After exploring Fernandina Beach and Cumberland Island, it was time to weigh the anchor and move on.
The windlass, the electric motor that raises and lowers the anchor, could only be controlled from the helm. The bow control, which is normally used, wasn’t working.
Normally, a boat lies directly downwind from the anchor with a long length chain connecting the two in a straight line. But with tidal currents shifting 180º every six hours or so, and often overpowering wind blowing in the opposite direction, the chain zig-zagged along the ocean floor. So, in order to raise the anchor we needed to power the boat through an obstacle course, in an attempt to keep the chain in front of us and under minimal tension. Normally Sandy drives the boat, while Dan stands on the bow controlling the anchor chain as it comes up, and providing Sandy with instructions to go forward, stop, turn, etc. Without a working windlass control, Sandy had to operate it from the helm, in addition to driving the boat. Nobody told us you needed four hands to sail! Anyway, we got the anchor up successfully and have since repaired the forward windlass control.
After a relatively short 40 NM sail up the coast, we entered the St. Simons Sound, an inlet between Jekyll Island and St. Simons Island. We navigated about 6 NM inland to Brunswick, Georgia, a quiet port town.
We enjoyed being at a dock after several days “on the hook”. Across the street from the marina is Reid’s Apothecary, a local restaurant serving a delicious Sunday dinner including a main course, three sides and dessert, all for $13.95!
Monday was spent doing repairs and laundry. We then joined the other boaters for a happy hour that the marina sponsors several days a week. This one featured a trivia competition, which we didn’t win. Who knew the average person consumes 50 rolls of toilet paper per year???
On Tuesday, we drove to Savannah, Georgia for sightseeing (and to pick up a part for Fregata’s generator, which sprung an oil leak).
Savannah is a beautiful, historical town on the Savannah River. It features 24 parks, one of which was designed by Frederick Olmstead, who also designed Central Park in New York. There’s a Victorian neighborhood and a cobblestone river walk. We also visited the Prohibition Museum, covering a rather strange time in US history that’s not so different than what we’re expiencing now.
We learned that the cotton gin was invented in Savannah, although by Bostonian, Eli Whitney. This enabled the cotton industry to scale up and become profitable, but gave rise to an increased need for labor. The South’s dependence on slave labor to harvest cotton was one of the drivers of the Civil War. Wonder if old Eli knew what he was getting the country into.
Savannah is also home to one of the oldest synagogues in the USA, opened in 1735, and which is listed in the National Registry of Historic Places.
On Wednesday, we did more boat maintenance, joined the marina crowd for another happy hour, and had an early night to get ready for our morning departure northward.
9 Responses
Good to hear from you and glad you have revived your Blog. Summer has finally arrived in Rochester and boating season officially starts this weekend. It sounds like the old adage is true that the more mechanical stuff you have on your boat, the more that can go wrong. Fortunately, you have the skills to maintain and repair all that stuff. Let us know when you will be in Rochester next.
Hi Moby, Nice to hear from you and that the season is finally starting in Rochester. The adage is right. I’ll probably post the full list of things that needed to be addressed. As far as skills are concerned, I’ve aquired a few, but I definitely called in help on quite a few of the issues, not having experienced certain technologies before, such as hydraulics. Enjoy the season, win lots of races, teach lots of students! If you’re near the East Coast, let us know. I believe you said you and Caroline would be in Nantucket later this summer.
Underway!!
What an adventure!
Are you getting favorable winds to sail north with much?
All is well in CE. Very green with warm days and frequent rain.
Thanks for the virtual adventure.
Thanks for your comment, Pete & Carol. The prevailing winds are favorable, out of the South. We’ve been doing a lot of motor sailing to cover the distances and to time things so that we use the tides favorably. Keep an eye on the ‘hood for us. See you soon.
Thank you for the update.
Did not realize how busy the winter was for you folks.
Keep the blog coming.
Note: Spent several winters golfing at Amelia Island Plantation with friends from RG&E.
Spent several times is Savanah, Ga. visiting our granddaughter and her husband.
Have fun. Be safe.
Thanks for your comment, David. I can see why you spent time on Amelia Island! It’s nice and different than “mainstream” Florida.
Love seeing all your photos and you Sandra…you look so happy
Lovely to read your sailing logg, Savanneh looked beutiful
Enjoy your next leg
Best to you both 🌞
Another fantastic adventure! Thanks for sharing and for the great pictures!
Thanks, George and welcome aboard! It’s not an Airstream, but it gets us from A to B.