Noverber 17, 2014

November 17, 2014

Left our anchorage in Wrightsville Beach (mile 283) at 1000. North winds 15. Cloudy and rain showers, but thankfully WARM – 60 degrees. Weather report not good. Wind shifting to S, SSW and blowing hard and sure enough just as we left the anchorage the wind hit hard right on our nose.  And the rain showers came. When motoring with the wind the “apparent” wind (the wind you feel) is much less than the actual wind (since you are moving along with it), but motoring into the wind increases apparent velocity. These effects are relative and in part determine your actual speed over ground.

We motored along into increasing winds when suddenly our brand new Standard Horizons VHF radio beeped loudly and began to issue a severe weather report for Cape Fear and surrounding areas. Chance of tornadoes (not good anytime but real bad for boats). Coast Guard issued small craft warnings. Once we figured out when Cape Fear was and realized we were right in the path of the bad stuff we decided to run for cover.

Why fuck with Mother Nature!

The bad weather apparently did not stop this guy from going out. The pelicans and gulls look pretty happy.

 

 

Fortunately we were not far from Joyner’s Marina at mile 295. Negotiated a difficult breakwater entrance into calm water and tied up on a floating dock at 1300hrs. J. W., the dock master met us, helped us get settled and offered his beat up old truck to go up town for supplies. He could not have been more gracious.

 

 

We took showers, did laundry, had dinner and hit the sack.

Short day – only 12 miles. Tomorrow South Carolina or bust.

Good night all.