APRIL 13: LEAVING BEAUFORT, SOUTH CAROLINA

April 13:  Good weather today allowed us to make an early start from Beaufort as we plan to cover 82 miles today.  Our overnight stop is an anchorage north of Charleston.  We are skipping Charleston this time around as we spent time there on a previous visit.  It is a great city and hopefully we will visit it again in the future.

The most exciting part of the trip was traversing Elliot Cut.  The Cut is a short and narrow passage where the current can run up to 6.5 knots at maximum ebb.  Boats are advised to announce their intention to cross before proceeding through the Cut.  It is a good thing that we followed this procedure as a 220 foot cruise ship was approaching the Cut from the northern end.  The Captain acknowledged us and agreed to wait for us to exit the Cut.  Fortunately for us, the current was going with us and we had a wild ride through the Cut doing 11 knots.  When we came out at the other end, we were extremely thankful that we did not meet the cruise ship in the Cut.

The wind picked up as we crossed Charleston Harbor and meandered our way back onto the ICW to head for our anchorage.

 Charleston Harbor

 Leaving Charleston Harbor

We anchored in Long Creek a short distance from the ICW.  We were the only boat there and enjoyed a beautiful sunset and a peaceful night.