Headed to the Bahamas
Our first day on the ICW was fraught with danger and peril. Ok, maybe not so much, but I’ve got to do something to keep you entertained, right? We left under a cloud of fog, so much so that when we looked back at the creek entrance, we could no longer see where it had been. Just like most of our adventures, this gave us the clear feeling there was no turning back. Oh well, onward to the Bahamas we go!
Very soon after entering the Pungo river, we were overtaken by large ominus low clouds. Oh boy, into our foulies, get ready for some wet weather! The rain was with us for about 2 hours, with the wind kicking up something fierce by the time we crossed the Pamlico river. We thought we would get some relief from the wind in the Hoboken cut, and we did.
As soon as we exited, we were fraught with wind again. Then it happened. We were aground in the middle of the channel! We weren’t alone. Four boats just ahead of us went aground as well. We called Boat US after twenty minutes of failed attempts to power off, and they would be about an hour getting to us. I had ordered the anchor dropped, and we prepared to wait. We saw a couple of the other boats work their way loose, and then we too felt the keel bumping. We sprang into action, and through our combined efforts, managed to finally break free! Feeling pretty good, we called Boat US off the case, and left the last boat which was in the process of setting a kedge anchor with their dingy. They busted loose around ten minutes after we did.
Into the Bay river, bashed by 6-8 foot waves and more wind than I care to set a sail into. Most of the other boats were spread out ahead of us, and they weren’t raising sail either. As we put into the Neuse river, we saw our speed go from 3MPH to 7. We flew onto the planned anchorage for the night, at Cedar Creek. Were anchored by 3:45PM. Had some chili for supper, called Jenn and reported in about our day and got to sleep early.
I write this in the pre-dawn of Monday, still at anchor, just waiting for the sun to come up on a new day. Doesn’t much look like we are going to get that wish though; the clouds are still firmly in place.
Using the ICW is sort of like traveling down I95 in slow motion. Lots of traffic at this time of year, as everyone goes south. Oh yeah, and like everyone has your cell phone number and they call you as they pass, or approach. With the VHF radio, everyone gets to know each other by boat name really fast. We keep hearing and seeing the same boats, again and again. We are a pack of wild boaters, Look out!
Very soon after entering the Pungo river, we were overtaken by large ominus low clouds. Oh boy, into our foulies, get ready for some wet weather! The rain was with us for about 2 hours, with the wind kicking up something fierce by the time we crossed the Pamlico river. We thought we would get some relief from the wind in the Hoboken cut, and we did.
As soon as we exited, we were fraught with wind again. Then it happened. We were aground in the middle of the channel! We weren’t alone. Four boats just ahead of us went aground as well. We called Boat US after twenty minutes of failed attempts to power off, and they would be about an hour getting to us. I had ordered the anchor dropped, and we prepared to wait. We saw a couple of the other boats work their way loose, and then we too felt the keel bumping. We sprang into action, and through our combined efforts, managed to finally break free! Feeling pretty good, we called Boat US off the case, and left the last boat which was in the process of setting a kedge anchor with their dingy. They busted loose around ten minutes after we did.
Into the Bay river, bashed by 6-8 foot waves and more wind than I care to set a sail into. Most of the other boats were spread out ahead of us, and they weren’t raising sail either. As we put into the Neuse river, we saw our speed go from 3MPH to 7. We flew onto the planned anchorage for the night, at Cedar Creek. Were anchored by 3:45PM. Had some chili for supper, called Jenn and reported in about our day and got to sleep early.
I write this in the pre-dawn of Monday, still at anchor, just waiting for the sun to come up on a new day. Doesn’t much look like we are going to get that wish though; the clouds are still firmly in place.
Using the ICW is sort of like traveling down I95 in slow motion. Lots of traffic at this time of year, as everyone goes south. Oh yeah, and like everyone has your cell phone number and they call you as they pass, or approach. With the VHF radio, everyone gets to know each other by boat name really fast. We keep hearing and seeing the same boats, again and again. We are a pack of wild boaters, Look out!
Comment
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Comment by Steven Pinhey on November 8, 2009 at 4:41pm -
Will be heading to he Bahamas as soon as the winds lifts. Are you heading for Abacos? We are heading for Exumas this year. We'll be looking for you!
Steve &Sue,
Loose Change
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Comment by LOLA on November 2, 2009 at 7:30pm - Stop by if get a chance...I will be here for you.
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Comment by Terri on November 2, 2009 at 7:21pm - Sailing....always an adventure! Have fun! Watch out for the logs and shopping carts!
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purrrrrty.....
The parts quote was approx $930. That plus some shipping and some extra hardware (mounting screws, blocks etc.).
Hopetown,Bahamas
awesome pix--thankyou for sharing
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