Beaufort, SC
Svmelos
Sat 14 Jun 2008 11:53
25.79’ N, Long 80° 40.47’ W (for mailasail 32:25.79N,
80:40.47W
Having regrouped in Fernandina Beach, FL, we left there on
Thursday morning around 9:15am and headed out the channel.
We had a destination of Beaufort, SC and our choice was to
take the ICW through Georgia or head up the coast. We chose
the latter as the ICW looked particular demanding as it went
up one river then another winding its way North through the
barrier Islands. When the ICW follows a river, depths are
often an issue and it requires constant attention to chart,
depth sounder and the marks. Plus, it would be difficult to
do at night. So, we went along the coast. Throughout
Thursday we had a great breeze from the East and we sailed
all day until close to midnight when we were doing less than
two knots. At that point we started the engine (which seems
to run OK despite the smoke) and motored.
Without really planning it, we arrived at the Port Royal
Inlet seabuoy at first light and began the 20 mile trip to
Beaufort, passing Hilton Head Island to port, crossing Port
Royal Sound and then turning up in to the Beaufort River.
Today we plan to take the ICW towards Charleston which we
could possibly make in one day but we plan to make it a
little easier and anchor somewhere about halfway tonight.
Our cruising has certainly taken a different path than we
planned but we are enjoying it nonetheless particularly as I
have not visited many of these East Coast places before.
Jeremy