Earlier this year, I wanted to make a 5 day sail to the Mississippi coast, but had to cancel due to bad weather. Last week I finally made the trip after making a quick/last minute decision to go after seeing that the weather window would be good.
I quickly packed food for 5 days, topped off my water, fuel and propane tanks and departed Saturday. Here's how my trip went:
Saturday
12n - 5pm
Left Mandeville, LA. on Lake Pontchartrain, sailed thru the Hwy 11 Bridge, under the I-10 bridge and then to the Hwy 90 Bridge. Once thru, I turned east into the Rigolets Marina. In the parking lot, at the boat ramp, is a store with ice, food and supplies.
Sunday
9am - 5pm
Departed the marina and transited the Rigolets, where I saw my first dolphin heading towards me. I passed thru the CSX RR Bridge and entered the Mississippi Sound. I then turned east and followed the coast to Long Beach Harbor. Along the way, I saw more dolphins as I passed Bay St. Louis and had to watch the commercial barge traffic and keep clear.
I arrived Long Beach Harbor and after calling the Harbor master on my cell phone, he guided me into any slip I wanted. The price is $1/ft, cash only. Since I didn't have any cash, he lent me his truck and let me take it to the nearby ATM. The facilities has power, water, showers, ice and bathrooms. Across the street is Burger King, McDonald's and IHOP.
Monday
9am - 11am
Departed and headed to Ship Island. I arrived at the pier on the north side, and docked at the end where tourist boats dock. There was a BP contracted tour boat there, contracted to carry oil-spill cleanup crews to the island. I visited with the crew and walked around the island. On the south shore, the facilities include showers (inside and outside), bathrooms, pavilions with picnic tables and a snack bar with ice, drinks, foods, etc. As the only tourist on the island, I walked on the deserted beaches.
No one is allowed to be on the island or docked at the pier after sunset, so after my walk, I returned to my boat and move to the west, along the north shore. I anchored in feet of water, 1/2 way from pier to the western tip of the island. The spot was about 100 yds from shore, as it's very shallow on the north side. I saw everybody else depart the island and afterwards, was the only person there. I used my bbq pit to cook some hamburgers and enjoyed a hot dinner and Corona.
The weather the entire day and night was 20+ kt winds from the south and choppy seas, however on the north side, in the lee of the island, the winds were strong, but the waters were smooth and calm. The sunset was awesome and I enjoyed my hot meal and corona! Overnight, my 90 feet of rode and Fortress anchor held firm, but I wasn't able to sleep from the wind's howling.
Tuesday
9am - 8pm
Time to start my long return home. The weather was still 25 kt winds from the south and 3-4 ft seas. I weighed anchor, and started sailing west, north of Cat Island, then along the coast for 8 long hours back to the Rigolets.
About 6pm, due to the rough weather, I got out of the rough seas a little earlier by entering the Pearl River, instead of the Rigolets. Passed thru the small RR bridge and followed it to the Rigolets, where it turned dark. I sailed the last 90 min in the dark, back to the Rigolets Marina, arriving at 8pm. Exhausted, I hooked up my power cable, turned on my A/C, ate a sandwich and went to sleep.
Wednesday
10am - 3pm
I ate breakfast at the boat ramp store, then got underway in steady strong 15kt winds at 5-6 kts of speed. I rocketed under the Hwy 90 bridge, the I-10 bridge and then thru the Hwy 11 bridge. Once past Slidell and off Lacombe, the wind died and suddenly a US Coast Guard RIB was alongside for a courtesy inspection. After 30min of going thru my whole boat, I passed with no issues or deficiencies and got back underway. With no wind, I furled the sails and motored back to Mandeville. Just as I entered the breakwater, a heavy rain squall hit and soaked everything. As the rain stopped, I made it back to the dock and began cleaning and unloading my gear.
A terrific trip with lots to see, awesome sunsets, dolphins, windy weather, night sailing and rough weather sailing that all improved my skills.
I quickly packed food for 5 days, topped off my water, fuel and propane tanks and departed Saturday. Here's how my trip went:
Saturday
12n - 5pm
Left Mandeville, LA. on Lake Pontchartrain, sailed thru the Hwy 11 Bridge, under the I-10 bridge and then to the Hwy 90 Bridge. Once thru, I turned east into the Rigolets Marina. In the parking lot, at the boat ramp, is a store with ice, food and supplies.
Sunday
9am - 5pm
Departed the marina and transited the Rigolets, where I saw my first dolphin heading towards me. I passed thru the CSX RR Bridge and entered the Mississippi Sound. I then turned east and followed the coast to Long Beach Harbor. Along the way, I saw more dolphins as I passed Bay St. Louis and had to watch the commercial barge traffic and keep clear.
I arrived Long Beach Harbor and after calling the Harbor master on my cell phone, he guided me into any slip I wanted. The price is $1/ft, cash only. Since I didn't have any cash, he lent me his truck and let me take it to the nearby ATM. The facilities has power, water, showers, ice and bathrooms. Across the street is Burger King, McDonald's and IHOP.
Monday
9am - 11am
Departed and headed to Ship Island. I arrived at the pier on the north side, and docked at the end where tourist boats dock. There was a BP contracted tour boat there, contracted to carry oil-spill cleanup crews to the island. I visited with the crew and walked around the island. On the south shore, the facilities include showers (inside and outside), bathrooms, pavilions with picnic tables and a snack bar with ice, drinks, foods, etc. As the only tourist on the island, I walked on the deserted beaches.
No one is allowed to be on the island or docked at the pier after sunset, so after my walk, I returned to my boat and move to the west, along the north shore. I anchored in feet of water, 1/2 way from pier to the western tip of the island. The spot was about 100 yds from shore, as it's very shallow on the north side. I saw everybody else depart the island and afterwards, was the only person there. I used my bbq pit to cook some hamburgers and enjoyed a hot dinner and Corona.
The weather the entire day and night was 20+ kt winds from the south and choppy seas, however on the north side, in the lee of the island, the winds were strong, but the waters were smooth and calm. The sunset was awesome and I enjoyed my hot meal and corona! Overnight, my 90 feet of rode and Fortress anchor held firm, but I wasn't able to sleep from the wind's howling.
Tuesday
9am - 8pm
Time to start my long return home. The weather was still 25 kt winds from the south and 3-4 ft seas. I weighed anchor, and started sailing west, north of Cat Island, then along the coast for 8 long hours back to the Rigolets.
About 6pm, due to the rough weather, I got out of the rough seas a little earlier by entering the Pearl River, instead of the Rigolets. Passed thru the small RR bridge and followed it to the Rigolets, where it turned dark. I sailed the last 90 min in the dark, back to the Rigolets Marina, arriving at 8pm. Exhausted, I hooked up my power cable, turned on my A/C, ate a sandwich and went to sleep.
Wednesday
10am - 3pm
I ate breakfast at the boat ramp store, then got underway in steady strong 15kt winds at 5-6 kts of speed. I rocketed under the Hwy 90 bridge, the I-10 bridge and then thru the Hwy 11 bridge. Once past Slidell and off Lacombe, the wind died and suddenly a US Coast Guard RIB was alongside for a courtesy inspection. After 30min of going thru my whole boat, I passed with no issues or deficiencies and got back underway. With no wind, I furled the sails and motored back to Mandeville. Just as I entered the breakwater, a heavy rain squall hit and soaked everything. As the rain stopped, I made it back to the dock and began cleaning and unloading my gear.
A terrific trip with lots to see, awesome sunsets, dolphins, windy weather, night sailing and rough weather sailing that all improved my skills.
