Before leaving Cedar Creek this morning -- I was delayed by FOG anyway -- I checked over the engine and found antifreeze in the catch pan below the engine. The source is the shaft of the fresh water pump.
Well I could probably go on but it will only get worse and then I'll be at the mercy of the marina wherever I have to stop at or be towed to. I elected to return to my marina and order the parts and install.
Well Yanmar dealers are fat cats!! I called one national distributor and they were closed at 3:15pm on a Friday afternoon. I found a local dealer but he said he would have to get back to me on Monday.
Nothing else will happen quickly around here right now. This must be the height of the fall migration. The marine radio is full of calls for tows and slips at the various marinas around here. Lots of money being spent in this area right now.
The weather was still perfect so I had a nice ride back to the marina and an easy arrival with no dock lines still attached. I was thankful for that.
Tomorrow I'll remove the pump and make sure I have an accurate inventory of what else I'll need in addition to the pump assembly like hoses, gaskets, etc. I like that word etc.
Friday, October 23, 2015
Thursday, October 22, 2015
1ST day of another cruise to the Bahamas
Yep we are a GO for another season in the Bahamas. I left North West Creek this morning and headed south -- actually I only went about 10 miles then pulled into Wayfarer's Cove Marina and Boatyard to have the boat hauled for about an hour. I messed up the adjustment on my adjustable prop this summer and need to change it for this trip. As it was I was only doing 6.0 - 6.2 kts at 2400 RPM but now I'm doing 6.6kts at 2300 with plenty of room to go faster if needed.
Once that was done I went to Cedar Creek to anchor. I called it a day about 1:30pm today.
I left at 7:45am for a 9:30am appointment at Wayfarers for the haulout. The water was really shallow getting in this morning. I used to draw 5'3" but with the boat fully provisioned and all tanks full of water, diesel, and gas I now draw about 5'7" -- I know because I bumped going into the marina when the depth reached 5'7".
I was whipped after dealing with the shallow water anxiety, the narrow marina, and racing to get the prop disassembled, adjusted, and back on in 30 minutes. The marina had them lined up for the travel lift today
Well not much else. Spent the afternoon stowing more stuff and checking equipment. Tomorrow should be either a short day to Spooners Creek or a long day to Mile Hammock bay -- just depends on what kind of current I have and when I reach Spooners Creek.
We were not planning to go this season but circumstances changed over the summer and we could either stay home and vegetate like typical retired seniors or go on another adventure to the Bahamas. Short decision there. The coldest day we saw in the Abacos last winter was 57 degrees an it warmed to 70 degrees. Not that I'm bragging.
Once that was done I went to Cedar Creek to anchor. I called it a day about 1:30pm today.
I left at 7:45am for a 9:30am appointment at Wayfarers for the haulout. The water was really shallow getting in this morning. I used to draw 5'3" but with the boat fully provisioned and all tanks full of water, diesel, and gas I now draw about 5'7" -- I know because I bumped going into the marina when the depth reached 5'7".
I was whipped after dealing with the shallow water anxiety, the narrow marina, and racing to get the prop disassembled, adjusted, and back on in 30 minutes. The marina had them lined up for the travel lift today
Well not much else. Spent the afternoon stowing more stuff and checking equipment. Tomorrow should be either a short day to Spooners Creek or a long day to Mile Hammock bay -- just depends on what kind of current I have and when I reach Spooners Creek.
We were not planning to go this season but circumstances changed over the summer and we could either stay home and vegetate like typical retired seniors or go on another adventure to the Bahamas. Short decision there. The coldest day we saw in the Abacos last winter was 57 degrees an it warmed to 70 degrees. Not that I'm bragging.
Monday, May 18, 2015
Back Home Today
We made it back to our home port of Northwest Creek Marina early this afternoon. This ends our Bahamas Cruise of 2014/15 -- 7 months and 5 days.
