4-20-21 – Ron’sView Cumberland Island

Our time on Jekyll Island was ending and the next passage was to the north end of Cumberland Island.  We wanted to spend some time hiking this island and it was a perfect place to practice our anchoring skills.  

The Georgia anchoring laws made this difficult since most areas are off limits to overnight stops.  With the help of the GPS, we found an area that was “approved” to anchor and hoped the currents did not swing us out of the boundary.  We have learned to love these anchorages.  No one around, other than a drive by from a local crabber checking his pots.  There are lots of incredible star views and a constant stream of dolphins making their way around the boat feeding.  Perhaps Buddy and Biscuit followed us?

The dingy access to Cumberland Island is pretty easy.  Pick a place and go to shore and tie up the boat.  No one is around so with luck the boat will be there when you return.  If your dinghy is not there, well, you either suck at tying knots or you got lost.  What we did not plan for was the 9 foot tidal swing so coming in at high tide requires you to drag the 500lb dingy back to the deep water once the tide drops.  

Hope it is there when we get back

Oops guess we have to drag it.

We took a 9-mile hike on the north end of the island, and it was absolute bliss.  It was truly untouched, no roads, no houses, no people.  Just amadillos and mini horses.     Words do not describe Cumberland Island so I will let the pictures tell the story. 

Wild horses?   Who knew

The trip to the south end was pretty much a nonevent, other than a confused area where the charts did not agree and I grounded slightly.  Lots of panic but a nonevent.  Perhaps my depth finder is not working correctly?    Next up the Navy submarine restricted area which I quickly ignored only to get a visit from the navy gun boat.  OOPS!  Oh well no holes in the boat and I was not arrested.

Submarina Degaussing station?

After a couple rainy days, we did get to take another afternoon and hike the south side.  We went to see Dungress Ruins.  Pretty and more crowded but still worth the trip.  We want to hike the middle part which is supposedly another old southern mansion.  I hope we get to do so since we are staying in Fernandina Beach Oasis Marina for a week due to weather and can dingy over from here.

Three days total at this anchorage.  Did I say these are free?  Ya, I like this part of cruising.  Next stop Fernandina marina to wait out yet another cold front.  This one will be shitty since it produced snow in the north. 

Oasis marina was a whole 5-mile transit.  These short hops are a nonevent since they do not require a bridge clearance issue.  Dock hands had me on an inside Dock which required me to come in do a 360 turn and wedge myself into the space.  Well let’s get out the extra fenders in case I screw this up.    Wish I had more to write it was pretty much a nonevent and went smooth.  Way better than the next boat that came in, and had no lines connected or line handlers.  I brought my boat hook down to help but the chaos took over.    This boat ripped the AC junction from the dock and lots of dents and dings.  Good news it was not me and not my boat.    Good experience to know what not to do. 

Sure is pretty at night!

Rummmmmm

And yet another storm.

 4-18-21 – Ron’s View Racoon Island Anchorage

As we left the marina the next stop was an anchorage off raccoon island for a day or so to test our anchoring skills.    See we never really anchored in a big boat.  The BVI’s are mostly mooring balls and well I like to sleep and not worry.    This area is a great place to gain confidence in the boat and anchor.  Tides are fierce and swap 180 degrees twice a day.  Then zero wind protection makes for a good test. 

No one around!    The anchor/tide dance

So far so good.  No dragging and this was night three.  Granted we are to get 25 knots winds opposite the current tonight so perhaps I should have a few extra beers just in case things go badly. 

Sally loves this.  It does not seem to be scared of a thing.  She ironically thinks I can either fix our way out of bad things or work some magic.    Me?  I love this but constantly second guessing myself just to be sure I don’t screw or up.   

I always said control is an illusion and comfort only held us back from great things.    Umm I might have been full of shit or maybe not as brave as I thought I was.    Regardless let’s live this life and see where we end up. 

From raccoon creek back Jekyll Harbor marina to wait out yet an front that is to come through and bring some wind.    This time things got much colder and required a shore power connection to heat the boat.  Morning temps were 40 and while that was not horrible it was a bit cold spending the day working from the table.  Days passed fronts rolled by and Sally and I try to adjust to our new reality of remote work on a boat.   Jugging work duties has been a challenge since more of Sally’s virtual meetings take place mostly when it is time to anchor or dock.    

Did I mention that Sally has two new pets.   Biscuit and Buddy, the two dophins that seem to follow us were ever we go.    

Buddy

Biscuit

4-17-21 – In Transit, Ron’s View

The state of day one could not have been more perfect.   The sunrise was incredible and the weather was dead calm.   First leason for the way was calling the bridge tender and ask for permission to pass during the next opening.    Seems easy enough right?   As we come through the bridge of lions the bridge tender wished us a safe passage.  What a way to start a crazy day.    We motored 10 hours to Fernanda Beach marina and picked up a mooring.  The journey to get there was an initiation of the ICW bridge clearance, tide and shoals dance.   Typicaly you time these passages with the tides to either give us extra clearance below the bridges or extra water in the shallow sections.     This captain(me) learned this on the fly the first day.   As each bridge crossing came up I anxiously looked at the tide boards making sure we had enough clearance to fit under.   Then reading reports that these boards are often ot correct,  I held my breath hoping the rig did not hit.   The shallow sections were another story, when the tide it low we can fit under the bridges no problem however there are sections in the ICW where we had to weave around the shoals to not run aground during low tide.   These sections were almost always either before or after a bridge crossing.    We made it minus a few more gray hairs safe to the mooring field which we spent two days.   

