The new fresh water pump actually crapped out entirely last night. I tried to reinstall the old pump but one fitting leaked terribly. After a couple of attempts at reseating it I pulled it all apart and found that the QUEST nipple was missing. Obviously fell off and now lost in the bilge -- damn. We borrowed the courtesy car and went to Williams Hardware in Morehead City for a replacement – Great hardware store. Back on the boot the new part fixed the leak but the damn water system worked just as crappy as it has on this whole trip – Grrrrr.
We left the dock around 10 am -- not quite as graceful as my other departures but didn’t scratch anything and recovered nicely. Just as I was running down the channel from the yacht Basin the Fertilizer barge and tug showed up directly in front of me. We held our position until they docked.
We had a nice run up the ICW with a bit of adverse current and the Alternator worked this morning – go figure.
It was a nice easy run up to the Neuse and no wind on the Neuse. We had to motor all the way which was okay since that is what Temptation did best on this trip.
We eased her into the old slip number 42 and she seemed real happy. All kinds of things that were giving us fits were working on arrival – all but that damn fresh water system!!
As with all trips the feelings are bitter sweet on ending the journey. It’s good to be home but I miss the adventure of the travel. I just feel more alive when cruising.
Time to do a little maintenance and Temptation will be ready for the great fall season here on the Neuse.
More logs coming as we adventure on Temptation..
Tuesday, September 4, 2007
August 23, 2007 Outside to Beaufort, NC
Listening to the weather forecast this morning 6 – 8 knots NE and reviewing the shallow areas on the ICW even before the first bridge after leaving Wrightsville, I decided to go offshore. We left about 6:45am and headed out the Masonboro Inlet. Things looked pretty good except the wind was 10 NE instead of less.
Shortly after clearing the Sea Buoy I noticed the alternator is not putting out a charging voltage – volts on batts was 12.10 - Damn!! Should we turn back?? NO – I turned on the wind generator and it was keeping up and actually charging the batteries. I shut down the PC and Inverter.
The sea was not uncomfortable but the 10 – 15 knots NE was building waves which slowed us down to about 5 knots SOG. It’s going to be a long run today!! It was – it took 13 and ½ hours to make the Morehead City yacht basin. We made the marina right at 8pm just as it got dark. The fuel dock was empty so we made an easy landing there with no assist.
We cleaned up quickly and went to the sanitary restaurant for dinner. Because of the active motion of the boat today we both felt the floor and table moving on us. It was really a rocky ride up outside by traveling through head seas all day.
Ohhh a bit of luck on the decision this morning. Around 2pm we heard a ‘Securite’ on the radio announcing the closing of the Onslow Beach Swing bridge indefinitely for repairs. That is about the time we would have been advancing on it.. It was a good decision today to go offshore.
Sleeping was bliss tonight tied up to the dock with AC running again.
Shortly after clearing the Sea Buoy I noticed the alternator is not putting out a charging voltage – volts on batts was 12.10 - Damn!! Should we turn back?? NO – I turned on the wind generator and it was keeping up and actually charging the batteries. I shut down the PC and Inverter.
The sea was not uncomfortable but the 10 – 15 knots NE was building waves which slowed us down to about 5 knots SOG. It’s going to be a long run today!! It was – it took 13 and ½ hours to make the Morehead City yacht basin. We made the marina right at 8pm just as it got dark. The fuel dock was empty so we made an easy landing there with no assist.
We cleaned up quickly and went to the sanitary restaurant for dinner. Because of the active motion of the boat today we both felt the floor and table moving on us. It was really a rocky ride up outside by traveling through head seas all day.
Ohhh a bit of luck on the decision this morning. Around 2pm we heard a ‘Securite’ on the radio announcing the closing of the Onslow Beach Swing bridge indefinitely for repairs. That is about the time we would have been advancing on it.. It was a good decision today to go offshore.
Sleeping was bliss tonight tied up to the dock with AC running again.
August 22, 2007 DESTINATION: Wrightsville Beach, NC
We were up early and left by 7am for Wrightsville Beach, NC We knew we would have to fight the current up the Cape Fear River.
The trip up the Cape Fear river was the mildest one I have ever experienced. The entrance to Snow’s Cut was tricky and inattention on my part resulted in another “bump”. We encountered other shallow spots around Carolina Beach Inlet but made Wrightsville before lunch. We anchored with a little difficulty – had to draw back further than expected but it did grab.
