Ladye

We had our boat at Waterford Harbor marina in Kemah until spring 2006 and I'm interested to know what is left in Kemah after Ike. We loved the area and my heart sinks when I imagine what it must look like now,

We're in Annapolis for several days before continuing south. We left Texas in Spring 2006 after the 2005 hurricane season scared us. We're full time cruisers going up and down the east coast and the Bahamas. I'm hoping to get farther south to the leeward islands one of these days.

Mary

I am emailing you

Really enjoying your pictures...decide on date for sure? Did you get my last email reply?

Hello Ladye:

C'est La Vie is docked at Waterford Harbor. We had only minor damage at the marina. For the most part all of the boats did very well unlike our neighbors at Watergate. Pretty sad to see the destruction to parts of that marina. We did race in the Harvest Moon regatta, had a great time in the non-spin class. We took 2nd in class and 6th in fleet out of 90 boats .
Where are you docked?

TBS

We are in Watergate Marina and we are thrilled to have survived Ike. Our marina took a big hit and many boats did not fare as well.

Cool Layde - I would love to meet you sometime. What pier are you on? We are on Pier 4 but currently in Port Aransas - just finished the Harvest Moon Regatta on a friends boat (s/v Topaz - 51' Endeavor). We are taking this week to come back up the ditch and just enjoy ourselves. The regatta was awesome this year!

Hi Ladye. love your pic's and your boat.

I didn't do the HM this year. The captain of the boat I was to crew on was overwhelmed by Ike.

Hi from Boston! Beautiful beautiful pictures and boat. Thanks for adding me as a friend! This is a sad week around here as almost everyone is pulling their boats out for the long winter. Boston harbor is gorgeous but there is such a short season. How often are you sailing? Lisa

Yes I would like to hear more. e me please: danceswithsails@yahoo.com

Is there anything left of Watergate, hear it was all gone.

Louis

I think I am about 7 hours from Myrtle beach, but haven't mapquested it yet. I dont have any plans for Thanksgiving at the moment....so I will think about it.
bobbi

ooops, will you forgive me on the name spelling error? sorry

Had a great trip back. Stopped in Rockport and eat at the Boiling Pot. Several types of crabs, shrimp, sauage,potatoes etc. Anchored out in east Aransas Bay, stayed in Matagorda and Freeport. Arrive back home Friday at 4pm.

Hi, You have a good eye for quality. Especially since you are sitting on a Pacific Seacraft. Vessel named M&M Packet, Island Packet model 32, hull #31, year:1990. Reagards, Mac

I saw your comments...glad you found it. Good luck with the sale!

Hi, I was trying to pay you a compliment on the choice of Pacific Seacraft when I responded about my IP, but I seem to have "foot in mouth" and my reply did not come out very nicely. Apologies if I hurt anyones feelings. Again, my intention was a complement. Thanks for posting your pictures, most enjoyable. Mac

Hi, I may have an old brochure for the PS27...I will check and if you want, I can send it to you. We really like our IP and hope to move aboard next year if finances permit.
Tom

HI. NICE PICS. THANKS FOR COMPLIMENT ON MY MARIAH, CREAGAN AN CRITICH. I'VE OWNED HER FOR 30 YEARS. BEST INVESTMENT I'VE EVER MADE. IT IS EASY TO SEE THAT YOU ARE HAPPY WITH YOUR ORION. I'VE SOLOED 90% OF MY SAILING TIME, AND I'M STILL IN GEORGE TOWN, BS--BEEN HERE SINCE MAY, I THINK. THIS IS AN ANCHOR SUCKING HARBOR, BUT WHEN I ARRIVED I PLANNED TO RIDE OUT HURRICANE SEASON HERE. GUESS I'LL HEAD S TO THE CARIBBEAN AT YEAR'S END WITH BEQUIA AS A DESTINATION. WHAT ARE YOUR PLANS?

Good news, found the brochure, order form/prices, best guess is from around 1984 or 1985. Orion 27 MK II...

It was one of the boats I was looking at way back when, did not buy due to other priorities and interests.

Send me your info and I will pop it in mail...will try and use original PS envelope they sent it to me in.

