30 Year Old Boat Plumbing Replacement

Replacing the 30 year old copper plumbing in our fresh water system was on my Things-to-do-when-there-is nothing-else-and-I-have-lots-of-time list and I expected to get to it some time in the years to come. But as with all things boats, that was not to be. Our hot water began flowing ever so slowly out of all of the taps for no apparent reason. I disconnected some of the lines and attached a hose from the dock in an attempt to blow it out. I also took all of the faucets apart in case the blockage was there, but ALL of them? None of this helped so now the project shoots right to the top of my Need-to-do-it-now list.

The original plumbing had many different connections and was probably put in the boat as it was being built. Our problem was due to a build up of material in the copper pipe that by now had choked off the water flow almost completely. Taking it apart piece by piece to clear the obstructions was an option but not one I would consider. Some of the runs passed through places that would be totally inaccessible without pulling the boat apart. Replacement was now our best choice, and I had to decide what type of material the new pipes and connections would be. A lot of study and research was needed to be sure we chose the right material, did it right and did it right the first time. The last thing we wanted was plumbing failures once we started cruising. I had considered replacing everything with PVC since the copper was not only too expensive but too difficult to get into the needed sections of the boat to connect to the hot and cold water sides, make connections at the galley sink and to the two head sinks, including the shower. The PVC was quickly ruled out because of the concern for failure of the glued joints as a result of vibration. After much thought and feedback, I decided to use the PEX system with the 1/2 inch pipe and plastic push connections. I was concerned with this type of plumbing for a boat, but as a service tech for a large power and sailboat dealer in Texas, I knew many of the new boats were coming from the factory with PEX and we had not had any problems or failures. Additional feedback from other boat owners that also had PEX on board convinced me that this was indeed the way to go.

My first task was to layout the pipes and connections on paper so that I would have an idea of how much pipe I would need and how many of what connections it would take to replace the old system. Since some of the piping had to be routed differently, I couldn't just count what was there now. Adding to the problem was the section where flexible hose had been added by simply sliding it over the copper tubing and hose clamping it to fit in place. We have had these connections come loose and fill the bilge with fresh water.

There are a couple of options with the PEX tubing. You can use the blue for cold water and the red for hot water or opt to use white throughout. For simplicity and to save some on the expense, we decided to use the white throughout, since the plumbing on Beach House is not that complicated. I also decided to purchase the 100-foot roll instead of individual 10-foot pieces. Had we needed mostly straight runs, I probably would have used the 10-foot lengths.

The fittings are fairly expensive, but I did buy several more than I needed. This saved running back and forth if changes were needed as the installation progressed. I also bought a cutting tool for the pipe. It's important to cut the tubing square to insert it into the fitting. Some new faucets were planned for the galley and head sinks.

Each fitting comes with a small insert to stiffen the end of the tubing as it goes into the fitting. These fittings are important to keep all connections together and leak free. The tube is cut square then the fitting inserted before pressing the tubing into the fitting. Be sure and keep track of the inserts since it is easy to forget one. That means taking the fitting apart, something I had to do a couple of times.

The tubing will fit into the connectors at about an inch and a quarter, so when measuring, an additional 2 1/2 inches need to be added. It took a few runs before finally getting the hang of measuring for the length of the tubing plus the connectors, but it quickly becomes easy and the tubing is forgiving if the measurements are not exact.

The handy cutting tool makes all of this a quick project. If you have the luxury of being able to shut down your system and pull out all of the old plumbing, then by all means do it. Since we live aboard most of the time, doing without fresh water even for a day or so is a real inconvenience. The answer is to build the new system right along side the old one. I did the hot water first and when everything was in place, simply disconnected the old plumbing and reconnected the new. Then I could take my time removing the old copper pipe, which was no fun due to the pipe running through bulkheads and into places I have never accessed.

