Up the intercoastalwe go

[jerryaxler]

Curious to know the average miles per day and the hours per day that you are traveling.
I've only done short portions of the ICW, I've mainly traveled offshore in that area.

[MFC]

I did anywhere between 30 and 60 miles a day. To get the higher daily runs, you need to leave early, run until dusk and be willing to anchor in places where there isn't anything (no services or even a place to get off the boat). We only ran past dark for a bit one night on the waterway -- and one evening on the Chesapeake -- both were adventures. Overall, I'd say we averaged 40-45 per day which considering the bridges which don't open after dark and the places where you simply can't stop (so must end the day short of) was pretty good.

Jerry - we went offshore for 3 jumps for those very reasons and made one 150 mile run another of @70 and one of 50+. The 150mi offshore to us past the entire state of GA in one overnight run from St Augustine.

I am with those enjoying the reports -- keep 'em coming!

Matt

[darmoose]

You can't stop it, you can't wish it away.

Tonite Mystic Rose sits in Charleston City Marina awaiting a doctors appt with a mechanic on Monday. We had made it 30 miles north of Charleston when Thursday night I discovered oil in the engine pan, lots of oil.

Even tho her engine is relatively new, the idiots who did the installation mounted the oil pressure sensor on a stem about 4-5 inches long on the port side of the engine, and apparently the vibration of normal running cracked the 1/4" nipple everything was mounted on. I tried to no avail to fix it, but could not get it to not leak, so after a five hour tow, here we sit waiting for a mechanic on Monday which will no doubt stretch while waiting for parts into Tuesday or Wednesday.

Which leads me to a question for this mighty board.......

If I am gonna have it fixed, it is suggested that I run a high pressure hose from the engine over to the bulkhead and firmly mount the sensor there to eliminate any vibration problem, what think Ye?????

The other suggestion I am hearing is forget the sensor, just put a plug in it, fill it with oil and go. You don't really need the sensor. Just check the oil frequently and wait til we get her to the new marina to worry about it. This idea is something I can do myself and get us outa here by Monday morning. What think Ye about this???

Anyway, this boating sure is fun??

We are trying to make the best of it and enjoy Charleston since we are stuck here.

Over and out

Darrell

[Russell]

I wouldnt want to run my engine without a pressure sensor and alarm. I would repair it and make sure its a solid repair.

[Zeida]

I wonder where do I have the oil pressure sensor on my CD-33? Is this the gage that measures if the engine overheats? Do I have an oil pressure sensor? This is the first time I hear of this sensor. up to now I have not been aware of this. i better read the engine manual. But if I were Mystic Rose, I would go on without it and fix it once I get to the final destination. Just keep on checking the oil to see if it needs more, and just sail on. But maybe I am very wrong. In any case, good luck Monday. Maybe it is a simple thing to replace and the part is readily available somewhere locally. Darned 1/4" nipples! they always break.

[Russell]

I wonder where do I have the oil pressure sensor on my CD-33? Is this the gage that measures if the engine overheats? Do I have an oil pressure sensor? This is the first time I hear of this sensor. up to now I have not been aware of this. i better read the engine manual. But if I were Mystic Rose, I would go on without it and fix it once I get to the final destination. Just keep on checking the oil to see if it needs more, and just sail on. But maybe I am very wrong. In any case, good luck Monday. Maybe it is a simple thing to replace and the part is readily available somewhere locally. Darned 1/4" nipples! they always break.

You can have a sensor without a guage. I did not bother installing a pressure gauge with my new engine, but I certainly have the alarm.

[darmoose]

You no doubt have a sensor on your engine, and it probably works with only a idiot light and alarm which goes off if your oil pressure gets too low. The only thing you don't have is a pressure gage on your panel which allows you to see the oil pressure at all times. It is like a security blanket.

I think I have decided to wait and have it fixed properly, even tho i would dearly love to get outta here, it is just too much to risk to not have even a light or an alarm. This engine cost me alot of boat units.

So we will continue to enjoy Charleston for a little while more. Someone asked about mileage per day and we have been making 60 0r so on average, but yes, we have anchored in some very remote places overnite which is part of the fun if you dont have to be too close to civilization.

Most of the time this trip has been very enjoyable cruising the waterway seeing beautiful scrnery, very pictureesque wildlife, beautiful homes along the water and nice little towns and marinas to visit. There are pitfalls and weather can make all the difference. Over the past 16 days we have had maybe 3 rough weather days with heavy winds (20 to 30 knots or so) only one rain day, otherwise sunshine and calm winds.

Life on the boat takes some getting used to, as I am sure folks like Russell can attest to. I didn't sleep very well in the beginning, but lately i am sleeping pretty good. Janet has taken to it very well, and displays an even calmer attitude the I, she cooks good meals and sees the the captain is comfortable as possible and doesn't lose his cool too often.

Anyway, I suppose we will be allright once we get going again and I will kepp you all updated. I am glad someone is enjoying hearing about the intercoastal waterway and our trip. I know it ain't like sailing the seven seas, but it does have its moments.

