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“Knotical” Weather

fishy f cafe in fog

A foggy view of Fishy Fishy Cafe

A simple way to determine weather conditions using our special knotted Rope goes like this:
ROPE MOVING= WINDY
ROPE STILL=CALM
ROPE INVISIBLE = FOGGY
ROPE WET = RAINY
ROPE DRY = SUNNY
ROPE GONE = HURRICANE! (or tornado!)
Monday we had high hopes for a relatively short (45 mile) day of sailing from Southport, NC to Wrightsville Beach, jumping outside in moderate wind. The Rope was still at 7am and as we weighed anchor (ours weighs 88 lbs) that darn Rope became nearly invisible. Well, that was not in the forecast. Our personal anchorage just off the ICW was very close to another tiny basin about a half mile further up.  Just past that was the turn off to the channel that would take us out the inlet.  Didn’t like not being able to see that Rope; made a quick turn and ducked into that small basin to wait it out. Ate breakfast and watched the fog roll in. We’d seen the basin last fall when we’d spent the night at Southport Marina and walked to Fishy Fishy Café for dinner.
By 9am with better visibility oozing slowly, we headed out again. The fog still lingered, which meant using the fog horn, running lights and radar. On the good side, no other boats were zooming about, the buoys were the large ones and the channel was wide. By 10:15 we could see over one mile and had turned north up the coast. Main raised first, followed by the screecher and we crossed our fingers for wind. But darn it, that Rope barely swayed. Waters had a little chop to them and after a couple hours of feeling yucky, I rested at the dinette. Next thing I know, the fog has returned and that Rope, if we COULD see it, isn’t moving one bit. Sails down, both engines on. We could see 100 yds ahead at best, which out on the water away from obstacles isn’t so bad.
Roughly 3 miles south of the entrance to the Masonboro Inlet at Wrightsville Beach, we heard another boat call the Coasties for conditions at the inlet. Seas were reported as 1-3 ft- OK no problem- and unbelievably, the fog was non-existent once you got up to the beach! The inlet channel is short, but marked with what I’d describe as medium sized buoys. Using the chartplotter and radar, we knew where to look for the buoys and as we got close they appeared out of the fog. And by golly when we reached the last buoy the fog was gone and there was the beach bathed in sunshine.
The anchor was down by 3:45 and we wondered how long it would take our friends on Sanuk to notice we’d arrived. The forecast called for that Rope to move like crazy Monday night and Tuesday. The anchor grabbed right off giving us reasonable assurance of a drag-free stay. Sanuk suggested why not try to sail again; head out the same inlet and go in at the Beaufort inlet. Umm, only 65 miles; we could do that in 10 hours, but would Wednesday’s conditions allow it?  We’ll see. It would be our last chance for a day sail along the coast.  Key word “day”.  Still had an overnight to look forward to.
Tuesday night- cruiser’s night at King Neptune’s! We made it that way. s/v Chance Encounter, who Sanuk had met along the way a few months ago and s/v Lady Pauline, a more recent meeting, were at the anchorage too so we dinghied in to the beach town. The dinghy dock, actually 3 of them, was great and close to the beach and about a block away from shops, bars and restaurants. We talked boat talk for hours and had the entire bar area to ourselves much of the time. Have I mentioned that drink prices south of New Jersey are more cruiser friendly than up North?  We shared good-bye hugs with Sanuk as we did not expect to see them again this trip. Headed back before the others, needing a decent night’s sleep before airing out the sails on Wednesday.

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Southern Hospitality

A mere day ago we couldn’t help but wonder where was all that famous southern hospitality? Not to say we hadn’t encountered some; we had, but we wanted a bigger taste. We found it today at Osprey Marina. We’d heard that Osprey Marina in the Myrtle Beach area had THE best diesel price and dockage was only $1/ft. Checked ActiveCaptain and the reviews were outstanding. Fuel tanks were getting low and we calculated that we could make it there. Our Tank Tender, a pressure based system that measures the water tanks and the fuel tanks has never worked quite right and we always have more water and fuel than the gauge shows- better that than less. This time we’d be putting in more than ever- a good price- albeit rising every few days, would be welcomed. Departing Georgetown was a decision made easier with Osprey only 30 miles north. We could pick up those provisions in the morning and still arrive before 4pm. In the last 5 or so miles before our stop we saw one Osprey nest after another, most set on top of the ICW green and red markers and they all contained Ospreys. Must be the season.

osprey nest

Ospreys win "most photographed".

We turn into the marina’s narrow tree-lined channel and as Russ had his “A” game on, he had no trouble maneuvering in tight quarters and up to the fuel dock. Miles, the dockmaster, gave us a friendly greeting, complimented our boat and quickly got us the fuel hose. He then went up to the pump and kept us apprised of the gallons so we’d know the amount in each tank. As Russ tells it, I nearly toppled overboard taking a picture of a turtle who was curious about our fenders. We then discussed where to put us; only one night? He’d put us on their new dock and since it was just across the basin, we’d need a golf cart to get back and forth. I switched our fenders and lines while Russ made a tight turn to get us off the fuel dock and over to our spot for the night. Miles arrived with the cart. We’d beaten him to the dock there and I’d jumped off with the lines. Here comes my favorite part: Miles has the stern line, I have the bow and need to know which cleat he wants me to tie to. “the farthest one?”, I say and in that casual but respectful southern style, he responds, ” yes m’am.” Remember, it’s the little things. We all drove up to the office and along the way got a quick background on the place. At check-in we get a goodie bag filled with useful stuff and info. Cheese and crackers- yes, an 8oz block of real cheese. A local Italian restaurant/pizzeria offers a pickup service from the marina. Nothing is within walking distance. We call for a 6pm pickup, but with poor cell service we couldn’t be sure both sides were on the same plan.

lori golf cart

Drive on land... what's that?

Up we zoom in our cart and at 6pm the marina staff closes up and we chat about how yummy the food is at Scatori’s. Fifteen minutes later we are still waiting, but then a minivan pulls up- no, wait, it’s the manager, returning to get something she forgot. She insists on taking us to the restaurant (5miles away) and we try to call to tell them we have a ride, figuring maybe our signals got crossed. Turns out they were just late. We hadn’t been seated in our booth 5mins, when a man from two booths away stops by and says he’s on “C” dock, saw us driving in the cart looking dressed (jeans is dressed?) for dinner. Thought we might be needing a ride, (but we stayed talking in the main building and didn’t come out), but wasn’t sure. If we needed a ride back, let him know. His wife waved from the booth and we knew – finally getting a taste of authentic southern hospitality. We took advantage of the Lowe’s Foods next door and when ready to go, the restaurant drove us back.

Yes, Scarlett, the South still has it! Soon after, the biggest thunder/lightning/rain storm we’ve encountered so far passed over. The sky was lit up from all directions and a boat-cleaning rain pelted down for quite some time. No wind to speak of, or if it did exist, our dock was nicely protected amongst the trees.

ortolan at Osprey marina

Ortolan at Osprey