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Boating in
the Beaufort
area |
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Boating in
the Beaufort
area |
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Always
carry some saltine crackers in the boat. Even seasoned sailors get an occasional touch of "sea sickness" and the crackers do the trick. Also, always take some long sleeve heavy shirts and pants along. For some reason, it does seem to get very cold later in the day on the water. It sure beats getting the ole jaw chatter! |
| Everywhere you look in Beaufort,
you see boats. Good reason, they're fun. Boating is probably the best
way to explore the area, and to cool off on those hot summer days, plus
fishing and skiing. There is quite a variety of boats out there, from
the dingy to the luxury cruisers. |
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A lot of people are going for the jet ski. While you get wet, you also have a great time jumping the waves and just going nowhere. They are fast, highly maneuverable and easier on the pocket for gas. They can be very dangerous if handled without common sense though. They are really the most fun boat. |
| Another popular boat
here is the sail boat. There's nothing like the sound and feel of the
wind pushing you along. Although slower in speed and requiring deeper
water, they do make a great way to relax and just take in the views.
Some people prefer to live on the bigger boats. They say "there ain't no grass to mow." They've got a point! |
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Probably the most popular of them all are the runabouts. They are perfect for the family boat as they handle everything from skiing to fishing duties equally well. Pontoon boats, canoes and john boats, though not intended as a deep water craft, do make an excellent sightseeing and fishing platform in more protected waters. |
| An area attraction is the
sand bar. At low tide, areas of sand are left dry, and area boaters
flock to them for boater "get-togethers" and picnics. A popular
bar is on the Beaufort River, across from the downtown marina. At times
one can see 20-50 boats there. These are short lived experiences, usually
four hours or so, as the tide does come back and reclaim the bar. What ever type of boat you have, whether you rent or own, boating can be a heap of fun, even if it's just you. |
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| And remember the family pet, they might just like to go too! |
The sand bar exposed at low tide, Beaufort is on left |
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The currents in this area
can be very swift. When swimming from a boat, make sure someone stays
in the boat, so they can pick you up if you get caught in one. If you
should become separated from the boat, DON'T swim
against the current, it will beat
you. Many people have unfortunately found this out and perished. Do the opposite, swim at an angle with the current allowing it to do the travel, and you to get closer to the shore. An example, if the current is going south, then you would swim south west or south east. |
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The Fatal Attraction |
THUNDERSTORMS |
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Thunderstorms can happen
very quickly, sometimes with little noticeable warning. Not a place
you want to be, especially since lightning loves the water. I guess
one might say it's a "fatal attraction". Get to shore as
fast as your
boat can go, in a direction away from the storm, and once on shore, get away from trees and other tall structures. If you can't make it, stay low in the boat, put anything taller than you on the deck, put on those life preservers, and it be a real good time to remember prayers too. Watch for the signs of storm: |
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Rapidly vertical building
clouds especially if the wind picks up or feels colder. |
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Items every boat should have:
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What
I do is to put extra clothes in a ice-cream bucket, one of
those 3 or 5 gallon ones. That way your clothes stay dry (wallet,
radio, flashlight, etc.) and the bucket can be used for bailing
out water or to hold interesting things |
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Want a True Adventure Story? > |
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