I could drive Beaufort in two hours, or sail it in twelve. NICE town. Beaufort, New Bern, and Oriental is always some of my fav's, and have considered buying property there. Right now, I'm really closer to Wilmington, we have a place here as well as Southport. I'll have to get up that way and see it, or if you get down here..
(I spend my days on the hill as a 'prefered' contractor, 11 bucks a foot H.B.L., and 200 bucks a month to sit on the hill. DIY, live aboards, pro help, pro yard help. This place is the best kept secret in Brunswick county, and I'm not saying where due to the solicitation being in poor form. (I do have an interest here). Laid back, my God! A REAL old school DIY yard. The kind us old timers like. We don't even cater to the "yachting margarita on the aft deck crowd". Don't get me wrong, I sat an 82 footer in the drink a couple of days ago, THAT was a trip to drive. (No one else here knew how to do it).
Anyways..