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LOG 7 5/7-5/12 Greetings from the WE BE BLEST III, Read about the Georgia tidal marshes,
successful tidal anchorages, and hanging out on the SATURDAY, 5/7
Cast off at 0820. A beautiful day weather wise -- fairly calm water, sunny,
in the 70’s. What a pleasant change from yesterday. We saw a number of dolphins swimming near the boat.
About 0930 we left
We crossed several expansive sounds today. At times the markers got a
touch confusing. The image stabilizing binocs are just fantastic for finding
our way. Of course, the Captain has his GPS which tracks where we are and shows
the magenta ICW sailing line as well. To clear the shoaling in St. Andrew’s
Sound, mm690, it appeared we had to motor out into the
We passed Kings Bay Nuclear Sub Base about mm710, just above the FL-GA line.
A security vessel with its light flashing kept boats from approaching too closely.
About an hour after we passed the base, we heard a Security warning that a naval vessel was leaving and heading out to the
Anchored in Jove Creek. It was very shallow coming in, but we were able
to feel our way to deeper water and anchored in 12’ at low tide. We should
have an 8’ tidal swing. We got a good bite with our Bruce, so only used
the one anchor with our 80’ of chain and then 40’ of rode. We’ll
see how this holds. All we see around us is mud and marsh grass and as the tide
comes in we were raised above the grass. This gave a a great view of the marshes
in all directions. We are in the boonies -- an occasional tree and shrub, but
no development at all. 1520 anchored in Jove Creek mm671. 49.8 milles traveled today SUNDAY, 5/8
MOTHER’S DAY
Happy Mother’s Day to the Mate and all the mothers reading this log. The
Captain said he’d take the Mate out to eat today. Of course, “out
to eat” is a relative phrase. We anchored in an unnamed creek for the night
after motoring through 60 miles of
Unlike our first anchorage in the high tidal waters, last night’s anchorage was a real pleasure. Our solid hook held and we swung with the tides. Anchor up
at 0820. Shortly after that, two dolphins cruised with us on our port side. We saw quite a few more during the day, but none of them swam with us. We even had one at our anchorage tonight.
We crossed several of
Traveling with the tidal currents is interesting. Usually we cruise at
2200 rpm at a speed of 8 mph with no current. As we motor through the tidal rivers,
depending on whether they are at flood tide or ebb tide, our speed will be boosted to 10-11 mph or dragged down to 6-7 mph.
As we motor up the rivers from one sound to another, the direction of the flow changes somewhere between the two sounds,
depending on the terrain and the streams that feed the river. Thus if we enter
the river from the lower sound on a flood tide and head northerly, the tidal current is pushing us along, but as we reach
the part of the river that flows into the other sound farther north, the flood tide is now on our bow and slowing us down. Of course, as the tide changes, so does the direction of these currents. It does make for interesting cruising. Today the tidal current
seemed to be against us for three quarters of the time, so we cruised more at 7 mph than 9 mph.
After we passed
Today a group of 14 neighbors from our park, 1530 anchored
in unnamed creek mm611 9’ tidal swing 58.3 miles traveled today. MONDAY, 5/9
Anchor up 0710. The Mate got up early for the second day in a row! Another good night at anchor. Picking
creeks that originate in marshes seems to work well for anchoring. The tidal
current is not as swift as in the rivers or creeks that connect to other rivers. The
“dead end” anchorage is preferred to the “through” anchorage.
1120 we watched a huge ocean-going vessel coming out of the
We’re passing marinas, towns and housing developments today, not as much tidal marsh. We’ve had the current pushing us on our stern most of the day and reached a top speed of 11 mph.
At mm560 near
Docked 8 miles up the TUESDAY-THURSDAY,
5/10-5/12
Engines One in
We’ve enjoyed our visit with Don and Kate, seeing their kids and grandkids, shopping, smoking chickens, watching
a chick flick (no men of course!), and taking in the beautiful views from their riverside home on the May River. The Captain was even able to work on some projects on the boat. Wednesday
the four of us took an evening dinner cruise on the WE BE BLEST, complete with Don and Kate’s local narrative about
housing developments along shore and stories of oystering. Gene’s smoked
chicken was on the menu. A visit with our dock hosts, George and Lillian and later seeing another friend Jack made for a wonderful
evening. We’ll head back to the ICW on Friday and work our way to * * * LOG 8
5/13-5/15 Greetings from the WE BE BLEST III, Friday the 13th woes...Biking in beautiful A dolphin head butt and a fantastic anchorage... 5kw genset ... To be or not to be ... That is the question FRIDAY, 5/13
FRIDAY THE 13TH
We said our good byes to Don and Kate and slept on the boat last night at Heyward’s dock. Don and Kate left for the Keys this morning with their Airstream trailer and two other couples with Airstreams. They will be gone on a ten-day vacation.
George and Lillian left in the fog at 0715 this morning taking their trawler, Voyager to
0830 cast off from Heyward’s dock and headed toward
Did I say today was Friday the 13th?? 1200 fueled up at Beaufort Downtown
Municipal Marina and docked there for a couple hours to ride our bikes around town.
