Portsmouth VA to Charleston SC, St Augustine 11/16 to 12/3/2012

Still Heading south Portsmouth VA to Charleston SC to St Augustine FL

After spending a chilly week in Portsmouth VA cleaning topside and below decks I was ready for the next adventure on our journey south. 

During the week I managed to enjoy a little sight seeing, coast guard museum, watching the ferry boats, Portsmouth Lighthouse ship, fresnel lens, and the navy ships moving up the river. 

Sat 11/17/2012: Bob flew in late last night.  This is going to be a full foul weather gear day, with long johns.  Bob checked the oil and tried to install the new oil pressure sensor. It was the wrong part.

We got out of the marina about 7:20a.  We could have waited there a bit longer because the first bridge was not up and we had to wait about 45 minutes.  The group waiting for the opening started to grow.  Some big power boats and various sailboats.  We noted one powerboat from Bucks Harbor, Maine,(Ellysum II) he was moving around too fast and annoyed most everyone.  

We made good time getting through the rest of the bridges but did have to pick up our pace in order to make a couple of bridge openings.  At the great bridge lock we had a chance to talk to the people from Maine, it was their first trip. They were very friendly and had a large furry dog, who did not share their enthusiasm for cruising.  

We passed the Mainers again in Coinjock but decided not to stop but to continue on to Broad Cove in Camden Bay, that was recommended by Active Captain.  It was very tricky getting into the cove because the opening was narrow and shallow.  After bumping around we finally anchored out of the wind and enjoyed a quiet evening.

Sun 11/18/2012: Another full foul weather gear day with long johns.  We left our anchorage at 6:30am and headed out to the Albemare where the conditions were exactly as forecasted.  High winds, 35kt gusts, waves that belonged on the ocean and rain.  A sailors dream.

 

The waves churned up rusty looking water. We put the jib and main and reefed both. It was a wild ride and we made good time.  Getting back into the sheltered part of the ICW was a welcome treat.  
The Mainers passed us while in The Pungo-Alligator canal which took us to the top the Nuese river and our anchorage for the evening.  We pulled up next to the shoreline and behind tree cover.  It was good anchorage, but we dragged a bit and re-anchored.  Several other boats showed up after we arrived. 

Monday 11/19/2012: It was another full foul weather gear day with all long undies, ski gloves and hats.  The wind was again whipping up the waves with the 35kt gusts.  As we turned the corner there were several sailboats making their way down the river with and without sail.  The guy without sail up was bobbing around like a cork.  We put up sails and flew down the river passing three other sailboats (we were not racing).  

We noted the color of the water was improving, even though the weather was not.  We were concerned about the swing bridge because they would not open if the winds went above 35kts.  The Mainers and all the other power boats passed us as we approached the swing bridge.  

The  bridge operator held the opening for us and several other sailboats so we could all go through at once.  Love that. 

We crossed one more large river that was whipped by winds and observed another sailboat not handling well.  He finally dropped his sail and went into a protected area.  

The marina I wanted to stay at was full so we headed for the sailing center in Moorehead city.  The wind picked up as were maneuvering into the slip and I did not throw the line very well and the bow swung away from the dock, second attempt failed, the third try was successful.  The dock master and helper were having a tough time bringing us alongside because of wind angle and weight of boat.  

We took showers, talked with the dock master about the area, but did not make it out to dinner.  We were a bit tired.

Tuesday 11/20/2012: Because we were planning a shorter day we slept in.  We didn’t leave the Marina  till 9:30a, but not without some trouble.  We kept losing forward gear, it's getting worse and always in the most difficult places.  We did manage to get it in gear and headed out of marina and down the ICW since it was still too nasty to go outside.  

We have been doing 10hr days and making 60 to 74 miles per day.  So today will be a cruising day, only going 43 miles which is about 6.5hours. The group of sailboats traveling the same route with us is growing and we all get bunched up at the bridges.

 Of course the powerboats go right on by and most are friendly and respectful with their wakes.  

We wanted to reach a popular anchorage early enough today to get a good spot.  

As we were approaching mile hammock bay anchorage lots of military aircraft we flying overhead.  It was quite a show.  I am thinking we were all part of a military exercise, the sailboats being the targets of course.  

The anchorage used to be a military base and is stilled used for some of the training.  The shore is off limits and designated as restricted area.  The anchorage was great and the sun came out just in time for a beautiful sunset. 