So long for now

Darrell

[Klem]

darmoose,

What model engine do you have? There are an awful lot of people running around without oil pressure gauges or a working light/buzzer. It is very rare for a diesel engine to loose oil pressure so a lot of people feel that it isn't worth the trouble. The two ways to loose oil pressure are to run out of oil or for the pump to go bad both of which are very unlikely. The reason that a lot of people prefer an idiot light/buzzer is that if you don't shut the engine down immediately, you will destroy it and most people are not diligent enough about watching gauges. Ideally, you would have a gauge and a buzzer.

If it were me and I was under time pressure, I would keep going without the sender but it is up to you as to whether you want to risk your money doing that. I have run several engines without a working sender for a few weeks before getting around to replacing them.

[darmoose]

and we will be moving on (hooo-ray). Glad we waited for the mechanic and got the proper fix. He was on the boat by 9am, we discussed the problem and the possible solutions, and he went to work.. By shortly after noon we were completed and tested and all is well again.

We went with the hydraulic high pressure hose coming off the engine and the pressure switch mounted on the bulkhead. No vibrations whatsoever.

Spent the rest of the day provisioning in Charleston and filling the water tanks, getting the fuel cans topped up and generally organizing to get off early in the morning.

Tomorrow we will try to make it to Georgetown SC (about 70 miles), and from there its on to Myrtle Beach SC.

Wish us luck!!

Goodnite (gotta get some rest)

Darrell

[Ron M.]

Darrell, I'm going to check out that situation an my d1-20. so far no issues. I had a real good time in Charleston last fall sailing south to Fl. As you head north, if you have a chance stop in Wrightsville Beach and have breakfast at The Causeway Diner. It's a short walk from the marina and they put out an excellent meal. Enjoy your journey.
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[darmoose]

Yeah, check it out on your engine. I'd be interested in knowing how it was done on yours. Mine was mounted on a stem, and probably cause i got the pressure switch and an alarm (maybe even a shut down, not sure) so they had to use a tee to mount everything, but they should have used a hose and mounted the switch on the bulkhead. This was a great fix, no more vibrations.

Today we had a hell of a ride, moving generally NE with stiff winds out of the NW we made 6.5 to 7.5 knots all day, did 68 miles in 9.5 hours.

Tonite we are docked at a tiny little marina in Georgetown that doubles as some kind of industrial or commersial boat yard. Its got the railroad tracks going into the water and lots of fishing boat and tug boats around. Not the prettiest place, but cheap and safe and a close walk into town where we had a great seafood dinner.

Tomorrow we cruise thru Myrtle Beach and all the golf plantations, and we will likely reach the NC border. We are getting very close to the Chesapeake Bay ( I can just smell the crabs and old bay)

Time to hit the sack, very quiet here, I will sleep well tonite.

Goo nite all

Darrell

[Russell]

Tonite we are docked at a tiny little marina in Georgetown that doubles as some kind of industrial or commersial boat yard. Its got the railroad tracks going into the water and lots of fishing boat and tug boats around. Not the prettiest place, but cheap and safe and a close walk into town where we had a great seafood dinner.

The railroad tracks are what is aptly called a "marine railway". Before travel lifts that was the way hauling was done, and in much of the world it is still the way its done. Even in the US it is often the case that Catamarans have to resort to using them.

I loved Georgetown the one time I stopped there, cool little town. I think its often overlooked due to its bigger neighbors that are also standard stops on the ICW, but Georgetown left a nice impression on me (my favorite stop in the carolinas) and one day I want to stop there for more then one day.

[MFC]

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Watch the deadheads and floating stumps on the next leg up the river. That aside, Georgetown to Myrtle was one of my favs.

Matt

[darmoose]

Having left Georgetown Wednesday morning about 8am we sailed and motered our way up to the SC/NC border. This stretch was one of the most beautiful parts of SC. The intercoastal wound its way thru beautiful forrests onn both sides and the water was deep and about 150 yds wide, the water was black from the vegetation, with great little anchorages all along the way. We were fortunate to be going with the current most of the day and cruised along at about 6.5 to 7 kts Stopped at Coquina Marina run by an older couple who lived on a huge old bpat in the marina (been there almost 15 yrs). We are just a few miles from the border.

On Thursday awoke early, showered and cleaned up the boat a bit and took off again. Crossed the border by 9am and sailed our way into Myrtle Beach. Went passed dozwns of golf courses and an interesting albeit frightening area call the Rock Pile, made up of rocks millions of years old, .and they try to reach out and touch you. You must pay close attention around here for there is no forgiveness..

Later after passing thru Myrtle Beach we reached Southport under brisk winds making 8 kts at times and flew into the Cape Fear River.
Now this river is aptly named as when we hit it the tide was starting to come in and we needed to travel upriver about 12 miles with this following sea and followong wind of 12-15 mph.

Very much a roller coaster ride where every five seconds a wall of water about 6 ft high hit us in the butt. I was full of the "cape fear" believe me. But we did make it thru here and into the Snow Cut which takes over to the NC coast and safe harbor at the Joiner Marina where we sit tonite and where a few stiff scotches are in order.

Dinner is over, a little reading has been done, some updating on the board and time to get some sleep. Tomorrow is another day.

Nite to all

Darrell

[Zeida]

Darrell and Janet.... great tidbits of your wonderful trip up the ICW... makes for mouthwatering wishes to follow you. Maybe one day too! Keep them coming!