Now the ranges - Day 216 - Brunswick to Savannah, GA

Thursday (May 5) at 7:29 AM, we departed Brunswick Landing Marina for Sunberry, GA, a 65 mile run, which ultimately changed, midday, to a 94 mile run to Savannah.

The toughest part of this run was finding marks for the ICW at the south east side of St Simons Island.  On the chart it looks easy.  Simply follow the main channel from Brunswick to St Simons Sound and at R "20" swing hard to port (left) and head for Fl G "247" keeping it to starboard to avoid the shoal south of Lanier Island (the light blue to the right of the highlighted sailing line).  Not so easy.  Fl G "247" is hard to see as it is quite far up the channel and there are several other green cans to add to the confusion.

Tricky spot in St Simons Sound

We made the run from Brunswick to R "20" at 25 MPH as the main channel had two foot waves.  As I turned the "corner," we noticed a 50 foot cruiser just north of the R "20" that seemed to be stopped in the water.  As we struggled to find Fl G "247," the cruiser called on the VHF (radio) asking if we knew the waters.  I immediately slowed down and put the Guided Discovery on the sailing line with the GPS and searched for Fl G "247" with my stabilized binoculars.  Hard to see, but in context with the sailing line I was confident that we were on track.  The cruiser, who did not respond to our repeated attempts to respond, followed us. 

The remainder of the run was interesting.  We ran a trawler speed (9 MPH) through the Mackay River which was deep, narrow and calm.  As we exited into Altamaha River heading toward the Altamaha Sound Inlet we again experienced two foot waves coming from the east.  We increased speed to 25 MPH until we reached the Mud River.  As it name implies, it is shallow.  We again reduced speed until we reach Doboy Sound.  From there we ran north from Sapelo Sound (Mile Marker 635) to Hell Gate just north of the Okeechee River (Mile Marker 603) at 25 MPH.  Great fun, which faciliated the 94 mile run to Savannah.

Salt water marshes on the Mackay River

A new twist, we ran a series of range markers.  A range marker is two red and white boards, one higher than the other, that when aligned place you right in the middle of the channel.  Easy when approached on the nose.  More trick when they are behind you.  Using them is simple.  You steer toward the closest one until the come into alignment or mentally do the same thing when heading away.

Approaching the range

The range markers coming into alignment

After Hell Gate we ran at trawler speed for the last 15 miles to the Isle of Hope Marina (Mile Marker (590).  As we approched Isle of Hope, an upscale suburb just east of Savannah, we began to see, for the first time in 80 miles, nice homes along the ICW.

Civilization at last

We pulled into Isle of Hope Marina at 3:15 PM.

Guided Discovery at Isle of Hope Marina

We took on 231 gallons and paid the highest price to date for diesel, $4.49 per gallon.  Still, after 2839 (statute) miles we have used 2,754 gallons of fuel (slighly better than 1 mile per gallon).  Even with this purchase, our average price is still a low $3.41 (up 10 cents).

Another change.  We are at a marina with a courtesy car, which we used to enjoy a nice dinner at Driftaway.

The plan is to stay here until until the Thursday the 12th when Diana departs for Chicago to participate in two graduations.  While Diana is in Chicago, I plan to single hand Guided Discovery 55 mile north to Beaufort, SC.

Written by Les