Good morning from Savannah, GA. Yes, that is correct, we moved 160 miles Friday from St Augustine to Savanah GA on the Atlantic. This was a great test for the transmission.

Since the last post we have had several highs and lows but in the end, all has come together, and we are once again moving north and continuing the loop.

The transmission arrived at the boat yard from St Petersburg over a week later than promised. Not a big deal for the repair shop, but it was putting us into a bind because insurance wants you north of the FL/GA state line by June 1st, due to tropical storms. We just made that yesterday!

The boat yard was great and put their best guys on the install and it was done in just 1-1/2 days. We were excited to know, just a sea trial and we would be on our way. Then the repair shop called and said they need to be on the boat for the sea trial to warranty the transmission. No problem we will do it Thursday. They said they could not be on property until Friday. That is when I became the bad guy who had already paid in full for the work and chewed some butt. The owner, himself, showed up by noon on Thursday and the sea trial was on. I thought this would just be running the boat and we would be good to go. Boy was I wrong. 5 hours later and two oil leaks fixed from the new transmission’s oil pump, we were all good to go. I was later told that this happens almost every time! Wish I had known that before the 5 hours when I felt like we were not leaving again!

She is all back in place and ready for the sea trial

Our shakedown cruise would be 160 miles in the Atlantic to skip the low country on the ICW in GA. We had always planned to skip this area as it is very shallow and not much to see.

When we took off at 6:25AM from St Augustine the forecast was for 1-3′ all morning with winds increasing after 2pm and waves picking up from the NE.

Pulling out of our St Augustine home, Camachee Cove Marina as the sun is coming up.

Running north on the Atlantic with pretty nice conditions early in the day.

We did encounter a navy ship in the distance!

We did not make it to Savannah before the wind and waves picked up.

Ended up in 6’+ for the last 20 miles.

We put a good coat of salt on the entire boat.

Fun driving when you can’t see the channel markers! We did slow down to 16MPH in the big stuff so we did not beat the boat up.

Memphis did not care for the rough conditions at all. She just would not lay down and was getting soaked out back and did not want to come inside.

She got a bubble bath when we arrived to get all the salt off. She was very happy to run around on land as well.

The boat did run well but not without issue. I went down and checked the transmission and engine room at least hourly. First check, I found a loose bolt on the exhaust collar of a turbo. Only burned one knuckle tightening that while underway. Then found a small water leak from the exhaust pipe and a small leak from the transmission at the reverse flow connection. I will tighten those down today, as the area was too hot and dangerous to tighten while underway. Hoping that will take care of it! I do not normally have to check the engine room while underway, but I was told to by both mechanics since they had everything apart. I am glad I did.

We arrived at the Wassaw Sound and Inlet about 1PM with huge waves. We called Sea Tow for advice from the local captain coming in the cut as shoaling is always an issue at this inlet. I am glad we did, as he told me how to navigate the opening into the Wilmington River. It is sometimes hard to ignore the charts on the screen and drive into what shows as 6′ of water based on the advice. I was glad I followed it as we never saw less than 18′ of water. I am sure the area that showed 12′ was not! Once in the river there is plenty of water as you enter the GA low country.

Very wide river but shallow. Also we start the 8′ tidal swings in this area.

We are here in Savannah for 2-3 days to sight see, catch up with Looper friends, and see some family. This will be a nice start for our continued loop adventure.

Forgot to mention that the last week in St Augustine was fun for us, and I was really getting couped.

Having fun at Publix, in the greeting card section, arranging cards for all to enjoy! This is when you realize it is time to move the boat!

Also found a very unusual fish swimming in the harbor.

This is a Nudibranch Sea Slug. Very weird little creature. Swims like a bird with wings.

I hope everyone has a great weekend and I will post again when we arrive in Georgetown, SC. This will be another outside run of 140 miles so we will watch weather and hope to move no later than Monday.