Spring outings
Monthly Archives: May 2019
Weight Test
We are getting closer to being awarded a Certificate of Inspection! Today’s inspection was another milestone, after the initial inspection, then the mast pulling inspection, then the haul out inspection. This was to make sure the bow nets (made of seatbelt webbing) and their attachment points, were sound. The procedure called for figuring the allowable number of passengers for each net, using a square foot allowance, then multiplying the total by 180 lbs per person, then doubling that, and adding an equivalent weight to see what happens. Fortunately nothing happened.
We used a gasoline pump and 20 of those 30 gallon totes from Home Depot, ten per side, filled with 20+ gallons of seawater each. 3770 lbs total.
Next thing is the deadweight survey, which is a measure of the boats displacement. Then we have a couple of plan submissions yet to be returned from Washington DC. Then the final inspection, where they will count the lifejackets etc. Thunderbolt Haulout
An out of the water inspection by the Coast Guard is part of the process for securing a Certificate of Inspection, which will allow us to charter the boat for more than six persons. At this time, the only place left in Georgia to haul out a 23′ beam is at Thunderbolt Marine in Savannah.
Who should I tie up next to but my old friend Dave Reidel, from the Key Largo days . It was great to have a beer with him and catch up . Next morning he came over to “supervise”
Coasties found no issues, so we checked another milestone off the list
The way home I was weathered in at Kilkenney Creek. Kilkenney is a beautiful bluff overlooking Ossabaw Island. It was a cotton and timber plantation back in the 1800’s. The marina sells fuel, beer and ice , and moon pies. It is a colorful place, and worth a stop. Well sheltered from the west. It is quiet.
Evidently the Marina is always for sale lol
The “Big House” commands a priceless view of Ossabaw, the north end of St Catherines and the creeks in between. Union gunboats shelled it during the blockade. The guy at the marina told me there are still holes in the walls on the inside ,that were never fixed, where the cannonballs went through. To the left is the detached kitchen, with a huge fireplace, where the cook lived upstairs in the loft.
APRIL 16 2019-
0645 underway
1700 tied up Kilkenney Marina
17th
0700 underway
1215 Thunderbolt
18th
0830 haulout for inspection
0930 underway
1500 Kilkenney
20th 0630 underway
1800 tied up Morningstar
motored nearly whole trip
Found that skinny spot just inside the channel there at marker 208, just west of Dolbow Island, Altamaha River. . The chart clearly shows it. Its there alright. Don’t cut that turn too close and you’ll be fine.
Kilkenney Creek, Lincoln Creek, Big Tom or Newell all are fine anchorages. The Ossabow area there looks like a great place to explore by dingy.