May 28th- Broad Creek to Belhaven NC

The rain stopped and the wind calmed down by late morning so we pressed on to Belhaven. The water was still a little choppy but manageable. We were actually able to sail for a while up the Pungo River and made good time.

This stop in Belhaven was to be brief due to a short weather window to get past the Alligator River and Albemarle Sound.

May 29th Memorial Day- Belhaven to South Lake NC

Since the next couple of days have us traveling through a remote area we were up at dawn to prepare Evergreen. We ferried water and diesel fuel out to Evergreen from Belhaven Marina. Rhiannon and Autumn Bourne waited patiently for us to get our morning chores done before all three boats set out on the Pungo River.

We’ve been having a small engine issue since the Neuse River and it picked today to get worse. Before reaching the Alligator/ Pungo Canal the engine RPMs dropped and the engine almost rattled down to the stalling point twice. This had me quite rattled! We were in communication with the rest of the flotilla and I needed to make a decision to continue on (into the wilderness) or return to Belhaven. I found that by reducing Evergreen’s speed I could keep the engine going. It was still running rough but maybe we could make it. We’d miss this weather window if I turned back. Decision= ONWARD!

The canal and the Alligator River were both pretty calm today but I still had to nurse the engine along. We arrived at our anchorage in South Lake late in the day. I wanted to work on the engine but was just too exhausted to accomplish anything. South Lake is very remote but Rhiannon accompanied us into the anchorage should we need help. All three boats have had some kind of engine issues during this trip.

May 30th- South Lake to Coinjock NC

After Ollie’s morning commando raid we exited South Lake to transit the Albemarle Sound. We joined up again with Autumn Bourne before crossing. The winds were forecast to increase through the day but an early departure beat most of it. Our engine problems persisted through the trip. Eventually we were fighting a head wind in the rivers and canals. It was tiring to pilot Evergreen through adverse weather conditions and engine issues.

Eventually our trio and about 15 other boats showed up (at the same time!) to Coinjock Marina and Restaurant. Dockage was by reservation only as it was a full house. Rhiannon and Autumn Bourne were assigned to the dock near the restaurant. The Coinjock Restaurant is famous for its prime rib. We were assigned to the dock across the canal from the restaurant which has no access to the the aforementioned restaurant. We affectionately call our dock, “The penalty box.” Our cruising friends send us pictures of prime rib. We have clean showers and there is a nice field for Ollie exercise 10′ from Evergreen.

Our time in “The penalty box ” has allowed me to focus on our deisel engine. Fuel filters were changed along with the oil. We think the fuel filter was the cause of our problems. Tomorrow will be the test. We hope our engine issues are solved.

Some scenes from Coinjock.

SV Rhiannon rafted to SV Autumn Bourne

Oliver with some artillery.

Evergreen tied to the dock at Coinjock Marina and Restaurant.