I'm guessing that Rusty anchored for the night in the charted shallow water near the Liberty Island ferry landing.

Photograph by Rusty.

Liberty lit up by the floodlights and in the background the taller buildings still catching the rays of the setting sun.

Photograph by Rusty.

Entering New York Harbor with, I believe, the Verrazano Narrows bridge in the background.

Photograph by Rusty.

Cape May to Lewes ferry passing in the background.

Photograph by Rusty.

Light air sailing on the Delaware Bay.

Photograph by Rusty.

Waiting for wind in Delaware Bay.

Photograph by Rusty.

Looks to me like the Town Creek anchorage just downstream of the new bridge at Beaufort.

Photograph by Rusty.

Tuff glances back for his portrait as he watches the full moon rise.

Photograph by Rusty.

Sunrise or sunset, either way it looks nice. If I had to wager, I'd say sunrise at Town Creek.

Photograph by Rusty.

If your inboard dies, just buy an outboard and hang (no pun intended) it on the transom. Is it a quality Yamaha knockoff, or is it a gray-market, non-EPA-certified piece of dreck? Depends on who you talk to, and maybe where you buy it.

Photograph by David Swanson.

It's safest if you store your outboard gas so that if there is a leak, it drains overboard. Here is one way to do it - take a metal folding chair, cut off the legs, and lash it to the transom railing to serve as a platform for your plastic fuel jug. I wonder if this would meet ABYC standards...David found this setup in a local marina.

Photograph by David Swanson.

Schooner tied up at Belhaven Cooperage dock, crew searching for water pump parts for the Westerbeke.

Photograph by David Swanson.

The break in the Cooperage dock.

Photograph by David Swanson.

David said "Well apparently some folks are less worried about the dock in Belhaven than I am. The guys on the schooner were trying to find a water pump for their Westerbeke without success...Two locals were also out there fishing." My take - the guys on the schooner should read neuseriversailors.com. The fishermen are used to the local infrastructure.

Photograph by David Swanson.

Keeping it legal. Placards and new fire extinguisher aboard Terry Ann.

Photograph by Paul Clayton.

My friend Joey and crew aggressively sailing his 1980s vintage Pearson 30 Jabberwocky along the Edenton waterfront in April 2022.

Photograph by Paul Clayton.

Mark and Jonathan launching the Hobie Cat at Lake Norman in October 2021.

Photograph by Paul Clayton.

Zillie's is open and welcomes your business, December 2019.

Photograph by Paul Clayton.

Books to be Red is open and welcomes your business, December 2019.

Photograph by Paul Clayton.

Pocket schooner Windfall II rests at the new dock at the Community Store.

Photograph by Paul Clayton.

The road through Ocracoke Village, and the trees, came through fine. Dajio got hit hard.

Photograph by Paul Clayton.

Aboard Roanoke, we pass Croatoan returning from South Dock, December 4th, 2019.

Photograph by Paul Clayton.

Croatoan at Hatteras loading asphalt for South Dock, December 4th, 2019.

Photograph by Paul Clayton.

My friend Mark bought a used Hobie 16. Here it is at the Lake Norman Yacht Club in October 2019.

Photograph by Paul Clayton.

My goal is to paint over all the fake walnut linoleum aboard Terry Ann, and I am making progress. Removing and replacing all the hardware on this bulkhead took quite a bit longer than applying the four coats of paint.

Photograph by Paul Clayton.

Oryoki, the Witness 35 catamaran that I crewed on to Florida December 2018. Yes, she's back on the Edenton dock as of May 2019.

Photograph by Paul Clayton.

Prinses Mia, 50 foot steel Colin Archer cutter, built 1982, on the Oriental Town Dock, June 2019.

Photograph by Paul Clayton.

Aboard Prinses Mia on the Neuse River, June 2019.

Photograph by Paul Clayton.

Pirates coming over the bow of Prinses Mia as she sails the waters of the Neuse River, June 2019.

Photograph by Paul Clayton.

Terry Ann on the town dock in early June 2019.

Photograph by Paul Clayton.

Convivial group of sailors aboard Prinses Mia on the Oriental dock..

Photograph by Paul Clayton.

Aboard Colin Archer cutter Prinses Mia on the Oriental dock in June 2019.

Photograph by Paul Clayton.

Bookshelf on Terry Ann.

Photograph by Paul Clayton.

Charrua II anchored in Belhaven harbor, early June 2019.

Photograph by Paul Clayton.

