Archive for May 27, 2015

Parris Island Flashbacks & Singlehanding

May 27, 2015

Day 9.       Tuesday      5–26

Hilton Head was Captain Fred’s place to hop off and head back to FL. Now I’m on my own for the next 4 days until I pick up my new clients Paula & Carey on Friday night in Wrightsville Beach NC. I never did long range cruising alone before. I will take the advice and experience of Captain Fred’s 45 years of experience on both power and sail, and along with my trawler school training, I should be just fine.

One problem: I became sick with the flu, fever, whatever, last night and felt a little groggy. I never get sick and this is the worst time ever. I must be fully alert at the helm. I’m by myself, must concentrate.

Left at 9:30 anchored at 6:00 went by a place I’ll never forget, Parris Island, SC. Yes Sir, the Marines were out marching and I could hear the Mr. Drill Instructor yelling, “Hamilton, you knuckelhead, we didn’t promise you a rose garden!” I just increased my speed wide open until I was safe.

Went 7 hours, 65 miles no problem. I’m receiving a lot of navigating information with no one to turn to but myself. I’m anchored between Charleston SC and Beaufort SC.
I’m taking medicine and going right to sleep for about 12 hours see if I can shake this cold. Good Night!

Sea U
Captain Bob

One person on the beach with there dog pretty cool.

Parris Island USMC ARRORRA
Captain Robert Hamilton

Waxford Marina, Hilton Head, SC

May 25, 2015
Day 6             Saturday    5–23
Short day 7 hours 65 miles hit Hilton Head around 3:00. Captain Fred got us into exclusive Waxford Marina. You had to go thru its private lock that holds one boat at a time for $5.00. My dock was surrounded by an 18 hole golf course. Captain Fred’s friends live there. Got to clean and supply the boat, we will be here till Tuesday morning, then back on the water, heading to Boston. Someday I’ll be there. I feel like I’m on the Mayflower.
Been partying at some of the way down south bars meeting deep rooted southern folks, I wonder why we cannot understand each other?
Sea U Tuesday
Captain Bob

Fly Me to the Moon: Horse Flies!

May 22, 2015

Day 5 Friday 5–22
Bad Northeast winds 15 to 20 kts in the ocean, rough and not good. We decided to cruise the inside of the Intracoastal thru Georgia. It was exciting, and what a view- twisting and turning. You must be on your toes at all times, one mistake and you’re in no-mans land. 100 miles of swamp and marshes.

Just as we were getting tired, out of nowhere came the horse flies (HELP!). First there was a few, I was beating them off with a shoe. Then an army of them came. I got better at killing them, then another million of them surrounded us. We were on the fly bridge, back to back, armed with one shoe each, and the battle went on for hours. By the end of the day there were so many dead flys on the deck we needed to sweep them off the boat. We are now certified serial fly killers, the word out is don’t mess with the crew of the Miami Mermaid!

10 hours and 105 miles we are 50 miles from Hilton Head SC. My friend who came along to assist has been a great help and I learned a lot from him. Thank you, Captain Fred from Key Largo, I put him thru Captain’s school 15 years ago and he was my back up Captain on my charter school. All my clients loved him, he is a great teacher and friend. We have a huge party to attend in Hilton Head tonight. We will be pulling in there about 3:00 pm, we’ll stay a couple days to laundry, clean the boat, get supplies, change all the oil in the engine and generator- this is very important. And of course, relax. More info on the Hilton Head big party tomorrow.

Hit rough waters on the way, went through it in 1 hour.

Big Decisions

May 22, 2015
Leaving Cocoa Beach 7:00 am covering a whopping 115 mile range in 11 hours was fantastic. Going North from this point on, we left the big cities behind us and the Intracoastal was just beautiful, totally scenic, and it made our cruising very relaxing.
We anchored in Fernandina Beach on the border of Florida & Georgia at sundown. I read in one of my books that the Palace Saloon is the oldest bar in Florida (1918). We had to have a drink in there. The bar was old and very cool, wise decision. Tons of history there, the little town was like you went back in time, old train depot, busy seaport for cargo, two huge paper mill factories, lot of employment, commercial fishing fleets. The first settlers built strategic, profitable ports along the protected inland waterway.
Big decision: going out in the ocean for the 100 mile trip across Georgia tomorrow, or the Intracoastal Waterway. That route is like a snake, lots of twist and turns, and sand bars, heavy currents. It would be nice to bypass it, but only the weather will be the judge of that.
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Sea U
captain Bob

Rockets over the Miami Mermaid

May 20, 2015
Captains Log Day 3        Wednesday May 20th
3, 2, 1 Blast off! A rocket was fired at 10:30 from Cocoa, Satellite Beach right over the Miami Mermaid. Now THAT was cool.
We only got 65 miles in, had to anchor in Daytona. Bad thunderstorms and black skies above, hopefully tomorrow we can make it out of Florida. If we can skip the Intracoastal in Georgia and go in the ocean that will be great. There are many factors to consider (weather) last min decisions. Good night.
Captain Bob

Currents, Tides, & Sand Bars

May 19, 2015

Captain’s Log      Day 2.      May 19th 2015

Ahoy Matey’s, another 10 hour day. We covered 90 miles on the Intracostal, dealing with currents, tides & sand bars. I sure don’t want to run aground. Great sights and learning a lot about long range cruising. Anchored at Cocoa Beach, (I Dream Of Jeanie) need to dingy ashore to get a part at West Marine, my clients are forcing me to go to the Sugar Shack bar, Roger that,tuff job! Back to the Miami Mermaid. Oh well it’s been a long day. Good night.

Captain Bob
Over & Out

And We’re Off to Boston from Fort Lauderdale, FL!

May 18, 2015
Captain’s Log     Day one   Monday May 18th 2015
Left the dock 7:00am. Cruised up the Intracoastal 85 miles, it took 10 hours. We made our mark up to Stuart, Fl. No problems yet!I have on board my clients Jerry & Fred. They will end up in Wilmington, NC, and my new set of clients will board and end docking in Winthrop.

So all is well for our first day. Very busy at the helm, but what a view! Having a great time.

Sea U Soon
Captain Bob