Back Underway

We are happy to report that we are repaired and back underway.  The AMAZING team at Carolina Beach Boat yard took great care of us and got us back in the water in just one day!   Three men, two giant  3' wrenches, a sledge hammer and an acetylene torch got our strut straightened right out.  The repaired prop went back on and we were right back in the water.  

Heating up the strut to bend it back in place

3' long wrenches for leverage on the strut

Repaired propeller.   Good as new!

Make Me Smile back in the water where she belongs.

While we were in the yard, we each worked on small projects that are easier to tackle in a boat yard.  Hilary sanded and repainted the cover for the outboard motor and Bert worked on some modifications to the pieces he machined for the permanent dingy davit installation.  

Bert's temporary machine shop

Today we traveled 45 nautical miles (52 statute miles) from Carolina Beach to our first anchorage since we started this final segment of the trip.  Actually this is our first overnight anchorage since we purchased Make Me Smile two years ago.  Another milestone for us.  We are in Mile Hammock Bay - Camp Lejeune for the night.  The reason we stopped here is because about 5 miles ahead is the Onslow Beach Bridge which is being replaced and has restricted opening times.  The reported opening times are before 8am, between 12-1pm and after 5pm.  In the picture below, the red dot shows our anchorage and the yellow circle is the Onslow Beach Bridge.  Later this evening a call will be placed to the bridge tender to confirm openings for tomorrow.  We hope to be through before 8am.

The red dot is where we are anchored. 
The yellow circle is the Onslow Beach bridge with a limited opening schedule.

Other boats anchored with us in Mile Hammock Bay - Camp Lejeune

Once we successfully pass through the Onslow Beach bridge tomorrow we will be on our way to Morehead City where we plan to stay through Monday.