St. Augustine to Mayport to Brunswick, Ga

Dinner at Hurricane Patti’s was great.  This is a very popular drinking spot and every Thursday they have a group that looks like 4 Kenny Rogers clones. The group was excellent, good singing, and super personalities. The music was a great mix of country & western and folk.  People were up dancing and generally having a good time. According to the waitress, some people come every week just to enjoy this group.

 

Goodbye St Augustine

We left later on Friday morning as I wanted to get to Mayport (mouth of the St. John’s river) at slack current.  We were staying at the same marina where we got bounced on our trip north. This time we had asked for an inside slip.

 

Chasing the drug runner

Shortly after we left St. Augustine in the Toamato River we were treated to a show.  Homeland security was conducting training exercises.  The first thing we saw appeared to be two large RIB’s with 4 300hp chasing a smaller motorboat.  This boat was the target and the other two were trying to cut him off.  They were just training however and as soon as they got close to us they slowed down.  Later we saw some other Customs ribs and what appeared to be an undercover Pursuit also training.  This appears to be a very active base as we saw 4 or 5 grey RIBS’s at a Marina near where we stayed.

After this action, the excitement slowed down and we just had to pay attention to our course.  There are various areas where shoaling has been reported and you need to keep to the appropriate side of the channel.

There was one stretch of 6 miles that just had home after home and a recommended slow speed for wake control.  Some very nice homes interspersed with rather plain ones. 

About 3 miles before we reached the St. Johns River there is a stretch of 2 or 3 marinas.  We saw a 75’ boat that we had been following all day. He had entered into the marina and was aground just past the entrance.  Low tide was obviously not the time to enter.

All of the dredging that we had seen at the mouth point where we entered the St. Johns River has been completed and they have done extensive shore work to maintain a good channel.

We got to the Fort George Island Marina and the spot we were promised was filled. We tied up at the fuel dock and were told we could move inside the floating docks at closing time.  As we were waiting 3 Navy boats came in for fuelling.

  Each one had about 6 crew and they looked like they were having a good time.  After they vacated, we moved in and tied off securely, using the two large fenders.  No problems with bouncing from the freighters, as we were inside and stern to the river. 

This is a very busy commercial area as the ships transit from the Atlantic to Jacksonville.  We saw everything from large RORO to container ships to bulk carriers.  

In one case there was a large barge with containers being pulled by one tug and pushed by another.  Lots of action to see.  It is also a major Navy base and you can see the missile cruisers and an Aircraft carrier as we passed.

Naval Base

Leaving at 8:00 we proceeded to go outside headed for Brunswick Ga.  Winds have died since Friday, blowing 10 to 12 and expected to go lower.  The seas are about 1 meter and directly on our nose.  This is better than on our side but the occasional pound does not impress the Admiral.

An uneventful day with not much to see.  We arrived at Brunswick Landing to a beehive of activity. Fuel prices are excellent but only one pump and a whole lot of boats. We were patient and were served, finally getting to our slip at 5:00!! Two boats that were waiting gave up and went to their slips, preferring to fuel in the morning.

Early start tomorrow as we are headed for Beaufort and a visit with the Taylor’s. 107 miles so we will be up on plane for some of the time to not arrive too late in the day. Looking forward to a bit of time catching up with god friends.

Back in a couple of days.

Admiral Sandy and Captain Bill