Annapolis to Marsh Harbor Navigation Update

We left Saturday 10/20/12 at 5pm and we're in the Alligator River - Pungo River Canal today. We've been making very good progress. We did an overnight sail down the Chesapeake, arriving at Great Bridge VA at 4pm Sunday (23 hours for the passage). We were off my ETA by +1 hour - not bad for that long a run. We were able to sail part of the trip, but because the wind was directly astern, we weren't able to set the Genoa because it doesn't fly well when blanketed by the main. The auto pilot didn't like the waves and unbalanced rig, so we had to hand steer. We slept well Sunday night! We averaged almost 7kn down the bay. We saw up to 11kn while surfing down some of the waves!

Our next leg took us to the Alligator River Marina, where we stayed last night. Today, we made it past Belhaven, NC and tomorrow will be Oriental, NC. We are able to make 7kn in the flat water that we had today. We'll get to Orientail in time to visit the used boat store. I've been there numerous times, but always when they are closed. I'm not taking bets on whether they will be open.

It was sunny, about 78 degrees F, with a light southerly wind today and a forecast to be a bit warmer tomorrow. This is fabulous weather.

The reverse cycle A/C units have done great at keeping the boat comfortable at night. We were going to try out the Honda EU2000i generator that we bought for the trip, but it is warm enough that we're not going to run it. Besides, we'd have to go outside where the mosquitoes are waiting to pounce on us. We're planning on a fixed genset for next year. The Victron 3KW inverter/charger has been doing a great job too, allowing us to run a microwave and charge all our mobile devices whenever we wish.

So far, both engines have been running smoothly (knock on wood), even in the waves while running down the Bay. Perhaps our tank cleaning has solved our fuel supply problem to the port engine. I'll feel better after it performs smoothly in the Gulf Stream crossing.

I'm getting a lot of boat projects completed while under way in the smooth waters of the ICW. Mike and Carol have been driving and navigating while Gee and Peggy have taken care of meals. So I've been able to work on my long list of things to do.

We were able to use our new Rocna 25Kg anchor tonight. It set quickly and held solidly when we backed down to set it. We've never had that experience with the original anchor (a plow design that regularly would not set). It fits LUX like it was custom made. We'll see how easily it comes up tomorrow. The cruising guide suggested using a trip line, which we rigged. The float is a water toy that we happen to have on board.

We are anchored in Eastham Creek at 35* 17.8'N 076* 36.2'W. We started at 39* 00'N 076* 26'W. So we're ten nautical miles west of where we started and 222 nm south. We will be about 800 nm south of Annapolis when we head across the Gulf Stream to the Abacos.

  -Terry

Our day ends in Eastham Creek

Just beyond mile marker 153 is a lovely anchorage of Goose Creek in Eastham Creek. We stopped in time to have wine and cheese outside. It is so warm now that Terry has short sleeves on. Bad news is that we stayed out just long enough for the Mosquitos to find us! So, for tonight's entertainment, we have Carol and Terry hunting down and killing flying insects. Terry is now tracking them down with a flashlight.

Going down the Alligator River

This part of the Alligator Pongo River Canal is so straight. The view seems to be the same from the front of the boat as it is from the back. What really keeps changing is the number of crab pots and their locations! We need an eagle eye out. Mike's at the helm. Terry's doing projects. Carol's headed back to bed to sleep off her cold. And Peggy and I are sitting out back collecting some Vitamin D. It's a good day for most of us (not for poor Carol).

Morning on the Alligator River

We are preparing to take off this Tuesday morning. Carol is not doing well. She has gotten the nasty cold from Terry. But the test of us are doing great. The boys are having fun!

One last shot of the Alligator River Marina

Thought my loyal readers would enjoy one last shot at our gas station/marina/restaurant.

We're Back - at the Alligator River Marina

We are so excited! We have ended our day back at the Alligator River Marina. We were here on the trip north, and we loved the marina/gas station/restaurant. We had fried shrimp in the room at the back of the Shell station. Everything was so tasty. Now, we are sitting in LUX's salon looking out at the Hatteras lighthouse model. A great day all around. Tomorrow, it's back to the boat delivery business. We will start early and finish late.

Mike pole dances

It is 11:30 am, and we just passed Coinjack. Once again, we have had the opportunity to pass under bridges. As always, we approach with caution. Mike dances up to the bridge and then carefully moves us on through. He's gotten really good at dancing the mast under these bridges. That was the pole you thought I was talking about, wasn't it?

On the water early Monday morning.

It may be chilly, but it is beautiful! The canal has a layer of early morning mist. We're baking scones for breakfast. It's a good start to the day.

It's dark out here!

So, in order to get to the Alligator River Marina we had to be GONE by 6 AM. So, here we are scrambling to make the first bridge. It does not open between 6:30 and 8:30 am. Everyone on deck has multiple layers- except Mike, of course.

Tonight's Stop

So, 23 hours and 10 minutes later, we've come to our first stop. We are at the Atlantic Yacht Basin. Everyone seems to be a little tired. We'll be spending the night here just beyond the bascule bridge in Great Bridge, Virginia on the intracoastal waterway. The best thing about tonight is that we get to have a drink before dinner! Of course, the trouble with that is that we're all so tired that we will probably fall asleep before we can eat our dinner!

Moving right along

We're making great progress. We are locking through at Great Bridge, Virginia. It is 3:44 in the afternoon. Only two more hours before we can claim to have done nothing but boat for 24 hours.

Norfolk

We are off Norfolk!

Sunday, October 21- Oh, oh...What a night!

It started out as a beautiful evening. The weather was beautiful with good wind. But, 'the weather started getting rough, and the tiny ship was tossed.' Yes, we were in the washing machine. And, just to make it even more exciting, Carol was down with a cold. That left Peggy, Mike and Terry to push through the night. And they did. Just when they thought they would have to pull into Reedville, the weather broke again and we pushed on through the night. And now, we are off Hampton Roads. Under sail! And, we had our first dolphin show at 10:40! It's shaping up to be a beautiful day.

And so it begins....

As usual, we had our rocky start. Once again, there's someone in the engine compartment. This time, though, it was just an effort to tighten up a handrail. We did have a rash of little jobs to do. Carol and Mike worked on the dodger and a new starboard side panel. Tom and Linda joined in for the fun of carrying provisions and supplies down to the boat.

But, we got all those last minute things done. And, we were off.

Getting Ready

Once again, time moves faster than I do. We've moved up our departure plans, so everything needs to go into hyperdrive! Luckily, I am moving apace with the menu planning. From the looks of this pile, we will not go hungry!