Wahoo River (Anchored)

October 9, 2014
31 35 677 N
81 12 373 W

Our plans for today were dictated by "Hell Gate". This is a narrow and shallow passage in the Ossabaw Sound that we needed to pass through safely. Shame on the Georgia and Federal Governments for not maintaining this passage. We use a "crowd sourced" website for boating information called "Active Captain", and reports in Active Captain indicated that the water in this passage could be as little as 30" inches at low tide. We need a raw minimum of 54" to 57" plus a safety factor. The tidal range in this area is about 9' to 10' so we decided that to be safe we needed at least 50% tide to attempt the passage. (The extra safety factor needed because we would be passing on an ebb tide - the worst time to run aground.)

The tide started to ebb in Savannah at about 10 AM but we decided to leave at 7:30 AM and fight the last of the flood in order to arrive at Hell Gate with plenty of water. We arrived at hell gate right on time and passed through with no less than 6' under our keel - indicating overall depth of about 10.5'. So much for "crowd sourcing"!

Leaving the river front this morning

Our only neighbor in the marsh

We are now anchored - in complete isolation. The marsh stretches out in every direction, with just a few "hammocks" of tree-islands scattered around. The sun is setting, the wind is getting up a bit and whistling thru the boats aerials and insect screens. It is just amazing that in this country of 350 million people that such wild places can still be found, and I love it. We could probably nose our way a bit further into the marsh and no-one could find us for months. A contradiction to all this isolation is that we can still get internet access and satellite TV! The tide is changing and the boat is moving - time to check the plotter.

Savannah (City Docks)

Tuesday, October 7, 2014
32 04 889 N
81 05 361 W

Up early today so we could catch the tide up the Savannah River. Savannah is a busy port and traffic on the river was quite amazing - we passed (or were passed by) 4 huge container ships in one hour period.

Seems to be headed this way!

At the ready

In the USA we drive on the right side

After a bit of confusion we found the City Docks and secured Tide Hiker. We are the only boat on 300' of riverside floating dock. We are in the epicenter of the tourist area, alongside River Road.

Tide Hiker docked on River Road (You can see she is a chick magnet!)

We tidied up the boat and headed ashore. These days when we visit a "large city" we head for the tourist welcome center and take a ride on "Lolly The Trolley".

First on board!

The tour lasted a good couple of hours and we learned all about Savannah. Most of this I forgot immediately, except:

1. "Jingle Bells" was penned here

2. Savannah sees over 12 million tourists per year. Wow!

Back to the boat for lunch and a read.

This giant lady passed by as we were eating lunch

Wednesday October 8, 2014

The big ships passing our door continue to amaze me.

We looked this one up - 108,000 tons!

This morning Deidre headed off to tour a couple of the historical homes, and I headed out to explore the city on my bike. It was another perfect weather day. Throughout the summer and on weekends other times of the year a "tram" provides transport for tourists along River Street. I found it in its shed and immediately recognized it as a Melbourne tram! Back at the boat this afternoon I Google'd it.

"To provide streetcar service a 1930s-era W5-class streetcar (#756), originally from Melbourne, Australia, was purchased by the city for about $207,000 "

We visited our favorite "tea house" for lunch. Very pukka! In the photo if you look closely you can see my pinky finger in the proper position. They even had scones and jam and cream.

Deidre's two houses:

Wright River (Anchored)

Monday October 6, 2014
32 05 889 N
80 56 387 W

Took it easy this morning as we were waiting for the tide to take us down the Beaufort River. Only expecting a short 35 NM day, planning to anchor in the Wright River tonight.  The anchorage is only be about 10 NM from Savannah, and we will catch the end of the flood tide to ride up the Savannah river in the morning. The weather was perfect all day and we expected a calm night.

Arrived at the anchorage at about 3:30 PM and dropped anchor, but we could not make it set so repeated the process. Second time was a charm - or so it seemed. There was a lot of current and it would change a couple of times while we were there so the anchor needed to be well set. Quiet night, not even a crab boat.

