Updated on March 3, 2022
Southbound Phase II – Soloing South
We arrived in Beaufort, SC on December 5th and began preparations for Elena’s departure for two months in Russia. After some deliberation, she decided to take the Amtrak train to Washington. We did a bit of boat maintenance (i.e., changing the oil on the engine, checking the fuel filter, etc.) for which I needed her help and took a little time to listen to the Army-Navy Game on the satellite radio.
Celebrating Navy’s victory over Army December 13, 2021 – YouTube
On December 14, we rented a car, drove some 30 miles to a worn-out little town in the boondocks of South Caroline called Yamasee. Yamasee was once an active town where during World War II where future Marines from all over the United States got off the train for a bus ride to Parris Island and Marine Corps boot camp. While we were waiting in the early morning hours, we were greeted by a former Marine who was once the mayor of Yamasee. He told us a great deal about the history of the place showing us photos of Yamasee during those hectic days. I am afraid we were more interested in Elena’s imminent departure.
s
On the day Elena left, I received my own Christmas present, a GoPro camera, a real unnecessary luxury, but I figured that I could share videos with Elena somehow.
Early on the morning of December 16, I tried to get underway from the face-dock at Beaufort. Current was flowing bow to stern with a sailboat behind me, stern to stern. As I took in lines bow to stern and while I was trying to get the last line in with my head down, the bow swung out faster than expected and caught the current. Before I knew it, I was perpendicular to the dock, moved astern and got tangled with the fellow behind me, my dinghy bumping against his dinghy. He came out of the cabin and was all in all a good sport. Somehow, I managed to free SOPHIA from his boat and moved out into the river. Evidently (and fortunately) there was no damage as he gave me a thumbs up that all was well. An inauspicious start to my solo cruise.
Cruise Details:
Note: Many more videos at youtube/SophiaSails
December 16th: Anchored off of Harbor Town Yacht Basin, Hilton Head Island
December 17th Moored Thunderbolt Marina, near Savannah GA
December 18th Underway from Thunderbolt. At 1030, passed through “Hell’s Gate”, one of the shallow spots in Georgia. Saw 8 foots depth with a +2 foot tide. Anchored in North Newport River.
December 19th While raising the anchor on December 19th, I noticed the large yellow ball I used as one of two anchor buoys tied in tandem was drifting downwind and away from SOPHIA. The line attached to the anchor buoy was wrapped around the propeller. Elena and I like using an anchor buoy to spot where the anchor is, especially in tight anchorages. Unfortunately, it does carry the risk of getting the line wrapped around the propeller, especially when there is an unfavorable current, which I had on December 19th. We do have a line cutter on the shaft, but evidently, I had backed over the line which avoided the line cutter. There was a severe slapping at the stern and vibrations when I engaged in forward drive. I limited my speed to 1500 rpm. Mid-morning I put out sails and was able to make 3 knots without the engine at times. After a stressful day and a slow passage, I anchored in the Crescent River at 5pm.
December 20th The winds were out of the north at 15-20 knots. I raised anchor, avoiding the lee shore to the south of me and moved out of the Crescent River and into the Intra-coastal Waterway (ICW). I unfurled the staysail to get some help from the wind. The current was behind me. I shut down the engine and was making between 4 and 7 knots all the way to St Simons Island and my destination. All in all a relatively pleasant day. Unfortunately, to get to the marina, I had to turn north, into the wind and the current. Limiting myself to 1500 rpm, I crawled up the channel at 1 to 3 knots. After two hours of this torturous slowness listening to the pounding on the hull, I finally made it to the marina and moored on the face dock.
December 23rd A local diver came by and removed the line wrapped around the propeller and the small buoy that was banging against the hull. He reported no damage and only a bit of paint scrapped off. The engine was tested and there was no vibration. All was well.
December 27th Underway from St Simons. As opposed to what I did in Beaufort, I kept an aft “spring line” leading forward from near the cockpit. I let all lines out to the bitter end. Holding the boat in position by backing slightly, I took in all lines and got underway smoothly, Unfortunately, the tall ship “Lynx” in front of me, got underway at the same time and we danced around each other for a while (see video). Moored at Jekyll Island Marina.
December 28th-29th Toured Jekyll Island on golf cart provided by marina.
December 30th Underway from Jekyll Island Marina. In the early afternoon, moored at Fernandina Beach Municipal Marina
Coming into Fernandina Beach – YouTube
January `1st, 2022 Happy New Year! Observed fireworks and local celebration (see video)
January 2nd: Happy Birthday to me. Spent the day moving fuel between tanks and cleaning out the fuel filter
January 3rd and 4th: Overnight storm brought strong west winds. SOPHIA bounced badly at the dock and I did not have enough fenders out or they were not in the right place. Ended up trying to get fenders out at 2am with help from neighbors. Tore a 4-foot section of rub rail as Sophia moved up and down two feet rubbing against the dock.
January 6th Getting underway from Fernandina Beach. Situation was a large sailboat forward and a large wide trawler aft of me. Winds onsetting at 5 knots. Current from astern. Given the closeness and the size of the two boats around me, asked for help from the marina. Used a bow spring line (running aft). Current took the stern. When 45 degrees to the dock backed out smoothly. Made my way to the St Mary’s Inlet and an offshore run to the St John’s River. Anchored in Sister’s Creek a few miles up the St. John’s River.
January 7th Underway from anchorage at Sister’s Creek. Sailed through downtown Jacksonville FL. Moored at Ortega Landing Marina, entering at high tide.
January 12th U/W from Ortega Landing Marina. Sailed downriver through Jacksonville, FL. Anchored at Blount Island.
January 13th U/W from Blount Island at 0730. Exited the St. John’s River for an offshore run to St Augustine.
At 1600, entered St Augustine Inlet.
At 1630, moored at St. Augustine Marina fuel dock to pick up packages.
At 1700, moored at mooring ball #17
January 15th Dinghied ashore
January 16th Heavy rain and wind to 25 knots
January 18th Went pier-side for water and fuel (39.5 gallons)
(About at the 6-minute point)
January 23rd
0800 U/W from Mooring #17, St. Augustine Marina.
1300 Moored Marineland Marina. Arrived at high tide. Saw 7 foot under the keel
0700 U/W from Marineland Marina at first light. Tide +2 and falling. Winds North @12 knots gusting to 20.
January 27th
0700 U/W from Marineland Marina at first light. Tide +2 and falling. Winds North @12 knots gusting to 20.
0800-1500 Winds N 20 knots, current mostly from astern, rain
1500 Arrived Halifax Harbor Marina. Entrance: saw 5.5 feet at entrance. Instructs given by harbor office confusing. Missed the slip on the first try and had to make a second attempt.
Elena finally returned on February 4th, ending my solo adventures. Good to have her back on board! Sure can use the help and company. I am a bit tired of talking to myself.