We have had a great two day run these last 2 days. From Wrightsville to Mile Hammock and we had a favorable -- very favorable tide with us all the way. We did the trip in only 6 hours and were the first ones into Mile Hammock so we had total anchoring rights -- naturally I anchored right smack in the middle.. The bridges opened with little delay and we just moved along. The only rough spot was the New River Inlet. We were going to hit it about 1 hour before low tide. The charts were showing 1 foot below datu!! New moon affect. The Active captain said only 4 feet at low water. I thought we would have to anchor and wait for the tide change and a rise of 2 feet or about a 4 hour delay. There were 2 trawlers ahead of us -- both passed me earlier -- so I hailed one and asked that he mark the depths for me as he went through. He said the lowest he saw was 7 feet and we were about 20 minutes behind him. When we "crawled through" -- better to hit bottom at a slow speed -- I stayed about 60 feet away from the red marks -- favoring the green side -- and saw nothing less than 8.9 feet. We made it through. Spent a nice comfortable afternoon in Mile Hammock and only 4 other boats joined us.
Yesterday we left at 6:15 am to catch the camp Lejuene swing bridge and run Browns Inlet with its legendary "S-Curve through the marks". We made it okay but the current was tough and tried to sweep us into the shallows. After that it was another fast run to Morehead City where we decided to go to the Morehead City Yacht Basin and tie up for the day. The current was going to be against us up Adams Creek and we wanted to celebrate.
We enjoyed an Art Festival and boat show on the Morehead City Waterfront -- took luxuriating showers at the lounge, and had a fine dinner at Floyd's Restaurant.
Today we left about 6:30am to catch a favorable current up Adams Creek and boy did we. It was 6.8 - 7.2 kts all the way to the Neuse. Then we slowed down to 6.2kts because 15 kts of wind on the nose to the Ferry Crossing then 6.4 all the way to NWCM. Got in at NOON.. Nice run!
It has been a great cruise this year and I'm ready to go again.. Well after repairs are done to the boat. Nothing too major but it all takes time and I heard that neither my truck or tractor will start at home so work is cut out for me.
We will stay here at the Marina until Thursday when we can get a ride home via Matthew!! Time to start cleaning the boat and packing to leave.
NOTE -- winter clothes have been packed since DECEMBER -- eat your hearts out.
We have had a great two day run these last 2 days. From Wrightsville to Mile Hammock and we had a favorable -- very favorable tide with us all the way. We did the trip in only 6 hours and were the first ones into Mile Hammock so we had total anchoring rights -- naturally I anchored right smack in the middle.. The bridges opened with little delay and we just moved along. The only rough spot was the New River Inlet. We were going to hit it about 1 hour before low tide. The charts were showing 1 foot below datu!! New moon affect. The Active captain said only 4 feet at low water. I thought we would have to anchor and wait for the tide change and a rise of 2 feet or about a 4 hour delay. There were 2 trawlers ahead of us -- both passed me earlier -- so I hailed one and asked that he mark the depths for me as he went through. He said the lowest he saw was 7 feet and we were about 20 minutes behind him. When we "crawled through" -- better to hit bottom at a slow speed -- I stayed about 60 feet away from the red marks -- favoring the green side -- and saw nothing less than 8.9 feet. We made it through. Spent a nice comfortable afternoon in Mile Hammock and only 4 other boats joined us.
Yesterday we left at 6:15 am to catch the camp Lejuene swing bridge and run Browns Inlet with its legendary "S-Curve through the marks". We made it okay but the current was tough and tried to sweep us into the shallows. After that it was another fast run to Morehead City where we decided to go to the Morehead City Yacht Basin and tie up for the day. The current was going to be against us up Adams Creek and we wanted to celebrate.
We enjoyed an Art Festival and boat show on the Morehead City Waterfront -- took luxuriating showers at the lounge, and had a fine dinner at Floyd's Restaurant.
Today we left about 6:30am to catch a favorable current up Adams Creek and boy did we. It was 6.8 - 7.2 kts all the way to the Neuse. Then we slowed down to 6.2kts because 15 kts of wind on the nose to the Ferry Crossing then 6.4 all the way to NWCM. Got in at NOON.. Nice run!
