I just bought a salvage boat in Mandeville, LA. It's a Catalina with a new M25 XPB, despite a couple of hot patches and a badly bent stern rail it's still worthy of a new life. The question is does anyone know their way around Lake Ponchatrain, the ICW, and what draw bridges are open? I am leaving Monday or Tuesday to bring the boat back to Pensacola with a VERY experienced sailor. BUT, he does not know the best route to get into the ICW since Katrina. We don't wanna get held up by a drawbridge or longer route or any dead ends. Any information would greatly be appreciated. PS we will be leaving from Riverview Marina on the Tchefuncta River (feeds into the north shore of the Lake.
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N.O./Pcola
I have some friends leaving NO next week.. the bridges are supposed to be operating as of a few weeks ago..I think there may be some problems with nav aids in miss. sound so keep your eyes open. There is likely still a lot of debris for you to run into.
I have some friends leaving NO next week.. the bridges are supposed to be operating as of a few weeks ago..I think there may be some problems with nav aids in miss. sound so keep your eyes open. There is likely still a lot of debris for you to run into.
take what you need with you
When i was up there last month there were no marinias with any facilities to the east of no. cant speek to the marks. but i would take fuel food and water and not count on land support.
When i was up there last month there were no marinias with any facilities to the east of no. cant speek to the marks. but i would take fuel food and water and not count on land support.
This May Help
Sorry, not specific details, but here's what I've heard from others when I've been in the area. All the nav aids are wrong now. Try to keep to the channels (Lake Pontchartrain is shallow in the best of times). Take it slow, as there are sunken boats all over the lake. Ironically, the Rigolets used to be the challenging area, but I hear that they're 20' deeper now than they were before the storm. The advice about marinas is correct, you won't find any operational. Also, be prepared to find most of the towns along the way shut as well, so take plenty of provisions with you.
Sorry, not specific details, but here's what I've heard from others when I've been in the area. All the nav aids are wrong now. Try to keep to the channels (Lake Pontchartrain is shallow in the best of times). Take it slow, as there are sunken boats all over the lake. Ironically, the Rigolets used to be the challenging area, but I hear that they're 20' deeper now than they were before the storm. The advice about marinas is correct, you won't find any operational. Also, be prepared to find most of the towns along the way shut as well, so take plenty of provisions with you.
I can't help with the lake but....
since Katrina I've sailed extensively in the Mississippi Sound from the Ocean Springs channel to the west end of Dauphin Island. The ICW markers appear to be working along with those lining the Pascagoula Ship Channel. As you may know, marinas in Biloxi and Gulfport have suffered severe damage. If necessary, however, to escape bad weather you can duck in north of Deer Island, the Ocean Springs' harbor, or Lake Yazoo in Pascagoula-Although damaged, there is room from you to escape bad weather. Of course, Pirate's Cove and Bear Point Marina near Perdido Bay are both open. There's been considerable barge traffic since the storm so if you need advice call any of them on the VHF.....Good luck!
since Katrina I've sailed extensively in the Mississippi Sound from the Ocean Springs channel to the west end of Dauphin Island. The ICW markers appear to be working along with those lining the Pascagoula Ship Channel. As you may know, marinas in Biloxi and Gulfport have suffered severe damage. If necessary, however, to escape bad weather you can duck in north of Deer Island, the Ocean Springs' harbor, or Lake Yazoo in Pascagoula-Although damaged, there is room from you to escape bad weather. Of course, Pirate's Cove and Bear Point Marina near Perdido Bay are both open. There's been considerable barge traffic since the storm so if you need advice call any of them on the VHF.....Good luck!
What about crossing the Gulf?
Along these same lines, I'm considering a trip from the upper Texas coast across the gulf to Tampa. As of two weeks ago I'm not seeing anymore large debris within out to 15 miles offshore. Does anyone have any recent knowledge about far offshore (75-150m) debris south of the MS delta/sound?
Along these same lines, I'm considering a trip from the upper Texas coast across the gulf to Tampa. As of two weeks ago I'm not seeing anymore large debris within out to 15 miles offshore. Does anyone have any recent knowledge about far offshore (75-150m) debris south of the MS delta/sound?
Crossing the Gulf
According to our safety/environmental films we are required to watch while offshore, 70% of all the trash in the Gulf will eventually end up on South Padre Island. The operative word being 'eventually', so its comming your way. Although most of it is no longer out there floating around, there is still quite a bit. The one thing to keep in mind is that a good amount of the "stuff" is now waterlogged and floating just below the surface making it difficult if not impossible to see. Having said that, i would not cancel my trip, but be a little extra vigilant when possible. And most of all.....Have a blast!!!! Tony B
According to our safety/environmental films we are required to watch while offshore, 70% of all the trash in the Gulf will eventually end up on South Padre Island. The operative word being 'eventually', so its comming your way. Although most of it is no longer out there floating around, there is still quite a bit. The one thing to keep in mind is that a good amount of the "stuff" is now waterlogged and floating just below the surface making it difficult if not impossible to see. Having said that, i would not cancel my trip, but be a little extra vigilant when possible. And most of all.....Have a blast!!!! Tony B
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