Day 12 - Thursday, Nov 19th, 2009

Started coffee around 0600. The destination for today is Southport. We waited until 0815 to time the tide in the Cape Fear River. High tide at Southport was about 0930 so we are hoping to arrive at slack water. That means running the current, but it will be decreasing as we approach Southport. The plan is to stop at the Southport Marina, do the laundry and shower thing and head to Wally World (Wal-Mart) to restock some groceries.

Out in Snows Cut, the current helped carry us to the river. The run across to the main channel was not as scary as the last time we transited the river. We did encounter a dredge and had to detour around that operation. When we reached the main channel, we were able to motor sail with the jib. We also had to dodge a large tanker headed up river to Wilmington. We arrived at the Southport Marina around 1130, fueled up, did a pumpout and then moved to a slip for the day.


By the time we cleaned the boat a little, we decided to take a cab to Wally World. BTW, cabs are not quick in this territory. Once back at the boat we stowed the groceries and made dinner. Then it was off to the showers and laundry to finish out the day. And you thought this was a glamorous way of life!

Tomorrow's destination: Myrtle Beach, SC


Today’s Tech Stuff:
Location: Southport Marina, Southport, NC MM310
Started: 0815 Stopped: 1130
Distance Traveled: 15 mi
Total Distance Traveled to Date: 315 Statute Miles

Day 11 - Wednesday, Nov 18th, 2009

Up at 0550 to answer the Buddy alarm clock; he wants to be fed earlier and earlier. The switch back to standard time doesn’t work with him. A small rain squall came through around 0300. The noise woke me and I immediately started checking to make sure the anchor wasn’t dragging. Gusts peaked at 24 kn and the whole thing was over in about an hour. As things calmed down, I laid down on the settee and slept until Buddy started his wake up routine.


Destination today is Carolina Beach anchorage at MM295. That means a fifty mile day with several inlets to pass. These inlets are a pain as the tidal currents there help on one side and slow you on the other. In addition, many are shoaling which means timing passage at mid to high tide. We tried to time our arrival at three bridges today, but we arrive early at all due to wind and current. The Surf City Bridge passage went without incident, but the Figure Eight Island Bridge was another story. Wind and current had us moving at 4+mph while idling in neutral so there was lots of the old wait for the bridge dancing going on. At the Wrightsville Beach Bridge condition were even worse and one sailboat went aground while doing the dance.


After those bridges, the next obstacle was the shoaling at the Carolina Beach Inlet. We arrived at near low tide. We hugged the “greens” and still found 5-6’ of water. It was even worse in mid channel and red side. I went outside the greens to find 7-10 of water and was able to pass the inlet and Towboat US trying to free a grounded sailboat in mid channel.


It was a short distance from there to the anchorage. We anchored in 17’ of water and settled in quickly as a rain shower put an end to the day.


Today’s Tech Stuff:
Location: Carolina Beach Anchorage, MM295
Started: 0715 Stopped: 1705
Distance Traveled: 51.8 mi