It has been a great cruise this year and I'm ready to go again.. Well after repairs are done to the boat. Nothing too major but it all takes time and I heard that neither my truck or tractor will start at home so work is cut out for me.
We will stay here at the Marina until Thursday when we can get a ride home via Matthew!! Time to start cleaning the boat and packing to leave.
NOTE -- winter clothes have been packed since DECEMBER -- eat your hearts out.
Saturday, May 16, 2015
Cape Fear River -- How I Loathe Thee
The Cape Fear area has smitten me again..
I've made I think 5 trips along the Cape Fear River thus 10 legs. Of those 10 legs only 2 can be called enjoyable.
We had a great run on Wednesday from Osprey MArina to Pipeline Canal near Southport, NC. We had the current with us most of the day. A great feeling after that SLOW passage from Georgetown to OSprey the day before. We left Osprey early and had the hook down in Pipeline just 6 hours later. It was nice there in spite of the small boat traffic to the public launch ramp. The evening was fine and settled and we got off before 6:30am the following day to run the Cape FEar. Forecast was for wind 10 - 15NE and 2 hours of a favorable current. NOT! As we approached the Cape FEar near Southport we felt the wind gusts. We entered the Cape FEar and had 20-25 kts of wind on the nose and the current had already changed. We were doing about 4.2kts and taking spray over the bow. I put up with that for about 10 minutes then turned around and went back to Pipeline Canal to wait for the current to change and the wind to lie down. Low tide was about 11:15am so we waited to nearly 1pm to leave on the rising tide with about 2 feet of tide up. The Canal looked fine with 8 - 10 feet of water. I expected no problem leaving the shallow mouth when suddenly we hit hard on I suspect the submerged dam which should have had 2 feet of water over it. Man we were stuck. We tried to power forward and back to no avail. Seatow went by with grins on their face -- I suspect they were awaiting an assistance call. I put out some sail but could not move the rudder. Why was it stuck!! I horsed it and then set the autopilot and we both went to the bow of the boat to take pressured off the rudder. We had some passing boat wake and then after 10 m minutes we got off. However -- the autopilot would no longer lock down.. Damn.. Something must have stripped in it.
I checked the bilge and it was dry. I checked the bilge cycle counter than rechecked several times and it had not run. Fortunately we were not taking on water. We finally entered the Cape Fear River with the wind blowing 15 - 20kts and some robust waves but our speed over ground was 6.8 kts with the current. We sailed on and arrived tired and broken in Wrightsville around 5:30pm. Man it was packed but we found a nice anchor spot.
Friday we just stayed put and relaxed some. I checked over the steering gear and the Autopilot. The linear drive was definitely free wheeling now. It will have to be disassembled to determine the extend of the damage. Damn...
We enjoyed Wrightsville and walked the beach. It was crowded for a Friday afternoon with mostly 20 something students. A far cry for all the old folks we have been rubbing elbows with these last 7 months.
I bought some fresh shrimp from Motts Sea Food and had a great snack.
This morning we left early like 6:20am to make the Wrightsville BEach Bascule bridge and catch the current to Figure Eight Island Bridge. Boy that worked nicely. The Wrightsville open on demand and we hit the Figure Eight with only 10 minutes to kill. We then had the current with us all day probably averaging 7kts over ground. We hit the Surf City bridge with 25 minutes to kill but a barge came along and they opened early. Then on to mile Hammock Bay but we were going to cross the NEw River Inlet near Low Tide -- not good. Especially since we were having a spring tide due to New Moon and the tide was going to be nearly a foot under the Mean Lower Low Water. We arrived about 1 hour before low tide. Two trawlers had gone through about 20 minutes before us and I called them to see what they had seen. They saw the shallowest was 7 feet. I thought about stopping at the Swan Point Marin but it looked really run down. We ran the Inlet. And to my surprise by staying about 60 - 80 feet to the green side of the red can buoys I saw nothing less that 8.9 feet.
