Coinjack, NC to Belhaven, NC

Day 1 Coinjack, NC to Alligator River Marina
We traveled a good 34.5 nautical miles today totaling 7 hours from Coinjack, including travel across the Albemarle Sound to Alligator River. The sound was about 14 miles in distance; shallow at 7-9 ft. under the keel and the waves were choppy at 2-3 feet. The water was brown the color of coffee, coke or swamp water! Midway thru the ride Mattias noticed the rpms were reving as they had been for the last day or so. Could be an alternator/starter/battery problem that he'd need to figure out on a dock somewhere. Put up the main sail as the jib wasn't getting us along quick enough. Our friends on Patience V went on to anchor an hour or so ahead of us. We settled into Alligator Marina so Mattias could figure out the problem. The view was peaceful and very beautiful from the marina. Our boating neighbors saw a sea otter pair perched on a stump so we went to the waterside to take a look but didn't see them. "Miss Wanda", the marina owner drove Mattias to the Napa auto parts in the closest town of Columbia, NC some 12 miles away. He got some parts to repair the problem but not all. Was able to rewire part of the battery and disconnect the second battery to alleviate the problem until we can get a part.



Day 2 Alligator River Marina
Mattias had the boat apart for more repair so we spent the second day in Alligator Marina. The winds were expected to be high in the afternoon making for uncomfortable travel anyway. Folks that came in on the Lady T from the Albemarle sound today said the waves reached 6 ft. Happy it wasn't us! Were happy about the marina rates. Aside from the free dock at Great River Bridge, we paid here $1.00 per foot. Cheapest we've paid so far. Would enjoy to anchor as there are a great many locations but with no heat and temps heading down to the 30's, it makes for personal misery!
Day 3 Alligator River Marina to Belhaven, NC
An uneventful day motoring a good 45 miles. It was quiet on the waters and cold. For the best part of the day we motored down the Alligator River and Pungo Canal. A straight route with funky waves that reminded me of being in a man made water park. Another shallow route with 9 feet under the draft pretty much the whole ride. We had to dodge tree stumps in the water and some shoaling but that was the only peril. We got a later start today and arrived after 4 p.m. when the sun was setting. Boy when that sun goes down it gets nippy. We have an early morning tomorrow to head to Oriental, NC which is supposed to be a quaint town.

Off to bed, Carrie