Getting excited

[sailaway78]

It's getting closer to time to sail across the gulf. Tony B. Herb, Bill and myself are planning on leaving the Tampa area May 13, headed for Kemah, Texas. Spend a few days last week down in Florida helping Tony get the boat ready. I can hardly wait. Have not sailed a lick since Katrina, and that is way too long. So us old farts are going to just go ahead and do it.

 

[Ctskip]

Wish I were going

I've sailed many waters, even been in Tampa Bay. But never the gulf. Have fun and be safe. Someday I'll make it.Never mind the destination, it's the ride thats all the fun. Keep it up, Ctskip

 

[sailortonyb]

Hoping for better weather than today

I'm only about 15 nm off Port O'Connor, Tx and the wind is about 25-30mph, but the seas are steady 8 foot with occasional 10's. With a lot of reading that i have done, 25mph winds should only produce 4-6 ft seas, that dont work in the Gulf.

 

[Cap'n Ron]

Gulf Delivery

Tony, Herb & Bill,I've only done that one trip in the Gulf, winter 1999.Started at Port Salermo, ST. Lucie canal-L.Okachobee, Caloosahtchee river to Ft. Myers.From there we did the 780nm or so to Galveston, narrow entrance lotta traffic.Gpt nailed by a considerable low bout 1/2 way, over 50 kts overnight.I lied a-hull in that 40ft Sloop, and the seas weren't THAT bad.OUr problem was the platforms to leeward, and kept moving the boat by engine; too much stuff breaks in those conditions and guys go overboard.The low was not a big factor, but the damn seismic ships towin cable were, and lotta traffic, and course you know about the big steel mooring-balls near the rigs to keep an eye for.near the entrance there is a anchorage to starboard from the fairway, maybe a mile out.We anchored overnight there; whips anchorage.You'll have a fine trip, let us know how it all went.I'm sure you have wooden plugs for thru-hull emergencys, inflatable, H.H. VHF (in case loss of power you have communications), and a dive mask?I carry a wet suit too as my water is cold, to clear the prop or inspecttions.

 

[sailortonyb]

Capn Ron, Thanks, as always.

Thanks for the info, we have all of the above eqpt and i just ordered a new SSB antenna for the HAM bands. I like the idea of world wide communications. Ill have to hook up a jack to get my weather fax on SSB and into my laptop for printout.Thanks again, and YES, I know all about seismic boats and their infinately long cables.I'll just radio them "this is the s/v Taco Grande and we are pulling 2 miles of beer cans." Think they will get out of my way?

 

[Morris Covin]

If you need info on Kemah

Not sure if you have been to Kemah but if you need any info I will be glad to help. I keep my boat, s/v Early Start, in Kemah and know the area fairly well. You can drop me an email if you need anything. Hope your trip is a fun one.Morris CovinSailingHouTx001@sbcglobal.net

 

[sailortonyb1]

Morris !!!

Thanks for the offer. We will be staying at Waterford Harbor Marina. Me and gf live aboard and she like the place. If the Admiral is happy, I'm happy. We were there once befor elooking at boats and then again last week to nail down a marina. If I need anything I will surely e-mail you and take you up on your offer. Once we settle in, we can get together, maybe even meet when we arrive all scragely looking. If you have HAM radio, we can stay in touch during the trip.and THANKS AGAIN from all of us.

 

[Franklin]

Kemah

it sucks...stay away My lame attempt to keep the prices down Galveston jetties...stay away from the south/west jetty...it gets shallow very fast. Inside the jetties next to Bollivar Island there is a anchorage that usually has atleast 4 large ships anchored out. There are also a couple of sunken ships near Bollivar but plenty of room to sail it comming in with a southeast wind on a broad reach.Houston Ship chanell: All the way up the south/west side is the drudging dump so don't try to cross that until you pass redfish Island. After redfish Island, don't try to cross the other side of the chanell (there is an exception to these but good general guidelines). Most motor sail up the chanell but I usually sail on the north/east side of the chanell all the way up to a marked crossing into the Kemah part of the bay (I only have a 5' draft and I only try it with a normal or high tide). Low tide means stay in the chanell but on the edges.Lots of heavy ship traffic all up and down the ship chanell and don't try to get in their way.Redfish Island: The charts are wrong (redfish isn't nearly as big as it shows). Don't try to cut it. If you try to cut through, going by the charts, you'll run aground. Play it safe and don't turn west until after you've past redfish.Kemah Part of the bay: Lookout for polls in the water (some only stick up a couple feet)and if it's dark, keep an eye out for the oil pump rigs.If you come in late and there is a southeast wind, you can anchor just inside the bay north of Bollivar Island but note that the current changes there with the tide and I think it's like a knot or two. I use a bow and stern anchor when anchoring there. There is a very nice anchorage called Offets on the northside of Galveston but it's not that easy to get to so if your tired, the previous option may be better. I wouldn't anchor where the big ships anchor. They come in during the middle of the night and may not see you with all the other clutter.See...it's dangerous...stay away Corpus is much better