Report: Monday 29 October 2012 – 08:30

Day 4 of the Hurricane Sandy Hostage Crisis

The worst is over.  Sandy passed by us last night, well out to sea east of Cape Hatteras.  We still will have winds today - probably 20-25 knots with gusts to 40. The same as we have been having, except now shifting to the northwest.  The winds will continue as Sandy continues her attack on the east coast.  Glad we are not in New York or New Jersey - hope they make it through okay. Landfall is a day or 2 away.

Still no wind problem, as we are sheltered from all directions except south and southeast (and then, only a couple of miles of fetch), and that is not going to happen until Sandy is long gone.  The boat is not rocking nearly as much as before; hardly at all.  There was a surge last night, the water came up about 1-1/2 feet, and has stopped rising.  Checked the dock lines last night, moved a fender-board down to compensate. Rain is much less intense.  

There has been 100% humidity for several days; boat doesn't leak but there is a lot of condensation on the inside.  The diesel heater is working wonderfully. Other than wiping up drips on the windows occasionally, we are still dry inside.  I am glad we have a new boat!

Still no worries about shore power.  We are running the boat on batteries, 12 volt, with a charger running off shore power.  If the land power goes off, we can always run the engine to keep the batteries charged.  So, no problem until we run out of diesel, and we have enough aboard for many days, if not a week or two, or more. In some ways, we are better off than those ashore who are dependent on the power grid.

Events today at Camp Dowry Creek:  9:00 Yoga (optional). 10:30 Continuing South on the ICW –  routes; anchorages; marinas - discussion of experiences and interests.  2:00 Power - wind, solar, generators, etc.  Power consumption.  5:30 Sundowners and cocktail party.  The wonderful cruisers' conference continues.

Julie O'Brien - sailor friend from Minnesota - e-mailed us that a couple she knows from Charleston Marina (South Carolina) is also cruising and holed up at this marina.  So we got to meet and talk with John and Helen Leddy (at the happy hour last night).

If all goes well, we may finally escape from here (Dowry Creek Marina, Belhaven NC) by Thursday or Friday.  Then we have 245 miles to Myrtle Beach down the ICW - have to get there by Thanksgiving week.  Should work if the weather holds after this.