Dessert 1st, Northbound on the ICW

Long pants? It must be chilly! :wink: Well, unless you are being all grown up like.

The five blasts may have been for the entertainment value, if an earlier "one or two horn" wasn't sounded. Sure gets your attention, huh? :shock:

Something to be said for electricity, hot showers, and restaurants within comfortable walking distance to keep it fun.

Keep the updates coming!

Hugs to you both,
Jim & Joan
 
George, I really enjoyed your photos in snugmug, but you need to the camera away from Mary. We'd much rather see photos of her than of you!

Chuck
 
Chuck, getting the camera away from Mary could be a life-endangering activity (and I'm usually smarter than that)!

We stopped in Morehead City (NC) yesterday. We planned to go to the "Sanitary Fish Market"* but the reviews on Trip Advisor and Active Captain were terrible, so we opted for the "Ruddy Duck" restaurant, next door. The Ruddy Duck was great - and the slice of banana cream pie we shared for dessert was the Best we've ever had Anywhere. It seems silly making such an over-the-top comment about a piece of pie ... but it was that Good. We'd go back just for the pie!

There didn't seem to be a wind proof anchorage nearby, and it was nearing 6PM (we're usually anchored by about 3 or 4PM). We explored an unmarked area NW of the Morehead City Yacht Basin and found a good spot that had 3.5' at MLW (and no traffic). It's nice to have a boat that doesn't require much water. There is some kind of Army activity onshore that looks like it might be Corp of Engineer (not sure).

From here we plan to head over to Beaufort and look around, so it appears that today will be another low-mileage day.

It was chilly again last night - maybe we're traveling North too fast.

Best,ñ
Casey&Mary
* My family lived at the nearby Cherry Point MCAS from about 1952-1954. We used to come to Morehead City every couple of months to have seafood at the Sanitary Fish Market Restaurant and it was great (particularly the basket of hush puppies they served with the meal). Sorry to say - it's no longer very good. Gee's ... it's only been sixty years. Dang.
 
Good Morning 'Brats!

We departed Beaufort (BOW-fert) NC yesterday morning in a cold light rain. Very nice to have a cabin (with a Wallas stove). Who would have thought it would be this cold in late April? But it is-what-it-is and we're managing (but I should have brought some kind of windbreaker jacket, my LLBean chamois shirt is pretty marginal).

We've been in contact with C-Brats Paul and Ruth Cyr (CD25, "Seaweed"). They live on Broad Creek, on the Pamlico River (second major inlet north of the Neuse River [where we are now]). The Cyr's have invited us to their dock for a night or two, so we're headed that way. When we first contacted Paul and Ruth, they suggested that we watch for good friends traveling north on a Morgan46 "Pegasus". Sure enough, yesterday morning we heard Pegasus on the radio as they headed in to a marina for fuel and ice, and they were less than five miles ahead of us. By the time we arrived at Seagate Marina Pegasus was coming out the narrow channel and we had a nice radio chat with them. Small world. (By the way - a Morgan46 is a Very nice sailboat!)

We proceeded north on the ICW until we reached the Neuse River, where we turned west toward MCAS Cherry Point's Hancock Marina. The Neuse was pretty choppy, but manageable - again, it was nice to have the warm/dry cabin. It was nice to arrive at Hancock Marina, but there was NO ONE around so we picked an open slip, hooked-up 30A electricity :-) and made ourselves at home. After locating the toilets and (warm) showers it was time for Happy Hour :-) :-). We decided to have salmon and rice with a nice cardbourdeaux. Together with candlelight and music on the XM radio, it was all very civilized!

Today the plan is to venture about twelve miles to Oriental (NC) and find another marina. I want to answer the burning question: How did Orienal get its name? From the looks of it it'll be another bumpy ride - but probably doable.

We're finding that with this cold wx, having shorepower is a Very Good Thing. The Wallas is good, but the (electric) "Big Heat" is better. We have both commented that later in this trip we will wish that there was a way we could store-up some of this cold weather!

The visit to MCAS Cherry Point is a bit anticlimactic. My family lived here a couple times in the early/mid 1950's and I have fond memories of playing in the woods (our military housing backed on a place named the Black Swamp...) as a child. Fun times. The Hancock Marina is fine ... but it's several miles into the main part of the base, and without a car or bicycle, it's too far to go in the Cold. Ah well ... maybe next time.

