Savannah to South Edisto River

    Finally moving again! We spent an extra day to replace the leaking 12 volt water pump and fix the forward air conditioner, since we have 3 other heads (toilets) I figured I could fix it underway, so just as we were about to untie the dock lines......."Wait a minute!" calls Beth. "We've got a leak in the guest Bathroom.  All the towels and linen are soaked and there is water pooling on the shelves."  Sure enough a hose was leaking.  No problem. We will turn off the valve and fix it underway.  "We are not leaving until I wash and dry the linen and towels. They will get mildew and stink up the boat." says Beth.  "We have it timed to get the right tide through the shallow areas!" I griped. So... first argument of the day...and I acquiesced. Its a new more relaxed (ugh!) me, now that I'm retired, right?
     The whole question of us going in the Atlantic to make up for lost time, skip Beaufort, and go directly to an anchorage off Charleston was settled more abruptly with a definite, NO! from Beth. Damn. Where is that "extending ones self" attitude"!
      The good result of our problem is that as I was using the time to walk Spencer, I met the captain of a 46 foot Jefferson named "Laughter".  He was travelling with his dog, a cock-a-poo named Peanut, headed for Chesapeake Bay.  He told me that they had recently returned from the Bahamas and Exumas and that since his boat draws the same depth as mine, we should have no problem going over or anchoring out over there.  When asked about a water maker, he had none. In fact he didn't feel we needed one.  Water on average cost him only $9.00 to fill up his boat and he had small gutters on each side of his upper deck to collect rain water in 10 gallon ice coolers to supplement their drinking water.(His wife's idea).  This sure beats the $10 to $15,000 expense to install a good water maker!
    We also met Jim and Paula Spence, a nice couple who are owners of a 55' Californian.  This trawler has the same motors (Detroit Diesels 6V92) as mine and he indicated that the mechanics were right. If these motors weren't run up to operating temps they would weep oil. The problem is the only way to get them up is to run them fast,  which isn't easy on the ICW, so when I got to an open bay, up we went.  At 2200 rpms we were on plane and doing 18 knots, temps shot up to 195 deg but even though Jim said he has no problem running them at 200 deg (not 210 or 220) I backed off when the port motor hit 200 (as per the Hatteras owners forum recommendations).  It was enough to blow out the carbon and hopefully, if I can continue to do this 30 minutes a day, it might keep the piston rings free and stop some of the weeping, without breaking the bank for fuel costs

                                                    
                                                               Hilton Head Marina                    

                                               Hilton Head homes along ICW            

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     We caught up to  the motor yacht "Laughter" as we were crossing a bay.  He had to stop to turn around and find the dingy he had been towing.  Two men in a centre console fishing boat, with his dingy in tow, were desperately trying to catch him .  When he tried to compensate them...they "threw a fit!" refusing to take any money, quoting the boaters creed, "What goes around comes around! Some day you may be able to help us or another boater having difficulties." This is what I like about cruising.

                                                                                                                                                                                                     Beaufort, SC

                                                      Beaufort Saturday Fun               

     We anchored out in a very protected  area in the South Edisto River.  Preferring to wait for an incoming tide rather than risk going aground in the propeller destroying shallows of WattsCut or the 3.5 feet at low tide near Slan island).  We would have a leisurely breakfast and prepare the boat in the morning so that we arrived at these shallow areas on at least 2 hours of incoming tide.

                                                          Sunrise at our anchorage

     As I watch the sky go from dark to grey, the morning clouds ripple with the changing hues, slowly transforming through all the colours of the rainbow from deep purple to baby blanket blue and pink.  A soft breeze flows through the open windows and doors, cooling the boat.  No noise except for the occasional  melodious cry of a passing seagull.  This is cruising and I hope that my grandson Blake gets to experience this at least once...with me.