Over the last two weeks, I've had the privilege of living breathing sailboats, sailors and the people who love to put up with sailors. Starting on the 5th of April, sometime after 5pm I hit the road with plenty of luggage, my four legged travel partner Juda, two BMX bikes and an a laptop (that was horribly neglected). I was Chucktown bound to work on, sail on and live on an assortment of boats and yachts. I arrived at the Witch Doctor around 10 and was disappointed to find that I had missed last call at Salty Mike's. No worries, I had places to be at 7 AM. I established myself in the Doc's salon and quickly went to counting sheep. Bright and early in the AM, I took with Juda for Bruegger's; delish. After a great Leonardo De Veggie on a Jalapeño bagel, I got in touch with my client. Ended up that he was well behind schedule so I sat in the truck for only a moment before I realized the perfect set up that was before me. A perfect little ledge for some BMX fun. After spending an hour trying ice pics, 180 to double peg and smiths, the little Volvo that could pulled into the parking lot. Fortunately I was riding bike backwards and was able to flash a big childish grin at my client. Here was a 35 year old craftsman and business owner who he was about to let work on his clients $10 million home riding a "kid's" bike. WTF? Right, well those who know me, know how I roll. After courtesies, I threw my bike in the truck and we head out to Remley's Point.
While I tore up subflooring and re framed a floor system, my fam damily was headed into Chucktown. This was to be the first time that my daughter, son, baby's mama and I had sailed together since our first sail ever at OSA years ago. How lucky I am that Trae (my ex) and I are able to be friends and do take trips as a family. I was a little apprehensive about stuffing us all into a 33' Choey Lee Offshore, but it went seamlessly. Oh, don't forget Diesel, the 85lbs Doberman Pincer... Again, no issues, the Witch Doc is flexible.
I arrived back at the boat in the late afternoon and T-rae and I head to the Teeter leaving to kids on watch at the Doc. We returned with plenty of great food, loads of beer and some great bottles of wine. After ordering a pizza we let the kids watch a little telli and we watched the sun set over a number of bottles. Sleep.
On Thursday, I was up early and headed out to Remley's. I worked only a half day while the fam laid low and lazy on the boat. Upon my return, we grilled up some veggie brats and enjoyed a few more adult beverages. We then took a walk down Rainbow Row see the sites and piss off the kids. After an hour or so of walking, we returned to ready the boat and set the sails. We planned a sail across the harbor and up Shem's Creek to Red's Ice House. The wind was blowing about 18kts out of the ESE and we were on a beam reach. Stay sail and main alone meant that tacking was a effortless. No need to even put down your beer! We were doing 7 to 8kts through the water at low tide flooding. It was beautiful. The plotter didn't do a great job showing the entrance of the channel so I put Trae on the helm and head below to check out the harbor chart. We had already tacked towards the channel mouth but I wasn't quite sure whether to go around a shoal or go through the cut. Not 2 minutes later, the boat lunged forward. OOps. I skipped topside and dumped the sails. The depth was showing 3' and we draw nearly 5'. The 18kts of wind was pushing us directly into the shallow. I cranked the motor and evaluated the plotter trying to establish where to head. I assigned Trae to the sails asking her to trim them both in to heel the boat over. Under full throttle we weren't doing anything but skipping across the sandy bottom. After dumping the sails again, I spied a big motor boat about 100 yds off of our port bow. I hailed them on VHF but then turned them away realizing that they too drew too much draft. The tide was coming in so the fam shut down the motor, grabbed a couple of freshies and cranked up the tunes. About ten minutes passed before I realized that Skipper Trey had a Boat Tow US card. Hell yes. We were out and on our way 15 minutes later! After a decent fried food meal, we head back across the harbor and back to our slip. It was a beautiful night...
Friday morning, we cooked a great breakfast of veggie and cheese omelets, bagels, tea and OJ. After packing the family up, we rolled out to the beach. We took some pics, did some skim boarding and watched the dogs in the water. I had to say my goodbyes at lunch time and was again boat bound.
Upon reaching the Doc, I readied the boat. The skipper was soon to be in town along with Jen and Sher. The Witch was now spotless and well stocked. Around 9, I got the text to meet the crew at the dock house so we could head out for sushi and sake. I passed since I was in dire need of a shower. By 10, I was fresh, clean, like a million bucks and ready for the night to begin. At 10:30, I got the text "make the boat a ready." Hell yes we were headed out for a nice night on the water.
I think that my crew may have drank all the sake in Charleston. Everyone was well pissed! There was laughing and broken conversation, but we tightened up to shove off. Even just motoring through the night waters is beautiful, but add a little Schwayze and good company, and it is astounding. The weather was perfect. Trey and I passed out in the cockpit; surely after hours of deep conversation! HA!
The morning was beautiful, but everyones' livers were busy working overtime. I missed out on the sake so I wasn't too bad. Jen brought up the anchor and I got us underway. I enjoyed the breeze and the cool morning as the crew stayed in the reclined position for the return voyage.
Ahh Saturday morning... we had experienced some starter issues on the water so we paid attention to the solenoid at dock. It seamed to make a difference so next on the agenda was to hit the Teeter and get ready for a great night of cooking and boating. The weather forecast to be be cloudy with scattered showers. Our spirits weren't dampened though and Skipper started rallying the troops. Before long, we were at near capacity with Caroline, Brian, Trey, Sher and a couple of other motley individuals. We loaded the icebox with beer, booze, fish and veggies. On the water, the wind was up in the teens again. There were even some gusts in the 20's, but the right boat and the right crew makes for a righteous time. Caroline was on the helm while the rest of the rebels were hanging (sometimes literally) all over the boat. From the windward to leeward rails to resting on the filled main to doing a "Titanic" on the bow pulpit to riding HouDinghy 20 yards behind the boat! Again, the Witch Doctor delivers. We traveled a ways up the Wando and the wind seemed to lay down. We came about for everyone was getting hungry and we needed to flatten the boat out to fire up the grill. I had already prepped the talapia in a nice spicy marinade. In addition we had grilled peppers, tomatoes and mushrooms. I had also made a pico de gallo earlier in the day. Soon we were munching on some incredible fish tacos.
And that's were it got fuzzy...So I remember the motor wouldn't crank (the solenoid again). We sailed into the slip under stay sail alone; seamlessly I might add. After the boat was made at the dock, the drinking stepped up a notch. I remember that there was more food brought over by Timmy (the slip mate). I recall kinda, Mary coming over (other slip mate). Then came out the moonshine? That was the end of my memory. Next thing you know, it was time to go to bed. Hmmmm. Ok, there was a lot that went on in between moonshine coming out going to bed. I've heard that someone fell over board no names or anything but he has hippy hair and a hairy chest. Then apparently, that same guy was super cool and continued swimming and trying to get naked. Whomever that guy was, let's hope that he stays away for a while... he was rowdy! I can't guarantee these events for I just heard about them the next day.
Moving on, there was a wonderful meal cooked, roasted green peppers, roasted tomatoes, grilled chicken, more talapia and boatloads of boozing. What a great crowd!
Astonishingly, Sunday wasn't too rough. I had a practice sail scheduled for high noon on the J130 (Solarus). After paying even more attention to the WD's solenoid issue, I head out for cooper river marina.
More to come
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