So there you have it; Day 23 is 'history, and Day 24 is an adventure yet to unfold!

Best,
Casey&Mary
 
Casey":17abwrg5 said:
Good Morning 'Brats!

Mary suggested that I mention the USCG event ... Ok.

We were cruising up the ICW toward Wilmington (NC). Wx was good. We had a following sea, about a 1-2' chop, and we were just cruising along on A/P at 8mph, and life was Good. Our turn to the North was only a couple miles ahead. Oh, did I mention that we were in a "shipping lane?"

We were chatting about something, and all of a sudden we heard the dreaded 5-Blast (collision imminent...) signal from a VERY large horn. We both looked back and saw the USCG Cutter "Diligence" overtaking, and Very close. (How close you ask? Too Damn Close!! (I'll guess 100yards, but it scarred the b-Jesus out of us! I'm sure the crew on the bridge were laughing their asses off at having made at making a small pleasure boater nearly crap-their-pants.) we chose not to get into a radio discussion of privileged vessel/burdened vessel, after all we were in a shipping lane, but still.... (I didn't know a CC23 could come up on plane that fast(!); we scooted out of the way!
Click to expand...

Not that I've ever been in a shipping lane on the ICW, but why no 1-blast or 2-blast from the USCG when overtaking?

Jake
 
Hello,
Casey and Mary.
Once you make it to the dock at Paul's place you should also visit Bath free dockage at the state dock (no services) and Washington which has great waterfront dockage free for 72 hours if you don't need electric ( it has been a little chilly) If you plan to visit Bellhaven we highly recomend Spoonriver Artworks and Market for a nice dinner and great service.$$ It is within walking distance from Bellhaven Waterway marina and the
town dock.

We have been following your trip and would love to meet you both, but work schedules will get in the way this week. Safe travels
Erma and Ernie
Munchkin
 
Jake - you make a good point. I also wondered at the lack of overtaking/passing signals, but they didn't use them. The only signal was (as I mentioned) the dreaded 5-Blast. Personally, my guess is that the on-watch bridge crew had a bet going to see if they could make a power boater crap-his-pants. ...and they almost Did! There never was any Real danger (other than me maybe having a heart attack), but it was an intersting experience. I'm sure it was all in good fun, and I took it that way (although the CO may have reamed a few folks if/when he/sheheard about it).

Munchkin - I don't know if we'll make it farther up the Pamlico than Paul and Ruth's but we'll see.... Likewise for Bath. We'll probably be steaming for Bellhaven when we leave their place.

We decided to take another day at Cherry Point and look around a bit. We hitchhiked five miles into the main part of the base, visited McDonald's then the base exchange. It was interesting to see a few (...Very few) places that I remembered from 60+ years ago.

Nap time.

Best,
Casey&Mary :male
 
Well, let's see .... This is Day 30 and we are 904sm (or so) from Astor, FL.
We are currently anchored in a wide open area near the mouth of the Alligator River about 36 miles south of Elizabeth City, NC. The Wx is phenomenal. Nothing over one foot today, and it looks the same for the next few days (which should make for a good crossing of Albemarle Sound first thing tomorrow). The only thing around are four largish sailboats about 1mile away, and about a million (or two million...) crab traps as far as we can see.

Looking back over a previous post, I said the visit to MCAS Cherry Point was somewhat anticlimactic. I was premature. When we arrived at the dock and got situated, it all seemed very calm and quiet. Nothing going on, but that was ok. By the next morning we had met the dockmaster and a couple of people who are living aboard their Westsail32. By the next day we'd been invited to the "Hancock Yacht Club" happy hour so we decided to stay another day. By the third day we were getting the hang of things at Hancock, so decided to stay a third day. By the end of the third day Mary was talking about cancelling the rest of our trip and staying at Hancock Marina! ...time to leave, so on Wednesday (4/29) we finally made our getaway and resumed our northward odyssey.

On Thursday (4/30) we arrived at Pamlico Plantation (near Washington, NC) and met Paul and Ruth Cyr (CD25: "Seaweed"). Paul set us up with a slip in the community marina which has over 200 slips. Between showers and electricity, we were living Large! Paul even assisted in getting us to town, so we were able to visit Walmart and a laundromat. But the best was yet to come. Paul is a retired chef, and the dinner he fixed Friday night was beyond superb ... It was nothing short of Spectacular! (Thank You Paul and Ruth!)

