Question about Bogue Sound/Pine Knoll Shores area? (Oriental, Speed: rental, insurance)

[irishjib]

Considering eventually moving to the area and just have a couple of questions. First, if anyone has boated on Bogue Sound, is it deep enough to actually enjoy boating, and what is the maximum draft of an appropriate boat? Are there speed limitations for boating? How much does a typical boat slip cost for rental or ownership? Also, we're wondering how long it takes to get from Pine Knoll Shores area to Oriental. Thanks for your help.

[Bill Hitchcock]

Irishjib,
Bogue Sound has the ICW running through it. It averages around 12-15 feet deep. Outside of the ICW in Bogue Sound tends to be shallow.
You can hang a left at the Mhd City Port and head due North up the ICW to the Neuse River and then onto Oriental. How long it will take you is a big depends. It depends exactly where you'll be heading out from and in what type of vessel.
Speed limits? No-But there is a no wake zone at the port. Safety is always the ruling factor when it comes to speed.
I would highly encourage you to take the boating skills and seamanship course offered by the Power Squadron and Coast Gaurd. It will lower your insurance rates too.

[irishjib]

Thanks for the input. We are looking at retirement in the area (10 years) and trying to get a sense of how long it takes to traverse from Pamlico to Bogue and vise versa along with the right boat for weekending. We have been down a few times and love the area, but never on the water. Too darn cold up here, unless you really like ice fishing. Brandy helps!

[Francois]

Originally Posted by Bill Hitchcock

Irishjib,
Bogue Sound has the ICW running through it.

By that, he means Intercoastal Waterway.

[Bill Hitchcock]

Just follow the blue line!