Day 17

This morning we left Tolers Cove Marina by 7:45 a.m.  While we were making coffee/tea we talked about going farther than I had originally planned.  Today’s objective was an anchorage called Raccoon Island anchorage, a 50 mile day.  We can do better than that we thought. Within minutes of leaving the dock we were crossing Charleston harbor.  As we headed across the harbor, there was an incoming tide.  As a result we were getting a push from the current.  We made our way through the various cuts connecting rivers and creeks, all the while getting a push from the incoming tide.  There were times today we were seeing 11.8 knots of speed, quite a rush for this boat. As a result we reached our destination of Raccoon Island Anchorage by 12:30 p.m.  On we went.  We set a target of Beaufort South Carolina.  For most of the day we were the beneficiaries of a favorable current.  We made Beaufort with time to spare.  We were anchored and drinking Bloody Mary’s on the back deck of the boat by 3:30 p.m.  In fact, we are less than 10 miles from where I had intended for us to be tomorrow by the end of the day.

We went 73.5 miles today, for a total of approximately 768 miles.  It took us 7hrs 55mins.  I think this has emboldened us a little; we were talking about heading “outside” tomorrow and cutting out some real trouble spots in Georgia that we dealt with a few years ago, namely Hells Gate.  If we go out into the ocean at Tybee Rhodes, and back in at St. Catherine’s Sound which is 35 miles and eliminates all the hassles of some difficult spots.  Winds are predicted 10 to 15 mph. with waves of 2 to 2.5 ft. on 7 or 8 second intervals.  Not too bad.  If that holds we will probably head out.

I was a little on the chilly side this morning with temps around 42 in the morning, but it warmed up nicely be early afternoon and was quite comfortable cruising along.  Should be more of the same tomorrow.

Fort Sumter across Charleston Harbor.

A view of Charleston in the early morning

Until tomorrow, over and out.