I see a lot of names from Texas in the forum. I see very little written about Texas in the magazines. Lots written about Florida. In a few years I retire and may move my boat south. Texas is much closer than Florida. Where can I learn about Texas (or other areas of the Gulf) sailing? Geoff
Texas
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I see a lot of names from Texas in the forum. I see very little written about Texas in the magazines. Lots written about Florida. In a few years I retire and may move my boat south. Texas is much closer than Florida. Where can I learn about Texas (or other areas of the Gulf) sailing? Geoff
Muddy water
For some reason the water from Texas to about Pensacola are turbid or green. Visability maybe 5-10'. Once you are east of Pensacola 30-40' is not unusual. Early this summer we could see the bottom at 30' off of Panama city.
For some reason the water from Texas to about Pensacola are turbid or green. Visability maybe 5-10'. Once you are east of Pensacola 30-40' is not unusual. Early this summer we could see the bottom at 30' off of Panama city.
Muddy water
For some reason the water from Texas to about Pensacola are turbid or green. Visability maybe 5-10'. Once you are east of Pensacola 30-40' is not unusual. Early this summer we could see the bottom at 30' off of Panama city.
For some reason the water from Texas to about Pensacola are turbid or green. Visability maybe 5-10'. Once you are east of Pensacola 30-40' is not unusual. Early this summer we could see the bottom at 30' off of Panama city.
Texas sailing
hmmmm, Texas sailing, good to excellent, water quality varies from completely toxic to pretty clear(down south). Excellent harbors and compared to Florida, extremely cheap. I sail the upper coast, mostly GAlveston BAy to Matagorda. Although some say it gets rough, with the exception of storms) it is mild compared to the West coast or up north-east way. Only real problem is those drunk Texans in their damnable cigarette boats. Personally believe sailors should be allowed to 'pass' shoot those suckers like doves.
For info on the Galveston BAy area look under Clear Lake (largest collection of sailboats on the gulf, Kemah, LAkewood yacht, houston yacht etc. For what it is worth I believe 3(4?) medals, one a gold, in sailing at this summers olympics went to teams who train in these waters. ... and yes we have porpoise too, and one stray manatee a few years back...so there Florida. heheh Didereaux
hmmmm, Texas sailing, good to excellent, water quality varies from completely toxic to pretty clear(down south). Excellent harbors and compared to Florida, extremely cheap. I sail the upper coast, mostly GAlveston BAy to Matagorda. Although some say it gets rough, with the exception of storms) it is mild compared to the West coast or up north-east way. Only real problem is those drunk Texans in their damnable cigarette boats. Personally believe sailors should be allowed to 'pass' shoot those suckers like doves.
For info on the Galveston BAy area look under Clear Lake (largest collection of sailboats on the gulf, Kemah, LAkewood yacht, houston yacht etc. For what it is worth I believe 3(4?) medals, one a gold, in sailing at this summers olympics went to teams who train in these waters. ... and yes we have porpoise too, and one stray manatee a few years back...so there Florida. heheh DidereauxTexas sailing
hmmmm, Texas sailing, good to excellent, water quality varies from completely toxic to pretty clear(down south). Excellent harbors and compared to Florida, extremely cheap. I sail the upper coast, mostly GAlveston BAy to Matagorda. Although some say it gets rough, with the exception of storms) it is mild compared to the West coast or up north-east way. Only real problem is those drunk Texans in their damnable cigarette boats. Personally believe sailors should be allowed to 'pass' shoot those suckers like doves. For info on the Galveston BAy area look under Clear Lake (largest collection of sailboats on the gulf, Kemah, LAkewood yacht, houston yacht etc. For what it is worth I believe 3(4?) medals, one a gold, in sailing at this summers olympics went to teams who train in these waters. ... and yes we have porpoise too, and one stray manatee a few years back...so there Florida. heheh Didereaux
hmmmm, Texas sailing, good to excellent, water quality varies from completely toxic to pretty clear(down south). Excellent harbors and compared to Florida, extremely cheap. I sail the upper coast, mostly GAlveston BAy to Matagorda. Although some say it gets rough, with the exception of storms) it is mild compared to the West coast or up north-east way. Only real problem is those drunk Texans in their damnable cigarette boats. Personally believe sailors should be allowed to 'pass' shoot those suckers like doves.
