Wow - what a L O N G day. Mileage wise it was very respectable at 58 miles but no record. Unfortunately we had an adverse current for more than 4 hours at the start that really held us back. Mostly less than 5 kts for 4 hours!! Now we had some 7+ later in the day for an average of 5.8kts but still a very long day - 10 hrs for 58 miles.
On the plus side we traversed several Sounds - ocean frontage - the St. Simons, Buttermilk, Alatamaha, Doboy, Sapelo, and St Catherines. That is a LOT of sounds in one day. You must remember that when you traverse a sound the tides are with you part of the way than against you part of the way.
The other really bad part today is we had to traverse a couple of the worse sections of Georgia waterway at LOW tide. Namely the Buttermilk, Altamaha, and Mud River. We only bounced once on the bottom and that was at R209 on Altamaha Sound. We traversed the mud River at near low tide and had 6 - 7 feet most of the way - very slowly. My plan was if we hit bottom - drop anchor - wait 1 hour then go on.
Our Canadian friends were 20 miles ahead of us this morning but are now only 6 miles ahead. They anchored in the narrow RedBird Creek where with the threat of thunderstorms I opted for the wider Kilkenny Creek.
We all have to traverse the infamous Hells Gate tomorrow. They are an hour closer but I should be there 2 hours before low tide - not ideal but should manage it.
The forecast6 is for strong thunderstorms tomorrow afternoon from an approaching cold front and I hope to be into Herb Creek near Thunderbolt GA by 1pm. Hopefully before they start and well protected. Unfortunately the Canadian contingent want to head further on - but I am the captain of this boat.
Time for a late dinner and an early bedtime - we need to leave at first light tomorrow to make Hells Gate as early as possible.
It's Charleston or BUST by the weekend!!@
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