Galveston Bay & Texas Coastal Sailors

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Comment by John Shasteen on August 10, 2009 at 2:58pm

Here's an ICW tale: The second leg of the trip from Seabrook to Port Isabel about three years ago was somewhat eventful, here is a brief look at the leg of the trip from Port Aransas to Port Mansfield - sort of a halfway point between Port Aransas and Port Isabel.
Tim, Barry and I all arrived from differrent directions at the boat Thursday evening, had a great seafood dinner in Port Aransas and bedded down for the night. Next morning, we motored over to the pump out station, then to the fuel dock and took on fuel, water and ice to top up the two coolers and ice box that already had dry ice in them. Easy exit from the marina with a freshing breeze from the southeast - no chance of making the trip offshore with a SE wind. We headed for the intercoastal and Corpus Christi bay - motorsailing making over six knots.
A couple of hours later we were preparing to go under the South Padre Island Bridge with wind on the beam and having to pass a three boat tow - we had just hailed the tow captain for a two-whistle passing when a floatable cushion blew overboard and as Barry reached for it, so did he. While radioing the tug captain that we had a man overboard and furling the headsail, we turned hard alee to get downwind from Barry, who was now comfortably treading water aided by the floatable cushion he just retrieved. Turning alee at about 6 knots rather than making a u-turn in close quarters, caused us to run hard aground in about three-feet of water on the lee edge of the intercoastal - in the meantime, Barry swam over to the now stationary boat, we dropped the swim ladder and he climbed back aboard - wet but otherwise no worse for the experience. Fortunately there was a major fishing tournament going on and one of the little flatbottom boats with a Johnson 150 motored over and pulled us off of ground. In short order we were once again underway.
Six hours later, we made the entrance to Baffin Bay and anchored about 200 feet from shoaling southern shores with good light. Put out two big Danforth's each with 12 foot of chain and 100 feet of rode in case the 15-20 knot winds shifted during the night. After vino and tall tales, checked position - riding on one anchor, second rode slack - GPS indicates we are nailed in place.
Up at dawn Saturday, made coffee on the SeaSwing stove, weighed both anchors and got underway - drug both anchors along side the boat for a mile or so to clean them off. Turned back into the intercoastal under motor - wind still on the nose. About an hour later the wind becomes a beat, we unfurl the headsail and pick up almost 2 knots - rest of trip to Port Mansfield uneventful - light rain about half way, wind picks up and we are beating into small, but pesky 4-6 seas - spray over the bow - drowned rats all.
Around four pm we gently bounce over the sand bar at the entrance to Port Mansfield and motor on down to El Jefe's Marina and Cantina. Take on about 10 gallons of diesel, add 20 pounds of ice and pull into a slip with water and electricity - in no time the AC is cranking and we are taking dock showers in anticipation of an actual meal at El Jefe's - only burgers, butgreat ones. We are tied up about 10 feet from the cantina's outdoor patio and to our dismay, a band shows up about 8pm and threatens to play until midnight. Band was LOUDER than good - the crew enjoyed the show with wine on the fantail.
Dawn breaks way too soon, we have coffee at El Jeffe's Cantina, unplug the dock electrical, toss off the lines and back out of the slip. After a short trip up the Port Mansfield chanel, we again bounce over the sand bar and head for the ICW, Laguna Madre and.Port Isabel - little did we know what was in store on the final leg.

Comment by John Shasteen on August 10, 2009 at 10:41am

Ladye, where in Kemah are you - the picture of your boat looks a bit like Blue Dolphin (years ago that marina was Oddo's)?

Comment by Jay on August 9, 2009 at 6:50pm

I too have Progressive as my carrier for my 1998 Hunter I am very satisfied I too had no damage due to Ike my renewal for this year only increased $66 annually.......Good luck......Jay

Comment by John Shasteen on August 9, 2009 at 6:30pm

Ladye - You can try Progressive - yes the same people that insure cars - they also insure boats. When my carrier stopped writing on the Texas coast, my insurance guy put me with them. Paloma is a 1979 and they didn't have a problem with that, they just said that with no survey, they would do an agreed value up to $20,000 (that also include $300K liability and coverage for towing, etc) . They would insure Paloma for more with a current survey. Give them a call a 800-274-4499.

Comment by Ladye on August 9, 2009 at 11:02am

I have my insurance with National Marine Underwriters and received notice that The Northern Assurance Co. of America will not renew due to 'no longer have a market for sailboats with gulf coast navigation' ... I assume this is due to IKE, even tho I didn't have any damage. Any recomendations? Most carriers won't insure for the value of my boat due to age.

Comment by ___/)ances With Sails on June 12, 2009 at 8:32pm

Anyone in the Kemah/Seabrook area interested in participating in a Poker Run? I wanna play in my first Poker Run June 27th and would like crew. Its $95 (deposit due by the 24th) a person so bring your own purse. Will share the details

Comment by Ocean Girl on May 29, 2009 at 10:50pm

Hows Bal Harbour doing?

Comment by Todd on May 28, 2009 at 11:12am

Speaking of free pump out, I usualy go to South Shore I can top off the tank and get a pump out usualy with not much trouble. It's down on my end of the lake (I am in Bal Harbour) so its convienient.

Comment by Ocean Girl on May 27, 2009 at 12:24am

Just got to see your video Dances with sails, that was my pier at the beginning of the footage. It still amazes me how Ocean Girl received No damage.

Anyone out there have an opinion about living aboard at Waterford? Management?

Comment by Ocean Girl on May 26, 2009 at 6:32pm

Not to re-live IKE again but...Waterford did well, Watergate did not. We lost many many boats. I would guess about 30% at least for total lost, and another 25-30% damaged. the marina was littered with boats sunk in the slip and even some sitting on the piers. Entire piers that had big 40-50 footers were completely gone. It was so sad. Some live aboards tried to ride out IKE on their boats only to abandon ship when their pier gave way.
PS the pump out is free to renters

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