May 2, 2008 (Friday) Winyah Bay to Wrightsville Beach
Plans were to get up early and haul anchor at 5am. Would need as much time as possible to get to Wrightsville before dark. SD thinking of stopping short, but shallow there, need high tide etc. so WS will keep going no matter what. So up around 4:30 am, heard from SD & both hauled anchor around 5am. Thought this w/b easy, but geez all the flashing greens & reds on the channel buoys look the same – can’t tell which way they go !%#!$@#.... Capt’n up on the bow hauling the anchor up with the windlass & trying to do hand signals with a flash light. Uh Capt’n why don’t you just yell back – not a freakin soul out her but WS & SD – don’t think it would matter. Well Capt’n doesn’t want to wake anyone up in Georgetown, so refuses. Okay, with a little bit of effort trying to see got WS moving towards the channel. Slowed her down when I saw lights coming from the distance, Capt’n yelling now what are you doing, just keep going – did up the revs by 1/1000th but, didn’t want to get creamed by a crazy fisherman. Just so happens the our stern light decided to take a break this morning, did have the mast tricolor on, and have a stern anchor light which was still light, but still nervous with a dark hauled boat. Anyway, tried to follow the path of the fishing boats wake but, didn’t last long. Navman was priceless now, showing the channel and the buoys and where we were in reference to everything. Just so he didn’t decide to go on vaca right now – usually does, but for a change didn’t. Got ½ out of the channel & Capt’n took over – easier for me to set “go to’s” out of the channel on the Navman. Would have been nice if the channel was straight, could just set one – but, of course it wasn’t and had to keep changing them to keep our bearings since it was pitch black out. Got waked pretty back a couple times some huge sport fishing boats that obviously knew the channel quite well. Luckily, our stern light had come on & we were easy so spot in the dark. Channel was also scary, due to the fact of the submerged jetties on both sides, go off course and drift out of the channel by mistake and you will be on the rocks almost immediately. SD followed WS out & later said they had a very hard time just getting their bearings out of the anchorage – did a couple 360’s then just followed our light when they found it. After they got their bearings just ran out of the channel same as we did. Hard to understand, but getting up at 4:30 am, hauling anchor in the dark while you are still half a sleep & getting the boat pointed in the right direction in the pitch black just isn’t as easy as it sounds. Very, very easy to get spun around before you even know it. Compass is the best to use in the dark, but Navman is necessary and takes you away from the big compass etc… So… took forever – almost an hour to get out & by the time WS hit the last buoy, it was almost daylight. Started sailing up towards Cape Fear, where we would finally face the ICW again. Would be so nice just to sail right up to Wrightsville Beach, but with Frying Pan shoals there, we would have to go 11 miles out, just to “cut’” through the shoals like we did on the way down. Realized what a mistake we had made there, probably was the worst possible spot to jump out into the ocean and have to go through the shoals there. They actually stick out further than Diamond Shoals of Hatteras. Anyway, nice day sailing/motor sailing, but struggling to keep up the 7 knots even with the iron genny running at 2500 rpms, which is the max we like to take the revs up to. Were slowing losing SD & radioed back that no matter what we would continue to Wrightsville & what were they going to do. Would try to make it too, but might be a few miles short by dark & would anchor wherever then. Not too far from Cape Fear, but still over 6 miles out Capt’n went back to check the hand line. It is hooked on to the rail and set up with a clothes pin that should snap off when a fish hits it – it did with the tuna, but not with the Mahi Mahi. Looks like that happened again – Capt’n started rolling in in/up whatever, and noticed something coming in with it, looked like an old boot or something like that. Once it got close, Capt’n yelled fish, so slowed WS down – set the auto pilot hoping it would hold and then grabbed the net. Got back there with the net & no, that wasn’t going to work, was a crab net & okay for the smaller fish, but wouldn’t hold this one. So Capt’n just yanked him on board, just like the Mahi Mahi & I dumped the rum down his gills. Gave up pretty quick, think they like that Pusser’s rum, hated to use it, not cheap, but first thing I found. So now, during my off shift & getting closer to the coast, Capt’n had to cut the fish up. Okay, so I get to be on the Helm again, nice & I don’t even like King Fish. This one was a 34” kingfish and last time I had Kingfish it was horrible. Had bought it at a store in Tortola, BVI’s, but think it was just old or maybe wasn’t really Kingfish at all. Paul had said he caught two kingfish the day before, didn’t like the looks of the first one & threw it back (sounds like a fish story to me), then the second they reeling in only got the head. Have heard of that happening, sharks can take the fish before you know it or some other big fish that is hungry. Susan had mentioned that to get the bad taste out, soak the steaks in salt water overnight. Hey, we have salt water – lots of it beneath the boat. So brought up a couple bucket loads and put them in a container to use for later. Capt’n cut up the steaks, rinsed them and then I put them in containers with the salt water then in the fridge. Capt’n insisted I was nuts, but always does that, so I just