Paul and Kathy sailed in to Edenton aboard Paul's 44-foot pilothouse schooner Charrua II. The turn to port to enter the slip was too sharp to make in the fresh breeze, and the boat ended up pinned to the breakwater. Paul carried a line across to the dock in his dinghy and set it up on his electric anchor windlass. Then, with Paul at the helm and Kathy operating the windlass, they drug the bow across the wind and into the slip.

Photograph by Paul Clayton.

Some people will shackle a vang to the side rail to serve as a preventer, but it's really better to have a line from the boom end all the way forward then back to a cleat in the cockpit. In the past I have used whatever line is handy to set up a preventer, but I recently decided to make more permanent arrangements. I spliced a line into the fitting on the end of the boom and put a hard eye in the other end, just the length of the boom, attached to the base of the mast with a soft shackle. Then I hung a block near the bow for a long line from around amidships, forward to the block and back to the cockpit. For the midships end, I needed a snap shackle, to attach to the hard eye on the boom line when the preventer is set up. Looking through my small collection, I couldn't find a good shackle, so I ordered one from my favorite ebay purveyor of used hardware. The old Merriman in the picture is as good quality as anything I could buy new, at about a third the cost. My supplier is om / sailboat company. Another tip - arborist supply houses sell the same rope as marine suppliers, but since there isn't a picture of a boat on the label, it costs half as much.

Photograph by Paul Clayton.

Friend Charlie Langworthy transited the Dismal Swamp Canal in early May 2019 aboard his Cal 37 White Seal, on his way home to Vermont after a winter in the Bahamas. I had the pleasure of joining him for dinner at the public dock just south of the Deep Creek bridge. Don't let him tell you different, Charlie's a fine sea-cook.

Photograph by Paul Clayton.

Tartan 34 Seawasp at Edenton Marina, 5/1/2019.

Photograph by Paul Clayton.

More Canadian refugees anchored in front of my old home, Southport Marina.

Photograph by Paul Clayton.

Another boat cast ashore between Swansboro and Wilmington.

Photograph by Paul Clayton.

One of many Canadians fleeing the Great White North that we saw as we cruised south along the ICW in December 2018. The storms of the last two years have left derelicts like the shrimp boat in the background all along the route. This picture was taken on the NC portion of the ditch.

Photograph by Paul Clayton.

One tough boat. Juno is a 40 foot steel-hulled boat designed by Australian naval architect Graham Radford. There's not much information available about these boats, but the owner told me 9 were built to the design and his may well be the only one in America. The boat is tiller-steered with a hydraulic autopilot setup. The owner circumnavigated in this boat.

Photograph by Paul Clayton.

Oryoki at Bock Marine for a quick haul to have the bottom washed and do maintenance on the motor. I am crewing on this boat which is sailing south with an ultimate destination of St. Augustine. I hope we get there before I have to bail around December 15th and return home. So far the weather has not been promising. We need to get offshore to make time but have seen storm after storm pummel the coast with southerlies. Running the ditch will take forever - we need 5 good days of fair weather to make it by sea.

Photograph by Paul Clayton.

"Never paint teak" is a good rule, but on board Terry Ann we have run out of options. The prior owner had the yard heavily clean the old teak and there is nothing left - the oil is gone and so is much of the wood. What's left is getting soft. The boat needs new teak, but that's an expensive job that will have to queue up behind several other expensive jobs, so for the time being the teak is going to be painted. That's the best protection I can give it to help it go on for a while longer. Most people use Awlgrip but I have had good luck with Pettit so I am using their EZ-Prime and EZ-Poxy one-part epoxy. The companionway and drop boards are the dry run for doing the rest of it.

Photograph by Paul Clayton.

Dinghy racing in the Elizabeth City harbor in October 2018.

Photograph by Paul Clayton.

Downtown New Bern, near the Convention Center. 9/20/18.

Photograph by Paul Clayton.

Damage at BridgePointe Marina in New Bern.

Photograph by Paul Clayton.

Hurricane Florence left this boat lodged in the underbrush among the abutments of the U.S. 17 bridge across the Neuse River.

Photograph by Paul Clayton.

An osprey flies over Edenton Marina. Looks like somebody dropped a flag halyard.

Photograph by Paul Clayton.

This Bayliner sat on my dock at Edenton Marina for the last year gradually deteriorating. Two young guys bought it recently, got it running and took it home to Hertford to clean it up with the intentions of flipping it. They were pleasant companions on the dock for a few days. Here they head out the mouth of Pembroke Creek.

Photograph by Paul Clayton.

On a recent Edenton visit, I took a day trip by car down to Manteo to see the ocean. On the way, I stopped by Coinjock to check out the marina. This day there were only two boats alongside, but I have heard during the snowbird migrations the dock will be lined with boats while the crews enjoy the famous prime rib dinners at the marina restaurant.