I chose the twist and lock push fitting for a couple of reasons. They were much less expensive than the SharkBite fittings and much easier to install than the crimp fittings, which require some very expensive tools to install. Putting the connections on is very easy to do if you follow directions. The fittings are threaded and have a blue line which tells you that the fitting is unlocked and the pipe can be inserted. If the blue line is not visible, the pipe won't seat, but by loosing the twist cap, the blue line becomes visible. With the insert in the tubing, push the pipe into the connector until it is as far as it will go - about an inch and a quarter. With the tubing fully inserted, the screw cap is tightened until it touches the body of the connector. The blue line will no longer be visible. That's it and the connection is tight and won't leak. The fitting can also be turned to any direction needed without concerns of breaking the seal.

The tubing will make some sweeping radius turns, but for the most part, will need 90 degree elbows, tee fittings and special connections for the sink faucets, hot water heater and fresh water pump. The tubing is rated for hot water according to the pressure on the system. We found it more than adequate for the boats hot water and pressure pump. The hot water in our system almost never exceeds 180 degrees, well within the rating for the PEX. Once all of the hot water side was finished, the change over took less than 30 minutes to switch for the hot water heater, galley sink, both head sinks and the shower in the forward head. The old plumbing was disconnected and the new PEX reconnected at the same time.

With the hot water side done, the old copper plumbing was removed over the next two days. Then the cold water side was started. The hot water heater needed 1/2 inch NPT to twist lock connectors and a few elbows to make the connections from the cold water inlet to the hot water outlet. The cold water side was much more involved than the hot water side. This would take a couple of days, but again, it was built along side the old plumbing so we had no interruption to our fresh water on the boat.

The same type of connectors on the water heater are needed to bring water to the three faucets on the boat. I decided to add valves so the water could be cut off if the faucet needs repair without shutting down the entire system. This is much the same as found in most homes. The valves are then connected to the faucet itself by a flexible hose designed for just this purpose. Two of these are installed in each head and the galley.

The final connection is to the fresh water pump itself. A special swivel fitting connects to the pump itself. We also have a charcoal filter on our water system that has to be connected. It all went much easier than expected and certainly much easier than many other projects. The entire process, installing the new plumbing and removing the old, took a total of about 20 hours. And that was taking my time and included breaks for head scratching. The results have been a major improvement and the water is flowing as expected once again.

While working on the plumbing, there was a few other modifications I wanted to make. The design of the galley sink on this boat has always been a matter of consternation. It's made to have an insert sit over the sink to give more counter space. But we don't use the insert and what it does is make a space where water sits and can't drain off into the sink. It's a poor design and we even considered replacing the sink with one that surface mounts on the counter. But finding one that is deep enough and a size that will fit has been impossible so a modification to the existing sink is in order. The answer is simply to fill in the space with decorative ceramic rope trim. The edges are taped off to keep everything clean and the ceramic is set in a latex grout. The grout also fills the space between the trim pieces.

The galley sink also gets a new single handle faucet. Susan didn't like the old double handle when cooking and washing dishes.

While we were at it, the wood behind the sink has been stained with water and no amount of sanding or varnish is going to make it look better. A row of bullnose ceramic tile to match the trim around the sink was perfect. The bottom edge of the tile was caulked using a silicone caulk to seal it and keep water from getting between the tile and the edge of the counter against the bulkhead. Then the tiles were grouted for a nice finished look. We used a bisque color for both and it goes well with the surrounding teak.

Susan is very happy with the results and that is the important part. It's amazing how much of a difference just a small project like this can make to brighten the galley up and correct what has been a nuisance up until now.

We didn't want to head to feel left out and the old faucet, which was probably original, was looking pretty shabby. So it now has a shiny new one. On to the next project.

The Gentlemans Guide to Passages South, By Bruce Van Sant

Now available.

We received an email from Bruce a week ago to let us know that he has the 10th Edition of his book out and that it would be available soon. Older copies have been offered on Ebay for as much as $800.00, which we find totally ridiculous. If anyone is looking to purchase the new 10th Edition, you can get it here for $29.95. This will be his absolutely last update. Bruce's website can be found here.




The 10th and last Edition of the popular directions for sailing south
to the Bahamas and the Caribbean

For more than twenty years Van Sant repeatedly surveyed nearly 200 anchorages between Florida and South America. He racked up well over 80,000 sea miles doing it, mostly single-handed. Why? You’ll find some interesting answers in his book of stories, Margarita Cat, but essentially, he did it because he liked doing it.

