Clear skies and a southwest wind at Potters Marine. An easy rig, load and launch. In the water at 10:35. 10:50 cast off, raise the mizzen and motor to the little point just beyond the docks. In the wind shadow the trees, round up and raise main and jib. 10:55 full sail.
After just a couple minutes, tacking in shifting winds. 11:10 making 3.9 as the creek open up. 11:30 one last tack past Chambers Point out onto the Pamlico River. Less wind, making 2.9 on the calm water. I can see Goose Creek across the river. Looking back west the car ferry is crossing the river from Aurora, beyond that I see a single sail.
12:00 better wind on the beam, 3.9 with a thin overcast above. 12:20, a can of tuna and some crackers for lunch, less wind and doing 1.5. Under power. The outboard is running rough, round up and change the spark plug.
1:35 a cool breeze fills in from the north. Black flies arrive with the breeze, and then quickly leave. Making 2.0. Wind improves, now off the port bow, 2.7 and then 3.6. On the south side of the river now, marsh grass and stretches of white sandy beach along the shore. 2:30 off Beard Island and Clark Creek. 2:30 wind fades but I can see ruffled water ahead.
Wind strengthens, swings to the southeast, then south, and then becomes a strong southwester. Making 4.4 and wind getting stronger. Round up to tuck in a reef.
3:15 making 4.8 off Pamlico Point with the spray flying.
Making a short tack at the point to get into Mouse Harbor but quickly see I won't make it. Tack back out into the sound, watching the clock for a ten-minute tack.
Tack back west for a straight shot into Mouse Harbor. Wind is building so I head directly to the first anchorage in a little cove just north of Hog Pen Point. Anchor down 4:05. Dry out the boat and put up the boom tent to get out of the sun. Gusty all evening but calm in the cove.
14.81 NM
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