20100125 Cattle Pen Creek and Hilton Head Harbortown

20100125  Cattle Pen Creek and Hilton Head Harbortown

Windy and cloudy weather greeted Angel in her departure from Jekyll Island, GA.  With a falling tide helping to push her onward, progress was good at 7.4 knots.  This increased to 8.7 knots when the genoa sail was set upon reaching the open waters of St Simons Sound.  This was a wet run, with spray coming over the bow and washing back to the cockpit.  Turning up the MacKay River to follow the ICW, the now rising tide continues to aid in our progress.  The wind is gusting out of the cloudy skys to >25 knots.  The sail was furled during narrow passages to ensure Angel did not get blown into the reeds and shoals that line the many cuts of the ICW. 

With a good 60 miles under her keel, Angel sought refuge in Cattle Pen Creek.  This small tributary at mile marker 625 of the ICW, provides some protection from ICW traffic, but little protection from wind.  I set the faithful Delta anchor in 15 feet of water with 100 feet of chain, pulling back hard in reverse to ensure it digs into the creek bed.  I placed the anchor on the south edge of the creek so the gusting southeastern winds with push Angel along the creek axis.  I also picked a site that left a crab pot float about 100 feet behind Angel.  Throughout the night, as I woke every hour or so, I shined a spotlight on the float and both creek banks to make sure Angel was safely positioned.

At 7am, with the sun not yet peaking over the horizon, I prepared to leave.  A hot pot of tea prepared me to hoist anchor, exit the creek and motor onward.  I progressed every northward, soon entering St Catherines Sound.  I again set the genoa sail and achieved > 8 knots in the open water.  A particularly strong gust of wind pulled at the sail during the end of this sail.  This gust freed the hem on the luff of the sail.  Soon it expanded from 6 inches to 6 feet.  I re-rolled the sail to prevent further damage and will have to have it re-stitched after reaching Charleston.    

Onward under motor alone, my pace slowed to 5-6 knots.  I reached Calibogue Sound, just past Dafuskie Island, on the west side of Hilton Head Island.  Turning to starboard, I headed toward the familiar channel markers around the entrance to Harbortown, the first stop on our journey 10 weeks ago.  As I entered the channel, the 4 foot waves smoothed to ripples, but the wind was only diminished marginally.  Harbortown Yacht Basin answered the hail on the VHF radio immediately and asked that I head to the inner harbor, slip 6.  Meeting me there were two dock hands that made quick work to secure Angel to the dock cleats.  This was a great choice for a slip, since the prevailing wind blew Angel away from the finger dock, making for a restful night.

After I connected to electrical service, opened the sea cock for the heater, and set the thermostat to 75F, I headed to the showers with clean clothes and cash for dinner at the Crazy Crab.  Clean and hungry, I chose a seat at the end of the deserted bar.  In addition to a delicious seafood platter, a second sailor chose a seat two placed down the bar.  I learned that he was a delivery captain, taking a 40 footer from Wilmington, NC to Stuart, FL.  I shared my experiences coming up the ICW, with favored anchorages and marinas.  He reciprocated with his favorites northbound.  After a couple of beers, he told of his “real job” as captain of the Downeast Rover, a gaff rigged sailboat in Manteo, NC.  (see downeastrover.com)  This seasonal position, March-October, allows him to travel and do deliveries in the winter months. 

My quick dinner plans evolved into a two hour leisurely meal with lots of great discussion.  Overall, a great end to a hard day.

At 6am, I awoke, prepared hot tea, dressed in my warm foul weather gear and got to work.  I filled the fuel tank from the 4 X 5 gallon jerry cans.  Organized all lines and disconnected electrical service.  At 7:30am, I flagged down the dock hands upon arrival and they were happy to help with dock lines, as a strong wind was still blowing from the south.  Angel backed into the marina channel, then shifted into forward gear, turned a circle before exiting to the ICW. 

Jim