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2025 Sailing Guide

Crystal Coast Map
Emerald Isle Indian Beach Pine Knoll Shores Atlantic Beach Shackleford Banks Beaufort Morehead City Cape Lookout Cedar Island Harkers Island New Bern
Lookout Cruises

Visitors can enjoy the Crystal Coast’s most coveted and hard-to-reach shorelines, or just embark on a breezy cruise of the open waters in search of dolphins and sunsets, with a trip that’s guided by Lookout Cruises. This local tour company that calls the central town of Beaufort its home port offers a far-reaching range of adventures that will have coastal fans of all ages soaking up the sun and enjoying the best of the Southern Outer Banks.

Simply stylish one bedroom- easy beach/p...

Escape to this handsomely designed, freshly constructed one-bedroom beach condo in a private community with simple beach and pool access. “The Beach House” occupies the entire bottom level. Beach chairs and shade are supplied for convenience. A sleeping nook in the living room is ideal for little ones, while a private bedroom and full bath complete the space. Savor Emerald Isle and the Spinnaker’s Reach in this new, ideally appointed space.

  • Emerald Isle
  • 1 Bedrooms
  • 1 Bathrooms
  • Sleeps 3
Kitty Hawk Kites

Founded as the world's first hang gliding school in 1974, Kitty Hawk Kites has grown into a beloved retail and outdoor recreation venture with more than 28 locations up and down the east coast! With more than 50 years of teaching the world to fly, Kitty Hawk Kites is proud to serve the Crystal Coast as a premier retailer of kites, wind art, toys, apparel, and accessories. Shop great brands like Reef, Prism, Natural Life, Yeti, HeyDude, and more! Visit our locations in Beaufort and Atlantic Beach today.

Ocean View Home-Easy walk to beach/shops...
5.0
(15)

Very private 3 story, 5 bed, 3.5 bath home w/Ocean vistas and simple walk to the beach. The top floor has a king and a queen bedroom with vistas of the ocean, a twin room with vistas of the sound, & 2 full baths. The deck off the third floor offers a great space with ocean vistas to relax in a rocking chair and listen to the sound of the ocean. The bottom floor has 2 more rooms, a queen & another twin room, a full bath, and a comfortable sitting area for extended family and friends. The second floor offers a cozy kitchen/living/porch area for everybody to relax & appreciate the privacy granted from the Live Oaks surrounding the property. Located in a cul-de-sac with walking paths to both the beach & the shopping center/grocery store just across the street. Dogs welcome of any size but please limit to 2 and plan for a nonrefundable pet deposit. Wireless Internet and Intelligent TVs throughout. Washer/dryer. Outdoor shower. Beach chairs, body boards, sand toys, and a wagon available for use.

  • Atlantic Beach
  • 5 Bedrooms
  • 3 Bathrooms
  • Sleeps 10
Lost Treasure Golf and Raceway - Crystal Coast

Visitors of all ages will have a blast at this destination that is designed for great times along the Crystal Coast shoreline. Professor Hacker's Lost Treasure Golf and Raceway is situated in the centrally located beach community of Salter Path, and is a favorite spot for families who want to have a little fun off the sand.

Little piece of heaven in your own back ...
5.0
(2)

Summary:This is the number one rated vacation rental in New Bern.New hot tub 4/24 waterfront, home in the historic Riverside District! Located on 1/2 acre on the banks of the Neuse River, this 3050 sqft 4-bedroom, 3.5-bath home. Sleeps 12, Unwind with your adored ones on the natural stone patio. Whether you spend your days calming on the shore or casting your line off our brand new 126' dock. This is what vacations are made of. We host many wedding events and families due to our central location to wedding venues.The Space:Appreciate the striking vistas from the window filled sunroom or wide open kitchen. Everywhere you look is a view of charming gardens with the handsome water beyond.5 min. walk to Mayola wedding venue.Great place for the wedding event or family of the bride and groom.Guest Access:3 kayaks available for your use .If you head north from the home there is a peaceful, breathtaking estuary around the bend!The Neighborhood:Historic Riverside District of New BernA 24 min. walk to historic downtown stores, sights and eateries.A beautiful walk through beautiful historic homes along the way.Getting Around:We have parking for 4 cars in the driveway and complimentary street parking. Very peaceful street with interesting things to see.The National cemetery, created after the Civil War, is 5 min. walk.Old time hardware store around the corner for all your fishing gear needs.Other Things to Note:Brand new dock!We also have a playroom in the garage with tons of games for the kids and adults. It has a rollup door and a great view. (great for rainy days)BBQ instructionsI hope you are as excited about this BBQ as I am. If you just need to prepare some hotdogs and hamburgers, use the gas grille on the right side. But if you are true Grille master, Please savor the smoky flavor of the wood pellet grille on the left.Please be a responsible griller and clean the grille when you’re finished.We keep a bin of wood pellets in the play room. If the bin is empty you can purchase more pellets at Lowes or Walmart.I have attached the instructions. Please read thru to familiarize yourself with the grille.Dave