put them in the salt water & left them in the fridge overnight anyway. Once the aft deck was cleaned up we were almost in the channel at Cape Fear – took the mainsail down right before the channel (all under protest from Capt’n “I want to sail as far in as possible”), but didn’t make sense to try to take the sail down in the ICW which is narrow and shallow. Running down the channel started picking up speed, ended up doing over 10 knots, which was wonderful since we were running out of time to get to Wrightsville Beach in the daylight. Could have only been in the ICW 20 minutes or so and remembered how much I hated it – so glad we came up along the coast up until now. Only had 15 miles to go to Wrightsville, but was just so painful in the confines of the narrow ICW, just hated it. Ended up getting to Wrightsville beach around 7:30 only to find the lower anchorage a bit crowded, but squeezed in on the end anyway. Still a spot left beside us on the inside where SD could go. SD ended up making it in there right at dusk around 8pm. Put the anchor down, but had problems and had to reset in, now in the dark. Talked with them and changed our plans now. Had planned to spend Saturday in Wrightsville, but the weather window was going to close on us then. We had the choice to leave Sunday and stay inside on the ICW which would take us two days and through on of the worst spots of the ICW at the new river inlet – which has shoaled badly & WS had followed Metta through on the way down, after now being able to find deep enough water. OR leave Saturday morning and go offshore again to Beaufort, NC inlet. Was not a long sail 60 miles, so wouldn’t be bad, but would still leave at first light. Margaret was there too & would leave in the morning with us. Had overheard WS on the VHF with SD & called after. They were already anchored in Wrightsville, had come up the ICW from Florida & looking to go offshore in the morning. So all three of the blue hauled sail boats will leave in the morning for Beaufort, NC. Works for me, as much as I wanted a break and to spend a day in Wrightsville, just cringed with the thought of the New River Inlet. So happy to pass up the 2 days in the ICW, since after Beaufort,NC – will have to stay in the ICW for a while. The outer banks stick out way to far to justify going out and around them… Plus, getting to Beaufort on Saturday, could rest there on Sunday – then be in New Bern by Monday or Tuesday – WHICH, then I could fly home for my nephew’s wedding & mothers day. Had thought of using frequent flyer miles, but w/b too late for that & Nancy (from Napa) had offered buddy passes on US Air, who is only one of two airlines that flies out of New Bern.
May 1, 2008 (Thursday) Charleston to Winyah Bay
Left Charleston around 7am, headed out the channel and did have some decent wind from behind. Probably mentioned 1000 times, but wind has to be pretty strong from behind to push the boat along, really need 15-20 knots, whereas if it is on the beam 10-15 is nice. So, probably barely 15, SD motor sailed but, WS sailed for a good amount of the time. SD pulling away so knew they were motor sailing, under sail WS is usually a bit faster, she is a good amount lighter than SD plus, SD has a full keel, compared to WS cutout keel. Anyway, started thinking about going through the night again, realized from Winyah Bay/Gtwn SC would be over 90 miles to Wrightsville Beach and very tough to make. Would have to average 7 knots & motor sail the entire way. Not bothered by motor sailing, if going up the ICW would be motoring most of the way, so doesn’t matter & much nicer to be on the ocean with the wide open space. Radioed SD, but they said they would probably go into Winyah Bay. Debated on WS until the very last waypoint before turning inland – still couldn’t decide. Then last minute decided on Winyah Bay. Entrance was well marked and easy, but two submerged jetties on each side. Well marked on the charts & Navman but, heard someone calling a sailboat ready to cross the channel and warning him – then the boat made a good turn back into the channel. They radioed the guy to thank him & said their charts didn’t show the rocks – don’t have a clue what chart or chartplotter they could have been using, but either way glad it was marked on mine… Is deceiving, the on jetty is a lot shorter than the other and could clear the one, think you’ll clear the other, but would not… Anyway, couple miles in through the inlet then anchored in a really nice spot right off the channel. Protected pretty decent and really nice area. Not marked anywhere as an anchorage, which was nice – no one there… Could have gone up to Georgetown, SC – like the town, but anchorage there bites & is 10 more miles up. Would leave us stuck in the ICW then too. Set the hook, had talked about the SB party again, but after 6pm and tired again, so just stayed on the boats…
April 30, 2008 (Wednesday) Charleston
Not much, just split up – Susan & I went shopping & Paul & Capt’n I guess did the same. Did pick up some mother’s day gifts and a couple small items, but really didn’t do much shopping. Stopped at Wet Willies for lunch – too bad we didn’t eat anything – just drank one of their strong frozen drinks. Which was very good, but not the smartest idea when it isn’t the warmest out. Both of us were shaking with cold by the time we left, but sure had a pretty good buzz from the drinks and who wants to shop now anyway. Just really walked around then met up at the Oyster Bar/Rest for happy hour - $3.99 oysters, wings & shrimp with cheap beer… Then back to the boats, took the long way again – so again tired and no Steeler SB party again… Will try tomorrow…
April 29, 2008 (Tuesday) Charleston
