Hilton Head to Beaufort SC

I had a lazy start, but I only had 20 miles to do. 

Departure is at approximately 11:00, and arrival is at 15:30 at the free dock.  

I was going to try to fit in between two boats, but it was tight, and then I remembered I had the dinghy behind me.

I had to back in as two powerboats departed on the other side of the dock.  I came in reverse, and a powerboat helped tie my mid-ship line.  I docked her.

I walked through town, but since I've seen Beaufort before, I ended up doing groceries at Food Lion and restocking the bar, including Bushmill, Canadian Superior Whisky, Remy Marin, and Sambuca.  Avoiding the USA products!

I walked back to the boat, covering 7km on foot, and my left leg was really bothering me.  

I received some help leaving the dock and decided to cross the Lady Island bridge, which was willing to open at my request.  This would save me from requesting an opening at rush hour tomorrow, and the anchorage on the North side was better.

The supper consisted of catfish, lobster cake, and shrimp that I bought at Food Lion. 

Hilton Head - SCYC

On Thursday morning, I got started at 10,30 and weighed anchor in the contra wind current.

Motored 2 1/2 hours upcurrent to get to SCYC.

Locked through, fueled up, pumped out, and docked at SCYC.  $ 54 for 13 gallons, with a consumption of 2 1/2 litres per hour, compared to an average of 2 litres per hour.

SCYC is a recipatory Yacht Club in a very gated community of gorgeous houses.  The club is fancy, and as a guest member, I find it inexpensive for food and beverages.  The dock was $50 for the second night.  The first was free.

Did laundry, worked on the blog and other Internet-related work.

Found the pool and went for a swim

Had their buffet on Friday and departed on Saturday.

Wally’s Leg to Ossabawanfursur Islanden

I got up and reviewed the day's sailing, realizing that Hell's Gate was 8 miles away.  If I left right away, I could arrive there soon after high tide.  I departed without breakfast and proceeded through 8 1/2 feet of water with no significant winds.

Hell's Gate

About 4 miles afterwards, I anchored, had lunch and retightened the shaft packing.  

Headed further north to Marker 40, which was showing poorly, but with Aquamap, USACE surveys, and BOB423 tracks, it was a breeze.

Marker 40 shoaling

I departed towards Windmill Harbour, ending up anchoring at Cedar Cove anchorage on Cooper River, 8 miles from SCYC.

Overall, I completed 42 miles in 10 hours, including a one-hour break.

Supper of Sausage with spaghetti and garlic

Brunswick to Wally s Leg

I weighed anchor at 10ish and lazily headed to Brunswick Landing, about 5 miles away, to get fuel.  

On the way, after crossing the Sydney Lanier bridge and passing the commercial dock, the engine died due to fuel starvation.  There should have been 7 hours left.  The gauge was low, and I was suspicious.

I dropped the anchor at 40 feet, added fuel to the tank, and commenced with bleeding the fuel system.  It wasn't going well, so I opened the secondary filter to refill it.  I found the O-ring had broken, but I had several spares.  Eventually, I got the engine started and arrived at Brunswick Landing Marina, where I purchased 18 Gallons of Fuel. My theoretical tank is 70 litres, which should be 18 gallons.  I filled the water tank and departed without any assistance.  

It was almost 1 PM, and I was tired and stressed.  I headed north towards Doboy and ended up at a lovely anchorage called Wally's Leg.  It was delightful, and I had a good shot or two of whiskey and BBQ, including some boneless pork ribs again.  

A lovely evening at a very isolated anchorage, all alone. 

To Brunswick- OUTSIDE (Jekyle Island anchorage)

I got back to the boat from Keith's about 1 AM and was concerned about the length of my trip back north.  I studied the charts and listened to podcasts until 3AM before falling asleep. 

Got up at 8:30, made a hearty breakfast of Ramen and Sausages, pulled up the dinghy, checked the transmission oil level and set off to Brunswick. 

I created a route on Aquamap, used Autorouting on Raymarine, and then headed out.  I soon realized the auto route was taking me outside to the Atlantic.  The winds were light and somewhat southerly, so I decided to go for it.  I was shorter and easier - 23 miles straight on the Ocean.  It was easy, and I did motor sail as the winds picked up and I entered the inlet to Brunswick.  Upon arriving on the ICW, I furled the jib and tried to contact Brunswick Landing Marina to determine the hours of the fuel dock.  There was a 60-foot boat pumping 500 gallons, and it was going to take some time.  I decided to anchor nearby at Jekyle Island to return tomorrow.