Oriental, NC to Belhaven, NC
Oriental Marina
Got up around 7AM expecting it to be a reasonable 47 mile day. Boy was I ever going to be wrong.
The weather was cold, like 15° below normal for the day. The sky was overcast with a possibility of light rain, and there was a light breeze. I got in another super-hot shower, and took First Mate Harry out for about a 1/3 mile walk. Got him back to the boat, and headed across the street for a bagel and a chocolate shake, plus a muffin to go.
Back to the boat, and headed out. Found it much easier to leave than I thought. There was some wave action predicted for the day, but I figured nothing I couldn’t handle. Certainly looked okay as I left.
Turned to port (left) out of Oriental and was getting quartered by small waves. When the waves hit at roughly 45° to the boat you take a bit of hammering, but it’s definitely doable. After a bit I was able to turn straight into the waves. That was the beginning of my hobby horse ride.
Shortly after I was in one to three foot waves (no whitecaps) with intervals that were just perfect for slamming the boat. And it only got worse from there…
Roughly an hour later as I crossed the area in yellow on the map below, I was slamming two to five foot waves regularly. The rocking went from hobby horse to true porpoise action. And I am not moving fast at all. Another larger passing vessel was kind enough to radio check on me. I also checked with a tug out there to see if it was any worse but was assured not.
I’d later hit similar, though not as bad in the blue circled area. How bad was it?
I couldn’t even hold the phone for the worst of it, but let’s just say the spray was flying over the boat and onto the back deck. I was definitely thinking I should have waited another day. What little I had on the counter below was scattered across Harry’s bed, and my poor First Mate had to go yet again — wedging himself between my legs and the knee wall of the helm. I was able to get him off the boat in that first stretch where the red line goes thru the green land. I don’t think he liked the earlier ride at all, either. Can’t say I blame him.
Anyway, I picked up the pace everywhere possible to not get stuck out for 9-10 hours in this crap weather. Made it into Belhaven about 3:15pm. The entire day I had only seen 3 other boats out there besides the tugboat.
It was a tiring ride. Boat performed as expected.
Belhaven, NC
This is a small marina in a protected cove. It’s nothing special. I was told to try to avoid it but after “the worst marina” several days ago, I was prepared for anything.
The marina is really about a 3 boat wide channel. Everyone docks up to one of the sides, plus there is an outside wall on the other side of a spit of land. An elevated double-wide for an office, two bathrooms , a laundry and fuel tanks. I think it’s for sale.
Town by the marina looks like one of those small town America places where not much happens and several storefronts are closed. I guess there’s more “town” by the local highway a mile away.
What began as a cold day with a very rough ride, ended on a much nicer note with a lovely sunset.
Tonight will be the first time I pay for power in a marina. With a predicted low of 40°, I thought we both could use a little heat all night.
Tomorrow is predicted a beautiful day, so I’m off to Alligator Marina.
Jeez. No wonder you were tired. Lifejackets time guys. Hope it's a safer & smoother ride today.
more great stories! Stay safe buddy!