Photograph by Paul Clayton.

In the back lot at Edenton Marina, August 2018.

Photograph by Paul Clayton.

Ketch-rigged Colvin Saugeen Witch in the yard at Mackey's Marina. As of August 2018, the boat is for sale. Interested parties should contact Martin at 561-401-5223.

Photograph by Paul Clayton.

Here is the helm station of classic Chris-Craft Jimmy T in early morning light, August 2018 at Edenton Marina.

Photograph by Paul Clayton.

Lord Nelson Victory Tug Titan was on the dock at Cypress Cove Marina near Columbia, NC in August 2018. I first saw this boat at Matthews Point, later at Edenton Marina.

Photograph by Paul Clayton.

Unsettled weather over Edenton Marina late on an August 2018 afternoon.

Photograph by Paul Clayton.

Terry Ann in late afternoon sun at Edenton Marina, June 2018.

Photograph by Paul Clayton.

Jimmy T lives in the boat shed at Edenton Marina.

Photograph by Paul Clayton.

I saw Legacy sailing off the Edenton breakwater in the morning, and then again short-tacking through Edenton Marina late in the afternoon. A shouted conversation with the captain revealed that in the interim he had sailed her to 51 House at the mouth of the Chowan River. Last I saw, Legacy was scurrying down Pembroke Creek with rising winds and threatening clouds closing in.

Photograph by Paul Clayton.

Classic fractional-rigged sloop sails just off the breakwater for the Edenton Town Docks in June 2018.

Photograph by Paul Clayton.

A shot of the dolphin pod that accompanied David Swanson aboard his O'Day Lucky Penny in the Pamlico Sound on his 2016 trip.

Photograph by David Swanson.

New construction along Gale Creek at the mouth of the Hobucken Cut.

Photograph by David Swanson.

Lucky Penny on the dock at Bath.

Photograph by David Swanson.

Little Washington town mascot - the crab.

Photograph by David Swanson.

More Little Washington crab art.

Photograph by David Swanson.

Little Washingtonians are serious about their crab art.

Photograph by David Swanson.

Lucky Penny's second time through Bath in 2016.

Photograph by David Swanson.

On a recent trip to St. Augustine, my mother and I caught up with Matthews Point's Feather Jim at the city marina. Jim clued us in to a good pizza joint and we repaired there for lunch. Later we stopped in at the Conch Marina for a beer. A good time was had by all.

Photograph by Paul Clayton.

The years have beaten the romanticism out of me but Marie and Levi are still young. At Christmas they gave me a beer glass etched with the sentiment "The Ocean Calls, and I Must Go." I find that beer tastes better when drinken from it.

Photograph by Paul Clayton.

My friends Marcia and Joe came to the Georgetown Show this year. While not sailors, they enjoyed the show and the town. They ate at Aunnie's and walked the residential streets looking at the fine old houses. Joe took this picture of a spectacular sunset over the harbor and the International Paper plant. With the steel mill closed, the plant is the main economic driver for the town.

Photograph by Joe Levsen.

I've been experimenting with OpenCPN chart-plotting software on Navigatrix, a Linux distribution designed for sailors. Here we see the Ocracoke - Cedar Island ferry plotted as we cross Pamlico Sound in October 2017. The software performed without a hitch.

Photograph by Paul Clayton.

Lulabelle is a newly-restored 1959 Lyman owned by Gary McManus of Mt. Pleasant SC.

Photograph by Paul Clayton.

Every year there is at least one real oddity at the Georgetown Show. Last year there was Dragonfly, a 17 footer patterned on a Viking longship that walked away with the People's Choice Award. For 2017 I found this unnamed relic from 1953 described as a "swallowtail." The owner, Bryan Hornsby of Lugoff SC, also brought his classic 1957 runabout Woodpecker.

Photograph by Paul Clayton.

Folly Girl rests quietly on the Georgetown dock early Sunday morning.

Photograph by Paul Clayton.

Georgetown Show regular Egbert Dees aboard his self-built Bluejacket 28 at the 2017 show.

Photograph by Paul Clayton.

With a little time on my hands one evening, I made two Q flags, just in case I ever go overseas. I thought they would look good against the deep blue high-pressure system sky, so I raised them just long enough to get a few photographs, and got them back down quickly before a roving Customs & Immigration officer stopped to investigate.

Photograph by Paul Clayton.

