Bought some books today, between that and some internet research it appears that the Wilkerson bridge at mile 128 is 64 feet clearance and I think my air draft is 64' 3" with all the aerials down - a little close for comfort. "Missed it by that much!" to quote Agent Smart. There appears to be very little tide in that area. So going through to Beaufort on the ICW doesn't seem doable.

On the other hand the wife would kind of like to see some of the Carolina and Georgia coast. I could hop down the coast to Savannah (last place of interest) and leave from there - any non-obvious negatives to that? Looks like a two day sail in any decent conditions (yeah I know its Hatteras) from Hampton to either Beaufort or Masonboro, then stay inside to see Charleston, Hilton Head, Savannah. From there it's only about 400 miles to landfall in the northern Bahamas, still with a decent angle to the (pilot charted) winds.

In fact the decision will be made probably at the last minute, depending on time of year, weather, and available crew. But I would like to be armed with as much knowledge as possible.

I do have a great big diesel fired hydronic heater and satellite weather capability, so I should stay warm as I watch the weather deteriorate....