North Bay Yacht

I sit here in warm comfort the sun shining through the window into our kitchen/office. The table isn’t moving, the drum of the diesel engine a faint memory. The delivery, a source of material for articles in the Nor’easter magazine (www.noreastermagazine.com)and many “lessons learned” that will be applied to future trips on the ICW.

The last day had been uneventful, just 45 miles from the Solomons, MD to Rock Hall. We had hoped to do some sailing on this last leg home. We had sat out the day before at Zahniser’s Marina due to strong winds (15 to 25 gusts to 30) out of the WNW. Too strong to hammer our way north. Our last day the winds were to have swung out of the south at the same speeds. It would have made for a fine reach up the Bay. They never set in… we motored.

We arrived in Rock Hall shortly after four under cloudy skies. Like any delivery it had taken its toll on the crew. Nothing a good hot shower and a solid nights sleep wouldn’t mend. To my surprise I find it difficult to fall asleep, perhaps the lack of motion and the sound of wind and water had become all too common.

A few things I had learned along the way:

* Navigating the ICW takes constant vigilance - There are many places that a boat drawing   more then 6 foot water at low tide can not travel.

* There are four bodies of water that must be transited with proper consideration given to wind and tide; The Chesapeake Bay, Pamlico and Albemarle Sounds and the Cape Fear River.

* GPS, Chart Plotter and depth sounder are essential - While many have made the trip without them they add a great deal of comfort.

* If possible don’t make the trip as a delivery - Take time to rest and see the sights. It will lessen the tension.

*  Make sure you boat is well stocked - Thanks to Pam, my wife, and my daughter, Jacki, we would not run out of stores. There are few places where one can re-provision. Do your research on those areas where you can.

I invite others to share their experiences and insights on the ICW either on this blog or to the Sailors Forum in the Nor’easter. Look forward to sharing with you.

We sit tied-up at Zahniser’s, Back Creek, Solomon’s, MD waiting out our second March cold front. We arrived on the 15th following another long push up from an anchorage on the Great Wicomica River. We had arrived there from Norfolk. Making Norfolk the day before had been a tough one; five bridges and one lock. Not all bridge tenders are personable and bridge schedules, into Norfolk (closed from 3:30 to 5:30 pm, opening on the hour and half hour) make it difficult to get through before dark sets in. Missing the the last bridge before 3:30, due to a railroad bridge closing, we were forced to anchor in the Elizabeth River. We made a marina just before dark running between tugs and midst navy and commercial ships… exciting!

Outbound from Norfolk we passed an inbound navy warship. We noted two 50 cal. gun crews tracking our passing, a result of 9/11 I’m sure. Around Point New Comfort we motored steadily against 10 to 15 knots of north wind with a following tide. It had been our intent to make Jones Creek, Deltaville but with the tide we pressed to the Great Wicomica River near Reedville. We anchored in Cockrell Creek just in time to weather the first of two fronts that would move through the area.    

If I’ve not mentioned it I hate March weather; 70 one day 40 the next, cold winds come down from the north, clouds block the warmth of the sun and make for a cold that sets down in the bones making the only Rx a long hot shower, not something that is readily available on a sailboat on delivery. There is always a price to be paid for being a sailor underway.

So here we sit awaiting Monday morning. We will push on up through to Rock Hall and home tomorrow. It will have been 10 days underway through shallow water, shoaling inlets, cold fronts, bridge schedules, commercial traffic, beautiful landscapes and shore-side homes. There were some tension filled moments but all in all it was a good trip. One benefit of this cold front, a blessing if you will, it keep us dockside so I could go to church for Palm Sunday at a small church, St. Peters. There is a purpose for all things.  

(For a more detailed description of this trip see the Nor’easter magizine, Waypoint, in the next couple of weeks)   

March 12, 0930 hrs.

The past few days have been hard pushes, moving 10 to 11 hours each day making great distance varying between 60 and 90 miles each day. All has not been without instances; running aground twice (we were able to get off without assistance), one bridge operator who felt it was more important to oblige those sand blasting the bridge as to keeping to a restricted opening schedule (We waited 3 hours past the opening schedule). But all in all things have been good.

A few things we’ve learned along the way:

* Don’t believe the ads in the Cruising Guide - ”Showers” does not mean multiple showers. Nor does it mean modern.    

* The word “Marina” is not all ways defined the same way - It can have slips, no slips, or just be a High and Dry.

* ICW travel brings the every present opportunity to run aground - It doesn’t mean you will but with the many inlets coming in across the ICW shoaling is an everyday occurrence, marks are not moved to reflect this. Some very open bodies of very shallow water make crossing these areas an adventure.

* Anchorages are few and sometimes a far distance apart - This makes for some long days (we have made 90 miles and have been averaging over 60).

* Other cruisers are always willing to help - We meet a great couple, Paul and Mary. They are making for Norfolk and have guided us through some of the more difficult spots.

* Modern navigational electronics (chart plotter, laptop, etc) are great aids - But don’t always depend on them, things change quickly. You must stay-up on Local Notice to Mariners.