We entered Mile Hammock Bay early like 12 noon but that was due to the favorable current and hitting the bridges just right.
We are the first boat in the anchorage today and will enjoy this. Tomorrow we leave about high tide and will run the troublesome Browns Inlet with nearly high tide water -- hope it is enough.
As a note -- I wanted to dive on the keel of the boat at Wrightsville but the water was too opaque to make it worth while. Since we are not taking on water it will hold to we haul the boat in a couple of weeks.
Tomorrow we hope to make Cedar Creek Anchorage and Northwest Creek Marina -- home port -- Monday morning.
Wish us luck.
I've made I think 5 trips along the Cape Fear River thus 10 legs. Of those 10 legs only 2 can be called enjoyable.
We had a great run on Wednesday from Osprey MArina to Pipeline Canal near Southport, NC. We had the current with us most of the day. A great feeling after that SLOW passage from Georgetown to OSprey the day before. We left Osprey early and had the hook down in Pipeline just 6 hours later. It was nice there in spite of the small boat traffic to the public launch ramp. The evening was fine and settled and we got off before 6:30am the following day to run the Cape FEar. Forecast was for wind 10 - 15NE and 2 hours of a favorable current. NOT! As we approached the Cape FEar near Southport we felt the wind gusts. We entered the Cape FEar and had 20-25 kts of wind on the nose and the current had already changed. We were doing about 4.2kts and taking spray over the bow. I put up with that for about 10 minutes then turned around and went back to Pipeline Canal to wait for the current to change and the wind to lie down. Low tide was about 11:15am so we waited to nearly 1pm to leave on the rising tide with about 2 feet of tide up. The Canal looked fine with 8 - 10 feet of water. I expected no problem leaving the shallow mouth when suddenly we hit hard on I suspect the submerged dam which should have had 2 feet of water over it. Man we were stuck. We tried to power forward and back to no avail. Seatow went by with grins on their face -- I suspect they were awaiting an assistance call. I put out some sail but could not move the rudder. Why was it stuck!! I horsed it and then set the autopilot and we both went to the bow of the boat to take pressured off the rudder. We had some passing boat wake and then after 10 m minutes we got off. However -- the autopilot would no longer lock down.. Damn.. Something must have stripped in it.
I checked the bilge and it was dry. I checked the bilge cycle counter than rechecked several times and it had not run. Fortunately we were not taking on water. We finally entered the Cape Fear River with the wind blowing 15 - 20kts and some robust waves but our speed over ground was 6.8 kts with the current. We sailed on and arrived tired and broken in Wrightsville around 5:30pm. Man it was packed but we found a nice anchor spot.
Friday we just stayed put and relaxed some. I checked over the steering gear and the Autopilot. The linear drive was definitely free wheeling now. It will have to be disassembled to determine the extend of the damage. Damn...
We enjoyed Wrightsville and walked the beach. It was crowded for a Friday afternoon with mostly 20 something students. A far cry for all the old folks we have been rubbing elbows with these last 7 months.
I bought some fresh shrimp from Motts Sea Food and had a great snack.
This morning we left early like 6:20am to make the Wrightsville BEach Bascule bridge and catch the current to Figure Eight Island Bridge. Boy that worked nicely. The Wrightsville open on demand and we hit the Figure Eight with only 10 minutes to kill. We then had the current with us all day probably averaging 7kts over ground. We hit the Surf City bridge with 25 minutes to kill but a barge came along and they opened early. Then on to mile Hammock Bay but we were going to cross the NEw River Inlet near Low Tide -- not good. Especially since we were having a spring tide due to New Moon and the tide was going to be nearly a foot under the Mean Lower Low Water. We arrived about 1 hour before low tide. Two trawlers had gone through about 20 minutes before us and I called them to see what they had seen. They saw the shallowest was 7 feet. I thought about stopping at the Swan Point Marin but it looked really run down. We ran the Inlet. And to my surprise by staying about 60 - 80 feet to the green side of the red can buoys I saw nothing less that 8.9 feet.