  • New Bern
  • 4 Bedrooms
  • 3 Bathrooms
  • Sleeps 12
Morehead City Ferry Service

The Crystal Coast is best explored from the water, and Morehead City Ferry Service will take explorers to some of the most remote and beautiful corners of this long stretch of Southern Outer Banks shoreline. Launching from the heart of Downtown Morehead City along Evans Street, patrons who utilize Morehead City Ferry Service for a cruise or a taxi ride to the outlying barrier islands will be treated to full afternoons of sun and fun along the pristine sand.

Classic Oceanfront Beach Cottage by Ocea...
4.9
(35)

You and your family will savor this two story classic oceanfront bungalow, located only blocks from the Oceanana Fishing Pier towards Fort Macon. Please note there is additional information regarding payments and cancellations for this property in this description. Please read everything.This oceanfront bungalow, located amongst the dunes, is ideal for appreciating ocean breezes and listening to the waves washing ashore. A private foot path from the bungalow's backdoor will have your toes in the sand on a peaceful beach moments after you arrive.The main level of the bungalow (or second floor) has an open, bright and cheery professionally decorated design with an refreshed kitchen, dining area, living room and fireplace. There are three bedrooms (two queens and a king) and two full bathrooms on this level. Appreciate splendid outdoor dinners while overlooking the dunes and water on the covered porch that features a enormous outdoor dining table and seating area. The ground level features two bedrooms (a queen and two twin trundle beds that pop up to create two king size beds) and a full bathroom. Outside there is an outside lower patio with a gas grille. There are two TV’s, one in the upstairs living room and one downstairs in the huge trundle room for those rainy days. This bungalow sleeps 10 effortlessly. Parking for 4 cars. Nonsmoking. No family pets are allowed.PROVIDED: WIFI, high-speed Internet, entirely outfitted kitchen, paper goods and ALL linens, including all linens + bath + beach towels. This will save you the hassle/cost of renting them separately ($200-300+ value)! When you arrive, beds will be made with clean, fresh linens and complete sets of towels will be available. Beach bicycles can be rented and delivered to the home before you arrive, some beach chairs and an umbrella are also supplied for your enjoyment.No Smoking. No Animals. No Parties. Must be 28 to book.Payment & Cancellation Policy: For any property/ reservation booked via credit card on Vacation Rental By Owner, there will be a non-returnable 3-4% processing fee. Additional cancellation policies applied by Vacation Rental By Owner or another platform, are listed in the cancellation policy section on the listing in which ever platform you are booking through..

  • Atlantic Beach
  • 5 Bedrooms
  • 3 Bathrooms
  • Sleeps 10
Beaufort Pirates Revenge

Jump aboard the pirate ship "REVENGE" at 600 Front Street in Beaufort, North Carolina. Our interactive voyages offer fun and adventure for families and swashbucklers of all ages. Come join our crew, take part in a pirate adventure, and enjoy festive music guaranteed to unleash your inner pirate. But be warned; we may need to enlist your expertise to man the water cannons and help defend our ship!

