TORTURE!!

Ohhh it was a long anxious run today 51.7 nm to be exact. We wanted to make near Beaufort, SC to anchor for the night. First choice was Brickyard Creek. There is a strong cold front coming with lots of wind but no rain. We needed protection and want to be in before the winds build.

We left early 7:30am to hit most of the trouble spots near high tide. That plan worked fine till we approached the Ashapoo Coosaw Cutoff for the Coosaw River. It was then 3 hours past high tide and the boats ahead were claiming anything from 10 feet to 4.5 feet near the entrance G177. We found 8 foot minimum when we went through. Then all hell broke loose. Half way through the cut at the narrowest point we encounter two north bound barges.. There was one boat in front me – we both slowed down and stopped to let the barges pass through. Then 3 idiots in power boats move in on my starboard side and block my ability to head that direction to get away from the barges. What butt heads!! Fortunately nothing bad happened but it was close

This cut would have been a real problem at low tide. Had low water when we came out too – 7 foot near G185.

Then on to the Coosaw River. Conditions were still mild at 10 – 12 kts SW. After about 4 miles the wind clocked to WNW and built to 17 – 22 with lots of white caps. Fortunately wind and current were together so no big waves built. However, current and wind against us had the SOG down to only 3.7 kts. Ohhh it was torture to move so slow. We just pressed on and only took one wave with spray on the dodger. In fact most of the trip was with current against us so it was a slow travel day. The price you have to pay when running the better part of the day around HIGH tide.

When we got to Brickyard Creek it was near low tide. It didn’t look too protected and was going to be very tricky to enter. I’ve never anchored here or Factory Creek before.
We pushed on to Factory Creek. Don’t believe the tale of a deep water channel at the entry – we found only 6 feet for awhile. It’s low tide now.

We went pretty deep to find a spot to swing on one anchor. Even then my closest approach to a docked sport fisher is only 75 feet but hey might as well be a mile huh??? No it will be a restless night tonight.

With the high winds predicted till late tomorrow we will just stay put here (I hope), then move in and anchor on the Beaufort waterfront in mild conditions on Wednesday. Well it’s a plan at least.