We got to sleep in a bit and take a walk as we decided to depart Coinjock Marina at 0900. That's a little later than we normally get underway but the idea was to not arrive at the Albermarle Sound until after 12pm when the winds of 14-16kts were supposed to ease off. The Albermarle is a tough bit of water to cross when the wind is strong from the west (as forecasted) since it is only 15-18ft deep and there is a 30mile fetch to the west to enable the waves to build with steep faces. It was a good plan....
No luck with the great plan. The winds were a steady 16ks for the entire 2.5hr passage across the Albermarle, and waves were 2-4ft with steep faces. Fortunately, we were able proceed on course at an angle to the waves and wind. We hoisted the staysail and a triple reefed main and then motor sailed across the Sound keeping our speed up an minimizing the time spent bashing.
After a couple hours the waves were down and it was a more comfortable ride.
Soon we were into the Alligator River and approaching the Swing Bridge. After passing through the bridge we were excited to put all 3 sails out fully and sail down the river, but alas, the winds died down as forecasted - just about 2hrs too late for our Albermarle crossing. We motor sailed on down the Alligator River to our anchorage for the night.
5pm and we reached our anchoring spot at the end of the river and just before the entrance to the Alligator River Canal. We had blue skies all day which kept the cockpit warm, but with the sun setting the temp is dropping fast. Will be a cold night with no heat at anchorage, but we do have an electric blanket on our bed and new batteries to at least get the chill off.
The thermometer says its 51degrees inside but that may be up at shoulder level. The floor is probably about 35 degrees. But you can always add layers.
We jumped into the electric blanket heated bed about 8pm for the night. It wasn't too bad. Boat was 42 deg inside when we got up in the morning. This should be the coldest night we have to spend onboard without heat.
Wed morning and time to get going at 0730. Temp is 40deg, not too bad, and sun is out so the cockpit will warm up quickly.
Not much to see in the North Carolina Sounds and marshes. The shore at our anchorage is about 300ft off, the length of a football field. Can't get closer without going aground.
This little point of land was intended to provide some protection from the winds that came up at midnight. Sort of worked.
Just around the corner is the entrance to the Alligator River canal, a 3hr transit over to the Pungo River.
The wind came up on the nose slowing us down but we were fortunate to have a half knot current in our favor so made good time through the canal. At least no ice! Temp up to 50 today and in the 70s in the cockpit.
Just inside the canal I spotted a bald eagle flying up into a pine tree. They really are majestic looking.
Next up was a flock of 6 egrets. They flew along with us for quite a bit. I spotted one standing beside a Great Heron and was surprised how much bigger the heron is. I thought they were pretty much the same size. Nope.
Short day today as we arrived at Dowry Creek Marina about 1pm. That gave us plenty of time to get our chores done and proceed to happy hour at the marina restaurant. This is one of our favorite marinas to stop at.
Will be off early tomorrow to head towards Oriental or on to Beaufort. Friday looks like a day off as there are high winds coming through.
At the marina I got to inspect the results of our ice flow passage. A couple of chips of bottom paint near the bow as we suspected. We saw the blue paint on the ice floes.
Not a problem. Onward to warmer waters!
