CC Yacht Delivery: Don't be too confident

We had an unexpected start to the morning. We were preparing to depart out of Oriental around 6:30 this morning and the sailboat next to us asked if we knew about the ICW closure today. I told him I didn’t and asked for details. Apparently the ICW would be closed today for “Live Firing” exercised from 7:00am to 12:00pm and then 1:00pm to 5:00pm at Cape Lejune at mile marker 235 to 245. This happens periodically during the year, but it doesn’t typically last all day.

We got underway at 7:00 and started to head south. I quickly got on the internet to verify what the sail boater had told us. He was spot on. There was a local notice to mariners that spelled out the training today by the US Navy and the ICW closure schedule.

We continued on as I tried to figure out our options. One possibility was to run down to Beaufort and then go outside on the ocean from Beaufort down to either Wrightsville Beach or Cape Fear. Unfortunately, the forecast offshore today were winds out of the south at 20 to 25kts and seas 4 to 6 feet. That was not the kind of forecast we wanted to run outside for 70+ miles.

We quickly made the decision to say on the “inside” and take our chances with the ICW closure. As expected, we rode down to mile marker 235 and there were about 20 boats anchored on the ICW waiting for the ICW to open again at noon. I took our place in line, set the anchor, and had some lunch. A few minutes before noon, we pulled up the anchor and made our way to the front of the line as we were going to be the fastest boat once the waterway opened. No sense of trying to pass a bunch of sail boats and trawlers underway if we could do it at a no wake speed before the waterway opened again.

“Most” of the boats understood, but there are always a few boats that don’t get it. Anyway, cooler heads prevailed and we got underway a few minutes after noon and continued our trip south towards Southport, NC.

We arrived in Southport at 4:30 tonight after another 9 ½ hours and 132 miles. I think John and Greg are pretty tired of the ICW and both are ready to get the boat to Charleston and finish this trip. They do not like the “shallow” water of the ICW. They are accustomed to depths of 60+ feet, not the 8 to 12 feet on the ICW. The narrow channels of the ICW are not much to their liking.

Unfortunately, that is how it goes sometimes. No matter how much we plan and expect things to go smoothly, the weather doesn’t always cooperate and conditions and expectations don’t always pan out. Most experienced boaters know that timelines and schedules rarely work out.

The few hiccups we have had don’t in any way overshadow the fellowship and fun experienced during the trip. John and Greg and great guys and they have been a blast the entire trip. We have enjoyed some great meals and told some amazing stories. I have always said, you will never know anyone as well as you will on a boat trip.

There are a few pictures below and thanks to everyone who is following along. I really appreciate the words of encouragement. There are a lot of nights I really don’t want to do this, but I know that it is enjoyed by many. Thanks!