However as the Captain began walking his bike off the dock, he noticed the front tire was flat. So back to the boat. Luckily we had the spare he picked up
in Stuart after our first flat tire on the Mate’s bike. New tire in place
pumped up with our hand pump, off we rode to explore the streets of Beaufort enjoying the large old homes built in the
Magnificent live oak trees grace many of Beaufort’s streets and it was noticeably cooler as we rode under their
extensive canopies. Ferns covered the top edges of long sprawling limbs draped
with Spanish moss. Several of the trees were simply breathtaking -- stately,
sprawling giants with limbs outstretched in all directions supporting an abundance of life.
The Mate called to the Captain as he rode out from the canopy of one huge tree.
“Wait! I need to take pictures of this tree. There may be a story here.” As I write this log I sense
a story germinating -- Lessons from a Live Oak. We’ll wait and see
what comes out of my pen.
Back on the boat, we anchored in Factory Creek, mm 539.5 just east of
However continuing on, the system pumped the used oil easily into the four-gallon bucket with only a few drops splashed
from the oil filter. A successful oil change -- until the Captain attempted to
pump the used oil from the four-gallon bucket back into the empty gallon containers.
“Humm -- no oil is coming out of the hose! Oh no!” One hose connection came apart and sloshed over a pint of that black thick smelly oil all over the bilge,
under the battery boxes, under the water tank, over tools ... Just a general mess. About
45 minutes and innumerable disposable wipes later, the mess was gone. Holding
that errant connection, the Captain resumed pumping into the gallon jugs. Did
I mention it was Friday the 13th??
This time the top connection came apart and sprayed oil onto the throw rug and carpet by the hatch cover. “Jan, I need your help here,” I heard as I studied charts on the flybridge. Relieved to find he was not injured, I addressed the oil soaked rugs while Gene continued to clean the
bilge. Did I mention it was Friday the 13th??
We’re not superstitious -- but we are wiser. Transfer the used oil
ONLY on land. 100 years from now this really won’t matter. Life has its bumps in the road. This one happened to be a
big oil slick. We can laugh at ourselves and be thankful we are still living
the dream. 1500 Mm539.5 anchored in Factory Creek 8’ tidal
swing
32.5 miles traveled SATURDAY 5/14
0430 Bang! Bump! Slap! Bounce! Simultaneously we both bolted upright and jumped out of bed, wide-awake.
“What was that? Did something hit us? Did we drag anchor and run aground?” Fumbling for our
glasses in the dark, we saw nothing but a few waves off our stern. The water
was deep. We were in our same location.
We surmised the wake from a passing boat must have slapped the hull at precisely the right angle to create the bounce
and noise. That certainly disturbed a peaceful night’s rest!
Anchor up at 1030. A lazy Saturday morning. We only had to motor 40 miles to our anchorage at
This anchorage is amazing. After motoring through innumerable dredged
areas of constant shoaling with depths of only 6-10 feet at high tide, we turned into
What a beautiful anchorage this is: a narrow winding creek thru the tidal marsh.
A fairly unusual sight, thick trees line the edges of the marsh. Dolphins
swim nearby. Pelicans splat in the water stunning and then swallowing their supper. Songbirds fill the air with their music. The
WE BE BLEST III slowly drifts back and forth in the gentle breeze. The sun is
shining. The temperature is pleasant. The
“no-see-ums” have not yet started their daily attack. Life is Good! Thanks God! What a beautiful world You’ve
given us! Friday the 13th?? Bah
humbug! God’s blessing can far outshine any ol’ oil slick. We only need to stop, look, listen and enjoy!
After supper, observing three large dolphins swimming very close to the boat, the Captain wondered aloud if last night’s
episode might have been caused by a dolphin striking our boat while chasing something.
We did experience bumps in the night from dolphins chasing fish a few years ago while tied to the seawall at South
Seas Plantation on SUNDAY, 5/15
We left home 1 month ago.
Today is Pentecost Sunday. We had church aboard ship at our anchorage,
reading and discussing the Scriptures. On this day, the apostles were filled
with the Holy Spirit. As they preached, people from many different lands heard
them speaking in their own native tongues.
Max Lucado’s book, Just Like Jesus, talks about being God’s translator -- enabling others to know,
understand and love God. May the logs and writings from the WE BE BLEST help
you to catch a clearer glimpse of our great and loving God, and the wonderful world He’s created for us.
Anchor up at 0955. On the way to
1320 we arrived at Ashley Marina in Mm469
Ashley Marina, Total miles traveled in one month 712.4 miles * * * LOG 9 5/16-5/20 Greetings from the WE BE BLEST III, The fantastic This is what boating is all about! Meeting friends ... Skinny water
warning The 5kw genset ... To be or not to be ... That STILL is the question MONDAY, 5/16
We talked with the mechanics at Ashley Marina this morning. They had taken
the 3.8 generator like ours out of two other boats. We’re hearing about
more of these faulty generators as we travel. Westerbeke certainly has a big
problem with them. Upon questioning, we learned they did refund money for the
genset, but labor charges are still up for discussion depending on who did the installation.
