Wake to a clear, cool morning. As I tuck away the sleeping gear I feel the tide changing. SPARTINA swings with the fresh current. Not a breath of wind.
7:15 under power. Weather app says it is 50 degrees but feels colder. 7:40 at Red marker 40 the sun breaks through and I enjoy the warmth. Turn into the Skidaway River to see a large power boat coming down the channel. On the bow is a woman waving and I instantly know it is Kelli. We had met very briefly in Island of Hope last year, and she later sent me a beautiful photograph of SPARTINA. We had texted about meeting in IOH this year but she had texted me a few days earlier she had to leave to deliver a boat. So instead here we are waving across the water. How nice.
I make Isle of Hope at 8:25. Motoring at idle speed we make our way down the Skidaway to the Moon River. Still no wind. Motoring out of the channel I drop anchor and take a nap, hoping for wind when I wake. 10:25 light winds and under sail, sliding sideways in the current. Motorsailing. The Vernon River at 11:20, try sailing again but can't make way against the flood tide. Motorsailing.
1:00 through the cut behind Raccoon Key. Wind fills in and finally sailing! See a tug and a barge come through the cut behind me, radio the captain that I will hold my course on the red side as he goes by us.
Making 2.3, then better wind at 1:50 and do 3.9. Blue skies and white puffy clouds, wonderful sailing as I listen to some music over a blue tooth speaker.
2:00 enter the deceptively named Florida Passage, Florida still being a long ways away. 2:15 working against the tide and making 3.1.
2:35 off Redbird Creek, confused water as tides collide. The head of the tide must be at Redbird Creek as the tide is now with us and making over 6 knots.
I call Kilkenny Marina to see how late they are open so I can top off the fuel can. He tells me 5:30. The entrance to Kilkenny Creek is just across the channel. Drop main and jib and motor to the marina. Docked 5:05, top off fuel. As I got to pay I notice a couple of Red Stripe beers in the cooler. Back to SPARTINA and motor down the creek, turning to starboard at Lincoln Creek. Anchor down at 5:30. Dinner and a couple of Red Stripes to celebrate my birthday.
31.17 NM
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