FOG!

Early morning fog provides a monochromatic view of the Cattlepen Creek Anchorage

From: Cattle Pen Creek, St. Catherine Island, GA MM 625.5

To: Fort Frederica, St. Simon Island, GA MM 665.7

L/L: 31 13.18N 81 23.70W

Distance Traveled: 44.4

Hours Motoring: 8.3

Average Speed: 5.3 mph

Weather: Fog at wake up time caused a one hour and one-half delay in leaving the anchorage; temp range low 70’s to low 80’s; south wind @ 10 knots

Comment: Early morning fog cause us to delay leaving the anchorage for about an hour and one-half. We got underway on a warm Saturday morning in bright sunshine. Unfortunately, we bucked the current most of the day. Our trip through the Little Mud River was uneventful although, traversing this shallow area at dead low tide caused some concern for Captain Dave. Canvasback Too has a five foot draft. At one point, his depth sounder showed only six inches of water under his keel.

Shrimper comes out of the fog

We made our way to the Fort Frederica anchorage at St. Simon Island and, after we were sure the hook (another night for the Fortress FX-23) was set, Canvasback Too

sidled up to raft with us again.

There's That Tow Again!

There's that dredge equipment tow again. This is the third day we have had to pass it.

From: Herb River, Thunderbolt, GA MM 584.4

To: Cattlepen Creek, St. Catherine Island, GA MM 625.5

L/L: 31 38.49N 81 11.14W

Distance Traveled: 41.6 miles

Hours Motoring: 7.0

Average Speed: 5.9 mph

Weather: Cloudy and overcast all day; mid 60’s to mid 70’s; East wind 10 - 15 knots

Being overtaken by a power cat

Well, well, well, there’s that tow again! Fortunately, we had another wide spot in the water way to pass all that apparatus. Before passing the “tow,” we navigated Hell’s Gate. There were no shallow depths as the area was dredged last summer.

Once the anchor was down and secured, we invited Canvasback Too to raft with us. It’s the first time since we lost our primary ground tackle back at the Butler Island Anchorage in the Wacamaw River. Once Canvasback Too was tied up, we started swinging wildly. The wind was blowing at fifteen knots out of the east and the current was opposite the wind direction. Fortunately, the rode stayed below our keels. After nightfall, the wind calmed and things settled into a more comfortable motion. Here’s hoping it stays that way until we separate tomorrow morning.

Being overtaken by a trawler with a sail!

Up at O Dark Thirty!

From: Factory Creek, Beaufort, SC MM 535.9

To: Herb River, Thunderbolt, GA MM 584.4

L/L: 32 00.95N 81 02.40W

Distance Traveled: 49.9

Hours Motoring: 8.1

Average Speed: 6.2 mph

Weather: Partly cloudy to sunny; temp range 64 - 82 degrees; east wind <>

Comment: Up Early!

We were up and pulling the anchor at 0615. Captain Dave is sure a slave driver! The real culprit was the Lady’s island Swing Bridge. We had to go through before 0700 or wait until 0900. It is closed to boat traffic during the morning (and afternoon) rush hours.

We had the current with us for all but an hour or two. The ride to the Herb River anchorage was easy. On the way, we passed the one quarter-mile long tug towing the dredge equipment that we passed yesterday in Wall’s Cut. The tow is headed to Jacksonville and is traveling at less than 4 knots all day and night. I’m not sure how far he goes in a twenty four hour period, but I suspect we’ll see him again.

Today, we managed to pass in a relatively wide section of water just before the narrow Ram’s Horn River. That was lucky!

This is the third night on the hook since loosing our primary anchor. Our first choice was the 25 lb. CQR with 80 feet of 5/16" chain. The chain weights a little over one pound per foot. That means one must retrieve over one hundred pounds of ground tackle by hand. It's not an easy feat and it is the reason we had a windlass installed. It held well in the stormy conditions that night, but was a bear to haul up in the morning. Last night and tonight, we have chosen to use the Fortress (FX-23) it weighs about 17 lbs. (if I remember correctly) and it has sixty feet of a much smaller diameter chain. It has superior holding power and is much easier to bring up in the morning. We'll use the Fortress under normal conditions and will resort to the CQR when strong winds are predicted.

Motoring in the Low Country

Quater mile long tow in Wall's Cut

From: Church Creek Anchorage, 10 miles south of Charleston, SC MM 488.2

To: Factory Creek, Beaufort, SC MM 535.9

L/L: 32 25.36N 80 38.98W

Distance Traveled: 49.0

Hours Motoring: 8.3

Average Speed: 5.9

Weather: During the wee hours of the morning, there were thunder and lightening storms in the vicinity, but not near us. The day dawned dark and overcast, rain threatened. The temp range was 72 - 84 degrees; SW wind @ 10 knots or less

Passing the tow

Comment: Motoring in the Low Country

After departing the anchorage, we motored down several rivers and cuts through thousands of acres of undeveloped shore line. It sure is nice to see the low country this way.