We entered Mile Hammock Bay early like 12 noon but that was due to the favorable current and hitting the bridges just right.
We are the first boat in the anchorage today and will enjoy this. Tomorrow we leave about high tide and will run the troublesome Browns Inlet with nearly high tide water -- hope it is enough.
As a note -- I wanted to dive on the keel of the boat at Wrightsville but the water was too opaque to make it worth while. Since we are not taking on water it will hold to we haul the boat in a couple of weeks.
Tomorrow we hope to make Cedar Creek Anchorage and Northwest Creek Marina -- home port -- Monday morning.
Wish us luck.
Wednesday, May 13, 2015
Torture and Jubilation
Yesterday was a "Tortuous" travel day. We left Georgetown about one and half hours before low tide thinking the incoming high tide would catch up to us. It didn't. I wanted to leave early because of the prospect of thunderstorms in the afternoon. The timing was our undoing.
We had current against us ALL DAY. Strong current too. Our speed ranged between 4.8 and 5.2 kts with no respite. It took us from about 9am to 2:30pm to travel about 30 miles through the Waccamaw River. A beautiful place but couldn't really be enjoyed at such a SLOW pace.
We stopped at the Osprey MArina for fuel and water and tied up for the night. It was HOT with a high of 94 degrees. Boy the AC felt great.
This morning we left early about 6:45am to catch a few hours of the rising tide. It was Great.. We had a favorable -- very favorable current all the way to about 4 miles before Little River Inlet or about 30 miles. Once across the inlet the current was against us till we crossed Shalotte Inlet then we had it with us, again against us just before Lockwood Folly Inlet then with us to about Southport then against us again. Overall it was very favorable and we did 64 miles -- our longest run this trip in the ICW in about 8 and half hours .. had the anchor down in Pipeline Canal by 3:30pm.
Tomorrow a short 28 mile up to Wrightsville beach but can't leave until after 10:30am to catch a favorable current up the Cape Fear River. You do not want to fight that current.
Today the high was low 80s and tonight it is supposed to be in the mid 50s -- great sleeping weather.
We had current against us ALL DAY. Strong current too. Our speed ranged between 4.8 and 5.2 kts with no respite. It took us from about 9am to 2:30pm to travel about 30 miles through the Waccamaw River. A beautiful place but couldn't really be enjoyed at such a SLOW pace.
We stopped at the Osprey MArina for fuel and water and tied up for the night. It was HOT with a high of 94 degrees. Boy the AC felt great.
This morning we left early about 6:45am to catch a few hours of the rising tide. It was Great.. We had a favorable -- very favorable current all the way to about 4 miles before Little River Inlet or about 30 miles. Once across the inlet the current was against us till we crossed Shalotte Inlet then we had it with us, again against us just before Lockwood Folly Inlet then with us to about Southport then against us again. Overall it was very favorable and we did 64 miles -- our longest run this trip in the ICW in about 8 and half hours .. had the anchor down in Pipeline Canal by 3:30pm.
Tomorrow a short 28 mile up to Wrightsville beach but can't leave until after 10:30am to catch a favorable current up the Cape Fear River. You do not want to fight that current.
Today the high was low 80s and tonight it is supposed to be in the mid 50s -- great sleeping weather.
Monday, May 11, 2015
Was there a Tropical Storm Ana?
We made it to Charleston City Marina last Wednesday. Fortunately they had a slip for us so we didn't have to suffer "storm" conditions on the MegaDock. We had planned to stay 3 days which then turned into nearly 5 because of the forecast for Tropical Storm Ana.
In retrospect there was no tropical storm. We didn't have much of anything. A little rain Friday night then some on Saturday. No winds above 20kts, in spite of the forecast for gusts to 40 -- didn't happen.
Charleston is a nice city and we enjoy it. Didn't do much other than shopping in the markets and a dismal supper at the marina restaurant. I took long hot showers everyday to get some of my money's worth out of the slip rental -- 100 bucks a day!!