Island Packet Gymandi clears the Albemarle Sound Bridge on Highway 32, bound for Jacksonville, NC, October 16th, 2017. She left Edenton Marina early in the morning and sailed downsound with a nice north-west breeze, but a forecast of increasing winds and a small craft advisory for the afternoon. Shortly before reaching the bridge, the wind came up strong from the north and the captain wisely set the staysail, furled the jib and dropped the main. With three crewmen to help, the job was done quickly and in a seamanlike fashion. Winds predicted to rise to 25 knots with gusts to 30 in the afternoon. The captain plans to anchor in the Alligator River tonight. I hope they have stout ground-tackle as the wind and waves will be blasting into the mouth of the river today and tonight. Discretion may be the better part of valor, and a slip at Alligator River Marina may be a good choice.

Photograph by Paul Clayton.

Gymandi departs Edenton Marina in October 2017, bound for Jacksonville, NC.

Photograph by Paul Clayton.

My friend Mark McKenzie was in Charleston early fall of 2017 and took some pictures on the waterfront. Here is a big Beneteau at one of the local marinas.

Photograph by Mark McKenzie.

So what have we here? Mark found this unusual craft in Charleston on a recent visit. I'm pretty sure it is a sloop-rigged Marshall Sanderling or 22. The cat-rigged boats are more common, but sloop-rigged ones are not unknown. In fact, you can order one set up this way from the Marshall yard in Dartmouth, MA.

Photograph by Mark McKenzie.

Mark got this shot of a boat with a Havelock hailing port.

Photograph by Mark McKenzie.

Another Beneteau on the Charleston dock.

Photograph by Mark McKenzie.

Across the dock from me in Edenton is this immaculate Olin Stephens designed Tartan 34.

Photograph by Paul Clayton.

Taylor Ward used to sail Tico Time out of Matthews Point but now is based in Edenton on this Hunter.

Photograph by Paul Clayton.

The garden behind Edenton Bay Trading Company is a pleasant refuge on a hot summer day. Rocket Science ale is brewed in Durham, NC. Highly recommended.

Photograph by Paul Clayton.

Little-used public dock at Hertford.

Photograph by Paul Clayton.

It's too hot to sail in Edenton this July 2017 week, so I am seeing some of the local towns by truck. Hertford is one of the nicest I have found. Too bad the highway 17 bridge clears only 33 feet, meaning sailboats cannot approach the town and its practically new and unused dock, just upstream from the business route drawbridge. Sailors with a good dinghy might want to anchor downstream of the highway bridge and motor up to the town dock for a visit. Brew2Rescue coffee, which also serves delicious pastries and sandwiches, is on the main street close to the courthouse, and the public library is a couple of blocks back.

Photograph by Paul Clayton.

Seems like every marina at some time has a boat with a tree growing on it. Look at the lush foliage on this one, indicative of the fine hot summer with plenty of rain.

Photograph by Paul Clayton.

Travel Lift at Edenton Marina is Volvo powered.

Photograph by Paul Clayton.

With temperatures predicted to increase from the mid-90s to 100 by the weekend, Terry Ann will not leave the dock any time soon. The awning will help temper the mid-day heat, but at these levels there is nothing to do but wait for cooler weather.

Photograph by Paul Clayton.

This good-looking boat is across the dock from Terry Ann at Edenton Marina.

Photograph by Paul Clayton.

Matthews Point sailors may remember Flicka Wren and Lord Nelson Titan. They are both at Scotty Harrell's Edenton Marina now.

Photograph by Paul Clayton.

Joe turned this fid on his lathe. I planed down the sides of the handle so it wouldn't roll on the work table. Here I use it to put a small end-loop in a new main sheet.

Photograph by Paul Clayton.

Terry Ann on the town dock at Elizabeth City.

Photograph by Paul Clayton.

Tom waits to catch lines as Neil and Sally return from a weekend sail to Morehead City aboard their Pearson 30 Emerald Wish.

Photograph by Paul Clayton.

Ned took this picture of me at the helm of his Cal 33 in April 2017.

Photograph by Ned Martin.

Peter and I are proposing that our section of the dock be designated the "This Old Boat" section. For those who don't know, Don Casey's book "This Old Boat" is the bible for restoring classic plastic.

Photograph by Paul Clayton.

We spotted this sturdy little sloop sailing on the Neuse River near Oriental in May 2017.

Photograph by Paul Clayton.

A flotilla from Blackbeard Club sailed down in May 2017 and anchored in Clubfoot Creek. My friend David's Cherubini Hunter Spotted Dog at far left.

Photograph by Paul Clayton.

Compac 23 motors down Clubfoot Creek.

Photograph by Paul Clayton.

