30 April, 2021 Pinned in NC

 

14 sm; 2.7 hours

Snookered by weather and poor decision making?  Anchorage last night OK, did not drag and boat motions not too bad.  We have had spotty to no cell coverage (ATT/T-MOBILE) and our stand alone cellular WIFI surprising has been working most of the time--go figure.  Anyway, good hour reviewing the weather for today and next few days.  Small Craft and gale not forecast till later today.  But, winds were supposed to be west at 10-15 knots and most of our travel planned to day was on a northerly heading.  Should have land mass blocking and not too much fetch.  No anchorage video of last night due to connection issues.  We hoisted anchor at 0750 and eased our way back to the AICW.  Bumpy as expected while we were east bound.  Once we turned the corner and headed north all heck broke loose.  Strong gusty WNW winds 15 gust over 20 off the port bow.  Hum.  We scheduled to traverse the entirety of the Alligator river today and stop mid-day at a marina just past the swing bridge ahead.  

We began to consistently take green water over the bow and was completely soaking the pilot house.  No bone jarring but steep, close period waves of 2-3 feet.  I took a chance and eased out of the channel toward the western shore as the charts indicated 6-8 foot of water.  Ride did not improve.  

It really became apparent, the forecast was wrong by a lot. We could continue to bash ahead for two more hours to get to the marina and we would have to go back to the middle of the river to safely pass through the swing bridge 10 miles ahead.  An anchorage lay to the port quarter about  five miles ahead.  With consternation, we made way and cautiously followed the current electronic charts.  About a mile before entering the small creek outlet we slowed enough for the depth sounder to function and we were in eight feet of water.  Thank God.  We picked our way in and back far enough to not be totally exposed.  today's anchorage

Forecast for tonight is a shift to NW winds 20 G 30 with up to 35 knots.  Good news: it is sunny and a dry frontal system passing through, most of the water all over Serenity today was brackish and the boat is not covered in salt.

Have seen one footers with white caps a few times this afternoon in the anchorage.  Confused weather forecasts from several sources not in agreement.  Will see about tomorrow.  

3430 SM traveled; 1639.5 hours hobbs