 3 story townhome with pool! 3 min walk ...
5.0
(84)

Welcome to "A Better Boat"! Pool season runs April thru October and changes slightly annually. There is not a hot tub on the property. Also, there is now a swingset/slide on the property.Recently constructed and finished in November 2018. 3 story, 3 bedroom, 3 1/2 bath townhome located in gorgeous Atlantic Beach, NC. Awesome location just across from the beach with an painless 3/4 min. walk. Close to aquarium, boat docks, fishing pier, eateries, bars, Fort Macon State Park. Community swimming pool conveniently located right outside back door. Close to Morehead City, Beaufort and all the Crystal Coast has to offer. Parking is right outside of front door. This delightfully decorated townhome has 3 bedrooms (2 master suites with king beds) and 1 bedroom with twin beds. All 3 bedrooms have an ensuite bathroom. Both master bedrooms have a balcony, ideal for watching the sunset with a beverage in hand. Queen couch bed in living room can sleep an additional 2 people if needed.Kitchen is completely outfitted for cooking and includes a Keurig coffee maker, blender, and toaster. Bedrooms are complete with high quality linens (excluding sheets) and plush hybrid memory foam beds. Sheets ARE NOT PROVIDED, as we use a modest cleaning company who does not have the time or resources to change sheets between guests. Companies that can provide sheets for you for a fee will be supplied upon request. All paper products, garbage bags, and bath towels are included. Front door has a convenient coded lock- no worries about lost keys and simple check-in.Townhome is equipped High speed Wi-fi. All TVs are SmartTv's, ideal for accessing your Netlix, YouTube, Amazon Prime accounts. Family room and second and third floor master bedrooms each have an Amazon Echo and will play music at your request. There are plenty of board games for the whole family to savor.Kitchen is well supplied and includes a Keurig coffee maker and a traditional pot. Also equipped with Ninja blender, toaster and electric wine opener.Please note: This is a 3 story unit, not equipped with an elevator. It may not be suitable for modest kids or the elderly who have issues with stairs. We adore the privacy that each level provides, but we want to ensure that all of our guests have the most delightful experience. We would appreciate for you to be our guest at "A Better Boat"! Please feel complimentary to message us with any questions.

  • Atlantic Beach
  • 3 Bedrooms
  • 3 Bathrooms
  • Sleeps 8
Mac Daddys

Located on the southern end of Emerald Isle, and easy to reach for visitors staying throughout the Crystal Coast, Mac Daddy’s is the destination of choice for countless fun-seeking vacationers of all ages who want a big dose of entertainment off the sand. Featuring a bowling alley, sports bar, arcade, and a sister miniature golf course – (the Golfin’ Dolphin) - visitors can expect plenty of good times when they make an outing to this all-around fun amusement center.

Townhome with 2 bedrooms plus loft sleep...
4.3
(20)

This two bedroom impressive townhouse style unit overlooks the Sand Castle Lake, and features all the amenities of home. This is the ideal location for a family vacation. Appreciate all the animals and natural beauty surrounding the lake as you watch the sun set from the comfort of your patio.There is privacy for four people, while accommodating up to eight guests. The unit includes a full kitchen with service for eight, dishwasher, microwave, washer & dryer, two full baths, one half bath, two T.V.s, a hottub and tons of room to spread out. Just a 2-3 min. walking distance to the Broad Creek Recreation Center and the Northwest Creek Marina.For your convenience, guests have a complementary membership for the duration of their stay at the Broad Creek Recreation Center, which just a short walk from this rental location. Daily activities, exercise classes, miniature golf, a basketball court, tennis courts, a playground, an indoor and outdoor pool, sauna and exercise room are part of this complex. The property is a short drive to Downtown New Bern, which features numerous magnificant eateries, boutique shopping and museums. The local beaches are roughly an hour away from this location, but an painless drive. Included with your rental are items such as dishwasher detergent, laundry detergent, bathroom tissue and soap to help you savor your stay. The photos are representative of the location where you will be staying. This listing is not for a specific condominium. We work with 30 condos of this layout and type. The location you stay in may have a slightly different decor or view than the photos shown.

  • New Bern
  • 3 Bedrooms
  • 2 Bathrooms
  • Sleeps 8
Crystal Coast Lady Cruises

Crystal Coast Lady Cruises is a 100 ft. custom yacht that can effortlessly provide a number of family-friendly expeditions to vacationers who want to enjoy this delicate chain of barrier islands and coastal territory to its fullest. Based out of Beaufort, the Crystal Coast Lady is specifically built for the purpose of sightseeing and dolphin watching. Visitors can enjoy exploring the beautiful downtown beaufort are, plus unbeatable perspectives of the region’s vast array of wildlife, shorelines, and on-the-water views. The Crystal Coast Lady is equipped with a snack bar, and 2 restrooms onboard. 