Sailing up and down the chain of islands so much and so often, he got to looking for shorter and easier ways to navigate between each link in the chain, and he kept refining detailed nav plans for every leg.

He has systematically taken the thorns out of the route they used to call the Thorny Path. For example, he exploits the calming effects on wind and sea which result from land cooling on each side of an inter-island passage. Applying his many methods, both sail and power can make safe, comfortable and pleasant progress even against normally impenetrable trade winds and seas.

Passages South offers an illustrated manual of instruction for specific passages and harbors down islands as well as a cruising guide for the Greater Antilles islands of Hispaniola and Puerto Rico. It has sailed aboard tens of thousands of boats passaging between the Americas. It should sail with you too.
About the Author During his 40 years of cruising the world, Van Sant worked as a consultant systems engineer as well as weriting and speaking in Asia, Europe, Latin America and the Middle East, picking up six languages along the way. He settled into cruising the myriad islands between Florida and South America. Read more about his adventures in his book MARGARITA CAT.

Available at www.ThornlessPath.com and nautical outlets

Moving The Starting Battery

Our starting battery sits in a nice fiberglass box that is mounted in the front of the engine. The distance to our house bank is about a foot and makes for short cables and easy access to use jumper cables in case the starting battery goes dead. But this is the space we plan to use to move the house bank so that the genset can be installed. It also makes for a long cable run to the starter, requiring large wires. So it is time to make a change in preparation for moving the house bank. The plan is to move it right next to the engine starter and eliminate those long and large cables to the starter.

The spot where it will be moved is another area that has not yet had a fresh coat of paint and has been used to store bits and pieces of spare parts and equipment. These spaces that I haven't gotten to yet are pretty nasty looking and I feel better with each one that finally gets a fresh coat of paint. Eventually, the entire engine compartment will get done.

The first step is to clean everything thoroughly and do a good sanding with 90 grit paper on my orbital sander. The odd corners get hand sanded and everything is wiped down with mineral spirits. The underside of the fuel tank that I can reach is given a coating of  Por15 rust inhibitor.

Next comes two coats of my now favorite best bilge paint from the local Lowes hardware store. This stuff does everything I need it to do except apply itself. And it is dry in about an hour. I like the fact that it really doesn't need any sanding, I do anyway, and it is mold and mildew resistant.

Because of the angle of the bilge here, a "shelf" is needed to keep the battery level, and two supports are epoxied and screwed into the sides of the compartment for added strength to support the battery weight.

Rather than a flat shelf, I used oak strips so that there would be plenty of air circulation in the compartment and the oak gave it plenty of strength. The "shelf" also got two coats of paint. While I was painting, the section directly adjoining was also done. Every time something gets moved a little, more is painted.

With the fresh coats of paint dry, it was time to move the battery. The old cables between the starter and the start battery were removed completely and the connection points on the starter received a good cleaning and a coat of silicone dielectric grease to keep corrosion down.

The battery will now reside in a plastic battery box with built-in vents. The cables from the battery to the starter are now about a foot long. The battery end of the cables and the battery terminals also received a coat of silicone grease. There is still a long negative cable that runs from the starting battery to the house bank and the echo charger which keeps it topped off is also run from the house bank. I did have to add a side support to keep the box and battery from sliding around on the new compartment since it didn't quite fit snugly.

The new box is secured with a strap that came with it. I doubt it will move around even without it, but better safe then sorry. Now the work can begin so that the house bank will have a new home.

Let’s take a trip to the island of Eleuthera

This fantastic video is compliments of bahamaspress.com and we hope you enjoy it as much as we did... And please read our previous posts on the Bahamas,
What Cruisers Want To Know About The Bahamas
What Do You Do Once Your In The Bahamas?

Eleuthea Bahamas — http://www.myoutislands.com. It’s better in the Bahamas! Welcome to the Out Islands of the Bahamas, or as we like to call it the REAL Bahamas. This video is about the island of Eleuthera and Harbour Island. It is our intent to show a glimpse of our two hosts (Kevin Oestenstad and Jennifer Fox) discovering the Out Islands of the REAL Bahamas for the first time. Join them on their journey to discover truly authentic Bahamian destination experiences in Eleuthera.

