Voyage 2006-2007: Chapter 2

31 Oct 2006, Day 17: Carolina Beach, 34 02.540 N/ 077 53.480 W

The Green Flash was exciting but soon the sun has set, the moon was lighting up the sky and Jule III and Moony were motorsailing (more motor than sail) towards Masonboro Inlet. The night was beautiful. It was clear and not very cold. The watches were easy and Moony kept us company. The moon set at around 0300. Our only worry was that we would arrive at Masonboro Inlet before daybreak. Our worries came true. No matter how much we slowed our ETA was before sunrise. So Jule III and Moony made circles near the sea buoy outside of the Inlet. Over 30 minutes of circles.

At daybreak, the flotilla headed for the inlet. Current and winds were friendly and the passage to the ICW was without incident. Our worries centered around two areas: the Carolina Beach Inlet where it intersects the ICW and the entrance to Carolina Beach anchorage. The former was a real 'delight' as it was dead low tide. Jule III listened to the chatter on the VHF and heard 'Ignore the buoys and hug the beach (to the east). As we were heading for the AOI, we saw a bunch of boats (BoB) stopped in the vicinity of the Inlet. The sailboats were not moving (much). They were aground! We decided to follow the 'chatter' and we survived. Many boats behind us did not. They were aground. What happened to the 12' depths of the ICW. Politics! Anyways, at 0900 we arrived at Mona Black Marina (our home away from home). Moony followed shortly after. We are here for awhile. Life is good!