Posted: 20 June 2009 at 9:27pm | IP Logged

I am in Ocracoke, NC right now heading home tomorrow and we have been around the sound in our 22' center console as well as my friends' 19' Carolina Skiff.  I will tell you ahead of time....be prepared to kick up some sand.  This is shallow water and the locals know the unmarked channels, but who's to know if you are following a local .  My chart shows 1-2' of water where there is actually 4-5' and the channels change constantly in many areas behind the OBX.

If you stick to just the marked channels you will be OK, but venture off of those and you need to pay very close attention to the water color.  The darker the water color, the deeper the water and lighter color means shoals/shallows...that is if the sun is out and you can see the color difference. 

Just be careful and take your time until you get comfortable with the area you will be boating in.  Also, a chartplotter and sonar are great to have. 

Posted: 21 June 2009 at 4:12pm | IP Logged

I'm assuming you can tilt the motor up.  If you are getting into water that may be thin, don't go full speed!

Tilt the motor up when you are going into thin water.

You will find the prop mostly protected by the skeg.

Good luck.  Exploring is the best part of boating in new areas.