April 28, 2010 - Day 13

Today was full of adventures. We get underway at 0700. A little boost from the current helped us reach Elliotts Cut ahead of schedule. We shot through the cut on the ebbing current and then had to slow down to time the passage through the Wappoo Creek Bridge. While waiting for the bridge, we were boarded by the "coasties". The did their usual Q&A check and inspected for the required safety equipment. We passed. They got off the boat just in time for us to make the bridge opening.

We had a great run through the Charleston Harbor. After that it was skinny water almost all the way to our anchorage . We bumped bottom several times and went real slow searching for the deeper water. We happened upon a boat hard aground after the Ben Sawyer Bridge.  Don't know if he got out of the channel and ran aground or if he tried to anchor overnight and drifted into the shallows. Six to eight foot tide swings are nothing to take lightly. The fellow ran behind the boat when he saw Donna taking pictures.  I believe I'd hide my face too.


We finally arrived at the anchorage here in Awendaw Creek about 1745. It’s a great anchoring spot except for the fast tidal current. Tonight we have current and a breeze (15 gusting to 18) that just won’t quit. I guess I’ll be up all night checking for anchor drag even with the new Rocna. Yep nervous Nellie, that’s me.


Location: Awendaw Creek, SC - MM 446 (N of Charleston, SC)
Distance Traveled: 61 mi

April 27, 2010 - Day 12

We’re up at 0630 and head for the showers. The swing bridge is closed to traffic until 9AM so we have time to shower and get the holding tank pumped out before we leave. We get underway about 0825 and arrive at the bridge just in time for the opening.

The wind was really up today. Blowing 20, gusting to 25+, from the west is not a good thing. It blows the water out and we already have several skinny water sections to navigate. We managed to make it through the Ashepoo-Coosaw Cut 3 hours before MLW. From there we battled the wind and current the rest of the day.

We pulled into Tom Point Creek and had to run 2+ miles upstream before we found a spot with some trees to block the still gusting wind. We dropped the hook and were done for the day at 1633. Two other boats joined us later, one upstream and one down stream.

Donna made a great salad and pizza for dinner and then we sort of unwound from the days tension.

Location: Tom Point Creek, SC - MM 495 (S of Charleston, SC)
Distance Traveled: 45 mi

April 25 & 26, 2010 - Day 10 & 11

Winds are way up and there is the threat of some possible tornados so we decide to sit it out. Several other boats do to. We all decide to take advantage of the marina’s 3 for 2 deal (pay for 2 nights, get 3rd free).

On the 26th we used the marina’s courtesy car, drove to downtown Beaufort for lunch at Plum’s Restaurant and then went to the Publix for some groceries. It was a beautiful but windy day. One tornado did hit the Darlington area, north and inland of us.

Location: Port Royal Landing Marina, Port Royal, SC - MM 540 (S of Beaufort, SC)
Distance Traveled: None

April 24, 2010 - Day 9

Yesterday took its toll on me so we start a little late today. We got underway at 0800 under gray skies and light sprinkles. The Savannah River and the GA/SC border was only about 10 miles away. The tide was nearing the bottom so we traveled through a few “skinny “ places. Fortunately for us, the area known as Fields Cut, just on the other side of the Savannah, was dredged very recently and we could continue through at MLW. Just before we got to the Savannah, we saw a prime example of what happens when you don't choose your anchoring site with care.  Click on the picture!! No, its not us!

Light showers plagued us as we passed through the New River, Cooper River, Calibogue Sound and Skull Creek. We encountered a regatta in the Calibogue with several boats running with spinnakers. It was a nice thing to see them sailing. Thanks to the weather there was little other boating activity even as we passed the exclusive Hilton Head Island.

When we entered the Port Royal Sound, the winds had begun to increase. We motor jibbed on a close haul to cross the sound. It was only a 4 mile run to the turn, but we got battered as the winds and waves had a long fetch in from the ocean. A lot of things got tossed about inside the cabin before we turned to run with the wind and current up the Beaufort River.

The evening’s predicted wind direction and strength nixed all possible anchorages except one in Cowen Creek. We ran a couple miles up the creek and tried anchoring in the lee of some trees on shore. The Rocna anchor set quickly, but failed to hold in the “fluff” mud bottom. After several attempts to find good holding, we abandoned the anchorage and headed for Port Royal about 8 miles away.

We contacted the marina and made arrangements to tie up to the outside dock as we were arriving after the marina closed for the day. We managed a easy unassisted tie up about 1800 despite the wind and current. It’s amazing how you can do that when there is no one around to watch you mess up.

