We had an early 8 am start.It is important to check low and high tides both going out and entering Inlets so we try to time them to our advantage as best as we can. Low tide being the most tricky naturally! We started up the ICW to the Masonboro Inlet near Wrightsville Beach.The dock master pointed out that it would be about a thirty mile trip out back through the inlet we came in on , so was logical to go up a little before venturing outside in the ocean.In fact looking back in my diary ,I saw we had done that coming from the north before. pleasant 1and 1/2 hour trip up the ICW At least we had some things to look at, and frequently passed boats with "Oh what a beautiful boat" either on the VHF or verbally.Good advertising for Sabre! As we exited out into the ocean a couple of big waves came over us and right through the side cabin door.We hastily shut the door and the overhead hatches.You always have to be prepared for surprises when going out on water! This time we were not so fortunate and had quite lumpy seas although SW again , the winds had got up. It was a four hours of moving in all directions.Not much fun , but we had made the commitment and there really isn't much opportunity at all to go back inside before you reach Beaufort Inlet. Getting to the point where this is boring, can't read , making lunch and moving about the boat is a challenge, and nothing to see except sea! Towards the end there were lots of whitecaps indicating the wind had indeed got up. But we did ok.
As we came into the Beaufort Docks marina , we were told there was a week long fishing boat competition in the area.Indeed as we docked , we heard we were going to be surrounded by big fishing vessels. The dock master told us there as a good chance we would be woken at 4 am ,as they would be heading out to fish the next day at that time! Great for an early start!
We checked in , received our disks for a free drink at their bar( many of these marinas like to offer a little incentive ) and the use of a courtesy car.Decided to check out the local Piggly Wiggly supermarket
and get some fresh produce. We still had plenty of dry goods and a freezer with meats and frozen veg, left over from our Bahama trip. Meantime the fishermen had all returned in their luxury fishing boats.
I was fascinated watching as they spent a good hour cleaning their boats and fishing gear meticulously .I asked one of them , so do you do this kind of cleaning in the house ? Bigs laughs from that question.Apparently , some guy had caught a 400 lb marlin,but had to release it.The going prize had to be a 500 lb marlin.Prize money for that would be $225,000 .00 .When they catch a marlin they can fly a flag with the marlin symbol.If they release it, the flag is flown upside down.
Later in the evening we walked round to the Blue Moon , a lovely restaurant Rhonda and John had introduced us to. Had a very pleasant meal.Graeme scored with a scallop appetizer and Tuna fish entree. We decided on an early night as we had a long day ahead of us tomorrow and a potential early wake up call!
Over and Out,
E n G
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