New Orleans bound.

[George Kornreich]

I posted this on the "Ask an Owner" forum but didn't get any response,k so I thought I'd try here and see if anyone here might have some experience in this area.I'd like to hear from anyone who has made the trip from the Texas Coast to New Orleans (or has any experinece in the New Orleans/mouth of the Mississippi area). I have hesitations running "the Ditch" due to its heavy barge traffic, need to motor rather than sail, and it reputation for shoaling, but coming from the west, the offshore route looks like a long way around, considering how far south of the mouth of the Muddy Mississippi one should stay to avoid junk like rigs, logs, 'gaitors, etc. Any input would be appreciated. Thanks.

 

[John Benz]

Galveston to New Orleans

George:I've not made the trip you are planning but I am somewhat familiar with the waters around New Orleans and the Mississippi Gulf Coast. You will have to go off shore at least 25 to 50 miles to avoid the oil rigs and even then you will still see some. So keep a sharp look-out at night. Most of the bays in Louisiana are very shallow so if you put in be sure to stay within well marked areas. Don't try to come up the Mississippi River there is alot of big ship traffic and the current runs contra. After you pass the river delta head for Gulfport, Mississippi. From there you can take the ICW in the Mississippi Sound and Lake Borne to the Rigolets. The Rigolets is a deep water channel that will lead you to Lake Ponchatrain. Once in Lake Ponchatrain there are several Marinas you can stay at in New Orleans. The first you come to is South Shore Marina by the New Orleans Lakefront Airport. My boat is slipped here, so if you stop look me up at pier 4 slip 21W. If you are a yacht club type the South Shore Yacht Club is a friendly club. Further on along the lakefront and a little closer to the city is the Municipal Yacht Harbor and the New Orleans Marina. They re both located close together in an area known as Westend. Also two yacht clubs Southern Yacht Club, the second oldest in the country, and New Orleans Yacht Club are located here. Good luck and fair winds.

 

[Kerry]

Bridges in Louisiana

I have Had my boat in New Orleans and Mobile and have made the trip form NO to Mobile 6 times and the bridge in question I-10 at the lake is 75' clearance as most all fixed bridges on the ICW in Louisiana. I grew up in the gulf as the son of a boat captain in the oil feild buisiness off the Louisiana coast. Sailing amongst the rigs I find them more of a comfort that a nusance. To make the trip form Houston to the Ole muddy You would have to go over 200 Miles out to avoid them. They are not hard to avoid as they are well lit. If the weather window is favorable it would be my choise to go offshore, traffic and bridges are too much of a hassel. I made the offshore trip with my dad from Houston to Morgan city La. during my younger days and I have nothing but fond memories of that trip. Have a great trip.Kerrys/v Blew Bayou

 

[George Kornreich]

Hi, Rankin

Email me you phone number or email address and we'll talk!Georgegkornreich@houston.rr.com