April 10, 2016 –

We left Charleston a day early to get a head start on some maintenance work we needed to do in Beaufort NC.    Departure from the Charleston City Dock was as much fun as docking, what with a few mile per hour current and relatively tight fairway.    Adrenline junkies, this docking stuff is for you!

Going to Georgetown was pretty much a full day.    Very Tranquil, quiet swamp like setting.   We passed a boat that Boat US was towing – turns out it was a disabled veteran that was having troubles, and ended up at the same marina as we were at in Georgetown.  Apparently he had engine trouble and ran aground a few times, but made it to the marina around dark that evening.

For this part of the trip, Wayne from Tucson joined us, and we really appreciate his help on the boat, from meeting us in Stuart FL when we first purchased the boat and worked to get it into shape, to the  Beaufort SC to Beaufort NC transit and subsequent maintenance work.   Nice bottom paint job, Wayne!!

We left Georgetown SC early, and headed to Southport NC.    We went through Myrtle beach, and stopped at a dock there for lunch.    Lots of bridges to open, and pretty much a straight canal feel to things.     At Southport, we (well, really, Wayne) gave the dinghy a sea trial……..

Leaving Southport, we continued up the ICW to Beaufort.    Passing Wilmington, Wrightsville Beach, Topsail, and other coastal beaches.  Since we live in NC (Donna and I anyway), it was fun to see them from the water.

After spending the night at the city dock, we left Beaufort for Bock Marine, where we hauled the boat out of the water and performed some maintenance work, oil changes, etc., and bottom painted the boat for the big journey.  Hopefully, we won’t need to haul out the boat again for some time.     Bilge Pump Bob and Engine Spaces Mike did their usual stellar work, while Bottom Paint Wayne kept the barnacles away!!!