Belleair Beach to Baltimore a 30 day adventure

[Mikemapva]

This has been a great thread for me! I can't wait for the return voyage as your starting and ending points are both of the areas we boat; the Chesapeake Bay area, and the West Coast of Florida. We're on the Potomac and Bay most of the time, and in the Anna Maria Island/Tampa Bay area for a few weeks every summer. I hope I can someday make the trip between the two! I've been on a trawler in the ICW from Norfolk to Myrtle Beach, and would love to do the rest.

Per the last post, there are actually at least 3 Hokie Mikes as I'm also one

Mike

 

[Big Daddy II]

Day 25-26 We left Solomons Island at 12:30 for a bumpy ride to Irvington. We stayed at the Tides Inn which is about 10 miles up the Rappahannock River. It's rated a top 100 Inn in America. The floating docks were brand new and boaters have access to all the amenities-pool, fitness center, golf, sauna and bikes. It's a wonderful stop and many beautiful homes surround it. We left at 1:30 today for Norfolk and are saddened to leave the Cheasapeake Bay. All the ports we visited were exceptional, as I'm sure were many of the ones we were not able to visit. We will leave in the morning for the Virginia Cut route of the ICW, but afterwards we will try to do an alternate route and visit Manteo at the Outer Banks. Mileage wise it looks to be about the same as the ICW, but with much more exposed water. By the way, I'm a Terp and our son the Wahoo.

 

[GrimmSpeed]

Very awesome pics. Been following you guys the whole time...I feel like I'm on the trip with you guys. Its needed especially when we have frost warnings tonight

Justin

 

[tikiman]

WOW What a trip!! Thanks for bringing us along!!

 

[Big Daddy II]

Day 27 We left Tidewater Marina in Portsmouth at 8:30AM timing the 5 bridges and locks perfectly. We decided to head to the outer banks as my wife has never been there with Manteo Waterfront Marina our destination. Actually the dockmaster said it was 11 miles shorter using this route but there is alot of open water in Albemarle and Pamlico Sounds so most boaters avoid this route. Both of these are relatively shallow so they get a nastyy chop as we experienced with only a 15 knot wind. There has been alot more northbound traffic in the ICW due to boat relocation. I filled up in Portsmouth with 388 gallons-$3.57 a gallon- they didn't charge sales tax because the boat was documented-never heard of that before but I like the result. I think we may spend Tuesday here in Manteo exploring the Outer Banks then head for Beaufort Wednesday morning. It looks like a great night of sports viewing on Big Daddy with the Rays vs. Yanks and Lightning vs Bruins. It's a good thing we did not go in the ocean as there are 6-10 foot seas with this low pressure system.

 

[Searaybio270]

$3.57 a gallon. Wow! My boat is documented - I think I'll ask that question from now on. Like everyone else - thanks for taking us along on your trip. It has been enjoyable.

 

[Drillin Time]

:smt038Go Bolts! Go Rays!

 

[Big Daddy II]

Day 28 We explored some of the Outer Banks including Oregon Inlet ,Bodie Light House, Nags Head, Jockey Ridge State Park and the Wright Brothers National Memorial in Kill Devil Hills. Going to Manteo on Roanoke Island is a great alternative to the ICW as long as the sounds are calm. Tomorrow we will go about 80 miles in the Pamlico Sound until we get to the Neuse River and then head south to Beaufort/Morehead City.

 

[douglee25]

That's a great picture of you both together. That one should be framed for your house.

Doug

 

[Four Suns]

The Albemarle and Pamlico Sounds rank up there with the Delaware Bay...

 

[douglee25]

As far as nastiness?

Doug

 

[CV-23]

Great Pictures! We love the Outer Banks, Mike.

 

[Bucit]

I'm still in shock over the amount of gas (really the amount of $$$$ for the gas) this trip is costing you. That would pay my mortgage for more than a year.

 

[Big Daddy II]

Day 29 Are we starting the fifth week? It doesn't seem possible. We left Manteo at 8:30AM and arrived at Beaufort at 3 PM. The Pamlico sound was docile today with at most a 1 foot chop. If one goes this alternative route, make sure your vessel is mechanically very sound as we may have passed 3 boats in 80 miles-you are on your own. Topped the fuel off with 287 gallons. We may run on the outside tomorrow if the conditions are decent and go to Southport or further. As far as fuel use, this 48 Sea Ray is probably the most efficient boat of its size and cruising speed. The Viking 70 next to me in Beaufort cruises very fast (39MPH), but he burns 130 GPH. I burn about 46GPH at 30 MPH. If I want to crawl at 7MPH, it burns 2.2GPH

 

[Alex F]

BD,

Awsome pictures.

Are you really burning 46GPH at 30MPH? I was thinking it was around 50-55GPH. What's your RPMs pushing her 30MPH?

 

[Alegria]

I'm still in shock over the amount of gas (really the amount of $$$$ for the gas) this trip is costing you. That would pay my mortgage for more than a year.

LOL I think you mean diesel... But I agree on your point! That saying Time = Money really is true. At 2.2 gph this would be day 30 of their trip and they might just be getting to the mouth of the Bay.

Anyway still love following your adventures here on the thread and still am in awe of the 480 on the lift in your avatar...

 

[Bucit]

LOL I think you mean diesel... But I agree on your point! That saying Time = Money really is true. At 2.2 gph this would be day 30 of their trip and they might just be getting to the mouth of the Bay.

Anyway still love following your adventures here on the thread and still am in awe of the 480 on the lift in your avatar...

Sorry, I did mean diesel (I should know better since I drive a diesel). It sounds like you and the Admiral (and don't forget Buddy) have had a great time. I'm going to start saving my pennies so I can upgrade in the furtue and hopefully take a trip like this. Go LIGHTNING!

 

[Big Daddy II]

Day 30 We departed Beaufort at 9AM with Southport our destination. We used the ocean route as the forecast was good and only an 80 mile run. The seas were comfortable with a gentle 3-4 foot roll. We came in the Wrightsville Beach Inlet and continued down the Cape Fear River to Southport(the town where Dawsons Creek was filmed). Tomorrow we will head to Georgetown, half the way in the ocean and the other half in no wake hell around Myrtle Beach. For the stats at 1750RPM- 25MPH, at 2000RPM- 30MPH. The cummins get the same MPG from 1750-2000RPM, it gets .67MPG, but again back down to 600RPM it gets 3.5MPG.

 

[scootdogg]

thank you for sharing this adventure with us! it makes being here at work grinding through the day a little more bearable...

 

[Turtlesboat]

That dog toy looks very familiar.