Day on the ICW

We are about to go off shore from NC to Fl on our annual run to the sun. In the past we have had to run large parts of the ICW (the Inter Costal Waterway) because of bad weather. I’d rather do the trip on the outside of the coast for in 4 days you can do what takes 2 weeks to do on the inside. Today we went about 50 miles on the ICW from the Marine Corps. basin to Carolina beach bay anchorage, which is just above the south port shipping channel. I thought that I’d give you a diary of what a typical day is like,,, so, here it is.

Up at 6 AM coffee and breakfast then,

7 AM
Cold, still a bit dark and windy in the anchorage. Got the anchor up (really clean!) and headed out to the ICW. Passed the New River inlet, the tide pushed us around, which is bad for that means that we will get slowed down from the tide for the next few hours.

Tried to get the dog to go #2, no luck. It’s been 18 hrs for her so far.

Wind is from the aft, put the genoa out, 1kt boost in speed.

Passed, Chadwick bay, 65 foot high rise bridge ahead.

Sail boat “Elan” creeps under the bridge, because of an unusual high tide the clearance is only 63 feet.

Lots of shrimping going on in Turkey Bay and Evert Bay, I had to avoid several of them dragging their nets

Passed Alligator Bay, Waters bay and lots of expensive houses.

Missed the opening for the Surf City swing bridge and had to wait 40 minutes for the next opening. Anchored and did several maintenance projects while we waited.

Passed Beckys creek.

Sun comes out but still chilly. I’m wearing sweatshirt, vest, coat, stocking hat, and full foully gear.

Tide and wind in our favor, 1200 RPM and doing 7+ kts over the ground!

Wind is dropping, put up main and mizzen sails.

Tide goes slack

Tide against us as we passed Black Mud Channel

Passed by a large barge/dredge, pulling its pipes behind.

Passed Little Topsail Inlet, miles and miles of marsh land.

Passed Long point channel.

Waited 10 minutes at Figure Eight Island Bridge.

Wind switched to aft, pulled down main and mizzen sails

Passed Pages Creek, Howe Creek, Mason Inlet, wind from aft, shut off engine and sailed for next hour.

10 minute wait at the Wrightsville Beach Bridge. Passed Dicks Bay, Carolina inlet,

Bored

Read book and watched houses going by. Checked wave height at Carolina inlet, looks good!

Arrived in Carolina Beach Bay anchorage with dolphins on each side of the Snow Goose, dropped hook in 18 feet of water, moved dinghy from davits to deck in preparation of going offshore tomorrow.