Elizabeth City Sports & Outdoors

We have never stayed at this marina. Apparently Hurricane Isabel damaged the docks and fuel tanks, and while the docks have been repaired, there will not be fuel dispensed at this marina any longer. The closest facility with fuel to Elizabeth City is now across Albemarle Sound. It is across the river from Elizabeth City which makes it a bit isolated.

Equipment: They advertise

Marine Supplies
Power and sail equipment
Pump out station
Transient slips
30/50 AMP Power
Cable TV Hookup
Showers
Laundry Facilities
New gift shop
Restaurant next door

Cost about $1.00/ft with a BoatUS discount.

As I was coming back from the bakery, I stopped and took a photo of the sign in this little park on the river. I have never understood what a Moth Boat was until I went and looked it up on the internet. The Albemarle Museum has a write-up on it which says:

"The moth was developed in 1929 when Captain Joel Van Sant visited Elizabeth City. He was traveling from Atlantic City to Florida and stopped to overhaul his yacht, Siesta.
During his stay, he joined forces with Ernest Sanders of Elizabeth City Shipyard to design a small sailboat which could be easily raced on inland rivers and lakes. This sporty little craft, called the moth because of its ability to flit across the waves, caught the imagination of sailors and boatbuilders seeking an inexpensive vessel which could be built by non-professional boatbuilders."

Equipment: The Classic Moth Boat Regatta is traditionally held the third Saturday in September. Visitors are invited to join the festivities which include boat tours of the harbor, art shows, craft booths along the waterfront, music and the traditional Museum of the Albemarle Barbecue Chicken Dinner.

Elizabeth City has 2 nights (48 hour) free dockage at the public docks - primarily for boats going north or south on the ICW through the Dismal Swamp Canal. If the weather is bad, no one will kick you out though. We've never stayed more than 2 days.

Fifteen boats can be accommodated. The number on the slip shows the width of the slip so you can pick one that you will fit in. Catamarans go over on the Waterworks side, or in some cases on the restaurant dock.

Depths are about 12 feet which is plenty for anyone who's been through the Dismal Swamp.

The pilings wiggle in the current a bit but they withstood Isabel. After Hurricane Isobel, the finger piers had to be rebuilt and Elizabeth City did suffer some damage to store fronts etc.

The finger piers are quite short and low, so at high tide, I have to have a milk crate or stool on the finger pier in order to get off. Some folks just climb over the bow directly onto the seawall.

Equipment: There are water connections (check the drinking fountain), but there is no power available. Bathrooms (but no showers) are available in Waterworks when it is open.

The Chamber of Commerce will let you bring in your laptop to do email, but crossing the street is an adventure in itself, and if you can wait until you get to the Alligator Marina, it is easier there.

If there are more than 4 new boats at the docks, the Rose Buddies will hold a wine and cheese party on the river side of Waterworks in a tent. (see the Local Custom tip)

We have not been to this marina as we like to have more than 5 feet dockside. The entrance channel also is a little shallow for us.

It is reported that they accept transients at fixed wooden piers with electricity, and water available, and that there is a variety store on site, which includes a fresh seafood counter. There's also a restaurant called Track I nearby which is open Mon-Sat.

Equipment: They are reported to charge a flat $25.00.

November 2003 it was reported that Lamb's "was picking up that business [from Pelican], and had planned on dredging the channel and upgrading his facilities to take on more business. However, a leak detected in 2001 is holding up the renewal of an operating permit needed to have fuel delivered to the business, Chrystal Bartlett from the Division of Waste Management, part of the state's Department of Environmental and Natural Resources, told the newspaper.

"Bartlett said the leak was detected in 2001, and the state had sent several notices to Lamb's Marina asking for an assessment of the problem without receiving a response, the newspaper said. Recently, the marina applied to renew its operating permit, but the state decided not to issue a renewal until an assessment was done.

"We'd love to see them back in business," Bartlett was quoted as saying. "But at this point we will not renew their operating license." She said an inspection is scheduled for today.

"Until the marina can start pumping fuel again, there's no supplier on the water in the Elizabeth City area."

Another possible anchorage is the un-named creek on the southeast bank of the Pasquotank, southwest of the railroad bridge. There's room in this creek for boats up to about 50 feet with minimum depths of 8-10 feet.

I have not anchored here.

Equipment: The chart also shows how the RR bridge is on a sharp bend in the river.

If you don't go to Mariner's Wharf to the free docks, you might consider these docks which are $15/night on the honor system. It is a little noisy from the bridge traffic, but for your money you get electric power.