Took Sailor to the shell bank, hoisted the dinghy and the engine topside, and pulled anchor by 0815. By the time we arrived at Southport, the wind was blowing 30-35 knots from the southeast. None of the anchorages suggested by the cruising guides were acceptable for a boat the size and draft of Seascape so we decided to dock at Southport Marina. We hated to do it but none of the alternatives were good. We were docked by 1315. Although the marina will be very nice when it is completed, it wasn’t worth the $82.00 they charged us.
We ate a quick bite after docking and set out to get our mail ,that had been sent to the Southport Post Office general delivery, and see the town. It was a nice place with many historic homes that had been restored beautifully. The library didn’t have wireless internet and the nearby coffee shop’s connection was intermittent and very slow. Either the poor connection or something I did caused our blog to disappear.
We walked back to the boat and put our clothes in the washer and showered while the were washing. We fried the shrimp we had bought at Calabash for dinner with sweet potatoes and a salad. The wind died during the night
Monday, April 30, 2007
Thursday, April 26, 2007 - Bucksport, SC to Calabash, NC
Up before 0700, walked Sailor, rinsed Seascape, and gave Sailor a bath and we were underway by 0750. Dora cooked some of the sausage, for which the Bucksport Marina is known, for breakfast and it lived up to its reputation . A few miles north of Bucksport we passed Osprey Marina that we had heard had a good price for diesel. Their price was $2.29/gallon, so we stopped and took on another 100 gallons. That gave us 550 gallons aboard which should last for a good while.
The IWW becomes a straight, narrow ditch from mile 225 to 310 at Southport, SC. It was a little uncomfortable passing an oncoming midsized tugboat without a tow. I was glad it didn’t have a tow. The stretch called the rock pile is appropriately named (see photo).
At the Little River we entered North Carolina. We anchored off the IWW in Calabash Creek, about one-half a mile from the community of Calabash, NC. With the tides help, we averaged over 9 mph the whole way. The Danforth anchor held quickly in the sandy bottom near the Little River Inlet.
At the landing in Calabash, there were 12 restaurants within walking distance, all specializing in “Calabash Style” seafood. We didn’t try the restaurants but we did buy some jumbo shrimp right off the shrimp boat that was landing as we tied up the dinghy.
The anchorage proved to be excellent and we had a beautiful night at anchor. We took Sailor to shore on a shell bank right next to the boat.
The IWW becomes a straight, narrow ditch from mile 225 to 310 at Southport, SC. It was a little uncomfortable passing an oncoming midsized tugboat without a tow. I was glad it didn’t have a tow. The stretch called the rock pile is appropriately named (see photo).
At the Little River we entered North Carolina. We anchored off the IWW in Calabash Creek, about one-half a mile from the community of Calabash, NC. With the tides help, we averaged over 9 mph the whole way. The Danforth anchor held quickly in the sandy bottom near the Little River Inlet.
At the landing in Calabash, there were 12 restaurants within walking distance, all specializing in “Calabash Style” seafood. We didn’t try the restaurants but we did buy some jumbo shrimp right off the shrimp boat that was landing as we tied up the dinghy.
The anchorage proved to be excellent and we had a beautiful night at anchor. We took Sailor to shore on a shell bank right next to the boat.
Wednesday, April 25, 2007 - Bucksport, SC
Up at 0600, took Sailor to shore, and had the muddy anchor up by 0715. The Wacamaw River is wide and deep north of Georgetown for 30 miles. When we reached Bucksport Marina about 1130, we decided to stop rather than go another 30 miles to the next good anchorage and risk finding the small area, where we could safely anchor ,being full . The Bucksport Marina is pretty rustic, but they did have one working 50 amp pedestal. We had to hook several hoses together to get water. There was a nice little restaurant and the showers were clean.
Sailor had fun playing with a marina dog that looked like a chow with sawed off legs. I think that they used to build or repair steel boats on the land adjacent to the marina because there is still a large metal shop operating there. We walked up the road about a mile and only saw a couple of houses. A little further there was a new, massive water treatment plant so there must be some development nearby or something large is planned for the future.
In the evening we walked the dock and met a couple that was living aboard a nearly 100 foot long, three masted, steel sailing boat that he had built himself nearby. It draws over nine feet.
