Banks Channel off the intracoastal waterway north of Masonboro Inlet
Maximum Boat Length:
20
The Lookout Harbour Condos is a complex of 35 condominiums situated on the northeast corner of Harbor Island on Banks Channel. Both bridges have an 8-foot clearance, which will be a limiting factor. MLS listing suggested some slips were deeded; some were rented for a minimum of 6 months. From my reading of the documents, here’s my understanding of ownership and leasing. Slips were deeded to odd-numbered units, roughly 17 of them. Vessel size is limited to 24 feet from the tip of the bow to the end of the motor, which effectively limits craft to about 22 feet.
Harbor Inn Condominiums is a condotel, motelaminum, take your pick. It has a day dock on Banks Channel inside the bridges, so there's an 8-foot height limit. The standard for this directory is that an owner can keep a boat in the water, so this one doesn't make the cut. But in case you ran across it and were curious. Might make a fun getaway spot.
Mott's Channel between the intracoastal waterway and
Maximum Boat Length:
60
The Moorings Condominiums is a 14-unit complex situated on Motts Channel. Their values have risen dramatically. At least 10 units have slips that accommodate a 55-footer, 2 units have 40-foot slips, and 1 has a 30-foot slip. For the offshore fisherman, that puts you minutes away from Masonboro Inlet and blue water. The back of each unit faces southwest, meaning sunsets over the water. It's about two miles from Masonboro Inlet and Masonboro Island, and beyond to the south is a 7.5-mile-long undeveloped barrier island that can be accessed in several locations off the intracoastal waterway.
Mott's Channel between the intracoastal waterway and Masonboro Inlet
Maximum Boat Length:
30
428 Causeway Drive is an upstairs/downstairs duplex. Upstairs as unit ‘B’ downstairs is ‘A’. Unit 'B' consists of 2 floors at 2191 sq ft, 4 bedrooms, 3 & 1/2 baths and is elevator equipped. Unit 'A' is 1433 sq ft, 3 bedrooms 2 & 1/2 baths, no elevator access, and it is on the second floor with parking for both units on the ground. Both units have two parking spaces. Each unit has a 30 foot, deep water slip with mechanical lift. covered slip. As of this writing unit A had a power lift, unit B did not.
Mott's Channel between the intracoastal waterway and Masonboro Inlet
Maximum Boat Length:
25
Marsh Harbour Villas is a four-unit townhome complex on Harbor Island, the island which sits between the mainland and Wrightsville Beach. The complex sits at the east end of an L-shaped channel cut from Motts Channel. The Villas have a floating dock in a well-protected area. The floating dock is 75 feet long. Spaces are assigned in the MLS.
Channel Walk and Shoreline were built in several phases. The original section dates to 1972. More recent sections date to 1987. Older units have slips along Lee's Cut, while the newer units have slips in a protected harbor. These units were not designed or finished to be luxurious. They had 9-foot ceiling heights, contractor-grade finishes, and always felt a little cramped. While some remain as they were built, some interiors have been substantially modified. But they get a nice piece of real estate. The complex occupies the entire northwest corner of Harbor Island, with the intracoastal waterway to the west and Lee's Cut along the north and east sides. Lee's Cut leads to Banks Channel, which separates Harbor Island from Wrightsville Beach.
Intracoastal waterway north of Masonboro Inlet and Bradley Creek
Maximum Boat Length:
45
Gray Gables is a subdivision of 17 lots parallel to and just north of the Edgewater neighborhood off Airlie Road. This is a prime location in the Wrightsville Beach area, with homes ranging from 2000 to 5000 square feet on 0.3 to 0.5 acres. The marina has 14 45-foot slips, with additional space for smaller boats to tie off parallel to the docks on the inland side. Slips are assigned to residents. All slips are along the intracoastal side, with full fingers, double berths, and piles. Although this is a no-wake zone, most slips have power lifts. The docks have a mix of dock boxes. There are utility pedestals.
Intracoastal waterway north of Masonboro Inlet and Bradley Creek
Maximum Boat Length:
45
The Edgewater subdivision and its neighbor to the north, Gray Gables, command a prime location close to Wrightsville Beach, the Masonboro Inlet, and Masonboro Island. There are 34 lots in the subdivision and 34 slips in the marina. Lots range from 0.5 to 1.45 acres. Houses range from 2,000 to 6,800 square feet. Slips are assigned. There are 27 slips at 32 feet in length and 7 at 45 feet. Slips are doubles with piles and full fingers. The docks appear to be well equipped. Utility pedestals and dock boxes vary in size. There are slips on both sides of a central floating deck. The docks are in a no-wake zone, but most of the slips on the intracoastal waterway side have power lifts. I couldn't inspect the docks directly because of the security gate.
