With some favourable wins forecast I decided it was time to leave consequently I
arose at 5am on Thursday 6th and raised anchor, to make best use of
the outgoing current, raising the main before leaving Charleston we made good
time getting out of the entrance, avoiding a tug and towed barge taking up most
of the channel. The swell was behind us at 2-2 ½ m with 15 t0 20 knots of wind
also North East, giving 4-6knots of speed, however with the wind here meant I
could not use both sails and opted for the main, but with the seastate we were
screwing about and after a couple of jibes the gooseneck parted (about midday)
so the main was dropped and tied up and the jib pulled out and speed was
maintained. The wind was forecast to ease overnight and Friday, however it did
not cooperate and with the autopilot overheating I was at the helm most of the
time, it did mean that we were approaching St Marys entrance by 10am on Friday,
after a very dark night, the only bright side the dolphins who kept reappearing
most of Thursday afternoon and overnight. The coast was wreathed in mist and
making out the entrance channel was impossible until well into it, keeping out
of the main channel I was passed by four Coast Guard cutters on the way in, and
was very relieved when we finally came round the last bend in the St Marys
river and found the anchorage with only a few boats (about 1.30pm) dropping the
hook, digging it in, making a cuppa, ensuring the anchor is holding and turning
in, this leg certainly took it out of me and I slept well, which is rare on first
landfall. After replacing the gooseneck this morning, and inflating the dingy,
I have come ashore and found a small farmers market on the riverfront and the
library about 2miles out of town, to log in; I will post some picks next time.
