Birthday Cruise

[Crewdog]

To celebrate Nicole's 50th birthday, we towed Blue Merle from Woodstock to Thunderbolt, where we put in and stayed the night at Thunderbolt Marina. We're still learning about docking in strong currents, and the dockmaster was most patient with us. And the paper with a dozen hot Krispy Kreme donuts were delivered in the morning.

Sunday saw us leave the busy Savannah area, meandering up the ICW. We saw a dolphin nursery with several pairs of moms and new calfs. We put it in neutral and drifted for a while delighting in the entertainment. We had up close dolphin escorts after leaving and we were both screaming at the nearness of the dolphins when one would appear within as reach of the helm.

The dolphin show wasn't over yet though. Lunch at Harbor Town on Hilton Head saw several big dolphins hunt fish cooperatively right in front of dockside eatery.

We moseyed on past Hilton Head and across Port Royal sound, getting our first taste of open water and trying to maintain a course with the bow slewing from side to side.

Coming up the Beaufort River brought us to Beaufort SC downtown marina and a nice dockage. only burned 16 gal from Thunderbolt to Beaufort. An excellent dinner at Panini's, short walk from marina, topped off an excellent day.

We've got two days to make it to Charleston, and the suit i brought for my bride's birthday dinner there.

Oh yeah, forgot to mention the looks from some of other boaters we saw were priceless. So far, have only seen 1 C-Dory.

The boat is performing flawlessly and i think we could do a lot more of this.

Time for 2nd cup of coffee.

Bill and Nicole

 

[JamesTXSD]

Well told story - and, Happy Birthday, Nicole! Sounds like you two are getting comfortable with the new boat.

Best wishes,
Jim B.

 

[trailertrawlerkismet]

Bill and Nicole thank you for the post and enjoy your journey's. The current in Charleston is very very strong so caution will be in order, even more so then in Savannah. When we've been to Charleston we've always tried to dock and depart at slack tide. If you go to the Charleston Municipal Marina request to be on the inside of their break wall as it can get a little bouncy on the outside. Also consider Charleston Maritime Center for dockage, it's closer to the historic district, the battery and shopping of all kinds including a Harris Teeter only three blocks away.

Jim F

 

[Crewdog]

Thanks Jim B for the birthday wishes.

Thanks Jim F for the Charleston tip.

We got a little taste of current docking tonight at Bohicket Marina. I'm thankful for the thrusters, but i'd still like to work on the seamanship to use them a little less, maybe.

Bohicket is absolutely relaxed and delightful, and marina was very helpful. Dockside cafes are right here and enjoyed the audience pulling up.

The marshes were a delight to boat thru, and we were again treated to a dolphin show, including a black lab on a southbound Meridian who wanted to get those dolphin critters.

Oh, and we got to tug by the Big Chill house in Beaufort; was that really almost 30 years ago?

Tomorrow it's on to Charleston, and trying to time arrival with slack tide.

Happy Cruising all

Bill

 

[Crewdog]

Docked at Charleston Harbor in view of USS Yorktown

Helm station of the Yorktown

 

[Crewdog]

We left Bohicket yesterday morning and as we Powered up to cruise speed on the North Edisto River and the gps said 12.5 kts, I noticed the flag hanging limp; so that must mean we are matching the windspeed. Of course as the day wore on that same 12.5 kts had the flag at 45 degree angle. Blue Merle handled it well.

The development kept getting denser as we approached Charleston and had to slow down for the many private docks along the waterway, as well as trying to be mindful of the many crab fishermen in skiffs.

We had an interesting experience at Elliot Cut, where the river flow goes from 3 kts at 100 yards wide, to 8 - 10 kts at 50 ft wide. 2200 rpm was getting 2 kts on gps and Blue Merle was buckin a bit. Bumped up the power to 3000 and went on upstream. That sort of reminded me of stall training in a small Cessna.

I have to admit to a little trepidation on actually entering Charleston Harbor, and was alert for the cargo ships and craft of all sorts. But it was a breeze and we navigated cross the harbor to Charleston Harbor Marina within a short walk to the USS Yorktown. There was actually a reunion aboard the USS Laffey, and we saw the wreath thrown overboard to honor departed shipmates float by us as we walked up. It was quite moving.

If anyone wants a good read about life on a WWII destroyer, check out "The Last Stand of the Tin Can Sailors" by James D Hornfischer.

Today we motor across the harbor to Charleston Municipal Marina, and spend 2 nights at the Charleston Place Hotel for Nicole's birthday dinner. I don't know how i'll handle morning coffee without the gentle rocking at dockside.....

Dang, this is a wonderful lifestyle, and i just hope everyone on this board is having as great a time as we are.

Bill and Nicole

 

[knotflying]

Now that didn't take long, you're hooked! Wait until you start talking about selling everything and wanting to become a liveaboard.

 

[trailertrawlerkismet]

Crewdog:

For those that have or are living the boating lifestyle you're writing about and experiencing we understand the excitement you're having. I say the more the merrier! For the benefit of those that have not made the lifestyle change it's threads like Crerwdogs and others that we all share on this forum that let them live vicariously thru us until they're ready, willing and able. Keep us as your adventure continues.

Jim F

 

[mspaugy]

That would be me, living vicariously through all of your exploits!

 

[Crewdog]

26 gal from Charleston to Beaufort SC

Nicole's birthday celebration at Charleston Place was fantastic.

Guys, this is a bucket list treat for your Ladies.

We left Charleston City Marina with the lesson of the Hubris of the Thrusters. Didn't ding anything, but my rookie hat was in full view.

Finally got the backing down, and headed south on the ICW. It wasn't too hot so we left the windows and hatches open and motored the 66 miles down to Beaufort, varying speed somewhat regularly with the docks, ramps and fishermen. and having to exercise collision avoidance where large bays filter down to narrow cuts with lots of fishing traffic.

We saw lots of dolphins again; i'm still not sure if there's an optimum speed to entice the dolphins to play.

After fueling at Beaufort, our docking space for the night required about a 200 ft backing into a crosswind and current, but after 3 tries, figured out how to steer with the bow thruster and gently eased into a slip with the help of the able dock hands at Beaufort City Marina.

It's too buggy to sit outside, so we have the AC going. Gonna try to find a restaurant nearby, but it may be crowded as Friday is Marine Boot Camp graduation at nearby Parris Island.

Gonna try and get an early start and pull out in Thunderbolt tomorrow.

Happy Cruising to all!

Bill and Nicole