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
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!
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
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
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
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
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
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