The outside dock proved to be a less than desirable location, but we were in for the night with electricity, water and a dock that wasn’t going anywhere.


Location: Port Royal Landing Marina, Port Royal, SC - MM 540 (S of Beaufort, SC)
Distance Traveled: 50 mi

April 23, 2010 - Day 8

We up anchor and start moving almost before we can really see. We need to make it 12 miles and get through the worst trouble spot in GA. It’s a stretch about 2 miles long known to be extremely shallow, 5’ or less at low tide. The water in one spot there is only 2.5’ at MLW and we will be arriving at 2 hours before low tide.

When we arrive I almost decide to hold up, but foolishly went ahead anyway. It was a real nail biter all the way through. Right at the very end, we hit the bottom, which was soft mud. I revved up the engine to keep our speed from slowing and plowed through. I saw the depth meter reading 3.9’ but Donna said she saw it read 3.1’. Fortunately we had enough speed to “plow” through. As we popped out of the mud, the depth meter display suddenly jumped to 4.5’, 4.9’ and then slowly climbed to 7’. Whew!! We made it.

I spent a few minutes just unwinding. The rest of the day was more motor jibbing with the help of a good SE breeze. Quite a bit of it to be exact. We didn’t stop until reaching the anchorage next to the Isle of Hope Marina. We dropped the hook about 1910. A very long, nerve wrecking day.


Location: Anchorage next to Isle of Hope Marina, GA - MM 590 (South of Thunderbolt, GA)
Distance Traveled: 75 mi

April 22, 2010 - Day 7

We get an early start and are underway at 0645. We have trouble spots to get past which require a little tide timing. The first one was at Cumberland Dividings. The tide was near the bottom, but we followed other cruisers advice and stayed uncomfortably close to shore (15 -20 yards) and managed to find deep enough water to pass through.

We reach the tidal current line between rivers/inlets and pick up speed. In fact we did so well, we reached the next trouble spot, Jekyll Creek, only a couple hours after the bottom of the tide. This creek is so bad you need to be ¾ high rising to safely transit with our boats draft. To kill some time we stopped just before the bad stretch at the Jekyll Harbor Marina. We filled one 5 gal. jug with diesel fuel and then went to lunch at the on-site SeaJay’s Waterfront Café & Pub. We had a couple of brews and a great lunch. By the time we were finished, the creek water was up enough to continue on.


On we went. I started calling it “Motor Jibbing”. That’s motor running with the jib rolled out to get a little boost to our speed. We motor jibbed across St. Simons Sound and then up the Mackay River to Wallys Leg where we stopped for the night.


What a difference a few months make. We froze our butts off in Wallys Leg back in December and tonight we are sleeping under sheets with upper 60s for temperatures.


Location: Wallys Leg, GA - MM 665
Distance Traveled: 46 mi

April 21, 2010 - Day 6

We get underway about 0700 heading for the GA/FL line or somewhere close. Nothing much to report on. It’s a typical day of motoring, motoring, motoring with nothing outstanding to see or write about.


We pass Fernandina Beach and continue on into that hell hole called GA. We anchor off the seadock at Cumberland Island. The wind is expected to be light so the only concern is the usual fast moving current associated with the large tide swing.


Good bye FL, hello GA.
Location: Cumberland Island GA, Just North of the GA/FL line - MM 711
Distance Traveled: 54 mi

April 20, 2010

I’m up at my usual 0600 and make coffee. Our departure will be late to get a better timing on the tide at Matanzas Inlet. We enjoy a leisurely breakfast and then start preparing the boat for departure.

Donna found out the Space Shuttle was landing and went onto the dock to see if she can spot it. There were several people dockside looking for it too. Donna got to see the shuttle, but I did not. We both heard the double sonic boom as the shuttle entered the atmosphere and slowed down.

We get away from the dock about 0945 proceed with little haste towards the foreboding inlet and its reported shallow waters. We arrive about 2 hours before high tide and find the marks have all been repositioned and look nothing like the chart. We follow the marks and find deep water all the way except for one spot which would be less than 5 feet at MLW. We hustle on toward St. Augustine while giving thanks for a safe passage.

Once through St. Augustine we sail up the Tomoka River against the tide and reach our anchorage for the evening. We find 3 sailboats and a trawler already there and all the prime spots taken. We take the last spot, out near the channel and drop the hook at 1700. Two other trawlers came later, looked for a spot, but finally gave up and proceeded back down river looking for an anchorage.

A little wine, cheese, crackers and an apple make for an excellent happy hour as we watched the daylight fade.

