It was really a quiet night. Despite falling asleep early in the evening, we both pretty much slept until 0500. I got up around 0615, made coffee and started making the boat ready to leave at first light. A quick shot of coffee for both of us and we upped anchor. Underway at 0720 Donna eased us out of the creek and back into the ICW.
The morning was cloudy and a little cool, but a little warmer than the day before. Around 1100, the clouds had cleared, the wind had clocked around to the south and the day began warming nicely. By 1200, we were both out of our jackets and gloves.
The day was a typical SC cruising experience. You are either going pretty fast with the current or fighting to make headway. Unfortunately we arrived at the Ashepoo-Coosaw Cut a half hour before dead low tide. Transit wasn’t too bad until we reached the southern end and entered the Coosaw River. Depth gauge was reading 4.6’ to 4.9’ and we were going slow which made the experience agonizing long.
We continued on to Beaufort, SC, where we passed through the Ladies’ Island Bridge. As we passed the anchorage area off Beaufort, we saw the English couple we dined with in Dowry Creek and Morehead City. They came on deck and waved as we passed and continued on to Port Royal and Battery Creek. We arrived at near the top of the tide and anchored just past the shrimp boat docks where three sailboats were on moorings. We anchored in 18’ of water and about 10 kt of breeze. Hopefully this place will be as quiet and pleasant as last night’s anchorage.
Today’s Tech Stuff:
Location: Port Royal, SC on Battery Creek, South of Beaufort, SC, MM542
Started: 0720 Stopped: 1600
Distance Traveled: 48 mi, Max spd: 8.7, Avg spd: 5.4
Total Distance Traveled to Date: 542 Statute Miles
Day 21, November 28, 2009
Timing the departure for an easy ride through Elliott’s Cut meant we could sleep in and enjoy a nice breakfast. We pulled out of the slip and headed down the Ashley River about 1100 hrs. A short way into Wappoo Creek we had to wait for the bridge opening. It was there we met up with another couple who had been at Dowry Creek during our stay. We fell in behind them and followed them through the cut.
The morning was cool and it took a while for the sun to warm things a little. With the short day, we could only hope to make about 30 miles or so and I had picked out an anchorage at about that distance. We had to negotiate a few skinny water areas along the way, but for the most part the day was a little boring.
We finally reached Tom Point Creek around 1600. We slowed down and eased our way into the creek. Another sailboat followed us in. We talked on the VHF and found neither one of us had used this anchorage before. About a half mile inside the creek, we found a spot we liked and dropped the hook. The other boat went about 200 yards further and did the same.
As soon as the engine stopped, Buddy was ready to go on deck and check things out. He’s developed a new thing which scares Donna and I both. He goes forward, turns and runs toward the dodger, leaps up on the dodger, then leaps to the bimini and comes to a screeching halt just before he reaches the back of the bimini. If he ever overshoots, my only hope is he sails into the dinghy hanging on the stern.
We both fell asleep in the salon about 2000. I woke up and got us both into the vberth around 2030.
Today’s Tech Stuff:
Location: Tom Point Creek, North of Beaufort, SC, MM495
Started: 1100 Stopped: 1615
Distance Traveled: 28 mi
Total Distance Traveled to Date: 495 Statute Miles
The morning was cool and it took a while for the sun to warm things a little. With the short day, we could only hope to make about 30 miles or so and I had picked out an anchorage at about that distance. We had to negotiate a few skinny water areas along the way, but for the most part the day was a little boring.
We finally reached Tom Point Creek around 1600. We slowed down and eased our way into the creek. Another sailboat followed us in. We talked on the VHF and found neither one of us had used this anchorage before. About a half mile inside the creek, we found a spot we liked and dropped the hook. The other boat went about 200 yards further and did the same.
As soon as the engine stopped, Buddy was ready to go on deck and check things out. He’s developed a new thing which scares Donna and I both. He goes forward, turns and runs toward the dodger, leaps up on the dodger, then leaps to the bimini and comes to a screeching halt just before he reaches the back of the bimini. If he ever overshoots, my only hope is he sails into the dinghy hanging on the stern.
We both fell asleep in the salon about 2000. I woke up and got us both into the vberth around 2030.
Today’s Tech Stuff:
Location: Tom Point Creek, North of Beaufort, SC, MM495
Started: 1100 Stopped: 1615
Distance Traveled: 28 mi
Total Distance Traveled to Date: 495 Statute Miles
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)