Crystal Coast Museums

Considering that the Crystal Coast has centuries of history as well as one of the most unique environments along the North Carolina coastline, it should come as no surprise that the region is home to an array of fascinating and thoroughly engaging museums. For a fun and educational rainy day activity, (or just a little excuse to get out of the sun), be sure you check out these “must see” museums that are found throughout the Crystal Coast.

Oceanside, Kid-Friendly Emerald Isle Hom...

The NEW "CEDAR HILL VILLA" is walkable to everything Emerald Isle has to offer and feels like you are staying in a tree home with a new HOT TUB on the ground level deck! This 5 bedroom, 3.5 bath oceanside home is a 3-min. walk to both the beach and the Emerald Isle bicycle trail. Supplied in your rental is the ENTIRE HOME, which includes the 3 bedroom/2.5 bathroom main home upstairs and a separate groundfloor apartment, linked via an internal staircase in the garage. The handicap-accessible groundfloor apartment has 2 bedrooms, 1 bathroom, and also has two separate entrances via the back garden and the side of the garage. Wonderful for in-laws, grandparents or other friends and family who want to be together in one home but also have their own private space. Each unit also has their own private washer and dryer and upgraded kitchens. The beach access is on our street (no steps), and you can see the ocean from the street as you drive up. Only a short walk to coffee stores and eateries like Village Market. You can also walk to the Emerald Isle pier and bars. Across the main street is a new playground.There is a king-size bedroom on the main level in the primary suite with its own private full bathroom with a shower, double vanity and walk-in closet. Upstairs on the top level, there are two bedrooms that share a bathroom: One with a queen bed and another bedroom with two twin-size beds, ideal for kids. The king and queen beds both have super comfortable Tuft & Needle beds. The top-level bathroom has a bathtub/shower. Both kitchens are entirely supplied with a Keurig coffee maker, regular coffee machine, pots, pans, glasses and dishes. We also have any infant or toddler supplies you might need during your stay.

  • Emerald Isle
  • 5 Bedrooms
  • 3 Bathrooms
  • Sleeps 12
Happy Waves-Oceanfront Condo! Sleeps 7! ...

BOOK NOW to get your desired prices for your future stay at Happy Waves! This oceanfront condo has handsome vistas of courtyard, pool, and ocean from the balcony of this 3rd floor unit. This two-bedroom, two-bath condo features a completely equipped kitchen with a bar that sits 4, as well as a dining table that seats 4. Washer/dryer available on the 2nd floor on the building if you need it. Linens includes 1 King, 1 Full, 1 Twin, and 1 Queen Sleeper Couch. While it is close to downtown Atlantic Beach shopping and eateries, it is off the beaten path to allow for privacy. With a private beach access, you are mins. away from the beach! If you chose to eat out, this condo is a short drive away from many great eateries! Choose a day spent calming around the pool or playing in the exhilarating water while the kids savor their own kiddie pool. Guests can also appreciate the laundry facility, located on the first floor of each building. From exploring Fort Macon State Park, located just north of the Atlantic Beach town borders, to playing miniature golf at one of the many area facilities, visitors will find plenty to do for a full beach vacation!

  • Atlantic Beach
  • 2 Bedrooms
  • 2 Bathrooms
  • Sleeps 7
Shackleford Wild Horse & Shelling Safari

Take a quick and scenic ferry ride with your experienced guide over to the pristine Outer Banks Island of Shackleford Banks, which is part of the Cape Lookout National Seashore. There, you are introduced to the wild horses of Shackleford Banks. After the tour, you are directed to one of the best shelling beaches in all of North Carolina, where you can spend some time shelling your way down the beach with Cape Lookout Lighthouse off in the distance. Shackleford is well known as one of the best shelling destinations on the East Coast. 

Crystal Coast Vacation Rentals

Visitors who are heading to the Crystal Coast will find a scattering of hotels and motels throughout the shoreline and inland communities, but will soon discover that the primary type of accommodations available are vacation rentals. Located all along the Crystal Coast beaches from Atlantic Beach to the town of Emerald Isle, a vacation rental is the generally preferred accommodations option for vacationers thanks to ample space, exceptional locales close to the water, and plenty of homes and condos to choose from.

Bermuda House, Almost Oceanfront House i...

