Trawler Punches on the IntraCoastal Waterway

It was another calm morning in Myrtle Beach in the high 40's at sunrise. As we have moved both north and east we have picked up about 25 minutes of daylight in the morning. Our 7 am departures are no longer in the dark!! Today's run next to the coast into North Carolina past many beach communities. We had more boat traffic today with the weekend and good weather. The current was favorable until we reached the Cape Fear River at Southport. Our timing was terrible, about an hour before low tide. For one hour we bucked a 3.5 knot current against us in the river. It slowly declined to about 1.5 knots. With a south wind the outgoing tide created about 1 foot standing waves in the river.
Tonight we have stopped in the town of Carolina Beach, NC. We went into "town" and walked the small boardwalk along the beach to see what one of these small NC beach towns looks like. It is a mix of old and sometimes empty stores and much high end new development.
I may have a small leak in my seawater pump on the engine. The pump Cummins used is made by Sherwood and does not have a good reputation for lasting. At at over 900 hours mine has gone longer than the average. I will watch it, but normally when the seal fails it does not get much worse over time.
Today's Stats: Location Federal Point YC Marina, Carolina Beach, NC ICW MM 295.1, distance 54.63 miles, time 6.5 hrs, speed 8.4 mph, 7.3 knots

This morning was our coldest yet of the trip at 46 degrees, but it was not windy and clear. The run was short thru the beautiful Waccamaw River. We saw ospreys already on their nest and one bald eagle. It is always a shock to come out of that river and into the wall to wall development of Myrtle Beach. Unlike yesterday, today we had a good current for the whole trip and arrived at Dock Holiday's Marina in North Myrtle Beach before noon. It is one of our favorites because all of the shopping is within 1/2 mile on foot ( Food Lion, CVS, West Marine, Walmart, Office Depot etc..... ). The weather looks good for a few days when another front is forecast. We can hear the beach music at Dynamites the local bar and restaurant and its a great way to say goodbye to South Carolina.
Today's Stats: Location Dock Holidays Marina, North Myrtle Beach, SC ICW MM 348, distance 43.17 miles, time 4.75 hrs, speed 9.09 mph, 7.9 knots

Punches at Dock Holidays next to a 57 foot Carver Pilothouse!

How can one day make so much difference? It was 63 degrees in the morning, cloudly and light winds. Within two hours of leaving the anchorage we were hit with the 15 knot NE cold winds. This section of the ICW is very near the ocean along the Cape Roman Wildlife Refuge. The wind has little to stop it. We had the added insult of a terrible current all day. We maybe had 45 minutes of positive current; for the rest of the day it was strongly against us reducing our speed. We passed a few boats at anchor and one trawler from NY that we had passed a few days before, "Nomad".
Our strategy today was to have a backup reservation at a marina in Georgetown, SC. Georgetown sits off the wide waters of Winyah Bay and we had no idea how rough it would be with the predicted winds. When we reached the Bay the chop was only about a foot and the winds seemed to drop a little. We decided to press on another 2 hours to a very protected anchorage we have used before off the Waccamaw River. Just 20 minutes before we arrived a cold rain started which of course ended just as we anchored. The winds have dropped now and we think the worst of the cold front passage is over. The temperature has dropped to 54 degrees. Yow!
Today's Stats: Location Thoroughfare Creek, SC, ICW MM 388.9, distance 66.77 miles, time 8.5 hrs, speed 7.86 mph, 6.83 knots

Yet another perfect morning for boating with no wind and mild temperatures. We are still in shorts, but who knows for how long with a cold front coming in the next few days. Unlike the last few days, today the current did not help us and made the trip seem longer. About 2 hours into the morning we went through some thick fog and only the GPS and electronic charts kept us on course. We had just been passed by a 80 foot Palmer Johnson MY, but he kept about the same speed ahead of us so that did not become a worry. When we reached Charleston harbor we made a quick stop at the City Marina for fuel, buying 100 gallons at $2.2389/gallon.
Tonight we are anchored just above Isle of Palms, SC at Dewees Creek a spot we anchored in a few years ago. Its is mostly marsh grass and typical of the anchorages in this area.
Today's Stats: Location Dewees Creek, SC, ICW MM 454.9, time 8 hrs, distance 69.86 miles, avg speed 8.73 mph, 7.59 knots

Can I say it again - another perfect morning for boating, light to no wind, near 60 degrees at sunrise, low humidity, all the trees and flowers in bloom. We left Isle of Hope making our way past the Savannah River and into South Carolina. Just as we were about to cross the Savannah River a container ship was going down river. Needless to say we slowed up and let it pass. Today we finally passed one trawler and one sailboat as we approached Hilton Head Island. With flat seas and no wind we only had currents to slow us down and a few No Wake Zones. The longest of these is many miles as you pass the Beaufort, SC waterfront. They have finally finished the new waterfront park in Beaufort and it looks great. We are again watching the weather and the next cold front due to arrive on Thursday. We decided to make each day a little longer to have the option of going into a marina in Georgetown, SC if we want to on Thursday.
Tonight we are anchored off the wide Coosaw River in a wide creek. With light winds we have more choices where to anchor.
Today's Stats: Location Wimbee Creek, SC, ICW MM 521, time 7.87 hrs, distance 74.13 miles, avg speed 9.42 mph, 8.19 knots

