Day 4




Aiming for an earlier start that previous days, we got up at 5:30 and had a cereal/toast/juice/coffee breakfast. After a few minutes circling the boat for Shirl’s photo-op we finally cast of at 7:15 we were underway. Passing the Norfolk Navy Shipyard and Naval Station Norfolk, we entered the ICW at Mile Marker “0”. At this point Shirl finally was given permission to captain his own boat. However, after a few miles of heavy traffic, Shirl was getting anxious to power up to cruise speed and was getting too close several boats in the narrow waterway, so John and Will mutinied and sent Shirl to make sandwiches. We had PBJ sandwiches and Shirl had his concocted mystery meat spread (potted meat, mayo, and pickle relish juice) that he had chilled on ice overnight.



Ahead of us was an armada of boats that evidently had the same idea about “doing the ditch", because when we got to the Gilmerton Bridge there was a line of 14 boats and a tug pushing a gravel barge waiting for the first opening at 8:30. Everyone passed through politely and we made our way to the Great Bridge Locks. As the lock filled up, luck would have it, a catamaran was just a few feet too long to make the lock, so the lockmaster waved us in, much to the dismay of the catamaran. I’m sure he is still sending bad vibes our way. Exiting the lock was uneventful, however, our 25-knot boat sitting behind trawlers, sailboats, and catamarans, was cramping our need for speed! One by one we carefully made our way around the armada and found ourselves up front and back up to cruising speed. One more bridge to pass through and we would be clear of all traffic, except the 48-foot SeaRay that was waiting to pass also. We ran with him a few miles then decided to save our fuel and let him blaze the trail for us. As we passed through Coinjock, we waved and smiled at the 48 sitting at the fuel dock and never saw him again.



Our first drama happened as Captain Will was in command and we found ourselves in shallow water. How shallow? TOO SHALLOW, like 1.6 feet. With numerous twists and turns in the ICW it is often difficult to see where the next marker lies. And at our cruising speed it only takes a few seconds to be in trouble. Luckily we were able to power down, ease into reverse, and back out into 3 feet of water before making a slow 180-turn and back into the channel.



We soon reached open water and encountered another quartering/following sea with 2-3 foot waves, however, we maintained our speed. Now John’s concern was on the fuel gauges, which were getting near the big “E” and we still had 40 miles to go. Nothing else to do but keep going, as there was no fuel until Bellhaven, NC. (We should have made a quick pit stop in Coinjock to top off the tanks, but just couldn’t resist passing up that 48 SeaRay). We did make it to Bellhaven with fuel to spare, but too close for safety, so lesson learned: Make shorter fuel stops in the future. After fueling and cleaning the water tanks, we had dinner at the restaurant and called it a day.



Looking forward to tomorrow and better weather – warmer temps, sunshine and no rain.