June 4, 2026 Made it to North Carolina

Thursday June 5, 2026 Lightkeepers Marina to Wrightsville Beach 63 miles and 7 hours

Thought we would be the first ones out of the marina this morning, but S/V Phoenix beat us. They were out at 6:40AM with us not too far behind at 7:05. No matter - we passed them during the day although they also came into anchorage at Wrightsville - just about an hour after us. Even at our slow trawler speed, power boat speed is greater then sailboat speed. On the downside, I'm sure he used much less diesel fuel than us,

Leaving Lightkeepers Marina on a gorgeous sunny morning

Not our longest day but nothing overly memorable. Ran the ICW behind all the NC vacation beach islands. Sunset, Ocean Isle, Holden and Oak. All developed along these waters but at least everyone understands it's not a perpetual no wake zone. Just house after house, dock after dock, boat lift after boat lift and center console boat after center console boat. Only point of interest were the seafood shacks and shrimp boats at Holden Beach.

Seems like these shrimpers should be out tending their nets on a day like this

Always get a kick out of the shark on the wall at this seafood shack

Finally, a day worthy of driving from the flybridge!!

Still haven't decided which is worse - the jet skiers or the go fast boats

Made it to Southport and onto the Cape Fear River. Had a rising tide which gave us a bit of a boost up the river and through Snows Cut to Carolina Beach. Arrived way too early to make that our destination for the day so passed by brother Pete's neighborhood and docks and continued on to Wrightsville Beach. Gives us a long but doable day tomorrow headed to Beaufort, NC.

Brother Pete's neighborhood dock. Is that you waving to us???

Anchorage is busy. Several sailboats already anchored but we managed to set our anchor between them. Leisurely afternoon just chilling for a bit. We're anchored across from the sailing club so got a bit of a regatta display after dinner while enjoying the evening breeze up on the flybridge. Then watched the sun disappear over the horizon to finish the day.