Bradley Creek leading to the intracoastal waterway north of Masonboro Inlet
Bar Harbor Estates barely qualifies as one of these properties. It has a dock where you can dock a boat for unlimited time. However, it's first come, first served, with spaces for, they say, 6 boats. But 6 may be a stretch. Boats are tied off parallel to the docks, accessed through a gate and down built-in ladders. The docks are fixed-height, and the area is tidal. There is a ramp, but it may be of little use. The water is no more than 15 feet from the water's edge to the dock, and it's a shallow 15 feet. You'll never float a boat that draws more than a canoe or a jon boat and turn it, in that space, enough to clear the docks. Anyone considering buying in Bar Harbor Estates would need to confirm access to and use of the ramp.
Ariel Cove is a three-lot subdivision on the southern bank of Bradley Creek. The lots are 0.8 to 0.69 acres. Each owner gets two 30-foot slips on a common dock on Bradley Creek. I was not able to inspect the docks, but the photos clearly show they are floating docks with full fingers. Four of the docks have fingers on both sides of the slip; two in the middle of the dock are doubles. There is a covered pavilion. And there are three utility pedestals.
Harborside Club at 70w is an 8 story condominium complex on Peletier Creek which feeds into Bogue Sound. Amenities include a pool, a sauna, a fitness center, a conference room, an owner's lounge with a wet bar and a full kitchen overlooking the pool. There is also a grill and picnic area under a canopy by the pool. There are changing rooms, showers and baths on the ground floor. Each owner has a storage unit on the ground floor for gear. Two high speed elevators service the building. The entire complex is gated and secured.
There are 3 basic floor plans designated "A", "B" & "C", all are 3 bedroom & 3 bath. All units have terraces overlooking the pool, marina and Peletier Creek. There 2 floor plan “B”s at 1925 sq ft, one on each end with corner wrap around terraces. There is one “C” plan in the middle of each floor which features a deeper terrace that runs the full width of the unit. There are 6 “A” plans on each floor. Four of the “A” plans on each floor have balconies half the width of the unit.
Cabin Creek off Bay River leading to the Neuse River and Pamlico Sound
Maximum Boat Length:
35
Cabin Creek is a 14-parcel subdivision on Cabin Creek off the Bay River, which leads to the point where the Neuse River and the Pamlico Sound converge. Lots in Cabin Creek range from 1.2 to 5 acres, all of which are waterfront. Nonetheless, they have a well-protected common dock with 11 slips on the Bay River. Slips are 35 feet in length; the docks are a fixed height with a wooden frame and a concrete-based 'hog slat' decking. The slips are doubles with piles, and several have power lifts.
This area will require more research on my part. There are three neighborhoods, each with its own docks. I'll try to clarify the situation soon and make another visit.
Lord Carteret Condos shares a common dock with 1013 Front Street, a 5-unit complex just behind it. Lord Carteret Condos has 4 units each at approximately 1170 square feet, 3 bedrooms 2 baths. These condos were built in 1975, so it is reasonable to expect modifications. Each unit is one level, with two units on the ground floor and 2 on the second. There is no elevator. Beaufort's downtown waterfront is less than a half mile away.
The common docks are right across the street on Taylor Creek. Slips are assigned. They are marketed at 25 feet, but the back piles are 30 feet from the dock. The docks are basic but well maintained and would be fine for craft under 25 feet for cruising downtown Beaufort, Morehead City, and beyond.
A small subdivision with 12 very substantial homes and 8 slips. All of the houses in 1612 Front Street subdivision (yep, that's the name) are on the western side of Carrot Island Lane which runs perpendicular to Front Street, which is running parallel to Taylor's Creek. The docks are well maintained and equipped for a community facility. Most of the slips are equipped with power lifts. Slips may be rented to residents but can not be sold to anyone outside of the subdivision.
This is a great location for dinner cruises to Beaufort and Morehead City or exploring the undeveloped islands of the area.
Beaufort Landing is one of three neighborhoods in a row along Taylor Creek that share the name Beaufort Landing. This Beaufort Landing consists of 15 parcels beginning on the east side of Tidal Pond. The second, or Beaufort Landing Townhomes, is made up of 40 units in clusters of 4 and 5, which are legally condominiums, not townhomes. The third is Beaufort Landing Village comprised of 28 condominiums. Each neighborhood has it's own association with different association fees and it's own docks.
So this Beaufort Landing, the farthest to the West, boarding on the east by a small pond called Tidal Pond, consists single family homes on 15 parcels. Across Front Street to the south they have a well maintained marina of 27 slips. Most of the slips have power lifts. There's a pavilion and sitting area.
Masons Bluff is a 10-parcel subdivision around a single street and cul-de-sac running from Middle Sound Loop Road to the intracoastal waterway in northeastern New Hanover County. Three of the 10 parcels are waterfront, with the remaining 7 landlocked. None of the three waterfront properties have private docks, so the common dock has 10 slips. It's a bit of a hike to the slips, which are 200 yards from the shore. There is a pavilion at the docks. The slips are 30 feet long, with double slips, full fingers, and piles in between. All slips accept one boat; one appeared to have a power lift. The docks are right off the intracoastal waterway, with no breakwater, and are subject to wake buffeting.
All of the slips, except one, are equipped with power lifts. The docks are floating with wood framing and wood decking. They have utility pedestals.