The forecast on Sunday was for likely storms and wind gusts to 40 kts. It sure didn't look that way Sunday morning so we left. We had a nice crossing of Charleston Harbour in winds less than 10kts and once in the ICW we had the current with us all the way. We hit all the trouble spots within 2 hours of high tide -- on the following side -- but no real issues -- just had to stay in the channel. We were helped by the fact that high tide in McClenanville was 1 hour later than Charleston so we cruised on through.
South Santee River is a very nice anchorage however the bugs are terrible. This morning when I looked into the cockpit there were so many mosquitos flying around I though I was in that commercial where the guy plunges his bare arm into a clear plastic bag full of mosquitos. I dressed in long pants and long shirt and sprayed OFF on all exposed skin. I told Karen to stay below behind the screens until we hit Winyah Bay. That worked but it was so annoying having all those bugs flying around me.
We had a nice short run in to Georgetown, SC where we anchored on the waterfront. Launched the dinghy and did a lightning trip to a Piggly Wiggly for fresh lettuce and Karen stayed and shopped. We had lunch at the Riverfront restaurant then back in the boat to watch some thunderstorms come through. Fortunately none too bad because the holding here is not good.
Tomorrow we will do a late departure to catch the tide through the Waccamaw River to Osprey Marina. We will top the fuel off and plug in. It is just too buggy to be anchoring in the Waccamaw right now.
In retrospect there was no tropical storm. We didn't have much of anything. A little rain Friday night then some on Saturday. No winds above 20kts, in spite of the forecast for gusts to 40 -- didn't happen.
Charleston is a nice city and we enjoy it. Didn't do much other than shopping in the markets and a dismal supper at the marina restaurant. I took long hot showers everyday to get some of my money's worth out of the slip rental -- 100 bucks a day!!
The forecast on Sunday was for likely storms and wind gusts to 40 kts. It sure didn't look that way Sunday morning so we left. We had a nice crossing of Charleston Harbour in winds less than 10kts and once in the ICW we had the current with us all the way. We hit all the trouble spots within 2 hours of high tide -- on the following side -- but no real issues -- just had to stay in the channel. We were helped by the fact that high tide in McClenanville was 1 hour later than Charleston so we cruised on through.
South Santee River is a very nice anchorage however the bugs are terrible. This morning when I looked into the cockpit there were so many mosquitos flying around I though I was in that commercial where the guy plunges his bare arm into a clear plastic bag full of mosquitos. I dressed in long pants and long shirt and sprayed OFF on all exposed skin. I told Karen to stay below behind the screens until we hit Winyah Bay. That worked but it was so annoying having all those bugs flying around me.
We had a nice short run in to Georgetown, SC where we anchored on the waterfront. Launched the dinghy and did a lightning trip to a Piggly Wiggly for fresh lettuce and Karen stayed and shopped. We had lunch at the Riverfront restaurant then back in the boat to watch some thunderstorms come through. Fortunately none too bad because the holding here is not good.
Tomorrow we will do a late departure to catch the tide through the Waccamaw River to Osprey Marina. We will top the fuel off and plug in. It is just too buggy to be anchoring in the Waccamaw right now.
Tuesday, May 5, 2015
A real Lady and ever so slowly
We are still sailing our plan and made Bull Creek easily. We had a favorable current most of the day. Bull Creek was a nice anchorage except it being a Sunday we had to endure a lot of small boat traffic and accompanying wakes -- there is a marina further up the river.
The next day we had a great run to Beaufort, SC. We had a favorable current all the way across both Calibogue Sound and Port Royal Sound. We made Beaufort around 10:30am. We thought about picking up a mooring at the City MArina but then would have to time the departure in the morning with the Lady Island Bridge schedule. We have heard folks rave about the LAdy Island Marina on the other side of the bridge and found they could accommodate us for one night. We took it.
