We are pleasure Boaters

And don't you forget it.

We left South River around 7am and tried the river. It was okay but the wind was already a steady 15 from the SW. The forecast was for small craft advisory at 1pm on the Pamlico and that would be before we arrived at Ocracoke. On the Neuse they were calling for 10 - 15 with occasional gusts to 25 then 30 in the afternoon. It was supposed to hit 98 degrees for the high today.

We decided to go back to our marina to plug in. Good choice. Soon we had 17 - 20 knots and a long fetch was building waves to 2 feet with occasional 3 - 4 feet and all was on the nose -- naturally. We could not put any sail out to steady the ride. We just slogged on to the Ferry Crossing then turned up river. The wind laid down and waves dropped to 1 - 2 feet. Nice ride back to the marina but slow. As we approached the marina we had occasional gusts to 25.

We turned into the marina basin and the wind died until we docked -- got lucky there!

We tied up, cooled off, then washed the salt spray from the boat. It was hot but a nice 75 in the AC below.

Friday we hit the grocery and tried to decide what to do next. The really bad weather never materialized but more was forecast for Saturday. Sunday on looks better so we decided to putter on the boat at the marina and head for Cape Lookout Sunday morning.

Today I installed a new check valve on the fresh water system but still have a problem where the pump seems to lose it's prime when on the forward tank. Aaaack!

I then tried to tighten the kitchen faucet since it leaks under the handle. That didn't work so I disassembled the faucet and found the cartridge inside broken -- sealing spring had sprung. I tried Mitchell's hardware for a replacement but they did not have any. I checked online at the Lowes here and it said all were out of stock. I drove to Lowes and they had plenty. I picked one up and repaired the faucet and it is fine now.

Just going to fool around a bit tonight then get ready to leave for Lookout in the morning.

Ohhh no bad weather has hit us this weekend with some days listed as 100% precipitation -- what are you going to do.

That too windy!

We spent another day here at South River. The wind was up with occassional gusts to 25+ so it was too windy for us pleasure boaters. maybe tomorrow..

The wind did lay down in the afternoon and it got hot. We luckily put up the tarp we brought -- I added it at the last minute. That keeps the hull temperature down so the boat will cool quicker after sunset.

Not much going on today -- just a lot of relaxing, cleaning the hatch ports, and I dove on the boat checking zincs and prop -- all looked fine. I took a swim later in the afternoon just to cool off, unfortunately the water is still very murky here. The water temp is 75 degrees but it felt COLD to me, but it was good also. We kind of felt like we were cruising again. Depending on the weather tomorrow we will either go on to Ocracoke Island or back to the marina -- forecast is a heat index of 105 here tomorrow. However the high in Ocracoke is only 84 tomorrow -- ahh the island effect.

So we have to make an early departure tomorrow because the wind is supposed to really get strong tomorrow afternoon. If we leave around 6am we can be in Ocracoke between noon and 1pm, otherwise it's back to North West Creek marina and plug the AC in.

Cape Lookout is out until at earliest Monday. Just can't get the breaks this month but we are working with it.

A Blowy day

I couldn't sleep last night very well on my newly upholstered couch cushions. When I reupholstered this winter I thought firmer would be better -- not for my back!! I guess I might have to replace the cushion with a softer insert -- no biggie since they are zippered in.

We left around 9am in mild conditions and motored towards Souh River -- about 12 nm. The first part was fine but then the wind picked up to 15 - 20 and it got a little rolly. Once I turned at Garbacon Shoal marker we could put some sail out and that smoothed the ride and our speed went from 6.4 to 7.2 knots.

We had an easy and uneventful entry to South river and then searched for a spot on the south side to anchor to minimize any wind fetch. Wind is supposed to pickup to 20 - 25 later today and tonight.

Found a nice spot nearly across from Lukens Cementary and it has worked for us all afternoon. We had several gusts in the 25 -30 knot range but no problem.

Around 3 pm 2 other sailboats came in and you guessed it -- probably 20 miles of coast line here and they anchored just south of us. Not too close but interesting.

We had a nice relaxed afternoon and a fine dinner tonight. Wind is still up and the wind generator is cranking out a lot of amps -- good deal.
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Plan is to head to Ocracoke in the morning if the wind lays down by 10am otherwise -- we will do something else.

Gosh it is beautiful here. Very few homes have been built along the shore line and it looks GREAT!! Ohh and we even had some dolphins come in and romp around the boat this evening.

Looking forward to another HUGE nearly full moon tonight. What a way to start the summer.

Third time is a charm

Finally we started our "early summer cruise.

We left the marina this morning and had a nice run to Clubfoot Creek and anchored just off the Matthews Point marina entrance. After a nice simple lunch we took the dinghy to the marina and visited with Dale and Cory on Hiflite and Buck and Vickie on Victoria Gaye. Then back to Temptation to enjoy a fine breeze coming down the creek.

Late afternoon a pair of sailboats came in. One had 4 guys on board and the other smaller boat had 5 girls on it. It wasn't long and all wherein the water in a giant hug fest. Ahhh to be young again and with a boat.

The forecast is difficult. Balancing travel days with days at destination - either Ocracoke or Cape Lookout. Will check the forecast later and tomorrow will be either South River to stage for Ocracoke or a long days run to Lookout.

Looking forward to a nice breezy night on the hook here in Clubfoot Creek.

Hey welcome the first day of summer and a Full Strawberry moon tonight. Just came up. YaHoo