THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, July 24, 1994 TAG: 9407210204
SECTION: CAROLINA COAST PAGE: 10 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY LANE DEGREGORY, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: CURRITUCK SOUND LENGTH: Medium: 100 lines
ROB AND CHRIS Adams had never been sailing before. But the 8- and 10-year-old brothers from Columbus, Ohio, had never been in an Outer Banks sound before either.
So when the catamaran they bought tickets to ride was forced back to dock by threatening weather, the boys jumped overboard and swam around the Currituck Sound at Duck.
Their trip may have been cut short. But the day was still long on fun.
That's the chance you take when you sail North Carolina's sounds.
``Hey, Mommy! Look at me! I love these life jackets. Aren't they cool?'' Rob asked as he dove over his father's back into the water after the catamaran had anchored.
``The water here is a lot shallower than I thought,'' said his brother, Chris, pulling his neon goggles off his dripping bangs. ``But I like it better than the ocean because it doesn't taste as funny.
``And I like sailing, too,'' Chris said. ``It's not as noisy as the ski boats I've been on.''
Jon Britt and Craig McBurney have been sailing the Outer Banks sounds for years. Last summer, they realized that not everyone was lucky enough to have access - or experience - to charter their own boat. So the two men bought a $200,000 catamaran cruiser and sailed it from Florida's keys to Duck.
In June, 21st Century Sailing began offering the only group catamaran cruises on the Outer Banks.
``I wanted to be able to expose this body of water to big groups,'' said Britt, who offers the cruises from a soundfront site north of Barrier Island in Duck. ``And because of its (shallow) draft, this is the only type of boat that will work out here. It's also nice to be able to take lots of people sailing at once.
``Some of these people might not otherwise get a chance to see the sound - much less sail.''
Catamaran cruises are offered four times a day, seven days a week. Tickets are $35 for adults. Dogs and kids age 18 and under sail free.
You don't have to know how to swim or sail to ride.
If bad weather cuts the trip short, 21st Century Sailing will fully refund the price - or take riders on a later trip for free.
And 5 percent of all the company's profits go into a local environmental defense fund, to help save the sounds on which the catamaran sails.
``These cruises really might change some people's attitudes about sailing,'' said Britt, who plans to bring three additional catamaran cruisers to the Outer Banks next summer. ``You don't get wet unless you want to. And then, you use the swim ladder to get yourself overboard. We don't spray you or tip you around. It's a very stable craft.''
Forty feet long, with three sails and a 47-foot mast, the double-hulled catamaran can carry up to 40 passengers - each in his or her own seat. Float cushions and life jackets are available for everyone. And vacationers can bring their own coolers aboard, or drink the sodas and water which are provided.
If the weather holds, Britt and McBurney carry passengers across the Currituck Sound almost to the mainland - three miles around marshy islands, sandbars and wildlife.
When there isn't wind, the cruise still goes on. Two outboard motors offer extra power and security in emergencies. And their low hum is barely discernible over the Jimmy Buffett music from a deck-top radio.
``We've always been interested in sailing. But coming from Ohio, all we've done is ride little motor boats in the reservoir,'' said Dianne Adams, who was vacationing in Corolla last week with her sons and husband. ``We thought it would be good for the kids. We weren't sure how they would respond.
``But they sure appear to be enjoying it.''
While the catamaran was cruising, Rob and Chris Adams lay on their stomachs watching waves lap between the hulls. When it stopped, they went swimming. When the boat docked, the boys seemed ready to go again. ILLUSTRATION: Staff photo by DREW C. WILSON
Rob Adams, 8, left, and Chris Adams, 10, of Columbus, Ohio, play in
the shallows of Currituck Sound while on an excursion on 21st
Century Sailing's 40-foot catamaran.
WHERE & WHEN
21st Century Sailing offers catamaran cruises four times daily
from a soundside site in Duck north of Barrier Island. The 40-foot
boat also is available for private charters. Up to 40 people can
cruise at once.
Adult tickets are $35 each. Kids 18 and under - and dogs - ride
free. Full refunds are available in case of inclement weather.
Regularly scheduled trips include:
Nature Sail, 9-11 a.m., watch the birds and other wildlife.
Sanderling Lunch Sail, 11:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m., catered lunch and
sail.
Swim and Sail, 2-5 p.m., enjoy the warm, shallow waters and
scenery.
Romantic Sunset Sail, bring your own cooler and cruise close to
the sunset.
For more information, or to book a trip, call (919) 261-2900;
from Corolla, call (919) 453-8191.
by CNB