This morning was pretty relaxed after getting up around 0800. Jorge was catching up on internet news and I was reading the charts, weather forecasts, etc. for tomorrow. After deciding what I wanted to do, I put my suggestions to Jorge who then did his own research and concurred with my plan. We are leaving the ICW and sailing offshore tomorrow from Beaufort to Masonboro Inlet! It is supposed to be about the same distance but no shoaling and no bridges to deal with, about a 70 nm run.

Our speed over water indicator has not been working for the past little while. Jorge has been reluctant to pull the transducer to check it but decided today was as good a day as any to sink should he not be able to get the plug in. No wonder it had not been working! It was covered in well guck. Once cleaned he put it back in and I am happy to say, CS'ta Time is still floating!

Guck on transducer.

Ditto.

 

After lunch we got a call from Diana and Gilbert. They were just arriving in Beaufort. We told them exactly where we were anchored and gave them the most direct route to our anchorage. Jorge and I then had our last showers in Beaufort and met Diana and Gilbert once they were anchored. They were heading for the showers (priorities eh) and we accepted an invite to dinner on their boat.

En route to getting propane, Jorge met a local sailor who gave him the low down on the offshore sail. He also drove Jorge to and from the gas station for propane. We have been blessed with meeting very generous and helpful people here.

Dinner was wonderful and it was great to catch up on things with Diana and Gilbert. They supplied the appetizers and entree, we supplied the salad and dessert. They are in total agreement with the offshore sail tomorrow and will be joining us. Too bad they will miss Beaufort, it really is a quaint town.

Diana and Gilbert aboard Serenada.

Jorge and Kim aboard Serenada.

We plan on leaving Beaufort at 0500 to arrive hopefully during daylight hours in Masonboro (12 to 14 hour trip). The winds are supposed to be light and waves 2 to 4 feet, overcast but no rain. Hopefully all goes according to plan!