December 1 through the 23, 2007
We arrived back on board December 10th after a month long hiatus. I (Cheryl) flew to California on November 8th, when we learned that Kellie, our daughter-in-law, needed surgery to have a life-threatening tumor removed from her brain.
What a scare we all had to learn that David and Kellie had such a serious health issue to deal with at such a young age. But I am happy to report that the surgery was successful in removing the tumor, the tumor was found to be benign, Kellie returned home in record time and David and Kellie have now returned to a more normal routine of living their life as newlyweds. (See photos of David and Kellie.) Thanksgiving this year turned into a truly thankful and joy-filled celebration for us with such a blessed outcome.
I (John) flew to Colorado to work on business, it was fun to see all my associates, and work on some developments that we wanted to implement. I also had a great time seeing my sons, daughter-in-laws and most importantly my grandson Jake. Unfortunately I was unable to shanghai him and bring him with us back to the boat.
My son Brien is just finishing up a house he is building. It is very unique in the concrete work he has done. He took a 1400 square foot stem wall rancher and made the stem walls 10 feet high giving it a full walkout basement with windows doubling the square footage. The unique aspect is that the stem walls are finished when the forms are pulled off. Even the electrical is in. All the sidewalks are stamped and colored concrete.
When we arrived back on Kloosh it took a couple of days to get provisioned and squared away ready to travel. Unfortunately, on our targeted day of departure, December 13, the water in the Neuse River was a foot below normal due to the west wind blowing the water out. With our 6’ 1” draft we bumped most of the way in the channel when we arrived so it was not looking good getting out. But Tom McCary, the marina manager, had a small boat equipped with an outboard sent to help us.
It took an hour and a half to plow our way out of the channel. I really didn’t think we were going to make it but the sand and mud bottom relented and let us depart.
We only made 8 miles the first day anchoring in Cedar Creek just off the Intracoastal Waterway.
Friday we departed early for points south. We filled our diesel tanks in Morehead City for $2.93 which is the cheapest we’ve seen. We continued on traversing the Bogue Sound to Swansboro, NC. While in Bogue Sound we were at one point surrounded by dolphins which is always a treat for us.
We tucked in at Casper’s Marina here in Swansboro just as the weather changed for the worse. For the next couple of days rain and high winds are forecast for this part of the coast so we’ve opted to stay and explore this quaint little town.
At about 3 AM while being a worrier and up checking lines I noticed the TOWBOAT US boat that is docked 50 yards away had assumed a bow up position to the point it looked like the stern had sunk with only the dock lines keeping the bow above water.
Since we have a policy with them it was easy to find the 800 number and inform them of the problem and the dispatcher assured us they would notify the franchisee forthwith. About 15 minutes later a dually diesel pickup roared into the marina so it seemed that the word had indeed gotten through.
I donned foulies and went to see if I could help. As I approached the man warned me away in words that most sailors understand but I, of course knowing better, protested “Hey, I’m the one that called and saved your boat!”
This comment didn’t set well with a man who is already angry at his livelihood sinking in the midst of a cold winter storm full of horizontally blown ice cold rain. Some meddling yachty that has called you out of a warm bed at 3 AM is as good a target as any to vent a little frustration and probably much more satisfying than shaking your fist at the sky.
With a yell of “You want apiece o’me?!!” his attention turned from the sunken boat and rampaging mother nature to me.
Cheryl, my guardian angel, was watching the situation unfold and shouted over the howling winds “you touch him and I’m calling 911.” Thankfully this diverted his attention back to the task at hand and in doing so he saved himself quite a thrashing...
I was thinking at this point that Cheryl had a better view of the operation from the shelter of KLOOSH’s cockpit and hurried to join her. Mr TOWBOAT could hold his own damn flashlight!
Arriving back at the boat I asked Cheryl why she was protecting that S.O.B. and threatened to call the cops on me if I touched him? She saw right through me but I felt better. Dammit all anyway!!!
Over the next hour the man was able to use his truck pulling the boat around. The end result he was able to get the outboards started and re-floated the boat. During all this his wife came by our boat to offer apologies. Later in the day the man came by and talked with us. It was a difficult situation but the upshot was we both felt he is a stand up guy and if we are ever in trouble I hope he shows up. To make amends he paid our three day dockage.
Leaving Swansboro was our coldest day. Fifteen to twenty knot winds in the mid 30 degrees is not our first choice in sailing weather.
For the next few days we bumped our way down the ICW. Our draft and the present state of the ICW dredging kept us in the white knuckle range most of the way. Although we frequently felt our keel touch bottom we were always able to get off and proceed.
The Waccamaw River is an interesting segment of the ICW. As it winds its way through a cypress forest we discovered where the idea for the living trees came from in the movie Lord of the Rings. Some of these ancient trees look as though they are about to open their eyes and speak, a bit spooky.