We're seeing more and more vessels headed north now, and the temperature has warmed a bit. Today was a "shorts" day which is a very good thing.

Looking at the water - it is Absolutely FLAT calm as far as we can see. So far, no bugs other than something called a "blind mosquito." We're told they don't bite, but have a tendency to accumulate on the deck of boats. We'll see what the boat looks like tomorrow morning.

The next stop (tomorrow) should be Elizabeth City, where we have a mail-drop ready to be picked up.

Life is Good ... Very Good! :lol:

Best,
Casey&Mary
 
Jake":22m1a010 said:
Casey":22m1a010 said:
Good Morning 'Brats!

Mary suggested that I mention the USCG event ... Ok.

We were cruising up the ICW toward Wilmington (NC). Wx was good. We had a following sea, about a 1-2' chop, and we were just cruising along on A/P at 8mph, and life was Good. Our turn to the North was only a couple miles ahead. Oh, did I mention that we were in a "shipping lane?"

We were chatting about something, and all of a sudden we heard the dreaded 5-Blast (collision imminent...) signal from a VERY large horn. We both looked back and saw the USCG Cutter "Diligence" overtaking, and Very close. (How close you ask? Too Damn Close!! (I'll guess 100yards, but it scarred the b-Jesus out of us! I'm sure the crew on the bridge were laughing their asses off at having made at making a small pleasure boater nearly crap-their-pants.) we chose not to get into a radio discussion of privileged vessel/burdened vessel, after all we were in a shipping lane, but still.... (I didn't know a CC23 could come up on plane that fast(!); we scooted out of the way!
Click to expand...

Not that I've ever been in a shipping lane on the ICW, but why no 1-blast or 2-blast from the USCG when overtaking?

Jake
Click to expand...

Not to condone the actions of a less than professional Coast Guard crew, but there could be some considerations. Were they limited in size or function to a narrow channel? Was there oncoming traffic limiting their available heading?

You are right about overtaking vessel (burdened) and overtaken or privileged vessel and in your case, being privileged until that overtaking vessel forward of your beam (I believe), however, in any case, and all the time -- Tonnage Rules.

I would have been tempted to try a contact on 13 and ask "Was I doing something wrong?"

Have been enjoying your trip, and following in steps. Thanks for the colorful write-ups.

Harvey
SleepyC

0_CD_Cover_SlpyC_with_Classics_MBSP_2009_288.thumb.jpg
 
Harvey - No, there was no opposing traffic. Yes, the channel was probably wide enough for the Deligence to pass (but that may have made the situation worse.

No, I'm pretty sure it was as I described: the bridge crew was having a bit of fun with the "little guy." The mere fact they waited as long as they did to announce their presence, and THEN chose to announce that presence with a "collision imminent" signal was in itself almost humorous. Collision was NOT imminent; the Deligence also had the option of slowing down so as not to create the event. But they chose not to. ...would have made for an interesting accident investigation to say the least.

Another possible scenario is that the 'watch was distracted (daydreaming?) and failed to see us in time to do anything but sound the alarm ... It takes a while to slow a 210' vessel. Frankly that scares me more than the joking-around scenario.

I was certainly contributory by not keeping 'watch behind (and moving out of the way earlier), but in the end, I think we all got a good laugh out off it. And we got a story to share with the 'Brats! "All's well that ends well."

Yesterday, on the Alligator River was interesting. There were at least 12-15 occasions when overtaking vessels announced their presence early and slowed to maneuver past. All without incident. One vessel (about 60' as I recall) was literally hauling-ass, but we could see him coming (we watch astern a little better Now), and we'd heard previous radio traffic announcing his presence. As he approached, both Mary and I commented about his wake and bow wave; they were Gigantic!!!! When he passed I fell in behind. As he put the yacht back up on plane, I accelerated as well just to get an idea of his cruising speed. At 30mph I broke it off and he was slowly pulling away. I would estimate his cruise speed at about 32 or 33mph. I suspect he burned as much fuel coming to planing speed as we burned all day (at 8mph)!

An interesting day.