After great sunny days today started a little windy and cloudly. We just had a short run across Ossabaw Sound and then to Isle of Hope Marina near Savannah, GA. Isle of Hope is a beautiful area of fine homes and all the flowers are already in bloom here. We cleaned the boat, ran for some groceries and then went to dinner for some shrimp. In the early afternoon we saw the cruise ship that goes from Florida to Charleston go by. The channel makes a U turn right near the marina and it was a sight to see how they turned this large vessel in a narrow channel.
By the afternoon it was sunny again and we hope the good weather trend continues.
Today's Stats: Location Isle of Hope Marina, GA ICW MM 590, distance traveled 23.61 miles, time 2.83 hrs, speed 8.34 mph, 7.25 knots.

Spirit of America Cruise Ship at Isle of Hope:

We left Cumberland Island, GA with no wind and 64 degrees. The tide was coming in which would help as we passed shallow spots ( SINCE US Corps of Engineers has no money to maintain Georgia section of ICW ). We did not see any large boats as we made our way. For the most part tides and the current worked with us. Listening to the weather we realized that today would be great weather, but tomorrow could be 15-20 knot winds to do the open sound crossings. As we went along we kept deciding to push on further to "cross another sound." One by one they fell behind us: St Andrew where you touch the ocean; St. Simons, Altamaha, Sapelo and then St. Catherines. The day did not seem that long, it was so nice. On the weather radio they said it was 90 degrees inland in Georgia. By the time we stopped we had covered 98.72 miles which is the longest we have ever travelled on this boat in a single day. Tonight we are anchored in Big Tom Creek where we anchored on the way down. All we have around us are trees, marsh grass and the sounds of the birds - heaven on the water! I have attached a Google Earth Picture to show where we are below.
Today's Stats: Location Big Tom Creek, GA, ICW MM 612.9, distance 98.72 miles, time travelled 10.62 hrs, avg speed 9.30 MPH, 8.07 Knots

Maptech Air Photo of Big Tom Creek:

Mild temperatures. Light Winds. Sunny. What more could you ask for on a day off in a beautiful place among the barrier islands of Georgia. We splashed the dinghy over and went ashore to the National Seashore at Cumberland Island. We had done the guided tour before so decided to walk ourselves and see more details of the mansion ruins, wildlife and plantlife. It is spring in Georgia and many blooms were on the trees and flowers. Walking through the forest of live oaks all you could hear was the ocean and birds. When we reached the beach we were the only people walking and did not see anyone else for over a mile. On the beach it was low tide and many birds were feeding at the intertidal line. We also saw a few stingrays and horseshoe crabs that had met an early end. Since our last visit the park has started to rent bikes which makes it easier to get around. They also now allow docking at both of their docks, before only one dock was available for dinghies and other boats making it hard to find space.

Wild Horses at the Dune Line:


Sandra on the Cumberland Island Beach:


Royal Terns on the Beach:

We had another perfect night and morning at anchor. The morning was calm and we left just before sunrise to try and make our fuel stop in Fernandia Beach at slack tide. Skies were clear and winds did not exceed 6 mph. Tides at Fernandia run 7 feet and that creates a wicked current. I am a weenie when it comes to trying to dock in those coditions, hence making sure we arrived at slack tide.
We only needed 8 mph avarage to make it on time and with currents we actually got a little ahead and then slowed down for the last 45 minutes. Fuel at Florida Petroleum was $2.26 a gallon and that was very close to what we paid coming down in the fall. Florida Petroleum is always a low price and we will see what happens when we fuel further up the ICW in SC. The boat had burned about 88 gallons in the last 38 hours, giving an average fuel burn of 2.32 gph ;I covered 316 miles, which works out to 3.6 mpg- not bad for a 36 foot boat.

Tonight we are anchored in our favorite anchorage, Cumberland Island, Georgia off the St Mary's River and across from the Kings Bay Sub Base. We wanted to stop on the way down, but it was too windy so with good conditions we will take a day off tomorrow to explore ashore and on the beach.
Today's Stats: Location Cumberland Island, GA ICW MM 711, distance travelled 56.13 miles, time 6.68 hrs, average speed 8.4 mph, 7.30 knots

St John's River Crossing with Atlantic Marine in Background

After a few cloudly days at was nice to see a clear sunrise over Daytona Beach. Winds overnight were not as bad as forecast and quite light at sunup. As we made our way north the onshore east winds picked up a little, but never enough to create more than a light chop on the waterway. Boat traffic was light except for small local pleasure boats. One large Hatteras MY "Wine Down" passed us. We saw yet another manatee in the channel so we are two for two over the last days. Going through St Augustine Harbor I was starting to go under the new temporary bridge which I can clear without opening just as a large barge started its approach from the north. The timing was good ( or lucky ) and I cleared through with room to spare.
They are rebuilding the old Bridge of Lions, but it is more of a reproduction/reconstruction since almost nothing but the two draw bridge towers remains of the old bridge.
Tonight we are anchored at yet another place called Pine Island, this time about 10 miles above St Augustine. It is a very peaceful anchorage with no houses or other signs of development visible in any direction.
Today's Stats: Location Pine Island, FL, ICW MM 765, distance travelled 64.32 miles, time 7.5 hrs, average speed 8.58 mph, 7.45 knots