Looking for your dream vacation home? This is it! Bermuda House is a 6 bedroom 7.5 bath Almost Oceanfront home, located one row back from the Ocean. Savor impressive vistas of the Atlantic Ocean from all three levels! Step outside and take a dip in the swimming pool or melt away your worries in the hot tub.Ground Level: Media Room with 65 inch cable TV; kitchenette with full refrigerator, microwave, and ice maker; Bedroom #1 with Double/Twin Bunk and Twin Trundle, cable TV; access to deck with furnishings including table and chairs; simple access to pool and hot tub.Level 1: Bedroom #2 Oceanview with King bed, cable TV, private bath; Bedroom #3 Oceanview with Twin beds, cable TV, private bath; Bedroom #4 Oceanview with King bed, cable TV, private bath; Bedroom #5 with Queen bed, cable TV, private bath. Oceanview deck with furnishings including table and chairs.Level 2: Living area with ocean view and 42 inch cable TV; dining area; completely equipped kitchen with stove, oven, refrigerator, drink refrigerator, ice maker, 2 dishwashers, pantry area; laundry room with 2 washers and 2 dryers; Half bath; Bedroom #6 with king bed, cable TV, private bath; Oceanview deck with furnishings including table and chairs.Additional Conveniences: Elevator, WiFi, Intercom System, Water Treatment System, Wet Bar, Gas Grille, Gas Log Fireplace, Enclosed Outside Shower, Zoned Heating and Cooling for each Floor.Linens and Towels Supplied with Beds Made for Weekly stays.No Smoking.1 Dog Accepted with $100 + tax Pet Fee. It is the responsibility of pet owners to ensure that they clean up after their family pets (i.e., picking up waste from property grounds). Should the guest fail to do so, an additional fee of $100 will be charged to the credit card on file. Rents Weekly only Saturday - Saturday.THIS PROPERTY DOES NOT PARTICIPATE IN ANY INSTANT PROMOTIONS.Please Note:(1) Guests must pay in full when booking through Vacation Rental By Owner. The card included at the time of booking will be charged for the total. Guest will receive follow up communications including Management Company’s Vacation Rental Agreement for e-signature which is required for all stays.(2) Management Company reserves the right to deny stays less than 7 nights, if the arrival date is more than 30 days out from the booking date. Stays less than 7 nights, with an arrival date between mid-April to mid-October, are stringently prohibited unless approved by management.

  • Emerald Isle
  • 6 Bedrooms
  • 7 Bathrooms
  • Sleeps 12
Island Express Ferry Service

Island Express Ferry Service LLC is the only authorized concessionaire to drop off at Cape Lookout Lighthouse and Shackleford Banks! Offering departures from both Beaufort and nearby Harkers Island, Island Express Ferry Service serves as the link between the communities of the Crystal Coast and the spectacularly beautiful and isolated barrier islands of the Cape Lookout National Seashore. Accommodating passengers who want to explore the miles of pristine beaches, exceptional fishing and shelling, wild horses, and the Cape Lookout Lighthouse, Island Express Ferry Service serves as the gateway for one of the most unforgettable adventures along the North Carolina coast.

The 7 Best Beach Chairs 2025

You’ve made the drive, gathered the family, packed the cooler with lunches and drinks, and you’re heading out onto the sand on a bright Summer day. You unfold your beach chair and SNAP, it breaks, or bends, or the rotting fabric rips. It happens to the best of us. We’ve checked dozens of chair reviews and features. Here are our picks for best beach chair.

Sea La Vie Fishermen's Delight! New List...

