Sunday, April 3rd

Mile Hammock Bay to Cape Lookout



I'd been hearing explosions from Camp Lejeune through the early morning, so I wondered if the ICW might be closed for traffic. There's a number to call, and I was told there was no problem going through today. It was a sunny day, with a cold brisk NE wind. This meant no sailing, unfortunately.
I had trouble getting the anchor out of the ground, even when I was straight on top of it. I needed to run over it with engine power and then was able to pull it. Sometimes an anchor winch (windlass) would be useful...
I was being very watchful today especially when I passed the spot where I had spent the night aground a week ago. It looked all innocent. A mile further I passed Sanders Creek that on that night I had considered going to to anchor in, and I'm glad I didn't - it was so shallow I'd have been aground again.
In the middle of the Bogue sound I was distractedly fiddling with the autopilot and let my attention be off the chartplotter for a moment - and promptly ran aground again! It wasn't very hard this time, and with the current against me I was able to reverse off the shallows. This is really not as easy as ocean sailing, unless you can concentrate on the chartplotter without a break for 10 hours. I'm glad the Caprice has a strong keel and protected rudder and propeller, else I'd have to worry about whatever damage she might suffer from this. I stopped counting my groundings now.
Before I was approaching the ocean outlet I slowed down for an hour to reach that point at high tide. Best would be a bit after high tide to take advantage of the tidal current, but I didn't want to wait too long to arrive still at daylight.
All went good and I reached my favorite spot at the bottom of the bay just before the sun set. Another sailboat is anchored just north of me, maybe I'll meet them tomorrow. I plan to stay here a day or two and harass the horses again!