!! Florida !

 

Scene on the ICW from our spot at the Jeykll Harbor Marina

Actually stopped counting Dolphin sightings, but one can never get tired of watching them "play" in your wake!!

 

Downtown Jacksonville on the St. John's River

 

We left Jeykll Island on November 26 after a two day stay that included a bike ride through the island and a fabulous brunch at the Jekyll Island Club and Hotel  -- very swanky!  The weather was once again great, so we transited through St Andrews Sound into the Atlantic for the 40NM trip to Jacksonville FL.  The seas were less than 2', sunny, with only a gently sea swell coming through with a very long period.  In other words, it was a great ride!!

We decided to stay awhile in Jacksonville to take advantage of the commissary and exchange at NAS Jax, do some boat maintenance (never ending), and get everything ready for the transit South through Florida and on the the Bahamas.  After slogging through a 2-43 knot current on the St. John's river, we are comfortably situated at the Ortega Landing Marina on the South side of Jacksonville.  We'll be here till 10 December.

Cruising on The "Outside"

Fort Sumpter

Another cruiser "on the outside"

 

 

The Atlantic on a nice day

 

Leaving Charleston, NOAA reported 3-5 foot swells with a 10 second period in the Atlantic and forecast to get better later in the day.  For us it was an opportunity to leave the ICW, set a waypoint 60 NM south and let "Auto" drive the boat for a change.  First day, Charleston to Tybee Inlet Beaufort SC.  Next day, Beaufort to Jekyll Harbor Marina.  By staying to the "outside" a 50 NM trip is nearly equal to 100 miles on the Georgia portion of the ICW.  And, it is much nicer to let "Auto" drive the boat PLUS, having stabilizers on the boat makes for a really smooth ride.  Tomorrow is off to Jacksonville FL, again on the "outside".

Thanksgiving In Charleston SC

Finally the weather is beginning to cooperate, more sunny days and easy cruising down the ICW.  Arrived in Charleston the day before Thanksgiving and stayed through the holiday.  Went on a horse drawn carriage ride through the city and had thanksgiving dinner at a restraunt called Slightly North Of Broad or "SNOB".  It was terrific!!  Some pics.

Dolphins "hitching a ride" on our wake and bow

Weather -- Grounding

Ouch -- Just North of Wrightsville Beach we hit a sandbar while (we thought) firmly centered in the marked channel.  The boat came to a sudden stop.  Fortunately, the current set us free BUT, after bringing up the RPMS, there was a noticable vibration.  Slow speed into Wrightsville Beach Marina, and they had called a dive team for us.  Yup, the props were bent.  We later found out another boat (48' Sea Ray) had hit the green marker, fouled his prop with the buoy chain and dragged it all while beinbg towed into a Marine Max boatyard nearby.  Fortunately for us the divers were great, there was a "prop shop" working over the weekend and the weather was windy, rainy, and cold.  We sat tight for the weekend, the props wre put back on on Monday and we resumed our trip.  No vibrations and we don't want to experience that again ($$$$).

Weather Delay !!

Unfortunately, we can't control the weather.  We spend an extra day at the Coinjock marina as the winds picked up to over 30 Knots.  Along with a bunch of other boats who stayed an extra day for the same reason, we left with everyone else on Wednesday and made it to Bellview NC.  An early start on Thursday morning and here we are at Spooners Creek Marina, just west of Beaufort NC.  We have elected to stay at marinas instead of anchoring out as the winds and low temps just make things uncomfortable.  Had our first major dolphin sightings today as we struggled through a confusing set of buoys and markers through Beaufort.  Mavourneen is running perfectly, no problems at all -- hope that trend continues.

Some Travel Pics !!

"O dark thirty", Day 1 of trip South !!! A bit rough going South on the Chesapeake Bay, but it smoothed out by mid afternoon. The first bit of interesting scenery was entering the Elizabeth River and passing by the Aircraft Carriers (three of them) and all of the other Navy ships in port. One of the CVN's was the Enterprise (CVN 65) which remined me of a time in January 1969, while serving aboard the USS Bainbridge (DLGN 25), helping to fight the fires on the Big E off the coast of Hawaii. Made it down the ICW to the Top Rack marina. Great price on Diesel AND, if you east at their restraunt (Amber Lantern), the overnight transient fee and electric hookups are free! The restraunt was great!