4 BR, 3 1/2 BA, attractively decorated home with a comfortable Crystal Coast beachy vibe. Just 2 blocks down the street to the beach, or 2 blocks to the sound! Walk to Atlantic Beach Circle for eateries, shopping, & other entertainment. Parking for at least 6 cars in the carport/driveway area. There is space for a 16 ft boat & trailer to park on end lane of driveway. Fenced in side yard for family pets to appreciate, or grab some yard games from the "Fish Room" to play outside. Private outdoor shower, & just inside the home from the outdoor shower is a 1/2 bath & fish cleaning sink, a tackle/fishing pole, & beach equipment storage area. This area also has a huge ice machine & a enormous freezer so you can take home tons of fish! Boat marina closest by is Fort Macon Marina. Anchorage Marina is just down the road. *Ask about even more freezer room for fish storage.*Gourmet kitchen has a humongous island, granite countertops, handsome tile backsplash, stainless appliances, a wine cooler, tons of storage for snacks, is entirely outfitted for all your cooking needs, and has dining seats for 10! Unwind in the living room and catch a movie on the Intelligent TV. On middle floor/front door entrance level is the Master with a king size bed, and private Master bathroom with a walk-in tiled shower, walk-in closet, double vanity sinks, and a private water closet. 2nd bedroom on this floor is a full size bed, and 3rd bedroom has a bunk bed with a full size bed on bottom and a single on top. The bunk bed also has a pull-out single trundle bed underneath. The 2nd & 3rd bedrooms share a bathroom with a tub/shower combo and double vanity sink. The top floor has the 4th bedroom with a queen size bed, and ensuite bathroom has a single vanity sink and stand up shower. All bedrooms have a Intelligent TV. Top floor also homes the kitchen and living rooms, and another 1/2 bath. The elevator is inside the home, and stops on three floors; the bottom, middle, and top level.Animals are allowed. Dogs only, no more than 2 per stay. Pet fee is per pet. Please add 35.00 per nighttime pet fee at time of booking, or let the Property Manager know so she can add it. Property Manager will need to add second pet fee, so let her know after booking. Guests must be at least 25 years old to book this unit. Linens & bath towels are supplied. Please bring your own beach towels, beach equipment, and chairs. Beach umbrellas, beach chairs, and infant items may be rented locally if needed-ask the property manager for this so you can get them reserved now. (This unit does have some beach towels available for use-in a trunk in the hallway. There is a beach cart available to use to pull all beach stuff to the beach. Please clean after use).Saturday to Saturday units only during the prime summer season. Off season is more flexible, with 3 day minimum stays and flexible check in/out days. Check in: 5:00 pmCheck out: 9:30 amAll At Waves Edge guests pay a 55.00 damage protection fee at time of booking. This covers you up to 1500.00, ONLY IF GUESTS REPORT the DAMAGES BEFORE CHECK OUT to the PROPERTY MANAGER.The NC Aquarium at Pine Knoll Shores is close by, many magnificent eateries, shopping, and a well groomed golf course at The Country Club of the Crystal Coast. Explore historic Beaufort by the Sea for a day, and see the many artifacts from the Queen Anne's Revenge-Blackbeard the Pirate's infamous ship- at the Beaufort Maritime Museum. Book a deep sea fishing adventure, take an eco-tourism sailboat ride, or head by ferry to Cape Lookout Island and see the lighthouse! Don't forget about Fort Macon. Learn about the history of one of the most well-preserved forts in the United States, and see some beautiful vistas. Visit the Rachel Carson Nature Preserve, go scuba diving, parasailing, or do the Beaufort Waterbug Tour and learn about our Shackleford Ponies. The Big Rock Blue Marlin Fishing Tournament, the Seafood Festival, the Chocolate Festival, Chowder & Cheer Pub Crawl, and the Holiday Flotillas on the water are just some of our famed local events.

  • Atlantic Beach
  • 4 Bedrooms
  • 5 Bathrooms
  • Sleeps 10

Crystal Coast Sailing Excursions is a customized, private charter sailing experience to the pristine and beautiful Cape Lookout aboard the spacious 47-foot sailing yacht, Bravado. With a maximum of 6 guests, Captain Tony and crew will treat you to a relaxing and personalized experience on the water. Sailing along North Carolina’s Shackleford Banks to the Cape Lookout. Upon our arrival we’ll drop anchor for an afternoon of swimming, sun bathing, shelling, or walking along the pristine shoreline. For a different experience, you can visit the grounds of Cape Lookout Lighthouse. Before heading back, you’ll be treated to a gourmet lunch. On our return cruise, relax with a refreshing cocktail.

Sunfish • Fishing • Kayaks * Beachcats • Pedal Kayaks • Small Sailboats • SUPs • Surfboards • Gear • Advice • Friendly ServiceTrusty Watersports is a locally owned and operated kayak and sailboat shop. We offer sale and rental (delivery option available) of our extensive inventory, custom installs, guides and all the info you need to get out and enjoy the water.

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