Free parking is available for your vehicles at our marina, Coral Bay Marina, in Morehead City.
PRIVATE EXCURSIONS FOR BOATERS (2-4 hours)
Local Knowledge for Mariners / Boat Handling
What's going on in this photo? There are eight (8) aids to navigation…but are they really helpful?
A professional captain should be viewed as an important step in becoming familiar with a new boat or new area of boating. While some may see it as a necessary evil and expense, I have long argued it is perhaps one of the best things one can do to become a responsible and confident mariner. Especially for people who tend to avoid instruction in an academic environment, the hands-on experience of working and learning from the right captain makes all the difference in the world.
Just purchased a boat new to you? Have you just moved to the neighborhood, or wish to keep the gel coat on but are a little unsure of the “skinny” water we have in and around this area? If this is you then this Excursion is for you as Captain Mark offers this personal boat training session to help build your cruising confidence with hands-on coaching.
Areas covered:
• All of Bogue Sound along the ICW west to Swansboro.
• North along the ICW to Oriental, up Adams Creek, and crossing the Neuse River.
• East to the Cape Lookout Lighthouse and Cape Lookout Bight going on the inside where there are NO USCG Aids to Navigation!
• Morehead City Waterfront
• Beaufort Waterfront
• The “sneak” route from Beaufort to Harkers Island
• Crossing or going South in/out of the Beaufort Inlet into the ocean.
The above can NOT be covered in one outing, so please communicate to Captain Mark your immediate needs. This excursion runs at all tide levels. Please note this is NOT a fishing trip.
A conversation of various apps for your phone or tablet will be discussed to assist in your navigational needs if you’d like.
In addition to Local Knowledge, you can experience handling the boat from Captain Mark, including Navigation Rules, Docking, Boat Handling Underway, Anchoring, Emergencies, Line Handling, and Knots.
Although all the above can be performed on the H2O Captain boat, it can also be performed on your vessel powered by an outboard engine(s). Furthermore, Captain Mark is available to Captain any vessel of up to 100 gross tons and up to 100 miles off the coast. If you wish Captain Mark to captain your boat, please specify him (Mark Sonder) as an additional insured on your boat insurance so your policy will cover liability caused by another operator other than the owner. $539. Up to 4 hours.
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EXCLUSIVE for Boaters: Teaching Tuesdays
Are you an owner/operator of a boat but not sure or do not have enough confidence in how to run it? Just welcome Captain Mark aboard YOUR boat at your marina/home, from Emerald Isle to Beaufort, on any Tuesday during the season for a 2 or up to 4-hour lesson ON YOUR BOAT.
A teaching captain should be viewed as an important step in becoming familiar with a new boat. While some may see it as a necessary evil and expense, I have long argued it is perhaps one of the best things one can do to become a responsible and confident mariner. Especially for people who tend to avoid instruction in an academic environment, the hands-on experience of working and learning from the right Captain makes all the difference in the world. Furthermore, and at no additional charge, Captain Mark will give your boat a Vessel Safety Check leading to a visible decal on your windshield so law enforcement can see it before possibly boarding your vessel. Cost: $249 for up to 2 hours or $499 for 4 hours.
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