We docked at the Wacca Wachie Marina just as yet another weather system moved through. The weather kept us at the dock an extra day which was just enough time to make the marina Christmas party. The restaurant bar hosted the party with a catered feast that included steamed oysters amongst many other tasty treats and topped it off with an open bar. Being that we were docked about twenty yards away we felt safe to enjoy ourselves and partake with little restraint shown. Even the pool table was rigged for free games.
Passing through George Town the next day we followed a sailboat for most of the day before catching up and passing in the late afternoon. We hailed as we passed and discovered Capt. Bob Pollack single handing his CSY 37 the Bonnie Laurie and bound for Palm Beech, FL. As we were bound for the same anchorage we invited him over for supper later when both boats were safely anchored.
Awendaw Creek at mile 435.7 just south of marker Red 48 was our destination. Checking Skipper Bob we found that we could anchor in 7 to 15 feet of water with room for 5 to 6 boats. Open to the wind with strong tidal currents Skipper Bob recommended two anchors.
The anchorage was empty when we arrived due to most boaters being smarter than we are and having traversed these latitudes during warmer weather. We decided that we would only put down one anchor but with lots of scope rather than setting two which we know how to do in theory only.
Fifteen feet of water plus the height of the bow above the water - just say twenty feet times 7 for proper scope - we put out 140 feet of chain properly equipped with a snubber. Twice. Cheryl convinced me we were too close to the shore on the first set.
On to more important things, me to launching the dinghy and Cheryl to cooking a hot shepherds' pie for a cold night’s menu.
Capt Bob arrived shortly with a close pass to say that he would be ready in 20 minutes or so. We busied ourselves getting ready and paid no more attention to anything beyond the evening.
The evening proceeded with all enjoying the food, some adult beverages, and good music. Bob and Cheryl are both Sinatra fans it turns out so a sign along with Sirius Sinatra channel was proceeding when I happened to look out and see another boat coming in to anchor. I though this a little strange as it was late, nearing midnight.
As I climbed out on deck for a clearer view I was surprised to see the ‘other boat’ was the Bonnie Laurie about 20 feet from us. I broke through Frank’s croning and alerted Capt Bob that his boat was coming to get him.
The upshot of the following discussion was that we, Cheryl and I, had put out way too much scope and we should reduce the amount of chain we have out from 140 to 70. In the spirit of the Christmas season and the spirits of the evening I agreed. and we all helped in getting to the “proper amount” of anchor chain deployed.
We watched the swing of our two boats on the anchors for a few minutes and decided the situation was resolved. Just in time too as it was cold in the cockpit and wine, warmth, and music waited below.
As you’ve probably guessed there had been some slight misjudgments made. Before long a resounding crash was heard and felt. I made the deck just in time to see that the Bonnie Laurie’s bowsprit had just whacked our pulpit, the boats had bumped nose to nose.
I finally came to my senses about my responsibilities and decided it was time to do what was best for KLOOSH. Taking no more advise we proceeded top pick up our anchor and move a good distance away. Bob graciously helped Cheryl on the foredeck as we anchored for the third time this night. I asked for and got proper scope from the foredeck and was just preparing to back down and make sure we were securely hooked. Looking over my shoulder to make sure the dinghy was tied up close so we would not catch the painter in the prop I discovered there was little chance that would happen because there was no dinghy back there. OOPS!
Up anchor! We got the spot light out and launched an emergency SAR for the Dink. Luck that night was swinging almost as much as anchored sail boats. In less than 15 minutes the dink was spotted in the weeds.
Taking KLOOSH into the shore at dead slow we were able to get close enough to hook the dinghy with a boat hook and wonder of wonders back off into deeper water.
Fourth time is a charm in anchoring, at least it was that night. Once we were safely connected to terra firma again and with final toast I ferried Capt Bob the length of the anchorage back to the Bonnie Laurie.
This is how you can spend the winter solstice, the longest night of the year, if you really like to get your money’s worth.
Lessons learned.
- Always pay attention to where others anchor, Bob had dropped his anchor between us and our anchor.
- Don’t compromise you proper procedures to allow for other’s lack of. We should have moved when we first noticed the swing problem instead of shortening scope.
- Double check the attachment of the dinghy to the boat.
These lessons were learned at a bargain price. The crash of our boats resulted in a minor dent in the pulpit rail that we have been able to mostly polish out. We were able to recover the dinghy but had the tide turned someone on the other side of the Atlantic would have benefited.
The next day we made it to Charleston South Carolina, our Christmas destination, with a day to spare. We are still tied up to the Charleston City Marina docks and enjoying exploration of this great destination.
