Southport, NC

Hayden, Patricia, Eric, Radeen, Jeff and Sandy
Team Island Packet Owners meet at the Causeway Diner

After a quick stop in Wrightsville Beach, NC and a breakfast gathering with Jeff and Sandy, IP380 Xperience owners Bahamas bound, we ran an easy leg today of 27 miles from Wrightsville Beach to Southport, NC where we always turn into Dutchman Creek and drop anchor. This creek is big enough for 3 to 4 yachts and lucky for us, we had it all to ourselves with our buddy boat Cutter Loose. With an Island Packet 35 and an Island Packet 460 anchored, we have called the creek CLOSED to more vessels. It is narrow, and we dropped anchor in 8 feet of water in mid creek. Your bow will point into the current as the tide floods and ebbs. Obviously the current runs in and out of the creek so your boat will face one or the other direction. Tides are 4 feet so at low we may be in the mud but that is OK. We will depart at 6:30 AM and that is also high tide, so we are good to go.

Tonight we will drop the tender and motor over to Cutter Loose where we will share a fantastic meal and some fine wine as Eric and Patricia are fantastic chefs and always make beautiful meals. Tomorrow we plan another easy run of only 43 miles to Myrtle Beach where we will take a dock at Barefoot Landing and enjoy the OUTLET SHOPS and restaurants! Where else can you dock your boat to an outlet mall? Should be fun....

Island Spirit and Cutter Loose at anchor, Wrightsville Beach, NC

Anchored off Wrightsville Beach, NC, what a great town!

IP380 Xperience and IP460 Cutter Loose on the ICW southbound

Notice the piling height for hurricanes! I am guessing 20 feet.

Brown Pelicans work the scraps at a fishing boat

Destination: Dutchman Creek among the grasses....BEAUTIFUL spot

Cutter Loose anchors off our bow, the creek is now closed.
Only room for 2 boats....so we say

Tomorrow....we take on the Myrtle Beach Shopping Outlet Stores at Barefoot Landing Marina!