Later one of the mechanics came onboard. After some discussion and a little
measuring his opinion was that the 5.0 is too big for our space and it would be very difficult to do some of the servicing. We decided to get a second opinion at
We found a bike shop to replace our spare tube and as we looked for a lunch spot, it began to rain. We stopped at South End Brewery which had good food, but their beer in no way compared to A1A in
Heading to the grocery store we retraced our ride from the Brewery looking for a bicycle cargo net Jan had on the back
of her bike. It must have fallen off in the rain.
We never found it. Now we need to buy two of them since they are great
for holding packages on the back rack.
There’s much more to see in TUESDAY, 5/17
Cast off 0920 after motoring next door to the City Marina for fuel. The
huge super high speed pumps were difficult to use without spilling diesel on the boat -- even with the flow throttled down
almost all the way from 40 gallons per minute to just about nothing. The Captain
decided he does not want to use that kind of pump again!
We began the day motoring from the flybridge, where we are at least 95% of the time.
However a storm drove us below, the first time this trip that rain drove us down.
We had come below during a cold spell earlier. Today it poured. Thunder and lightning boomed and cracked nearby. Visibility
was poor. But we were warm and cozy in the cabin.
Love this Camano!
The storm passed after about 30 minutes, but still rained off and on all day.
So we stayed below and anchored later in Minim Creek, mm 415.4 at 1620. mm 415.4
Minim Creek 3’ tidal swing 55.1 miles traveled today WEDNESDAY, 5/18
Anchor up 0830. Another beautiful anchorage in the tidal marsh. The marsh grass was shades of green with some reddish tips. It
grew tall, perhaps 5 feet. After pulling anchor, the Mate began wiping down the
deck utilizing God’s boat wash -- the rainwater -- to clean the salt spray off the WE BE BLEST. Wiping the walkway by the cockpit, she noticed a hitchhiker aboard -- a rather large bright green frog. He needed a bit of coaxing to be convinced he did not want to travel to
As the Mate was down below, the Captain was thoroughly enjoying his morning on the flybridge. After traveling for days and days in the beautiful Georgia-South Carolina tidal marsh, realizing there
are hundreds and hundreds of thousands of acres of marsh, we now began to see trees growing along the shoreline. The change in scenery put the Captain in a “state of euphoria.”
Motoring up the AICW, having it almost exclusively to ourselves, is a unique opportunity. He was at ease, at peace, enjoying the world God has given us.
Later the marsh totally gave way to dense forests of tall cypress trees decorated with draping Spanish Moss as we meandered
up the snaky Waccamaw River 25 miles north of
Nevertheless, we need exercise too -- and an ice cream cone -- so we pulled into the Harborwalk Marina in
Back on the waterway, at 1730 we left the ICW at mm 375 (Enterprise Landing), near green “27”, turned to
port up Enterprise Creek and dropped anchor in a triangular basin by red marker “2” where the creek rejoins the Waccama River. What a delightful
surprise was in store for us. (I give detailed descriptions of anchorage locations
so other boaters can enjoy our “finds” as well!) 1730 mm
375 Enterprise Creek tidal range 2’
44.9 miles traveled today THURSDAY, 5/19
Last night we anchored at the tranquil triangular junction of the
Except for the red triangular number 2 nav aid on a post in the water and a white reflector nailed to a nearby tree
there are no signs of man. What a beautiful pristine world God created for us
that perhaps few really enjoy. One needs to stop, drop anchor, sit, watch, listen
and await the calm stillness as the lowering and rising sun spotlights the trees in the evening and early morning, as the
birds begin their symphony of praise and as the fog transforms this into a primal world of mystery and delight.
Last night as we enjoyed supper on the flybridge -- free from the incessant daily attack of the tidal marsh no-see-ums
-- we savored the world God has given us and praised Him for His creation. We
discussed how comfortable we are in the middle of the woods swinging on one anchor -- especially the Mate who was raised in
the city. Finding discoveries such as this is what traveling and living on a
boat is all about for us. We thought about boaters who only stay in marinas. How much they miss. How much we’ve
found. LIFE IS GOOD. WE BE BLEST.
Reluctantly pulled anchor at 0745. For a change, the Mate hit the sack
early last night, 1110, instead of her usual midnight to 1 am, so she was up early at 0600 to enjoy the new morning fog.
