Cape Lookout / Summer Vacation

Finally, a week long vacation of sun, fun and chasing booty.

Dylan (my 15 year old), Bonnie & I spent a week exploring the Crystal Coast area of the North Carolina Outer Banks.

Our first destination was Cape Lookout, where our thoughts of buying a trawler all began during our 2006 summer vacation. On our way we thought we would stop for lunch on-the-hook at Shakelford Banks, but ended up soft grounding on a sand bar in an area that I had been many times over the years. Shows that the outer banks are in constant change.

Later, safely anchored in the bight of Cape Lookout, we were able to go ashore and walk to ocean side and be the only people on the beach. There are very few places in the world that you can make that claim; which is the reason that Cape Lookout is one of my favorite places of all time.

On our second night of anchorage, we were awakened by a strong thunderstorm and our anchor alarm. Fortunately, our anchor held fast, but the weather forecast was not good for the next several days. Early the next day we headed out to Beaufort prior the seas getting rough. A few weeks earlier we made passge from Cape Lookout to the Beaufort Inlet in 8' seas and did not desire to repeat the experience. Fortunately, we were only greeted by 4' to 5' seas as we took leave of the cape.

Docked at the Beaufort Docks we enjoyed the comforts of electric and air conditioning; although we do have a generator; I prefer not to run at night just for a/c when we have an ocean breeze.

Upon depature from Beaufort, we cruised Taylor's Creek and were greeted by the banks ponies. These are the ancestors of ponies shipwreaked on the beaches of Cape Lookout, Hatteras and Shakelford Banks and still survive today (with some help from local horse lovers).

After stops in Swanboro, Morehead City and New Bern; we all agreed it was a great week. In addition, we were able to experience both clear skies and rough weather; sometimes all in the same day. In the end we had sun, haze, thunderstorms, low visibilty and high winds at some time during our travels. But, always felt safe in our sturdy Nordic Tug, Laughing Turtle.

Ocracoke Island, NC - Memorial Day Weekend

After some weekends of routine maintenance, an early tropical storm, Bonnie's son's graduation from Florida State and short local trips; we finally have a long weekend to venture further from our home port of Oriental.

This was our first venture when at times we out of site on any land. But, with the combination of paper charts, GPS, radar and chart plotter (Furuno 1933c) I felt well prepared. I am rather enjoying the navigational aspects of having a trawler, as it keeps my mind engaged and removed from the day-to-day job stresses. Although, figuring out some of the navigational markers can be confusing, particularily when they change from going to the sea (green on starboard) to returning from the sea (red on starboard) in one channel. Which exactly what occurs as you make a u-turn to enter the Silver Lake Harbor at Ocracoke. Fortunately, got it all sorted out without incident and arrived in about a five hour passage from Oriental.


After settling our Laughing Turtle in a slip owned by a local art gallery owner, Bonnie & I were ready to explore and relax. Ocracoke Island, accessible only by water or air, is one of the barrier islands of the Outer Banks of North Carolina where the pirate Blackbeard (see a theme here) is known to have once roamed and met his final demise at the hands of the British Navy. The Cape Hatteras National Seashore, with the Pamlico Sound on one side and the Atlantic Ocean on the other, its 16 miles of beaches offer something for everyone; including a nude beach area (hummmm!!).


The center of activity is around Silver Lake, where there are many restaurants, art galleries, bars and the normal beach-junk stores. But, we were there to eat, drink and relax; which exactly what we did for our three day holiday. Ocracoke Island is sure to be frequent destination.

Bath, NC - Home of Black Beard the Pirate

For our first significant voyage, we traveled to Bath, NC. Trip encompassed 90 Miles and about 8 hours of travel time round trip. Bonnie was very amused by the autopilot systems on board. Check the chart (paper & chart plotter), set the heading, correct for current / wind and the autopilot takes most of the work of navigating.


Arrived in Bath at 5:00 and was able dock at the state docks (free) in Bath harbor. Docked just in time for cocktails at a neighboring boat that was traveling the Great Loop. Since, our boat had completed the 'loop' in 2005 and we have that interest; we enjoyed talking to them. Had more cocktails on our upper deck and grilled steaks on our new gas grill.


Toured town the following morning and enjoyed breakfast at the local 'Country Kitchen'. Bath is the oldest Incorporated town in North Carolina and was once the home of Black Beard the Pirate. This was during a 'sabbatical' from his pirating. Upon returning to his career, he was beheaded in a battle with the British Navy in Okracoke two years later. Humm? Kind of like business in the new millennium.


Our return voyage started with a Pamlico Sound of glassy waters; the most calm I have ever seen on this body of water.


A great first weekend trip!

Home At Last

After 32 days and over 2100 miles, our Laughing Turtle is finally in her home port. Bonnie at I spent our first weekend together on our new boat. After all the logistics, including a 6 hour round trip to the RDU Airport, we are finally able to settle in to our new home away from home on the water.

After much cleaning and moving in we even found time on Easter Sunday for our first voyage together. Just a short trip across the Nuese River to Adams Creek for a lunch on the hook. On our return, we ventured into Oriental Harbor for fuel before returning to our home dock.

While somewhat nervous, our docking maneuvers for both fuel and our new boat slip were without incident and actually looked very professional.

Now .... I really feel like she is ours. I'm excited and looking forward to the adventures that Bonnie & I will have on Laughing Turtle.

Almost Home

April 3, 2007

Our wait is nearly over. After over three months since out purchase of our Nordic Tug 32+, she is almost to her new home in Oriental, NC. She will be located at Sea Harbor Marina and will be the only powerboat / trawler in a marina of sailing vessels.

However, the arrival our Lauughing Turtle is not only anxiously awaited by her owners; the local Sea Harbor residents have been asking of her status for the past several weeks.

Three Men In A Boat

The challenge of purchasing a boat in Houston was how were we going to get her to our home port in Oriental, NC. Fortunately, this was solved when the previous owner offered to take a final trip on his former 'Sitting Duck' to North Carolina.

Fortunately, this also provided me the opportunity to join him on the trip to gain from his knowledge of boat handling and navigation.

Here is the crew of 'Laughing Turtle' on her voyage: Darryl Mason (cousin of Capt. Jack's wife), myself (the new owner) and Jack Henry (Captain of the voyage).

I was able to join as 'crew' for one week of the month long voyage from Houston, TX to Oriental, NC. Laughing Turtle could not have been in better hands than Jack and Darryl. We had many great moments on the water and a few laughs at each others expense. I hope that I may cross thier paths once again and would not hesitate to join them on another voyage.