Anchoring Along the Intracoastal – Norfolk to the Georgia/Florida Border

By Susan Landry

(Chartlets by Susan Landry, not to be used for navigation.)

Our cruising posts in the past have always included our favorite anchoring spots. As the snowbirds head south this fall, some for a repeat performance, some for the first time, they’ll be looking for secure anchorages for the night in the ICW. We try to average about 50 miles per day and what follows are our suggestions without marina stops.

Upon entering the Waterway in Norfolk, VA, one finds a drastic contrast to the wide open space of the Chesapeake. The first anchorage that you will encounter on your way south is adjacent to the naval hospital in downtown Portsmouth, just outside the breakwall of Tidewater Marina. This anchorage, in 17 to 20 feet of water at Statute Mile (SM) 0, provides an attractive view of Norfolk, just across the river.

For a short jaunt the next day of only 15 miles, you can stop in Great Bridge, VA at SM 15 and tie up for free at the bulkhead to starboard just south of the lock, or at another dock to port just south of the bridge. There is no electricity, water or facilities here, but again, tie up is free. You can, however, leave your trash in the cans provided, and it is a very short walk to shopping and restaurants.  

If you decided to press on from Great Bridge to a more quiet, remote anchorage, Blackwater Creek scores high marks with this crew. At SM 30, the anchorage is entered by staying close to the south shore at R “46” to avoid the shoal making out from the north tip. Then, stay center channel and go back as far as you wish to anchor in 7 to 8 feet.

Buck Island/North River

As you head farther south, you may decide to bypass Coinjock as a stopping point and make your way down to either north or south of Buck Island (SM 57) to anchor for the night, or to continue down closer to where the North River meets the Albemarle and anchor at Broad Creek (SM 61). Pick your side of Buck Island depending on wind conditions. On the north side, you will likely have to contend with wakes until after dark. Broad Creek, while almost 2 miles off the Waterway, is going to have better protection, especially is your draft is shallow enough to go all the way inside the creek and not have to anchor outside, leaving you exposed to the northeast. 

The next day south takes you across the unpredictable Albemarle Sound. We recommend doing this in settled weather as this shallow body of water can work up a nasty chop. You can pull off to the side of the channel in the lower portion of the Big Alligator River or enter the Little Alligator River north of the swing bridge near the Sound. We have pulled off near marker G “31” in the middle of nowhere just north of SM 100. We got far enough out of the channel that the wakes were not noticeable. This was in the area showing 10-foot depths on the chart about halfway to shore. We thought it was a strange anchorage, but we were joined by three other boats later in the evening. We have also continued on around the corner into the more sheltered section of the Lower Alligator River to Tuckahoe Point (SM 104). Following the deeper water on your chartplotter will bring you to a secure and sheltered anchorage for the night. We have also seen a number of boats in areas of deeper water around Bear and Deep Points.

You have a couple of choices the next day, the first of which is to go a mere 20 to 30 miles to the beautiful anchorage due north of G “23,” just as you exit the 26-mile long Alligator-Pungo Canal. To anchor, head back into the small cove noted on the chart and drop your hook in 9 feet of water. This wild, unspoiled area presented us with an unrivaled sunrise. It has also been used by numerous boats to hole up and wait for tropical storms to pass over, as it has plenty of swinging room.

If you are in the mood for a town instead of the marsh, continue on to Belhaven (Pantego Creek) at SM 135. You will enter from the channel, through the breakwater, then continue on to the area just left of the channel near G “9.” This anchorage is somewhat exposed to the southeast, but is a nice stop nonetheless. Be alert for a dolphin feeding frenzy at sunrise. It is possible to tie your dinghy to the ramp near the hospital or enter the little channel and dinghy back to the town basin to tie to the breakwall. If you need provisions, a grocery store is 1 to 2 miles west of the downtown area. Downtown you will find numerous restaurants, a great hardware store, the post office and a library. An alternate anchorage with better southerly protection is next door in Pungo Creek. This crew has sat out raging winds here and the anchor never budged.