As we headed toward Dock Holidays Marina at mm 348 to meet some friends in
We took a slip at Dock Holidays and met with Pat and Lewis Hunt, former Camano owners who are still involved in ECCO
the East Coast Camano Owners group. Once again we talked Camanos and boating. There will be a gathering of ECCO members in 1120 mm
348, Dock Holidays Marina 2’ tidal swing
27.1 miles traveled today
840 miles total FRIDAY, 5/20
Cast off at 0633. We have two low bridges to pass this morning. The Little River Inlet Bridge at mm 347.3 opens on demand. The
Sunset Beach Pontoon Bridge, mm 338, 10 miles away, only opens on the hour. Needing
to leave on a half hour to make the 1¼-hour trip to the pontoon bridge, we left early to try for the 0800 opening. This pontoon bridge (the last one of this type on the
Fortunately, we passed through the inlet bridge with very little wait and arrived 15 minutes early at the pontoon bridge. The tides were with us -- thank goodness -- and by 0810, we were past the pontoon
bridge and on our way to
Shallotte Inlet mm 330 was quite shallow. The waterway guides warned of
shoaling between markers 80 and 82. We found 1.5’ under us as we slowly
motored through the skinny water.
At mm 322 just above
Around 1130 above
Today we fought an ebb tide slowing us down while the wind at our back created following seas pushing the stern around. Anytime the tide and wind oppose one another this creates a potential for rough water. At our usual 8 mph, the WE BE BLEST was hard to control because of the waves on our
stern. So the Captain bumped it up to 10-12 mph and that made the boat a lot
easier to control.
A short rain drove us down below. After lunch on the run, we resumed cruising
from the flybridge. Of all the sounds or wide waters, this was our first unpleasant
crossing. All the others have been quite smooth.
Today’s crossing wasn’t rough. It didn’t have high seas. It was simply not enjoyable. However,
the really big water of
Pulled into Seapath Yacht Club in
Around 1603 Drew from Precision Marine came to evaluate the space for the 5.0 kw genset. It will be very tight, slight modifications need to be made, but he feels it will go in. However, the boat will have to be hauled to complete the work. It’s
now up to corporate to decide yea or nay. 1440 mm283
Seapath Yacht Club Marina 2’ tidal swing 65.5 miles traveled * * * LOG 10 5/21-5/22 Greetings from the WE BE BLEST III, Laughing with friends ... and more laughing. Sticking our nose in the Atlantic A major decision of the day ... Dinner. Please, please, please Ken, not McDonald's! "Laughter kills cancer cells." Nurse Betty's Rx: Lots of laughter The 5kw genset ... To be or not to be ... That STILL is the question. SATURDAY, 5/21
Last night was a great night to be in a marina. High winds. Lightning. Downpours.
We were safe and snug tied up to the dock, although the lines and straps squeaked and rattled during the night. Much better, though than being on anchor
through a storm!
Today Bill and Jane Knight and Lynn and Ken Koele came over from NC and SC for a visit.
Gene, in his past life, worked with Bill and Ken although they both have moved on to other companies. We were all part of the WPL River Rats (with two other couples) when we’d get together on our pontoon
cruising the
We cruised the
Around 1800 we motored back to the marina with no wind or storms to interfere with docking this time. However, the Captain had problems maneuvering the turn and getting into the slip, even taking a second
pass. Perhaps he was lucky yesterday!
"Opps, I pushed the wrong bow thruster," he confessed.
Since Ken had the vehicle that could carry six passengers, by default he was the group's driver. The major decision of the day, after determining how far to motor out in the
We headed toward SUNDAY, 5/22
The crew agreed to have a second day of reminiscing and laughing. Ken
and
The Captain grilled chickens and after Jane and Bill returned, we took a short cruise, dropped anchor and continued
the fun. Watching the Mate do her thing with lines, fenders, anchors and washdown
hoses, Bill remarked, “Jan, you’re just like a busy worker bee. Gene,
you’ve got the easy job!”
We had such a solid hook with the anchor, the Mate declared, “Well, we’re set for the night. You four are on your own to get back to your cars!” However,
having compassion for our friends -- it was a long swim -- we took them back to the marina around 1600, snapped groups pictures,
and said our good-byes. It’s a special blessing to spend time with friends
and to laugh with one another and at ourselves. As our dear friend nurse Betty
claims, “Laughter kills cancer cells!” In that case ... Her Rx: Keep
on laughing.
After motoring back to the * * * LOG 11 5/23-5/28 Greetings from the WE BE BLEST III, A Memorial Day Holiday reflection: THE SOUNDS OF FREEDOM The 5kw genset ... To be or not to be ... Is That STILL is the question? The answer is …
MONDAY, 5/23
Heavy rains and wind last night but we had a good bite with our anchor. We
began the day with our “Sunday Church Service” -- on Monday, since we missed it yesterday. Some folks go on Saturday, some on Sunday and even some on Monday!
Then we stayed on the hook off
After several phone calls (late AM from George, about
That afternoon the Captain noticed water by the galley fridge. It had
defrosted and the charge in the house batteries was down. After investigating,
he was surprised to discover the laptops draw up to 20 amps on a 12V system. In
5 hours they can use up the charge in one house battery. If we want to be at
anchor for several days, we do need a reliable generator to keep the batteries recharged. TUESDAY, 5/24
Anchor up at 0740 heading North. This morning the cabin was decorated
with towels and rags drying from last night’s OPPS! When the rain
began around 1900, we closed the cabin windows, but forgot the port light in the head.