In Walls Cut, the man made canal that connects the Dawho River with the South Edisto River, we caught up to and passed about nine sailboats. We have seen or heard on their crew

on the radio since Oriental, NC. As luck would have it, a tug was pulling loads of dredging equipment. Top speed seemed to be around three knots. In all, the tow was about one-quarter mile long. The deeper draft boats were reluctant to pass in the narrow cut, concerned that getting too close to the water’s edge, would put them aground. With a relatively shallow draft, we were not as concerned and motored past the sailboats and the tow. Once out of the cut, all of the sailboats passed the tow but by then, we were way ahead. As usual, they tracked us down and overtook us just before the Lady’s Island Swing Bridge. Rather that pass through the bridge today, we joined a group of five boat to anchor in Factory Creek.

The tug doing the towing

Tomorrow we should be in Georgia. If that is to happen, we’ll have to get up in the wee hours of the morning. If we don’t make the 0700 opening of the bridge, we’ll have to wait until 0900 for the next opening.

Sunset from the Factory Creek Anchorage, Beaufort, SC

Fair Currents Today!

From: Leland Oil Company Marina, McClellanville, SC MM 430.0

To: Church Creek Anchorage, 10 miles south of Charlestown, SC MM 488.2

L/L: 32 42.53N 80 10.77W

Distance Traveled: 58.3

Hours Motoring: 9.4

Average Speed: 6.2 mph

Weather: Cloudy, overcast and afternoon rain; east wind 10 knots or less except gusts to 20 in squall; temp range 63 - 77 degrees

Comment: Fair Currents Today!

Today, our average speed was 6.2 mph. It was a relatively easy day on the waterway. The Coast Guard broadcast several unscheduled safety bulletins including a report of a boat adrift in the Ashley River and the sinking S/V Ragtime between the city marina and the CG Station. S/V Ragtime remains on the bottom, is unmarked and is not visible at high tide.

Rain started falling about an hour before it was time to anchor. Just as it was time to get the ground tackle ready for deployment, a squall blew threw with 20 knot gusts. The rain blocked all visibility and we had to follow our line into the anchorage from last year’s visit to this anchorage.

After the anchor was set, the rain and the wind stopped (go figure!). As of this writing, it remains calm in the anchorage now occupied by a total of four boats (a very large motor yacht, the PDQ 36 Pretty Penny (first sighted in Mile Hammock Bay), Canvasback Too (lying on his own hook) and SUNSHINE (lying to her 25 lb. CQR plow anchor).

Houston, We Have a Problem!

From: Butler Island Anchorage on the Wacamaw River, SC MM 396.0

To: Leland Oil Company Marina, McClellanville, SC MM 430.0

L/L: 33 04.98N 79 27.75

Distance Traveled: 34.4

Hours Motoring: 5.9

Average Speed: 5.8mph

Weather: Mix of rain, fog, overcast; temp hovered in the low 60’s all day; north wind @ 10 knots

Comment: Houston, We Have a Problem!

Our day started much as any cruising day as we prepared for departure from our anchorage. WE cast Canvasback Too off at about 0715 and set about pulling up the anchor. Not so fast! The anchor is apparently wrapped around one of the keels.

This has happened to SUNSHINE three other times since we’ve owned her. It has never been fun, but we always managed to get the rode free after a lot of effort. On this occasion, we had great difficulty. After a couple of hours, there was a shudder and we were floating freely. We pulled in the anchor only to find that it and the chain was missing! Not good!

There was no way we could find the anchor. The only thing left to do was motor down the waterway. Fortunately, we have three other anchors on board.

While motoring down Winyah Bay in the cold and rain, Anna Marie set about finding a new destination. She decided on Leland Oil Company Marina and Captain Dave concurred.

As the day progressed, the rain stopped and sky brightened a bit.

After tying up, we did several boat chores and sorted out our anchoring options. Captain Dave joined us for dinner and conversation. Before hitting the sack, we listened to a bit of the Eagles.

Osprey Marina is a Great Plaace to Chill!

Lay Day: Osprey Marina, Socastee, SC MM 373.5

Weather: Breezy; cloudy; overnight showers, but none during the daylight hours

Comment: The bad weather never materialized, although there were a few downpours last night. The day was spent in conversation with Captain Dave and other cruisers. After a late dinner, we’ll meet with Dave to plan tomorrow’s departure time and destination. We're looking forward to working our way down the waterway in his company again.