Beaufort - Mooring Ball

Friday October 3, 2014
32 25 801 N
80 40 584 W

The diesel mechanic turned up right on time at about 9:30 AM. Nice old guy. He load tested the starting battery and immediately concluded that it was the problem. The voltage was OK, but it failed under load. We removed the battery, loaded it into his truck, and he was back in about 15 minutes with the replacement. By 10:30 AM the new battery was in place and he was gone. It was that simple. I was pleased with the service but somewhat bummed about the old battery - it was only 18 months old but was only guaranteed for 12 months!

The DeFevers, Tide Hiker in the middle

So we disconnected from the dock and headed across the river to the City Marina where we took a mooring ball. This weekend is "Shrimp Festival" in Beaufort and we planned to dinghy into town to partake in the festivities. But the weather did not co-operate so we spent a pleasant afternoon on the boat in the rain. Tomorrow is another day.

Saturday October 4, 2014

Beaufort, SC is an attractive and historical town. The area has a long history of being contested by the Indians, the Spanish, the French, the British as well as being involved in the war of Independence and the Civil war. It is located about 15 miles inland up the Beaufort River from the Atlantic that made it a natural port. In the 1700's and the 1800's the slave based rice and cotton industries made plenty of fortunes and this is still evidenced by the bounty of mansions still standing.

View of the marina and the "Shrimp Festival" on shore

The weather Saturday morning was bright and clear so we launched the dink and headed to town. The dink motor is starting OK, but does not want to idle, and needs a good run would help "clear its throat". We made it to the dinghy dock OK.

There was a good crowd at the fair on the waterfront and the adjacent Main Street was bustling with a real holiday atmosphere. Deidre has a bunch of Xmas presents to buy so treated all the stalls as a buying opportunity. There was lots of "Carnival food" available but we opted for an outside restaurant on Main Street for lunch. Shrimp of course. We bought a newspaper and headed back to Tide Hiker.

Sunday October 5, 2014

Another perfect morning. We headed into shore for breakfast, and a Sunday paper, my favorite reading & eating activity. (Although the news on the front page did not help much.) After breakfast we headed off for a walking tour around the shaded streets. Many of the streets are lined with very old and huge Live Oaks which in turn are draped with Spanish Moss. Really very delightful.

So many houses ...

At the dinghy dock

Live Oak overhanging the street

Lady Island Marina, Beaufort, SC

Thursday October 2, 2014
32 25 183 N
80 39 461 W

The port engine did not want to start again this morning. The engine only needs about 1 rotation to fire, but this morning it would only crank about 1/2 a turn. I do not think it is the battery. Each engine has a dedicated 4D battery with 1,050 cranking amps. I  had previously checked the battery and it seemed fine - 12.8 V at rest - and it is less than 2 years old. We have the ability to push a button and "jump" both starting batteries, and that started the engine. But not "enthusiastically". So once we got underway I made some calls and decided to stop at this marina in Beaufort and hire a diesel mechanic to look at the system. We are now secure at the marina and the mechanic will be here in the morning.

Other than the issue with the port engine, the day was pretty perfect. We arrived at the marina to find another DeFever and another arrived an hour or so later - a mini rendezvous. There is a group headed to a local restaurant for "pork chop night" but Deidre has been cooking spaghetti sauce in the crock pot all day so we are staying put. There is a good exchange library here, so I am off to get some new reading material.

A fleet of DeFevers (Tide Hiker in the middle)

Toogoodoo Creek

October 1, 2014

32 39 678 N

80 16 416 W

We delayed our departure until 11 AM to catch the tide. We only planned a 35 NM day so there was no rush. It was a beautiful calm and sunny morning, and stayed that way for most of the day. Our target was Toogoodoo Creek and we arrived about 4 PM and the anchor was set by 4:30 PM. It is a very peaceful and isolated spot deep in the marsh. Tide Hiker ran well, there were only a couple of minor issues that I can sort out. Deidre made roast chicken dinner and TV reception was pretty good. When we went to bed we could hear the dolphins feeding around us in the dark. Tomorrow we head for Beaufort, SC where we will stay a few days on a ball and enjoy the town. We have 15 days to make it to Florida so "What's the hurry?"