Debbie enjoys the perfect cool weather of early May 2017 aboard Sabre 30 Dreamcatcher.

Photograph by Paul Clayton.

Dr. Jim at the helm of his Sabre 30 on a blustery day in May 2017. This boat balances well enough to sail distances with no hand on the helm. When this picture was taken, the wind was blowing in the upper teens and the boat was sailing with two reefs in the main and the jib rolled out to around 100 percent.

Photograph by Paul Clayton.

Jim and Trisha aboard their Westerly Walkabout sail near the mouth of Clubfoot Creek in May 2017.

Photograph by Mark MacKenzie.

This powerful ocean-going ketch sailed upriver in May 2017. We were preparing to return downriver to Matthews Point and hove-to to watch this beautiful boat pass.

I am fairly certain that this is the Reliance 44 reviewed in the September 2011 issue of Cruising World. The review can be found online here.

Photograph by Mark MacKenzie.

A friend visiting at Matthews Point took this sunrise picture.

Photograph by Mark MacKenzie.

Friend Mark MacKenzie honored me with a visit in April 2017. Here he takes the tiller and expertly steers Terry Ann upriver above the ferry crossing. We sailed with working jib and a reef in the main this blustery spring day.

Photograph by Paul Clayton.

Ned sails his Cal 33 Moon Dance out the mouth of Clubfoot Creek in April 2017. He was kind enough to invite me along on an afternoon sail with him and his friend Dave. The conditions were perfect for a quick run up to Minnesott and back. I got plenty of time at the wheel and was very impressed by how the boat sailed. It felt a lot more solid and stable than some of the other fin-keelers I have been on.

Photograph by Paul Clayton.

This boat sailed by Matthews Point early one morning in July 2016. She had spent the previous night anchored in Mitchell Creek.

Photograph by Paul Clayton.

Bruce towed Arabella to Jacksonville to soak up the Florida sun and got in some good sailing. He saw 10.5 knots on the knotmeter, even better than the 9.25 we reached trialing her off Oriental last October.

Photograph courtesy Bruce Mierke.

My friend Lou who sails Catalina 36 Charisma helped me out with a car shuttle in February 2017 when I moved Terry Ann to Sailcraft Service, then came along for the sail across the river. Soon after this picture was made, I took the tiller back and promptly ran us aground in Whitaker Creek.

Photograph by Paul Clayton.

Waiting to board the Minnesott Ferry, October 2016.

Photograph by Paul Clayton.

Cara Mia of Oriental in the fairway between Sailcraft Service and Deaton's, April 2016.

Photograph by Paul Clayton.

Vermonters Ken and Francie and spaniel Skipper cruise on their big Albin trawler. They stopped in at Matthews Point for a few days to visit friends Dale and Cori, and instantly became a part of the marina family. Here they cast off for Florida on a sunny day in November, 2016.

Photograph by Paul Clayton.

Continuing this series of fast boats on the Neuse, here is a J28 that Bruce Mierke and I aboard Arabella paced up the Neuse River in October 2016. Close hauled in 10 knots of wind, Arabella may have had a fraction of a knot advantage in speed but the J boat pointed a bit higher. A good match all told.

Photograph Paul Clayton.

Moore 24 Nevermoore at speed on the Neuse River. Contributor Andy Denmark notes "The bottom is not foul but wet sanded 'slicker than eel snot.'”

Photograph courtesy Andy Denmark.

Marian Claire on the Matthews Point dock in October 2016.

Photograph by Paul Clayton.

A few days after the Georgetown Show, Arabella was trialing off the Oriental waterfront. Builder and owner Bruce Mierke kept a close eye on the rig and sails as fellow boat-builder Greg tended the helm. The boat performed very well in light airs, hitting a consitent eight plus knots broad reaching in 10 to 12 knot winds.

Photograph by Paul Clayton.

Schooner Felicity featured wooden blocks.

Photograph by Paul Clayton.

Sunday morning 10/16/16 high tide had water in Front Street at Georgetown.

Photograph by Paul Clayton.

Bill Wyatt of Prosperity SC brought two Rushton-design "Wee Lassie" canoes and a Firefly rowing shell.

Photograph by Paul Clayton.

Bob Baird of Snellville GA exhibited his utility boat Joy B. This little 9-footer breaks down into 2 parts and the bow section will nest in the stern. The whole boat only weighs about 70 pounds. Bob says it rows easily and that his 2 1/2 horsepower outboard is plenty when he wants to power. With the high freeboard it looks like a load carrier. I think it would make an ideal tender for a medium-sized cruising boat.

Photograph by Paul Clayton.

