Foreign Affair Sailing

Friday, November 06, 2015

Southport, NC Official Reception

We were officially welcomed to Southport, NC by the Mayor and Chamber of Commerce at a reception held at the Southport Marina. Mark Doyle accepted the Mayor's official welcome decree on behalf of the SAIL fleet.

The day was spent on boat maintenance, laundry and shopping. Janet started her Christmas shopping and did laundry while Dwayne worked with a mechanic changing filters and inspecting the engine. Sunny and warm - mid 70s.

Thursday, November 05, 2015

Topsail Sound Anchorage to Southport

It was very foggy when we weighed anchor. We followed our previous day’s tract to find our way out of the anchorage to get to the ICW channel. Dwayne tried to cut back into the main channel too soon and the boat bumped over one sandbar and nearly grounded but fortunately, we were able to power up and find our way to deeper water. Lesson learned: stay on the track that took you into the anchorage and go slow getting out.

Wednesday, November 04, 2015

Spooner Creek Marina to Topsail Sound Anchorage

Surf City Bridge

It was a cloudy day and lightly rained a few times during the day. The wind was perfect for a broad reach most of the morning. So, we let the genoa out some and achieved a top speed of 7.4 knots.

We got through our “trouble spots” without any trouble due to good water depths and good local knowledge passed on by our SAIL Rally leaders. We saw several dolphin early in the trip. We arrived at both bridge openings at the proper time to permit an orderly passage without much delay. Topsail Sound had plenty of water and room for us to anchor. Overall, it would have been a perfect day had the sun shone.

Dolphins

Marine Corps Base Camp Lejuene

Tuesday, November 03, 2015

Spooner Creek Marina

Briefing at Spooner Creek

We had our briefing for the next leg of our journey. We will be encountering our first “trouble spots” on the ICW which are places where it is easy to go aground due to shoaling, strong currents or contend with other factors such as live-fire exercises at the Marine Corps Base Camp Lejuene. We will also have to plan to arrive in time to meet bridge opening schedules.

Monday, November 02, 2015

Oriental to Spooner Creek

Weather forecast was for 100% rain and we got it. Our worst travel day so far. It rained almost continuously and sometimes it was very heavy rain which really reduced visibility and made it difficult to see the channel day markers. Everyone was glad to get into the marina and dry out after a long day at the wheel.

Sunday, November 01, 2015

Provisioning in Oriental

Janet on a grocery run

It was a beautiful sunny day with a high in the low 70s. Everyone was busy doing boat maintenance and provisioning in preparation for our next move. Several of the boats will go off-shore rather than travel the ICW. In doing so they will avoid some trouble spots and get a chance to sail rather than motor for the next 100 miles or so.