I slept in until about 0630. Did the usual, feed the cat and then make coffee. We get underway at 0740 and begin the day fighting the incoming tide as we head out into the Sapelo Sound. It’s cloudy and not a ray of sunshine in sight. Wind is from the NW about 10+ and the temperature was only 54F. Not exactly a great day for sitting at the wheel for eight hours.
Once we reach our turning mark in the sound and head west the pace picks up and so does the wind. Motor sailing with the jib out helps us make good time. We reach the Creighton Narrows at the top of the tide and have no trouble with water depths.
We make it to the Little Mud River just before mid ebb tide. The Little Mud is notoriously shallow and is not even impassable for us at low tide. I decide to push on and the shallowest water encountered was 7 feet. Tidal range today is 9.2 feet so that spot will be around 3’ at low tide.
The swing westward into Buttermilk Sound puts us at odds with the tide and wind so we poke along at 3.8 mph until we reach the Mackay River. It started raining and visibility began to drop so we pulled into Wallys Leg and anchored. We’ve been here before in 2008. It’s not the best holding bottom for anchoring so I will have to watch for possible anchor dragging. Two other boats join us in the anchorage for the night.
Donna is making dinner as I write this log entry. Buddy has been on deck inspecting and drinking rain water. Today’s description: Long, cold and wet.
Well, we ended up staying another day due to bad timing on the incoming tide high winds and rain. We couldn’t make it to Jekyll Creek and run that shallow water at mid to high rising plus I wasn’t keen on getting soaked. I ran the generator and we charged everything up and put a little heat in the boat. Donna also enjoyed some TV while the generator was running.
The catamaran anchored behind us dragged anchor as the winds piped up to 20+ and gusting higher. Another long miserable day in GA.
Location: Wallys Leg off the Mackay River, GA, MM 665
Started: 0745 Stopped: 1500
Distance Traveled: 40 mi, Avg spd: 4.3
Day 26, December 3, 2009
We couldn’t get our act together this morning. Removing all the extra lines, re-stowing things and breakfast occupied things until about 0800. It was 0810 when Donna guided us away from the dock. It was a cool morning with lots of clouds and little sun. Donna took us through the Skidaway Narrows Bridge and then I took the helm.
Hell Gate, a typical trouble spot was not a problem. Our arrival with tide and recent dredging made passage easy. Onward we went through the Florida Passage, past Kilkenny Creek, into St. Katherines Sound and past the Medway River where we had such a difficult time in 2007.
It was a typical Georgia day, fighting or riding the tidal current. We pushed the daylight to a safe limit and pulled into the Wahoo River and anchored at 1700. It looked like it was going to be a cold night.
Location: Wahoo River, GA, MM 630
Started: 0810 Stopped: 1700
Distance Traveled: 50 mi, Avg spd: 5.6
Hell Gate, a typical trouble spot was not a problem. Our arrival with tide and recent dredging made passage easy. Onward we went through the Florida Passage, past Kilkenny Creek, into St. Katherines Sound and past the Medway River where we had such a difficult time in 2007.
It was a typical Georgia day, fighting or riding the tidal current. We pushed the daylight to a safe limit and pulled into the Wahoo River and anchored at 1700. It looked like it was going to be a cold night.
Location: Wahoo River, GA, MM 630
Started: 0810 Stopped: 1700
Distance Traveled: 50 mi, Avg spd: 5.6
Day 24-25, December 1-2, 2009
The threat of nasty weather is keeping us here in Thunderbolt, GA. There was fog this morning (Dec 1) but later it cleared and it warmed up a little. It was a great morning to stand in the hot shower and just let the water wash away some of the tension. Later, Donna struck up a conversation with a live aboard couple and was invited by the lady to ride along to the post office and some other stores. Donna jumped at the chance to visit the post office and the Piggly Wiggly to get some fresh fruit and vegetables.
Dec 2: The forecasted nasty weather is now a little delayed. What was predicted for late last night and this morning is now predicted to arrive this afternoon. We enjoyed a slow morning with a newspaper and Krispy Kreme Donuts (compliments of the marina). By noon, the threat of high winds (70 mph in thunderstorms) and some damage was somewhat assured. By 1500, the marine repair facility had shut down due to high winds and a tornado warning. All the transient boaters got busy putting on additional lines and more fenders. When the town tornado siren went off, everybody knew it was time to finish securing and get below or inside the marina buildings.
Well, the wind blew 24-25 on our meter and then the rain started. It lasted about an hour and then things died down. Thank goodness it wasn’t what had been predicted.
Everyone retired early that evening leaving all the extra lines and fenders in place.
Dec 2: The forecasted nasty weather is now a little delayed. What was predicted for late last night and this morning is now predicted to arrive this afternoon. We enjoyed a slow morning with a newspaper and Krispy Kreme Donuts (compliments of the marina). By noon, the threat of high winds (70 mph in thunderstorms) and some damage was somewhat assured. By 1500, the marine repair facility had shut down due to high winds and a tornado warning. All the transient boaters got busy putting on additional lines and more fenders. When the town tornado siren went off, everybody knew it was time to finish securing and get below or inside the marina buildings.
Well, the wind blew 24-25 on our meter and then the rain started. It lasted about an hour and then things died down. Thank goodness it wasn’t what had been predicted.
Everyone retired early that evening leaving all the extra lines and fenders in place.
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