Friday, November 16, 2012

R.E. Mayo to Beaufort, NC

ICW 157 to 205

We shoved off from R.E. Mayo's dock just before 7am.  The Neuse river was very rough and seas appeared to be about 3 or more feet.  It was a wild ride, and we motored sailed with the Jenny most of the way.

Bonnie wanted to see Oriental, NC.  So we headed there.  We arrived about 10:30 and anchored in the mouth of the harbor as the only free dock was full.  We took the dinghy to the town dinghy dock and found a great recycling center there as well.  We bought a few things, and a new Brazilian hat for me at the Inland Waterway Provisioning Company.  Then went to get coffee at the Bean, and drop in on a friend of our neighbors - who wasn't at the office that day.

We were thinking of eating ashore, but the boat was well provisioned and we were hoping to make Beaufort by dark.  Bonnie had some stale bread and the seagulls became her buddies for a bit.

Bonnie feeding the gulls in Oriental, NC


It was still very windy and we again had winds from the N/NE in the 20s, gusting to 30.

We entered Beaufort by the back channel and did a balancing act at the draw bridge for 20 minutes with 2 kt current and 20 kt winds.

We motored around to Taylor Creek and searched the crowded anchorage for a place to drop the hook.  We did not find much, and as it was cold, we did not want to be too far away.

So I boldly dropped the hook between two French boats, just off of the channel.  One owner came out and in gesturs that required no translation, let me know he thought I was a bit too close.  I probably was, as we drifted back more than I wanted.  So we upped anchor and moved a little forward.

Taylor Creek anchorage is known for opposing winds and currents that move boats every which way.  These 20 kts winds were perfect for such an event. So I was a bit stressed about it.  Next time I plan to get a slip there.

We ate dinner at Clawson's (the food was not great) and walked around the town. It was very cold and windy, so the walk did not last too long.

We were in bed by 9:00.  I got up to check on things at about midnight and found Dessie sitting totally different than the other boats, with the anchor trailing back and to starboard and the boat sideways out in the channel.  The combination of wind, current and a light boat were providing interesting results.  I reduced the length of anchor rode to avoid inadvertently visiting neighboring boats, and played with the rudder angle to see if I could settle her out.  It worked a little, and I checked on it every hour.  That did not make for a great night's sleep.


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