16 July

16 July
Since we had below average temperatures for the winter, I was hoping the trend would continue during the suumer, but apparently not. It has been a hot humid spring and summer so far. Since Memorial Day the temperature in North Carolina has been above average. It looks like we are on track to break last year's record of 96 days over 90. The previous record for 90-degree days was set in 2007, when RDU reported 83 days of hot temperatures. So it was nice having normal temperatures for a change and to have them for 4 days in a row. The weather forecast for Saturday (16 July) was high in the mid 80's with low humidity and winds from the East at 10 to 15 knots. In the evening, winds dropping to 5 to 10 knots and evening temperature in the upper 60's.

With the weather conditions being ideal, we (Michele and I) made plans to get underway. We departed our slip at 09:45 under partial sunny skies. Because the winds were coming out of the east and clouds were building in the west, I wasn't too worried about them or isolated thunderstorms.

As expected, the winds were strong in the middle of the river. They were actually blowing above 15 knots. We started our first tack toward South River with the wind on our starboard side at a beam reach. It took us no time to cruise to South River on a beam reach. We were clocking 5.5 knots. We decided because the winds were coming out the East, it might be a nice day to cruise toward New Bern instead. At Clubfoot Creek, the Neuse River turns eastward, so we should have a comfortable ride. I was expecting the winds to die down, but they did not. We were enjoying a nice 12-knot running toward New Bern. After we cleared Minnesott Beach. We decided it was good time to have lunch.

We continued our run to the Red # 2 for the Minnesott Beach ferry boat entrance, then the fun started again. In the afternoon, the winds were gusting around 22 knots in the River. We did several tacks back to Oriental. We were tacking close haul for awhile, then at Clubfoot Creek back to a beam reach. We had a beam reach all the way back home to the Green # 1 marker for Oriental Harbor. We weren't the only ones enjoying the weather that day. There were several boats in the river. We heard on the VHF a barge captain getting frustated with a sailing boat in Adams Creek. The barge wanted room to pass, but the vessel kept on asking port to port or starboard to starboard. Eventually they worked it out.

We moored around 1500. Before cleaning up, we decided to cool down first and drove to Stonewall for ice cream at the Quick Mart on Rt. 55 to celebrate our perfect day on the Neuse River.

Sailing Trip to Cape Lookout Bight

29 June 2011
The weather forecast wasn't favorable for cruising to Cape Lookout Bight. First the air was smokey due to the forest fire at the Holly Shelter Game Land in Pender County. The wind has been blowing out of the Southwest for the last two weeks. Also they were calling for severe weather for the Beaufort area in evening. Our plan was to anchor in Beaufort for the night and continue to Cape Lookout on the out going tide, but with severe thunderstorms we decide stay in Oriental.

30 June 2011


We departed Whittaker Creek at 0800. We checked tide charts and high tide for Beaufort was at 0715 and low tide at 1310. We expected an out going tide to Beaufort. It usually takes approximately 4 hours to cruise the ICW to Beaufort at 30,000 RPM, but with an out going tide we were able to make 6.3. In the entrance to Beaufort Inlet we were making 7.4 knots
(awesome). We arrived to Cape Lookout Bight 1335. Low tide at Cape Lookout Bight was 1238. We anchored at 34 degree 37.085 N, 76 degree 32.985W.



Once we dropped our anchor, it was time for lunch. On the way to Beaufort, we heard a "Security Message" from the Coast Guard stating that the RailRoad Bridge in the Main Channel was closed until 1600. So we decided to try an alternate route. At the Channel Marker 35 junction buoy, we bore left and headed into Beaufort from Town Creek. On chart 11545 parts of that channel are labeled as 5 feet. Our draft 4.5 feet and because it was still high tide in the Newport River, we decided to take the chance. The shallow area was at 10 feet, so there weren't any issues. We arrived at the draw bridge before it opened at 1130. The Bascule Bridge opens every half hour on the hour (good timing on our part).




It was a beautiful day at the bight. The winds were from the Northeast at 10 knots and the air and water temperature was in the 80's. You felt like you were in the Caribbean. There were only 5 boats anchored and in the evening we had a special guest. The Coast Guard Cutter Shearwater (WPB 87349) anchored in the bight for the night. The USCGC Shearwater homeport is Portsmouth, VA. Also, we saw several dolphins in bight and two sea turtles.

1 July 2011

We got up early and saw an awesome sunrise. After breakfast, we kayaked to the beach and walked to the ocean side of the barrier island. We saw a stingray and sea turtle enjoying a morning swim. We gathered some shells and started kayaking. We were able to get the turtles to swim between the two kayaks.



Michele didn't feel like kayaking to the lighthouse, which is open Thursday to Saturday during the summer. The weather forecast for Saturday was hot and humid with no air (breeze). We decided put up anchor and do some sailing. There was a light breeze from the Northeast, but in the afternoon it was changing to the Southeast (onshore breeze at 10 knots). We sailed adjacent to Shackleford Banks hope to see those wild horses. Unfortunately, we did not see any.

We enjoyed the nice sail back toward the Beaufort Inlet. Because it was around 1400, we decided to cruise to Oriental. That was a mistake. We fought the current all the way back to Pamlico Sound. On the way to Cape Lookout we were making 7.4 knots in the channel. On the way back only 3.8 knots.

In the Newport River only 5.5 knots. In the ICW only 5.8 knots. Once we exited Adam Creek, we started getting back to6 knots. It was long cruise back, but we enjoyed our adventure.