Wednesday 11/21/2012: The morning was sunny and pleasant and our ride down the ICW was interesting.  Lots of dredging going on and you had to be alert for the movement of all their equipment.  We saw one sailboat caught up in a couple of big blue buoys used to mark the dredging area. 

There were also several spots you had to keep a sharp eye out for debris and shallow water.  It was sad to see some boats beached and abandoned on the shore.

In addition the small fishing boats were running lines in the middle of the channel.  There were some interesting exchanges via the VHF radios. 

Several docks were were falling down or taken over by seagulls or pelicans

We saw another Cabo Rico in the sailing group and pushed up along side "Allegra" and chatted for a bit. 

We made it to Wrightsville Beach, but,  just as we were starting to anchor the engine alarm went off.  We shut down the engine and dropped the anchor.  What timing.  
We spent the rest of the day researching for the correct oil sensor since the one Bristol Marine sent us was wrong.  We made a bunch of phone calls to resolve the oil sensor and the transmission problem and scheduled flights, taxis, rental cars for Abby and Bob.

After making several calls we were directed to Mack Boring who would ship it to a marina close to us and we could pick it up there tomorrow am.  Later in the day we received a call from Tom Motta from MacBoring. He spoke with Bob said he had the part in his truck and would deliver the part personally tonight and have someone pick up the delivered part on Monday and just charge us delivery.  Happy Thanksgiving.

We went into town and had a great experiAnce with the lady at the grocery store, Ms T., who provisioned us with Thanksgiving food.  What a trip she was.  another Happy Thanksgiving.

We needed to have dinner so we checked out the local restaurant. It was good. 

Thursday: 11/22 Thanksgiving day, sunny and warmish

Bob installed the new oil sensor, but it changed the reading on the oil pressure gage. Now we will have to find out what the new norm is. 

We watched the sailing vessel “Zen”  trying to anchor at several different spots. We have seen them at a couple of other anchorages. They came by in the dinghy to ask about where the town dock was, they were from Canada and making their way south to the Virgin Islands.

Abby was flying in today and she is to stop at the store and pick up some things we needed for dinner.  The taxi driver was very helpful. Bob picked up Abby in the dinghy and I continued to clean up the boat and make sure the aft cabin is all set. 

Bob fired up the grill, and our Thanksgiving dinner was underway.  We had wine to start, chicken with mashed potatoes, gravy, stuffing, brocolli, salad, pumpkin pie and cookies for dessert. The table was set with the “good china” and our Thanksgiving away from home was pretty good.

Throughout the day and night Bob’s son Chris was keeping watch over Maria, who was having a baby girl. This is a very busy holiday.

Friday 11/23 

We woke to the news that Bob is a grandfather again, this time to a 10.3lb baby girl Mira.

We did the skype thing, checked pictures on face book and marveled that Maria was still in one piece after delivering a little, well, a big Thanksgiving gift. 

The weather was changing again and the outside route was not looking good, so we started down the ICW.  We had to stop for fuel and some personal supplies and found a small well protected marina just off the ICW. There is a ferry that docks here and takes folks to the out islands. 

I spent a good part of the morning working on schedules, flights, and family issues and was getting very frustrated with the computer.  I finally got all under control and headed topside where Abby was taking a turn at the helm.

After traveling down the ICW for several miles the natives were getting restless and Bob contacted a gambling cruise boat that was coming in the New River inlet.  The captain said the depth was good so we headed off the ICW and took the outside route to Charleston, SC.  This required an overnight so I got the spare foul weather gear for Abby and we set up shifts.  This would have been great if the sea cooperated.  However, after a couple of hours out the seas started building and the winds were not coming from the best direction.  
Abby managed to hold up until the seas caused too much pitching and rolling motion and she succumbed to a couple of bouts of sea sickness. She mentioned it being something like going through a war.  

Sat 11/24: After a bumpy/lumpy night we got into Charleston Harbor around noon, it was a welcome sight. 

I had made reservations at the city marina and as we pulled into our spot we lost steerage. Floating around too close to boats and a cement wall was not fun.  At the last moment the gear grabbed on and we moved forward and made a hasty dockage. Big sigh of relief that nothing got damaged.  
But, this means we need to find out what is going on with transmission.  
Since no mechanics are around on the weekend, we will wait till tomorrow to have someone look at it. 

Well by now we are hungry and actually able to eat so we went to downtown Charleston for dinner.  Hymans looked good, and we enjoyed a rather large meal to compensate for the lack of proper nourishment.  Two big containers of food came back to the boat with us.  That would be  “the eyes are bigger than stomach” theory. Leftovers will make 
a good lunch.