The hatch under the window was open and bottles, meds, towels, and other stuff got wet.
OPPS! Oh well, it was time for the Mate to reorganize that area anyway! No damage done. It’s just important
to have everything bone dry when stored on a boat.
1015 Arrived early at the
Anchored in
No news from Westerbeke. WEDNESDAY, 5/25
THE SOUNDS OF FREEDOM
Yesterday we motored through the NC USMC Reservation around
Last night, still in the Marine Corps Reservation, we anchored in
We dropped anchor, pulled back to ensure a solid hook and floated the afternoon away, watching six other boats join
us in the bay. They dropped anchor, encircling us -- 2 sailboats, 3 trawlers
and 1 custom built motoryacht flying a foreign flag and equipped with stabilizers for ocean cruising.
Safely secure in our anchorage, the “thud” of the explosions from the artillery of varying caliber continued
on into the night. Fighter jets buzzed the bay, flying in close formation. After the jets landed, helicopters practiced night landings and maneuvers, flying
low, circling the bay with each pass. We recalled our nephew Jamie flew a chopper
perhaps similar to these when he was in the Marine Corps. Surprisingly, we slept
well. Our night was peaceful and quiet.
If maneuvers were taking place, they were relatively silent ones.
The cruise guide reported this to be a popular anchorage and it proved to be so as one by one the six other boats anchored
around us, although the guide did indicate that because of frequent military activity and exercises it could be a “less
than tranquil anchorage.” Responding to a comment about the noise, one
LOOPER declared: “That’s the sound of freedom!” We listened
to the artillery and watched the aircraft practice their maneuvers with new ears and eyes.
“That’s the sound of freedom!” we affirmed to each other.
After being one of the last boats to leave the bay this morning, we motored toward STOP DO NOT PROCEED LIVE FIRING IN PROGRESS WHEN FLASHING TUNE TO AM 530 If the lights were flashing,
we were not to proceed. A military boat would patrol each end to keep boaters
out of the area.
We read in the cruising guide that occasionally the waterway was closed because amphibious assaults would take place
as well as live firing across the river to the dunes on the ocean side. However,
today it was clear and safe for us to pass. The only evidence we did see of any
military activity in the firing range were several abandoned and wrecked tanks stuck in the dunes, probably artillery targets.
Reflecting on our passage through the Marine Corps Reservation, the bay and firing range we truly saw and heard with
new eyes and ears. We were not disturbed or aggravated, but instead comforted
and assured. We affirmed to each other many times: “That’s the sound
of freedom!”
Indeed it is: FREEDOM and SAFETY. We have no need to fear.
Watching rumbling C130’s make slow long passes and parachutes quietly pop open as marines practice an airborne
assault …
“That’s the sound of freedom!” ... Not an enemy attack.
Seeing screaming jet fighters streak across the sky in tight formation ...
“That’s the sound of freedom!” ... Not an enemy attack.
Anchoring in a peaceful bay dredged by the Marine Corps beside an unmanned, military vessel with guns quiet ...
“That’s the sound of freedom!” ... Not an enemy attack.
Following the whump, whump, whump of the helicopters circling around the bay, practicing landings and night maneuvers
...
“That’s the sound of freedom!” ... Not an enemy attack.
Hearing and feeling the dull thud of the artillery going off all day and evening ...
“That’s the sound of freedom!” ... Not an enemy attack.
Motoring through the quiet live firing range safely, calmly, peacefully ...
“That’s the sound of freedom!” ... Not an enemy attack.
These marines may be playing “war games,” but it’s very serious business. They are learning how to defend and preserve our freedom. Because
of them, we have a multitude of freedoms in this country to do what we wish and to go where we please. Because of them boaters like us can easily travel the waterways of our country, hanging on the hook in
safety.
From the comfort of our boat, we can listen and watch the aircraft and maneuvers knowing they are training missions. It’s not an attack. We need not
be afraid.
C130’s rumbling, jet fighters screaming, helicopters circling, artillery booming in the distance ... A noisy anchorage? Not at all. That’s the sound of freedom! Thank you Lord! May we never take it for
granted. God bless the THURSDAY 5/26
Yesterday afternoon we anchored in Pelletier Creek mm 209 by Moorehead City West.
There is a small bay to the port just past green daymarker “5.’ The
cruise guides mentioned anchoring at the junction of the two prongs of the creek, but we felt that was in the middle of traffic
and preferred the bay instead. We were the only boat anchored in the creek. Homes, condos and a couple of marinas lined the shore.
Most of the boats were sport fishing boats. We never found a dinghy dock,
but on old salt cleaning his crab trap said we could tie up at the docks. This
was at the end of the left finger and a short block from the highway. A left turn took us to West Marine, Kmart, a grocery,
and a fresh fish market. We enjoyed jumbo shrimp and wahoo for dinner today. Yum!
The Mate wrote, worked on her book and the Captain puttered and read. We
stayed here tonight as well. FRIDAY-SATURDAY, 5/27-5/28
The continuing saga of the ill-fated Westerbeke 3.8 “suitcase” generator.