We had a very calm and pleasant night at the NASA Causeway anchorage. There is no traffic to the Cape overnight, but before dawn there was a stream of cars heading to work. The trip up the reminder of the Indian River and then across the Haulover Canal into Mosquito lagoon was uneventfull. There was almost no large boat traffic, just flats boats fishing. The predicted strong east winds held off and made for a good ride. For the first time since we started we had to deal with tide and current which impacted our speed a little. Below New Smyrna Beach we saw a Manatee in the channel; the first one we have ever seen while underway in Florida.
When we reached Daytona Beach we decided to forgo the marina reservation and anchor, as they are calling for winds to drop below 20 mph tonight. In Daytona Beach we have to open two bridges; at the first the bridge tender said I did not come up fast enough ( in a no wake zone!!! ); then I went a little faster to allow get under a high rise bridge before a party boat coming south. The bridge tender then yelled at me for going too fast. Finally at the second bridge I opened ( Main Street ) , the tender said I should have tried to fit under without an opening. It is too tight for my comfort zone. Punches needs 21.5 feet and I allow an extra foot for roll and wakes, so 22.5 feet. The bridge has about 22 feet available. There are 3 other boats with us in the anchorage, 1 trawler and 2 sailboats.
Today's Stats: Location Seabreeze, Daytona Beach, FL ICW MM 829, Distance traveled 57.61 miles, time 6.82 hrs, speed 8.45 mph, 7.34 knots

It started raining about 4 am this morning. It was calm, but cloudly when we left the anchorage at about 7:30 am. I hate early daylight savings time!! I feel I was robbed of my mornings for this trip!! We had quite a bit of rain this morning and ran the boat from the inside. The irony is this is more rain than we saw all winter in Stuart. At times you could see very little and I was happy to have the color charts on the GPS as well as the radar. There was very little traffic on the ICW given the weather. Winds ranged from calm to 15 knots mostly from the east. It is strange weather. There is very strong high pressure, but the east winds bring rain from the Gulf Stream onshore. All in all it was a good day with not much in the way of waves or chop so we made good time. Tonight we are anchored in the lee of the NASA/Addison Point Causeway just off Cape Kennedy and the Shuttle Assembly building. The forecast calls for stronger winds the next few days and we will probably opt for a marina tomorrow night near Daytona Beach.
Today's Stats: Location Nasa Causeway, FL ICW MM 885, distance travelled 61.8 miles, time 7 hrs, speed 8.83 mph, 7.67 knots.

NASA Causeway & Shuttle Building:

After checking the weather we decided to leave a day early and try to get a better run up the Indian River.
When we departed Stuart at 8:05 am it was 62 degrees, calm and sunny. Just a few miles along in the St Lucie River we were greeted by two purposes who stayed with us for about 10 minutes. It quickly turned windy from the east and then later cloudly. At Ft. Pierce our friend Dirk Mundt who is aboard the 38 foot Marine Trader Hattie H walked to the middle of the drawbridge and wished us well on our northern journey. Around Vero Beach the rain started and we finished the day's trip steering from inside. The current was favorable for most of the day. Tonight we are anchored above Vero Beach in a section of very nice homes behind some small islands. We are alone, but during the afternoon there was a small beach party on one of the spoil islands.
Todays Stats: Location ICW MM 946 above Vero Beach, FL, distance traveled 50.75 miles, time 5.91 hrs, avg speed 8.59 mph, 7.46 knots

Today I was able to finish the touch-up of the teak hand rails. Sandra has started to reprovision the boat and tomorrow, with luck, the diver will come and clean the bottom. Now its time to pay my dues to the weather and ask for nice warm weather when we are ready to leave.

Punches at her Dock Circle Bay Yacht Club, Stuart, FL:

Today was another perfect late winter Florida day: blue sky and low 70's. The boat is just about ready for our trip north in about 2 weeks. I have been taking the work in small chunks. In January I put in yet another new Turdra refrigerator. This is my third one. The second one worked OK for about 9 months but on the trip down was not cooling that well and they shipped me a new one before Christmas at no charge. The only catch was I had to get it again on and off the boat and then repack the old one to ship back to Virginia. I hope its the last!!!!!!
Last week I sent my Simrad AC20/AP16 autopilot back for a software upgrade. They upgraded the control units, but the master computer is too hard to take out, so I purchased an EPROM remover from Radio Shack and replaced the software chip myself. The picture below shows the chip and socket. Simrad claims it will work better with the new software. We will see- after the replacement I had to reset all of the autopilot since it thinks it is a new installation.

Today I put a coat of clear Cetol on the boat;s cap rail. This leaves me with just the handrail and all of the wood will have been taken care of. This means I get home to Virgina without ( I hope ) any cosmetic chores on the boat!!

Interior View of Autopilot Computer: