April 15, 2018 – Marsh Harbour, Abaco

David and Joy told us about a new coffee shop which we tried out this morning – very good and it’s really close to the marina.  We stopped by the office before we went to the coffee shop to ask if Bob could stay at the slip until around 1, until Tristan can get here. They said yes but also that they wanted to move us to the same slip we had the last time we were here. There was a boat at the fuel dock that was going into our current slip for a month.

A dock hand came over at 1:50pm, ten minutes before low tide, to say they wanted us to move now. Dave and Joy and one dock hand manned to lines to get us off the dock.  On the way to coffee, which had been well before low tide, a monohull was stuck in the channel we’d have to take into the new dock. There is enough water if you stick really close to the pylons at the end of the slips. They either hadn’t been told this or ignored the advice. The slip we were moving to was the same one we stayed at the last time we were here so Bob knew about hugging the pylons.

The depth was okay as we neared the slip but when Bob made the turn we were in the mud. There were three dock hands pulling the boat in as Bob rev’d the engine to plough through the mud. One of the dock hands quipped that we’d now have a really clean propeller.

The same cat that was in the slip beside us is still there. This picture shows how close we are, all the fenders are ours.

Close quarters

 

When we left the slip the last time  a dock hand guided the boat out with the bow line to keep us close to the dock and away from the cat. I suspect the same thing will happen when Bob & Tristan leave.

We got the first load of laundry done today, sheets tomorrow.

 

 

 

 

 

Apr 17-20 Return to the US East Coast

Tarja left at 11:30 to catch her flight home. Tristan arrived about 12:15 and we (mainly Tristan) did some boat work with items Tristan had brought with him. We finally left ar 13:35. As it was going to be be several hours of motoring (winds directly on the nose) Tristan caught up on his sleep as he had taken a 6am flight from Charleston. Given the benign weather conditionss we decided not to take the infamous Whale Cay Cut into the northern Abacos but rather go out into the Atlantic so we could keep going all night.

Wih little wind we had to motor and while the boat was moving at 6.5 knots through the water a current was reducing our actual progress to 3 to 4 knots for 10 to 12 hours.

We were able to sail during the day on Wednesday with the asymmetrical spinnaker. We made it to the Gulf Stream about 21:00 and turned north making often in excess of 10 knots. We became over powered with the spin up so alftrer much effort it was fueled and put below through the forward hatch where it remained on my bunk until I couldn’t taken its oil smell it had picked up from a spill in the cockpit locker. Moved it out to the floor of the main salon …. something big and tangly to trip over!

We had no cell and data communication but we had had SIRIUS weather maps and marine reports so we knew a cold front was coming through. We I was on the 23:00-02:00 with Thursday night our progress reduced to about 5 knots so I started the motor to increase our speed. On Tristan’s watch the cold front hit.

The winds went from less than 10 to sustained 30+.  The wind clocked north so we were no longer able head north. The outer edges of the jib started to unravel so Tristan furled it and reduced the main sail. With no head sail and 9’ waves now hitting the boat from the NE Tristan had no choice but to turn west … if one turned east the next stop is Africa!

We had been hoping to make it to make it to Southport NC (yellow circle on map) early Saturday morning but now we needed to look for a safe inlet somewhere south to southwest of us. The marine forecast called for continuing high winds and big seas and we even considered staying out until we found that it was leading to a possible gale on Monday. From our course the best inlet was St Mary’s inlet to the Amelia River near Brunswick. This was signicantly further south than we had hoped and meant a great many miles to be covered to make it Norfolk VA where I was to meet Peter Cohrs on May 7th.

After Friday’s dawn the waves and rollers remained high but the wind dropped into the 20s. During one of my watches I noticed jib unfurling so I pulled in the furling line only to find the furler line was no longer attached. I called for Tristan and between the two of us we were able get the jib on the deck and into the forward hatch. Luckily no waves broke over the deck to flood my berth! Tristan had to cut the jib sheets off as the bowline knots were difficult to get to. For the remainder of the adventure I shared my bunk with the jib.

We spent the day be bounced by the waves in average 25 knot winds. One wave pooped us …. wave came in over the stern and hit Tristan at the wheel shoulder high. He was wearing his foulies but looked surprised/shocked nonetheless. Another wave passed in front of our bow that was at least as high as our boom. A foot below the crest off the wave 2 dolphins do e out one side and in the other. Just spectacular. Some waves really rocked the boat and twice I ended up flat on my back. Once was in the galley when I was making coffee. Although I went over the pot, thanks to gimbals and fiddles, boiled merely along.

We arrived at a marina on St Simon’s Island at 20:00 Friday and pe4fhed on their fuel dock as we would get bothered diesel and a slip assignment the next day. A quick dinner aboard and then off to bed.