Felicity is a 48 foot LOA coastal schooner built in 1969, sailing out of Charleston.

Photograph by Paul Clayton.

This stand-up paddleboard is the work of Sean McQuilken of Mount Pleasant. He was at the show with his father who exhibited his work in progress restoration of a Charles Crosby catboat built in 1911.

Photograph by Paul Clayton.

Arabella is the work of noted wooden boat builder Bruce Mierke of Murphy NC. She comes from the drafting table of Dudley Dix, the man who designed the Paper Jet, and I found her at the 2016 Georgetown Woodend Boat Show on October 15th, 2016. Gaff cutter rigged Arabella carries 444 feet of plain sail to drive her 3,300 pounds. She should be in the water on Sailcraft Service's dock in Oriental sometime the third week in October. Bruce plans to keep her in the area for the near future. If you see her on the water, please take a picture and send it to me at paul@neuseriversailor.com.

Photograph by Paul Clayton.

Sultana is a replica of a late 1700s vintage merchant ship built in Boston. We followed her into Cambridge Creek, Cambridge MD while sea trialing a Southern Cross 31.

Photograph by Paul Clayton.

I saw this nice Westsail 32 at Campbell's Marina in Oxford. It looks like the rig has been modified a bit, as the boats were built as cutters, this one is a masthead sloop. The main boom may have been shortened as well - something that many Westsail owners do to temper weather helm.

Photograph by Paul Clayton.

On an August 2016 road trip up the Eastern Shore, I saw this replica screwpile lighthouse guarding the Cambridge, MD town docks.

Photograph by Paul Clayton.

Ponies at Shackleford, July 2016. The shallow-draft center console is the ideal boat for visiting the Banks.

Photograph by Kevin Hynes.

Dockmaster Tom gave me a couple old sails someone at the marina was trying to dispose of. I had been looking at the totes Cori makes from old sails and decided to make a few myself. Cori's are like fine tailoring whereas mine are what I call "guy sewing", no offense to any of the accomplished male sailmakers out there. The smaller of these is sized just right to carry two of what my boatyard friends refer to as "handles", half-gallon bottles of liquor.

Photograph by Paul Clayton.

The remnants of tropical storm Bonnie brought showers to Matthews Point the first of June, 2016.

Photograph by Paul Clayton.

The current owners of River Forest Manor in Belhaven have the old place looking good.

Photograph by Paul Clayton.

Kinnakeet is one of the regular boats on the Cherry Point - Minnesott run.

Photograph by Paul Clayton.

Relaxing on the expansive foredeck of his big pilothouse schooner, Captain Paul, crew Kathy, and dog Mate enjoy a hot afternoon in Elizabeth City.

Photograph by Paul Clayton.

Friends Daniel and Angela sail aboard big center cockpit O'Day Teasa. I met them on the Belhaven dock, and we crossed paths again in Elizabeth City.

Photograph by Paul Clayton.

Valor and Teasa wait out tropical storm Colin on the Belhaven dock.

Photograph by Paul Clayton.

A beautiful orange dragonfly visited Valor during transit of the Pungo-Alligator Canal.

Photograph by Paul Clayton.

The sign announcing the opening of the Morehead City Yacht Basin is still visible on the side of the Alligator-Pungo Canal in June 2016.

Photograph by Paul Clayton.

Valinor casts off for Ocracoke May 2016.

Photograph by Paul Clayton.

Mike Doster sent along this sunrise picture he took from aboard Marian Claire on a spring 2016 trip to Shackleford.

Photograph by Mike Doster.

Neuse River sailors relax in the clubhouse after a daysail aboard Scott and Yvonne's Catalina 30 Malida.

Photograph by Yvonne Vickery.

Valor at Cooperage Dock, Belhaven, June 6th, 2016.

Photograph by Paul M. Clayton.

I spotted former Matthews Point resident Isabella on the dock at Deaton's in May 2016.

Photograph by Paul M. Clayton.

This boat passed me at speed on the Neuse River a few years ago. Moore 24 Nevermoore had a reputation as the fastest boat on the river for a few years in the 1970s and 80s. Believe it or not, people race these things in blue water. It beggars conception, but one of these boats supposedly won the 1992 Pacific Cup Race from San Francisco to Oahu.

Photograph by Paul M. Clayton.

Continuing the Rosborough series, here is an RF-246 Sedan Cruiser photographed at Sea Harbor Marina in late May 2016.

Photograph by Paul M. Clayton.

International travelers Dale and Cori made it back to the dock at Matthews Point for Memorial Day, 2016.

