MTOA Southern Rendezvous 2012

This is the meeting we had planned to be at in April. It is the Marine Trawler Owners Association (MTOA) that we have belonged to for several years, but this is the first time we have been able to attend with our boat. The second boat from the front with the blue canvas. MTOA has alot of workshops to learn and update your boating skills, and we also meet and see new and old friends. We pulled into Fernandina Harbor Marina April 13 and stayed till the 21st.  Had time to visit and take a tour of Fernandina, it is one of the sweetest towns we have been to, many shops, restaurants, and of course a few watering holes.  Monday they had a pub crawl planned for over 100 people there were 3 great pubs, fun for everyone. Watch out for the Dark and Stormey Rum drink!!

 Our leaders were dress up in great Pirate customs.
There was another night for Crazy Hats so amazing how creation everyone can be. The meeting is full of all different activies. It is sad when we have to say good-bye lots of hugs and kisses.
We left Fernandina following Mary and Larry on Ze Skunk that we cruised with going south. The day was nice passing Cumberland Island, you can see the horses on shore. Then the horses flies hit, it was something like a swarm of bees (I did have a fly swatter).  I was so busy killing flies that I didn't realize we were closing St. Andrews Sound. I think all my prayers to the Water Gods were answered, the crossing was smooth.  We stopped at Brunswick Landing Marina one of place I had wanted to stop at going south. Nice marina close enough to walk to their town.
We crossed a couple more Sounds fairly calm not much to see alot of marsh land. We did get through Hells Gate, (the first one)  at high tide and anchored early in Duplin River, about a mile past the Ferry Dock at Marsh Landing. A great anchorage for holding, and was a good idea to get out of the wind which was on the increase from the West.
When we departed this morning we saw what we thought was a Bear but when we got closer it was a huge Wild Bore rutting around in the marsh.
We crossed two more Sounds, and the wind was up from the West so the crossing was rough. Our traveling partners lost a engine about 11:00 luckly they have two so were able to limp into Kilkenny Marina. We stayed with them hoping to continue tomorrow but there wasn't a mechanic on site. Tomorrow we will escourt the Ze Skunk to Savannah for repairs, and probably stay there for the night.