*** Carolina/Kure Beach Sailing ***
Basin Directions: Take I-40 into Wilmington and continue straight and follow the signs towards Carolina/Kure Beaches. (I-40 will merge with Hwy. 132 and then with Hwy 421, its a straight shot!). Fort Fisher is about 17 miles south of Wilmington. Once in Ft. Fisher, continue straight towards and then past the Ferry Station.
Ft. Fisher Basin: The Basin is mainly a slalom spot and is great for all levels of sailors. Water conditions are flat with only 1' - 2' chop, depending on the wind. The favored wind direction is SW, but it is also sailable in S, SE, W, NW, and NE (gusty). During the summer there is good SW thermal action. At the launch area, there are oyster shells so wearing foot protection is a good idea. The bottom of the Basin is mainly a mushy silt (gunk), but it is mainly sand bar along the edges except on the west side where the rock jetty is located. Water depth is overhead in the middle, but mainly chest to knee deep in other areas.
Corncake Directions: Follow the directions to Ft. Fisher above. When you get into Ft. Fisher, take a left towards the Public Beach Access (towards the Aquarium and Public Bath House). Take a left on the dirt road beside the parking lot and continue straight to the first beach turnout. From there you have a few miles of open beach access, so pick your spot anywhere along the way!
Corncake Sailing: Corncake is an ocean sailing spot, with small to medium size waves. It is mainly sailed in S to SW winds. SW is slightly sideoff here, which makes this a good spot.
* Top picture is of the Basin looking from the ocean side. You can faintly see the rock jetty which encloses the Basin and separates it from the Cape Fear River. On the beach side (Corncake), you can drive for a few more miles (going left in the picture) for more open beach access (4x4 required, unless you air your tires way down..like Dimitri!). Second picture is looking towards the ocean. You can see the rock jetty of the Basin more clearly.
Directions: Once in Wilmington, head towards Carolina/Kure Beaches. Cross over Snows Cut bridge and into Carolina Beach. Take a left at the Citgo gas station (I'll get the name of the road later!) and go past the marina on your left. Take a left at the stop sign and continue straight, until you come to the end of the road. Continue onto the beach (4x4 required) and drive to the end until you spot the inlet.
Sailing: This is where everyone heads for wave sailing in a N and NE winds. A very good spot, especially in a strong NE wind (side-on), where it can build head to logo high waves. In these conditions the shorebreak can be tough, so be prepared! This is the spot we live for during the spring and fall/winter. Alan, Mark, Dimitri, Brendan, Andy, Z, Dwight & Jacky, & Hunter are the usual gang you'll see there!
* *BTW, you'll see some of the same sailing site info on the TBC website. I used the info. since I originated that site.
