We were in no rush to leave Georgetown for two reasons... first, allowing time for the temperature to warm up, and second, to wait for the tide to change. So it was about 11:00 hrs when we cast off our lines. In the outgoing current, we flew down Winya Bay and into the ICW on a falling tide. This section of the ICW has a few trouble spots, so should be timed well. But we didn't manage the first section too well, running through the South then North Santee Rivers where the outflowing currents can cause shoaling at the crossings. There was lots of VHF chat about depths, and we had our depth alarm chirping at us from time to time, but we made it through. Along the way we met a single hander, Martin Jern on "Freedom", with a 4' draft. So we relinquished the lead to him, letting him call back depths. In mid afternoon we pulled into the Leyland Oil Company docks in McClellanville . Not really an oil company, it is a small recently refurbished marina where we tied up and introduced ourselves to Martin in person. After chatting with him, we learned he was from Sweden and had bought his boat the week before, never having sailed before. But he was quickly running up the learning curve. Another cold night, we were below before sunset.
Next morning we were off again, catching high tide to sneak through another major trouble spot on the ICW. At the peak of a 4' high tide we saw only 2' under our keel in spots, so no way to make it through at anything less than half tide.
From there, we raced at top speed to reach the next problem section with as much tide as possible. At 1130 hrs we passed under the high rise bridge at Sullivan Island, marking the next bad section. Here we ran at dead slow, first passing a boat hard aground close beside a channel marker.
By this time we were leading a fleet of six boats, all calling us to get depth reports. An hour later, we were safely through with only one other behind us through. The remainder, including Martin... working his way up the learning curve, were stranded up the ICW.
Through the Ben Sawyer Bridge, we were out into the open waters of Charleston Harbor. From there up the Wando River to Charleston City Boatyard, Estelle's winter home.
We arrived late Friday afternoon and settled in to winterize the boat.
Beginning Saturday morning, we changed the oil in the engine and genset,
changed fuel and oil filters, 5 in total. Then antifreeze in the cooling water, winterize the watermaker, sumps, water system and holding tank.
We also had to go through the food, giving away and heaving to avoid problems. Then a thorough cleaning to make sure there were no food scraps to attract any unwanted critters.
By then it was early Thursday, and time left for an afternoon tour of Charleston.
And in between we found some great meals... Charleston Grill, The Old Post House, Salt.
Charleston Grill
So by Friday we were ready to be off to BC for the winter. Although a big job, it makes us confident about Estelle's winter. Because of the mild climate, many people do nothing. But we are happy that Estelle will winter well.
Until then, late April, we are in BC, alternating between our Whistler home and visits to Vancouver and Victoria for family visits.