The ALBEMARLE LOOP Extended Cruise
When: May 22 – June 6 (dates may vary depending on demand)
Greeting SCOO Members –
The planning is well underway for our first extended cruise for the 2026 cruising season.
Departing from Oriental on (or about) May 22, the cruisers of this trip will travel over 300 nautical miles to include many marinas that have hosted SCOO members in the past as well as several anchorages. The cruising group will be limited in size as many of the municipal marinas have limited numbers of slips that they can set aside for our groups.
If the interest is larger than we can handle we will break up into several “flotillas”, Spanish for “small fleets.”
Background: What is the Albemarle Loop? Based geographically around the Albemarle Sound is a series of both municipal and private marinas that offer cruisers free dockage for up to 48 hours to allow interested cruisers to come explore their towns, communities, and facilities. This cruise will offer opportunities to stroll the local shops, tour museums, explore the local dining, interact with the locals, and learn the history of the Albemarle Sound and its towns.
Summary of the Cruise: This years’ Albemarle Loop will include the towns of Belhaven, Columbia, Edenton, Elizabeth City, Manteo as well as the coastal community of Albemarle Plantation, a favorite location of many past SCOO cruisers. Each location offers interesting experiences whether it’s a miles-long dinghy ride on the Pembroke Creek in Edenton or playing a round of golf at Albemarle Plantation or receiving a rose from the “Rose Buddies” of Elizabeth City. We will indeed find some unique eateries and watering holes along the way.
Cruise Requirements: This cruise requires all cruisers to be prepared to do the appropriate preparations, planning, provisioning, navigational routing to meet the demands of moving multiple days and covering the distances that are beyond many cruisers past experiences. I say this not to intimidate anyone, but to recognize that much of the success falls on the preparedness of each boat and their crew. The good news, many SCOO members have significant experience cruising and can help answer questions and assist with ensuring preparedness of individuals that feel they need some seasoned guidance. We will be required to anchor for some nights as we travel between towns and marinas.
Return Trip: Following our visit to Manteo, the cruiser teams will need to select their return route back to Oriental. There are three options laid out for the teams to choose.
These routes will be greatly influenced by various factors to include the forecasted weather as well as individual teams’ comfort levels in navigating the waters. Manteo is located about 100nm from Oriental. Each team will need to decide the route they feel comfortable traveling.
Planning Presentation: If you are interested in participating, I HIGHLY ENCOURAGE you to plan on attending the Long-Range Cruise Planning Meeting on April 24th at the Oriental Town Hall conference room to highlight the Albemarle Loop and Southport Cruises. At this meeting you will be presented an overview of these cruises from the cruise captains as well has learn from fellow cruisers that have done these cruises in the past. Details of this meeting will be sent out separately.
Requesting Some Patience: While planning this cruise, Carole and I will also be in Texas for our daughter’s wedding. I will attempt to stay on top of the emails and questions, but please be patient if you don’t get a response right away. Thank you!
Additional Information: More information will be coming as we get closer to this cruise. Please feel free to shoot me an email (browntw.79@gmail.com) with any questions you may have, and I will attempt to help answer them.
Website: https://albemarleloop.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AlbemarleLoop
Tom & Carole Brown
Cruise Captains M/V Key 2 Cay
“Footloose on the Neuse Concert Rally” in New Bern
You can join the discussion right here in the Forum to connect with other SCOO members.
Click here to join the Forum: Footloose on the Neuse
Where: Anchor off Union Point or make other arrangements, New Bern
We are hoping your schedule allows you to attend this event with your fellow SCOO cruisers.
There are no captains for these events. They are opportunities to connect with fellow SCOO members to informally enjoy these concerts. For Up-To-Date info on the concerts go their website at FOOTLOOSE.
Feel free to make group plans on the private SCOO Facebook page. *If you are not on the SCOO Facebook page, ask to join – it is a closed page for SCOO members. https://www.facebook.com/groups/337844135917155 or search for SCOO (Sailing Club of Oriental)
By participating in this event, you agree that you are responsible for all decisions regarding your participation, i.e. navigation, timing and the safety of yourself, crew and your vessel.
