Dec 1, 2022 St. James Plantation Marina - Southport, NC

 Thurs 12/1  St. James Marina - Southport, NC  70 miles

We had a bit of an uneasy extra day and night at Mile Hammock.   Only one boat left in the morning - the rest stayed at anchor with us.   Winds would be swapping direction all day and night and gusts were expected up to 35 along with some bands of rain. While the anchorage is protected enough that no choppy waves develop it is still fairly unprotected from winds - especially anything with a westerly orientation.  As can be seen on the screenshots from our anchoring apps, we spun hitting every compass heading during our stay.  We may have even dragged anchor a bit. We never got outside our anchoring safety radius which was good.  Unfortunately, a catamaran anchored nearby did break free at the absolute worst time with high winds and driving rain.  Owner got drenched but managed to get the boat reset about the time the squall passed. Thankfully it was during the day and not the middle of the night.  Felt terrible for him but glad it was not us!  

Navionics plot above - AquaMaps anchor alarm below

As the day wore on the rainy weather started breaking, although the winds continued.  That gave our marine friends an opening for more maneuvers.   Frogmen back in the water training with  undewater scooters.   Then the aerial assault started with touch and go landings again.   At least today the aircraft of choice were much quieter helicopters.

Marine chopper in the afternoon sun

 Wed. AM we were raising anchor early at 6:45. Bit of a NE breeze blowing but we would be in protected waters most of the day with the exception of coming down the Cape Fear River. The wind there would be at our stern so a non-issue.  We had 2 bridges of concern. Figure 8 Island Swing Bridge which only opens on the hour and half hour and then the Wrightsville Beach Bridge which only opens on the hour.   Our plan was getting to Figure 8 at 10:30 and then scoot the 5 miles to Wrightsville for the 11 AM opening.  Not much traffic on the waterway although we did get hailed for a slow pass by Huntress, a large sportfisher who had been following us. He took off after passing us showing a speed over 20mph on AIS which I though odd.  He would still be too late for the 9:30 Figure 8 opening so wouldn't be able to make the 10 AM Wrightsville opening.  We meandered along at our 10mph pace to the Figure 8 bridge arriving at 10:20 and were able to proceed unencumbered after lowering our VHF antenna due to the extra clearance from a low tide.  Found out from Martha several days later she had a little mishap while tending to the antenna.  Glad this boat has wide walkarounds and stout railings or I would have been performing a man overboard maneuver.  Approaching Wrightsville, we could see Huntress idling nervously in front of the bridge. We went through the 11 AM opening together recalling that old story about the tortoise and the hare.

We had hoped to see my brother Pete as we passed Carolina Beach where he has a house.  Timing just didn't work out. Several days later my brother Bill told me he had also been in town that day and could have watched us as we went under the Snows Cut Bridge.   Martha took a turn at the wheel for some of the "fun" driving today.  Took us through the narrow and twisting Snows Cut with a strong current pushing us hard from behind.    Then out into the Cape Fear River where a 2+ knot incoming current slowed our progress making for a tense passing of a fast-moving incoming tanker. Finally, back on the ICW and passing Southport which is our normal stopping point.   We had decided this would be a little longer travel day to insure arrival at Osprey Marina on Thurs. by midafternoon.   So, on we pressed for a few more miles and into St James Marina for the night.   A simple sign on the ICW and a narrow easily missed entrance channel leads into the marina. It's part of a private larger development but also accepts transients. Very protected, nice folks, restaurant on site, decent rates, clean restrooms.  Took on 120 gallons of diesel just so tanks would be about 2/3 full.  Not the best price but certainly better than most.  Dinner on board to keep cleaning out the fridge and then early to bed.

Dockmate at St. James Marina decorated for Christmas

Journey for Dec 1