Day 46 – 11/18/23

Starting location: Little Lizzard Creek, AL

Weather: 63 am. Light cloud cover. Mid 70s pm. Partly cloudy

Ending location: Mobile Convention Center rock wall, Mobile, AL. End of Inland Rivers.

Statute miles: Approximately 21

General summary: Today was HARD. Morning seemed to be going reasonably well. Usual breakfast routine. Took dog to shore and mud was much less of a problem as it was high tide and I found a grassy area that wasn’t too bad. Cold shower wasn’t fun but tolerable. After hauling up dinghy and preparing to leave, we attempted to pull up the anchor and it was absolutely stuck at 50 feet. Nothing we tried worked. Called Boat US and they were too busy for a non-emergency and suggested we try another company. Our policy doesn’t cover stuck anchors anyway. Most don’t. Called Sea Tow Marine and they advised us the cost would probably be more than buying another anchor, but the guy gave us numerous tips on how to try to get it un-stuck. We tried for an hour more – no luck. Best guess was it was probably wedged under or around a log. Progressed through the stages of grief and finally came to the conclusion we had to cut the line and order a new anchor and rode (don’t call it rope!). This will require about another boat buck. I was so proud of how much money we were saving by anchoring rather than staying at marinas. This will likely cost the equivalent of 20 marina stays. Sigh… Passed numerous barges on the way towards Mobile Bay and the captains seemed pretty crabby today. Lots of barges and large container ships to dodge as we approached the convention center in Mobile. Tying up to the rock wall was challenging. Current from tidal shifts, wake from passing boats, unusually large cleats, and a wall that was higher than our boat at low tide. Two attempts and finally got secured enough. Worked the lines and fenders (added a snubber to take some stress on the most important line as well) for about an hour until we felt safe enough. Then things got better. Decided to walk about downtown Mobile a bit. Warm enough for short sleeves and didn’t need a jacket. Had to lift Cocoa up about 6 feet to get her up on top of the wall, but she clearly enjoyed being off the boat for a bit and never likes being left alone. Nice park-like area just past the Convention Center. Walked up and down historic Dauphin Street. Bet this place is hopping at night.

What broke: RIP at the bottom of Little Lizard Creek anchor and rode. 🪦

Boater information: The rock wall is in a great location, right in downtown Mobile, AL. Need to fill out on line registration and call security when you get there. There is a lot of wake from passing boats. 2 foot tidal difference so need to be careful with lines and fenders.