Dismal Swamp

[davil]

[QUOTE=chris mac;3603096]We just did the dismal swamp in the fall moving south.
I will not do the Virginia cut ever again if possible.
2 locks and 2 attached lift bridges, that's it! No fast moving boats passing and waking you. Free tie ups or anchorages at either side, and in the middle. It's peaceful and easy.
===================

Hi
2 locks?

did not know there were locks.

just checking

thanks

[redneckrob]

[QUOTE=davil;3603260]

Originally Posted by chris mac

We just did the dismal swamp in the fall moving south.
I will not do the Virginia cut ever again if possible.
2 locks and 2 attached lift bridges, that's it! No fast moving boats passing and waking you. Free tie ups or anchorages at either side, and in the middle. It's peaceful and easy.
===================

Hi
2 locks?

did not know there were locks.

just checking

thanks

Yep, one on each end and they only open twice a day as I recall so you have to time it.

There is actually one lock at Great Bridge going the ICW route as well, it is much more frequent.

[davil]

[QUOTE=redneckrob;3603339]

Originally Posted by davil

Yep, one on each end and they only open twice a day as I recall so you have to time it.

There is actually one lock at Great Bridge going the ICW route as well, it is much more frequent.

=======================
thank you so much, was surprised and did some googling, how difficult is for a single person?
from pics, I found, seems like some boats do not tie up and keep idling in the middle?
Trying to anticipate surprises.
thank you
David

chrome-extension://oemmndcbldboiebfnladdacbdfmadadm/https://usace.contentdm.oclc.org/utils/getfile/collection/p16021coll10/id/15589

https://www.nao.usace.army.mil/HydroSurveys/

[chris mac]

[QUOTE=davil;3603450]

Originally Posted by redneckrob

=======================

thank you so much, was surprised and did some googling, how difficult is for a single person?

from pics, I found, seems like some boats do not tie up and keep idling in the middle?

Trying to anticipate surprises.

thank you

David



chrome-extension://oemmndcbldboiebfnladdacbdfmadadm/https://usace.contentdm.oclc.org/utils/getfile/collection/p16021coll10/id/15589



https://www.nao.usace.army.mil/HydroSurveys/

My wife assisted, so I did not have to single hand. However, being it is a lock in a winding canal, there was little wind and no current. We glided gently to the dock to wait and there is only a foot or two of hight change so very little water flow .
Very easy as locks go.

[davil]

thank you very much
for the pics seen looks like one could just stay middle ways and no need to tie up.
Tying up for one person may be problematic.
thanks again

May be, somebody doing it alone may chime in.

[redneckrob]

[QUOTE=davil;3603450]

Originally Posted by redneckrob

=======================
thank you so much, was surprised and did some googling, how difficult is for a single person?
from pics, I found, seems like some boats do not tie up and keep idling in the middle?
Trying to anticipate surprises.
thank you
David

chrome-extension://oemmndcbldboiebfnladdacbdfmadadm/https://usace.contentdm.oclc.org/utils/getfile/collection/p16021coll10/id/15589

https://www.nao.usace.army.mil/HydroSurveys/

Agree that you could easily single hand the Dismal Swamp locks. Lock masters are super friendly as well. The big lock at Great Bridge is actually more challenging depending what the delta is in water levels, the current can be stronger and you can get shoehorned in with some bigger boats. I still think it's doable single handed unless it was really stormy.

[kismet]

lots of boats passing daily.

[davil]

https://www.waterwayguide.com/nav-al...ing-operations

[BobMc]

Originally Posted by hpeer

I have not done the trip but looked at it hard.

My understanding is duckweed is not much of a problem in the spring.

I have also heard that the lock operators answer the phone and give good advice.

We've been through the Dismal Swamp at least a dozen times, spring and fall, mostly. Only reason to take the alternative route to the east is if you enjoy getting waked by all the fast boat delivery captains making a rush to get to Coinjock for the restaurant's 32 oz piece of meat.

Duck weed is not a problem unless your intakes are very close to the waterline; they'll not be "inhaled" by your coolers. . It's a plant that lives on the surface.

It's a great trip for those who enjoy the journey more than getting to a destination.

[Amapola]

It was an experience everyone should do once. Elizabeth City is a very cruiser friendly town with free dockage in several places.

[cofc]

The locks definitely open more frequently than twice a day. I don’t think you can just hang in the middle, they’ll want you on the wall to the right as you’re traveling north. New lock operator at the southern lock isn’t as nice as the old one was. East to do single handed, we went through with a solo sailor who has no problems.

[Sailing August]

I grew up in Great Bridge, VA. We used to swim in that ditch all the time. Rarely ever saw a boat go through it. There are two locks. Its very shallow and not really maintained.

[Jimfrens]

I traveled thru the Dismal north to south in November 2021. Both lock operators were very friendly and helpful. (Two of us on board). 32’ Beneteau, 5’ draft, felt a few bumps but nothing serious. The stretch from Deep Creek to the lock on the north end was more of a problem, try to go through at high water.

As far as distance compared to the Coinjock route, if you’re going to/from points south (Alligator River) the difference is only a couple of miles.

The Dismal Canal locks operate four times daily: 08:30, 11:00, 13:30, 15:30.

[redneckrob]

Originally Posted by Jimfrens

I traveled thru the Dismal north to south in November 2021. Both lock operators were very friendly and helpful. (Two of us on board). 32’ Beneteau, 5’ draft, felt a few bumps but nothing serious. The stretch from Deep Creek to the lock on the north end was more of a problem, try to go through at high water.

As far as distance compared to the Coinjock route, if you’re going to/from points south (Alligator River) the difference is only a couple of miles.

The Dismal Canal locks operate four times daily: 08:30, 11:00, 13:30, 15:30.

I stand corrected on the number of openings, thanks for checking on that for us!

[Happ]

Originally Posted by davil

Any recent experience?

Checking distances from Elizabeth City to Norfolk, looks like Dismal Swamp is about 50? miles shorter than second ICW choice to Norfolk area.
I draw 4.6
thank you

The Dismal Swamp is about 25 miles long. The Virginia Cut also known as Route 1. At 4.6 you can do either. If you want to take Dim best to call ahead to make sure the locks are running and it’s open. Going through the Dismal is like going back in time. During seasons the trees lean from both sides of the banks to form a canopy. My last time was on a Dickerson 41 and sometimes we needed to steer the boat into openings in the trees. Total distance isn’t much different as they both hookup to the ICW.