in smaller groups, to keep it manageable, but inclusive of everyone!
Wed, Sept 23: Because a local railroad trestle closes at 8am, blocking our path home, plan to leave well before 8am OR sleep in and leave after 11:30 am. This bridge will impede our exit M-F from 8-11 am.
*Re: Washington City Docks. They have limited transient slips with power/water, so call ASAP to make reservations. There is also some free bulkhead dockage (w/o power & water), but call in advance to ask for this. There may be room to anchor in front of the docks as well. Call 252-944-6661 to reserve. They have city water, pump out, and two courtesy bikes.
While each vessel’s captain is responsible for the safety of their boat and crew, we will help as much as possible, including monitoring the weather. If you need to cancel, please text Ann at 919-593-9806 or Jeff at 252-670-6322. This should be a fun and safe cruise for all.
Fair Winds!
Jeff and Ann Boswell
Copyright 2020 - Sailing Club of Oriental, P.O. Box 525, Oriental, NC 28571
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