Location: Pine Island, South of Jacksonville, FL - MM 765
Started: 0945 Stopped: 1700
Distance Traveled: 38 mi

April 19, 2010

We got a great start on the day with the anchor up at 0705. The rest of the day was spent fighting the tidal current and wind on the nose. Try as we might, there was just no way to make passage through a real trouble spot at a safe tide level. Fort Matanzas Inlet area is shoaling badly and we had difficulty getting through back in December. Cautionary advise says to transit at high tide or at least on the rising tide. Our arrival there would have been on the bottom side of the falling tide so we opted to stop at Palm Coast Marina. The good thing is we were on the pier with shore power and hot showers.

We enjoyed the facilities and down time at Palm Coast. We even got some laundry done. Buddy was not too happy as he is not allowed on deck when we are pier side as he will jump ship.

Tomorrow we will be leaving late morning to time arrival at Fort Matanzas just before high tide. Hopefully we will make safe passage.

Location: Palm Coast Marina, MM 803
Started: 0705 Stopped: 1430
Distance Traveled: 28 mi

April 18, 2010

Up early thanks to Buddy. He sleeps in the v-berth all day so he’s up all night. The good thing is we get started a little earlier than we usually do. We also get to see a fabulous sunrise. Too bad that didn’t last. Clouds moved in and it looked like rain most of the day.

The light breeze that was noticeable only occasionally was always on the nose so there was no jib sailing. The rain finally got to us as we approached New Smyrna Beach. It sprinkled on and off all the way to Daytona Beach.

We had to go real slow through the Haul Over Canal from the Indian River to Mosquito Lagoon. There were a couple of manatees just swimming along in front of us and there wasn’t room to pass them. It looked like it was a momma and a young one. They were so neat to watch, we forgot to take pictures for a while and when we got the camera out, they seemed to disappear.

When we reached Daytona Beach, we decided to stop as there are not too many anchorages beyond for several miles. We dropped the anchor at 1600 and just chilled for a bit.

This anchorage, which is only about 100 yards off the channel, gets a bit rough when the local Johnny Rockets come through the channel at 25+. Donna was none too happy when she was boiling pasta and we got waked big time.

The new Rocna anchor is working great. It sets quickly and solidly. Makes you feel more confident about the set when you try to sleep through the night. It almost makes you feel as secure as hanging on a mooring ball.

Location: Anchored off Daytona Beach, MM 831
Started: 0730 Stopped: 1600
Distance Traveled: 47 mi, Avg Spd: 5.5

April 17, 2010

Tried to do better on leaving early and what do you get? An even later departure. Oh Well, the day was sunny and warm but there was also no wind. Without the wind we did not make good time and distance.

There were lots of boats traveling the ICW, both snowbirds and locals. We did a lot of slowing down to allow faster boats to pass without waking us too bad. Of course there were lots of locals who just blasted by you and could care less about their wake and what it did to you.

We reached Titusville and decided to stop as there are not too many anchorage spots beyond for several miles. We dropped the anchor at 1530 just in time for happy hour.

There was a carnival on shore and bands were playing. We could hear them real good. Some were quite good and others made you want to just groan.

Later, Donna performed her culinary magic and we dined on garlic & cheese sausages, three bean salad and apple sauce. Tomorrow we push for Daytona Beach.

Location: Anchored off Titusville Municipal Marina, MM 878
Started: 0815 Stopped: 1530
Distance Traveled: 41 mi, Avg Spd: 5.6

April 16, 2010 - The Journey Home Begins

We drop the mooring line at 0745...later than planned as usual. The one thing we are consistent about is getting a late start.

The morning is cool and winds are from the east at 15 mph. The wind is on the nose as we head down the St. Lucie River towards the Crossroads and the ICW. Once we make the turn northward, the east wind gives us a nice broad reach to fly the jib as we motor the narrow channel. We reach boat speeds up to 8.2 mph and make good time and distance.

The plan was to stop at Jones Fruit Dock or a nearby anchorage but it was so early in the day we decided to keep moving hoping to reach Rocky Point or Melbourne. Instead of dying in the afternoon, the wind persisted and actually increased a little. When we reached Rocky Point the wave fetch across the river nixed anchoring in the open there so we continued on. The GPS predicted we would reach Melbourne about 30 minutes before sunset. We actually arrived about 15 minutes before and dropped the hook in the quiet lee of the bridge causeway. Probably our best distance day ever with 78 miles. It was great, but very long day.

Location: Anchored near the Melbourne High Rise Bridge, Melbourne, FL MM 918

Started: 0745 Stopped: 1930
Distance Traveled: 78 mi