and not being able to predict, even after 60+ years, how much wind to expect in any one.
I don't know what the itinerary was for this trip, but if they left from Wanchese, I don't think Oregon Inlet was an option because of the bridge, so they would have had to go down to Okracoke or Beaufort (if they could even get there . . .?).
If the boat was dismasted 200 miles SE of Hatteras, that does sound as tho they were island bound and not Miami bound.