Bedtime could not come soon enough.

Sunday 11/25:  Bob was leaving early to pick up a rental car at Charleston airport and drive 4 hours to JAX where his flight was scheduled.  Abby and I went downtown and explored the area.  We had to hustle to get back in time for her taxi to the Charleston Airport.  What a fun place Charleston turned out to be. At the moon pie store we had a visit with the man in the moon. There is so much to see and do here.

 Dave, a mechanic that lives on his boat in the marina, stopped to see if he could help with the transmission problem.  It was late and I told him I would contact him tomorrow after talking with Bob.

Monday 11/26 - 11/29  Dave, the mechanic, knocked on boat at 7am  to check transmission.  He came back with a price of $3600 to rebuild.  This is not good.  

Bob did some research and I talked with Oliver, Jake and Brian from City marina about our problem.  They came down and checked transmission also.  It got removed and sent to a specialist Chris, who later condemned it.  During this time we contacted Hurth Transmission and ordered a new one to be delivered Thursday am.  Tight timing again since we are scheduled to leave early Friday am. 

 The City Marina was a very large operation with a mega dock for mega yachts. It was impressive.

I spent the week walking around Charleston checking out the historical sites, homes, gardens, cobblestone alleyways, and shops

I also went to hamburger night at the Charleston Yacht Club and had a very interesting evening. One of the members gave me two of his books, one poetry 
and the other a picture book of Charleston iron fences.

This week was full of walking around Charlestown, coordinating transmission work on boat, and meeting folks traveling south, each with their own set of challenges. 

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By the end of Thursday, the transmission was delivered and installed and Bob  returned to boat later in evening and prepped  for an early Friday departure. 

Charleston SC to St Augustine FL

Friday 11/30:  We left the dock at 7:00am just as the sun was rising; all systems were go.  

We headed out of the bay and towards St Augustine.  This would be an overnight sail so back into full foul weather gear and assorted winter clothing. 

 The seas and wind were as predicted 2-3ft with 10 -15kts.  However the seas starting building and the wind diminished making it difficult to keep the boat from the rocking rolling motion. Sails up, sails down, jib up and down and then just the main up to steady us.  We did the best we could to maintain a relatively smooth ride.  

We worked three hour shifts through the night.  On my late night watch a pod of dolphins joined us and to keep them interested I sang to them.   The dolphins hung around for about 15minutes, and kept coming back to me at the helm to check out the “noise”.  It was very cool.

There are also birds that fly at night and sort of hoot/whistle at you, it really takes you by surprise.   I was not hearing things.

Sat 12/1  As night sky started to brighten with the rising sun the waves continued to increase in shorter durations.  When Bob came back on deck we had some decisions to make; to try the St Augustine inlet or go back to Jacksonville, St Johns river inlet.  After talking to Tow Boat US, the marina, and Captain Justin, there was only one choice that made any sense and that was to go back to St John’s inlet and go down the ICW to St Augustine.  

On the way to the ICW we passed navy ships, a fishing fleet lots of small fishing boats. 

The weather was improving, the water was calm and when the sun came out and so did a rainbow.
How nice to get out of long underware and other winter apparel.

The homes along the ICW ranged from lavish, to trailers, all with their own special character.  There were the three decker docks with outdoor bar area, cooking grills, hammocks, fishing stations and just about anything you could think of. Very different. 

We arrived in St. Augustine sooner than expected.  The marina was annoyed at us because we just picked up the mooring instead of making a reservation.  They made us move to another mooring not very far away.  hmmmm

We dropped the dinghy and went in to the office, paid $21 for the mooring and had showers.  We thought about going out to dinner, but I was tired and we went back to boat and had dinner on board.  It was very nice.  We had a good night sleep.

Sunday 12/2:  The day started with a phone call from Spot and Barb, who were going to show us the way to their dock.  We pulled up the dinghy and weighed anchor just as they were heading our way.  
It would have been perfect except that the GPS did not show the sand bar the we tried to get over.  It was a solid grounding, and it took several tries to get off with the engine spitting out black exhaust. The rudder was full of mud and difficult to move.  

We followed Spot and Barb to their dock where they had about 20ft of space available because their boat was also alongside.  We tied up with just a few challenges and all is good.  We had breakfast then cleaned up the boat to get ready for the next stage of our journey.  
Spot and Barb were heading to a Patriots game afternoon party. 

 We got a taxi and headed for airport.  We will leave the boat there for 11 days then try to make it to Vero on the next leg going south.