Charleston

Samurai sunset over St. Simons Sound

On Wednesday, July 3, we left our anchorage and traveled through St. Simons Sound in southern Georgia out into the Atlantic under partly cloudy skies.  It was a bit rolly, but we were able to sail throughout the morning and afternoon, about 12 miles offshore.  Things were pretty calm. 

Around 3:00, Dave was at the helm when he told me to come up from below to see something unusual.  There was a patch of water that looked as if it were in a rolling boil.  Though we did not see them, small fish were "rustling" the water.  Just afterwards, right as a helicopter flew over our heads, ZING went the fishing line.  Funny how nothing happens, then several things happen at once.  I turned WW into the wind so Dave could reel in the fish, but I went a bit too far, so the preventer was holding the boom out to port, but the sail wanted to go to starboard.  I needed to turn on the engine.  Uh oh.  It would not start.  We focused on landing the fish, a skinny tuna, and staying calm.

Fort Sumter viewed from the Charleston inlet

I figured it was a clogged fuel filter so went below and changed both the primary and secondary filters.  Fortunately the waves had calmed down and I did not get seasick.  We tried starting the motor again and she started right up.  WHEW!  We are having a problem with the forward fuel tank.  (I believe I know what the problem is.)  She runs fine off of the aft fuel tank and ran for 15.5 hours through the night right into Charleston, so she's fine.  We'll just use that aft fuel tank until we can set it all right in Annapolis.  No worries. 



Rick and Pat in front of Snug

We met a nice couple, Rick and Pat, aboard Snug, a sweet classic motor-sailer.  They are from Ruskin, Florida and Longmont, Colorado.  They are retired and are taking their time to go up the ICW, their first trip up.  We arrived in Charleston on the Fourth of July, and decided to stay at the marina as we were pooped.  After we had a nap, the four of us ate teriyaki at a nice little Japanese restaurant, then viewed a spectacular fireworks display from the Maritime Center.  The next morning, Pat and I went for a walk through some lovely old neighborhoods.



Beautiful doorway with...



Real gas lamps!



And a place to wipe your boots after your walk

We were going to leave yesterday but I'd discovered that I'd over-tightened the dipstick cap for the gear oil.  The good news is that with the help of a local mechanic, we were able to get the ridiculously expensive $120 replacement dipstick for $40, used.  All is well now.

Tomorrow morning, we will depart beautiful Charleston through the inlet into the blue Atlantic bound for Masonboro Inlet. We plan on anchoring on Tuesday afternoon at Wrightsville Beach near the Intercoastal Waterway. The conditions are very favorable except that we hope that we have ENOUGH wind for sailing. We will probably have to turn on the Iron Jenny till the wind picks up in the afternoon. The seas are very low and NO rain is forecasted. All signs are favorable.


Lovely landscaping