Elliot Cut

This is a photo of "Elliot Cut" and in our mind represents the spot where we "leave" Charleston.

Bald eagle

Thinking about getting ready to leave....

Friday September 12, 2014

We have been back from Australia exactly 4 weeks. The "worst" seems to be over. The house at 21YH is 99% ready to rent and is now being advertised. There are a bunch of "projects" needing attention on Tide Hiker, but we seem to have found a capable helper and so far he seems great and we are making progress. (His name is John Davy.) We have paid for the slip thru September 30 and are determined to get moving on or before that date, weather permitting. I have actually been looking at charts!

The biggest issue on TH is that the depth finder has stopped working. No clue why, it happened while we were in Australia. Charleston is a boating town, but it is hard to find technical help. I spent a good hour on the phone with Furuno today without success. We literally cannot move without a depth finder, so that must be resolved.

One of the other "big issues" is that the solar panel system keeps blowing fuses.  Today I ordered a new marine toilet for the second bathroom. Yesterday we removed the aft deck canvas cover, cleaned it and took it to a canvas place to be repaired (It was damaged in Marsh Harbor.) The anchor light is now working. We are making progress......

Saturday September 13, 2014

Popped over to see Kylie and the kid this morning. Back at the house I swapped out the old hinges of the front and back doors and re-installed the cabinet doors in the bar area (They came back from the painters yesterday.) Deidre cut the lawn and I attempted another re-seed. Very hot and humid day. Got all dressed up (clean shorts!) and went to see the Charleston version of the "Boston Pops" orchestra. We had great seats and Deidre thoroughly enjoyed the show.

Not much action on either house as yet.

Sunday September 14, 2014

Launched the dinghy this morning so I could change the oil and generally check it out, and so Deidre and I could take it for a ride. Since we are tied up "Starboard to" we had to move Tide Hiker away from the dock to make room. All went well except that the motor would not start. After many tries we took the motor off and loaded it into the trunk of the rental. All very hot and sweaty. I think I have put my back "out".

Monday September 15, 2014

Took the outboard to Gene. He needed a fuel line so I dismantled the one on the dinghy, only to discover that the whole filter assembly had rusted out and was leaking gasoline. Worked at 21 YH for a few hours, mostly in the yard. John arrived about 5 PM and worked on replacing the emergency hand operated bilge pump with a big electric bilge pump midships.

Tuesday September 16, 2014

Huge rainstorms today resulting in local flooding. The dinghy just about sank from rainwater. I did a couple of "last jobs" at the house. We picked up the aft deck canvas from the repair place. John finished installing the new big bilge pump, the generator oil pump and tightened the Bimini top lacing. Its still raining.







Wednesday September 17, 2014
We attempted to install the aft canvas - it's on, but not 100%. The new "head" arrived. Still doing odd jobs at 21 - installed a new Venetian blind, repaired the shower water controls, installed the last cabinet door in the bar area. Dinner out with Swede Dream

Thursday September 18, 2014
John started on installing the new head. Gene brought the motor back and we put it back on the dinghy and I reassembled the fuel filter and fuel lines. Its starts and runs, but not 100%. Invited to dinner on Bellaire by Stan and Nancy - very pleasant evening.

Friday September 19, 2014
Kylie and Mason visited for a few hours this morning. He is a darling. I changed the oil and filters in both generators. John started on the varnish. The Furuno technician actually turned up and promised to be back on Monday.