For info on the Galveston BAy area look under Clear Lake (largest collection of sailboats on the gulf, Kemah, LAkewood yacht, houston yacht etc. For what it is worth I believe 3(4?) medals, one a gold, in sailing at this summers olympics went to teams who train in these waters. ... and yes we have porpoise too, and one stray manatee a few years back...so there Florida. heheh Didereaux
Geoff, lived in Euless,Texas for ten years...
be prepared for HOT (100+) summers from May to October, especially July and August and mild winters. You will need AC on your boat if you want to cruise during the summer. Humidity was pretty bad where we lived in north Texas but much worse in the gulf. I'm glad to be back home! Be prepared to sweat. Terry
be prepared for HOT (100+) summers from May to October, especially July and August and mild winters. You will need AC on your boat if you want to cruise during the summer. Humidity was pretty bad where we lived in north Texas but much worse in the gulf. I'm glad to be back home! Be prepared to sweat. Terry
Geoff, lived in Euless,Texas for ten years...
be prepared for HOT (100+) summers from May to October, especially July and August and mild winters. You will need AC on your boat if you want to cruise during the summer. Humidity was pretty bad where we lived in north Texas but much worse in the gulf. I'm glad to be back home! Be prepared to sweat. Terry
be prepared for HOT (100+) summers from May to October, especially July and August and mild winters. You will need AC on your boat if you want to cruise during the summer. Humidity was pretty bad where we lived in north Texas but much worse in the gulf. I'm glad to be back home! Be prepared to sweat. Terry
When I think of Euless,
the last thing I think of is sailing. Maybe the Cobra Club, the Bell factory, but not sailing. But I hear Lake Texoma is a big sailing spot?
the last thing I think of is sailing. Maybe the Cobra Club, the Bell factory, but not sailing. But I hear Lake Texoma is a big sailing spot?
When I think of Euless,
the last thing I think of is sailing. Maybe the Cobra Club, the Bell factory, but not sailing. But I hear Lake Texoma is a big sailing spot?
the last thing I think of is sailing. Maybe the Cobra Club, the Bell factory, but not sailing. But I hear Lake Texoma is a big sailing spot?
Texas Sailing
Hmmm, where to begin? I'll start with Euless. I'm right down the road, in North Richland Hills, and keep one of my boats on Lake Grapevine, probably 10 miles from Euless. Sailing on that lake is great, even though the lake is small. Deep water in most areas right up to about 50 feet from the bank. Generally strong winds. My marina (there are three marinas on the lake) has about 500 sailboats. I take my O'Day 25 to Corpus Christi on a regular basis, twice over the fourth of July (about the hottest time of year). Humidity was bad, but not totally unbearable. Last time we too took a carry-on A/C, but our friends that went with us preferred to sleep in the cockpit, and found it quite comfortable. We haven't sailed the gulf yet, but went south from CC to Port Isabel, right on the Mexico boarder. It was a fantastic trip, and we plan on doing it again. Probably my biggest concern was that reaching other popular gulf sailing areas would be a long trip. For that reason, when we bought a bigger boat, we chose to keep it on Lake Pontchartrain in Louisiana. More of a central location. That said, I think you'd find plenty of interesting places to sail here in TX.
Hmmm, where to begin? I'll start with Euless. I'm right down the road, in North Richland Hills, and keep one of my boats on Lake Grapevine, probably 10 miles from Euless. Sailing on that lake is great, even though the lake is small. Deep water in most areas right up to about 50 feet from the bank. Generally strong winds. My marina (there are three marinas on the lake) has about 500 sailboats. I take my O'Day 25 to Corpus Christi on a regular basis, twice over the fourth of July (about the hottest time of year). Humidity was bad, but not totally unbearable. Last time we too took a carry-on A/C, but our friends that went with us preferred to sleep in the cockpit, and found it quite comfortable. We haven't sailed the gulf yet, but went south from CC to Port Isabel, right on the Mexico boarder. It was a fantastic trip, and we plan on doing it again. Probably my biggest concern was that reaching other popular gulf sailing areas would be a long trip. For that reason, when we bought a bigger boat, we chose to keep it on Lake Pontchartrain in Louisiana. More of a central location. That said, I think you'd find plenty of interesting places to sail here in TX.
