11/9/21 ~ Thunderbolt to Kilkenny, GA

Today:           30.6 miles           5.0 hours           ICW ST Mile: 613
Total:           760.2 miles      206.65 hours

  
Views from Thunderbolt Marina ~

The docks, the debris on the river, a boat on a soft float, and pelican taking off

 

     We were awake around 7 so we figured we’d leave considerably earlier than 9. I walked Bailey as Pete did an engine check. I came back to find Pete grumbling and poking around the engine. The other day, when he cleaned out the sea chest, he cut his arm when closing the through hull valve to the engine. He figured that when the new heat exchanger was installed one of the hose clamps was now in the way. We’ll. . . Pete found out that the mounts to the heat exchanger had broken and the entire unit was sitting on the engine AND the transmission! Thankfully, he found it before it caused problems. He didn’t have the proper size, heavy duty clamps, but did have hose clamps that worked. The question remains: Why? Pete is positive that the vibration is coming from the engine mounts. They have been repeatedly checked and repeatedly reported as still good. Pete spoke to Pedro in Ft Pierce about replacing them this winter.
     Jim, MV TWINS, stopped by as we were preparing to leave. “Twins” refers to his granddaughters, which are with him on this cruise. He told us about his stop on Daufuskie Island, north of the Savannah River. It is an up-and-coming place; vibe is very “Key West.” Locals come to hang out. He helped us away from the dock at 8:40.

Dock house south of the marina

     We were passed by a beautiful Down Eastern power boat. They proceeded to just meander. As we started to pass them, they moved in front of us again. Pete slowed down to let them pass. They then started to head towards a creek to port, but then changed their minds. They then paralleled us on the ICW and then finally accelerated!     It was great cruising in the high 8s with the current on the Skillaway River. We had no problem with Hell’s Gate. We went through at almost high. We are still seeing unusually high tides. Those who know say it will take a few days to return to normal.

  

Georgia's ICW

 
     Kilkenny is 17 miles from Thunderbolt as the crow flies. It is 36 miles as the rivers flow!!! 2.5 hours vs 5+ hours with the ebb and flow of the various currents.

     It was a day for great nature watching:

Eagle pair with their huge nest

Dolphins

 

Eagle Pair, Egrets in the bush, and landing

 
White Pelicans and Brown in flight

  

Fisherman in the high waters

     I walked dog and was awed by the Live Oak next to the office. She is huge. Staff said that “those who know such things suspect the tree is over 450 years old. Can you imagine the history it has been witness to?”

 Magnificent 450 + year old Live Oak Tree

 
Views of Kilkenny Marina

     Pete had to work and there was an important conference call at 4 he had to attend. It was very hard to get and keep a signal. Pete put the MiFi in a dry bag and sent it up the mast. He then went ashore for his conference call. No problem with signal, but plenty of problems with the midges! 

     Once back on board, he checked engine. One of the 2 clamps placed on the heat exchanger already broke after 4.5 hours of use! He put 2 new clamps to join the one still holding. When he can, he will order a lot of extra clamps in the size he needs to hold it in place until Ft Pierce. Unfortunately, it is in a terrible spot to work on. His hands and arms are all scratched.

~ ~ ~ /) ~ ~ K & P