Our plan was to catch the last of the ebb flow to where the St Marys River enters the sound and the start of the flood to help us on our way to the Fernandina Beach anchorage. Somehow the current rarely coincides with the chart plotter predictions, and this was no exception. We had a nice boost to the river's entrance which we knew meant we wouldn't get any help the last couple of miles. We ran out the jib which added more speed, and needed to be shook out, having gotten tightly furled in the strong wind Wednesday afternoon.
The town mooring field looked full, which was fine with us since the mooring balls tend to bump on the hull when the current switches, usually in the middle of the night. We set the anchor and settled in for the night. We'll dinghy ashore for a walk Sunday to check out the town. With hot water, thanks to the engine, hot showers to rinse off the salt were a treat. The wind eased back, and tucked alongside the marsh, we had a pleasant, quiet night. Monday we'll head to Tiger Point Marina, within sight at high tide, to be hauled sometime Tuesday.
11/29/15
Fernandina Beach Anchorage
Sunday afternoon we dinghied ashore in the afternoon. stopping in at the Visitor's Center before going for a walk. We started out for a walk to the light house, but changed our minds, ending up at the first bridge at the Egan's Creek Greenway. Amazingly, it wasn't that long of a walk from town. When Leonard checked the distances from town, it was a good 1/2 mile less than it would have been from Tiger Point Marina. As he also pointed out, we had our first 'hill' in a long time, thanks to the dunes that exist between the ICW and the Atlantic. Not much by Vermont standards, but still uphill.
Captain Bill said we'd be hauled at slack water, about 1300 on Tuesday. With the haul out slip perpendicular to the current, which really runs, it's much easier to accomplish at slack water. Shortly after we arrived, they launched a Hylas 47, and left it in the slings while the owner made sure he had forward gear. Apparently he'd had problems with a feathering prop, only being able to run at 1000 rpm, no where near enough to motor through any current. Not being able to diagnose the problem, they'd installed his spare 3 bladed prop. Seems there's always something that needs factory service which is why most folks carry spares. We chatted with the owner - it wasn't a Maxi Prop, but something similar that would best be 'fixed' at the factory. They planned on heading out at high tide on Tuesday.
A 56' yacht was also launched later, at low tide. One prop
looked suspiciously either brand new, or refurbished.
Apparently they'd run afoul of something in the ICW during the
recent windy weather. The vessel appeared close to being
the maximum weight for the travel lift given the creaking sounds
as it headed for the slip. With no transient slips open,
we watched as they turned and headed for the ICW.
Around 1700, we went for a walk through Old Town Fernandina and the Bosque Bello Cemetery by the marina. Old Town, the last Spanish platted town in the western hemisphere (according to the sign), is situated next to the large box/cardboard manufacturing plant, and has been slow to develop over the years we've been stopping here. This year the city was extending the water line through the development, which meant the water would be shut off from 0930 - 1530 on Tuesday. This meant the bathrooms would be closed, not exactly what we wanted to hear having just emptied the holding tank for storing the boat. This would be the 2nd year running that the water was shut off for a day during our stay - last year, a garbage truck broke the line by the marina.
By Tuesday afternoon, we were tucked in a cradle on shore until
our return in February. All we needed to do was prep the
boat for leaving it for 2+ months. Given our experience
with fog and damp weather last year, Tuesday's fog gave us fair
warning. Far better to do what we could to prevent mildew
than arrive to find it everywhere when we return. Not sure
if prevention will be the cure, but everything will be wiped
down before we leave and we'll use some kind of anti mildew
treatment - a few nice sunny days would help, but that not in
the forecast. Another cold front passed through Wednesday
afternoon, continuing the clouds and showers. Another
period of strong NE winds is forecast to arrive in time for the
weekend.
The next few days will be busy getting the boat ready to leave before we depart Friday afternoon for Vermont. We're hoping to have time for some fun if the weather cooperates and the chores are done.
Sunday afternoon we dinghied ashore in the afternoon. stopping in at the Visitor's Center before going for a walk. We started out for a walk to the light house, but changed our minds, ending up at the first bridge at the Egan's Creek Greenway. Amazingly, it wasn't that long of a walk from town. When Leonard checked the distances from town, it was a good 1/2 mile less than it would have been from Tiger Point Marina. As he also pointed out, we had our first 'hill' in a long time, thanks to the dunes that exist between the ICW and the Atlantic. Not much by Vermont standards, but still uphill.
 |
| An anhinga drying it's feathers at Egan's Green Greenway |
 |
| Sunset at the Fernandina Beach Anchorage |
11/30/15 - 12/3/15 To 20
41.541N, 81 27.241W Tiger Point
Marina 2.2NM
Monday morning we waited until 1139, just
before slack water, before going to the city marina for a
pump out and heading up Egan's Creek to Tiger Point Marina
where we'll store the boat until February. We'd been
told we'd have our choice of slips on either side of the
hoist slip, and chose the E side since the dock space was a
bit longer. Tiger Point, being a working shipyard,
only has 2 transient slips which are normally occupied by
boats either arriving or departing. Once tied up, and
checked in, we started the process for getting hauled which
involves things like removing sails, a job much easier
accomplished at dock level than up in a cradle.
Captain Bill said we'd be hauled at slack water, about 1300 on Tuesday. With the haul out slip perpendicular to the current, which really runs, it's much easier to accomplish at slack water. Shortly after we arrived, they launched a Hylas 47, and left it in the slings while the owner made sure he had forward gear. Apparently he'd had problems with a feathering prop, only being able to run at 1000 rpm, no where near enough to motor through any current. Not being able to diagnose the problem, they'd installed his spare 3 bladed prop. Seems there's always something that needs factory service which is why most folks carry spares. We chatted with the owner - it wasn't a Maxi Prop, but something similar that would best be 'fixed' at the factory. They planned on heading out at high tide on Tuesday.
 |
A 56' yacht filling the travel lift. Note the starboard prop is much shinier than the port prop
|
Around 1700, we went for a walk through Old Town Fernandina and the Bosque Bello Cemetery by the marina. Old Town, the last Spanish platted town in the western hemisphere (according to the sign), is situated next to the large box/cardboard manufacturing plant, and has been slow to develop over the years we've been stopping here. This year the city was extending the water line through the development, which meant the water would be shut off from 0930 - 1530 on Tuesday. This meant the bathrooms would be closed, not exactly what we wanted to hear having just emptied the holding tank for storing the boat. This would be the 2nd year running that the water was shut off for a day during our stay - last year, a garbage truck broke the line by the marina.
 |
Sunset at Old Town Fernandina Beach
|
The next few days will be busy getting the boat ready to leave before we depart Friday afternoon for Vermont. We're hoping to have time for some fun if the weather cooperates and the chores are done.
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