Moving south

[jpk55]

My wife and I are finally having the serious talk about heading south. For various reasons Wilmington seems to be under consideration for our first long stop. Looking for suggestions, comments for a good live aboard marina. We aren’t looking for the ritz but someplace comfortable and nice. Thanks in advance.

 

[GJH]

Any particular reasons for Wilmington? Do you plan on using the boat much once there, and if so, for what?
I ask, because when we stopped cruising and decided where to keep the boat, we chose Morehead City because cruising destinations we loved like Cape Lookout (in particular), Ocracoke, or even South River, were any easy distance away.
Wilmington is a very nice city, but kind of a slog to get to any interesting cruising grounds.

 

[Pete]

You did not mention the attraction to Wilmington, so let me offer some info you might want to consider. Most marine insurance companies have a more expensive rate schedule south of Beaufort, NC. If anyone aboard values proximity to the best coastal medical facilities New Bern would be the best choice. UNC Wilmington offers the best access to higher education facilities. Morehead City/Beaufort offer a great "at the beach" environment. A preference for a small city/town would lead me to New Bern. If you have a strong preference for the Wilmington area, also consider Wrightsville Beach and Southport as perhaps a better location.

 

[GJH]

We had our boat in New Bern for a little while, but moved to Morehead after a few months to be closer to good cruising destinations and the ocean inlet.
Much faster to drive a car to New Bern than to drive the boat to the Pamlico/ICW/Beaufort Inlet. The medical community and hospital in Morehead is fine for all the basics.
I'd kind of use that same reasoning for preferring Southport to Wilmington proper, though Wrightsville checks a lot of the same boxes. Really depends on if the boat is going to get used, or should I say, desired to use. At Morehead, we used the boat a lot year around.

 

[jpk55]

We had our boat in New Bern for a little while, but moved to Morehead after a few months to be closer to good cruising destinations and the ocean inlet.Much faster to drive a car to New Bern than to drive the boat to the Pamlico/ICW/Beaufort Inlet. The medical community and hospital in Morehead is fine for all the basics. I'd kind of use that same reasoning for preferring Southport to Wilmington proper, though Wrightsville checks a lot of the same boxes. Really depends on if the boat is going to get used, or should I say, desired to use. At Morehead, we used the boat a lot year around.

Suggestions for Morehead?

 

[GJH]

For living aboard full time? Morehead City Yacht Basin. Great facility and skilled crew. Walking distance to the greatness of ACE Marine Hardware and any number of good places to eat. Close to Beaufort and an easy ride to the inlet.