| Apr 11 | 11:10 | Pleasant on the ICW. Lots of precision steering though to stay centered in the channel. The tidal ebb current has been with me most of the way. | |
| 12:44 | Wrightsville Beach looks differently from this vantage. I spy the Holiday Inn Resort. | ||
| 15:14 | Solar Panels will complete the dream. Using 50 lbs of bagged ice to maintain the refrigerator but there’s The Plotter, VHF, AIS, Autosteering, dot dot dot | ||
| 15:50 | Reckon I should veer South slightly so as to avoid the Camp Lejeune Danger Zone. Whatever that’s all about. | ||
| 18:03 | Military Copter just did a high level flyover and exit. I’m good. I have an American flag flying. Inspecting for bow chicks perhaps? | ||
| 19:17 | Actually it looks like the helos joined up with a C-130 for aerial refueling exercises. Don’t want Jet-A spill to rain down on me so good that I stayed clear | ||
| 20:13 | Watching the Moon rise. That will be of help in the Beaufort Channel in a few more hours | ||
| 20:23 | Passing the Wrecks of the Papoose and U235 | ||
| Apr 12 | 01:48 | I have arrived. Double checking the anchor. The current is about to swing. | |
| 09:01 | Apart from a rude wake awakening just before sunrise my Tombstone Pt. anchorage is not bad. Interesting to see it in the light of day. | ||
| 09:27 | The derelict looking barges moored all around look less scary today. Sitting on deck enjoying the sunshine and a cup of coffee except I don’t drink coffee. | ||
| 10:00 | Yesterday’s transit seemed rather flat out full speed. Beginning now and throughout the weekend the pace will be more relaxed. | ||
| 10:03 | Need to find a protected anchorage for tonight as it is forecast to be blowing tomorrow. | ||
| 12:42 | There be Shoals! In the marked channel. The sportfisher yacht ahead has gone wide to give a barge searoom. I’m following the same line and HE goes aground! | ||
| 15:19 | I think I’m in a good spot. Dolphins | ||
| 19:29 | Went for a swim. Suspected a loose Zinc anode clamped on the prop shaft. Sure enough. Good excuse for a needed rinse | ||
| Apr 13 | 09:54 | Red Right Returning. A good weather window shaping for the passage Friday-Saturday | |
| 09:59 | Chain Locker mud free thanks to “deck-wash system”. Rope attached to bucket. | ||
| 10:29 | Rounding a blind bend. Big potash barge faceoff. He drifts wide in his turn — to my side of the channel. Had to end the hand held video for escape maneuver | ||
| 13:51 | Dropped anchor here and I’m deciding if I’m going to comfy. Guy comes over in a small craft to “talk to me about my anchoring spot”. Oh boy, here we go.. | ||
| 14:25 | Turns out he wants to bring his sailboat to this location and merely wanted my advice. Bring it! | ||
| 14:53 | Going to launch the dinghy. There’s up to a 4 mph current through here. Wonder if rowing power can overcome | ||
| 19:16 | Interesting. Talmid rides anchor bow to wind but evidently the watery current trumps all. He’s about face head to current. | ||
| 19:20 | The wind is not pleased and pushes him over the top of the anchor. Now it’s later the current flow has reversed and all is put right. | ||
| Apr 14 | 06:14 | This is ideal cruising time. Fierce winter gales are past and pesky TS squalls and summer heat humidity, not yet. Tourists, mosquitoes are few. | |
| 08:23 | Excellent window for the coastal passage back toward home port. High pressure off the Delaware / New Jersey coasts will dominate. | ||
| 08:56 | Fuel/oil check. Wind check. Anchor away! The first few miles to leave the Beaufort Channel will be a slug. Slack tide not until noon. | ||
| 14:04 | Another sailing boat flanking 3 miles off. Same direction. | ||
| 15:45 | Our courses diverged. His sail is still on the horizon though. Finally! the breeze has picked up. | ||
| Apr 15 | 00:48 | Perhaps somewhat the optimist on speed the day started light and ended same. However, sea conditions have been great. Sails are full and drawing. | |
| 01:10 | Now closehauled near full moon; a little better than ghosting along. Talmid is standing up. | ||
| 04:30 | Oak Island Light spotted to starboard abeam. AIS target closing 12o’clock. No visual yet. CPA 195′ TCPA 18 minutes | ||
| 04:44 | Wind speed < 5 The sea is glassy but not without small swell. Still have steerage but most forward speed is from current | ||
| 08:02 | Okay, not too much distance covered the last ____ hrs. Started the Iron Genoa. The house battery is needing a recharge by now anyway. | ||
| 08:03 | Sails are still up. I reserve the right to resume Sailing — if the wind comes up | ||
| 14:30 | Back in Port. |