May 27, 2014
The plan is to reach Southport, NC today. There are a couple of trouble spots we have to negotiate, but they were dredged over the winter and reports say these spots are still in good shape. Donna is still under the weather, but she is improving.

We get underway and are immediately presented with two swing bridges that are slow to open. The second bridge operator insists on delaying the opening for over twenty minutes to allow a slow moving vessel a couple of miles back to reach the bridge.

We move on toward the Little River inlet. Here we depart SC and enter NC. We also pick up some wind which allows us to motor sail. We are running hard against the current and the motor sailing helps keep our speed up.

We arrive at Shallotte Inlet just before low tide and pass through with no problems other than white knuckles and a death grip on the wheel and throttle lever. A few miles later we arrive at Lockwood’s Folly Inlet and endure the same kind of passage. Breathing a great sigh, we move on toward Southport. The wind increases steadily and by the time we get there it’s blowing 15-17 and gusting to 23 mph. Docking is a zig-zag course through the marina to get to our assigned slip. Thankfully, there are two dock hands there to grab our lines and get us secured to the dock.

Showers and dinner make both of us feel better. Tomorrow is questionable as there is a weather change coming.

Start: 0800

Stop: 1510
Distance Traveled: 44 miles
Avg Speed: 6.3 mph
Max Speed: 9.2 mph
Location: Southport Marina, Southport, NC, MM 309

May 26, 2014
We’re up before daybreak again. This could turn into a habit. We want to catch the last bit of incoming tide and ride the current up the Waccamaw River to Myrtle Beach. We find plenty of water, depth wise, in the Esterville-Minim cut. We catch a good boost when we enter Winyah Bay and head toward Georgetown.

As we pass Georgetown, cruisers who have overnighted there are heading for the mouth of the Waccamaw. This river is probably some of the most enjoyable part of our entire journey. Being it is Memorial Day, there is lots of boats full of fishermen, jet skis and people out joy riding.

We make good time and decide to pass by the oxbow we anchored in on the trip south. Instead we headed for that crown jewel of rip-off outlet stores, Barefoot Landing.  It appears Donna needs a shopping fix. We arrive in mid-afternoon in just enough time for Donna to have a little shopping time and for me to do a little catch-up work around the boat.

Start: 0610

Stop: 1435
Distance Traveled: 62 miles
Avg Speed: 6.8 mph
Max Speed: 8.9 mph
Location: Barefoot Landing, Myrtle Beach, SC, MM 353

May 25, 2014

We’re up before daybreak. Coffee gets the system pumping as we prepare to jump on the current and depart. As usual, with no audience, we perform flawlessly. As we enter the channel, we watch the sun rising from behind the aircraft carrier over at Patriot’s Point. What a sight!

We are just ahead of the high tide cycle so we pass through several trouble spots with plenty of water beneath us. On we go, passing the Ben Sawyer Bridge and out into the Cape Romain marshlands. Don't know if you can see it, but that's an eagle sitting on the shore. Double click the photo to enlarge it.

We pass through the McClellanville area “shallows” without even one bump. Nice of the CG and ACOE to let us know there is a shoal here.

We can’t make it to Georgetown without running the Esterville-Minim cut at low water so we decide to anchor in Minim Creek. We are boat number two in the creek. Rose Anna, a Shucker, is a familiar sight from Stuart. We’re in good company.

Location: Minim Creek, near Georgetown, SC, MM 415

Start: 0615
Stop: 1530
Avg Speed: 5.5 mph
Max Speed: 8.4 mph
Distance Traveled: 52.7 miles

May 23-24, 2014


We played tourists for a couple of days. Most importantly, we celebrated our 39th Wedding Anniversary. Unfortunately, Donna has contracted some kind of bug. She’s congested and has a horrible cough.

 Location: Charleston Maritime Center, Charleston, SC, MM 465

May 22, 2014

Today is the day. Our parts are in and the technician is supposed to be here at nine so Donna heads off on a shopping, site seeing tour.

Nine o’clock means sometime before noon hopefully and it’s about 1015 when the technician arrives. He has the shiny new parts already assembled, but, OH NO…one part is wrong! We have the end mount exhaust elbow and he has brought the side mount type. A quick call to the office and the correct part is on order…be here tomorrow. Just dandy!

The technician, his name is Chris, a nice young fellow, proceeds to remove the defective exhaust successfully. No broken bolts…YEA! He departs, taking the both exhaust assemblies with him. I’m thinking maybe he will try to salvage the old exhaust elbow.

Two hours later I get a call from the Bill, the service manager. They have found the new part we need on one of their service trucks and Chris is being sent back to finish the job. Being a suspicious type, I’m thinking they salvaged my old exhaust elbow, blasted it, painted it and are going to “sell” it back to me as a new part. Happily, I am proven wrong. Chris arrives with both the new and old exhaust assemblies, hands me the old, and then proceeds to install the new.  He has great difficulty installing the new exhaust hose, but finally gets it secured. The engine is cranked and it runs much quieter. We have water flow and no leaks…Woohoo! Chris is the man! Thank you Chris and Bill at the Charleston Boat Yard!

Donna returns with lots of bags, fortunately, they are groceries. We celebrate the engine success and decide to take advantage of the marina’s weekly rate, and essentially stay the next two days for free.

Location: Charleston Maritime Center, Charleston, SC, MM 465