Outer Banks Boat Ramps & Marinas - The Hull Truth

lopresher · 07-23-2003, 07:46 AM

We're heading up to KDH next month, and I'm planning on taking our 21' center console ...

How crowded is the Washington Baum Bridge boat ramp (across from Pirate's Cove) on a typical July/August weekday? Any parking room?

Any other good boat ramps in the Nags Head / KDH area?

I'm also thinking about renting a wet slip at Pirate's Cover for 4-5 days to avoid any potential ramp hassles. Anyone done this? Will boat be OK in water for 1 week without bottom paint?

Jimm · 07-23-2003, 07:56 AM

There's a ramp at Oregon Inlet behind the fishing tackle store.

Prop Blast · 07-23-2003, 08:00 AM

If you're going a little further south on the Outer Banks near Hatteras, try Teach's Lair Marina in Hatteras.

They've got a ramp and transit slips available. They used to be the closests marina to Hatteras Inlet -- not sure if they still are.

Prop Blast

Wahoowa · 07-23-2003, 10:45 AM

I use the boat ramp across from Pirates Cove two or three times a week and never have I had a problem with using the ramp or parking on week days.

JE · 07-23-2003, 10:58 AM

THE RAMP ACROSS FROM PIRATES COVE IS USUALLY CROWDED BUT THERE IS USUALLY ENOUGH PARKING SPACE TO HANDLE IT. I HAVE NEVER BEEN HELD UP LAUNCHING THERE FOR VERY LONG. THERE ARE THREE RAMPS AND AMPLE DOCK SPACE FOR LAUNCHING. I LAUNCH THERE EVEN WHEN I AM HEADED TO OR OUT OF OREGON INLET. IT IS A PRETTY QUICK RUN. HWY 12 BETWEEN WHALEBONE JUNCTION AND THE OREGON INLET FISHING CENTER CAN GET VERY HAIRY IN THE SUMMER TIME, SO I TRY TO AVOID IT COMPLETELY!

Reel Obsession · 07-24-2003, 05:42 AM

I have used this ramp for years & parking has never been a problem unless you try and go mid to late afternoon on a good boating day. Only problems I have encountered are disrespectful jet skiers!!!! Last time at ramp I waited for 15 minutes while 5 unmaned jet skies blocked 2 of the 3 ramps. After today will not be a problem as my boat lift is finishing and I will no longer have to deal with boat ramps.

Paul

2003 Hydra-Sport 2400CC Vector

JE · 07-24-2003, 06:41 AM

REEL OBSESSION, WHERE ARE YOU INSTALLING A LIFT?.....HOME, MARINA. I KNOW THERE IS A KITTY HAWK BAY JUST NORTH OF COLLINGTON, BUT I HAVE NEVER BEEN UP INTO IT. HEARD THERE WAS FUEL AVAILABLE THERE?

KenCraft Challenger 215

NewMoon · 07-24-2003, 07:17 AM

Just curious, how long of a ride is it from Pirates Cove to outside Oregon Inlet are there no wakes?

202 Scout Sportfisher, Suzuki 140HP, fish out of Point Judith, RI

Reel Obsession · 07-24-2003, 03:07 PM

JE

Installing the lift at my father-in-laws home near Collington Island, maybe 10 minutes from Pirates Cove. I know we will get a lot more use out of the boat than if we continue to trailer. This is the south end of Kitty Hawk Bay, and yes there is a fuel dock but it is at the north end of Kitty Hawk Bay. We will fuel up at a place in Wanchese harbor.

NewMoon

There is only a short no wake area as you leave the ramp near Pirates Cove. You will have about a 9 mile run to the bridge at Oregon Inlet.

Paul

2003 Hydra-Sport 2400CC Vector

pwelch · 07-24-2003, 04:38 PM

We have a condo at Pirate's Cove and use the ramp across the street all the time. Its a great ramp! I don't think parking during the week will be a problem. Sometime the jet ski set can be a pain but they shouldn't deter your use of the ramp. There is plenty of water to make launching and retrieving easy at high or low tide.

Its an 11 mile run to Oregon inlet. The no wake zone only extends to the first red marker south of the Baum Bridge. PC marina gets my vote as a great place to keep a boat, although yours will be one of the smallest boats in the marina. I think you will be ok for a week without bottom paint but I'm not swearing to it. My boat has bottom paint but it stays in the water for weeks at a time. My neighbor refuses to paint his Carolina Classic. He leaves it in for a couple of a days at a time without ant problems. You can always pull up by a spoil island in Oregon Inlet and give the bottom a wipe down after a day or two. Enjoy your trip--its a beautiful place! Peter

pwelch · 07-24-2003, 04:43 PM

I should also mention the Salty Dawg marina in Manteo. If no bottom paint is a concern you should be able to rent a dry slip from them. They are a full service marina and should be able to help if any service problems crop up during your vacation. Peter

donald/tri-again · 07-24-2003, 08:15 PM

the new marina in wanchese will dry store you , on your trailer if you want too and use forklift to launch

donald / tri-again

Bruce W · 07-24-2003, 10:10 PM

A pic is worth ahhh ... 100(?) words!!!

How 'bout $3 - CASH?

Here's the public ramp across the highway from Pirate's Cove - NICE!!! This is "looking" East.

I would highly recommend using it if you're staying in KDH's! About 15mi. down the road, but well worth it! Oregon Inlet is about 25mi. or so from "central KDH's!

Pirate's Cove is right around the corner from the ramp and has EVERYTHING you'll need if you need it - GAS, bait, tackle,ice, etc., PLUS all the cool boats you'd ever want to see in one place!

The ramp also has a nice restroom facility, docking, and a fishing/relaxing pier! I don't think it ever "closes"? No gate there.

My wife and I stayed at Pirate's Cove last July and I kept my 17ft. boat in the water for a week with no problems - scum or barnacles. If you run the boat at least every other day, you should be fine.

I was at Oregon Inlet Fishing Center last Saturday from 2-5P.M. and the Coasties (or NC Game folks?) were checking EVERY boat coming in to the ramp area - safety and/or fish checks - a REAL backup! Plus, there were still a LOT of trailers in the parking lot! It can really get crowded there in the summer!

As others have mentioned, it's only about a 10mi. or so run from the ramps across from P.C. to the Oregon Inlet bridge and pretty calm water most of the way - Mother Nature can change that, though - just be careful!

GREAT area - can I go with you???

P.S. - There IS a public ramp in the Kitty Hawk Bay area (up a canal), but it's kinda' "remote" and I wouldn't feel real secure about leaving stuff there. A lot of folks don't know it exists! You might, as someone suggested, try the Salty Dog Marina in Manteo about leaving the boat on the trailer there - only about 2-3mi. to the ramp at Pirate's Cove from there.

It's just a long run from KDH's to Oregon Inlet pulling a boat - plus the CROWDS when you get there! But the going can be slow from KDH's to Pirate's Cove OR Oregon Inlet for the first 15mi. or so, going South, depending on the time of day.

Enjoy!
Bruce W

[This message was edited by Bruce W on 07-25-03 at 12:22 AM.]