Best regards,
Marty Fancy SCOO Commodore 2026
2026 SCOO Southern Cruise to Southport
The SCOO Southern Cruise this year will again take us to some of the most enjoyable ports on the ICW in North Carolina, including Swansboro, Wrightsville Beach, Carolina Beach, and Southport, with an option for a return passage offshore for those interested, weather permitting. The one-way distance is about 116nm.
The official dates for the cruise are Wednesday, June 10, through Friday, June 19.
Some cruisers may want to extend the cruise in Southport or add longer stops on the return. All these ports offer dining and entertainment, as well as fuel and provisions.
These dates conflict with the Annual Big Rock Blue Marlin Fishing Tournament, June 5-14, in Morehead City. All the slips in the Morehead-Beaufort area are already booked.
So, the plan is to head straight to Swansboro on the ICW, 44nm, the first day and stay two nights. This eliminates the option of an offshore run from Beaufort Inlet to Masonboro Inlet (Wrightsville Beach) because the 10-12 hour passage requires a departure at first light from Beaufort. Cruisers starting beyond Oriental may want to anchor the first night at the top of Adams Creek and continue to Swansboro the next day.
Although Bald Head Island is not on the itinerary, some cruisers may want to visit this lovely marina and island on the southern Cape Fear River, 3nm from Southport, though dockage is limited.
We will organize a full potluck social during our 3 days at the Morningstar Marinas/Southport, with more casual get-togethers in the other ports.
More information will be sent to those who register as we get closer to the date. If you missed the presentation last month at Town Hall, you can find it here. Or if you prefer a .pdf version, I can email It to you. Just contact me at carlcrothers52@gmail.com.
Carl and Donna Crothers S/v Sanctuary 336-408-4993
2026 OCRACOKE CRUISE
Tuesday, June 23 to Friday, June 26
Come sail with us to the quaint village of Ocracoke...where peace & quiet, beach walks, & folk music reigns
Welcome aboard! If you have been on this cruise before, if will largely the same but we want to change it up to provide some different experiences. We will be surveying everyone who signs up to judge interest in alternative activities. Here is an outline:
Planned activities:
Tues. 6/23 Arrive at Ocracoke. Meet and greet will be at the National Park Service (NPS) picnic area; bring an appetizer, plates, utensils, and chairs (if you don’t want to sit on the wooden benches). Note: alcohol is not permitted in the picnic area, please be discreet.
Wed. 6/24 9:30am We will meet at the NPS dingy dock and dinghy out past Springers Point for a clam dig, weather permitting. Low tide will be at 10:02am. 4:00pm We will have a potluck at the NPS picnic area and steam our clams! Bring a dish to share and beverage. Your cruise directors will be doing a low country boil and steamed shrimp.
Thurs. 6/25 10:30am Those interested take the first shuttle at 10:30 from the NPS pavilion to the lighthouse (Stop #3). You have the option to visit the lighthouse; you can’t climb to the top, but a docent is on hand to show the first floor and describe the history of the light. From there we will lead a short (less than 2 miles) walk to Springer’s Point. There you can sun on the beach or swim. 1:00pm Lunch at 1718 Brewing. You can walk, bike, or take the shuttle to Stop 6. 1718 opens at 12 noon; we anticipate people going to Springer’s Point will get to 1718 Brewing at 1pm, but you can go earlier and we will meet you there. 5:00pm Group dinner at Dajio, 305 Irvin Garrish Hwy.
Fri. 6/26 Depart for home
We are considering an evening ghost walk led by Amy Howard of the Ocracoke Howard family. The cost will be $20 per person and will require a minimum number of participants. We will send out a survey to all cruise registrants to assess interest.
Dockage Options
Options for Getting Around
More details to follow.
Cruise Captains: Brad May (408)761-3892 & Ronnie McKay (828)400-1170
Copyright 2020 - Sailing Club of Oriental, P.O. Box 525, Oriental, NC 28571
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