ICW Day 21 – Georgetown, SC! Whew…
ICW Day 21, Sunday November 6th, 9nm, 402.9 statue miles, 570 total miles. Daylight savings time!
Left Heritage Plantation right at daylight to catch the Lafayette Bridge at low tide. A chain link fence and netting was suspended under the bridge, pretty scary. Even though the water is high, we made it under the bridge and tied up at Georgetown Landing Marina. About a mile walk into town.
Several events scheduled for today. A rope splicing class taught by Frank Stitch on Let It Be, and a charity oyster roast. I rode over with Wally to the town dock in time to make the splicing class, and learned how to splice single braid dynema and also to make a soft shackle out of dynema. Very cool.
In the afternoon we dug in to the oyster roast. What an experience. Clumps of local oysters were roasted in big pots behind the tents and then dumped on the tables. We shucked them ourselves and eat them in bunches right at the table with draft beer. I think I ate more oysters in one go than any other time before. So good! No need for dinner tonight. What a treat.
ICW Day 20 – Almost to Georgetown, SC
ICW Day 20, Saturday November 5, 31nm, 393.9 statue miles, 561 total nm.
We left Myrtle Beach and ventured into the Wacama River. Absolutely scenic. The water levels were still high from the hurricane, but we could see high the water made it. Way up the tree trunks, amazing.
Almost made it to Georgetown, SC today. Unfortunately, we could not make it under the Lafeyette Bridge. In fact, we hit the bridge again. We were able to spin around and head back up the Wacamaw River and snag a slip in Heritage Plantation about 6 miles up river from the bridge. A beautiful setting right on the river in a gated community. Very windy after the front came through, and Terrie thought the waves under the bridge contributed to the issue.
In any case Docs Orders did not even try to go under and stayed back with us. Nice to have some company. We enjoyed a nice meal on the boat. Try again at low tide in the morning.
ICW Day 19 – South Myrtle Beach
ICW Day 19 – South Myrtle Beach, Osprey Marina, Friday November 4, 14nm, statue mile 373.3, 530 total nm
The big worry today was the Socastee Bridge and the weather front that went through. High water from hurricane Mathew is still trying to make its way out. Just 2 days ago the clearance at the Socastee bridge was only 63 feet and improving slowly. We timed our departure from Grande Dunes for low tide (about 2.5 feet) and made the bridge with 65+ feet of clearance. The other concern was the powerful front, but the ICW is down in a cut with trees all around so we could not feel the wind, and were able to make Osprey Marina without any issues. This ended our streak of three weeks of summer like weather, although it looks the great conditions are going to come back in the next couple of days.
ICW Day 18 – South Carolina! North Myrtle Beach – Grande Dunes
ICW Day 18 – November 3, 47nm, statue mile 358.5, 516 total nm. 15 gal fuel
You can now follow the boat real time on:
https://www.vesselfinder.com/?mmsi=367728050
South Carolina!
If you would have told me that I would see Myrtle Beach from the water before I saw it playing golf I would never have believed you. 11 bridges today as we left Southport for Myrtle Beach. We decided to go outside for about 30nm from the mouth of the Cape Fear River to the Little River Inlet. Beautiful ride outside and the inlet was fairly straight forward. Negotiated 4 fixed bridges at 65 feet and 2 swing bridges before we finally made it to Grande Dunes. Upscale marina on the ICW in Myrtle Beach. Enjoyed some nice appetizers at the Ruth Chris steakhouse right on the property. Were outside in the company with Radiance, Valentine, Aitheria, and Docs Orders. Great group!
ICW Day 16/17 – Southport NC
ICW Day 16 – Tuesday & Wednesday November 1/2, 20nm, mile 309.3, 469 total nautical miles. Southport marina with 4 other boats. Wally set us up there so we could talk to Zimmerman marine about the outboard engine. Despite our best efforts to troubleshoot the outboard, gasoline keeps pouring into the cylinders. We were able to have Zimmerman Marine look at it, and they diagnosed that the fuel pump diaphragm is perforated. Leaking directly into the combustion chamber. They arranged to have a new fuel pump shipped to Charleston. Great folks that helped us on short notice.
We also had the time to purchase a bosun’s chair so that I can go back up the mast to install the VHF antenna either upside down or sideways to bring our long range VHF and AIS back on line. Fun little town and a nice marina. Weather continues to be wonderful as the wind laid down and the sun came out for the run from Wrightsville to Southport. Had to contend with the Snows Cut bridge. Dinner with our group at Fishy Fishy.
ICW Day 15 – Wrightsville Beach
ICW Day 15, Monday October 31, Wrightsville Beach Anchorage, 48nm, statue mile 283.4, 446 total miles. Long day from Swansboro to Wrightsville Beach. Bridges, and now some shoals we need to worry about. Browns Inlet and Mason Inlet. We were headed for Masons Inlet following Wally when we noticed a shrimp boat aground in the shoal area. Concerned that we could pass him to get through. Fortunately the shrimp boat freed itself and we were able to proceed. However… We drifted too far right and ran aground ourselves, but were able to back off and sneak out. Whew… Then other boats trying to make the shortcut to the anchorage were also running aground so we went around to the better channel and anchored inside the Wrightsville Beach barrier island. Windy and rough, so we fixed dinner on board and relaxed. Also, Halloween. Frank and Mary Grace from Let It Be went from boat to boat bringing drinks and candy while dressed in their costumes. Very cool.
ICW Day 14 – Swansboro, NC
ICW Day 14, Sunday October 30, 25nm, mile 229.1, 394 total miles.
Left a bit later to time the tides to clear the Atlantic Beach and Emerald Isle bridges. Interesting little town. The anchorage was a bit rough with wind and tide opposing, so we jumped on the chance to tie up at the new city docks. The city put on a reception for us on the docks and made us feel quite welcome. After attempting the anchorage, two other boats decided to come in.
ICW Day 13 – Rafted up in Beaufort NC
Its about the people! Can’t say enough about the people on this trip. Everyone is helping each other. Us more than most… Dinghy motor crapped out again. Gas is going straight into the combustion chamber. Will try to set up for someone to look at it in Southport. In the meantime, we rafted up with Jack and Diane on Valentine, and Ken and Laurie from Mauna Kea. Everyone contributed something for dinner on board Valentine. Did I mention the people were open and friendly?
ICW Day 11/12 – Beaufort NC
ICW Day 11/12, Thursday October 27, 29nm, mile 200.9, 369 total miles. 27 gal fuel.
Another great weather day for the run to Beaufort (bo-fort), NC. We have been hearing about Beaufort for years. Nice to visit the town. Docked in the town docks right alongside of town. Interesting town with a few restaurants and shops. Enjoyed the farmers market and dinner in town. Stayed 2 nights on the dock before going across the creek to anchor for the last night.
Wally picked up fresh shrimp for everyone before River Dunes.
ICW Day 8/9/10 – River Dunes North Carolina
ICW Day 8/9/10, Monday October 24, 38 nm, mile 173.9, 340 total miles.
Another beautiful day. All sunny days since we left, and it is staying warm. Fabulous. Wonderful sail as moved into Pamlico Sound. Arrived in River Dunes marina just north of Oriental. Upscale development with a protected marina. Were able to get the dinghy going today. Swimming pool (cold but refreshing), fire pits, and a croquet game. Eric and Corrine on Reflection II from Montreal, yes another boat named Reflection, went for a bike ride with us and then fixed us a wonderful home made Gazpacho soup.