Rocky and slow - Day 236 - North Myrtle Beach, SC to Southport, NC

This segment began with a four mile section called the rock pile.  Locals explained that the channel narrowed at times to 25 feet with rock ledges lining both sides.  Locals further suggested running the stretch at low tide to be able to see the rocks and the channel.

The rockpile viewed from astern

We departed Barefoot Landing at 9:25 AM on a rising tide.  The run through the rockpile was actually well marked and straight forward.  That said, we left early enough to see the rocks.  Still, the thought of rocks in close proximity does tend to increase ones blood pressure.  If everything goes right, then no problem.  Lose an engine, steering or whatever and there's no room to set a hook,  The odds are the propellers would make contact (uggh) with a rock.

Use this cruiser's link to see better views of the jagged rocks.

The remainder of the trip was very slow.  Residential density increased as we progressed northeast along the ICW with numerous upscale homes with floating docks.  This of course leads to "no wake" and slow zones.  The 44 mile trip took over five hours.  The good news.  We only burned 19.6 gallons (for an economical 2.1 miles per gallon (for a boat).

Two floating casinos

Upon arrival we explored the Southport historical district with Kodi. Most homes were build just after the Civil War. We found a marker commemorating the vision of Joshua Potts who in 1790 laid out the first 100 lots for a town surrounding Fort Johnson.

Fort Johnson, built before the Revolutionary war, played a role in both the Revolutionary and the Civil War.

.

Kodi got to go swimming (twice) and we stopped for a beer at Fishy Fishy Cafe (where we also returned for dinner).

Tomorrow we cruise to Wrightsville, NC.

Written by Les.