Best,
Casey&Mary
 
Here's the boat/wake Casey was talking about barreling up the narrow Alligator River:

http://caseyandmary.smugmug.com/Florida-to-the-Chesapeake-2015/i-Zgk2294/M


http://caseyandmary.smugmug.com/Florida-to-the-Chesapeake-2015/i-64kkQgG/M

(I tried inserting as a photo instead of link and it didn't work for me this time. Used
as usual but photo wasn't there. Oh, well.)
 
Wow...That wake is incredible, big, ugly and brown. Imagine what it is doing to the shore line. (And what it will do to that sailboat in the next pix or so to the left.) I hope that was taken with a VERY LONG lens, or that poor sailboat is going to have some "issues" :evil:

Nice to get a look at the pix, even without the descriptions. Nice Sunrise/sunset pix and I loved the little red car on the "ferry". Nice looking food too. Thanks for the links.

Now find a nice cool place to be for a few days as the heat is coming on.

Harvey
SleepyC :moon

JC_Lately_SleepyC_Flat_Blue_055.highlight.jpg
 
Probably in a hurry to get to the next fuel dock,,,before he runs out of fuel…These guys make the ICW a pain…

You all are doing it right--going slowly and enjoying the ride! Thanks for the "trip"...
 
Very nice - well, except for the wake... but nice that you documented it. Guys like that give powerboaters a bad rep.

Keep the fun coming!

Jim
 
Good Morning 'Brat's!

We didn't leave Elizabeth City until 1330 yesterday, and needed fuel before we proceeded onward. Interestingly, it seems the only place in EC with fuel is Lamb's Marina, a few miles to the north. The rumor was that the EPA has made it increasingly difficult for marina fuel vendor's and most have opted-out. ...anyway, we got our fuel and proceeded onward - into the "Dismal Swamp" (cue the scary, haunting music).

It was Beautiful ... and not scary at all. The South Mills Lock is fourteen miles north of Lamb's, and we knew we would miss the last opening for the day, but no problem. We tied-off between a couple of dolphins, and spent an absolutely quiet, no current/tide/wind/boats/bug's night. Delightful.

The first opening today will be at 0830, so our plan is to motor through and probably spend the day (and maybe the night) at the DS Visitor Center dock. Evidently "rafting" is very common due to the number of vessels that layover at the visitor center, so we'll be planning for that.

Yesterday morning (in Elizabeth City) was interesting. We had some errands to do, and we went back to "Quality Seafoods" for an early lunch. Mary had a double soft shell crab sandwich (which she raved about), and I had a side order of crab cakes that I thought was very tasty. The very simple place is highly recommended.

After lunch we visited the (free) Museum of the Albemarle. On the way back to the boat. We expected to spend a half hour, and ended up being there over two hours! It was Very interesting, and extremely well done.

While under way yesterday I noticed some strange goings-on with the switches and circuitry on the boat. After refueling I noticed that the fuel gauges only registered about 3/4 but I knew the tanks were full. We also noticed that the horn didn't work. Trying to determine what was going-on, I flipped the nav light switch and both fuel gauges and horn began working properly. When I turned the nav lights off everything continued to work normally. Hmm.... (I've always felt that electricity was about 90% magic; now I'm sure of it.). But happy to report - everything seems to be back online.

That's all for this time!

Best,
Casey&Mary
 
thataway":2wm6uuuh said:
Probably in a hurry to get to the next fuel dock,,,before he runs out of fuel…These guys make the ICW a pain…
Click to expand...

So for a boat of this size (60 footer), what is the appropriate method for overtaking, to stay on plane and fly by with possibly less wake or come off plane and maybe create a larger wake but at a slower speed?

Jake
 
From comments on the Active Captain Facebook site the concensus seems to be come off plane and SLOW down to the point one's wake is not an issue. Many slower vessels suggest that they slow as well, thus making the passing interval as brief as possible. The main issue seems to be that the burdened(passing) vessel communicate their situation/intent soon enough to avoid a problem.

We have found that if we time the passing properly we can make a 360 degree clockwise turn, which then positions us perfectly for crossing the faster vessel's wake. Naturally that requires enough room to starboard to make a turn (and not put us aground). The alternative is to have the passing vessel proceed, and have their wake contact us on our port quarter - for us, not good. We prefer to contact their wake bow-on.

Best,
C&M
 
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