The next day will take you to Oriental or Cedar Creek between SM 181 and 187. There are places to stop in between if you don’t feel like running the full 50 miles. Consider side creeks off Goose Creek as alternatives (Snode, Eastham or Campbell) or rivers and creeks off the Bay River (Bear, Long and Broad Creeks) just south of there if the Neuse River is acting up. If you make it to Oriental, you’ll have the choice to anchor in the harbor, to anchor beyond the bridges if you have a shoal-draft boat with under 45 feet of air-draft or to tie to the town dock. Not feeling like a being around a crowd? Continue on to Cedar Creek at SM 187.5. Draft permitting (5 feet or less), tuck up into Jonaquin Creek for excellent protection all around.

Many folks stop each year at Beaufort, NC to anchor in either Town or Taylor Creek. For reasons which I cannot explain, we have never stopped to anchor here. The only explanation I can think of is that we are generally in a hurry from to get from point A to point B. Mile Hammock Bay is a little over 50 miles from the Cedar Creek area at SM 245 and that is why we generally press on. It is a very popular stop along the way and depending upon the time of year you are traveling, you may be sharing this anchorage with many other boaters. Don’t be surprised to see gunboats and helicopters maneuvering around providing many photo opps. Should you be unable to get to Mile Hammock due to activity at the firing range, there is a decent anchorage just south of the fixed bridge in Swansboro across from the town docks. The current is swift so check your anchor set carefully. If you can make it to Mile Hammock, you will be rewarded with a great anchorage with protection from all directions.

Our next stop at the 50 mile mark is Carolina Beach at SM 295. Again, we have those fall-back positions just in case. Those are Topsail Beach at Mile 263 and Wrightsville Beach at SM 283. Topsail is much easier to enter and deeper than charted. It is a pleasant alternative, especially if you make good time and want to keep going past Mile Hammock. Wrightsville is another spot where everyone stops and for some unknown reason, we have not. It may be because Motts Channel is perpetually shoaling and we have a dislike of running aground. Anyway, in Carolina Beach, you will find it quite deep in the areas adjacent to the three small islands. Our favorite spot is in the charted 9-foot spot just north of G “7.” Carolina Beach is the best spot to wait for favorable tides in the Cape Fear River. Running with wind and tide opposed there is just not fun.

Southport

Once south of Carolina Beach, with the exception of some marginal anchorages around Southport and Little River Inlet, you really won’t have any truly great anchorages again until the Waccamaw River. In Southport (SM 309), your choices are anchoring in the small town basin or a free tie to the end of the town dock. You may also find some “dock and dine” alternatives at restaurants where they will let you spend the night as long as you have dinner. Know that the docks are subject to ICW wakes at these restaurants, making it a bit uncomfortable. A little farther down the way at SM 310, you may find a spot in Dutchman’s Creek (quite shallow) or in the canal known as Pipeline Canal at SM 311. Many boats are on permanent mooring up in the basin at SM 311, but you may be able to find a spot along the edge in the deeper water. Make sure your anchor is set well as the holding is iffy.

Calabash Creek

In the Little River Inlet area, your choices are in Calabash Creek, if you can find adequate depth and in the inlet itself in the wide area to the side of the channel, or just behind the island at the mouth of the inlet where it meets the ocean. None of these are great anchorages, but will do in a pinch if you can not make it the entire distance from here to the Waccamaw River, another 30-plus miles.

The Waccamaw is definitely one of our favorite cruising grounds and places to anchor. This is truly a beautiful place and one could get lost in the numerous creeks and adjoining rivers. The first spot to anchor is across from G “27” in Enterprise Creek at about SM 375. Our personal favorite is down less than a mile or so across from G “29” in the oxbow. We generally anchor on the southern side in toward the island to find a spot shallow enough in which to anchor so we don’t have to pay out too much rode. South of here and on to Georgetown are so many places to anchor, it’s hard to name them all: Price, Bull, Cow House, Thoroughfare and Jericho Creeks are the main ones. And don’t forget the lee of Butler Island.