To be or not to be: was that still the question? NOT ... That’s
the answer!
The Captain made a number of calls to the local reps, the regional reps and the corporate rep -- using our very limited
and precious week-day Verizon cell phone minutes. Messages were left and returned. He kept posing questions about the installation and servicing of the 5.0 kw genset. “Will it go through the hatch?”
“It can probably be taken apart,” was the answer. “Can
it be put back together in that confined space?” I'm not sure this was
really addressed. “What about servicing?
Do I need to get at the back? If so it would need to be moved.” The clincher question the Captain posed was “Does it need to be serviced from
the top? If so, there is no room -- zero clearance.” Westerbeke finally acknowledged this was too big for our boat. The
corporate powers to be are now putting their heads together to come up with a settlement.
We have made the decision to go with a NextGen generator and have contacted their rep in the Oriental, NC area. Having put this whole business in the Lord’s hands and asking for His wisdom
it turns out they “happen” to have one in stock, no need to wait for it to be ordered and delivered, and they
will be able to work us into their schedule after the Memorial Day holiday.
Thus on Friday we headed to
The Mate has been struggling and agonizing over the choice of fonts for her book’s cover and interior. Traveling on the boat has complicated the issue. Finally,
after a second trip at the Beaufort library’s computer station she struck paydirt and found the cover font. A prototype cover page affirmed the choice. Hooray! Just this morning, the Captain asked her, “Just how long will it be until you choose the font? Two weeks?” “No, Sir! With God’s help, two hours!”
We wandered around the waterfront, ducking in and out of shops, watching the boaters in the marina watch the folks
on shore. I think most boats and boaters are like the bass boats and bass fishermen. They hop in their boat and race like mad to get to the other side of the lake to fish
for that big one. Bass boats from the north end of the lake, streak over to the
south end, while at the same time, bass boats from the south end are tearing over to the north side. The unwritten law is to go to the other side of the lake.
Cruisers seem to do something similar. They hop in their boat, leave the
home marina and head to a neighboring marina, take a slip, plug it to electric, and sit on their boat all weekend. At the same time, boats from this second marina cruise to the first, plug in and sit. Isn’t it strange? I guess that’s life! Their boat is merely a floating cabin.
* * * LOG 12 5/29 Greetings from the WE BE BLEST III, Touring ...the Maritime Museum ...
the Coast Guard begins A Memorial Day reflection: THE SOUNDS OF FREEDOM ... the "REST OF THE STORY" SUNDAY, 5/29
Yesterday afternoon we rode our bikes to the
The US Light House Service, USLHS, was established in 1789 to provide support, maintenance, and repairs for light houses,
beacons, buoys, and public piers in order to render navigation easy and safe.
In 1790, the US Revenue-Cutter Service, USRCS, formed primarily to collect duties on goods imported into our fledging
country. The USRCS employed small-armed schooners and sloops. Their efforts helped put our young nation on sound economic footing.
Then 80 years later in 1871, the US Life Saving Service, USLSS, began and created shore based stations to render assistance
to shipwrecked mariners in the
In 1915 the USCRS and the USLHS merged to form the US Coast Guard and included the USLSS as well in 1939, tapping into
and incorporating the talents and expertise of each agency. Today’s Coast
Guard is responsible for enforcing all navigation regulations for inland and federal waters, the documentation of vessels,
the operation of all aids to navigation, port security and search and rescue operations.
Documentation is the federal registration of vessels, in lieu of state registration.
The boat name and hailing port must be displayed. When traveling into
a foreign country, documentation is preferred over state registration since proof of ownership is more readily verified.
As an aside, when we documented the WE BE BLEST, of any federal agency we have ever had to deal with, the Coast Guard
has been the most responsive, easy to reach, very helpful and cordial. Will wonders
never cease!
This morning we attended a waterfront church service. Rev. Fred Simpson
founded the Intracoastal Waterfolk Ministries about 10 years ago and provides spiritual food to the mariners and visitors
around Beaufort. I heard about the service from Laura Lee Covington, one of the
shopkeepers (Personally Yours by the sea) along the boardwalk who told me about it when she noticed my cross around my neck. This was perfect timing. We had asked
about a Catholic Church in the area, but it was across the high rise bridge, over the sound to
After prayer and songs Fred spoke about the price many have paid for the freedoms we enjoy today and also about POW’s
who have been freed. We too are POW’s in the battle between good and evil. Jesus paid the ultimate price to set us free.
As Fred spoke, I felt a stirring within -- my story, THE SOUND OF FREEDOM is only half written. Here was the “rest of the story” as Paul Harvey would say.
