Trailer Boating In The Rain

Charleston/Georgetown 11/24-25/00

I got away from work about 1pm Friday. I splashed just before dark at Wapoo Cut in Charleston, SC on the ICW.

The weather was a little windy, but warm. I spent the next 3 hours cruising the area looking at boats (and knocking a couple back), and then turned in to anchor in front of the City Marina.

The wind picked up at about 3am; the change in motion awakened me and I went out into the cockpit for a look around. Even with the wind, it was still warm. I brought the anchor aboard and toured the 3 nearby marinas - had to keep it slow because it was pitch black - no moon. I'd finished my tour and was venturing into the harbor, rounding the battery when I felt a raindrop. I headed back to the ramp and had the boat on the trailer before the rain finally came, but it was only a light rain.

I drove to the Battery and parked for about 45 mins. - got out of the truck for a spell when the rain let up, to just peer into the windy darkness of the harbor. Whitecaps could be seen, blowing and dancing in the glow from the lights ashore. I then drove to Folly Beach for a look around. It's tough to take time out to do these things if the weather is nice, because the only thing on my mind then is to get out on the water. This was an excellent opportunity to spend some time ashore, visiting the places I usually frequent only from the water. There wasn't a bit of traffic on the roads in these early morning hours; I enjoyed driving at my own pace, sometimes as slow as 5 or 10 mph, smiling every time I looked in the rear view mirror to see my boat right behind me. It's nice having her along even if we aren't on the water.

Had breakfast at Waffle House on the causeway with 20 or so other

early birds, then parked in front of WalMart and slept aboard until they opened. I had to lengthen the trailer wiring because the new receiver put the trailer back so far that a sharp right turn would pull the plug on the trailer lights.

I left Charleston about 10am for the 60 mile drive to Georgetown. The drive to Georgetown was very pleasant despite the intermittent rain. As I got to G'town proper, the sun came out so I spent some time in town and on the boardwalk before heading to the ramp. The anchorage was full of transients; I love just looking at boats, especially since these boats brought back vivid memories of the many pleasant trips my wife and I had made up and down the ICW when we lived aboard our 27' sloop in the 70's. I could see US out in that harbor over 20+ years ago, with 600 miles of glorious ICW to go to get to Miami, then another 60 miles to make landfall in the Bahamas. I have to be satisfied retracing that path in small sections these days because of work, but I look forward to one day being able to again spend as much time as I want on the ICW.

As I got out of the truck at the ramp to launch the rain returned, so I decided not to splash. I went back to town and dawdled for a spell, poking about the salty shops and wishing the transient boats a final farewell, then leisurely headed back to the interstate for the 175 mile run home, stopping at a few boat stores along the way.

The adventure hadn't been all fair weather and it hadn't been all on the water, but it sure was peaceful and satisfying - I got my 'boating battery' charged enough to last me until next weekend.

I got back home late Saturday -- so I could spend Sunday with my girls.

Nick in Spartanburg, SC

Extremely happy owner of:

Ficht 115 pushing the Seaswirl 1850 W/A

"NICKY"