South Carolina contains three of our favorite stops and Georgetown is one of them. Just north of SM 405, after you leave the Waccamaw River, Georgetown is a quaint place with friendly people and beautiful, historic homes. The anchorage, 7 to 8 feet in mud, is located all along the boardwalk lined waterfront, if you can find a spot among the permanently moored local boats. The ride to the dinghy dock is so short that you won’t need your outboard; just row. Numerous restaurants and shops line the waterfront and there is also a convenient ATM directly across the street. You can’t miss the wonderful murals painted on the sides of buildings, depicting the old sailing days. We generally plan at least two days here.

Getting to Charleston in one day from Georgetown may be a challenge for underpowered vessels. The good news is, there are options. You can make it a short day from Georgetown and stop at Minim Creek (SM 415) or the South Santee River (SM 420), both of which we have used and give our stamp of approval. Here, you begin to enter the low-lying marsh and leave the forest surrounding the Waccamaw behind. Or, continue on farther south to near McClellanville and try Five Fathom, Awendaw or Graham creeks  between SM 430 and 440. The choices don’t end there. Continuing on, you have Whiteside, Dewees, Seven Reaches and Inlet creeks between SM 451 and 461. Beyond that, you are committed to crossing Charleston Harbor. Check your chart for depths and protection as many of the above anchorages are sheltered only by marsh grasses and no trees, and some may not have the depths required for your draft. 

Charleston, at SM 470, provides a number of different anchoring opportunities and is another favorite stop. We have anchored just next to the Coast Guard station as well as across from the city marina outside of the mooring field. Vessels that can clear the 56-foot bridge can anchor to port beyond the first bridge across the Ashley River. No matter where you choose to anchor, you will have to contend with a swift current. You can dock your dinghy at the city marina. The trolley system is an inexpensive and fun way to get to the grocery store, The Battery, the Straw Market or the wonderful museums in Charleston. It leaves regularly from the front of the city marina.

Wappoo Creek

The Charleston to Beaufort run is possible to do in one day for slower craft, provided you catch the currents right and get an early start. Just beyond the restricted Wappoo Creek Bridge, you will find a secure and very attractive anchor in the oxbow near G “9.” Dinghy dockage can be had at the boat ramp or restaurant by the bridge. Many choose this spot in order to get ahead of the morning bridge restrictions and have a bridge free run to Beaufort.

Stono River

In case you don’t feel like pushing on, the area between Charleston and Beaufort offers a number of options to break the trip up into two pleasant runs instead of the 65-mile run straight through. Just through Elliot Cut in the Stono River, you will find a pleasant anchorage downriver toward the bridge. Anchor behind the shoal marked by G “17” for a quiet evening. Church Creek at SM 488 is another of our favorites to break up this trip. 

Toogoodoo Creek

Once near the Dawho River at SM 497, an area prone to constant shoaling, you may need to stop for the day to await a favorable tide. Consider Toogoodoo, Tom Point or Steamboat creeks, all located within a few miles of each other, as comfortable, protected anchorages. Once through the Dawho and out into the South Edisto, you can turn north to anchor upstream. The Ashepoo River also provides a couple of decent spots around SM 511, including Mosquito Creek.

Bass Creek

Once you enter the Coosaw River, you are nearing the home stretch to Beaufort, but in the event you want to stop, more options await you. At SM 521, the Bull River makes north and finds its way into Wimbee Creek. At SM 521.5, Parrot Creek heads south out of the Coosaw and meets up with the Morgan River. In the middle, enter Bass Creek to anchor in the first bend. Or continue to the Morgan River and head off to starboard to find a number of protected creeks locals use as hurricane holes, including Lucy Point Creek.

The ICW leaves the Coosaw River and enters Brickyard Creek. Shoal-draft vessels may be able to drop the hook in the oxbow marked by G “217.” Local knowledge has it that entry is best made from the south end. A better and more protected anchorage is in Factory Creek, just north of the Ladies Island Bridge. Although depths near G “1” at the entrance to the creek are close to just 6 feet at low water, depths are plentiful beyond there. Anchor close to the boat ramp for shore access, or check with the marina up the creek to tie there for a fee. Anchoring beyond the marina may give you a bit more swinging room. Provisioning, restaurants and hardware are within a close walk.

