Sapelo Island Anchorage to Skidaway Island, GA

Sunday, April 26, 2015

On Sunday morning we left Brunswick in the lead of a group of four Looper boats, Serenity, Fruitcakes, Mara Beel and Sweetwater. After going back through the sound we were on the ICW again. We went through more of Georgia’s grassy lowlands and several shallow channels. Again, the captains timed it right transiting these channels when the tide was up so there were no problems.



Helen of Troy and Capt Dock are hard working boats at Brunswick

Bald eagle finding a place to roost along the grasslands

 

About the only house we saw all day - just north of Brunswick

Our anchorage for the night was in the Duplin River next to Sapelo Island and the National Estuarine Sanctuary. The river is just off of the ICW. It was wide and had good depth so each boat dropped anchor. The night was very quiet until the wind came up at about 3 a.m. and the tide was rushing through, so between the howling of the wind and the slap of water hitting the hull it got pretty noisy. John checked and we weren’t moving so we went back to sleep.

Captain’s Log April 26, 2015

Departed: Brunswick Landing, GA 10:10 a.m.
Engine hours: 5.2 hrs. – 634.1 total for trip
Actual hours: 4 hrs 50 mins
Miles covered 38.42 - Total for trip: 4458
Arrived: Duplin River Anchorage, GA - Left at 10:10 am to time high tide to go through Mud River. Timing was perfect. Warm day with west wind 5-10 mph. - Anchored in Duplin River at high tide with 20 feet of water. Got hot that afternoon. Wind still westerly but changed to north early in the am. Cool temps high 60’s. Nice cruise, with Mara Beel, Fruitcakes, Sweetwater.  No issues

Monday, April 27 – Wednesday, April 29, 2015

It was early departure from the Duplin River and it was a very gray and overcast morning. At the entrance to the river we passed the America Cruise Ship the Independence, which carries passengers on the ICW from Charleston to Jacksonville. We decided that if it can make the narrow places, like Hell’s Gate, we could too!

American Cruise Lines ship the Independence

Our home for the next three nights, due to the weather forecast, was at Delegal Creek Marina on Skidaway Island. This Island is home to The Landings, a planned community with lovely homes and manicured golf courses. The marina staff was very friendly and helpful. The dockmaster, Billy, even drove us into the Village three miles away to join the others for dinner – our friends drove/rode in the courtesy golf cart.

Rainy weather was moving in so we were glad to stay– not a bad place with lots of walkways for an afternoon stroll.

We were all watching two dolphins in the Delegal Creek to see if they
were mother and baby - it was hard to tell because they rarely
came to the surface

The observation tower and screened deck at the marina

Colorful kayaks to rent

Great Blue Heron looking for fish

Someone had fun making this fairy village in a hollow tree

 

Captain’s Log April 27

Departed: Duplin River Anchorage at 7:25 am.
Engine hours: 6.8 hrs /total on trip 640.9
Actual Hours: 6 hrs 25 minutes
Miles covered: 51.02 total for trip 4509
Arrived: Delegal Creek Marina, GA
Left anchorage early for 7 hr cruise to destination. Cruised with Mara Beel, Fruitcakes, and Sweetwater. Cruised at 1800 turns with Serenity in the lead.  Timed high tide at Hell Gate went perfectly. Pulled into slip and met with Looper catamaran Phatcat and crew, Dave and Di, last seen in Apalachicola.  Replaced generator battery while here.