South From Charleston

January 4 - 7, 2013

After two great months in Charleston, we got underway on Friday as the sun was coming up.  It was immediately obvious that we had been tied to the dock too long.  I pulled in the spring and stern lines while Brian brought in the bow line.  "We're clear", I yelled.  Brian gives the engine a gentle nudge and we begin to move.  But, only a few feet.  The water must be too shallow and we will have to wait for the tide to come in.  As Brian jumps off to tie us up again, he notices that we have a second stern line attached.  Opps, untie that pesky line and we glide out of our slip and into the Intracoastal Waterway.    



Tube Dude is lovin the sunrise and big water!

It is cool, but the sun is shining and there is no wind.  It is a good day to go off shore. I quickly take my motion sickness pill and we head out to the big water.  The waves are two to three feet with occasional swells that are closer to four.  It is a following sea, which means the waves are coming from behind the boat giving us less roll than we would have had from any other angle.  Jon and Bonnie are traveling with us to Stuart.  Our goal of 90 miles ended in a sheltered anchorage just north of the Georgia line.

Saturday is more of the same.  Once again we are off shore.  Normally we prefer to be on the Intracoastal so we can see the homes and scenery, but we did all of that in the spring and there are too many shallow areas where we could get hung up.  Better to go in a straight line and enjoy the deep water.....it's time to get into that Florida sunshine!  

Our plan was to go 70 miles and anchor in a familiar location.  The sight of my biggest mistake since we have been boating (we've owned boats since 1970).  Oh, yes, we were planning to anchor next to Blackbeard Island.  That is where I ran us up on a pile of rocks (ballast from a slave ship) in June.  For a complete recap of the day and the rescue see "The Best And Worst of Days" June 30th.  As it turned out, we were able to go an additional 13 miles.    

Our third and last day off shore was still fairly flat, but the weather deteriorated from cloudy and overcast to a heavy rain.  We anchored at Fernandina Beach, Florida in the rain.  As soon as we were settled and I was ready to take a nap, Jon called.  He had contacted the fuel dock and although they were closed we could tie to their dock and they would fill both of our boats at 7 AM when they open.  So-----still in the pouring rain, we pulled up the anchor, drove to the dock, and tied up.  Since there is 7 - 8 foot tidal movement, tying up was not the simple job that it normally would be. Lots of adjustments had to be made -- over and over again.  Soaking wet, our work was completed.  Time to cozy into our warm cabin, throw our wet clothes in the dryer and have dinner.  

Adding fuel and keeping warm with a cup of coffee.

On Monday we began taking on fuel at 7 AM as promised.  650 gallons topped off our three tanks  that hold a 1000.  We are on the ICW today and as expected there are frequent shallow areas.  It didn't help that we were traveling at low tide.   Jon's boat has a draft of 4 1/2 feet and ours is 5 1/2.  He lead the way in an attempt to spare us the shallow hits.  Several times we are able to slide around shallow zones, but eventually we landed on one.  Luckily, Brian was able to maneuver us into deep water. An hour later, in the middle of the channel I hit rock or cement.  It didn't stop us, but it made a horrible noise.  One more reason to have a diver look at the hull when we get to Stuart.  Tonight we are anchored near St Augustine.  Tuesday morning we check into the city marina to spend a couple of days exploring St Augustine.  After this week, checking into the marina will feel like we're staying at the Hilton!   

Notice the dock compared to the boat in both pictures.
When we tied up we were able to step from the boat to
the dock, we were level.  Several hours later the dock
was above our roof.   

Gotta smile --

we're lovin the ride!