Beaufort, at SM 535, has always been a favorite of ours. We have never passed Beaufort by on our dozens of trips north or south. Many folks choose to anchor outside of the moorings near the town marina, and there is a dinghy/day dock provided there for boats anchored out. You can find almost anything you need in Beaufort, plus the waterfront has a number of excellent restaurants, shops and a manicured waterfront park, home to numerous festivals.

Bull Creek

An alternative for a shorter days’ run would be a mere 25 mile run to Hilton Head. One can anchor at the head of Broad Creek east of SM 560 past the last marina entrance, beyond the bend in the channel near G “19.” By staying in the middle of the creek, you are safely in 10 feet of water at low tide. The holding there is excellent and is a good place to sit out a gale. If you don’t need to tuck quite that far up into a creek, just past SM 565 is Bull Creek. A quick turn off the ICW and a trip of less than a mile brings you to a secure, roomy anchorage.

Herb River

If you are running 50 mile days, the Herb River would probably be your next stop after Beaufort at SM 585. This will be your first stop in Georgia if you don’t run up the river to the city of Savannah itself. Anchor anywhere depths permit. Alternatives a short distance off are up the Vernon River near the town of Beaulieu past SM 595 or Delegal Creek near SM 600.

Kilkenny Creek, at SM 615, is a favorite stop of ours. We used to just go in a ½ mile or so and drop the hook. In recent years, we have taken to going all the way past the marina to anchor in a wide area of the creek around a bend. This is another good spot to sit out nasty weather from the west as the land provides good protection. Georgia provides endless possibilities for anchoring. Before you even get to Kilkenny, you have Redbird, Cane Patch, Buckhead, an unnamed creek just north of G “105” and Big Tom Creek. Just after crossing St. Catherines Sound at SM 620, Walburg Creek runs along behind St. Catherines Island, providing yet another opportunity for a remote anchorage. At SM 630 is the Wahoo River, another convenient and easy to reach stop.

New Teakettle Creek

New Teakettle Creek, just past SM 645, is roughly 50 miles from the Herb River. If you are pushing along, this will likely be one of your choices for the evening’s rest. Continuing on through Doboy Sound just prior to reaching the Mud River are the North, Darien and South rivers, between SM 650 and 655, any of which are viable stops for the night. We have chosen to use the South River on runs north or south. One of these anchorages may be necessary if you are waiting for high tide to pass through the Little Mud River. It is one of the most shallow areas in the AICW. At about SM 665 are the Frederica River and Wally’s Leg. These two anchorages are also popular. We have stopped at Wally’s Leg more than once. Troup and Jove Creeks at SM 670 are other choices.

Lanier Island

As you continue south on your way to Florida, stop at St. Simons/Lanier Island at SM 675. As you leave the AICW, round the shoal marked by G “1,”  continue heading north leaving G “3” and “5” to port and you will enter an adequate overnight anchorage with 11 feet over sand/mud. Just north of here is a sizeable marina. This anchorage would be untenable in strong south-southeasterly winds as it is just north of the wide open St. Simons Sound.

As you head south through St. Simons Sound in the morning, be aware of the many shrimp boats who will share the water with you. They sometimes follow an erratic course. Although Georgia does not encompass a long stretch of the AICW, it has many pleasant anchorages. You can easily make Florida in one day from St. Simons, but you may want to slow down and enjoy some of the most pleasant anchorages you will find just about anywhere, because once you reach Florida, they are not nearly as plentiful.

Once you pass behind Jekyll Island and through the Sound, you will come to Cumberland Island, a truly beautiful and unspoiled place. Anchorages on the north end of the island include the Brickhill River and Floyd Creek just past SM 695. This area is your 50-mile-run stop zone. At SM 710 is the most popular anchorage behind Cumberland Island. Flashing 4s “E” marks the southern tip of the shoal on Drum Pt. Island that separates and protects the anchorage from the AICW. Most boats proceed north to anchor in the 9- to 15-foot areas. Dinghy ashore and bring your camera. Only accessible by ferry, you will find wild horses and long stretches of beach with great shelling and few people.

