Passing Charleston, SC

We really didn't sleep in…up at 08:00, used the marina’s showers (aaahh…unlimited hot water flowing over your body…oh, the simple things in life we take for granted), then enjoyed a hot breakfast ashore. We filled up the water tanks one last time and prepared to get underway. We had 5 miles to reach the Ben Sawyer Swing Bridge for the 12:00 opening (it only opens on the hour every hour), but first we needed to traverse a well known stretch of shoaling. We depart at 11:00 and prepare for the 37 mile day that lay ahead. Through this section of shoaling our guide materials said to stay to starboard (stay on the right side of the channel if going south bound) one whole channel width…it just didn't seem right that the channel shifted so much so we approached cautiously. Sure enough, it was the right thing to do and then we needed to adjust back into the charted channel. There are several warnings of shoaling each day, some are irrelevant for several reasons. You read each one and determine whether its relevant or not, sometimes after passing it. That's part of traversing the ICW these days and that’s why many people like to jump outside (to the ocean) any chance they get.

We reached the Ben Sawyer Swing Bridge at 11:48 and began to hover. The bridge attendant hailed the second sailboat, that was us, “What is the name of your boat and home port?” For whatever reason they are collecting this information at each bridge. Then we wait; at 12:00 the bridge attendant hails all boats and delivers the message that they are having mechanical difficulties and we will be delayed. This is not a big deal but we have 8 miles to reach the next bridge that opens on the hour and half hour...this 10 minute delay caused us to miss the 13:00 opening at the Wappoo Creek Bridge…not a great start when we are pushing to move 37 miles today.

Across the Charleston Harbor, we had to deak

Racers heading out

Charleston Harbor

through several racing boats heading out for a race but found the Charleston City skyline very beautiful. As we reached the city with several

large boats, we turned to port towards the Wappoo Creek Bridge, we hovered a mile down waiting for the 13:30 opening. 

Charleston boating community

While waiting for the bridge to open, a cruise ship 

Wappoo Bridge

approached from behind - for who they opened the bridge 5 minutes early; we went through first. We allowed them to pass and found they were actually moving slower than we were…making our arrival to our destination for this day a little later.

Just finished anchoring in time to catch the sunset

Due to the delays of the day, we changed our anchorage location slightly to accommodate. We dropped anchor at 17:15 as the sun was setting on the horizon….not a great spot, with little wind protection and wide open. The next day's destination wasn't looking attainable since we moved 37 miles today, arrived at 17:15 at sunset and tomorrow we need to leave an hour later due to tide and travel 40 miles. We apprehensively decide to leave at 11:00 (a little closer to low tide) instead of 12:00 to get to Beaufort, SC the next day.