27 July 2013 - Cruising the Neuse River

Sunrise at 06:25

I was checking the marine weather forecast all week for Oriental NC and Pamlico Sound. I was checking on Tropical Storm Dorian, which was no longer a tropical storm and had dissipated. On Friday, the winds were shifting to the East and on Saturday to Northeast, which means plenty of water in the channel to get underway.

There were plenty of things to do in Oriental too. The Tarpon Tournament was underway, but we are not fisherman. The NYRA (Neuse Yacht Racing Association) has its Parrothead Regatta, but we are not members. And there was the NSA Poker Run (Neuse Sailing Association - Not the Edward Joseph Snowden whistleblower), but we do not have a motorized dinghy unless you count 2 horse power engine (Raymond and I operating the oars). I had a crew (Michele and Raymond) with me this weekend. Our only concern was where to go sailing. They were calling for lower humidity and cooler temperatures with a Northeast wind 5 to 10 knots. Therefore it might not be too exciting sailing on the river. We were considering going to Beaufort and anchoring over night, but the forecast was calling for severe thunderstorms Saturday night and 50 percent chance of rain on Sunday. The only problem with going to Beaufort was that we won't have much time there. We would have to leave early Sunday morning, because we all had work on Monday.

So, we decided to putt around on the Neuse River. We departed Whittaker Creek Yacht Club at 09:30 with low expectations of a great day of sailing with a Northeast wind at 5-10 knots. When we cleared the channel it was dead calm. With what little wind we had, we decided to head up wind and toward the mouth of the Neuse River. About the time we cleared the number 4 channel marker (flashing green every 4 seconds standing at 15 ft.), the wind started to pick up to 6 knots. When we got adjacent to South River, the wind was gusting to over 10 knots in the middle of the river. We were able to tack our way across the river, heading in a northerly direction, making good speed. After passing Orchard Creek, it was clear to me why boaters dislike sailboaters so much. We were on a nice 33 degree tack, with the wind on our port side sailing in the iron in a Northeast direction.

When we noticed another sailboat on the same tack. The Rules of the Road for Sailboats states that "Whenever two boats come close to each other, the rules designate one as the stand-on vessel and the other as the give-way vessel. The rules are designed to prevent a situation like two people walking toward each other on a sidewalk who both step out each other's way in the same direction and thus run into each other.

The stand-on vessel must continue on its course and the give-way vessel must turn away to avoid collision. If the boats are on the same tack (which we were), the leeward (downwind - me) boat is the stand-on vessel, and the windward boat (them) must give way. I stayed on my tack maintaining my speed and course to see what the other vessel will do.

We were on a collision course. We waited until we got 50 feet from each other (before the other vessel crossed our bow), before jibing. After the jib, we were in a run and headed back toward Oriental Harbor. We had been out sailing for a few hours and decided to stay on course and head home. Over all, we had a good day for sailing, except for the idiots trying to cross my bow. The wind was better than expected. We had a wonderful time sailing together as a crew and coming up with one-liners.

7 July 2013 - Destination Beaufort, NC and rendezvous with Daniel.

After several days of rain, the weather cleared up over the Independence Day weekend. The southeast (down east) was blessed with beautiful weather (low humidity, cool temperatures, and sunny sky).  I had to work and couldn't get away until Friday night. On the 7th July, we were going to rendezvous with my son Daniel in Beaufort, NC.  Michele had to be back at work on Monday.  It is lousy having difference holiday schedules.  My son Daniel was going to drive down to Beaufort and Michele was going to drive back home.  Daniel and I was going to anchor out on Taylor Creek for few days before heading home on Wednesday (that was the plan).

The weather forecast was calling to average temperatures, with wind coming out of the southwest 10 to 15 knots. My only concern was the water level at Whittaker Creek.  A southwest wind tend to push the water at the lower end of Pamlico Sound to the north end (toward Manteo). We got underway any way at 09:00 AM (Sunday, 7 July 2013).  High tide in Beaufort was at 08:30 AM and low tide around 13:45.  Therefore, we should be riding the currents out from Adams Creek to Beaufort.  Beaufort, NC is 24 miles and at 5 knots it should take us at least 5 hours.  Daniel was going to leave Raleigh, NC around 09:00 AM.  It takes approximately 4 hours to drive to Beaufort from Raleigh to rendezvous with us (that was the plan).

