Reanchored
the boat with two anchors to keep us away from the
steel boat, and out of the channel. Invited Martin
from the steel Dutch boat over for as beer. He's
been in the US now for four years, having sailed
from Holland to the Caribbean, then north as far as
Maine.
Had Christmas supper, and exchanged gifts. Later in the night, winds shifted to the SW and Martin's kayak bumped us on its long painter, waking us up.
December 25, 2008
Mild today, overcast with winds out of the south, turning to the north late in the afternoon. No chance to sail. Destination Little River Inlet, about 32 miles.
Ended up going through Lockwood's Folly an hour before low tide, bumped a shoal but got clear of it. Shallotte's Inlet was another story. Went aground just before low tide and waited for nearly two hours to get clear. Must stay right close to the red markers to keep any depth. A local boater tried to help us off, but couldn't do it. Nothing left but to wait for more water.
Note - go offshore next spring to avoid this entire section or go with half tide rising. These two inlets just continue to get worse although I understand that Shallotte's is due for dredging this year.
Had Christmas supper, and exchanged gifts. Later in the night, winds shifted to the SW and Martin's kayak bumped us on its long painter, waking us up.
December 25, 2008
Mild today, overcast with winds out of the south, turning to the north late in the afternoon. No chance to sail. Destination Little River Inlet, about 32 miles.
Ended up going through Lockwood's Folly an hour before low tide, bumped a shoal but got clear of it. Shallotte's Inlet was another story. Went aground just before low tide and waited for nearly two hours to get clear. Must stay right close to the red markers to keep any depth. A local boater tried to help us off, but couldn't do it. Nothing left but to wait for more water.
Note - go offshore next spring to avoid this entire section or go with half tide rising. These two inlets just continue to get worse although I understand that Shallotte's is due for dredging this year.
December 23, 2008
Departed for Carolina Beach State Park Marina, about 14 miles, at the south end of Snow's Cut, at 1230. Winds S 5 - 10 mph. 45°, partly sunny.
With wind and tide, we were able to make an easy 6+ knots, for an early arrival at the marina. However, the marina is closed for renovations for another nine months - imagine a private concern closing for over a year! Decided to continue on to Southport. Even though tide was against us, we made roughly 5.5 knots with the genoa and motor, until close to Southport, when we slowed into the 4s. There was one boat in the anchorage, plus the two Canadian boats from Montreal tied to the dock. Very little room to anchor, the anchorage had silted in.
Departed for Carolina Beach State Park Marina, about 14 miles, at the south end of Snow's Cut, at 1230. Winds S 5 - 10 mph. 45°, partly sunny.
With wind and tide, we were able to make an easy 6+ knots, for an early arrival at the marina. However, the marina is closed for renovations for another nine months - imagine a private concern closing for over a year! Decided to continue on to Southport. Even though tide was against us, we made roughly 5.5 knots with the genoa and motor, until close to Southport, when we slowed into the 4s. There was one boat in the anchorage, plus the two Canadian boats from Montreal tied to the dock. Very little room to anchor, the anchorage had silted in.
December 24, 2008
Another layday, lovely and warm.
Went shopping for a couple of things, had a long walk, then lunch at Fishy Fishy Café. Manager Pat Kelly told us the anchorage had silted in due to Hurricane Hannah and was due for dredging this winter.
Another layday, lovely and warm.
Went shopping for a couple of things, had a long walk, then lunch at Fishy Fishy Café. Manager Pat Kelly told us the anchorage had silted in due to Hurricane Hannah and was due for dredging this winter.