Good Boating Areas?

[ParkRode360]

New Bern is definitely on my short list -- had thought that area had already been pretty much built up. Sounds really nice! And am I right in thinking that, like NC, you can pretty much boat all year round?

[Dave (Daddy's Diamond)]

George,

I will leave FEMAguy to answer about how built up New Bern is, as I live up in Hampton, but as for whether one can boat all year.....you can, but it is chilly from Nov thru March.  Worst I have seen it in four years with my boat in a wet slip is a one week period of ice around the hull.  As long as you keep an engine compartment heater in there running, there isn't really anything to worry about.  We don't have many really cold periods.

I normally winterize the fresh water tank buy empting it and putting a couple bottles of really cheap vodka in it.  (I hate that pink stuff.)  I also put an engine compartment heater dead center between my two engines and the generator. http://www.boatersworld.com/product/336972237.htm  Never had a problem.  (I use to keep a 60 watt light bulb on in the engine compartment, until I found out how dangerous that was.   I had been told it would reduce the humidity.  Now I have one of those plug in humidity controllers that works like a champ.  Best 60 bucks I ever spent on that boat. http://www.boatersworld.com/product/338220023msk.htm I keep it in the main cabin right on the floor.

Good luck finding a place.......Give me about 15 more years and I will be coming down to join you probably.

[FEMAguy]

Gentlemen,

New Bern is a great area and has a lot of the services you would be wanting.  I found it to be about 10%-15% more expensive then Bath, but it does provide a more service driven life style.  Lots of restaurants, marinas, and all the "stuff" you would expect from a town of (and I'm guessing here) 20,000-30,000.  Bath is more country which provides quiet, but also you have to get into your car and drive 15 minutes for a loaf of bread.  As is in life, there are trade offs.  Downtown New Bern is very historic mixed with some very nice hotels and modern marinas.  The are some great "suburbs" of New Bern that offer nice homes on the water in what appear to be very upscale neighborhoods..

New Bern also puts you closer to the Ocean and to some of the south NC beaches and tourist areas.  As far as boating year round...... absolutely,  turn er' on and go.

If I had to do it all over again, I would give New Bern a closer look.  In my case, it was yet another 45 minutes of driving in an already challenging drive (From the North of Baltimore)  Don"t misunderstand, I love the pace in Bath but do often wish I had some of the services I could have in New Bern.

The Admiral and I bought our lot and buit our house as a hedge, so that in 2 1/2 years when we retire we will be in a position to live on the water.  I will probably take a very close look at New Bern, south to Mytle Beach before settling down once and for all.  While that does not mean I will move from Bath, the Bath investment allows me the flexability and hedge I need to make final decisions when they present themselves.

Best of luck.... the cold beverage and a place to lay your head are always available.

[ParkRode360]

Ok, guys, you're making it sound *way* too good! Will have to see if I can sneak a week off around Thanksgiving / Christmas to head down and take a looksee with the admiral - she's got me roughing in a possible house design already (be *very* afraid!)  One if the key "nice things" is that, when describing what she wanted as far as an overall environment, the first thing she said was "a deep-water dock for either this boat or something bigger"  Gee, can't wait!