ICW in Texas

[TxLnghrn]

With 6 1/2 feet I would consider the above comments carefully. Watergate/Waterford both have a shallow area coming out that gets to about 6' Mean low tide, much less in winter with the northerly's coming through. Kemah Boardwalk, although a tourist trap nightmare IMHO is another option, very close to bay and deep enough (as are Portifino, Seabrook, Blue Dolphin and Lakewood (although Lakewood is pricey). The other option to consider is keeping your boat in Galveston at GYC. We considered that with a deeper draft boat that we were looking at before we bought our Pearson (Wing Keel 3'11' ) Great for the Bay, and let's us stay at South Shore Harbour Marina.
Michael

[retclt]

I lived at the Galveston Yacht Basin in the eighties on a Bertram and it was OK. The mosquitos are in the bird category and horrible! I'd hate it in a Sailboat. You'd be on E dock . . . fixed concrete. I just don't care for GYB.

Stay up in the Clear Lake area. It's nicer in every way. You won't rust as quickly either.

[johnshasteen]

Where in Corpus is your boat now? We are going to be leaving the City Marina/Port Aransas and sailing up to Freeport either this coming weekend or next, leaving on a Friday AM, arriving in Freeport mid-day Saturday. We will either sail or go up the ICW, depending on whether we have two people or three. Two we go up the ICW, stop over at Port O'Connor Friday night and go on to Freeport Saturday - no ICW travel at night - too many turns and two much barge movement in that part of the ICW. Three and we sail. It's an easy broad reach for you all the way up to Galveston.

[kymbie]

Thanks for all the great info on marina's, we are planning a trip round many of them this weekend to see who has space and where looks best. Ideally we are looking for somewhere with floating docks and enough depth to get out in the Winter. We were going to go to the Kemah Boardwalk until we discovered that everyone has to leave their slips in October for the boat show that's happening there - didn't fancy that hastle, but we might consider moving there for the Winter.

Currently the boat is at the City Marina in Corpus, and officially not ours yet - the survey is in two days and hopefully we won't get any surprises (we already know it needs quite a bit of work, but as long as the hull, tanks and engine are sound that's OK).

I think the weather will be the determining factor in our route, there is only two of us, if the weather's clear and the moon is full sailing outside would be fun, but otherwise safety will probably have us heading up the ditch.

[PBzeer]

If you go to the Boardwalk, say Hi to Keith (the dockmaster) from John on Aria.

[retclt]

Kymbie,

One last opinion to throw in . . . . . . .

This may not bother some but it bothers me. The High Tension power lines over the Seabrook Shipyard buzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz. If you get a slip there ask for one as far away as you can get from them. Outside of that I love that marina.

Watergate does not allow dock boxes. Boardwalk does. Porto Fino is a great place and South Shore is kind of snobby. Look at them all and don't rush into a lease. Boardwalk is great if you have out of town friends visiting often.

Good luck!!!

[ccriders]

If you go inside, watch out for double wides. I encountered two in 2006. They end up pushing all the water out from under you and your eight feet become less than five in a second. Generally the doubles are in tandem, but I did encounter two double wides and they put me on the ground. Since I draw 4.5 feet I popped up pretty quickly. Be sure the radio is working as the push boats will talk to you and tell you what they are doing, especially at turns. Also for a swing bridge and for the locks. I anchored in Matagorda Bay in the lee of the barrier Island and had a wonderful evening, night and sunrise without mosquitos and without noise. The cruising guide will tell you where. I also anchored out in $30K cut, a really snug fit. At about sunset I heard a strange noise and by the time I figured it out I was in a swarm of mosquitos so thick I was afraid to breathe. Jumped down below, put up the screens and then spent next two hours swatting mosquitos. All in all I enjoyed the trip inside and since I was alone in a new to me boat, was not comfortable going the outside route.
Have a safe trip and enjoy your new boat.

[johnshasteen]

We need one (or two) more sailor for our (just two of us now - my grown son and I) on the 150 mile offshore sail from Port Aransas (Corpus Christi) to Freeport - leaving Aransas Pass Friday AM June 27 and arriving in Freeport midday Saturday. Any one in this august group of Texas sailors interesting in going along? If you've not made an offshore passage yet, this is an easy introduction to the Gulf. If your interested, PM me offline or at jpshasteen@yahoo.com