March 13

We have been in and out of cell range for for the past two. We’ve made great time. Weather has been great. Have only been able to motor sail three times. We should make Hampton Roads by evening. Then it ill be on up the Chesapeake Bay with to stops before Rock Hall. Weather coming in might prevent this… we’ll see.

Tonight will be first night with a hot shower in three days, we’re all looking forward to this. Not much else to stay, just still moving along the ditch.

Underway Day One 

Making progress on the ICW is much like the fable of the Tortes and the Hare, “slow and steady….” As in any sailing endeavor, especially one involving setting time-lines, mother nature has her way of adjusting your plans. Tides and resulting currents slow or enhance boat speed. Trying to make 50 miles a day is not always possible, throw in the required bridge opening and the vagaries of March weather and one must count any progress as an achievement.

The first day out of Charleston was a perfect southern day, warm with cloudless blue skies. We covered a little over 60 miles in 10 plus hours, making Georgetown SC just around sunset. Much of the trip was in water in less then 7 feet with some areas sounding at 5 feet, a mear half foot under our keel. Spectacular homes graced both sides of Isle of Palms, shore birds worked the mud flats, as pelicans sat perched on docks awaiting deeper water on the incoming tide.

 The cruising guide stated there was anchorage space available in Georgetown opposite the “town clock tower”. But with several “derelict” boats on moorings it was impossible to gain enough swing room to drop a hook. We took a slip at Hazard Marina.

Georgetown is a great stop over,  small but upscale in every way; stately homes, fine restaurants, a great variety of stores, and a very nice marina with good services. We plan to spend more time there on our next trip.

 Having a full cockpit enclosure goes a long way in keeping the crew comfortable. On our boat it provided shelter from the sun, wind and at night protection from the many biting insects. It would become even more important on day 2. 

Day Two

0740 hrs. Underway from Georgetown heading to Myrtle Beach. NOAA is calling for a deepening low off the Carolines. We would be hounded by this system all day.

0900 hrs. First light rain spreads over the area. Winds staying light. The Waccamaw River is deep (to 40 feet) right up to the tree lined shore. Trees tower over the water. NOAA is calling for deteriorating weather. There were few places to hide, we pushed on.

1100 hrs. Rain is heavy! Thunder rumbles the GPS goes goofy placing us a mile onshore. Visibility don to the bow. I get in my foul weather gear and go to the bow giving directions to Jacki and David in the cockpit.

1130 - 1200 hrs. The Gps has found itself, rain is light, wind increasing, making good speed with the tides.

1200 - 1230 hrs. Rain again heavy. NOAA calling for tornadoes. Sky is dark. We are through the last bridge for the day. Making for Barefoot Resort Yacht Club & Marina.

1300 - 1300 hrs. Tied down in slip just in time! Wind pushes “Into The Mystic” against the dock, rain is heavy and thunder rumbles to our north. The full enclouser is worth twice the money.

1900 hrs. Jacki has made a great meal; Mac and cheese with turkey and tomato. Music plays from the bar. My bunk is warm. Tough day but good day. NOAA is telling us that we will stay put tomorrow. Bridges do not open in winds over 30 mph.

Day 3

0800 hrs. We are staying put. Wind is the factor, 15 to 25 with gusts to 45. Nice place to stay but ish we were moving on. Next test is the Rock Pile then Cape Fear. Winds rush across the marina, the sky is clear blue. Nice day… I hate March weather.  

In the next couple of days we’ll be pushing off from Charlestown, SC. moving a 43 Beneteau up the ICW to her new home in our charter fleet inRock Hall, MD. Jacki (my daughter) and her husband, David, own and operate Haven Charters (www.havencharters.com). This boat will bring to 27 the number of boats in their fleet.

The volatile weather of March makes the trip north a little more interesting. This combined with the ever changing conditions on the ICW promises an adventure.  But the boat is well equipped and with the purchase of an “air card” for our laptop we anticipate being able to stay connected to Local Notice to Mariners, weather, and the many web sites that offer information on conditions (bridges etc.)

Pam (wife) and Jacki have the food essentials taken care of; prepared and frozen for quick serving. Pam will cover this aspect in a future edition of “From the Galley” in the Nor’easter magazine (www.noreastermagazine.com).

The weather forecast for the first couple of legs is not all that promising, with some hours of sever weather coming late Tuesday and into Wednesday. We should be fairly well protected in the “ditch”.

Once underway I’ll post to this blog to keep, those who are interested, involved with the trip. Don’t hesitate to shoot us questions and insights.  We’ll be aboard the night of Tuesday March 4th. I hope to get pictures on our site (www.northbayinc.com).

Celebrate life.  

The month of March heralds the beginning of a new sailing season at North Bay.  This year the first two weeks of March will be take-up with moving a new charter boat (43 Beneteau) from Charleston, Sc to her new home at Haven Charters (www.havencharters.com) in Rock Hall, Md. She will bring our total to 26 boats ranging in size from 30 to 46 feet.

In addition, we are adding a J30 to our instruction fleet at North Bay. Breakaway will provide several opportunities to advance your skills from performance sailing to small group team building, and intermediate skills development. Pictures will be posted on our web site shortly.

If you have questions on any of our sailing programs drop us an e-mail or give us a call. Check our web sites for more information.