Sailing to Ocracoke on a 41 foot Hunter
This was our itinerary:
Friday-Washington to Indian Island- Tacked back and forth up the Pamlico river then we anchored up a cove on the back side of Indian Island. It was a calm and beautiful evening. I even swam first thing the next morning but it was chilly.Saturday- Indian Island to Ocracoke. Morning- great winds in correct heading- I was at the helm going 10 knots that morning going out of the river but DEAD CALM motoring across the Pamlico Sound. Weird, eh? Very tricky approaching Ocracoke Island but we had a master navigator on board and an experienced captain. We docked at the Park Service docks adjacent to the ferry- $53 included electricity. But we had to buy showers from the other marina. Stay at the marina instead we decided. We hit Smack-n-Alley that afternoon to watch the sports fishermen bring in their catch of the day. We called the restaurant "The Back Porch" and they picked us up and brought us back. It is the only place with a full bar so far on the island. EXCELLENT food. It was hot and muggy and we plugged in to the dock and slept great with AC. But it would cycle off when it got to temp and would not come back on unless we went up top to hit a reset button. But I slept great otherwise.
Sunday - Ocracoke to Bath, NC - 25 knot winds with 2-3 foot waves very close together since the depths are only 15-20 feet ALL THE WAY ACROSS. Started out with 1/3 main sail out but pulled it all in and motored. Very heavy seas. yuk. I love that drug Bonine (sp?) because I did not get sick. We docked at a FREE Park Service dock there that was close to a marina. Very nice with clean (enough) showers.Monday - Bath to Washington - Light winds- Gybed back up the river a bit and we were even going backward with the current at one time but after the yucky exciting day before, it was great just to chill out and look at nature when she was calm.
But there were some problems with the boat. We drew straws for cabins and Randy and I were in the front cabin. Ours was fine. But the starboard side back cabin mattress was damp the first night even. The couple sleeping in there were able to sleep toward the middle of the boat and get away from the moisture but by Sunday night, it was soaked all the way across. We had big waves on Sunday coming back from Ocracoke that came over the starboard side for about 4 hours. Everyone topside was completely soaked through and through. I failed to bring fowl weather gear. But there were people on board that had fowl weather gear and they fared much better. I was like Captain Dan in Forest Gump at one point yelling at the waves, "Is that all you got?" and would promptly get splashed with at least five gallons of water in the kisser.I took pictures of the dripping from the place in the ceiling, but Captain Ron at Carolina Winds was understanding and gave us a discount of one day. Like I said, I don't have much experience but that was the only real bummer about the trip. Fortunately Sunday night we docked in Bath, NC and the couple stayed in the motel there. Bath, NC is gorgeous! Take the walking tour.
I cooked the first meal on Friday night on the stove and man that was a challenge. Like I said, the only thing I have to compare it to is my home stove. Before this past weekend, I did not know what gimbled meant. Geeze. I only burnt myself once ... Randy and I signed up with the Winston-Salem Sail and Power Squadron to take sailing lessons. We start next Wednesday fro 5 weeks. I can not wait to go again!
