navigator wrote:Hi Rory, your post made me look into this, I'm thinking about the week after Easter for going for maybe two nights. I'm a little south of Wilmington.
How are the beach conditions usually, I know they can be unpredictable.
We have a TB without the G80 with 255/70/16 tires. Do you think we would be ok going alone
or do we need to make sure we go with a buddy? I know it is always best to go with a buddy but curious if you think that having a jack, a couple of boards and a shovel will get you out of most situations.
Is there usually enough traffic to get a tug if you need one?
I would expect under most conditions that 255 aired down a little should be ok but wanted your input.
I am now going on Easter weekend so I'll be there a few days before you.(My girlfriend has a wedding to go to of a work friend so I had to change the date of my trip)
I'll be camping as there are no cabins available.
If you could make the weekend I can show you around. If not here is some info.
Here is a link to get the tide charts, you select the area you will be at, the begining date and how many days you will be there. print, take with you and protect this, some areas you can get to until high tide and if you are still there you will be stuck until the tide goes back out.
http://www.saltwatertides.com/cgi-local/neatlantic.cgiThis website will tell you other rules and tips as well as the Phone # to reserve a spot on the ferry.
http://portsmouthislandfishing.com/index.phpyour tires should be fine, the jack, boards, shovel are a must. you should be ok solo unless you dig yourself in too deep, weekends there is usually a good number of people around.week days I'm not sure cause the earliest I have been during the week is thursday.
The most important part about driving on the beach is knowing where you can stop, as you ride down the beach you'll get a good feel for the sand. Don't stop if your tire tracks are deep , takeoff slowly.You can ride close to the water where the sand is flat, But don't ride in the waves watch out for large drops and washouts. you will have ride higher up to go around people, don't go between someone and the water, they may have fishing poles in and you could hit their lines.
After a storm be careful on back trails, a friend on mine went to fast and water went over his hood, they pulled him off island engine swamped.
On portsouth island the trail to the village is often under water, drive slow and this is no problem. Many people are afraid to go through the water but the trail is good it's just flooded, the trail is marked by white poles.
Good luck, enjoy the islands
