Friday, 9/25/15 - Wind, rain & sloooow going to Pungo
 |
You know it's not good when Jim wears his glasses to see
channel markers AND crab pots. Notice the moving
windshield wiper! |
As forecast, the weather was not so good. With a total of 80 miles to get to a yard who could lift Samba for prop swapping, we left as soon as we could see the Alligator River markers. Unfortunately, we could only go 6 knots before the boat began shaking with the unbalanced props. Even at our 6 knot idle speed, we could hear and feel the props. We just hoped the whopping didn't damage any of our running gear! The guy at the boatyard is actually a Boat US towboat operator and offered to tow us. We decided to gently move Samba along & take our time.
 |
In addition to rain, wind & fog, there were hundreds, no, actually
thousands of these little guys. Talk about a mine field!!!
If you get 1 tangled on a prop, it could do some serious damage
and be difficult to remove. |
 |
Fortunately, the swing bridge over the Alligator River opened
for us. |
 |
Saturday, the wind was so strong that the swing bridge couldn't
open at all. Any boats underway had to turn back!
|
Not knowing for sure how far we would get this day, we found what appeared to be 3 protected anchorages at the headwaters for the Alligator River. Now it was decision time. We reached the anchorages at 3:00pm and either had to stop or go all the way through the 20 mile Pungo/Alligator canal. Once we started through the canal, there would not be any good place to stop or put the anchor down. At 6 knots, we hoped we could get through in 3 to 4 hours. However, it was still raining, blowing and foggy. Not good weather for travelling!!!!!!
 |
| The entrance to the Alligator/Pungo River canal |
We decided to make a run for it. There appeared to be a couple of decent anchorages at the end of the canal and as long as it was a little light, we hoped we could secure the anchor.
 |
Where the Pungo/Alligator canal enters the Alligator River.
It was only 2 to 3 feet deep on either side of us as we entered the narrow canal! |
 |
The Pungo/Alligator canal was much more dismal than
the dismal swamp. What a lovely day! (just kidding) |
 |
| Our anchorage at the head of the Pungo River |
Phew. We made it!!!! 66 miles & 11.5 hours!
The anchor was down by 6:30 pm in a decent, protected area. Though the wind was blowing like crazy, we were able to anchor off of a leeward shore so the water was calm. Though only 8 feet deep, we put out 120' of heavy chain due to the increasing winds later that night.
Times like this, you really understand the significance to the words of the hymn, "The Anchor Holds".