We made a beer run to Robert’s Grocery – 2 cases then had lunch at the Sunset Grille. It was interesting – there 4 business people all talking about taking over a particular business and then consolidating offices and locations to save money – which would have resulted in lost jobs. Kind of scary to see how life altering decisions for the affected people are so casually made over an informal luncheon.
Now back to the fun world of cruising we made another provisioning run to Robert’s for some food then back to Temptation for a nice swim.
I changed the diesel filter on the generator. No debris found in the old filter but because it was installed too tight it was destroyed in the removal. The filter pump would not suck fuel from the tank so I changed the fuel line to the tank. It was hot work and I had to lay on the floor to reach the tank fitting. Then the hose clamps would not fit the new hose and I had to make a run to marina for more hose clamps. I left a big pool of sweat on the floor!! Even after all this the pump would not pull fuel from the tank!! Another night on the hook with no AC – whaaaaa.
We had a nice dinner at Neptune’s restaurant and a fine walk on the beach. It was a great night on anchor and tied to decide whether to do the ICW and the shallow areas or run up outside tomorrow. Decisions decisions – looks like ICW tomorrow.
The trip up the Cape Fear river was the mildest one I have ever experienced. The entrance to Snow’s Cut was tricky and inattention on my part resulted in another “bump”. We encountered other shallow spots around Carolina Beach Inlet but made Wrightsville before lunch. We anchored with a little difficulty – had to draw back further than expected but it did grab.
We made a beer run to Robert’s Grocery – 2 cases then had lunch at the Sunset Grille. It was interesting – there 4 business people all talking about taking over a particular business and then consolidating offices and locations to save money – which would have resulted in lost jobs. Kind of scary to see how life altering decisions for the affected people are so casually made over an informal luncheon.
Now back to the fun world of cruising we made another provisioning run to Robert’s for some food then back to Temptation for a nice swim.
I changed the diesel filter on the generator. No debris found in the old filter but because it was installed too tight it was destroyed in the removal. The filter pump would not suck fuel from the tank so I changed the fuel line to the tank. It was hot work and I had to lay on the floor to reach the tank fitting. Then the hose clamps would not fit the new hose and I had to make a run to marina for more hose clamps. I left a big pool of sweat on the floor!! Even after all this the pump would not pull fuel from the tank!! Another night on the hook with no AC – whaaaaa.
We had a nice dinner at Neptune’s restaurant and a fine walk on the beach. It was a great night on anchor and tied to decide whether to do the ICW and the shallow areas or run up outside tomorrow. Decisions decisions – looks like ICW tomorrow.
August 21, 2007 DESTINATION: Pipeline Canal in North Carolina -- getting close now
We had a long day planned today. Some nearly 60 miles and the Sunset Beach Pontoon bridge. The trip through Myrtle beach was just long and uneventful. We arrived at the Pontoon Bridge just after 12 noon and had to wait 50 minutes till 1 pm andit still opened 5 minutes late.
The shore and water really started looking like our home waters now. The radio chatter and weather info was all familiar now – getting close to home now.
We pushed long and hard today so we would have a short run into Wrightsville Beach tomorrow. We entered Pipeline Canal just before low tide – damn it was shallow – right around 6 foot for the most part. It took awhile to find a spot to anchor that would not have Temptation aground at low tide. It took awhile for the anchor to bite too. There is a boat ramp here and the boat traffic was annoying until dark. Looking back now I don’t think I’ll recommend this place in the future. Skipper Bob has some alternatives nearby here.
During the night we heard storms advancing on us but no direct hit – just a little rain. Good thing – I was leery of the holding here now.
It was moderately buggy here so it was another hot night in the berth.
The shore and water really started looking like our home waters now. The radio chatter and weather info was all familiar now – getting close to home now.
We pushed long and hard today so we would have a short run into Wrightsville Beach tomorrow. We entered Pipeline Canal just before low tide – damn it was shallow – right around 6 foot for the most part. It took awhile to find a spot to anchor that would not have Temptation aground at low tide. It took awhile for the anchor to bite too. There is a boat ramp here and the boat traffic was annoying until dark. Looking back now I don’t think I’ll recommend this place in the future. Skipper Bob has some alternatives nearby here.
