Harbortown Yacht Basin - Hilton Head, South Carolina

Hilton Head, South Carolina – Harbortown Yacht Basin
20091119

We departed Charleston Tuesday, a little late, missing the high tide; due to final preparations securing all belongings for the trip off shore. Motoring down the Ashley River. Rounding Ft. Sumter into the main shipping channel, “Angel” performed well with an easy motion of a full keel sailboat.

After passing the green buoy #13, we set the tiller hard to port and headed on the plotted course 240 degrees, south east. With a following wind and confused seas from the approaching weather front, sailing downwind with only the 150% genoa, the waves would turn the boat briefly backwinding the sail. This required adjust the tiller to again fill the sail. After a few hours of this, the wind rose from 10 to 25 knots with 5-6 foot waves;  I adjusted course to 215 degrees to more follow the waves and easier sailing.

Around midnight, we hove-to for 4 hours to sleep, slowing our progress from 7 knots in the fresh wind to ~1 knot. I slept in the cockpit on a rope bag, Cathy leaned against the bulkhead hiding from the spray. At 4am our battery died from too much drain from navigation lights, depth sounder/speed/GPS instruments and cabin lights. We were able to continue by keeping shore lights on our starboard stern. With sunrise, the seas calmed and we sailed on.

Wednesday, 10am, we passed Fripp Island close by on starboard; continuing down the coast. Around noon, we called Harbortown Yacht Basin, requesting a slip for the night. Little did we know that it would take us another 6 hours to arrive. As we passed down the length of Hilton Head Island, we were joined by numerous dolphin and sea birds. We watched with amusement as the pelicans dove and crashed as they gathered prey. Our chart was out dated and we passed by Hilton Head to Tybee Roads harbor entrance, then down Calibogue Sound and turned into Harbortown Yacht Basin, selecting a slip on an empty dock, since the staff had departed for the evening.

Leaving a note, then going upstairs for dinner at the Quarterdeck Restaurant, where we were the only patrons, even at 7pm. They will close for the season next week. We then returned to the “Angel” sleeping without stirring until morning. We were awakened by a small dog, delighted with his master’s success fishing from the bank. Shortly, thereafter; HYB staff arrived with a morning newspaper and offered help for moving to another deeper slip for tonight.

I once read the definition of Sailboat Cruising is performing boat repairs in exotic places. This is true for us. A trip to West Marine for electrical bits and pieces followed by some cursing as I folded to reach our AC shorepower.

Showered, fresh clothes and a seafood platter completed our day.

We will depart tomorrow for the intercoastal waterway south towards St. Mary’s, Georgia for Thanksgiving.

Take Care,
Cathy and Jim