Sailor had fun playing with a marina dog that looked like a chow with sawed off legs. I think that they used to build or repair steel boats on the land adjacent to the marina because there is still a large metal shop operating there. We walked up the road about a mile and only saw a couple of houses. A little further there was a new, massive water treatment plant so there must be some development nearby or something large is planned for the future.
In the evening we walked the dock and met a couple that was living aboard a nearly 100 foot long, three masted, steel sailing boat that he had built himself nearby. It draws over nine feet.
Friday, April 27, 2007
Tuesday, April 24, 2007 - Gerogetown, SC
We decided to stay another night a Georgetown and catch a favorable tide early Wednesday morning rather than buck the tide for 60 miles. We kook Sailor to shore and walked about eight blocks to the library where I could get on the internet. Two ladies coming out of the library offered to drive us to the grocery store. We bought a few things and walked about two miles back to the marina. We stopped at a new bakery near the waterfront and bought some pepper bread and oatmeal cookies. We were back on Seascape by 1300.
After lunch, I changed the Racor fuel filter, the oil in the Ford Lehman injection pump, and changed the swivel between the anchor chain and the Delta anchor to a better swivel that Barry Ainsworth had given me, all while Dora slept.
Dora fixed green beans, potatoes and onions, and steamed shrimp for dinner. It was one of the best meals I have had in a long time, although we have been eating very good every meal. It was a beautiful, calm evening at anchor, even though we were anchored directly across from an industrial port.
After lunch, I changed the Racor fuel filter, the oil in the Ford Lehman injection pump, and changed the swivel between the anchor chain and the Delta anchor to a better swivel that Barry Ainsworth had given me, all while Dora slept.
Dora fixed green beans, potatoes and onions, and steamed shrimp for dinner. It was one of the best meals I have had in a long time, although we have been eating very good every meal. It was a beautiful, calm evening at anchor, even though we were anchored directly across from an industrial port.
Tuesday, April 24, 2007
Monday, April 23, 2007 - Isle of Palms to Georgetown, SC
Got up early and took the golf cart to the Halfway House to Shower. Rinsed Seascape and loaded the bicycle that Arlene had given us topside. Sue and Arlene came over just before 0900 to say good-by. We pulled off the dock at 0915and stopped at the Isle of Palms Marina to pump out our holding tank and buy some gasoline for the dinghy engine.
We were underway by 0945. We had the tide with us nearly all day. We had planed to anchor in Awendaw Creek but we got there by 1130 so we decided to go on to Georgetown , approximately 55 miles from Isle of Palms. We arrived at Georgetown at 1532. The wind was blowing 15-20 mph from the south and the anchorage next to downtown was crowded. We decided to anchor off the main channel in Sandpit Creek across from an industrial area in about 20 feet of water.
We lowered the dingy and went to town about 1630. It’s a nice little town that is trying hard to become a place to stop for cruisers and tourist alike. We walked through town and bought some fresh shrimp and flounder at the shrimp dock. Fried the flounder for dinner. The wind calmed after dark making for a pleasant evening.
We were underway by 0945. We had the tide with us nearly all day. We had planed to anchor in Awendaw Creek but we got there by 1130 so we decided to go on to Georgetown , approximately 55 miles from Isle of Palms. We arrived at Georgetown at 1532. The wind was blowing 15-20 mph from the south and the anchorage next to downtown was crowded. We decided to anchor off the main channel in Sandpit Creek across from an industrial area in about 20 feet of water.
We lowered the dingy and went to town about 1630. It’s a nice little town that is trying hard to become a place to stop for cruisers and tourist alike. We walked through town and bought some fresh shrimp and flounder at the shrimp dock. Fried the flounder for dinner. The wind calmed after dark making for a pleasant evening.
Sunday, April 22, 2007 - Isle of Palms, SC
We got up early too go to watch Arlene and seven other bell ringers ring the eight large bells in the bell tower at Stella Maris Catholic Church. It is the only Catholic church that uses bell ringers. Several of the ringers that were there were visiting from England and had been ring bells for 50 years or more. They vary the order that the bells are rung making a very unique sound.
Right next to the church was Fort Moultre, one of our most historic coastal defense sites. The fort protected the city of Charleston and its harbor for more than a century and a half. It was built in 1776 to prevent the British from entering Charleston Harbor.
