A bumpy night as the chopped rolled around the corner. Took a while to get to sleep but once I fell asleep it was a good night's rest. Sail off anchor at 6:00, mizzen and jib with a strong NNE breeze.
First point of business is to round the shoals that reach down south in the bight. Before I can spot the markers in the early morning light I see the water breaking over the shallows. Easy sailing with wind just aft of beam. Past the shoals round up to raise the double reefed main.
Perfect wind for a few of long tacks, then slide out of the bight at 6:35 making 4.3.
On Onslow Bay the water seems calmer than in the bight, excellent wind and gps shows 5.3 as we parallel Shackleford Banks. By 7:30 can see the Beaufort channel markers. Making 4.3 and round up to shake out the second reef. Close enough to the banks that I can hear the surf breaking on the beach.
Just after 8:00 sailing through the inlet, water calm except for a small patch of water around red buoy 14. It is the early part of the flood tide and the current carries us along on our way.
Docked 9 a.m. Pay for the slip and get my two wooden nickels. They tell me the marina will be full tonight.
North wind blows all day. It would have been a long haul into the wind up the canal, glad I stayed in Beaufort. A burger for lunch at the Dock House. An afternoon of exploring the town. A cold beer while I fill out the log book. And back to the Dock House for dinner, on a Monday evening in Beaufort it is the only game in town.
11.68 NM for the day
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