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.