And we are off!

The first of many

Bridge of Lions

Tuesday came and it was time for the next leg of our trip which was to Jekyll harbor marina.  Sally’s parents have a place on the island, and it was nice to have a dock.  Oh a dock?  Yes, had to dock again and while each dock event causes anxiety it went smoothly.  Sally is doing a great job handling the lines and I somehow drove the boat away from the expensive boats and docked without embarrassing myself this time.   

Day two was full of rain.

Jekyll Harbor Marina View

We stayed at the marina for a week.  First it was three days to wait out a storm then I got lazy and as an attempt to reduce my anxiety declared we stay for a whole week since it is cheaper that way.  (Always looking for a bargain).

 4-8-21, Ron’s View

Launch Day, the day it all gets real!  We traveled from Jekyll Island, Ga down to St. Augustine and spent the evening on the boat while still on the hard.  We are to splash first thing Friday morning which is ironically our 8th anniversary.   

The launch pit from Hell.

She looks much bigger out of the water!

Splashing was interesting since there are strong cross currents which make pulling the boat from the launch pit a terrifying event.  My lack of experience along with a non-centered rudder basically made the boat impossible to control.  As I weaved my way between million-dollar yachts while embarrassing myself,  I finally sorted the rudder issue.  It’s not a mistake I will make again.  I pulled right into the dock with no issue.  That would be the first time I docked this boat.    We scoped out the area and decided to move up to another area and docked like a dream again.  Beginner’s luck? Lets be honest, we picked an area where a blind man withone arm could of docked, there was nothing around to hit.   

She floats

I have to be honest, docking scares the shit out of me.  As a control freak there is little control to be had when you consider currents, wind and the lack of experience on a large catamaran.  Good thing there are two engines to help matters along.

 We stayed two days at the SMAC dock. It was one more than aloud, but no one seemed to care.   We left early Sunday morning on our way to Jekyll Island.  The plan was to waste time in Georgia as a shakedown cruise until we haul out in May.  We are not sure where that will be yet but hopefully St Mary’s boat yard in Georgia but we will see.

Cumberland Island Anchoring, April 5^th

A friend and I were discussing the concept of “comfort” since I sent article to her this past week.  I told her I was looking to be a bit more uncomfortable to encourage myself to be more grateful.  I now appreciate flush toilets, easy to change TP rolls, hot showers, all kinds of stuff.  I decided to brave the marina shower facilities and now I even appreciate my own bathroom.  It is just like the bathrooms from camping as a child.  Not my most favorite memory.  I have not tried that hard to NOT TOUCH ANYTHING and balance getting dressed in a long time.  I stood on one-foot dressing while not touching the floor and my yoga is rusty.  It was like twister on steroids.  Yeah, dish that up to a girl who has no balance, thanks a lot. If I get cooties, I will be very upset!

Moving on the more tactical items.  Yeah – we are anchored (for the first time) near Jekyll Island, GA.  I love it here – soooo quiet, and there are dolphins everywhere! 

We left the next morning and I guess this is the trial run of us really doing this as we are marooned on the boat now except for the occasional dinghy ride.  That is fine by me.  Internet is great out here and it has not interrupted one bit.  I think we are staying for a few days then heading back to Cumberland Island to anchor again. 

Columbus, OH, March 28^th to Pick up the boat

To say it’s been crazy couple of weeks would be an understatement.  With ninja packing complete, we now have everything we own either in storage or on the boat.  The utilities are shut off, apartment rents paid, car dropped off to storage, vaccine appointments (#1 & #2) done, and so the list goes.  There is a lot more to this than either of us realized when we started the dismantling of our land life, and I am glad we started the selling and packing of our stuff early.  I am amazed how much junk you can sell on Facebook for way more than it’s worth! 

This morning we are heading through the intercostal waterway, which is way more terrifying than anyone will ever tell you & it couldn’t be more perfect (mainly since I am not driving, and my job is to just sit there and not tell sailing hubby how to).  Sunny, little wind & very calm.  My coffee on the trampoline was gorgeous.  Not too bad for a Sunday morning!  I’m glad we are finally doing this.  I’m excited & I suppose I should be more scared but I’m not.  I just feel bad for Ron since I know so little about sailing & the boat.  He’s been patient so far. 

Enjoy life every minute for all it gives you, even if we are crazy.  It occurred to me how unique this boating lifestyle is when I went to a doctor’s appointment.  We mentioned to the nurse what we are doing, and her comment was “that’s the coolest thing I have ever heard.”  Maybe, I am finally interesting?  Who knew?  Everyone I tell this to either thinks it’s cool or – we are completely nuts.  Maybe when I show them my new “office” in the Bahamas- I won’t be so nuts.  I never thought I would have the guts to sell/store it all & just leave, but apparently, I do.  Shit or get off the pot, I guess.

Does it make it easier to blow up your life if you have done it once before?  We both had a hellish divorce & still landed on our feet.  With COVID sort of under control, a well outfitted boat, a chunk of cash in the bank – I hope it’s hard to screw up. We have splashed the boat, docked & motoring down the intercostal for a whole hour. So far – good.

Stuff and more Stuff

I am sure this is legal