Tuesday, December 8, 2009

Dec. 5-13, Beaufort, SC MM 536, to Thunderbolt, GA MM 585

Docked at Lady's Island Marina ($1ft/wk), Beaufort, SC, for seven days.



Last night at Lady's Island/Beaufort, SC. Dick and Elle Lassman (couple to right in photo) invited us for drinks aboard their trawler SUMMER WIND (Heritage East 35). Others are L to R: me, Rick and Carol (CREOLA, Whitby 42), Don and Betty (MY DREAM, Gulfstar 38).


This is Dick's sixth trip down the ICW. He is a member of Marine Trawlers Owners Association (MTOA) and offers a good sale pitch. Well, I'm now a member of MTOA. Heck, if your gonna motor 2,000 miles you might as well join a power boat organization.






Waterfront homes around Beaufort, SC. History: During the Civil War, North controlled Beaufort. Consequently, the southern mansions along the water front were home to the North's Generals and to hospitals.



MM 536, Ladies Island Bridge. CREOLA haead of LOON. Note: Vertical clearance closed is 30' so SUMMER WIND didn't need to wait.





Beaufort Waterfornt.




Looking West at Downtown Marina of Beaufort. Local boat carpenter told current can run up to six knots. From Beaufort south, marinas strongly suggest you follow their dockmaster's docking instructions. I have been (successful, fortunate, or just lucky) but all docking, thus far, has been with out incident.




Beaufort anchorage--current must be considered.



Last look at anchorage.




MM 545+/-. Beaufort R. Parris Island, home to the US Marine Corps.




Parris Is facility.




Parris Is.




Shrimp Boat in Port Royal Sound. History-- Port Royal Sound was the hide out for Swamp Fox.

Guys it's ok to admit watching the Swamp Fox television series in the late 50s.



Same shrimp boat. Locals say the Beaufort shrimp fleet decreased from approximately 20 boats to only 3 or 4 today, due to economy and imports of foreign shrimp.




Approx MM 546. Looking down Beaufort R. to Port Royal Sound. Also note the yellow square for the ICW markings. Yes this green is a green.




MM 552. North end of Hilton Head Is. First of MANY very nice homes.



MM 555. Skull Creek Marina on Hilton Head.



MM 557. Hilton Head Harbor marina, Skull Cr.






MM 558. Leaving Skull Cr. and entering Calibogue Sound. Wanted to show the range. This photo, I'm not on course.




Now the range markers are lined correctly-- I'm on course. Now try this--focusing the camera, over the stern while steering with your butt, trying to keep the boat on course. No autohelm, cross current prevent using it UNLESS, it's connected to the chart plotter and mine is not.




Homes on Hilton Head Is, along Calibogue Sound--current was 2.5kts




Not sure?



MM 563. Nice home on point between Calibogue Sound and Broad Cr.



Flat land/marsh around Calibogue Sound.




Passenger Ferry traveling Calibogue Sound between Hilton Head Is. and Haig Pt. on Daufuskie Is.


MM 564. The red and white stripped, 90', light house at the south entrance of Broad Cr., Hilton Head Is. which marks Harbour Town Yacht Basin. (Christy-- per your request, here is your picture.)





MM 566. Anchorage in Bull Cr. Per Skipper Bob, tide range 8.4 feet!



Dolphin at entrance to Cooper R.





Dolphin and turblent water at entrance (experienced 3 knot current) of Cooper R. and Calibogue Sound.




Dolphin.


Marsh along Cooper R.



MM 569. Ramshorn Cr.




MM 570. New River, cockpit temperature 4pm.





Anchored in New River, about 3.5 sm north of Savannah R. Tide range 8.1feet. I watched ship traffic that afternoon and early evening. What is in store for tomorrow...





Dolphin in New River.




MM 574. North end of Fields Cut.



MM 576. South end of Fields Cut. Looking at Savannah R. Note the river range marker. Also after crossing the Savannah R., I'm in Georgia.




Exiting Fields Cut into Savannah R. looking south--ship traffic.




Exiting Fields Cut looking North. Well at least this ship is docked.




South side of Savannah R. looking at entrance to Elba Is. Cut. Note the triangle daymark to the left. It is marking a rock jetty that is under water at high tide.




Same docked ship. Savannah waterfront in background.





The sailboat was following me across the Savannah R. In my opinion he should have turned back to Fields Cut until the ship passed. My picture does not capture the anlge or closeness.





Same ship, different view.




MM 578 +/-. Range marker in Wilmington R. Follow this range then sharp right turn to another range (see next photo).



Second range.





MM 579.9. Causton Bluff Bascule Bridge.




MM 584. Bonaventure Cemetery along the Wilmington R. Note flag- Dec. 7th, 2009. Originally a 600 acre plantation, it sold in 1846 to become a public cemetery. In 1907 name changed to Bonaventure C.



Bonaventure Cemetery.





Bonaventure Cemetery.






MM 582. Thunderbolt, GA. Hinckley Yacht Services. Rear seal replacement and new rear engine motor mounts.


Transmission connected to the engine.


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Transmission in the cockpit.





Looking at damper plate.




Another look, now with damper plate removed. Subsequently, after removing the bell housing rear seal was replaced. Seal cost a GRAND total of $9.95. But labor and rear motor mounts ++, total under 2k. I can't say enough about Hinckley. GREAT staff. (They invited me to join the employees for Thirsty Thursday beer after work--funny thing I've attented Thirsty Thursdays at Zahniser's in Solomons for over 20 years.) Hinckely's bill was very close to their estimate. (Note: Before contacting Hinckley, I contacted my marina in the Chesapeake and, as a favor, was given a rough estimate.) Hinckley's bill was very close to Chesapeake estimate. I recommend them and will use them in the future. The Hinckley Yard is not on the old Palmer Johnson site, but many of the Palmer Johnson employees, including the mechanic, came from PJ when it closed. Now have over 30 hours on the engine and no apparent problems. Fast fwd. Arrived Oyster Cove St Augustine, met a live aboard couple. They spent over $6k at Hinckley and were equally pleased. Small world.





While I was at Hinckley this 70' Marquis Tri Deck arrived, in three section, on three trailers. The following photos (out of sequence) show Hinckley putting the boat together. The plumbing and electrical were plug and play for each deck joint.




Top deck being lowered into place.








Middle deck being lowered.




Thunderbolt has an 8' tide range. Look at the relationship between the top of the boat and the pier.





Pelicans came to sleep on the pilings each night.




Getting ready/dressed for the day.




Approaching Hinckley Yacht Services--the round building on the right before the bridge.





LOON at Hinckley's floating dock.



Shrimp boats arrive and the pelicans await dinner.


Pelicans in the water very close to the boat.


Did I mention, while in Savannah, my cousins? stopped by for a photo.






Corny. But no trip would be compete without dining at Food Network Star, Paula Dean, Mother and Son's Restaurant. Paula's hot souce in photo. Buffet selection brought memories of home cooking and family reunions many years ago.

Next update Savannah and south to FL.