Could some of you in the Slidell area post something about the current condition of the waterways in the Slidell/Rigoles area of Lake Ponchartrain? I've replaced my 33 Hunter I lost in Katrina, and want to visit some friends who live in Eden Isle, and go through the Rigoles to Missisisippi Sound, but I heard a few months ago that there was still a lot of debris in Eden Isle canals and in the Rigoles waters. Also, is there anywhere to get fuel/food in the Rigoles area now, or is everything still destroyed and vacant. Thanks P.S. I've posted a picture of my current vessel...one man's solution to having to abandon to a hurricane a sailboat that he had spent 6 years getting into top shape. This boat can move fast enough to get out of the way.....
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Slidell area
Jim, I live in Eden Isles, and recently made a trip over Pennsacola way. There isn't much of a problem now. Still a little bit of floating debris around, but not a lot, and most of it small. Mostly in the Eden Isles canals, so you need to run slow in there. Fuel is available at The Dock, entering Eden Isles. Rest of the waterway is clear as far as I could tell. Have heard some stories about a lot of cargo containers in Mississippi sound, but had no problems. I would recommend you stay in the ICW going across there. I went on the north side of Cat Island, and had some friends come back using the south side. No problems. You do need to be a little careful with your navigation, as there are a few markers missing. If I can be of any more help, just let me know.
Jim, I live in Eden Isles, and recently made a trip over Pennsacola way. There isn't much of a problem now. Still a little bit of floating debris around, but not a lot, and most of it small. Mostly in the Eden Isles canals, so you need to run slow in there. Fuel is available at The Dock, entering Eden Isles. Rest of the waterway is clear as far as I could tell. Have heard some stories about a lot of cargo containers in Mississippi sound, but had no problems. I would recommend you stay in the ICW going across there. I went on the north side of Cat Island, and had some friends come back using the south side. No problems. You do need to be a little careful with your navigation, as there are a few markers missing. If I can be of any more help, just let me know.
Containers in Mississippi Sound?
Jim....I've been sailing the Mississippi Sound from the west end of Horn Island to Dauphin Island, across Mobile Bay, and on to Pensacola since Katrina with no problem. The message about containers in the Sound is new to me. Other than some debris a few months after the storm, my sailing buddies and I have seen little to none...we've even sailed many races near shore in Pascagoula where there was massive destruction and have not encountered debris. While there must be parts of houses and other stuff in the waters, I haven't seen much to speak of. With the amount of tugboat traffic in the ICW since the storm, any debris that may have drifted into that area is probably chopped to pieces by now. D. Dixon s/v CD EXPRESS
Jim....I've been sailing the Mississippi Sound from the west end of Horn Island to Dauphin Island, across Mobile Bay, and on to Pensacola since Katrina with no problem. The message about containers in the Sound is new to me. Other than some debris a few months after the storm, my sailing buddies and I have seen little to none...we've even sailed many races near shore in Pascagoula where there was massive destruction and have not encountered debris. While there must be parts of houses and other stuff in the waters, I haven't seen much to speak of. With the amount of tugboat traffic in the ICW since the storm, any debris that may have drifted into that area is probably chopped to pieces by now. D. Dixon s/v CD EXPRESS
Thanks Nice and Easy and Dick
I appreciate the information. I had heard that there was a good bit of debris from piers and such just below the water surface in Eden Isles, and I assume Oak Harbor, and I wasn't sure if anyone had cleaned it up since I heard the Coast Guard wasn't cleaning harbors or removing boats from waterways. I'm docked in Madisonville now, since South Shore Harbor is still destroyed, and didn't want to go over toward Slidell if I was going to have to worry about running over things all the time...thanks again.
I appreciate the information. I had heard that there was a good bit of debris from piers and such just below the water surface in Eden Isles, and I assume Oak Harbor, and I wasn't sure if anyone had cleaned it up since I heard the Coast Guard wasn't cleaning harbors or removing boats from waterways. I'm docked in Madisonville now, since South Shore Harbor is still destroyed, and didn't want to go over toward Slidell if I was going to have to worry about running over things all the time...thanks again.
Oak Harbor
Jim, Oak Harbor is cleaned up. They're taking transients, but it's not very cheap, and amenities aren't great right now. Mine is the boat behind Phil's house, and when we moved it in, the canals were reasonably clear. We saw some stuff in the water, but going slow, it wasn't a problem. That was 5 months ago, I'm sure it's even better now.
Jim, Oak Harbor is cleaned up. They're taking transients, but it's not very cheap, and amenities aren't great right now. Mine is the boat behind Phil's house, and when we moved it in, the canals were reasonably clear. We saw some stuff in the water, but going slow, it wasn't a problem. That was 5 months ago, I'm sure it's even better now.
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