Pushing northward to Chesapeake
Getting started out of Charleston with a few issues
Bye, bye Charleston - had a great time!
May 15 Saturday - underway at 7:30am. Only known issue is the starboard battery and the battery condition readout. The readout seems to peg every once in a while. The next 48 hours our plan is to sail as much as possible to conserve fuel. My according to the prediction models, the winds should be manageable. The weather is still cool, at 55 degrees, as we get started. As we move through the day, neither model of the wind speed got it right. We are averaging 15 to 18 knots, no single digits in site.
Catching up on reading during a slow time
Sunset over Murrell’s inlet
By the evening, we are entering the slice of shore that has Murrell’s inlet and Myrtle Beach. There are drinking or eating establishments, but no boat services, so we will just pass around it - 5pm. The sea is vast and relentless, we absolutely need to learn more sailing techniques with this vessel for better time performance. A couple of monohulls passed us by going about the same heading. Carlos is hoping for a quiet night. Finished my shift; now reading history of Cape Verdean immigration. Interesting that many CV folks don’t identify as black. The Cape Verdeans are not carrying the trauma of slavery but bear witness to the racism in the US. Some consider themselves Portuguese, similar to my grandmother and my mother. However, Lisbon ignored the country in the century after the slave trade dried up, yet they are still loyal. I guess it's similar to the African Americans and the US. More to think about as I read this book. Secured a slip for 5/19 to 5/25 at Selway Bay Marina, just about an hour from Gizele’s house. Everything in Annapolis was tied up due to the Naval Academy graduation.
Aiming for a fuel stop before NC Outer Banks
Anchoring by moonlight in NC
Sunday May 16 - went on watch at 3am, no traffic except fast moving fishing boats just before Morehead City. Morehead City Portside marina has fuel, but closes at 5pm. Best plan is to get close to the harbor opening and anchor, then wait for fuel on Monday morning. It's going to be around midnight before we get there. David is feeling queasy, so am I. I took Dramamine along with Carlos, David says no. Got Iridium to make calls, that was good. Swells are still high, and we are mostly into the wind. Carlos is turning towards shore in order to make the ride smoother and get some cell service.
Learning to anchor in the dark
Did I mention that we anchored at midnight last night. A little scary but Carlos depended on the maps and his intuition about the wind and the current to get us safely secured. Then, we were back in bed for a peaceful night. Blueberry pancakes for breakfast, since it was a 90 minute run from the anchorage to the marina. Little did we realize that it would be done on one engine!
Sunrise over Morehead City, NC
Battery problems persist and cause stressful docking Monday May 17 After a quiet sleep and a gorgeous sunrise in the Atlantic Beach area of Morehead City, we are confronted with a non charging battery, so we thought. We started the port side and proceeded to the marina on one engine where we tenuously docked. The dock space was plentiful, but the aisles to the dock were tiny.
Tight passage ways
Carlos working magic on the starboard engine battery
Wow! The boat was spinning due to the lack of one engine! We needed dock help, adjoining neighbor help and our own crew using pushers, to get us into a safe spot. This was a little scary in a tight location. Carlos troubleshot the battery issue in the spare location we maneuvered to, and ultimately, we had to purchase a new battery. This new one is a bit bigger physically than the previous one, so Carlos had to maneuver it into position. After he installed and rewired, the starboard side engine started right away, no issue! Yay!
Heading out after repairs
2568 is mileage showing on the total trip meter. As we exited Morehead City, the sea was so peaceful. As we turn the corner at Cape Lookout, the wind is back in our face, and so are the waves and swells. Probably will be choppy, until we round the bend at Avon about 12 hours from now. It is amazing how the sea can be so peaceful, calm, and the next minute be a raving lunatic with winds, waves, swells and relentless battering. Forget the apps, they are nonspecific, and often, totally wrong.
Moving up the coast, slowly…then fast
Tuesday May 18- quiet night, though still had wind in our face. Not too much traffic - a few boats followed along for a while. We’ ll turn Cape Hatteras around 5:30am at Avon. Carlos gave me a scare with the shoal area just below the lighthouse. Always have to watch for risk taking by our Captain. Not looking promising for Wednesday, more likely Thursday to arrive in Selway Bay - however, there is still no gasoline available in DC, due to the fuel line hack that started in Charleston. Sent a note to Bill Regan re hatches spares and in-boom installation estimates. After the turn, winds are high - up to 20 knots with seas about four to six feet, exhilarating and scary at the same time, We should be at the entry to the Chesapeake Bay by 7am. This is due to good winds, current in our favor and calm seas. Next the decision on whether or not to fuel. If we feel the passage to Shelby may end up in the dark, then Carlos would have to stay up all night - Decision tomorrow.