Regards,
Tom

Hey Ladye...you worried??? We will be fine

Ladye-Thanks for the invite. Let me know when you are going to be in Charleston and we will try to meet you. Our boat is a Freedom 33 and is docked at the Cooper River Marina. Donna

Hey others too is fine...Fun

I became newly single this year and bought my own boat. Am living aboard and on the same dock as Odis. He is a huge help to me when I need to learn to do things on the boat. He tells me you guys get together on Saturday nights...will make it by one evening. I am looking to meet more single boating friends.

thanks for the compliment...I get 2-3 volunteers 5-6 times a year for longer passages; the big offshore trips usually require some previous serious offshore experience, but 1-3 day trips are ok for anyone with some coastal experience. Check out the web site sailopo.com; it's a crew listing service I use.

Thanks for the compliment. Houston Ay! I lived in Houston, over on the Katy side for a few years. Just too hot and too flat for me. Really like the trips to New Braumfels for the sausage festival and tubing. The hill country in bloom was great.

If you would like crew or need an extra set of hands, I would love to help. I'm just down the road in Texas City. -Tim

I do love the Pacific Seacrafts. I have sold Flickas, Danas and one Mariah. Congratulations on your new life style. I am a broker with JMYachts; we moved down here because Galveston Yacht Basin is a real mess and will be for a very long time. There are only 4 boats left out of the original 54 on the sailboat dock. The Strand area is devastated; I was there this week and there is not one business except for the banks open downtown..
Watergate is still a mess also..looks like Waterford did well.

Thanks, I closed the For sale site, and moved to other

I am over at the Boardwalk. Will look for y'all on the water!

I see you live in the Houston area so I hope all is well from your various storms. My brother lives and works in Houston so I visit from time to time.

Perhaps we can work a trade. I live aboard my 36' AP Ketch in Ft. Myers and am a licensed 100GT USCG Captain. I do deliveries as well, but am new to this area and want to do some exploring. Perhaps we can help each other get to see new areas, and maybe even swap boat for short periods. I'd love to take my brother out!!!!

Let me know your plans, and we can coordinate. I am currently bringing a boat south from NYC and freezing my butt off outside, but will be home this weekend sometime. I'd like to talk about warmer passages.

Capt Tom
S/V Cayo Mio

Ladye,

Thanks for your quick response, and I look forward to our discussion. We just left Morehead City and are on our way south to Port Royal (south of Charleston). If we are fortunate it will take about 50 hours, but as often seems to be the case both the winds (nonexistant) and waves (3 to 4) are both on the nose. So it won't be a relaxing evening sail. Oh well, we can't manage the weather; so we have to deal with what we are given.

Let's exchange direct contact info if you feel comfortable, and I'll make the first step. My e@mail is tblue@thomasblue.com. My snail mail address isn't fixed yet as I haven't decided on a marina for my new home. I think it will be Ft Myers City Yacht Basin once Cayo Mio is resplashed.

Have a wonderful Thanksgiving with those near and dear to you as that is important. I'll have to head up to Raliegh to visit my eldest daughter to visit since I missed her birthday and Thanksgiving too!! She a great gal, and makes the BEST pies ;-)

Fair Winds~~~~
Capt Tom
S/V Cayo Mio

PS How did you get the aerial shot of your boat sailing????? Way Kewl What is she?

Ladye

That could the lead lyric for a song. In fact i think it is!!!

When is a good time to go sailing in the Houston area? It's in the 70's here in Ft Myers. So it shouldn't much colder where you are,right. It's all about having WIND!!!!

Neat music by the way. How did you added it as it is a nice background for writing.

Capt Tom

Nice boat..
I just did the Caribbean, last Feb. - Curacao to St. Lucia with some stops like Bonaire, Grenada. Sandy Island, Carriacou then landing in Rodney Bay,beat the shit out of ourselves...upwind for 9 days
Yes we Canadians are crazy...

