Tides, winds, and recaps

The mooring field at the fort.
We'll try there next time.

As we move northward we'd been told about tides. Tides have always been something to be aware of, but through Georgia and South Carolina, they are formidable. Tidal swings can be as much as 8-9 feet. Which not only is an issue for docking (keeping lines taught yet movable for the swing), but just getting to your port may need to be timed with tide. Ideally you'd like not to have to get to your slip with a raging current.

Already we're noticing the change in tides. Here in St. Augustine it swings 3-4 feet. Might swing more with the oncoming weather.

Speaking of which, we didn't plan on it but we're staying here until Friday. A couple of reasons for that. The oncoming weather being one. It looks like it will bring some crazy stiff winds until Thursday. 

Additionally, the pug's eye hasn't gotten better. Last week I made an appointment for her at a vet here in St. Augustine. They saw her Monday morning, gave her new drops, and changed her regimen. The doctor really wanted to see her in a couple of days just to make sure she was improving. And, I'm happy to report, now she is. 

Moreover, if we did leave today (which was a thought) we'd have to get somewhere to weather out the storm there instead. Frankly, this is as good a place to spend a couple of days as any. The old town is easily accessible, lots of restaurants and shopping, and lots of things to do.

You have to imagine the moat filled with water.

Since it happened Russ and I have mulled over the docking incident. Should we have managed it? Should I have tried again? In the discussion we realized we didn't have some hard facts, like, how long are we really? I'm a little embarrassed to admit we didn't really know until now 

The vessel itself is 40 feet, and that's what we tell dock masters when we make reservations. But we have a large anchor (remember that?) which adds 28 inches. We also have a dinghy that hangs off our back. All told (and with a tape measure to verify) our real length is 45 feet. Then we headed off to the B dock and measured the gap. It was supposed to be 50 feet. It was 49. Two feet on either end, given the current and the wind? We should have never tried.

I feel vindicated.