Our day started very calm as we reviewed our route for the day. The forecast was for winds picking up as the day progressed and our friends opted to remain at their marina. We got underway at 6:30 this morning in order to cross the Albemarle Sound before the winds strengthened. Success. The Sound took us 2 hours to cross and the waves/swells were pushing us along from behind (the best direction). As we neared the end the waves picked up to around 3 feet and made for some pretty scenery. The pictures just don't do the waves justice. It's kind of like the dolphins - as soon as the camera comes out the waves quieted down. I should have kept the camera out all the time! There were few boats out early this morning but as the day picked up several "go fast" boats passed us. There is a courtesy pattern to passing boats. You radio ahead let the boat ahead know that you would like to pass and what side they would like to pass on (usually port). Both boats then slow down so there is minimal wake. Most of the time it works well. However, there are the few jerks that sail on past without a pause.
Notice the wake he kicks up. This causes the boat being passed to rock violently to and fro, causing extreme discomfort to the passengers and anything not nailed down to go flying. Occasionally you will hear a radio broadcast "Thanks for the wake". NOT!!!
This poor boat was "hard aground". He was flying a Canadian flag so maybe didn't understand our navigation? He was way outside the "channel". As wide as the rivers and sounds are here, they are extremely shallow for the most part. There is a dredged channel that is marked by buoys and on charts. He had to be towed off.
We anchored early as the winds were picking up. We are not far off the channel (far enough not to "swing" into it) and passing boats have no mercy on us. We have been rocked violently many times this afternoon. We are looking forward to the night as traffic will be down to a few passing barges.
This one passed us shortly after we anchored. It looks like it's flying a sail!
In actuality it was passing a Catamaran.
We are in for a windy night with gusts up to 44 mph. We are anchored well so will hopefully sleep well!
Anchored at Buck Island of North River
PS - one token house:
It's hard to hold the camera steady while we're bouncing around on the waves.
This is my basil - I had a fresh basil and tomato sandwich for lunch - yum!
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