Calm night, cold cold morning. Somewhere around 40 degrees, I put on thermals and the dry suit. Cast off from the marina at 6:55. Full sail at 7:05. The north wind and ebb tide both in our favor.
We make around the marsh and shoals, wing and wing at one point. I can hear bits of bugles playing mixed in with the wind. Making 5.2 and then 5.8 in a gust.
At 8:15 red marker "40" shows the strong ebb tide rushing around the piling.
8:25 tuck in a reef and gps shows 6.4. I can already look over Parris Island Spit and see the north end of Hilton Head.
A sudden gust and the starboard coaming goes in the water. Round up to pump water out. 8:55 sailing mizzen and jib making 4.7. 9:10 round Parris Island Spit and jibe. 9:20 raise the double reefed main. 9:35 I can see the distant green marker for the Skull Creek entrance channel. 9:40 shake out a reef, then soon the second reef. As I'm cleating off the peak halyard I glance up to see the red marker for Skull Creek.
10:25 enter Skull Creek and jib. Gentle sailing on the main channel that rounds a sand spit. Dolphins swim along side.
Tied up Hilton Head at 11:20. Webb is down at the dock to greet me. It has been two years since we were last together. I straighten out the boat and then we head up to Webb's condo.
In the afternoon I head back to SPARTINA to repack some gear and set up the boom tent.
Late afternoon Webb and I bike down to Skull Creek Dockside about a mile away, get some excellent dinner to go. My Seafood Tagliatelle Pasta comes loaded with shrimp, scallops, calamari and lobster.
Evening in the condo Webb and I have some Laphroaig. I can look out the window and see SPARTINA's two masts. It is good to be in Hilton Head.
15.5 NM
No comments:
Post a Comment