Photograph by Paul M. Clayton.

On a visit to Jamestown in May 2016 we had the opportunity to go aboard the replica ships Susan Constant and Godspeed ( Discovery was not open for tours that day). The park staff assured me that all three ships are sailable and get out on the water periodically. The little Discovery, with its more modern-looking hull form (not so much tumblehome), looks like it would be a blast to sail. And all three are tiller-steered. Regular volunteers get first dibs as crew.

Photograph by Paul M. Clayton.

VDOT ferry Surry crosses the James River between Jamestown and Scotland. Surry has a capacity of 50 cars and was built in 1979. I took the picture in May of 2016 from aboard sister ferry Williamsburg while on a road trip to Tidewater with Marie, Levi and Lars.

Photograph by Paul M. Clayton.

Annie Laurie, a classic wooden Rosborough hailing out of Halifax, N.S., lies at High Street Landing, Portsmouth, May 2016.

Photograph by Paul M. Clayton.

I can't say for sure, but I think this is a Rosborough 30 from the famed Nova Scotian yard that is still building boats to this day. If so, it is from 1993 or later, because that is when the yard switched from wood to fiberglass construction. I found her on the dock behind Sailcraft Service in Oriental in April 2016.

Photograph by Paul M. Clayton.

Yacht broker and sometime Matthews Point Marina dockmaster Mark Eichinger is displaying this radio-controlled model at the Matthews Point clubhouse.

Photograph by Paul M. Clayton.

Matthews Point sailor and artist Michael Jahn has been cartooning on the marina announcement board. Here is his latest work, March 2016.

Photograph by Paul M. Clayton.

This husky Cape Dory 28 powerboat visited Matthews Point for bunkers in March 2016. The owner invited me on board and showed me his progress in bringing a tired 1988 hull into the 21st century. Below the cabin floor was a new Beta to replace the vintage Chrysler that the boat was built with, mated to the original blue Velvet Drive transmission (rebuilt and repainted Beta red), all on a rebuilt fiberglass engine bed and bolted down through stainless steel motor mounts. All the through hulls were replaced along with new bronze seacocks. The ceiling liner was out and the owner was in process of replacing the overhead lighting with LEDs. Two banks held new house and starting batteries. Cabin-top hand-holds had been replaced with synthetic teak custom made using the original ones as patterns. With most of the systems and mechanicals complete, the work still to be done is largely cosmetic.

Photograph by Paul M. Clayton.

My friends Roy and Jeannie are RV'ing Florida this winter and Roy sent me this picture taken from his kayak on the Withlacoochie River in Yankeetown.

Photograph by Roy Highfill.

High water at Matthews Point during the February 6-7, 2016 storm.

Photograph by Paul Clayton.

Tom plays air guitar on the bar during his birthday party in January 2016.

Photograph by Tom.

One of my favorite boats at Matthews Point, Alberg 35 Terry Ann.

Photograph by Paul Clayton.

The comfortable clubhouse at Matthews Point Marina.

Photograph by Paul Clayton.

The long Thanksgiving weekend gave me time to finish up this canvas bucket that I had been working on for a while. I laid up rope grommets from retired dock line for the bolt ropes and cut a round from a piece of cypress for the bottom. The bail was cut from a few feet of leftover I found in my rope box, and the canvas is good sunbrella, remnants from an awning project.

Photograph by Paul Clayton.

It's a mild November morning, a good day for a sail.

Photograph by Paul Clayton.

Nordic Tug Westerly approaches the dock at Matthews Point in November 2015.

Photograph by Paul Clayton.

Lawrence Tracy brought three cradle boats and two kayaks.

Photograph by Paul Clayton.

Gary L. Gechter exhibited his classic 1954 Chris Craft Timeless Spirit at the 2015 Georgetown Show.

Photograph by Paul Clayton.

You can buy fiberglass Optimist Prams now, but all the Georgetown fleet are wood. Not all of them have laminated gunwales like this one, though.

Photograph by Paul Clayton.

Big crowds turned out for Georgetown 2015.

Photograph by Paul Clayton.

Out for an evening cruise aboard classic 1959 Lyman Adele at the 2015 Georgetown Wooden Boat Show.

Photograph by Paul Clayton.

Under what used to be called a "Kodachrome sky", Marian Claire makes in the mouth of Clubfoot Creek with Dan's daughter Rae at the helm in September 2015.

Photograph by Paul Clayton.

Mike took this picture of Valor in Cedar Creek in August 2015.

Photograph by Mike Doster.

I got this shot of Marian Claire as I sailed away after a night rafted on Cedar Creek in August 2015. As you can see, Dan and Mike have already broken out the cups, but I'm sure they're drinking coffee.

