Coinjock NC to Fishing Bay VA

—Blogpost written by Bob

Coinjock NC to Great Bridge VA

We got a late start today because the Coinjock marina didn’t open until 8 AM and we needed to get ice before we left.  So, we departed from the marina at shortly after 8 AM on Wednesday, June 10, bound for Great Bridge VA, just 38 miles away.

Before departing, I checked for water leakage around the new shaft seal and for continued dripping of transmission fluid—the shaft seal had been completely effective as evidenced by the dry engine diaper BUT there was some leakage of transmission fluid onto the diaper. (However, the fluid level in the transmission was still a tad high.)

We motored across the Currituck Sound and into the North Landing River and followed the North Landing River into the Albemarle and Chesapeake Canal. The southerly breeze was nice and cool and the sky was overcast all morning, making the 5-1/2 hour trip very pleasant. 

As we came into Great Bridge we saw a bald eagle sitting on a large stump in the water!  We docked on the north end of the free dock in Great Bridge VA at 1:30 PM, positioning us perfectly for our next morning’s entrance into Great Bridge Lock. 

A bit later our friend Ken on s/v Hafli arrived at the same dock--it was nice catching up with him!

Great Bridge to Hampton

We made the 8 AM opening of the Great Bridge Bascule Bridge but just in the nick of time.  The delay in the forward gear of our transmission seems to be getting worse but it did eventually kick in after a minute or so (it seemed like 10 minutes).

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We got into the area between the bridge and the lock but could not advance any further because of some type of accident between a large tug-pulled barge and the lock.  It turned out to be an hour or more delay but eventually we go through the lock and on our way.

As we approached the Gilmerton Lift Bridge, the bridge had opened early because of the tug-pulled barge that was still ahead of us--we convinced them to keep the bridge open so that we could pass under it too.  It's a good thing we did because shortly afterward the nearby railroad bridge closed for repairs--this would have prevented our passage.

Large ships seemed to be
everywhere in Norfolk.

After Gilmerton Lift Bridge
there were no more
opening bridges
in Norfolk.

There was simply way too much going on in Norfolk!  Tugs, barges, ships, and helicopters created quite a sensory overload.  At one point Lola ran down below to avoid all the noise.

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We got to the Hampton Public Piers at 1 PM and were met by considerable confusion by a whole new dock crew.  Because of the pandemic, they were only allowing boats in every other slip but no one told us that until much later.  Unlike almost anyplace else we've been, recently, every one was wearing face masks.

We had pizza for lunch at the nearby restaurant, Bull Island Brewing Company.

Hampton to Fishing Bay

A 9 AM start from Hampton VA was a more relaxing schedule than we’ve been entertaining lately. The rain from yesterday afternoon and last night had cleared out, resulting in an overcast sky and a 13 to 14 knot wind out of the north northeast.

Maggie bailing the ran water
out of the dinghy.

Our “shifting delay” was more pronounced this morning—it must have taken 10 seconds! Fortunately, it was not critical since we were leaving a slip and had plenty of room behind us.

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The ride out of the Hampton River was calm but as we approached the bay, the wind hit us head on. As we got into the bay, a Navy Police Boat (with armed individuals and blue lights flashing) approached us and used their loud speaker to warn us about staying outside the yellow markers because of an incoming submarine. They were courteous enough and we fully complied with their request.

The U.S. Navy Police boat warning
us to stay outside the
yellow buoys.

Our trip up the bay was rough going—the 13 to 14 knot northerly wind against the outgoing tidal current created abrupt waves which slowed our progress considerably. At times our boat speed was as low as 4.5 knots. We considered stopping at New Point Comfort and anchoring for the night—at that moment New Point Comfort was 1.5 hours away and we changed course accordingly. 

Before we got very close to New Point Comfort, the wind speed reduced every so slightly so that we picked up about 1/2 knot in boat speed. So, we decided to change course again back to our original destination of Fishing Bay. The wind got lighter and the ride got easier as the day progressed. At the end of the day we were able to obtain a 7-knot boat speed and we made up for all the time we lost in the morning.

We anchored in 20 feet of water in Fishing Bay at 4 PM. Fishing Bay is one of our favorite Chesapeake Bay anchorages. It is a relatively deep anchorage and the little bay is lined with trees and modest homes with boat docks. The anchorage is completely protected from winds coming from any direction and the holding is excellent. (What more could a boater ask for in an anchorage?)

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Stay tuned for our continued trip home...

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