Later Arlene, Sue , Dora and I went to see the historic Magnolia Plantation located west of Charleston on the Ashley River. Magnolia was s slave plantation with a population of 300 slaves before the Civil War. After the war The owner was forced by economics to open the plantation to public tours.
Overall, we had a very enjoyable day as a tourist. Sue fixed us some excellent lasagna for dinner.
Right next to the church was Fort Moultre, one of our most historic coastal defense sites. The fort protected the city of Charleston and its harbor for more than a century and a half. It was built in 1776 to prevent the British from entering Charleston Harbor.
Later Arlene, Sue , Dora and I went to see the historic Magnolia Plantation located west of Charleston on the Ashley River. Magnolia was s slave plantation with a population of 300 slaves before the Civil War. After the war The owner was forced by economics to open the plantation to public tours.
Overall, we had a very enjoyable day as a tourist. Sue fixed us some excellent lasagna for dinner.
Sunday, April 22, 2007
Friday, April 20,2007 - Isle of Palms
Pulled the bad thruster battery the first thing in the morning. Sue took Dora and I to West Marine where they replaced the nearly new battery without question. I replaced the battery and the thruster worked fine. I spent a couple of hours helping the owner of the slip we were using mount six small fenders on his dock.
The four of us went to Mexican restaurant for dinner. Overall, it was a very enjoyable day.
The four of us went to Mexican restaurant for dinner. Overall, it was a very enjoyable day.
Friday, April 20, 2007
Thursday, April 19, 2007 - Isle of Palms
Dora started a load of wash early. We used Arlene's car to go for groceries about 1100. Arlene got permission for us to use a slip owned by her neighbor for a few days. We moved Seascape to the slip just before checkout time at the marina. Arlene went ahead of us in our dinghy to give us a hand with the dock lines. The wind and the current were right on our bow so I had to use the bow thruster for relatively long periods to keep from loosing control of the bow. Just as Dora and Arlene got the lines secured the thruster stopped working.
As soon as Arlene left I started to figure out what was wrong with the thruster. After some trial and error, I found that the negative terminal on one of the batteries was completely melted from the battery and molten led was fused to the bottom of the battery box. I'm not sure what went wrong but I suspect that the almost new battery shorted out due to the high current demand from the thruster. We went out to dinner with Sue and Arlene at a Mexican restaurant.
As soon as Arlene left I started to figure out what was wrong with the thruster. After some trial and error, I found that the negative terminal on one of the batteries was completely melted from the battery and molten led was fused to the bottom of the battery box. I'm not sure what went wrong but I suspect that the almost new battery shorted out due to the high current demand from the thruster. We went out to dinner with Sue and Arlene at a Mexican restaurant.
Thursday, April 19, 2007
Wednesday, April 18, 2007 - Steamboat Creek
Up at 0700, took Sailor to shore, and got underway by 0815. Weather was cool and overcast but very pleasant in the pilothouse. By luc,k, the tide was with us nearly all day. At times we were making 10 mph. Passed by Charleston, located at the mouths of the Ashley and Cooper Rivers. Motored past Fort Sumter and Fort Moutrie as well as a cruise ship and some bulk carriers.
After Charleston, we entered a dredged portion of the IWW and traveled about seven miles to Isle of Palms Marina. We bought 100 gallons of diesel and took a slip. Sue and Arlene, our good friends from Club Coniental in Orange Park, meet us soon after we docked. Sue treated us to a fine dinner at the restaurant next to the marina. After dinner we visited with Sue and Arlene at Arlene's home near the marina. We were back to the boat by 2200.
After Charleston, we entered a dredged portion of the IWW and traveled about seven miles to Isle of Palms Marina. We bought 100 gallons of diesel and took a slip. Sue and Arlene, our good friends from Club Coniental in Orange Park, meet us soon after we docked. Sue treated us to a fine dinner at the restaurant next to the marina. After dinner we visited with Sue and Arlene at Arlene's home near the marina. We were back to the boat by 2200.
Wednesday, April 18, 2007
Monday April 16, 2007 - Steamboat Creek, SC
We were up early. Time to make a decision whether to stay another night, to wait until the wind dies down a little, or just go. The prediction was 25 to 35 knot winds to continue from the northwest for the rest of the day and begin to calm around midnight. We decided to go for it. We left Lady’s Island Marina about 0800. Even with he high winds motoring was pretty comfortable.
