June 9, 2026 Big Water - Big Steak

Tuesday June 9, 2026    Pt. Lookout to Coinjock,NC    57 miles and 6.25 hour 

Relatively short cruise planned for, so able to get little later start.  Anchor up at 7:30 today.  The winds died down overnight and temperatures cooled down to the lower 60's made for good sleeping.  We dodged a bunch of crabpots coming into the anchorage yesterday.  Hard to see them as they would get lost in the waves.  With calm conditions it was surprising to see them all so easily in nice straight lines.

Preparing to weigh anchor. Not the most scenic anchorage we've used but got the job done.

 Very quickly out into the open but shallow Alligator River.  Well-marked channel you need to stay in but mostly long straight stretches that were again just what Otto likes.  A minimal bit of residual wave action on the bow.  Driving from the flybridge.  A bit overcast, still some wind and cool temperatures had us bundling up a bit. Made it to the Alligator Swing Bridge.  Working fine today and we get a quick opening. Construction on the new high-rise bridge is coming along.  Bridgetender gives specific instructions for passing under bridge and getting through the construction zone.  They call this a river but it's more like a large bay.  A full 2-1/2 miles across at the bridge location. 

Swing Bridge moving into the open to navigation position

Starting to make our entry approach

Construction work continues on the footers for the new bridge

Then continue out the last of the Alligator River and onto the Albemarle Sound.  Another shallow body of water notorious for kicking up waves when the wind picks up.   Today is just more of the same as Alligator River.  A light chop on the nose and an easy crossing.   Then up the meandering North River.  Again, shallow and need to stay in the defined channel. 

Passing another southbound barge

Seems like we hadn't seen any dolphins in a while and then a wide spread group showed up on the North River.  Always exciting to see their fins surface ahead off to the side with them making a B-line for the boat.  Martha got a great shot of one jumping fully out of the water which is pretty unusual. 

 

Very playful group of dolphins today. 

 Led a parade of boats up the cut to Coinjock Marina.  Glad of that as we were first to get tied up.  Dockhands working frantically to get to everyone.  Vey particular about their tie ups.  This is just a long dock along the shore line and they squeeze in every boat possible. Anchors always hanging over the forward boats swim platform.  Not sure where everyone came from, but the dock was FULL by midafternoon. Glad we called early this morning and they were able to fit us in.  Makes for interesting departures getting clear of your neighbors.  Restaurant at the marina is known for their prime rib. They have a 32oz. cut we get and split and then still bring half of it back to the boat for another meal.  I think it's a bit overrated but Martha was in the mood for it.  Final note.  We are at Mile 50 on the ICW.  Do you recall the Mile Marker at Brunswick Landing when we started out??

As You Wish squeezed in between a 60' Selene and a 53' Navigator

Journey for June 9, 2026