Finally got away from Oriental this morning at 11:40, the channel to the marine there isn't real deep so at one point I plowed thru some mud to get out, other than being slowed down for a minute, no problems.

Reached Adams Creek for the passage to Beaufort without anymore problems and once there found that for the first time in 7 trips down/up Adams Creek I had a fair current! In fact in was running in places at close to 3 knots so made great time.

Just north of Beaufort there is a junction in the channel. The main channel goes right towards the deep water ship channel and the inlet the left channel is a short cut into the Beaufort. I decided based on the mud flats around to stick with the main channel as the short cut is notorious for having depth problems and I didn't want to chance it.

However just after I made the turn for the main channel I hit hard doing over 8 knots, instantly heeling 20+ degrees to port with the bow slewing around to starboard. First thought was what the hell followed by this is one grounding you will be towed off of. Then SURPRISE Malaya came up right, the depth sounder started showing deeper water and we were back in the channel like nothing had happened. Looking aft I could see I been swept further left than I thought by the current so I moved over and hugged the starboard side of the channel the rest of the way to the bridge. Interesting moment!

In the end made Beaufort Town Docks without anymore problems. Malaya's engine ran well so because of the weather forecast I will motor south in the ditch (ICW) for a couple of days or so towards Charleston, SC which is about 250 miles south on the ICW.