When we finished our amazing 212 nautical (243 statute) mile run on the ICW from Fernandina Beach to Charleston I was optimistic that we could make Beaufort today (268 statute miles) on the ICW. Turns out I was overly optimistic. I remembered going slow through North Carolina, I just forgot how extensive the development was along the ICW through Myrtle Beach, North Mrytle Beach and beyond.
The weather Friday morning still forecasted 4 to 6 foot seas on the outside making the ICW our best option. So at 7:08 AM we were on our way. At 10:28 AM we reached Mile Marker 400 having covered 69 statute miles for an average speed of 29 MPH.
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| Lovely home along the IWC |
Then we hit the brakes. At 4:55 PM we had reached MM 305 indicating that we had covered a total of 164 SM. It had taken six hours and 27 minutes to cover the next 95 miles. Our average speed for that period was just under 15 MPH. No wake zones put us in go slow run fast mode..
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| Endless pier, floating docks and marinas |
Then at 4:55 PM at MM 305 we hit an open stretch of water and we poured on the coals (well diesel fuel) and cruised for 20 minutes at 45 MPH. Then it was back to stop and go.
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| Estremo rooster tail. We are moving very fast (40 MPH) |
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| An unusual scene |
We revised our destination to Wrightsville Beach where we arrived at 6:07 PM. We had covered 186.4 statute miles in 11 hours for an average speed of 16.8 MPH. We fell 81 SM short of our goal to reach Beaufort tonight but are still ahead of where we thought we would be by 120 miles when we developed plan to reach Norfolk via the ICW in four days.
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| Shrimp boat close to Wrightsville Beach |
The total distance traveled today was 162.1 NM (186.4 SM). Time on the water was 11 hours.
We finished the evening with Chateau Pichon Longeville Contesse De Lalanmde 1990 Grand Cru Classe (Pauillac)
Final numbers for three days of running:
- Fort Lauderdale to Fernandina Beach: 300 NM (345 SM)
- Fernandina to Charleston: 212 NM (243 SM)
- Charleston to Wrightsville Beach: 162 NM (186 SM)
- Total Distance Traveled: 674 NM (775 SM)
- Total Fuel Used: 2,034 gallons
- Total Time on the Water: 30 hours
- Miles To Chicago: 1,768 NM (2,053 SM)
Written by Les
In case you are not aware, there are currently closures on the Erie and Oswego canal. You can see the closures here:
ReplyDeletehttp://www.canals.ny.gov/index.shtml
These closures are assuming no more rain falls.