The Carolinas - Cape Lookout Trip

Has anyone been out to Cape Lookout from MHC on the inside recently? How is
the route when we have a low or negative tide? Thanks, Karl

tight, keep a poling oar on board, if it's blowing outta the west there's not much water along the backside of shackleford, not too bad along HI.

Went 3 weeks ago and had plenty of water if you stay in the ditch, not so much out of it though. i have a 23 ft CC and had plenty of room.

Went Sunday at low tide after the wind kicked up and I couldn't make it back across to MHC inlet. It was doable as long as you stay in the ditch as stated. If the wind is blowing out of the west you are going to get the chit kicked out of you.

How much water do you draw? Middle marsh is about normal on both sides, across from Beaufort side or from behind Shack. Biggest problem is the Drain, that sandbar you go around is about 3' max at low water and you have to look hard to find that. There's a channel east of the Drain but unless you have good eyes and high sun, it isn't recommended. The Short Turn is not too good either.

How much water do you draw? Middle marsh is about normal on both sides, across from Beaufort side or from behind Shack. Biggest problem is the Drain, that sandbar you go around is about 3' max at low water and you have to look hard to find that. There's a channel east of the Drain but unless you have good eyes and high sun, it isn't recommended. The Short Turn is not too good either.

Hey Bill:

What is the Drain? I am not familiar with the name.

Second, Is the cut to the northwest of middle marsh (that you would take from Taylor's Creek to run in front of Harkers) decent? From there can you run along Harkers as usual to the marked channel into Lookout? Or would it be better from the inlet to leave Middle Marsh to the north (with Shack on the right) and turn back towards HI to meet up with the channel in front of HI?

Finally, what is the Short Turn? Is that the channel from the Bight that hugs Shack and shortens the run to Harkers (that the skiff ferries use, Blind Hammock)? I've never been brave enough for that. It's hard enough with the marked channel getting over the bar to the beach at the lighthouse....

Tks

Jody

Kencraft Challenger 215
ETEC 200 ICON

I ran back on a very low tide and couldn't find the channel despite staying dead between the markers on the open stretch back. Actually had to put the engine up, push. Markers are either not where they belong (likely), or it's filled in. This was about 3 months ago though. I'm used to "the ditch" being narrow so seeing sand next to you doesn't bother me. It's when I see sand in front of me, which happened right before the skeg buried in the middle of the marked channel. It was a very low tide.

Bill, I draw about 2 feet. Any chance that you could post a chart with your route recommendations
for us that may not be familar with some of the local terms? Thanks, Karl

The Drain is the area from the east end of Harkers Island to the CL Lighthouse. The shallowest part of the whole trip is the 0.5 section from Calico Jacks to the Dogleg right around Bird Island.

Hey Bill:

What is the Drain? I am not familiar with the name.

Second, Is the cut to the northwest of middle marsh (that you would take from Taylor's Creek to run in front of Harkers) decent? From there can you run along Harkers as usual to the marked channel into Lookout? Or would it be better from the inlet to leave Middle Marsh to the north (with Shack on the right) and turn back towards HI to meet up with the channel in front of HI?

Finally, what is the Short Turn? Is that the channel from the Bight that hugs Shack and shortens the run to Harkers (that the skiff ferries use, Blind Hammock)? I've never been brave enough for that. It's hard enough with the marked channel getting over the bar to the beach at the lighthouse....

Tks

Jody

Kencraft Challenger 215
ETEC 200 ICON

Hey Jody, Westco described the "Drain", what the locals call the used to be straight channel from Shell point at the tip of HI to the cape. That dogleg is the tricky part but you should be able to do it no problem. At dead low tide take it easy the first time till you're sure where the water is or isn't, hug the red markers is the best water, or was two weeks ago.

That middle marsh cut is like it's always been, should be no problem with your boat. The long way around by shack is about the same too, a little more water but you don't need it with your rig.

The short turn is what you thought it was and some of the locals are now digging sand through it too at low water. I run it in my flats skiff but then again I only draw a few inches so don't try and follow me! :grin:

Karl, I will try and see if I can figure out how to upload a chart later this evening, gotta head out of town and check out a leaking fuel tank. If you only need 2' you should be just fine pretty much anywhere you want to go. Normal cautionary advise; make your first trips at low tide, if you run aground you will not be left even harder aground and you will know with confidence where you can and can't go. Also a high noon sun is best to read the water, hard to see shallows squinting into a low glaring sun. Be very careful about following another boat unless you're sure they are drawing more water than you! Don't get too close in case they come to a sudden stop and make sure they don't have a jackplate or tunnel, or they may sucker you across a bar you won't do. I try to wave off guys following me but sometimes they think I'm just being friendly, always stop and go back to help pull them off though. :thumbsup:
Bill

The Drain is the area from the east end of Harkers Island to the CL Lighthouse. The shallowest part of the whole trip is the 0.5 section from Calico Jacks to the Dogleg right around Bird Island.

Thanks. That tells me exactly what I was looking for. Never had trouble there before--as I said I always struggle once between shackelford and the cape--channel on the cape side peters out before you get to the lighthouse dock, and the channel by shack makes you go all the way into the bight.

Thanks again--looking forward to the opportunity to have these sorts of problems--beats work.

JDC

Thanks Bill. Got it in my head now. Can't wait to be there.

Cheers

Jody

It was only about 3 feet at the dog leg close to bird island last weekend, and that was at extremely low tide.

Used to go fishing out of HI 40 years ago, and I remember the CG was always moving the channel markers going out to the cape, and they often weren't accurate. I imagine things are the same now.

I will be revisiting these waters this summer, having gotten back into boating at the coast after years at Lake Gaston, and look forward to finding my way up to the cape on the inside, so this information is very helpful. The advice to go the first time at low tide is particularly helpful, Bill.

So, any point at looking at a chart, or is it best to go slow and watch closely where you are going first time through, or wait and follow another boat that looks to know the way?

Used to go fishing out of HI 40 years ago, and I remember the CG was always moving the channel markers going out to the cape, and they often weren't accurate. I imagine things are the same now.

I will be revisiting these waters this summer, having gotten back into boating at the coast after years at Lake Gaston, and look forward to finding my way up to the cape on the inside, so this information is very helpful. The advice to go the first time at low tide is particularly helpful, Bill.

So, any point at looking at a chart, or is it best to go slow and watch closely where you are going first time through, or wait and follow another boat that looks to know the way?

I haven't seen a chart yet that showed current conditions, some close but not good enough to navigate through there with. Following someone else who knows the way is best but make sure they draw more water than you do.

I haven't seen a chart yet that showed current conditions, some close but not good enough to navigate through there with. Following someone else who knows the way is best but make sure they draw less water than you do.

Great advice, but don't you mean "more" draw?

Great advice, but don't you mean "more" draw?

Oops, thank you C.Edmund!! :thumbsup: