Heading south for the winter

[hanleyclifford]

They're at the old Palmer Johnson marina (don't know what it's called now), easy in and out, good facilities. Thunderbolt is really the last place to hang out in comfort before heading into the Georgia wilderness. Hogan's Marina on Turner Creek is actually a better stop in terms of resupply and things to do ashore.

[PT26]

Hello from Thunderbolt

Well we gave up this afternoon after cruising around Savanna.
It was a cool place to visit but we thought what the heck we will make good time if we head back to the ICW and marina up. The boat could use a good wash and we made good mileage for the day starting so early.
This is a nice stop, first class fo sure... A little more than I wanted to spend but it's right on the ICW so it's like a pit stop if that makes sense.
It was really cool to sail at night from Beaufort, could not ask for better wind and tide crossing Port Royal Sound.
The tricky part was comming into Hilton Head in the dead of night... Instruments only and a few flashing lights for what they call "guidance" for lack of a better word. Of course I had to have a dolphin bump the boat and spout as I entered the channel
All in all it's been a good day

Ps. Hanley, they must have a camera the sherrif was there by 1 am and spotlighting us!

[Mo]

Heh Heh Paul,

The sherif was probably looking to see if you were a drug boat. LOL

[hanleyclifford]

Heh Heh Paul,

The sherif was probably looking to see if you were a drug boat. LOL

The local family that runs the Downtown Marina has some juice and an interest in making sure nobody japs that dock overnite.

[hanleyclifford]

0845 PT26 still on dock at Thunderbolt.

[edwardc]

Looks like they left the dock just before 10am, and are headed south at 4.2 kts.

[Mo]

Latitude 31.98303 N Course203.2 °
Longitude 81.03678 W Speed 5.1 kn

They are off the dock.

[sastanley]

I am gonna guess today is gonna be an anchor out day..I don't see civilization for miles and miles!

The next stop I can see is maybe Darien..probably a two day trip, depending on the amount of draft related detours they have to take.

Then it would also look like they cut thru Jekyll Island State Park too.

[hanleyclifford]

There is a Marina on Kilkenny Creek (SM 614) but they probably will want to get further down the road. Darien would be a stretch and is a long way up river with many shrimp boats. There are many fine anchorages just off the road. I'll be interested to see which one they choose.

[sastanley]

So, as they come down..do they cut between the two wildlife areas??? Altamaha & Wolf Island? Using Google Maps instead of a proper chart, it is interesting to look at the satellite view and wonder which cuts they can get thru and which they can't..

[hanleyclifford]

1245 PT26 now running Hell Gate (south). To answer the question; yes, the ICW does run behind Wolf Island but east of the Altamaha Management Area.

[hanleyclifford]

PT 26 running into some tide in the Ogeechee River. Getting across St Catherines Sound today looking difficult now.

[hanleyclifford]

1430 PT26 has passed Kilkenny Creek now running the Bear River (7 knots), committed to crossing St Catherines.

[sastanley]

Any good anchorages tucked into the west side of Blackbeard Island Wildlife Refuge?

Arrrggh!!

[hanleyclifford]

1600 PT26 running Johnson Creek has passed Walburg Creeek. If he doesn't stop at Cattle Pen Creek there is one more option...the Wahoo River, but getting in to the anchorage in the dark could be dodgy.
Edit: 1605 PT 26 heading into Cattle Pen Creek.