TJ the Dockmaster met us at the dock and helped land us in a strong current. Once tied up and checked in which was a very pleasant process we had some lunch on board. Checking the literature they gave us we found that they had everything from drug stores, food stores, hardware stores, Laundromat, eateries all within 1 mile of the marina. No wonder folks rave about this place. We took a walk and took it all in. We stopped at the Publixs for some fresh veggies and lunch meat, checked both drug stores for the electronic fly swatter we had heard about from Madeline -- found one at Rite Aid and then back to the boat. We had dinner at the restaurant there called Dockside with John and Madeline from Chanceaux -- ohhh they beat us here because they went offshore for a while but found it uncomfortable and came into Port Royal the day before.
The shower and bathroom facilities are first rate -- very nice. Wish we could have stayed longer but because of the bad weather forecast for latter in the week they had reservations to honor and we had to leave -- we will be back.
Today we had a VERY SLOW run to Church Creek in SC. WE left on a rising tide and had a fast 7kt run to the Coosaw River then had to run for hours against the tide for all of the Coosaw, channel cutoffs, South Edisto River and North Edisto River. n the North Edisto our speed was in the low 4kt range!!
Church creek is a nice anchorage but we had some strong sea breeze against a strong current which has us forward on our anchor tonight. Not dangerous but annoying and noisy. The wind should lay down after dark and we will swing to the current all night which we are looking forward to.
Tomorrow it is only 18 miles to Charleston but the current is strong and will be against us near the end. Ohh well.
Not sure how long we will stay. There is an unusually early strong low pressure system building Wednesday which could be come a names storm and may impact South Carolina. We need more info to decide to either weather it at Charleston or move on to Georgetown, SC and weather it there.
Today all the models are mixed with some calling for 30kt winds and others for only 5kts. hat's a girl to do. Hopefully we can make that call tomorrow after checking the latest forecast in the morning. Obviously cruising is not as easy as sitting around and chewing the Lotus leaves.
The next day we had a great run to Beaufort, SC. We had a favorable current all the way across both Calibogue Sound and Port Royal Sound. We made Beaufort around 10:30am. We thought about picking up a mooring at the City MArina but then would have to time the departure in the morning with the Lady Island Bridge schedule. We have heard folks rave about the LAdy Island Marina on the other side of the bridge and found they could accommodate us for one night. We took it.
TJ the Dockmaster met us at the dock and helped land us in a strong current. Once tied up and checked in which was a very pleasant process we had some lunch on board. Checking the literature they gave us we found that they had everything from drug stores, food stores, hardware stores, Laundromat, eateries all within 1 mile of the marina. No wonder folks rave about this place. We took a walk and took it all in. We stopped at the Publixs for some fresh veggies and lunch meat, checked both drug stores for the electronic fly swatter we had heard about from Madeline -- found one at Rite Aid and then back to the boat. We had dinner at the restaurant there called Dockside with John and Madeline from Chanceaux -- ohhh they beat us here because they went offshore for a while but found it uncomfortable and came into Port Royal the day before.
The shower and bathroom facilities are first rate -- very nice. Wish we could have stayed longer but because of the bad weather forecast for latter in the week they had reservations to honor and we had to leave -- we will be back.
Today we had a VERY SLOW run to Church Creek in SC. WE left on a rising tide and had a fast 7kt run to the Coosaw River then had to run for hours against the tide for all of the Coosaw, channel cutoffs, South Edisto River and North Edisto River. n the North Edisto our speed was in the low 4kt range!!
Church creek is a nice anchorage but we had some strong sea breeze against a strong current which has us forward on our anchor tonight. Not dangerous but annoying and noisy. The wind should lay down after dark and we will swing to the current all night which we are looking forward to.
Tomorrow it is only 18 miles to Charleston but the current is strong and will be against us near the end. Ohh well.
Not sure how long we will stay. There is an unusually early strong low pressure system building Wednesday which could be come a names storm and may impact South Carolina. We need more info to decide to either weather it at Charleston or move on to Georgetown, SC and weather it there.
Today all the models are mixed with some calling for 30kt winds and others for only 5kts. hat's a girl to do. Hopefully we can make that call tomorrow after checking the latest forecast in the morning. Obviously cruising is not as easy as sitting around and chewing the Lotus leaves.
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