Getting out of the anchorage wasn’t easy. We got underway at 0800 and eased out with the depth meter showing 4.9’ until we reached the channel. Whew!
Today’s destination, St Augustine, wasn’t far. We had planned to stop here and visit with Linda W., one of Donna’s old high school chums. Except for the chilly breeze, the temperature was almost nice and the best we had experienced so far this trip.
We arrived at the Bridge of Lions and had to wait about 10 minutes for the opening. Once we were through the bridge, it was a quick right into the municipal marina. A quick cleanup of the boat, a pump out, showers and we were ready for Linda‘s arrival. When she arrived, we had a glass of wine, talked for about an hour, and then walked into town and had a late lunch at Harry's. A short walk after lunch and Linda had to leave. Donna and I then walked some of the Historic (tourist) district.
Back on the boat, a check of the weather forecast confirmed plans for tomorrow. Continue south to find the warm weather.
Location: St. Augustine, FL, MM 778
Started: 0800 Stopped: 1100
Distance Traveled: 14.4 mi, Avg spd: 4.8 Max spd: 7.4
Day 30, December 7, 2009
Showers the evening before, shore power to charge the batteries, heat in the boat and a decent nights sleep. What more could you ask for? Not sure, but the quest for warmer weather drives us on as we head south.
The problem with an inside slip was we were bottled in by all the boats who came in after we did yesterday. After a couple of boats departed, we were able to slip out and tackle the skinny waters of Kingsley Creek.
The incoming tide helped us most of the day as we continued on to Nassau Sound, Sawpit Creek and Sisters Creek. A quick opening of the Sisters Creek Bridge allowed us to proceed across the St Johns River and into Pablo Creek. We had a few rain showers and a patch of heavy rain as we passed by Jacksonville and Jacksonville Beach.
As we reached the Tolomato River, the rain showers stopped. Five miles further on we stopped at Pine Island, an anchorage we have used before. There were three other boats already there so we slipped in and dropped anchor in an open area between the second and third boats. It wasn’t long before there was total of nine boats in the anchorage, six of them between us and the ICW channel. Getting out early wasn’t going to be easy.
Location: Pine Island, Tolomato River, FL, MM 765
Started: 0800 Stopped: 1530
Distance Traveled: 49 mi, Avg spd: 6,4 Max spd: 8.7
The problem with an inside slip was we were bottled in by all the boats who came in after we did yesterday. After a couple of boats departed, we were able to slip out and tackle the skinny waters of Kingsley Creek.
The incoming tide helped us most of the day as we continued on to Nassau Sound, Sawpit Creek and Sisters Creek. A quick opening of the Sisters Creek Bridge allowed us to proceed across the St Johns River and into Pablo Creek. We had a few rain showers and a patch of heavy rain as we passed by Jacksonville and Jacksonville Beach.
As we reached the Tolomato River, the rain showers stopped. Five miles further on we stopped at Pine Island, an anchorage we have used before. There were three other boats already there so we slipped in and dropped anchor in an open area between the second and third boats. It wasn’t long before there was total of nine boats in the anchorage, six of them between us and the ICW channel. Getting out early wasn’t going to be easy.
Location: Pine Island, Tolomato River, FL, MM 765
Started: 0800 Stopped: 1530
Distance Traveled: 49 mi, Avg spd: 6,4 Max spd: 8.7
Day 29, December 6, 2009
I got us up early this morning, fixed some oatmeal and hot coffee. It was 46F inside the boat and about 38F outside. We got underway at 0715 and followed the Mackay River south to St. Simons Sound. The wind and tide were opposing so there was some chop. Fortunately the wind was less than 10 knots. Our speed picked up as we turned southwest and then west as we headed toward Jekyll Creek. Things went well in the creek because the water was rising.
When we exited the creek into Jekyll Sound the wind was picking up and opposing the tide here too. The fun began when we rounded Jekyll Point and headed out into St. Andrews Sound. I had the jib out to help give us some speed. We began taking a pounding. As we neared the turning buoy to head southwest behind Cumberland Island, the engine suddenly started stalling. We were healing so much, the fuel pickup became exposed and cavitated. The motor died so we continued sailing, rounded the buoy and surfed our way into the Cumberland River. As we got into calmer water, I got a fuel can stored forward and added 5 gal of fuel to the tank. We had to start the engine several times and let it run rough and slow until the air was worked out of the system. I guess I should have added fuel to the tank before we started out.
I kept the jib out for the remainder of the day. It helped us speed through the Cumberland Dividings and past Kings Bay Naval Base and into Cumberland Sound. The choice now was either go to St. Marys or to Fernandina Beach. I wanted out of GA so Fernandina was the choice. It’s not so funny how Murphy makes you pay for this kind of decision. As we approached the inlet from the north, the wind was from the north and the tide was going out. Pretty smooth sailing until we reached the point where the Amelia River flowed into the sound and out the inlet. The wind now opposed the tide and it became real choppy. The boat was smacking into waves and almost stalling. Then the wave would pick us up from behind, push us forward and we’d surf down the wave. Fortunately we only had to endure a couple of miles of this before we reached the turn to Fernandina Beach City Marina. We were assigned a inside slip where it was much calmer.
All-in-all a rough but exciting day and we covered a good distance. Most of all, we were out of GA and into FL. Hooray!!!
Location: Fernandina Beach City Marina, FL, MM 718
Started: 0745 Stopped: 1430
Distance Traveled: 51.8 mi, Avg spd: 7.1 Max spd: 10.4
When we exited the creek into Jekyll Sound the wind was picking up and opposing the tide here too. The fun began when we rounded Jekyll Point and headed out into St. Andrews Sound. I had the jib out to help give us some speed. We began taking a pounding. As we neared the turning buoy to head southwest behind Cumberland Island, the engine suddenly started stalling. We were healing so much, the fuel pickup became exposed and cavitated. The motor died so we continued sailing, rounded the buoy and surfed our way into the Cumberland River. As we got into calmer water, I got a fuel can stored forward and added 5 gal of fuel to the tank. We had to start the engine several times and let it run rough and slow until the air was worked out of the system. I guess I should have added fuel to the tank before we started out.
I kept the jib out for the remainder of the day. It helped us speed through the Cumberland Dividings and past Kings Bay Naval Base and into Cumberland Sound. The choice now was either go to St. Marys or to Fernandina Beach. I wanted out of GA so Fernandina was the choice. It’s not so funny how Murphy makes you pay for this kind of decision. As we approached the inlet from the north, the wind was from the north and the tide was going out. Pretty smooth sailing until we reached the point where the Amelia River flowed into the sound and out the inlet. The wind now opposed the tide and it became real choppy. The boat was smacking into waves and almost stalling. Then the wave would pick us up from behind, push us forward and we’d surf down the wave. Fortunately we only had to endure a couple of miles of this before we reached the turn to Fernandina Beach City Marina. We were assigned a inside slip where it was much calmer.
All-in-all a rough but exciting day and we covered a good distance. Most of all, we were out of GA and into FL. Hooray!!!
Location: Fernandina Beach City Marina, FL, MM 718
Started: 0745 Stopped: 1430
Distance Traveled: 51.8 mi, Avg spd: 7.1 Max spd: 10.4
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)