Saturday September 20, 2014
Deidre and I managed to clean up the aft deck. Went to the "Scottish Games" for the day at Boone Hall (a local and very impressive historical plantation complex.) Fun day, but my back is really acting up. No varnish today, raining on and off.

Sunday September 21, 2014
Breakfast with the kids. Spent the afternoon in downtown wandering around the College of Charleston. John  put on 3 coats of varnish, one every 3 hours from 9 AM till dusk.

Monday September 22, 2014
The Furuno man actually turned up and worked for 4 hours on the system. The conclusion was that the transducer in the hull was bad. Then he and then we tried to get it out. No dice, so I called a diver who tapped it with a hammer under the hull, and out it came. Now we have to wait for parts.

I have taken back the solar panel problem with the vendor. Have made contact and exchanged a few emails but no diagnosis. Was a sunny day but a big cool change came thru at about dinner time.

Tuesday September 23, 2014
Pouring with rain this morning and cooler again. We spent a quiet day in the boat. Kylie, Ryan and Mason came for birthday dinner. (Curried chicken, Tony Peach recipe.) Slept with a blanket for the first time in many moons. Nice.

Wednesday September 24, 2014
The HVAC man came today. He got the stateroom system going again but seemed to think the problem would recur :(

John came about 3PM and found a "poor" connector in the Solar wiring, that showed signs of overheating, and that just might be the source of the thermal breaker issue. He will repair that tomorrow and we will restart the system. My lack of electrical knowledge is increasingly apparent.

Thursday September 25, 2014

Big day today. The Electronics guy turned up at about 11AM with all the new "pieces-parts". The new transducer slid easily into the thru-hull fitting and was connected - we immediately got a reading! :) I was a happy camper. I had ordered a "less expensive" back up depth finder system and he installed that and it worked, Phillip was off the boat by 3PM. We can now cruise.

John arrived at about 4 PM and first job was to replace the lug on the solar thermal breaker connection.

Friday September 26, 2014

Off to the beach

Look at the water!

Let's give that a try

What fun!

Saturday September 27, 2014

Enough sun today for John to apply one coat of varnish. A few hours or so later it was raining again. Went out to a movie and dinner with Mark & Donna.

Sunday September 28, 2014
Still raining on and off. Scrubbed the lower decks and lazarette this morning. It is hard to keep them clean. Spent the afternoon at "The Creek" with the Taylor family - very nice. Took a few photos.

Monday September 29, 2014

Dinner on "Swede Dreams" with hosts Charlotte and Magnus. Charlotte is happy as she won at cards.










Tuesday September 30, 2014

After 24 days of rain, the sun is shining! The insurance company has given us permission to enter Florida after October 15 ( a month earlier) so we are heading SOUTH. We met Kylie and Mason for breakfast, returned the rental and spent the rest of the day attending to last minute jobs and loose ends. Tide Hiker seems to be in great shape - here is the Project List:

   

1.   Oil change pump issue

2.       Depth gauge – Furuno

3.       New depth gauge

4.       Anchor Light

5.       Electro-scan blockage

6.       Tank tender issue (Maybe still an issue)

7.       Bilge pump float switch (On hand)

8.       Re-bed crane post

9.       Install hi capacity bilge pump

10.   Install 12V outlet in v berth

11.   Canvas: Back flap, fly bridge

12.   Canvas: Dinghy cover

13.   Canvas: Tear on aft deck overhead shade cover

14.   Dinghy winch lube

15.   ER: Big gen oil change

16.   ER: Clean up

17.   ER: Main Engine oil change

18.   Fly Bridge  roof lacing  (needs tightening)

19.   Fly bridge roof leaks

20.   Toilet – new (ordered)

21.   Outside: Varnish rails

22.   Outside: Wash, wax and polish (Brent Wood 843 991 1495)

23.   Replace mifi wires

24.   Solar panel breaker issue

25.   New water maker pump

26.   Outboard – flush

27.   Outboard – change oil

28.   12V outlet in vee berth