At 10:00, we arrived at 1 "AC" (the entrance to Adams Creek).  We checked our iPhone app, and Daniel was still at home.  At 10:36, we pass some Osprey hanging out on Channel Marker No. # 6.

We checked our iPhone app again, and Daniel was still at home.  We decided to stick to the plan and call Daniel at 11:00 AM.  We reach Channel marker No. # 10 at 10:50.  We checked the iPhone app again and Daniel was still at home.  Michele and I decided to turn around and head back home.  We called Daniel and he was just getting up.  He wasn't going to leave until noon, which meant Michele wouldn't get home until 19:00.  I wasn't having a son drive for 4 hours while tired or Michele.

We turned around and headed home.  We made good time heading back to Whittaker Creek.  We had a 10 knots wind at our backs.  We were able to motor-sail all the way home at 2400 rpm (making 5.3 knots).  Heads toward Adams Creek and down the ICW toward Beaufort the wind was against us.  We were averaging 4.7 knots at 2800 rpm.  We moored at Whittaker Creek at 12:30.  Over all, it was a nice day. I was able to spend two days with my lovely wife.

25 May 2013 - Memorial Day Weekend

   Unfortunately, I was unable to take any pictures while underway.  I had my hands full while single handed sailing.  The weather forecast was calling for small craft warning to end at 10:00 EST. I waited until 09:00 AM to decided if I should get underway.
  At 10:15, I departed the slip. I only sailed for 2 hours.  The wind was gusting over 25 knots. Overall it was nice day.  The temperature was 57 degree when I got underway, and it was still in the 60's when I moored at noon.  
  At 10:29, I cleared Whittaker Creek Channel.  It started to get more treacherous when I was crossing the Neuse River.  Every time I got on a good and safe tack, another sailing vessel made me alter my course. 
  At 11:00, I decided to head home.  I ran aground again on the way coming in, this time before the No. 5 buoy (I was in the channel).  
  At 12:12, I moored at Whittaker Creek Yacht Club.

May 17,2013

   Last year, I had no entries.  I only got underway 3 times and it wasn't worth writing about.  In 2013, I would like to get underway at least once a month from May to October.  I got underway for the first time in 2013 on May 17. I single handedly sailed to South River.
   The morning did not look as great, but it might be last chance I get underway this weekend.  The weather forecast was calling for rain on Saturday and Sunday.  Thursday, the wind was out of the SouthWest and when I arrived at our slip, the water level was very low.  On Friday, the forecast was calling for the winds coming from the East rising the water level to exit Whittaker Creek Channel.
   I decided to clean out my anchor locker and check my anchor equipment, just  in case I needed to anchor out over night at South River.  I started preparing to get underway at 10:00 AM EST.  

At 1145, I got underway. The first time for 2013.  The wind was light and the water level was at an acceptable level to depart Whittaker Creek.  I spotted several larger vessels getting underway that morning, whose draft was greater than  Livin' On A Prayer.  When I started my track to South River, the winds were light, but starting to come out of the East. With a 5-knot wind, I was making 1.8 knots on my track to South River.  I prepared lunch before getting underway, so I enjoyed my sandwich on a leisurely cruise.
   At 1300, the wind picked up to 8 knots.  Now I was making 3.8 knots headway sailing into the irons.  At 1330, I changed my course.  The wind was gusting to 10 knots and I was making 4 knots on my new tack, zig-zagging my way to South River.

  I forgot to switch my battery A/B switch before getting underway.  I stepped away from the helm to go below to switch the power to "B" to save my "A" battery if needed for anchoring at South River.  When I returned to helm station, all my instruments were off. I went back down to check on them.  This time, I heaved-to.  Nothing was coming back on.  My first thought was that I blew a fuse or something.  I was able to start my engine, so at 1400 I started heading home.  When I moored at 1500 at Whittaker Creek Yacht Club, I noticed that I accidentally turned off the power panel.  Over all, it was a good day for sailing.