Hempstead, NC to Southport, NC

Today:            42 miles              8.5 hours            ICW ST Mile: 309.3
Total:         426.2 miles           68.05 hours
 

     NORTH STAR left the work dock on New River at 6:39 and promptly found a sand bar. Thankfully, some fishermen helped them off.
     Pete and George put in a few hours before NORTH STAR approached our marina, around 10:15. We were waiting in the ICW.

Departing Harbor View Marina

     Once reunited, PEKABU and NORTH STAR continued south, just missing 11 opening of Figure 8 Bridge. Had to wait 25 minutes. Then, due to the current again against us, we had to wait 50 minutes, dancing in the wind and current, for Wrightsville Beach Bridge.

 

Images north & south of Wrightsville Beach Bridge

 

  

  

 

 

     Once through, the power boat in front of us decided to turn around at the bottom of the narrows, forcing the rest if the boats to stop. As he headed north, he ran aground. Hummm . . . .
     The inlets were a bit skinny, but, thanks to Bob’s Tracks, we had no problem.

 
Folly's Inlet

 

     Temps climbed up into the mid-70’s with the breezes from the SSW. There were storms to our west, but they missed us. The current was again against us for 80% of the day, adding a good 90 minutes onto our travel time.
     Snows Cut was low and about 18 inches of the rock was showing, but the current was changing so it didn’t rip through the cut.
     We had the current with us for the run-down Cape Fear River. The only rough spot was over a shallow area where the chop lasted about 30 minutes.

Sunset entering Southport from the Cape Fear River

     NORTH STAR continued to their marina. There is a restaurant on site that they are meeting friends for dinner. At Southport Marina, we had our choice of any open dock per the marina. Since they close at 5, we will call in the morning to settle up.

 

     After dinner we watched 2 episodes of Star Trek: Discovery’s (Season 3). It is hard to resist bingeing. They are so good!

~ ~ ~ /) ~ ~   K & P