Today was a day of dealing with strong currents and shallow spots shoaled in from the hurricane. We both knew the further we got south on the ICW the stronger the currents would become. We were warned about this by both the cruising guides and fellow boaters. Even so, it’s a different boating challenge than we ever experienced in any great way on the Chesapeake. We rode down a section of the Cape Fear River today with the current against us most of the way. We also had a 12 knot breeze right on the nose. For about an hour, the best speed we could make through that combination of foul wind and current was 3.5 knots with the engine almost maxed out. We also did have part of the day when the current was in our favor and we moved along nicely at 8 knots with the engine a low RPM.
We came close to running aground twice today. The first time was coming out of Motts channel this morning, just as we started out. The second time was at Carolina Beach Inlet. In both cases we got into less than 6 feet of water (we need 5 feet to float) but never touched. These inlet areas have strong swirling currents where they join the ICW making it appear that boats are moving sideways down the channel.
Today on Cape Fear river there were lots of floating logs and tree limbs. They were towing whole trees out of the water with tow boats.
Tommy and I alternated piloting and spotting with the binoculars. When we did get near the marina today, Tom radioed the dockmaster for instructions on where to go and what side the lines would be on. The dockmaster requested a Starboard side tie on their “face pier”, which is a big long dock that runs parallel to the ICW. We wanted to pull into the dock with the current against us in order to have more control. Despite the fact that we had a strong current against most of the way down the Cape Fear River, it reversed when we turned out of the Cape Fear River and into the canal where our marina is located. With current now pushing us from behind, it didn’t seem right to approach the dock for a Starboard side tie. However, since the tides were so shifty today in places, we assumed the dockmaster was observing the current right at the dock and knew best. Wrong. While we came into the dock at a good angle and Paula successfully passed a bow line to the dockmaster, the boat was still moving down current at 3 knots. Tom had the engine in full reverse, but it wasn’t enough to stop the current from grabbing the stern and pushing it out away from the dock. We just let it go all the way around to the port side (what a spectacle for those watching!) and tied up the way we should have in the first place. Thankfully, nothing was hit and it ended up being another valuable lesson.
We had a nice walk around the local surroundings which led us to a park where we saw the Alligator sign (our featured picture for this post) as well as a very derelict boat in a small anchorage fronting the park.
We had a great dinner at an Italian restaurant right here at the marina and will be turning in for an early bed time. A cold front is moving through and it’s going to be very windy here tonight and tomorrow. If it doesn’t die down some by the morning, we may stay here tomorrow and wait for the front to pass. This is our last stop in North Carolina as we will cross into South Carolina on our next leg.
3 Responses
Oh Paula and Tom… The current on the southern portion of the ICW can be horribly strong. Just ask Dad! I will remember Delegal Creek Marina (which is South Southeast of Savannah GA…. As I’m sure you know!) forever!!! We came in to their face pier like the dock master suggested. There was already a large motor yacht tied up behind where we would eventually be. Having never faced current like that before (as this was one of the first big cruises Dad and Mom had made after purchasing the new “Shugah” which was MUCH heavier and harder to swing than old “Shugah”) we were shocked at how hard it swung us. Unfortunately we were pushed HARD into the bow of the motor yacht behind us. The damage was cosmetic (mostly) to both our vessels, but the damage it did to Mom and Dad’s psyche was almost the end of the trip!!! After the boats were finally separated and insurance information passed along, I cooked them both dinner, cleaned up, and put them both shakily to bed. Needless to say, we were MUCH more careful on the rest of the trip. So much so that two days later while coming into another marina Dad told this dock master “NO WAY!” He wanted us to dock in an interior slip under high wind and currents. We made four passes at the slip before Dad said “Enough of this sh*t” and docked us on the out facing t-pier! Ah, the memories!!!
Well, you are docked in the adopted hometown of Tom’s sister and our 2nd oldest niece. They love it there. My niece and her husband own a small motor boat and along with their children go out fishing. I think the beach was the draw to this area and the small town environment. Enjoy your stay! A cold front is rolling through – Fall has arrived. I was wondering how the wind and currents would affect your trip as the front rolled through. Take care, Jean and Tom
We decided this morning to stay put here for the day and let the cold front pass through. The currents are bad enough without the wind and the forecast is for 15-20 knots today. The weather looks good for next week so this won’t hurt our progress too much. Also, a swing bridge on the ICW is still out of commission just south of Myrtle Beach (our next stop), so we may have been delayed anyway because of that.