Our first destination

[Hermit Scott]

We took a day cruise to a small island called Shamrock Island in the South Corpus Christi Bay. This was a practice run to test everything for a longer cruise we plan on taking to Houston and to have some fun. The wind was in our face, and with only a main sail we motorsailed out. There were a dozen or so dolphins that swam beside and around us for a while. It took us 3 hours to get there and about the same back. Pretty much 5 knots all the way.
We anchored on the windward side of the island(south side at that time), in a cove. We launched the dinghy with a halyard and I rowed us over to the island. We planned on spending a few hours walking the island and taking pictures. Then we ran across the sign in one of the pictures attached. It seems a little ambiguous as to if we can go there during the time when the birds aren't nesting or not. Then we realized how would anyone report violators unless they were standing here in front of this sign to see the phone number? The website didn't mention that we couldn't land, only not to go there during nesting season. To be cautious we jumped back in the dinghy and rowed back to the boat. The entire shore of this island was made of seashells. It was quite beautiful but I was worried about the dinghy landing on them.
Jeannette did a great job at the helm while retreiving the anchor. We used the hand signals that Stu and the others talked about. The bow roller I made works great. I used the Mainesail method of snubbung the chain and letting the anchor drag in the water while we motored away. I see no need for a washdown pump now. I had the chart plotter set to shade water less than 6.5' deep. I showed Jeannette how to read the chart. She drove out of there and even went between a shoal and a submerged well head. I was so proud of her.
The only thing that would have made it more fun is if we had an autopilot. Which I am posting another specific question about.
One thing I found that was quick and helpful for planning was this;
http://demo.geogarage.com/noaa/ It is google maps with charts overlaying them. While you are using it, if it looks like there is no data just keep zooming in. It will be there with greater detail. It is convienent because all the charts are together and it's as easy to use as google maps.
I am almost ready to buy a furler. Jeannette wanted a diamond ring for Christmas, I think I will suprise her with an Alado furler instead. Can you imagine the look on her face?

 

[jibes138]

Dinghy Management

Scott, Looks like a great time. Too bad about the sign. Having used a soft bottom inflatable for 25 years I have found the best method for dealing with landing on shores with sharp shells or rocks is not to. I always carry a small danforth anchor with me and just anchor the dinghy in a foot or two of water so the bottom doesn't get torn up. For a while I would pick the dinghy up and carry it up the beach, but that is work and requires two people. Using the anchor works best. Yes you have to get your feet wet, and once i jumped in thinking it was two feet and it was more like 4 and I had my cell phone in my pocket. I now use waterproof boxes to keep my valuables in and put those in a backpack. The smallest danforth anchor, a little chain and enough line will only cost about 25 bucks. You don't need very big line or much length as 10 to 1 scope in 2 feet of water isn't very long. I use a little more because I also use the dinghy to go fishing so I anchor in deeper waters too. Oh, another trick of the trade. Wear scuba boots when you jump in, sea shells and oysters can slice your feet up but scuba boots are remarkably tough an make great beach shoes. Bring your fins, mask and snorkel and you can also do some swimming.

 

[jackhartjr]

Hermit my man...get the ring...you can always get the furler later...however...don't lose the gurl...she appears to be a 'Gem'!
(And please don't pop the question on Christmas day...you want that to be it's own 'special' day! I know!) (I asked Dianne at the very bottom of the Grand Canyon!)
Jack
PS...imagine that...you just got engaged...and there is no way to call you mom, family and friends to tell them!

 

[Hermit Scott]

Hermit my man...get the ring...you can always get the furler later...however...don't lose the gurl...she appears to be a 'Gem'!
(And please don't pop the question on Christmas day...you want that to be it's own 'special' day! I know!) (I asked Dianne at the very bottom of the Grand Canyon!)
Jack
PS...imagine that...you just got engaged...and there is no way to call you mom, family and friends to tell them!

I was just kidding about her wanting a ring. She doesn't really wear jewelry. She thinks it's a waste. Yes she is a rare gem.

 

[jackhartjr]

I also think the whoe diamond thing is a rip! But you have to play the game.
On the other hand, she drives a 91 Chevy truck with bad paint, (All the cars that year had poor paint) REAT!
I have a Gem too!
Again...keep the gurl buddy!
Jack

 

[Nereussailor]

Before you buy your furler, You need to look at this
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4wTg6YB2PRA

Dave

 

[Bob S]

Hermit, I'm jealous....your season is so much longer than ours. Up here you blink your eyes and the season is over. Lots of adventures await you both. enjoy them!

 

[Stu Jackson]

Dinghy anchors

jibes' advice is great about using a dinghy anchor. Rather than a danforth, however, which has sharp flukes, consider getting a mushroom anchor or a river anchor, since neither has sharp flukes that could puncture an inflatable dinghy (I forget what kind you have). Nice story, glad to hear you're out and about on the boat!

 

[Nereussailor]

Hey, the link didn't work the first time. I edited it so that it will work.

Dave

 

[kloudie1]

That’s great, Hermit !! a neat area to play in.. I have fond memories of wading in the grassy shallows in that vicinity and collecting blue eyed scallops .. They were converted to a fine sauce with butter and garlic and some white wine !! Glad that yall had a good trip.
I have seen a rig where a spinner knob was used on a spoke of the wheel, below center, as an attachment point for a tillerpilot.. I have no idea how well it worked, but I remember that the attachment was about half way between the rim and the axle..

 

[Hermit Scott]

Jack-I am old enough to know what I have with Jeannette, and smart enough to keep my pecker in my pants when out of the house. It doesn't take much more than appriciation and faitfullness to keep her happy. Which I am thankfull for.

Bob-I think we can pretty much sail all year. My wife wants a thicker coat though.

Kloudie-I thought there are bay scallops here but I didn't know where or how to get them. what is the method? I wouldn't eat anything out of this bay right now though. The red tide has the marinas smelling like death on the half shell.
The other day I switched my prop out and threw the old on in the truck of our car. It had barnacles all over it. A few days later we noticed a "scent", but we couldn't figure out where it was coming from. I looked under the seats for some rotting food but couldn't find anything. I had to pop the trunk for something and about gagged.

 

[kloudie1]

Wade in the grassy shallows.. about waist deep and you can feel em around your feet. You can pick them out of the muddy sand by hand then..They can scoot quite fast by snapping their shells together! Put them in a mesh sack tied to waist. We picked them up more close to North Bird Island, about 20 miles south of Shamrock, but they are all over in the shallows where they have cover.. .