North Carolina Sailors/Cruisers

I don't know about you guys, but this winter has certainly sucked the life out of me. I have never seen such continuous, cold and miserable weather in NC in the 6 years I have lived here. I have absolutely nothing to blog about...other than the cruddy weather. :)

Sorry sports, but it's hard to have too much sympathy for you guys when I'm stuck up here in WV in two feet of snow! :--)

We should all be anchored off some no-name island in the Bahamas, having a few boat drinks while waiting for the water to boil to start the lobsters...but, hey snow is good too. :)

My boat is currently in North Myrtle Beach, SC and I live outside of Augusta, GA. Hoping to cruise NC as the weather warms up some.

Well I'm going to close the curtains put on some Island music and have a few cold rum drinks and use my imagination

Finally starting to see some sun. Now if only the temps would get out of the 20s at night.
So who has what planned for this season? I am heading to Jacksonville, FL as soon as the weather breaks. From there, hoping to start in the Keys and work my way over to the Bahamas.

Man I wish I could join you on that trip! I comeing down to check on my boat this Friday if I can make it and spend a week installing a new AIS transponder and display. At the rate I'm going I hope to have the ol' girl ready for a trip to the Bahamas by this fall.

We are working on remodeling the interior of our boat for more cruising. This is what the boat looked like on Saturday. Not too conducive to working on her.

Well I was going to attach a photo, but no go it would not upload.

I saw pictures of the snow on Oriental's website (www.towndock.net) the other day. It was not a pretty site to my eyes.

Well this was the view I had. Sping will be here shortly.:)

Anyone up for an early season (depending on the weather of course :) raft up near Indian Island...maybe first or second weekend in March?

I may be Jim. Not being a native - where is Indian Island?

Here is a chart... Its about 20 miles east of Washington on the Pamlico River. Just a thought, but I am open to anything.

Sounds good to me Jim. I'm docked at Point Marina on Broad Creek off the Neuse and that would be an easy day sail for me. I don't know what my schedule looks like yet, but I promised to take my sister sailing sometime in March and that could be a good time to do it.

Anyone can come to Little River, and help me to get there...got the boat...no experience.

The more the merrier as far as I am concerned! Have not been there for an overnighter, but there is certainly enough room for a few boats behind the island. I'll probably have a pretty full boat, but if that changes, you guys are welcome.

Sounds like we have a group forming up!

Wish I could get out there this weekend, looks like a really nice couple of days for NC sailors. Anyone taking advantage? I have to live vicariously through you guys till I can get to the boat. :)

Heading to the boat for a few days tomorrow. Looking like sunny weather at least till Tueday. Hope you all have a great weekend.

Weather has been nice, anyone able to get out?

I was at my boat a couple of weeks ago but did not get out of the dock. I spent the whole week installing a new AIS transponder monitor and getting it all working.

77 today, i have had mine out

Jim - Looks like we missed our raft-up at Indian Island, or at least I did. Did anyone make it? If not, maybe we can shoot for April some time. I will be down to the boat toward the end of this month but it's a planned trip to Ocracoke and back.

Had a great sail this weekend.

I went out with my all male crew, from the cape fear Sail Club
last Sunday..75 wonderful weather..about time

Just back from 8 days bareboat charter in the BVI's; from Norman Island, Cooper Island, the Dogs, Marina Cay, Virgin Gorda, Anagada to Jost Van Dyke and back to Road Town on a 44' Lagoon cat. Weather wonderful, anchorages and harbors much as they were when spending a month there in 2003. Fun!

Hey all. Allen Judy and I just returned from a very interesting trip on my boat from Washinton, NC to Beaufort, NC. The intended destination was Jacksonville, FL, but the weather was not going to have any of that. Take a look at my blog for the most up to date report. When Allen gets back home from his boat, I am sure he will have a lot to say himself. :) Enjoy. http://skylarkadventures.blogspot.com/

Jim: I'm in Oriental now on Finlandia. Read your blog. Looks like it just about says it all except for me "dumming out" and getting my hand caught in the winch.
The swelling is going down and will be healed before next trip. :--)

Hey N C Sailors check this out.
http://www.charlotteobserver.com/2010/07/25/1581496/bb-on-the-sea.html

From Doug Bailey

Thanks Lola. That's interesting. When he's finished I just might boat out there and check it out.

Hey fello NC sailors,,,,are we ready for EARL? I secured my home and boat before I went on recent vacation.

My prayers go to all of us.

Thanks for the sentiment Lola! I think we'll all be fine down in Brunswick Cty! I'm on the hard and tied down, hope to see you around Sept 15th! Peace...........

good luck to all. our prayers are for small swells and light wind.

Thanks for the prayers and good wishes guys. I'm sitting here on my boat in Point Marina in Whortonsville, NC waiting for Earl to make his appearance. So far still calm. Not even any rain. Water here in Broad Creek has been rising slowly all day but still has about 3 feet to go to get to the top of the docks. Finlandia is tied down like a Chrismas present. If she goes anywhere she will have to take the docks with her!

Well Core Creek is quiet. Not much rain or wind. Water is still below the seawall. So far not even making like a good old fashion nor'easter. will probably change and make me eat my words but for now it will have to wake me up :)

Water is over the street in Oriental, but that is nothing new.

Some wind, very light rain, no water over our dock here in Oriental. (just outside the downtown). But boy the mosquitoes are fierce! I found that out when I went down to check out the boat. But then they have been bad all day as we were prepping for Earls arrival.

Not much wind in our little cul-de-sac of water on Tarpon Channel in Oriental. Photo taken of water at dock at approx

8:15 September 2

Just rain and a little wind here at Point Marina. Strongest wind gust was 37 knots. Water did not make it up to within a foot of the docks and has gone down by at least two feet now at 08:30. Kind of a let down after all of the hype, but I would rather be let down than blown away. Anyone here from Ocracoke?

We measured, the water came up 26" at our dock on Tarpon Channel.

My sail instructor helped me secure the boat b 4 my MN 4 week trip..in view of our heavy hurricane season. No problems with EARL, however heard we may have to stay prepared for Sept.

We left the covers on for the Main and Jib, but tied over. We double lined all the lines. This is a floating slip.

Well new day and a bunch of go fast sportfishers hauling ass south throwing up their 5+ foot wakes. If you know any of them then thank them for me, from the bottom of my heart, etc. But nothing you can do about ignorance.
If any body has a need for a boat detailer I have one looking for work. He is doing a fine job on my old boat.

Lola! Let's plan a party/ get together mid Sept at Inlet View! OK?

I'm ready

Great Lola! Saturday evening the 18th of Sept would be great! How bout you? Inlet View Bar and Grille ICW 76, Shallotte? Would be great for all of us to get together! Keep me posted.... Peace

All you NC sailors; it's been nice hanging out and sailing the Neuse and Pamlico and all of their tribs, but it is time to head further south for the winter. We actually had SNOW here once last winter and, even though she was built in Finland, my girl doesn't like cold weather. Or is it her owner that doesn't like cold weather.
Whatever. We are planning on dropping the mooring lines at Point Marina in Whortonsville and heading down Broad Creek for the last time (at least for this year) on Oct. 18th. We will be heading out Beaufort inlet and coasting down to Cape Canaveral where we will stay for the winter in easy range of the Bahamas.

Well all you folks headed south, give my boat a shout as you head down Core Creek, one mile past Sea Gate Marina. Maybe one day in the near future I might be able to do the same. Have fun and enjoy. :)

Chris: We will look for Kimberly Marie on our travels. Hope to see you somewhere along the trip.
Paul: Just jump on board and head out!