Hello, many good questions. First the San Jaun's are a wonderful choice to sail, simply enchanting. Always sail with the tide, currents can be stong in many places. With countless anchorages you can't go wrong. Most eventually gravitate to Sucia Island at one point or another. I usually stay in Echo Bay, it's the largest place to drop anchor and a good central place to venture out in your the dingy. Roche and Friday Harbor's are both excellent if you want a well cooked meal or some civilization. They can both be very busy places nearly anytime of the year. Victoria B.C. is also a nice place to visit. It has a wonderful British look and feel. You can moore overnight right in front of the Emperess Hotel, which is very impresssive (day or night). Late summer has the best weather, usually warm and fairly dry. Many good charter companies, San Juan Sailing, out of Bellingham, WA is best in my opinion: http://www.sanjuansailing.com/, give them a look. Large fleet to choose from and first class in every regard.

Hope this is useful for you, more info if you need any. Enjoy and cheers. George

I am not familar with Texas crusing, but the San Juans are wonderful....many islands and anchorages and interesting scenery. As mentioned below, San Juan Sailing has many excellent boats as does Anacortes Yacht Charters. San Juan Sailing has a nice description of a seven day and 14 day cruise thru the islands and into Canada:

http://www.sanjuansailing.com/cruising.htm

also see:
http://www.ayc.com/

please keep in mind we have 10+ foot tides, reefs and many dangerous passage areas where you really need to watch...especially with a sailboat and a 5+ draft!

we could send some links to cruising guides, but start with San Juan Sailing's trip overview and let Roger Van Dyken know who sent you...

have a safe cruise
kirk

I have sailed out of Anacortes. Its a small town with good provisioning. I like the location relative to the Islands. In just an hour you are among the Islands and into the cruise. I have only used Anacortes Yacht Charter. They have service my needs very well. The briefings are good, and the equipment has always been, clean, well maintained, and ready to go. I have used them three or four times. You can usually get a good discount if you follow their website.
They have some nice itenaries for various anchorages. I particularly like the Inner Harbor at Victoria, for a night stayover. You are right in the heart of a very British city with lots to do. I also like the cove behind the Buchart Gardens. It does not show up real well in charts or cruising guides, but is easy to find and access. An there are a few nice mooring balls. Roach Harbor is quaint, and Sidney has a very nice marina. There are a ton of places to anchor. During summer the crowd will somewhat determine where you set the hook, ie, if it is not too crowded. I have usually gone out in Sept after schools has started and never had a problem with anchorages. Pay attention to the tides and currents, there is usually a good Canadian publication on the boats.
Under sailI have been doing 7.5 knots over water, and not gained any ground. In the summer be prepared for a fair amount of motorsailing. Crossing the two straits Haro and San Juan are the most fun in terms of a good beam reach.
Hope this helps...Rod

We used San Juan Sailing (http://www.sanjuansailing.com/charters.htm) from Bellingham, they have exelent local knowledge and their boats were in exelent shape. We has a Beneteau 35. They have some sample cruises available. (http://www.sanjuansailing.com/sanjuan.htm) We typically go there in July and that is a great break from the Texas heat.

We are over in Bal Harbour, our boat is a BayField 32C 1984 called Merlot. We got her in March last year. Do you know of TMCA texas mariners Cruising assosiation? We have joind them and they have cruises every weekend you can join as well as dock parties and various social events. They also have exelent local knowledge posted on their web site www.tmca.nu. I hope to see you out there soon or as soon as we get enough tide to get out.

can you get out of there when the tide is so low? I couldnt get out at all this weekend.

You might check with San Juan Sailing out of Bellingham, they are pretty good. Mention Glen Gelhar's name he used to skipper for the charters there and is now buddy boating with us in the Sea of Cortez. The islands are beautiful, pay real close attention to the currents/tides and the weather, it's not east coast. Sail to Vancouver if at all possible you will not regret it. We'll be back someday, on our way to Panama and points beyond. Fair winds!
Cam

I'm taking a SAFE BOATING COURSE also I signed up for a third class on Navigation & chart reading...I have those antique tools, I want them to teach me how to use.. Out of about 30 people I was the only Sailboat person, and only 2 women there me and an owner of a Houseboat...I look forward to seeing her Houseboat...live a board..we traded phone numbers, and shes near by.

Hope you are well...don't be a stranger...