3 1/4 days and 450 nautical miles

 

 

April 21 to April 23 St Simon’s Island

Saturday
Had to clear  customs but because it was the weekend the border agent wasn’t sure of the process. Left my cell number and the officer who  phoned me back I persuaded that we could do this all by phone since I was a known entity: Nexus card, boat registered, valid US cruising licence. He agreed so we didn’t have to go anywhere to get this done.
We got fuel and moved to our slip. Tristan repaired the jib furler and we got the jib on deck and ready to go. We put the spinnaker into the cockpit locker sans its bag. A big wave tore it off its clips on the rail during our rough voyage.
Tristan left late morning to rent a car to return to Charleston to pick up his truck to drive back home to Cape Cod.
I continued to tidy up the boat and used the Marina curtesy car to pick up some groceries.
I enjoyed dinner at the marina, very good food and service.
Sunday
I had planned to leave today but still felt quite emotionally exhausted by our 3+ days at sea. So stayed knowing that I probably couldn’t leave the next day due to the big thunderstorms coming in. Cleaned up the boat more and did few maintenance items.
Big news is that our friend, Chris McDonnell from St Petersburg, will come and join me for 5 days from Thunderbolt (Savannah) GA to Writhsville Beach NC. It will be great to have the company and Chris and I always have a good time sailing together.
Monday
Oh yes it did rain …. during the night and much of the day for 1 1/2”. Took the marina courtesy car again to lay in some more supplies for the next several days. Treated myself to another great dinner at the marina restaurant.

April 24 2018 – Buckhead Creek, Georgia

After a few days of recovering and avoiding thunderstorms I left this morning at 0630 from St Simons Island (forgot to turn tracking until the afternoon). Slow going at first fighting several knots of current for the first several hours. This put me in little Mud River exactly at low tide. There was a large tug and barge heading south so I slowed and waited before I turned into this river. Saw lots of skinny water but I was more concerned with the main being up and several gusts got my speed up to the point of getting unnerved. Took the main down as soon as I had enough searoom. I am now anchored about 25 nm south of Savannah in Buckhead Creek off the Bear River. Another nice anchorage sunset. Eddies in the water and the wind working against the current. Just hope the anchor rode doesn’t wrap around the keel ? Tomorrow Hell Gate, the shallowest part of the ICW.

April 25, 2018 – Thunderbolt, Georgia

Finnish Line 2.0’s anchor dance last night while the orchestra played the strains of the Wind vs. Tidal current theme.

Left just after dawn this morning and hit Hell Gate at mid-tide about 8am. Never saw less than 10’ (need 4.5) so it was rather a non-event. Arrived here about 11 and am waiting for friend Chris McDonnell to arrive so we can do some outside sailing over the next 5 days. Chris will fly home to St Pete’s from Wilmington NC. I then have 6 days to get to Norfolk to meet Peter Cohrs with one day in reserve for whatevers and laundry.

 Chris arrived early afternoon and we used his rental car for more supplies.
Had a wonderful dinner with Ouida an old friend of Chris`at Tuby’s Tank House.  Bingo for dinner ! Good fun although we didn’t win anything. Shrimp and grits were amazing. The water in the background is the ICW.

April 27, 2018 – Price Creek, South Carolina

Outside/inside today. Shortly after getting on the ICW again we (Chris is now now with me ) were hailed by a boat which was waiting for higher tides as 2 boats ahead of us had run aground. However, we draw less than the boats so slowly picked our way by them and continued on. Thank you shoal keel! Plus the specialized guides I have on ICW shoaling and other hazards. Love anchoring on this part, you just pull over into some creek and drop the anchor.

April 28, 2018 – Bull Creek, Waccamaw Wildlife Refuge, South Carolina

Beautiful morning as we set off at 7am and a gorgeous evening at the end anchored up a small river in the Waccamaw Wildlife Refuge completely surrounded by trees – we are the only boat here barring the half submerged wreck around the corner. We were also entertained mid afternoon by an acrobatic plane practicing stunts-lots of dives and rolls. Makes up for our brutal day. Except for a 30 minute period we fought head tidal currents between 1 and 2+ knots all the way. Which means we didn’t get as far as we wanted even though we went over an hour more than we thought. ? The vagaries of boating.

April 29, 2018 – Southport, North Carolina

Early start at 6:20. Made a fuel stop as we were down to 2 gallons. After some hours the tidal current finally wasn’t against us but in our favour at 7 knots occasionally into the 8s. Almost by accident I realized we were close to the outlet south of Southport that boaters use to bypass a stretch of shoaling. I saw that the Atlantic way was favourable as was the tidal current inbound through the Cape Fear inlet. We decided to continue along the ICW IF the current continued with us. Well not so much so we turned around and headed for the inlet. Made good time although only about a 1/4 of it was sail only. Now anchored behind a spoil island. Oh the excitement !!

April 30, 2018 – Seapath YC, Wrightsville Beach, North Carolina

Off at 7am to ride the flood tide up Cape Fear River. Short day as we arrived at our destination by 10:45. Chris flies home tomorrow…great having him aboard and helping! Thank you, Chris. The Seapath YC has a courtesy car so we got to the beer store, a hardware store, the grocery store AND lunch. Doing boatie stuff this afternoon then it’s showers, cocktails and off to dinner. Don’t know how much longer I can stand this. ?