We got underway on Friday morning to very rough seas to Cape Lookout. At least it didn’t rain, we had had enough of rain after 6 days so it was good to get out to sea regardless of the rough water. Once we rounded the turn the breeze shifted and we were able to stay a reach for most of the day. It was pleasant, but cool sailing.
The night was eventful with shifting winds and a few sails changes. We changed from a reach to run and back again during the night. The temperature was pretty cold or maybe we just aren’t used things being warmer. In the middle of the night we lost the wind indicator when it stopped working. Back to sailing the real way (if you feel the wind on both ears, your nose is pointing to the wind).
The next morning, dying winds and flat seas were the order of the morning. the day shaped up to be beautiful sailing until the early evening. The temperature inched up and we sailed along on a fine reach at about 7kts most of the day. We stayed 50 or so miles off the coast to use the Gulf Stream current which at times boosted us by as much as 2kts. It was interesting to look at the boat speed of 5 through the water but making way at 7 according to GPS!
As we made our way North, the traffic on the water increased. There is a lot more tankers and container ships as well as pleasure boats. It is annoying the amount of sport fishing boat on the water that don’t have anyway of seeing them electronically with no radar reflector or AIS. I guess I’m sounding even more like the crusty sailor believing that no else ‘gets it’.
We felt a sense of accomplishment getting to mouth of the bay. Unfortunately, the bay entrance was huge and the tidal current was against us on our approach, which meant it took forever to get to our anchorage. Along the way we rescued a pleasure boat that start and got them out of the channel to where they could anchor for the night and figure it out in the morning.
To top things off we anchored right in front Battleship Row. As we motored to our anchorage the bugle played signifying the flag coming down at dusk, it was quite moving. The day ended with difficulty getting the anchor to catch. It took us 2 anchorage points and 6 attempts to get the boat secured. At that point there enough energy for a hot shower and bed!
Jerry- thank you so much for the wonderful blog! You are a great writer and I loved seeing all of your adventures. It really was informative and kept me in touch with Dennis. We’ll have to get together in near future to hear all the stories and have a few drinks!
Nancy
Happy to do it! We do miss Dennis here in Hampton.