The San Juan's are really a great destination. I spent two summers sailing there, but that was back in the late 1980's, so my knowlege is a bit dated. I crewed on a private sailing yacht, so I can't recommend a particular charter company. Highlights of that broader cruising area included: Roche Harbor, The Canadian Gulf Islands such as Galleano Is., Victoria, Campbell River, and Desolation Sound. Your itinerary might keep you closer to Bellingham or Anacortes, but no worries, the whole region is nice. The weather was almost perfect all the time and we did have some luck with the Dungeness crab pots. I recall the winds were light and the tidal current a major factor. Keep a watchful eye out for tugs towing barges, fishing fleets, logs, and if you are lucky, Orcas.

Hello Ladye. Nice to meet you. You are at the Boardwalk Marina then? Very nice boat you have, I enjoyed your pictures. I am at the Boardwalk, E Dock aboard a 37ft Irwin. Are you part of Singles Sailing - a Yahoo Group. I think some of them are thinking about getting a group together to charter. You can find them at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/singlessailing/?v=1&t=search&ch=web&pub=groups&sec=group&slk=2 if you are interested. Do you live aboard? I like the marina here and living aboard. One of my son's and I are refitting the boat - for two years now - LOL. But she is coming along. Take care and enjoy, Jan

I find the best weather is found July 5 - the end of September. As far as charter companies I have no idea. Me and my father sailed the San Juans since 1986 or so, and we like Friday Harbor, Port Townsend, Montague, Deep Bay on Lesqueti (sp? near Texada in British Columbia), Pendor Harbor (B.C.), Princess Louisa Inlet (B.C.), Suscia Island, and Hunter Bay... But if you sail around you very well might find a nice spot and stay for a few days, we usually do. The Gulf Islands in B.C. are beautiful, as well as the San Juans. Also try to check when and where the Orca whales will be as the pods are tracked, you might be able to hook up with a kayak group and see them in the wild. We have had the Orcas swim with our boat much like the dolphins, but only once... And now you arent allowed to get close, so try a kayak excursion. If you dont want to do the customs stuff, then I'd say stick in the San Juan's, and if time is limited then dont worry about port townsend as it is an overnight trip (although they are the wooden boat headquarters in the area, and it is a neat place to day visit, especially Fort Warden). Careful what channels you go through and when, investing in a tide table and current chart as well as nautical charts will make your outings smooth. your clock will revolve around the tides, when to come and go, etc. ummmm... You can try Anacortes, Bellingham, and maybe even Blaine for charter companies as well as anywhere in the San Juans (or, maybe chartering a boat from Canada would be cheaper? Sidney, Victoria, and maybe Vancouver...) Any other questions?

My boat - as were almost all of the boats at our marina - was safe and sound. I could hardly believe how well she weathered that horrible storm. It tore the marina up and we are still getting back in shape. I was gone for two months - vacationing with friends and relatives in the south; FL, AL, TN, IN and having a great time while they were restoring the electricity and water at each slip. So it wasn't all bad. It was SO GOOD to come home though. When I first came to the Kemah/Seabrook to look for my next 'home' and found the Irwin I looked at a bunch of Marina's around here and chose the Boardwalk. Deeper water, floating docks, great area here on this east side of SR 146. I just felt at home.

It would behove you to go to http://www.waggonerguide.com/
That has a plethera of information about the San Juan Islands, WA.
I love the place and take my boat there to cruise as much as I can during the summer months.

Above all have fun and don't forget to go to Rossario on Orchas Island.

Harry

Hey Ladye,
I am at Watergate too, I think we are on the same pier! I'm on 5 across from Mike (contessa) and John (Coranado). If you are who I think you are you are working on your wood right now(?).. Thanks for inviting me to be your friend.
I'm not on the boat right now, I am recovering from major surgery so I am at a girlfriends house, but I should be back within a week (yahoo!)
Great to hear from you.
Erika

I;m an ex varnish lady so if you need any help just come bang on the boat. Well, I wont be back for another week. but I'll be sure to stop if I see ya,
Erika

heya.. feel free to look me up if you're in my part of the Caribe...