Photograph by Paul Clayton.

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Photograph by Paul Clayton.

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Photograph by Paul Clayton.

Part of the small-town appeal of Morehead City is that the trains still run down the middle of the street. Norfolk Southern services the State Dock by way of a line in the median of Arendell Street, the town's main drag.

Photograph by Paul Clayton.

Felix the cat at Sailcraft Services in July 2014. If you've never been to Oriental, this picture might give you some idea just how densely the boats are packed around the yards. There is a good article about Felix and builder Art Halpern at the Town Dock.

Photograph by Paul Clayton.

If ducks run free, why don't we? Curious, free-ranging ducks visit Valor on the town dock in Oriental, July 2014.

Photograph by Paul Clayton.

Suzanne sent this picture of Cape Lookout taken in early May 2015. She noted "We had a nice trip and would still be there if Ana hadn't decided to come our way".

Photograph by Suzanne Evans.

Scott and Evonne kindly invited me along for a day sail aboard their Pearson 28 on a blustery day in April 2015. Here Scott tills Selena out the fairway at Matthews Point.

Photograph by Paul M. Clayton.

In March 2015, I met up with Suzanne and Peter and the dogs aboard Two Loves at Garbacon Shoal.

Photograph by Paul M. Clayton.

Jet and Tom butcher a side from a big hog that Jet bow-shot at the hunt camp in March 2015. I got a couple of chops for the grill, and they were mighty good.

Photograph by Paul M. Clayton.

Crocker-designed Whampoa resides on the dock behind Sailcraft Services in Oriental. Her sister, Gabriel, nee Scaup, was on display at the 2014 Georgetown Show. These were the only two boats built to the design.

Photograph by Paul M. Clayton.

A Coast Guard barge tow passed through the swing bridge at Beaufort, SC on an evening in January 2015.

Photograph by Paul M. Clayton.

On a road trip to Florida in January 2015 we stopped by the municipal marina in New Smyrna Beach. The dockmaster said that she held seven slips open for transients but it was wise to call ahead during snowbird season. The marina looks to be in good condition and is located just off the ICW in the basin behind flashing red "38", north of the Harris Saxon Bridge.

Photograph by Paul M. Clayton.

Larder box goes below on Valor. We built this box out of cypress to the pattern of a traditional Japanese toolbox. It holds my pressure cooker and kitchen staples for a week.

Photograph by Paul M. Clayton.

Crowds on the dock at the Georgetown Show.

Photograph by Paul M. Clayton.

I saw this nice model of American Scout, a C2 Class merchant ship built in Wilmington NC in 1946 and scrapped in 1973, at the 2014 Georgetown Show.

Photograph by Paul M. Clayton.

This 1938 Chris Craft looks like new at the 2014 Georgetown Show.

Photograph by Paul M. Clayton.

Houseboat Alert would make a perfect little mobile fish camp, don't you think?

Photograph by Paul M. Clayton.

The Georgetown commercial fleet was rafted up near the steel mill. I hope someday they can be included in the show.

Photograph by Paul M. Clayton.

The Chesapeake Bay Buy Boats were back for Georgetown 2014. Nellie Crockett with Thomas J in the background.

Photograph by Paul M. Clayton.

Robert McAllister's Deakin/Garden designed cutter Exodus was on hand for the Georgetown show. This boat was built in 1962 and is still going strong 52 years later.

Photograph by Paul M. Clayton.

Michael Matheson exhibited his ICW-runner Palmetto at the 2014 Georgetown show. The boat had just been launched and builder Bruce Mierke was aboard for "sea trials" - an extended run down the ICW to Florida. He was so gracious as to invite me aboard and show me around this exquisite example of the boatbuilder's craft.

Photograph by Paul M. Clayton.

Roy took the tiller for most of the sail and motored us in to the marina minutes before the rain set in for the day. He took to a tiller-steered sailboat like he had been doing it all his life, even though he has spent most of his time in power boats. It's great to have crew, so I can get the sails stowed on the way up the creek.

Photograph by Paul M. Clayton.

In October 2014, we had violent rainstorms and lots of wind. We got in one quick sail early in the morning, with a reef in the main and the regular jib.

Photograph by Roy Highfill.

Roy was rewarded for his early rising by this spectacular sunrise, October 2014.

Photograph by Roy Highfill.

Friends Roy and Jeannie stopped by Matthews Point in their RV and stayed over the night in October 2014. We had a feast off the grill and plenty of cold beer.

Photograph by Paul M. Clayton.