St. Mary's River

A final side trip before reaching Florida is up the St. Mary’s River to the little town of St. Mary’s, GA. It is only a few miles upriver to this pretty little town with cute shops and good restaurants. A number of boats have made it a Thanksgiving haven for boaters who aren’t flying out to be with family. It’s a good place to stop and relax with over 700 miles logged since Norfolk. Once south of here, you are finally in Florida.

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What Do You Do Once Your In The Bahamas?

Is It Really Better In The Bahamas??

This is a follow to our post, What Cruisers Want To Know About The Bahamas.

You've done all of your homework. You've picked the perfect weather window. You were in awe as the dark blue of the Gulf Stream gave way to the crystal clear, but shallow waters of the Bahamas Banks. The feel of accomplishment just can't be describe. You have arrived, so now what? The answer is almost as endless as the Island chain itself.

Arriving on your own boat is by far the best way to experience the Islands. If you decide to do nothing else, just island hopping in your boat can take up an entire season. Visiting the cities and settlements from the small to the cosmopolitan. The Abacos, with their New England flavor, offer such settlements as Hopetown or Marsh Harbor, which have become the hub of the Abacos for the boating community. You can still visit the Artist Colony at Little Harbor founded by Pete Johnson, where is family still displays many works of art. If nightlife and excitement are your pleasure, Grand Bahamas and Freeport with their large casinos and resorts will occupy all of your time and a lot of your money. The protected shallow waters of the Northern Bahamas is wonderful for sailing, snorkeling, diving and some world-class fishing. Fishing is a big part of the Bahamas experience. Deep-sea fishing for Mahi-Mahi, Marlin, Tuna, Wahoo or Mackerel are but a few of the possibilities for the catch of the day. Enjoy fly-fishing for Bonefish, catching Jack or Snapper in the morning and cooking your catch on the grill in the evening is our definition of "the good life". Fish from your own boat, hire a guide or charter a fishing boat.

Fishing or Island hopping may not be your only choices. The diving and snorkeling in the Bahamas is some of the best in the world. And no place is better known for their dive sites than the Exuma chain. Dive or snorkel on patch reefs, do deeper wall dives, or try one of the well known Blue Holes for a dive experience you will never forget. We have snorkeled with sharks at the Land and Sea Park and Barracuda amongst the Elkhorn Coral off Concepcion Island.  Bring along a kayak, or rent one from one of the vendors found in many Exuma settlements for a close up and personal view of the waters and environment that can be experienced no other way. Natural preserves like the Exuma Land and Sea Park offer nature trails to hike and undisturbed underwater habitats to explore. The southern Bahamas offers a real Caribbean experience, with deserted islands and white sandy beaches that rival any other in the Caribbean.

If golfing happens to be your passion, the Bahamas offers three world-class golf courses. The Abaco Club is a private golf club offering reciprocal privileges. Treasure Cay Golf Club at Treasure Cay and Grand Isle Resort on Great Exuma round out these challenging 18-hole courses with vistas that will at times be distracting to players. All of the clubs offer amenities that rival or surpass many golf clubs found in the U.S. The lower Exumas are often the seasonal destination for many boaters. During the winter months, the warm and balmy trade winds make for some very comfortable weather. Your options are almost endless. Feed the iguanas on Allans Cay, swim with the pigs at Pig Beach on Big Major Spot, snorkel Thunderball Grotto of James Bond fame at Staniel Cay or join in the festivities that run almost non-stop in Georgetown. Georgetown is home to the annual Family Island Regatta Week. We have counted over 400 boats in the harbor during regatta week and there was still plenty of room. There are daily volleyball games going on at, you guessed it, Volleyball Beach. A different cruisers activity is going on almost every day from sing-alongs to pot lucks, or boating seminars to local holiday festivities.

The biggest problem we have encountered on our trips to the Bahamas is when it is time to leave, we haven't done everything we planned to do. It truly is better in the Bahamas, and that's probably why boaters like ourselves are drawn back over and over, and over again. So go, enjoy and look for us the next time you find yourself wondering what to do today.  Chuck Baier and Susan Landry