The sound of my spiritual freedom, THE ULTIMATE FREEDOM, is a story brewing within, yet to come out of my pen. Stay tuned! * * * LOG 13 5/30-6/5 Greetings from the WE BE BLEST III, READ ALL ABOUT IT! The next generation in generators! How were the crossings of those big sounds? An irresponsible captain ... (not ours) MONDAY 5/30
Today we motored to the Oriental, NC area and up the Neuse River 10 miles west of the ICW to Wayfarers Cove which previously
was
Looking at the creek from the ICW we never would have entered it had we
not known there was a marina tucked inside. The entrance was narrow and wooded. The creek turned hard to port shortly after entering, then hard to starboard, and
starboard again as it meandered and turned this way and that deeper into the woods.
The marina basin was a narrow channel only about 100’-120’ wide, densely wooded on one side with slips
lining the other. Because the channel curved so much, we never saw all the boats
at one time. The 100 or so vessels were sailboats except for a handful of trawlers.
More than once, as the Captain sat in the cabin enjoying the woods and water he remarked, “I really like this
marina!” After several days, while the Mate was walking back to the boat
along the dock, checking out the sailboats and the woods across the narrow channel, it occurred to her why the Captain enjoyed
it so. This marina is probably the closest thing to anchoring out while being
tied to a slip in a marina. No boat on our starboard, dense woods across the
channel, most boats deserted -- a quiet, scenic, peaceful place. Yup! Almost like anchoring out! Wayfarers Cove Marina
27.3 miles traveled today TUESDAY, 5/31
Today is the last day the errant Westerbeke will be installed on the WE BE BLEST III. Don the mechanic at Wayfarers Cove Marina came first thing this morning to check out the job. The problem with getting the genset in and out is not so much the weight (200#), but the awkward angle
to lift it out and set it in. Just not “back-friendly!” After a brief inspection and discussion with the Captain-engineer, a plan was formulated.
The Captain removed the electrical, cooling water, fuel and exhaust connections and secured a heavy line to the generator
tying a large loop in one end.
0115 Don and Joe, his “muscular reinforcements”
returned after lunch to peruse the situation.
0125 They returned to the boat with a couple 2x4’s and
ran them through the loop in the line.
0130 Lifting the 2x4’s Don and Joe picked the 200# generator
out of the bilge fairly effortlessly while it swung suspended from the line.
A little engineering goes a long way. We recall Ray Bohlman and Jr. “horsing”
this genset in and out with their bare hands, straining and injuring their backs. Today
in less than 5 minutes -- it’s out! HOORAY!
During the afternoon we got a message from NOMAD, a Camano from WEDNESDAY, 6/1
The new generator was in stock but we were waiting a day for some of the extra parts and fittings. In the meantime, Don installed the bracket the genset will rest upon, and the Captain made preparations
for the installation of the new unit. The Mate utilized the days here working
on her manuscript. It’s getting closer to submittal to the publisher. Yeah! THURSDAY, 6/2
The rains from earlier in the week calmed down and held off this morning as we motored the WE BE BLEST over to the
travel lift for a haul out. A through-hull fitting had to be enlarged. Slings were tightened up around her hull and she slowly rose out of the water. “Take good care of her! Treat her gently!” the
Mate called to the mechanics as she climbed off the boat onto the landing. The
travel lift rolled backwards away from the water and the WE BE BLEST hung suspended 4’ above the ground.
While the mechanics enlarged the generator cooling water thru hull, the Captain inspected the four zincs and was surprised
to see how much they were consumed. Sacrificial zincs they were! The bow thruster zinc was completely gone. The teardrop zinc
on the rudder was almost gone. He changed the shaft zinc and the big plate zinc
under the swim platform as well. Fortunately, we had all four spares on board. We never anticipated having to change them only a month and a half after leaving home. This haul out was very timely!
Actually the haul out was very timely indeed -- for a second reason -- not only for replacing the zincs, but we found about 150’ of TROT line with nasty hooks wrapped tightly around the shaft. Had it remained, it could have restricted the water to the cutlass bearing, perhaps causing a failure. “Very timely haulout indeed!” The Captain remarked as he struggled to
cut off the net without snagging his fingers on the rusty hooks.
While Don and Joe finished the thru hull work, the Mate scraped the few barnacles that had begun to grow, and then
the Captain and Mate cleaned the hull below the rub rails. The jobs completed,
the WE BE BLEST was returned back to the water. Don and Joe spun her around and then lowered the new generator into the cockpit
using the crane on the travel lift. Much better than “horsing it on board
by hand!
Back at our slip, Don, Joe and the Captain again used their engineering techniques with line and 2x4’s to lower,
twist, cock, maneuver, push, pull and finally lower the new 3.5 KW NextGen generator on its supporting brackets in the bilge. HOORAY! It fits! And no injured backs!
The Captain resumed his “bilge rat” position under and around the new genset rehooking the fuel, electrical,
exhaust and cooling water lines. By Friday
Pete and Brenda, the marina owners were very friendly and helpful. They
recently purchased the marina and surrounding land and are developing it into Wayfarers Cove -- a waterfront complex to include
upscale 3000 sq ft estate homes, 2000 sq ft cottages, golf course, and marina. Construction
begins next week. Our sleepy marina will be vastly different next year!
