24 May, 2021. Stop/go; go then stop NJ

23 SM and 4.5 hours

Previous night’s anchorage became very interesting at about 0130.  Winds were howling and the boat swinging like a weather vane and rocking me awake.  Up to check anchor position and seemed to be holding according to the electronic anchor alarm app and my visual references outside.  Really poor sleep remainder until day light around 0530.  High tide was near 0700 so we made ready to get underway.  Sections of this southern portion of NJ AIC are 2-3 foot deep at low tide; even too shallow for my comfort level.  We got the anchor up and proceeded northward at 0700; hampered by a couple of bridges, no-wake zones and cautiously checking water depth, charts and eyeballs on the markers we safety make it to Stone Harbor NJ.  There was a large circular cut out of the ICW to the east, ringed with houses and restaurants but a protected anchorage.  We set the anchor at 0830; letting the tide descend another three feet.  Shelter haven   Anchorage video

Fixed and ate breakfast, we both took a nap.  Later we splashed the dinghy and proceeded to a small boat landing at the commercial area and the hotel/restaurant folks said it was ok to secure there.  We took our trash to receptacles near by and proceeded to the nearby ACE hardware.  Great, interesting town, just coming out of winter hibernation and COVID lockdown.  Not too crowded at all, but mask mandate remained in all businesses.  I need distilled water for the house batteries and Kim needed ice.  A gallon of distilled water at hand, we continue to walk around the area.  At the convenience store, purchased two seven pound bags of ice, then headed back to the dinghy, loaded up and motored back to Serenity.

Looking at Stone Harbor from anchorage

Supplies stored, dinghy retrieved and secured we made ready to get underway about one hour past low tide.  Sections ahead were very shallows so we were on the move again with a rising tide.  Anchor up at 1515, we requested a bridge opening exiting the anchorage; bridge was only a mile away.  Confirmation from the bridge tender, will open in five minutes.  Posted height closed was 11 feet; we need 12 to not sweat.  Bridge tender came back and said due to low water there was at least 15 feet under the bridge.  So, we inched ahead slowly and proceeded through, not even the radio antenna which is at least 15 feet above water touched.  Good data point.

Squeaked under

There were a couple of ok anchorages ahead, but currents, multiple and long no-wake zones combined with very narrow, twisting and shallow portions we did not made the distance we had hopped.  But did not run aground, did not get waked by anyone as there was virtually no other boat traffic.   We picked an anchorage off the ICW with reported good holding and winds for the night were not forecast strong.  We slowly make our way to Whale creek at high tide as the very strong currents were noted.  We anchored in 11 feet of water at 1745.  Full moon approaching in a few days so the tidal swings are greatest.  Nearly five foot change tonight.  Great holding and pretty open views.  A few small fishing boats till sunset, then very calm and quiet.  Overcast day, never warmed above 60 and expect a chilly night.  Whale creek anchorage

Will have to deal with a broke AmTrac bridge 20 miles ahead.  Was broke yesterday no openings, but late in the day when we called the bridge reported will open with a four hour notice.  Will call in the morning.

3879 SM traveled; 1710.8 hours Hobbs