Texas Sailing
Hmmm, where to begin? I'll start with Euless. I'm right down the road, in North Richland Hills, and keep one of my boats on Lake Grapevine, probably 10 miles from Euless. Sailing on that lake is great, even though the lake is small. Deep water in most areas right up to about 50 feet from the bank. Generally strong winds. My marina (there are three marinas on the lake) has about 500 sailboats. I take my O'Day 25 to Corpus Christi on a regular basis, twice over the fourth of July (about the hottest time of year). Humidity was bad, but not totally unbearable. Last time we too took a carry-on A/C, but our friends that went with us preferred to sleep in the cockpit, and found it quite comfortable. We haven't sailed the gulf yet, but went south from CC to Port Isabel, right on the Mexico boarder. It was a fantastic trip, and we plan on doing it again. Probably my biggest concern was that reaching other popular gulf sailing areas would be a long trip. For that reason, when we bought a bigger boat, we chose to keep it on Lake Pontchartrain in Louisiana. More of a central location. That said, I think you'd find plenty of interesting places to sail here in TX.
Hmmm, where to begin? I'll start with Euless. I'm right down the road, in North Richland Hills, and keep one of my boats on Lake Grapevine, probably 10 miles from Euless. Sailing on that lake is great, even though the lake is small. Deep water in most areas right up to about 50 feet from the bank. Generally strong winds. My marina (there are three marinas on the lake) has about 500 sailboats. I take my O'Day 25 to Corpus Christi on a regular basis, twice over the fourth of July (about the hottest time of year). Humidity was bad, but not totally unbearable. Last time we too took a carry-on A/C, but our friends that went with us preferred to sleep in the cockpit, and found it quite comfortable. We haven't sailed the gulf yet, but went south from CC to Port Isabel, right on the Mexico boarder. It was a fantastic trip, and we plan on doing it again. Probably my biggest concern was that reaching other popular gulf sailing areas would be a long trip. For that reason, when we bought a bigger boat, we chose to keep it on Lake Pontchartrain in Louisiana. More of a central location. That said, I think you'd find plenty of interesting places to sail here in TX.
Lake Grapevine
I'll have to investigate on my next trip out. Wish these business trips were a bit longer to allow for a look at the Galveston areas.
I'll have to investigate on my next trip out. Wish these business trips were a bit longer to allow for a look at the Galveston areas.
Lake Grapevine
I'll have to investigate on my next trip out. Wish these business trips were a bit longer to allow for a look at the Galveston areas.
I'll have to investigate on my next trip out. Wish these business trips were a bit longer to allow for a look at the Galveston areas.
Herb are there lots of gators on Pontchartrain??
We were in Mobile and saw a lot of gators around spanish fort. We heard that they were on Dauphin island but we never saw any. I know that they are back in the creeks but I am wondering if they get out on the lake. A friend's husband said that he caught sharks in Pontchartrain!!! Why are you on the lake instead of Mobile Bay or Biloxi??? It seems like it's hard to get in and out of the lake to go to the islands or over to Florida. By hard I mean that you have to motor a lot. I've been considering heading over to Mandeville where I have some friends. As to Texas I really like Canyon Lake just north of San Antonio. A clean lake that I've scuba dove several times. At the time I only windsurfed and daysailed. Except for being a little busy with power boats it was great. Also caught some very nice catfish that tasted good I guess from the clean water. Tom
We were in Mobile and saw a lot of gators around spanish fort. We heard that they were on Dauphin island but we never saw any. I know that they are back in the creeks but I am wondering if they get out on the lake. A friend's husband said that he caught sharks in Pontchartrain!!! Why are you on the lake instead of Mobile Bay or Biloxi??? It seems like it's hard to get in and out of the lake to go to the islands or over to Florida. By hard I mean that you have to motor a lot. I've been considering heading over to Mandeville where I have some friends. As to Texas I really like Canyon Lake just north of San Antonio. A clean lake that I've scuba dove several times. At the time I only windsurfed and daysailed. Except for being a little busy with power boats it was great. Also caught some very nice catfish that tasted good I guess from the clean water. Tom
Herb are there lots of gators on Pontchartrain??