We borrowed the courtesy car, which actually was Pete’s personal car, reprovisioned, and enjoyed a great seafood
dinner at
We were pleasantly surprised with the bill. After five nights in the marina
plus total installation of the genset including haul-out and labor our bill was only $720.
There was no charge for slip rental and only 4.3 hours of labor. God was
good to us with this new generator. It was in stock, easy to switch out, relatively
inexpensive installation and the days we stayed in the marina were rainy and bad travel days anyway. A good time to be tied to the docks! SATURDAY, 6/4
We left Wayfarers Cove early on an overcast, drizzly morning and headed to Dowry Creek Marina mm 134, motoring up the
wide
Around 1500 we pulled into Dowry Creek Marina. There were several other
LOOPERs here, so we’re not the last boat heading around the loop. Another
Camano was tied to the dock. Connie and Ray Mack on WANDERER had been heading
up to the Camano gathering. They were in the narrow Mm 134 Dowry
Creek SUNDAY, 6/5
We wanted to try to get to
Elizabeth City welcomes boaters to the southern end of the Great Dismal Swamp.
Every day at
We’ve gone over 1000 miles thus far -- 5000 or so more to go! SUNDAY. 6/5
CONTINUED Coming into the
Elizabeth City Dock the winds were strong -- blowing us into the sea wall. Backing
into the slip, we were a bit of a dog and pony show. The Mate was successful
in getting a line around the outside pilings for the bow -- but it still pulled is in toward the seawall. We needed a spring line forward to the piling. Oh well, a
good learning experience and we didn’t bump the wall. It took quite a while
to get our lines set, keeping us off the wall, off the pilings, and near to the small dock to step of the boat easily. Mm 51
Elizabeth free town dock
81.1 miles traveled today * * * LOG 14 6/6-6/10 Greetings from the WE BE BLEST III, Where can you get free docking, roses, wine and cheese? How dismal is the Great How many "cute little boats" AKA Camano's made it to the What did the Captain say when he kissed the generator? MONDAY, 6/6
Yesterday the boaters at
Today we traveled the Great Dismal Swamp and left
The Great Dismal Swamp was a formidable obstacle to early explorers and settlers -- “a vast body of dirt and
nastiness.” Yet I contained thousands of acres of trees waiting to be logged. A canal through the swamp would connect
Construction on the
Today the
In retrospect, the
We tied up overnight to a free dock right before the Mm TUESDAY, 6/7
The 0830 scheduled lockage at Deep Creek sent one small boat going South and then the lockmaster called us into the
lock for our turn. The solo lockage north took 35 minutes -- a bit faster than
the 54 minutes it took us to lock through South Mills with four other sailboats. That
lockage took 54 minutes -- it was hot and humid and seemed to take forever!
Leaving the lock, we had a few more miles of Swamp and then the industrial
This is probably the busiest harbor we have been in thus far. The radio
was constantly broadcasting boats hailing marinas and other ships, bridges announcing closings or openings, naval ships warning
of their movements, Coast Guard personnel giving security announcements, ships with divers down warning boats to stay away,
and SeaTow hailing tankers. Helicopters flew over the naval base while small
runabouts patrolled the restricted waters in front of the carriers and subs. Huge
tankers were anchored in the channel. Enormous cargo ships steamed down the river
with containerized cargo stacked ten high on the deck. Pleasure craft, cruisers,
and sailboats motored up and down and across the river. It was busy!
We motored across the bay from 25.8 miles traveled today. FRIDAY, 6/10
0840 cast off from
0900 Arrived at Bluewater Boatyard to drop off the Westerbeke generator. The
day before the Captain arranged with them to take the genset off the boat and ship it back to Westerbeke. However, after seeing how heavy it was and how awkward to lift, the boatyard sang a new tune ... “Can’t
do it ... Need a work order ... Have to crate it....” So the Captain called
Engines One, the regional rep for this area. We backtracked the 13 miles to their
location in
1100 docked at Western Branch Deisel, Engines One’s waterside location.
Three mechanics and the Captain hefted and heaved the errant generator up, out of the cockpit and onto the dock. HOORAY! That genset was finally off the
WE BE BLEST III. The Mate snapped a picture of the Captain kissing it “good
bye and good riddance!”
The crew set the generator on a dolly with the cables, crank, and spare parts and the funeral procession of four slowly
walked off the dock as they pushed the cart to the shop. Soon to be set in a
“casket,” AKA shipping container, they will send it off to Westerbeke heaven -- no probably Westerbeke hell! The mechanics were very familiar with this little suitcase model and the other Camano
owner who had a third one installed recently. His latest one, is still working
.... So far!
Thus closes the final chapter of the deliverance of the WE BE BLEST III from the curse of the 3.8 Westerbeke generator. She is free at last. Ahhh! The Captain walked back to the WE BE BLEST with a smile on his face as broad as the
The Epilogue of this saga is yet to be completed. “The check is
in the mail,” Bob from corporate told the Captain after receiving our signed release.
We should have it next week. Stay tuned for the closing episode. * * * |
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