A beautiful 55 foot power catamaran passed us .in Brickyard Creek and we talked for a while. They had cruised the Great Loop four times, been to New Zealand, and to Alaska in catamarans. Their home is on one of the Great Lakes. He said he motors on one engine most of the time and uses two gallons per hour at eight or nine knots.
The seas got pretty choppy in the broad Coosaw River. We crossed several very shallow spots in the Dawho River and bumped bottom hard at Marker 110,raising the stern and healing us to starboard, but we managed to slide over the shoal.
Anchored at 1330 in Steamboat Creek about a mile south of the ICW, in about 12 feet of water. Steamboat Creek is about 27 miles south of Charleston. The wind was blowing very hard. About 1730 we had to lower the dinghy an engine from topside in a howling wind to take Sailor to shore. With good teamwork everything went smoothly. We got pretty wet from blowing spray on the way to the landing.
A beautiful 55 foot power catamaran passed us .in Brickyard Creek and we talked for a while. They had cruised the Great Loop four times, been to New Zealand, and to Alaska in catamarans. Their home is on one of the Great Lakes. He said he motors on one engine most of the time and uses two gallons per hour at eight or nine knots.
The seas got pretty choppy in the broad Coosaw River. We crossed several very shallow spots in the Dawho River and bumped bottom hard at Marker 110,raising the stern and healing us to starboard, but we managed to slide over the shoal.
Anchored at 1330 in Steamboat Creek about a mile south of the ICW, in about 12 feet of water. Steamboat Creek is about 27 miles south of Charleston. The wind was blowing very hard. About 1730 we had to lower the dinghy an engine from topside in a howling wind to take Sailor to shore. With good teamwork everything went smoothly. We got pretty wet from blowing spray on the way to the landing.
Sunday, April 15, 2007
Sunday April 15, 2007 - Lady's Island Marina
A major weather front arrived aroung midnight. Strong westerly winds with intermidant showers. I awoke early and added to our blog. Dora did laundry while I fixed a small leak in one of the potable water lines in the engine room. As usual, what should have been a 20 minute job took nearly five hours. The winds intensified through the day as they clocked around to the north. There were tornado warnings early.
We reached some old friends from our years at Club Contenental in Orange Park who now live near Charleston. We hope to stop at Isle of Palms and visit with them next week.
We reached some old friends from our years at Club Contenental in Orange Park who now live near Charleston. We hope to stop at Isle of Palms and visit with them next week.
saturday, April 14, 2007 - Beaufort, NC
We went to shore early to walk Sailor and take showers. On the way back we stopped at Compass Rose to tell John our plans and pickup address cards that he had made for us. John had checked the weather report and told us that a severe cold front was forecast for early Sunday morning and that it would be blowing hard for several days.
Rather than dealing with high winds and strong currents at anchor and having difficulty getting to shore, we decided to dock for a day or two and wait for the weather to improve. Lady's Island Marina appeared to offer the best protection from the wind so we chose to go there instead of the Downtown Marina. We were secure at the dock by 1100.
Lady's Island Marina is small but in good condition and well managed. There is shopping nearby. We walked to a hardware store and a Publix Grocery Store in the afternoon. Dora did some laundry at the marina.
Rather than dealing with high winds and strong currents at anchor and having difficulty getting to shore, we decided to dock for a day or two and wait for the weather to improve. Lady's Island Marina appeared to offer the best protection from the wind so we chose to go there instead of the Downtown Marina. We were secure at the dock by 1100.
Lady's Island Marina is small but in good condition and well managed. There is shopping nearby. We walked to a hardware store and a Publix Grocery Store in the afternoon. Dora did some laundry at the marina.
Saturday, April 14, 2007
Friday, April 13, 2007 - Beaufort
We went to town about 0900. We walked to the Library where I connected to the internet using our computer. Still had some trouble getting on Internet Explorer, but was able to check bank accounts and e-mail. We ate lunch at a small restaurant. I walked to the grocery store (about four miles round trip). John and Pam came over for cocktails about 1700.
Thursday, April 12, 2007 - Turner Creek to Beaufort, NC
Departed at 0700 with Compass Rose in the lead. Instead of backtracking down Turner Creek, we followed them up the creek to where it joins the Savanah River and then picked up the ICW at Field's Cut.