We were in Mobile and saw a lot of gators around spanish fort. We heard that they were on Dauphin island but we never saw any. I know that they are back in the creeks but I am wondering if they get out on the lake. A friend's husband said that he caught sharks in Pontchartrain!!! Why are you on the lake instead of Mobile Bay or Biloxi??? It seems like it's hard to get in and out of the lake to go to the islands or over to Florida. By hard I mean that you have to motor a lot. I've been considering heading over to Mandeville where I have some friends. As to Texas I really like Canyon Lake just north of San Antonio. A clean lake that I've scuba dove several times. At the time I only windsurfed and daysailed. Except for being a little busy with power boats it was great. Also caught some very nice catfish that tasted good I guess from the clean water. Tom
We were in Mobile and saw a lot of gators around spanish fort. We heard that they were on Dauphin island but we never saw any. I know that they are back in the creeks but I am wondering if they get out on the lake. A friend's husband said that he caught sharks in Pontchartrain!!! Why are you on the lake instead of Mobile Bay or Biloxi??? It seems like it's hard to get in and out of the lake to go to the islands or over to Florida. By hard I mean that you have to motor a lot. I've been considering heading over to Mandeville where I have some friends. As to Texas I really like Canyon Lake just north of San Antonio. A clean lake that I've scuba dove several times. At the time I only windsurfed and daysailed. Except for being a little busy with power boats it was great. Also caught some very nice catfish that tasted good I guess from the clean water. Tom
Winter only
Thanks, all for the advice. If I get there, it will be for winter months only, probably Feb and Mar but perhaps Dec and Mar. Have been to Florida in December and it's perfect for this Wisconsinite; cool enough to need a jacked at night but warm enough to soak up sun in day time. Would either put boat in dry storage or hook up with a charter outfit to keep it busy while we're not there. Geoff
Thanks, all for the advice. If I get there, it will be for winter months only, probably Feb and Mar but perhaps Dec and Mar. Have been to Florida in December and it's perfect for this Wisconsinite; cool enough to need a jacked at night but warm enough to soak up sun in day time. Would either put boat in dry storage or hook up with a charter outfit to keep it busy while we're not there. Geoff
Winter only
Thanks, all for the advice. If I get there, it will be for winter months only, probably Feb and Mar but perhaps Dec and Mar. Have been to Florida in December and it's perfect for this Wisconsinite; cool enough to need a jacked at night but warm enough to soak up sun in day time. Would either put boat in dry storage or hook up with a charter outfit to keep it busy while we're not there. Geoff
Thanks, all for the advice. If I get there, it will be for winter months only, probably Feb and Mar but perhaps Dec and Mar. Have been to Florida in December and it's perfect for this Wisconsinite; cool enough to need a jacked at night but warm enough to soak up sun in day time. Would either put boat in dry storage or hook up with a charter outfit to keep it busy while we're not there. Geoff
Gators & Pontchartrain
I've heard there are, but I haven't seen any. That doesn't mean much though, we've only owned the boat for about 4 months. I've also heard that sharks wander in from time to time too. Good think our main plans are for sailing, and not swimming, huh? The reason we "chose" Pontchartrain is that the boat was already there when we bought it. It has gulf access, is about 9 hours away (opposed to the 6 and 8 hour drives we were contemplating in Texas). It seems to be well protected in case of a hurricane. I've looked at the maps, and I don't think we'd have to motor much to get out to the gulf, but time will tell.
I've heard there are, but I haven't seen any. That doesn't mean much though, we've only owned the boat for about 4 months. I've also heard that sharks wander in from time to time too. Good think our main plans are for sailing, and not swimming, huh? The reason we "chose" Pontchartrain is that the boat was already there when we bought it. It has gulf access, is about 9 hours away (opposed to the 6 and 8 hour drives we were contemplating in Texas). It seems to be well protected in case of a hurricane. I've looked at the maps, and I don't think we'd have to motor much to get out to the gulf, but time will tell.
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