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We often make runs from Emerald Isle over to Swansboro on the ICW. There are lots of "homemade" looking NO WAKE signs on docks, etc. Sometimes everyone appears to respect the signs .... other times not. There are a couple of legit NO WAKE areas (marina and wildlife landing), but what about the other areas? I'm new to cruising this area and don't want to be disrespectful, but going to NO Wake makes this 10 minute trip into 45. I usually just play follow the leader in this area. If everyone's up on plane, then so am I, ..... if they're at idle speed ..... so am I. Can any EI, Swansboro locals out there clue me in?
The only official No wake zone that I know of is the on that starts at about the wildlife ramp. I usually run from Idle from there to Swansboro. I don't go that way a lot so maybe you should call Dudley's on the VHF next trip they will know.
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SpongeRob 232 Sea Hunt 225 Johnson
I'm Ready!!!
I followed a Wildlife guy thru Swansboro last year and he only slowed down at the Wildlife Ramp. I later saw him and asked about the signs. He indicated the Wildlife ramp was the only official one he was aware of.
As for Dudley's..................some of the rudest folks I know. Sorry, but I asked the big guy at Dudleys last summer when purchasing gas from them, about the signs. He gave me a smarta_ _ answer. I know he'll never miss me, but he'll never get my $$$$ again. The guy at CASPERS MARINA was very helpful. Just had to vent on this one, I passed the lack of respect for a customer the first time, but when I got it the second time..........well, I'm outta there
OK, back on topic. I actually know one of the guys who put up a home made sign. His theory was if half the boats slow down he's that much better off from getting his boat beat up. Like you I want to be respectful of other boaters so I usually cruise thru there fairly easy. Like you, I often play follow the leader.
This might be a good question for the SeaTow guy in Beaufort, they have a inflatable I see down there often.
There should be an official sign, and it should be illegal to try to duplicate one. If there are boats in the water, people working on docks, waders, etc, I go slow. If the sign is for an empty dock, or a boat 4 feet up on a lift, I keep on trucking.
That said, people have been shot at for operating contrary to local standards. Not surprisingly, it's more likely the further south you go.
Glacierbaze wrote "That said, people have been shot at for operating contrary to local standards. Not surprisingly, it's more likely the further south you go."
Nice stereotype. Rather insulting to those of us frequenting "The Carolinas" board, especially when we're Carolinians.....
Is it not true that most if not all of the officiial no wake signs will had the US Army Corp of Engiineer insignia? That at least is what I was told by someone in the industry.
Glacierbaze wrote "That said, people have been shot at for operating contrary to local standards. Not surprisingly, it's more likely the further south you go."
Nice stereotype. Rather insulting to those of us frequenting "The Carolinas" board, especially when we're Carolinians.....
Actually...I thought it was a compliment. Screw up and expect a bullet in the butt.
Wildlife ramp only. Unfortunately no one pays much attention to that either. Dudley's will get on the radio and ask you to slow down. It is hard to fuel there with wake coming at you. There is a certain person not far from Dudley's near the Hotel that has been known to fire air rifle pellets at boats that pushing out big wake.
There is a certain person not far from Dudley's near the Hotel that has been known to fire air rifle pellets at boats that pushing out big wake.
Wonder how that guy will feel when a passing boater realizes that he's been shot at with air rifle, then approaches the dock with a 12 gauge...? Or perhaps returns with a LEO...?
If we are not on the way to a job we generally take it easy through there. If we are enroute to a job, due to the unscrupulous actions of our competitor down there we stay to the far side of the channel away from the houses and let it go. on plane our boats only push about a 6" wake at best.
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Capt. Dan Sparks
Sparks Signs, LLC
Glacierbaze wrote "That said, people have been shot at for operating contrary to local standards. Not surprisingly, it's more likely the further south you go."
Nice stereotype. Rather insulting to those of us frequenting "The Carolinas" board, especially when we're Carolinians.....
Actually...I thought it was a compliment. Screw up and expect a bullet in the butt.
My problem with these homemadfe no wake signs is when the Admirals on board its like"slow down slow down" . She thinks they're all equal.It doesn't make for peace in the family.
I actually had a guy to call the DNR for ignoring his non regulation marker, he documented the incident on video and everything. The DNR basically laughed in his face, which was very appropriate. He, nor is kids had any clue what they were doing on the water and regularly cut people off in the cove where his lakehouse was. that same winter he relocated an official no wake marker that was on dry land from the lake being down in front of his dock. that kinda made the DNR mad once again. It appears that it is the same boaters that have very little, if any, regard for other boaters, that are the first to bitch about someone doing stuff that they don't like.
I guess the funniest ones are those who build knowing that there is boat traffic and then try and slow everybody down. Kinda like building next to an airport and then complaining about noise.
I motored form NC to Key West a couple years back and if I'd slowed at every home-made no wake markers the trip would have taken forever... Florida was the worst. While I am allways carefull and courteous I don't obey the home made signs. I'm with Shag, if you build on the waterway, then expect wakes... I mean really!!!
If you can afford to buy on the water, spend the bucks for a lift to get your boat up out of harms way.
. If we are enroute to a job, due to the unscrupulous actions of our competitor down there we stay to the far side of the channel away from the houses and let it go. on plane our boats only push about a 6" wake at best.
Wake is wake regardless if it's 6" or 14", just like legitimate NO WAKE signs are NO WAKE signs. I don't think the Corps of Engineers have there ensignia on them however.
Just like most respectful boater's, we too, slow down for every and all no wakes, regardless if it's official or written in crayon when fun fishing or cruising. We see it as, the owner of the property put effort into this, why not respect them for it.
Now, if we're in a tournament and have a good fish on board, just like st on a run to a job, we take the outside edge and on plane only abiding by the official No Wakes.
To answer the original question, I think the Wildlife ramp is the only legite No Wake Zone, although haven't been by Swansboro in awhile.
st, can you please elaborate on the "unscrupulous actions of our competitor's" statement. Not quite sure I understand.
Thank You,
Dean Nichols
Reel Nauti
My wife say I have 2 speeds. WOT and "On a sand bar". Those home made signs ps me off. If there is a legitamate reason for them, fine. I don't need a sign to tell me to slow down where it is obvious I should.
No Wake Zone Protocol - EI to Swansboro 
Or perhaps returns with a LEO...? 
