First boat vacayion

[jmauld]

Sorry blueone, I’m using your post as inspiration.

We just got back from our first 5 day vacation with our new to us 2010 390da.

First day, I was a nervous wreck. Didn’t sleep the night before and it was raining in the morning so we got off to a late start. Left the dock around 11AM with an ~90 mile trip ahead of us. I was worried about gas because the gauges drop very rapidly from full, so I was very cautious
of fuel usage. Turns out the gauges just want to sit around the 3/4 mark and the fuel usage indicator on the vessel view seems to be a more accurate judge of where we are with fuel.

The rained continued for about half the time to Beaufort and when we got to the marina the current and wind was ripping. I should’ve dropped anchor and waited it out but tried to dock instead. Didn’t make it. I let my bow get blown around and ended up sideways on a pole. Fortunately I was able to get it to a pole with an empty slip and backed it into that slip. I told the Dockmaster he could move it if he wanted otherwise we were staying in that slip for the night. Ended up staying in that slip the entire time.

Not a good first day. The next day we visited the waterfront area and just walked around a bit. That night we inflated the dinghy and spent the next day at carrot island and cruising around the area. Turned out to be a great day. The next day we headed over to shackleford banks and again that turned into a great day. Came back home today with perfect weather. I was much more comfortable pushing the boat and made it back home less than five hours. I probably could’ve cut another 1-1.5hrs off if I had cut through onslow bay instead of following the ICW, but I chickened out.

Glad to have the first trip under my belt and I will be better prepared for future trips.


Edit: shit I messed up the title again.

 

[WinkBuilt]

Love the horse pics! Sounds like a fun and relatively uneventful first trip @jmauld

 

[jmauld]

Love the horse pics! Sounds like a fun and relatively uneventful first trip @jmauld

Here are a few more. If you’re not familiar with the area these are wild horses. Some are of a Spanish lineage that were from ship wrecks. Others are more recent domesticated horses that were released about 80 yrs ago.

 

[Strecker25]

Good news, you’ll now be addicted to boat trips. Bad news, the night before jitters don’t go away. I’m usually more excited than anything but you’ll always find yourself double checking things and running through your pre-flight checks the night before.

nothing better than a boat vacation though, especially one with flat water

 

[bahamabreisus]

Beaufort is one of our favorite place to go. Always current there, except at slack tide. I always have a challenge docking.

 

[jmauld]

Beaufort is one of our favorite place to go. Always current there, except at slack tide. I always have a challenge docking.

Do you have any other nearby spots that you like to visit? We are looking at Some of the options around little river - MB, but how do you get around once there? Everything is so spread out.

 

[Stee6043]

Very nice. Thanks for sharing!

 

[WinkBuilt]

Do you have any other nearby spots that you like to visit? We are looking at Some of the options around little river - MB, but how do you get around once there? Everything is so spread out.

Barefoot Landing in NMB has a ton within walkable distance.

 

[Quint4]

I hear you all on the current and wind in Beaufort (Morehead City is worse!). Docked in Beaufort a few weeks ago and the dock master told me there are frequent docking mishaps. Great pics !

 

[firecadet613]

Looks like a great trip! My fuel gauges are the same way, with the sending units in the rear of the tanks - they give you false hope until you get off plane!

 

[brewster16]

Do you have any other nearby spots that you like to visit? We are looking at Some of the options around little river - MB, but how do you get around once there? Everything is so spread out.

We always take bikes on our boat trips.....well worth it for us. Recently we bought folding electric bikes....even better

 

[Boatingnut]

Enjoy all the memories! Difficult docking/weather/near disasters memories seem to have more sticking power than the perfect sunny day with flat water! It is all about the experience. Part of why I enjoy boating is the challenges it presents at times!

 

[Creekwood]

Great pictures. Love it. Sorry to hear about the hard landing. We are lucky where I am that there is no current, just wind to deal with. We don't have pilings though. So hard landings involve hitting other boats. So more at stake than just your ego. I am sure you can get lots of tips from the southern guru's on how to use pilings to your advantage.

I love that dolphin picture.

 

[bahamabreisus]

Do you have any other nearby spots that you like to visit? We are looking at Some of the options around little river - MB, but how do you get around once there? Everything is so spread out.

I assume you have done Bald Head, that's fun for a few days. Southport for a day or two. Even Swansboro for a night.

 

[bbwhitejr]

I assume you have done Bald Head, that's fun for a few days. Southport for a day or two. Even Swansboro for a night.

Ocracoke is good for a few days and then up to Hatteras….

Bennett