Mississippi Gulfport area...

[Caish]

I'm thinking of towing my C-22 to Gulfport this week, short notice I know.
But anyone give me ideas places to short sail to?
Maybe the islands we could beach camp on with the kids for fishing etc.
Thanks
Terry

 

[sailaway78]

Gulfport area

Hi Caish,
Wonderful sailing in that area. There is a ramp at the new Gulfport marina, and all of the islands are fairly close by. From west to east they are Cat, Ship, Horn and Petit Bois. If you want solitude don't go to Ship Island. There is an excusion boat running back and forth out to the old fort, and it can be fairly crowded on the west end. Also, the currents coming through the Gulfport channel, can make secure anchoring a challenge on the west end of Ship Island, and there can be some big boat traffic going by. All of the others are pretty deserted. My absolute favorite place out there is Smugglers Cove on the SE corner of Cat Island. It is well protected and has some really nice beach. Before Katrina it was a very popular anchorage, and sometimes crowded. Since Katrina it has shoaled up, and big boats can't get in there. You should be fine if you want to give it a try, but watch your depth closely. My second choice is Petit Bois, but that is probably a little too far for a weekend on a 22.

 

[kloudie1]

Here is some good info: http://www.barrierislandsms.com/guide.htm#THINGS_TO_KNOW
Cat has always been very interesting to me.. Many years ago, I sailed there with some friends on an old wooden Lightning . We camped out on the east beach (now BP land) and had a fine time exploring. The bugs (mosquitoes, black flies, and deer flies) are terrible, so be prepared. The east beach and the western tip are OK for camping but the middle of the island is privately owned. Like N&E says, they are all interesting.. My favorite is Horn.. very primitive. There are beach excursion boats that take folks out to Ship, so there is a lot of stuff there. There used to be a place to buy ice and camping type food there for the beach folks, I don't know if it is still there. Great place to sail to !
Familiarize yourself with the charts because there is a lot of shallow water just to the west of Cat in the sound .. Good ramps at Long Beach, Gulfport, or Biloxi, depending on your sailing destination.

 

[Caish]

Thanks you guys,

I've taken the ferry to Ship island once in the missle of the summer, what a mistake, it was Hotter than H*** that day and miserable.
Would rather avoid the black flies lol, we have those biting SOB's along the creeks here about dusk.

I have to admit I'm a little nervous about it, just because it would be the first time sailing on something besides the local lakes. I'm guessing its just the unknown. But that is half the adventure anyway right.
I use to visit with a few of the shrimpers before Katrina and they all had the same warnings bout shallows and sand bars.

Would it possible to beach the C-22 on the beach or is a tender needed for access to the beaches?

 

[kloudie1]

The tide is only 6-8 inches so IF you have a protected beach, you can beach her. When sailing there in my old Spirit 23, we'd beach to off load then pull away and anchor with a stern and bow anchor.. then walk back to the beach. Today is a nice cool day, but the warm air will be back later in the week.

 

[LooseDiamond]

Good advice from all. Just watch the weather and you will be fine. A couple of years ago, the facilities at Ship were upgraded to permanent structures. Air conditioned bathrooms, showers, snack bar with beer and food. Kids might like to crawl around the fort. More privacy on Cat Island. Diverse from beaches to marsh. You can get into North Bayou on a high tide with a swing keel. Check out the private houses, and there are the highest concentration of osprey nests in one place I have ever seen. Shallow all around but more so one the north side.

 

[Caish]

After trying, I did not get the lights working so I skipped the gulf trip.
I will get it done at a later date. I appreciate all the information. I will use it later.