Cape Fear to Wilmington Trek

[Openwaters212]

This is my first post ever on any forum ever so if I screw it up my bad....that’s my disclaimer moving forward. My girl and I own a 2018 Yamaha 212X and would like to take it out memorial weekend. We live in Holly Springs NC and would like to jump on the cape fear river and take it out to Wilmington. The following are the questions I have for anyone with knowledge of this trip;
1. Where is a good place to launch at, I have heard Fayetteville is the best city to launch from.
2. Where is a good place to dock in Wilmington or surrounding area.
3. Are there any places to fuel up on the way or any spots to dock to eat.
4. How long will this trip take and are their any areas along the way that my boat would not be able to navigate or would be too shallow.
5. Is their any place online that would have navigation charts for a trip like this.

Thank you in advance to anyone that replies to this thread and I appreciate the time it takes to respond.

 

[Wisefam22]

I have no info of this trip. I just was thinking about a sweet old lady who had her house flooded last year I had the pleasure of sharing a meal with as we helped gut her house to be put back together. She had beautiful property on Cape fear river.

Wilmington is great little city is all I know

 

[NorfolkJames]

This is my first post ever on any forum ever so if I screw it up my bad....that’s my disclaimer moving forward. My girl and I own a 2018 Yamaha 212X and would like to take it out memorial weekend. We live in Holly Springs NC and would like to jump on the cape fear river and take it out to Wilmington. The following are the questions I have for anyone with knowledge of this trip;
1. Where is a good place to launch at, I have heard Fayetteville is the best city to launch from.
2. Where is a good place to dock in Wilmington or surrounding area.
3. Are there any places to fuel up on the way or any spots to dock to eat.
4. How long will this trip take and are their any areas along the way that my boat would not be able to navigate or would be too shallow.
5. Is their any place online that would have navigation charts for a trip like this.

Thank you in advance to anyone that replies to this thread and I appreciate the time it takes to respond.

Check out Southport. I did a training class at the marina there. Wow is all I can say.

Southport Marina | A Relaxing Maritime Experience

Southport Marina is a protected harbor marina located on the Cape Fear River and Intracoastal Waterway in North Carolina just south of Wilmington.

www.southport-marina.com

Marina was top notch and the town was very nice.

BTW, check out bald head island.

 

[Gym]

Welcome aboard @Openwaters212 I also have no info on your proposed destination but I can give you some advice on Memorial Day weekend boating. Whereas I live and boat in a resort area I've seen it all. This is the weekend people come from all over with some boats and trailers that haven't been maintained properly so they figure it's ok to make repairs on the ramp while 10 other boats are waiting to launch. Batteries are dead, bilge plugs are missing, trailer winches are frozen, boat keys are forgotten, stern straps weren't removed prior to backing the trailer in and tempers flair. But there's one thing they never forget...The beer. This helps them navigate, follow the rules and be courteous to other boaters.

My advise...Have your boat completely ready to launch before leaving home. Start each engine, advance the throttle to about 5k then shut down. Have all lines and fenders ready, not sitting in the lockers. Whereas you have a new boat your trailer gear should be in good shape but forgetting things like stern straps and boat keys can be an issue. Bring a spare set of keys. Get to the ramp early before the drunks wake up. Oh yeah, one more thing...Bring some beer and have fun.

 

[Dan_NC]

I know this is a year old, but I was recently looking to try the Fayetteville to Wilmington run down the Cape Fear, until I ran across the soundings posted here: Wilmington District Website > Missions > Navigation > Hydrographic Surveys > River Projects

Bottom line, I wouldn't attempt this run without talking to some knowledgeable local guides that can give you information and then I would break up the trip and check out several areas before attempting the full run.

If someone has made the trip, I would like some info on it. I still think it may be doable, but it is a long way.