During the night we heard storms advancing on us but no direct hit – just a little rain. Good thing – I was leery of the holding here now.
It was moderately buggy here so it was another hot night in the berth.
August 20, 2007 Day Trippin in Georgetown and anchoring on the Waccamaw
We were up early and had a nice easy run to the Georgetown waterfront.. I put a lunch hook down just so we could go into town for a few hours. Conditions were mild and I didn’t set the anchor too hard -- poor holding here. We were on the streets of Georgetown before 10am. We walked about a bit, visited a fine book store and I bought a book – a cook book. Buck took off for a quick walking tour of the town and I went in quest for some gas for the dinghy and check on the boat, We met up around 10:45am and watched a little alligator work his way up a drain pipe. A little after 11am we found a restaurant and had a nice early lunch. It was a fine lunch but they wouldn’t let us leave. Their charge card processor was down and we had of wait for it to come up – a good 20+ minutes!! It was a rush visit but we still enjoyed the town.
We left the anchorage around 1:30pm and started up the Waccamaw River. There were some really large fish jumping way out of the water ahead of us. I tried to get some video of it but they stopped when I started the camera. It was a beautiful and comfortable ride up the river. We anchored just off the river in an OXBOW area just before you leave the river and enter the populated areas before Myrtle Beach. This anchorage was actually the best. It was pretty, comfortable, and bug FREE. That was really unexpected. We had a nice swim here too just before dinner.
We cooked dinner on the grill and relaxed in the cockpit till well after dark. Being bug free I tried to sleep in the cockpit but the cushion was just too uncomfortable for a long rest. I went below and sweltered in front of my partially defunct cabin fan – it would turn slowly for a while then stop Grrrrr. Overall it was a pleasant night in this little anchorage.
We left the anchorage around 1:30pm and started up the Waccamaw River. There were some really large fish jumping way out of the water ahead of us. I tried to get some video of it but they stopped when I started the camera. It was a beautiful and comfortable ride up the river. We anchored just off the river in an OXBOW area just before you leave the river and enter the populated areas before Myrtle Beach. This anchorage was actually the best. It was pretty, comfortable, and bug FREE. That was really unexpected. We had a nice swim here too just before dinner.
We cooked dinner on the grill and relaxed in the cockpit till well after dark. Being bug free I tried to sleep in the cockpit but the cushion was just too uncomfortable for a long rest. I went below and sweltered in front of my partially defunct cabin fan – it would turn slowly for a while then stop Grrrrr. Overall it was a pleasant night in this little anchorage.
August 19, 2007 DESTINATION: Minim Creek to anchor
Buck made his way to the boat early this morning. We all – minus Kourtney and Stephen – had a fine leisurely breakfast at the Marina Restaurant. They excel at breakfast at this place. We had taken everything Karen and Andy would need to the truck before entering the restaurant to avoid another long walk back to the boat.
After breakfast we said our goodbyes and Karen and Andy left to pickup Kourtney and Stephen for the long trip home. We would miss Kourtney as crew.
Buck and I made it back to the boat just as a very big catamaran came and crash-landed – ouch -- on the dock directly in front of me. Ohhh man. No boat in front of me all weekend and now this just minutes before leaving!! Fortunately with the help of the current I was able to easily navigate away from the dock and around his WIDE boat.
We had a nice run across the harbour. Not much wind or wave action this morning. We had to hold up before crossing the centerline of the harbour as a large container ship was making its way to sea.
We got caught at the first Swing bridge as you leave Charleston which only opens on the hour – had to wait 50 minutes for it to open!! We then had just a long run up to Minim creek with lots of small boat traffic today. We anchored easily and then – disaster!! Well not quite that bad. I started the generator and it ran for about 2 minutes than wilted and died. It would not restart. Arggggh. I tried bleeding it under these hot conditions but no luck. Ohhh it was a hot night and the buggiest anchorage we have been in this entire trip. Could not stay up in the cockpit. During the night I stuck my head out the companion way a couple of times and was completely engulfed in a cloud of mosquitoes – I didn’t do that a third time.
It was a long hot night – my cabin fan died entirely – and I was bothered that the generator would not run. That and the fresh water system was still acting up Grrrrr. Probably the low point of the trip tonight.
After breakfast we said our goodbyes and Karen and Andy left to pickup Kourtney and Stephen for the long trip home. We would miss Kourtney as crew.
