April 22, 2019 Hammock Bay to Beaufort, NC

April 22, 2019

After a restful night sleep  on the anchor under a full bright moon  in Hammock Bay (Camp Lejeune) we were a bit late in pulling anchor and getting underway.  Finally had the anchor secured and we were back on the ICW at 8:45.  There were 11 boats anchored with us and we were the next to last to leave.  Realized we messed up our timing a bit as we approached the Onslow Beach swing bridge which only opens on the half hour and we arrived smack in between  openings so had to idle around for a few minutes.

We then worked our way up and around Swansboro.  There are numerous shoals which encroach on the ICW and despite having a set of  current printed COE Surveys  showing water depths  in these areas we still managed to find some pretty skinny water but luckily no grounding today!

This area is also home to the diminishing shrimping industry.  There's still some working boats but we also have seen several beached and rotting boats. Possibly the result of past hurricane damage, possibly grounded as an unfitting end to a working vessel that just couldn't make it financially.

All along this area and through the stretch  behind Bogue Sound  there are small islands separating  the ICW from  the sound and sometimes the ocean.  It's a long stretch with limited  views of interest but where  you need to keep a constant eye on the charts, current, winds, etc.   It was nice to finally get back into a developed area and see the houses, marinas and high rise bridge of Morehead City.  Our final destination was Beaufort, NC (The Bo-fort one, not the Bue-fort one in SC).  This required an interesting jog south  as if we were heading out the inlet before  making a 180 degree turn  and heading back up a secondary channel.  The outgoing tide had us  shooting outbound  but it took a little extra  RPM's to make headway going back up channel to Beaufort.

We arrived about 2:30  at Beaufort Docks Marina right in the heart of town and did a remarkably good job with stern in docking while a crowd of tourists watched.  The early arrival gave us time to use the marinas courtesy car - a Chevy Lumina that had seen it's best days long ago - for a quick trip to the grocery for some provisioning.  Once that was done a quick walk around town, a stroll through a few stores, and reading the menu boards at the local eateries.  Decided the restaurants were a bit too proud of their food and opted to just dine on board again.

The Beaufort waterfront

As the sun set we took  advantage of some wooden nickles they gave us at the dock office which were good for a free beer at the bar. Great way to end another day!!

Pretty sunsets just never get old

Route taken 4-22-2019