Welcome back aboard Sailing and Cruising the East Coast of the United States, your go-to sailing podcast for real-life stories, cruising insights, and firsthand accounts of sailing adventures along the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway (ICW). In this episode, host Bela Musits is joined once again by Mike Malekoff as they continue their voyage up the U.S. East Coast aboard Mike’s Hunter 44 Deck Salon.

🚤 This Episode: From Belhaven to Coinjock, NC

After a short break for Easter and family time, Bela and Mike reunite aboard their vessel and pick up the journey in Belhaven, North Carolina, setting a course for the iconic Coinjock Marina, a popular stopover for cruisers transiting the ICW. This leg of the trip provides scenic vistas, narrow channels, and classic marina stories—perfectly capturing the essence of ICW cruising.

📍 What You’ll Hear in This Episode:

• Reflections on a brief pause in the trip for family obligations and boat prep.

• A detailed account of navigating out of Belhaven into the calm, protected waters of the Alligator River–Pungo River Canal.

• Conversations about route planning, weather checks, and ICW navigation tips.

• Discussion about the bridge operators on the ICW
  

🎧 Whether you’re an experienced sailor or a dreamer planning your first voyage, this episode is packed with practical cruising advice and entertaining banter. The audio was recorded in authentic settings—at anchor, in marinas, and sometimes even while underway—offering listeners an immersive experience into what it’s like to live and sail along the East Coast.

🧭 SEO Keywords for Cruising Enthusiasts: Intracoastal Waterway, ICW sailing podcast, sailing North Carolina, Belhaven to Coinjock, East Coast sailing journey, Hunter 44 Deck Salon, sailing lifestyle, ICW navigation tips, marina stops ICW, sailing podcast USA, cruising stories, real-time boat life, sailing couple interviews, East Coast marinas, Coinjock Marina.

📚 About the Series: This episode is part of a documentary-style series chronicling Bela and Mike’s voyage from Brunswick, Georgia, to Burlington, Vermont, on Mike’s Hunter 44 Deck Salon. Each episode offers a snapshot of their journey—complete with navigation strategy, weather planning, marina reviews, and on-the-water reflections.

Subscribe & Follow: Don’t miss upcoming episodes as Bela and Mike continue their journey north! Subscribe to Sailing and Cruising the East Coast of the United States on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or your favorite podcast platform.

Thanks for Listening!If you enjoyed this episode, please consider rating and reviewing the podcast — it helps more sailors and dreamers discover the show. Have a sailing story or technical tip you’d like to share? Reach out via email at [email protected]