Lake Ponchartrain Sailors

[Jim Logan]

I've recently temporarily moved my boat to a slip on the Tchefuncta river. I am a long time Ponchartrain boater, but have not sailed my 5'3" draft 33 Hunter on the North Shore very often - my question is: when you leave the mouth of the Tchefuncta river and get past the red markers, can you then turn and go east toward the causeway or southwest toward Pass Manchac, or do I have to generally go back out into the lake to sail without worry? Any advice would help. ThanksJim LoganS/V Reality

 

[Robert W. Bonney]

Lake Ponchatrain

Jim, I am on the Mandeville side of the Causeway and have only made a couple of trips to your side. I have a 4' draft on my boat and have not had a problem. However, I have heard from friends that it can get shallow in and around the Tchefuncta channel, especially with a wind out of the North. I would use a lot of caution and maybe consult others in the marina. Good luck.