OBX130

[crazycarl]

4 boats are in the water and another 4 to be launched in the morning. My and the Potter 15 intend to head out of the narrow shallow channel at first light to avoid the out going tide. We'll anchorbin deeper water and wait for the others. We a nice "burger bash" like the FL120 has and the captains meeting was informative as most have done this multiple times. Thevlargest boat is the MacGregor 26, and the smallest is a 10 or 12' pram. 2 major thunderstorms passed west if us and thebweather forecast for tomorrow, as of now, has changed considerably. SW winds at 10mph building in the afternoon to 15.

The burger bash!

[crazycarl]

9 boats showed. 8 boats launched. 7 boats headed out. With most of the boats tied to the seawall, this morning everyone's boat was afloat but mine. I struggled with it for 29 minutes when a young fellow helped me get it away fron the wall into the channel. The very nuddy channel. I brought enough mud aboard to start a garden. I followed a Potter 15 out and ran aground in the same spot when i first arrived. 2 boats went past including a Suncat without trouble. After a long time pushing and pulling, another sailor stopped to give aid. He pulled on the halyard to heel the boatcand i was able to push it 50 yards into deeper water. With the sails up I officially started my 1st OBX130. A half mile into it, the suncat returned. The capt wasnt feeling we'll, and they were having trouble with their rigging. Not long after, the junk rigged Mud Hen also went in. He wasnt making any progress against the stiff wind. I quick overtook the Potter, but the Core Sound 20 and the hone designed boat shot off like rockets. The 10-15mph winds lasted about 2 hours and then doubled. 2' rollers were smashing into the bow. Core Sound is long north to south and shallow so we were at the end of the fetch and paying for it. Then the wind died. Not good. I looked astern and the sky was dark and lightning was flashing. With nowhere to hide, I kept on. 3 storms passed without reaching me. However, 3 times while tacking, the jib sheet buried itself off the jib car. It took disassembling each time to fix. Not easy in 22mph wind and 2-3' seas. I was tired and hungry. I fired up the o/b and headed for a small bay on the north end of Harkers Island. Lunch and a chance to wash the sand and muck out of shoes was heaven. I got out ofcthe boat and swam a bit until a pod of dolphins swam near. The Potter joined me, but soon they too called it quits and headed inland to a marina where an Uber would drive them back to their vehicle. I decided to take the inside passage around the island as the waves wouldn't be sp bad. They werent, but the water was shallow outside the channel, and didnt want to run aground again. Once on the southside of the island, i needed to make a decision. Head N/E into the chop and to Shackleford Banks, or south into Taylor Creek and back to Beaufort. With my feet chewed up, my calf injured, and my back aching, I chose Beaufort. Im currently anchored in the same spot as day  1 and will leave for home in the morning. Another thunderstorm is brewing, but appears to be down wind.

Pics are of Beaufort waterfront and Carrot Island and it's wild horses.

[crazycarl]

Nice evening and night. No bugs this entire trip which is always good. I having dinner when this fellow started jumping behind me. I couldnt catch the leaps with the phone, but here it is foraging.



0640 sails up and heading home. The winds hadnt changed, which was good. I was able to sail all but about 2 miles where Adams Creek becomes narrow and the trees block the wind. Entering the Neuse River I encountered 2' footers, and a 22mph wind broadside to port. I was really moving now! Half way across the 4 mile width, a thunderstorm came in. At first I thought it would blow by, but no, I  was in for it. With the bimini up there is mo way ro reef the main, and with a the waves it be a difficult task without the bimini. I thought about heading back to Adams Creek, but decided to keep going. Infurled the genny in to storm size and let the main all the way out. Only 2 other boats were out, a shrimp trawler and a 40' Island Packet. The IP immediately dropped sails and headed in. I  tried to keep a 45° angle into the now 4' waves. The rain was hard and stinging my face. I could items in the cabin tossing and afterwards the 40' cooler ws upside down on the opposite side of the cabin. Even the little things I ledt in the sink were tossed. Beibg a fast moving storm, it was over in 15 minutes, but what a long quarter of an hour it was. I sailed under the and up Greens Creek tacking to starboard and furling the genny all the way in before entering our little cove. Spinning hwr around 180 we gently hlided to to the dock and after she was secured, the wind reprised it's storm level intensity. I  had a lot of trouble bringing down and securing the main, but with that accomplished I walked up to the house, took long shower and dropped on the couch.
2was able to take any pics. It was too rough and I was having issues with my phones and tablet.

[Christopher]

I'm glad you made it home safely! 

[crazycarl]

4 boats are still out there. The winds have been over 20mph since I got home and raining. Forecast is showing rain for the next 10 days. We are under a flood advisory.

[passagesfromtheheart]

Really enjoying this thread, here, crazycarl -- please keep the updates coming -- stay safe and fair winds to all!