Has sailing taken a hit along the MS Coast since Katrina?
- Thread starter JonnyQuest
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Why not Pass Harbor?
I looked at both harbors about 4 months ago and at the time the Pass harbor did not have pump out services, while Long Beach did. I guess PCH had more shrimping and fishing boats (Stink Pots) than LBH as well.
Only other reason is closer proximity to our home in GPT, but that isn't really much of a real factor between the two.
And if GPT harbor isn't an arm and leg, then that would be even closer still.
Russ, it's not based on any in-depth knowledge of the various harbors along the coast.
I looked at both harbors about 4 months ago and at the time the Pass harbor did not have pump out services, while Long Beach did. I guess PCH had more shrimping and fishing boats (Stink Pots) than LBH as well.
Only other reason is closer proximity to our home in GPT, but that isn't really much of a real factor between the two.
And if GPT harbor isn't an arm and leg, then that would be even closer still.
Long Beach
I was in Long Beach City Marina before we moved out here. It was a very nice coumunity of boaters and If I remember right mostly sailboats. Pass Christian had mostly shrimpers and a processing plant there which pretty much stank all of the time. Long Beach is also great because of it's proximity to Cat and Ship Islands which would make it preferable to anything east of Gulfport Harbor. Were I to go back Long Beach would be the first place I looked for a slip.
I was in Long Beach City Marina before we moved out here. It was a very nice coumunity of boaters and If I remember right mostly sailboats. Pass Christian had mostly shrimpers and a processing plant there which pretty much stank all of the time. Long Beach is also great because of it's proximity to Cat and Ship Islands which would make it preferable to anything east of Gulfport Harbor. Were I to go back Long Beach would be the first place I looked for a slip.
Re: Long Beach
I take it the sailing is great over in the Ft Walton area, right Rick? We have friends in Pensacola and will probably sail over that way on our first weekend adventure, maybe this fall. Has the BP cleanup operations significantly affected the sounding depths in your region? I hear that depths have changed within the Sound due to operations. I'll have to get the weekly updates for Mariners to see the latest here.
I take it the sailing is great over in the Ft Walton area, right Rick? We have friends in Pensacola and will probably sail over that way on our first weekend adventure, maybe this fall. Has the BP cleanup operations significantly affected the sounding depths in your region? I hear that depths have changed within the Sound due to operations. I'll have to get the weekly updates for Mariners to see the latest here.
I'm at Pass Harbor... I like that it's a bit closer to home (Slidell), and it's "close enough" to the islands.
There actually is a pump-out station (it's right next to Shaggy's), but it's not that simple. I inquired about using it once, and was told that boaters weren't allowed to use it themselves... a designated harbor employee had to come do it. Ok, so I tried to make the necessary arrangements, and after a few back-and-forths on the phone I was told that a hose adapter or something like that was needed, and they couldn't find it. I think the message was pretty clear... there's probably some law that requires them to have a functional pump-out station, but "functional" I guess is pretty loosely-defined.
The harbor seems to be VERY jumpy in terms of calling for mandatory evacuations for storms. Actually, I've heard it's the fire chief who makes the call (the fire chief!?!). I've had to move the boat inland twice in as many years... Ida last year, and that weak tropical storm that came in a month or so ago. The itchy trigger finger for minor storms is really annoying. But at least the close proximity to Bay St. Louis speeds up the process of moving inland... from Long Beach or Gulfport, it's a much longer trip to Bay St. Louis or Biloxi.
Anyway, we didn't get out much this Summer. Though BP is largely to blame for that, it's not all their fault... I spread myself way too thin this Summer in terms of work, leaving little time for anything else. I'm making a conscious effort to not do that again next year... time on the boat is the best "together time" I have with my family.
On a brighter note, we made it out this past weekend to Ship Island. Saturday night we had 2 or 3 neighbors (it was a gorgeous afternoon/evening, but a stiff NE wind started blowing after midnight that made for an unpleasant night). Sunday there were probably 30 or 40 boats out there (maybe 6 or 7 sailboats, the rest small powerboats), with a handful remaining overnight.
We had a great weekend!
--Michael
Thanks for the feedback Michael! Nice photo too--that's why we moved to the coast, and getting close to moving the boat to LB. I'll be bringing it over for the beginning of October (after I upgrade the batteries and charging system--nothing like pressure!)
Shaggy's is fun, but like you, LBH is closer to my house in GPT. I heard that GPT harbor had parking issues to deal with in the past--permits, proximity, etc. Perhaps we'll just keep it in LBH even after GPT harbor opens up.
If you don't mind, I'd like to later get info from you on anchoring around the islands.
Regards,
Shaggy's is fun, but like you, LBH is closer to my house in GPT. I heard that GPT harbor had parking issues to deal with in the past--permits, proximity, etc. Perhaps we'll just keep it in LBH even after GPT harbor opens up.
If you don't mind, I'd like to later get info from you on anchoring around the islands.
Regards,
Last weekend I asked a couple at Long Beach Harbor why so few sailboats go out, and they believed that the majority of the boats belong to out of towners who don't get down much to sail. Some apparently come down just to relax in the harbor without ever going out.
In the other hand, glad to hear that there were sailboats out at the islands on Labor Day Weekend.
In the other hand, glad to hear that there were sailboats out at the islands on Labor Day Weekend.
I have fond memories of Gulfport. On the trips we took in the couple of years before Katrina, Gulfport was our traditional stopping point towards the end of the trip. After 3 - 5 nights out at anchor, the long shower in their top-notch facilities was SO welcome, as was the meal at the Mexican place across the street (gone now, of course).
D.J., the harbormaster, was one of the nicest people I'd ever met. Though we were just a middle class family in a little sailboat, he treated us as if we were VIPs cruising in on a large yacht, and went out of his way to make our stays there enjoyable. I'm not sure what his status is now... I've heard he is seriously ill.
I also vividly recall sitting in the cockpit in the evening, hearing the sea lions at the Marine Life Oceanarium next to the marina loudly making that "honk honk honk" sound.
There are so many little things we'll never again experience... makes me so sad, but I try not to dwell on it.
Anyway, with all the major renovations going on over there, are they also possibly improving the parking? I've heard that every slip will have its own pumpout... that would be nice!
Sure!
--Michael
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