Alan Stewart Posted June 12, 2018 Report Share Posted June 12, 2018 B&B sailors, For many years, Graham and I have participated in the annual "North Carolina Challenge" each year put on by the Watertribe group. This year the Watertribe event was cancelled due to lack of interest or at least not enough interest. In its place this year is a new "event" called the Core Sound Challenge schedule for June 28th with a shove off time of 8am. The "event" is being "organized" by a local sailor Nathan who'd like to get more sailors out sailing. He has put up his own website on this event. https://zenehet.wixsite.com/fleetcmd/register-route The route is from Cedar island (same as the old North Carolina Challenge) to Shackleford and back via Core Sound hence the name. You can circumnavigate Shackleford on the outside (the intended track) or avoid going outside by rounding a buoy at beaufort inlet and another buoy inside the bight. Technically it's a "race" but I suspect camping overnight in the Bight might be popular. I'm planning to give it a go in my CS-17. The event is informal and there is no entry fee etc that i am aware or. You are on your own. Bring your own safety gear, file your own float plan. If you'd like to join the fun shoot him an email at zenehet@gmail.com Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mattp Posted June 18, 2018 Report Share Posted June 18, 2018 This sounds like a fun event and I am glad someone is stepping up to try and fill the void since the Watertribe NC events are no more. I’d be all over it but unfortunately that is a busy few weeks at work for me. Here’s to there being a next year! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AmosSwogger Posted June 25, 2018 Report Share Posted June 25, 2018 This is coming up soon, hope to read some after action reports and see some pictures. I would like to try this after I get some sailing experience under my belt. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alan Stewart Posted June 28, 2018 Author Report Share Posted June 28, 2018 Amos, I'll be sure to write up our experience. Taylor and I are taking our Core Sound 17. We are planning to camp on Cape Lookout tonight as we expect a hard slog down Core Sound today. Here is a link to our spot track page. This is just us, you won't see any other boats on it. https://share.findmespot.com/shared/faces/viewspots.jsp?glId=0Mk47DBz9u4FjqtIgnVgCCoWpX5cRo9fj Will send pictures as we can. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mattp Posted June 28, 2018 Report Share Posted June 28, 2018 Looking like some hard earned miles today! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alan Stewart Posted June 29, 2018 Author Report Share Posted June 29, 2018 Hard earned for sure. We had a very tough day on the sound. Camped now but not planning on going any further south, we lost our anchor and after today we just don't have it in us. Current plan is to head back for Cedar Island in the morning. Kept up with the windsurfer until it got over 15kts. Spent almost all day with mizzen only in the third mast position. So much wind and shallower than I've ever sailed in Core Sound dragging our board everywhere. Had to cut the anchor free after our pit stop to reduce sail just couldn't get it unstuck. Didn't bring enough warm cloths or foul weather gear. My amazing crew was soaked to the bone all day. Quite a learning experience and plenty of gear to be purchased when we get home. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chick Ludwig Posted June 29, 2018 Report Share Posted June 29, 2018 The Sound can really get ya! Glad you're ok, even if wet, cold, tired, and frustrated. Next time will be better. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Oyster Posted June 29, 2018 Report Share Posted June 29, 2018 35 minutes ago, Alan Stewart said: Hard earned for sure. We had a very tough day on the sound. Camped now but not planning on going any further south, we lost our anchor and after today we just don't have it in us. Current plan is to head back for Cedar Island in the morning. Kept up with the windsurfer until it got over 15kts. Spent almost all day with mizzen only in the third mast position. So much wind and shallower than I've ever sailed in Core Sound dragging our board everywhere. Had to cut the anchor free after our pit stop to reduce sail just couldn't get it unstuck. Didn't bring enough warm cloths or foul weather gear. My amazing crew was soaked to the bone all day. Quite a learning experience and plenty of gear to be purchased when we get home. We are headed on the water tomorrow and can come get you if you wish and take or tow you back . If you need your trailer picked up, then also let me know. And if you need my number, pm me. For some reason that sound has really gotten shallow' To compound the issue of running the sound, the CG has removed a lot of the lights on the sticks that were originally in place. If you just need some dry clothes too, let me know. I see you are on the tip of Browns Island, if the spot is correct. There is a ramp at the bridge going over to Harkers Island from Straits. Its not that far to the west if you want to head that direction too and we can pick you up. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alan Stewart Posted June 29, 2018 Author Report Share Posted June 29, 2018 Thanks for the offer. Should be fine today downwimd or drifting back, like to make it on our own I think. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom Lathrop Posted June 29, 2018 Report Share Posted June 29, 2018 We found out about how little the charts and markers can be trusted on Core Sound a couple years ago. Depth about one foot over large areas where chart calls for relatively deep water. Deep for Core Sound, that is. Anywhere near Drum Inlet is questionable since Hurricane Irene. Best to stay nearer mainland when near Atlantic, I think. I don't think any waters similar to Core Sound even shows up on the NOAA Gov. to do list for new soundings work. One of you young computer wizards need to develop technology for depth charting from satellites or such. Unmanned surface drones aught to be doable with existing technology and small money.. We plan on doing the Sound from the Neuse through Thorofare to Beaufort soon so will make sure to have push pole and spare prop aboard. If Taylor is still on speaking terms, civil speaking that is, you are set for the long term. Tom Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mattp Posted June 29, 2018 Report Share Posted June 29, 2018 When this team calls it a "tough day", I don't take it lightly! They crushed the NCC last year in what I considered very challenging conditions. I wonder how the other teams are faring? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alan Stewart Posted June 29, 2018 Author Report Share Posted June 29, 2018 From one exterme to the other today. Rowing along glass flat calm. Miserable in a totally different way! headed for cedar creek camp/marina to takeout. Nathan's trimaran was holed and he limped it back to cedar island yesterday. The windsurfer I assume made it pretty far but I'm sure he probably pulled out down near Harkers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AmosSwogger Posted June 29, 2018 Report Share Posted June 29, 2018 Sounds like quite an adventure; much respect for those toughing it out. Thanks for the update. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Oyster Posted June 30, 2018 Report Share Posted June 30, 2018 When you saw you drug your centerboard, that's an understatement. Right around Nelson Bay and Sea Level there was nothing but sand for as far as you could see, with a little bit of water on it. THe windsurfer was standing tall, but going no where north in the same area. I could not get to him to see if he wanted help or water and he did not wave as if he wanted any. So if you see him tell him that the blue hull boat was not ignoring him as it turned west to head into Salter's Creek. But rest assured, the Pamlico Sound was kicking later on the afternoon out f the east northeast. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AmosSwogger Posted July 1, 2018 Report Share Posted July 1, 2018 Was the wind pushing the water out of the sound? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blkskmr Posted December 11, 2018 Report Share Posted December 11, 2018 Alan, Good morning. Have you heard if this event will repeat in 2019? Despite conditions last year, we would like to give it a try... we think. Regards Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alan Stewart Posted March 18, 2019 Author Report Share Posted March 18, 2019 Wanted to bring this to the attention of anyone interested. The Shackleford Challenge (a sort-of replacement to the NCC started by Nathan under the "North Fleet" banner) is on for a second year. Scheduled for June 28th 2018 which unfortunately coincides with the Mystic family boat building weekend. While not as interesting a course as the original NCC it is still an opportunity for an out of the box sailing event to test your navigational and sailing skills. https://www.northfleetcmd.com/register-route Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.