It was a nice run to Beaufort (50 miles). Decided to anchor about 3/4 mile Downtown Marina because I didn't trust the Delta anchor. Tried to set the Delta twice and both times it would move when Dora backed down hard. The second time a large rock was wedged in the anchor. I gave up on the Delta and chain and dropped the Danforth which set and held immediately.
Went to shore later in the afternoon and took showers at the Marina ($1.00/shower). On the way back to the boat we visited with John and Pam on Compass Rose.
It was a nice run to Beaufort (50 miles). Decided to anchor about 3/4 mile Downtown Marina because I didn't trust the Delta anchor. Tried to set the Delta twice and both times it would move when Dora backed down hard. The second time a large rock was wedged in the anchor. I gave up on the Delta and chain and dropped the Danforth which set and held immediately.
Went to shore later in the afternoon and took showers at the Marina ($1.00/shower). On the way back to the boat we visited with John and Pam on Compass Rose.
Wednesday, April 11,2007 - Kilkenny Creek to Turner Creek, GA
Left Kilkenny at 0900 and anchored up Turner Creek (28 miles)at 1345. Anchored in he narrow creek among some sailboats and shrimp boats farther upstream. Had some trouble getting the Delta anchor to hold again so we put out the Danforth anchor on a nylon rode, also. even though it isn't a good idea to use chain and nylon rode together.
Took Sailor to shore and paid $5.00 to use the dinghy dock at Hogan's Marina. Bought some groceries at a Publix next to the marina. When we came back, we saw another Krogen anchored just down from us and motored over to meet them. The boat was named Compass Rose and the owners were John and Pam Lovely. There boat is a 1987 Krogen 42 in great shape.
Took Sailor to shore and paid $5.00 to use the dinghy dock at Hogan's Marina. Bought some groceries at a Publix next to the marina. When we came back, we saw another Krogen anchored just down from us and motored over to meet them. The boat was named Compass Rose and the owners were John and Pam Lovely. There boat is a 1987 Krogen 42 in great shape.
Tuesday, April 10,2007 - Dupin River to Kilkenny Creek, GA
Raised anchor at 0800 and meandered 25 miles through some of th most beautiful spartina marshes anywhere. Anchored in Kilkenny Creek about one-half mile down stream from the small community of Kilkenny. Tony Fraga drove up from Jekyll Island to Kilkenny and had lunch with us on Seascape. Overall a very good day but the weather is still a little cool. I know that we will be wishing for cooler weather soon enough.
Monday, April 9, 2007 - Frederica Creek to Sapelo Island, GA
We were up at 0800. Nice calm day but still chilly. Had to wait until 1100 to take Sailor to shore because we couldn't reach the ladder at the National Monuments dock. Departed Frederica River at 1200. Motored three hours to Dupin Creek and anchored up the creek about a mile near near the Georgia Marine Institute ferry landing on Sapelo Island. We used the Institute dock to take Sailor to shore.
Sunday (Easter), April 8,2007 - Departed Cumberland Island
We got underway at 0930. As we were pulling the anchor we watched a Trident submarine and all its escorts returning from sea proceeding down the IWW to Kings Bay Naval Submarine Base. By the time we pulled into the IWW the sub had disappered into one of the large "hangers".The wether is still pretty cold and windy for us (40's) but we are snug in Seascape's pilothouse. Thanks to Barry Ainsworth our new laptop and Coastal Explorer navigation program are working great.
We anchored in the Frederica River near Fort Frederica National Monument about 1500. I bought a Senior Pass to all National Parks seashores and Monuments for $10.00 at the fort. There must be some advantage to getting old.
We anchored in the Frederica River near Fort Frederica National Monument about 1500. I bought a Senior Pass to all National Parks seashores and Monuments for $10.00 at the fort. There must be some advantage to getting old.
Saturday, April 7, 2007 - Departed Ortega Yacht Club Marina, Jacksonville, FL
We pulled out at 0700, right on schedule. That will be the last time we have a schedule for this trip, we hope. Rick, Barb, Olof, Christin, and Olivia were there to see us off. We had the tide with us all the way to our first anchorage at Cumberland Island National Seashore. We were anchored by 1345. The Delta anchor with all chain rode drug some in the night with high winds and a strong current. We reanchored about 0230 and the anchor held fine for the rest of the night.
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