Buck and I made it back to the boat just as a very big catamaran came and crash-landed – ouch -- on the dock directly in front of me. Ohhh man. No boat in front of me all weekend and now this just minutes before leaving!! Fortunately with the help of the current I was able to easily navigate away from the dock and around his WIDE boat.
We had a nice run across the harbour. Not much wind or wave action this morning. We had to hold up before crossing the centerline of the harbour as a large container ship was making its way to sea.
We got caught at the first Swing bridge as you leave Charleston which only opens on the hour – had to wait 50 minutes for it to open!! We then had just a long run up to Minim creek with lots of small boat traffic today. We anchored easily and then – disaster!! Well not quite that bad. I started the generator and it ran for about 2 minutes than wilted and died. It would not restart. Arggggh. I tried bleeding it under these hot conditions but no luck. Ohhh it was a hot night and the buggiest anchorage we have been in this entire trip. Could not stay up in the cockpit. During the night I stuck my head out the companion way a couple of times and was completely engulfed in a cloud of mosquitoes – I didn’t do that a third time.
It was a long hot night – my cabin fan died entirely – and I was bothered that the generator would not run. That and the fresh water system was still acting up Grrrrr. Probably the low point of the trip tonight.
August 18, 2007 Family Reunion in Charleston
The family will arrive today and will return home tomorrow with Kourtney. What a shame – such great crew but school beckons her.
I was up early and planned the installation of the SSB. Buck took off early to explore the town by foot before the heat of the day and Kourtney finished the laundry – got to have clean sheets and towels for the Momma.
I took about 3 hours and temporarily installed the SSB – worked great but all the antenna wires were exposed – run across the floor under a rug and out the hatch and over the aft deck to the backstay.
I hen installed the spare water pump for the fresh water system. It did not work well at all. Just ran continuously and would build no pressure. We later found the accumulator bladder flat so we added some air with a found foot pump and the system would at least cycle after that.
We had lunch on board. Karen, Stephen, and Andy made a slow trip to the boat arriving about 2pm. Buck had made arrangements for a motel room for the night. The motion on the boat was lively when they arrived. What with the wind driven waves and the Saturday afternoon boat traffic. Stephen arrived feeling worn and ill before even stepping on the boat. His condition worsened immediately. He got real pale!! He and Kourtney then decided to get a motel room for the night – oh what a mess this was turning into.
When we decided to head for dinner we had to go to 2 motels to gather everyone up – that was about 45 minutes but else did we have to do tonight. We decided on a restaurant in downtown Charleston and I made a reservation while we were driving. When we got there we did not like the looks of it so we drove on. We ended up at the Brewery and smoke house. Fortunately they took us right away. Dinner was quite pleasant.
Afterwards we delivered everyone back to their respective motels and we returned to the boat arriving around 10 pm – whipped we all went to bed soon after that.
It was actually a very productive day.
I was up early and planned the installation of the SSB. Buck took off early to explore the town by foot before the heat of the day and Kourtney finished the laundry – got to have clean sheets and towels for the Momma.
I took about 3 hours and temporarily installed the SSB – worked great but all the antenna wires were exposed – run across the floor under a rug and out the hatch and over the aft deck to the backstay.
I hen installed the spare water pump for the fresh water system. It did not work well at all. Just ran continuously and would build no pressure. We later found the accumulator bladder flat so we added some air with a found foot pump and the system would at least cycle after that.
We had lunch on board. Karen, Stephen, and Andy made a slow trip to the boat arriving about 2pm. Buck had made arrangements for a motel room for the night. The motion on the boat was lively when they arrived. What with the wind driven waves and the Saturday afternoon boat traffic. Stephen arrived feeling worn and ill before even stepping on the boat. His condition worsened immediately. He got real pale!! He and Kourtney then decided to get a motel room for the night – oh what a mess this was turning into.
When we decided to head for dinner we had to go to 2 motels to gather everyone up – that was about 45 minutes but else did we have to do tonight. We decided on a restaurant in downtown Charleston and I made a reservation while we were driving. When we got there we did not like the looks of it so we drove on. We ended up at the Brewery and smoke house. Fortunately they took us right away. Dinner was quite pleasant.
Afterwards we delivered everyone back to their respective motels and we returned to the boat arriving around 10 pm – whipped we all went to bed soon after that.
It was actually a very productive day.
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