Got up (yes, again) worked out, listened to weather, made breakfast – same old, same old…. All while Capt’n King slept, ate & read his book. Humm – must be good to be ___ – okay, so Capt’n did do the dishes, so that was helpful. Heard from SD, they were taking Mickey in for a walk, could either go in then or later. We’ll go later – that way Rats could get his patch & stay out of the water for awhile. Picked us up around 1 pm & walked into the main part of Charleston. Had thought that Susan and I would go in shopping, but decided to all just go in today then we’d do that tomorrow. Really didn’t do much, just walked around town. Checked out the straw/slave market – Capt’ns peeled off for the Oyster Bar – hey wait a minute – I want to go too… Oh well, we’ll just buzz through & see if it’s worth stopping at tomorrow – did a quick 10 minute pass then over the to Oyster Bar/Rest for a couple nice cheap cold beers. Took a long walk back along the waterfront…. Then back to WS for dinner – had planned to do a super bowl party tonight on SD, but everyone too tired… so will try for another night…
April 28, 2008 (Monday) Charleston
Got to Charleston early morning with, of course, the winds and seas picking up at this point. Seas getting rougher & wind over 20 by now while heading for the inlet. Charleston inlet is big, but still nasty with the seas on the beam – didn’t help that THREE freighters had to come out the same time we were going in. SD stayed way to port, on the out side of the green, but WS had stayed just on the corner of the channel to port. Third tanker didn’t bother to stay on his side & WS got pushed out of the channel, not bad here, have room before the jetty, but a shame that he couldn’t have stayed on the correct side of the channel, oh well – he was just a tad bigger so thought best to give him some room. Motor sailed around the first bend & dropped the main off of the Fort in a little calmer conditions but, not much. Motored the rest of the way in – got smart this time – decided to drop the hook at the END of the Mega Yacht dock, where you have to motor all the way around to get to the dinghy dock. Slight disagreement of the anchor spot, but ended up kinda in-between this time. Oh, great now neither is happy… Actually, wasn’t a bad spot & right at the entrance to the docks & dinghy dock. Tired so just spend the day on board. Talked with SD & they planned to just take their dinghy into town in the morning we could go with them… Great – now Rats can get a re-patch & will hopefully get fixed this time. Cold again – had tried to beat the cold front in, but with the looks of the wind & seas, missed beating it by an hour or so… Not much else today…
April 27, 2008 (Sunday) Cumberland Island to Charleston
Up around 5:30 to get ready to leave around 6 or so. SD anchored a good ways below & would take at least 15 minutes to get there. Agreed to leave at 6:30, so should leave the spot around 6:15 at the latest. Well ready to go, but Navman refused to wake up. Nice – heading offshore again, would like if he joined us. Hauled the anchor and headed down towards SD, finally he woke up and was okay. Took a couple of resets & then just had to hope he came back to life. Acted up a good amount on the way up, but did stick around at the critical times, so that was good. Motor sailed out into the Atlantic and was a beautiful morning; calling for SE winds picking up to 15-20 knots in the morning. Well don’t know when that was going to happen, was getting well past morning and nothing happening. Still motor sailing. Capt’n napping below & SD off to port. Noticed something in the water that was pretty big, too big for a dolphin. So got out the binocs & realized it was a whale. Think there were actually two, but hard to tell. Was right inbtwn WS & SD. Capt’n just coming up & told him to look – same time radioed SD to look. It is migrating season for some of the whales here & was pretty cool to get the chance to see one (or two…). Not much else going on, listening to the VHF and a coast guard trying to do a rescue off of Jacksonville. Warships in the area and the coast guard helicopter actually had to call them and ask for permission to fly over their airspace to get to the boat. Didn’t hear the reply, but think they did let them. Nothing wrong with the boat so wasn’t a Mayday, but was a Pan Pan, with a guy going into diabetic shock. Never did hear if they reached him or not, but I’m sure they did. Winds finally did pick up later in the day and sailed for a couple hours. Then at night got light and went pretty far behind WS. Need a good amount of wind from behind, so the lighter it got the harder it was for the Monitor to steer in the speed just kept decreasing. SD radioed they were firing up the Iron Genny, had wanted to do the same here before the radioed, but got out voted. So crawling along at 3.5 knots – Capt’n went down to bed again (boy sure gets the sleep – guess it’s good to be king….) Monitor really struggling at this point, winds died even more & boat just turned drastically to port. Struggled to get the monitor unhooked, shouldn’t be hard, just a bad design & really makes it difficult. Finally got it undone, but almost turned the boat around. Had already fired up the IG, knowing I would need it to get control of the boat again…. Finally did & started motor sailing again. Reset the monitor & tried to stay on course. Sails still up, making it more difficult – so rolled in the real Genny all the way. Still had the main tied off & couldn’t really get it in without self help, so left it there until the Capt’n got back up. Monitor still struggling so didn’t want to leave it for that long of a time alone… Anyway, not much during the night – dark & hard to see.