We’re Outta Here...But Leave the Lights On!

Saturday September 10

Prime Time left the Atlantic Yacht Basin front wall at 1300 on Saturday September 10^th heading south. We knew that we were at risk leaving. Hurricane Ophelia was still churning offshore and its course and magnitude were unpredictable. Our plan was to run down to the Midway Marina & Motel in Coinjock, NC…about 40 miles south…and reassess the weather.

Departure weather was PERFECT…bright sunny afternoon…mid-80°’s…and a refreshing breeze on our nose. Piloting from the flybridge, we cruised down the Intercoastal Waterway (It’s actually the Albemarle & Chesapeake Canal along here). We made it through the Railroad Bridge, the Centerville Turnpike Swing Bridge, and the North Landing Swing Bridge without waiting. Both luck and good timing were on our side!

This leg was relatively uneventful. We did bump a deadhead (a partially submerged cypress stump…not a Jerry Garcia devotee) mid-channel just south of the Railroad Bridge.  Both throttles were immediately backed off and the transmissions shifted to neutral. We waited a minute…crossed our fingers…and then reengaged the engines. No vibrations…we had dodged a potential propeller(s) repair bill! “Wheel” jobs involve divers or a haul out to remove the props...repair and rebalance them...and then reinstalled. Big $$$...

We eventually entered Currituck Sound…leaving Virginia and entering North Carolina about half way across the Sound.  This is my first time on these waterways, and the scenery is beautiful. We spotted numerous ospreys and cormorants in addition to the omnipresent seagulls. The gulls were actively feeding on something being churned up as we crossed this shallow waterway. Both winds and sea state conditions were building as we cruised further south.

Leaving Currituck Sound, we entered Coinjock Bay and soon docked at the Midway Marina. Anneke, Mark, and I had a GREAT meal at Crabbie’s Restaurant. The folks at Midway Marina and Crabbie’s are so friendly. Mark has been stopping here for years, and we were treated like family.