Up the mast!

Last week I went up the mast 3 days in a row! Whew, I was tired. I finally got the port rigging replaced. After tuning the rig at the dock, we went for a sail to finish the tuning process. Norstar sure does sail well now!

Pre-Thanksgiving Sail 11-22-2011

After a peaceful and restful night at anchor behind Bird Island, we were able to get Norstar sailing in light winds and calm seas just offshore of Little River. Nice day on the water!
Happy Thanksgiving to everyone!

Sunset Sail

Returning to Lightkeepers Marina  from a sunset sail

Sailing with family 10/7/11

WOW! What a great time we had sailing today! Nancy, Kenny, Jane and Don joined us for a day on the water. The ocean was pretty nice today even though they were calling for small craft warnings. We sailed a few miles and then tucked in behind Bird Island to anchor and enjoy appetizers and adult beverages. We had a great time. You have to cherish the time spent with family!!!!

The "Red Shirts" as we called them! Thanks for wearing the matching Norstar shirts.

Offshore sail 09/25/2011

Out for a short offshore sail this morning as the weather looks a little unsettled with 4'-6' swells rolling in from the SE.  Not all that bad with winds around 12-15 apparent. Beth took some nice video of the porpoises playing near the sea buoy on the way out and enjoyed the ride up on the bow. Back to Bird Island for a pleasant afternoon at anchor.

Bald Head Island 9/8-11/11

We decided to spend a few days at Bald Head Island after Labor Day as the slip rental drops in price. Hurricane Maria was well offshore but had created seas 6-8ft so we took the ditch route. The inlets along the way had been dredged (Shallotte Inlet and Lockwood Folly Inlet) so we had a smooth trip. We even motorsailed up the Cape Fear Inlet to Bald Head. It was nice to pull into a slip on A dock and enjoy the peace and quiet of no engine noise! We straightened up Norstar and had a nice dinner at Eb and Flo's. We watched another beautiful sunset from the marina.

We went for a wonderful walk to the lighthouse and church in the morning. Very quiet here without cars allowed on the island. The ferry coming and going created a slight swell in the harbor. This is where "Weekend at Bernies" was filmed, same ferry. Then we walked along the beach, watching boats and ships come and go in the Cape Fear.

Our friends on Time in a Bottle were expected so we waited for their arrival. Joe and Darlene pulled in about 3pm and we were there to grab some lines. They had a great sail here from Little River. We started the celebrations of their successful trip, it's 5 o'clock somewhere. Dinner on Norstar and then sitting back to enjoy the conversation, pleasant temperatures and another terrific sunset.

We rented a golf cart to explore the island and took Joe and Darlene to see all the sights: lighthouse, church, various beaches, shoals and golf course. It is such a beautiful place!

Dinner was on Time in a Bottle, spaghetti with meat sauce, yummy. We went to the Shoals Club to watch the sunset and they were having a wedding reception there, very cool. Another beautiful night on the island, too bad we had to leave in the morning. 

The wind was predicted to be 5-10kts from the south, southeast, perfect for a sail back to Little River, SC. We waited for the tide to ebb and carry us out the channel, Time in a Bottle leaving first, followed by Norstar. Light winds faded to dead calm 10 miles out so we fired up the iron genny. By now we were already way ahead of Joe and Darlene, Norstar sails so well even in light air. About 7 miles out Joe calls to say he is having problems with his engine and has to call Tow Boat US. The wind comes back as Joe is being towed back to Lightkeepers so we have a beautiful sail to the inlet. This trip was so relaxing and enjoyable!

 

Conch horn

I made a conch horn the other day from an old conch I found on the beach. I keep practicing but still haven't mastered it. I might need lessons!

Welcome to Norstar!

Starting a new Blog to share our adventures on our sailboat Norstar. John and Beth have been sailing/on the water together for more than 35 years. We are both USCG licensed captains and operate a sailing charter business called Norstar Ventures out of Little River, SC. We have owned Norstar for 7 years. She is a 1990 34' Pacific Seacraft, hull #201.