Sunsets on Galveston Bay

There has been a little time that has passed since the last blog. have done some repair on the teak after the Harvest Moon and have just refinished the varnish. So the exterior of Barefoot Babe look all new again. have made a couple of interior changes that really open up the main saloon and give the boat a larger almost living room type feeling.

Christmas has come and gone and I hope that Santa was good to everybody. Now New Years will be here in a couple of days. We might go and anchor out with a few other boats to bring in 2011. There is a little anchorage in the Seabrook area that is called Hanky Panky Hole. (wonder how it got that name).  There is a planned raft up to share drinks and good times.

There is a few boats that headed out to go cruising this month, Storyville, Anchor  Management, and Annie M. They are all headed to the Carribean and we wish them a fun, fast and safe trip. You can track Storyville across the Gulf or Carribean by clicking on their name. We are still planning on going cruising (hopefully) end of 2011 or first part of 2012.

Elaine really enjoys the sunsets around Galveston Bay and has taken a hell of a lot of sunset photos. I have put together a few of them into a small movie. Hope you enjoy them and the music from Jerry Diaz and Hannas Reef.

Location: Kemah, Texas

Back From The Harvest Moon Regatta

Heading to Start Line



Starting Line



Leaving Boats Behind




 

Overall the Harvest Moon Regatta was a great experience. Everyone on board learned alot about sailing in heavy weather. The start was looking like we were not going to have any wind at all for the race. The gulf was smooth and it was a slow start. But within a few hours it started to blow and the the seas came up to about 3 to 4 feet. As we passed Freeport the winds were blowing about 28 knots and we were in about 6 foot seas. We were cruising along really well on a close reach.  As we were approaching Matagorda the wind was blowing 32 to 35 knots and the seas had grown to 8 to 10 feet and now we were more on a close haul and pounding through the waves. The waves were not swells but more like a washing machine on turbo wash. We were running full canvas so when the wind went to 38 knots we reefed the jib down about 40%. Glad we did because the wind then went to 40 knots steady with gusts to 49 knots. We were close hauled with the wind on the nose and beating into 12 to 15 foot seas with 20 foots breaking waves. This was making for a very wet ride. We also had the cap rail buried in the water. So if you looked out the forward portholes all you saw was water and fish swimming by. When we crossed the finish line we were doing 9.2 knots.


Everything inside had got soaked. Elaine & Jodie drove up to Port Aransas to meet us at the dock. We had reserved a slip at Island Moorings Marina. It was nice to see them on the dock waiting for us. Once we got the boat secured, another boat pulling in the slip beside us was blown over by the wind and hit the back of my boat. There was no damage except a gps mount. We then all went to the Club house at Island Moorings, which the service and food there was not all that good. But we were all glad just to be on stable land having a meal that didn't include salty sea water. Most of Saturday was spent cleaning up the boat. We found water being held in lockers and storage areas. We fresh water washed all the cushions and dried out all the cabins. Once we all got cleaned up off to the City Marina for the BBQ dinner, free rum and the awards...then the live band Hanna's Reef and Troy Allen.



On a Run Before the Big Seas

We took 4th place in our division. Not to bad since I lost two of my crew to severe sea sickness that incapacitated them. And I had one rookie helmsman that took the boat over five miles off course north of the rhumb line.

We came back the ICW from Port Aransas and had a great trip. The first night we found a place to pull in and tie up in Port O'Connor. There were several other sail boats tied up in the same area. The next night we were experiencing a minor boat problem and pulled into Bridge Harbor in Freeport for the night. It was like another party there with all the sailors from the Harvest Moon there. 



Sunset on the Gulf.



We left there and motor sailed back to Kemah the next day and averaged over 8+ knots.  

Jim

It was a great experience that will never be forgotten.



Oil Platform in Gulf

 


Dave & Mark

 









 Location : Kemah, Texas

Getting Ready for the Harvest Moon Regatta 2010

2008 Finish Line Port Aransas

The Harvest Moon Regatta time is here again. The race will start Thursday October 21st at 2:00pm. The race starts in the Gulf of Mexico off the old Flagship Hotel galveston Island. The finish line is in Port Aransas in the ship channel between the jetties. The race is offshore and about 156 miles. We didn't race the Harvest Moon last year but we are excited to do it again this year. The crew is together and ready to go and see what happens. We do this for the fun of the race and parties that are held in Port Aransas. To many of the boats that do this race are so anal retentive that they miss the fun of sailing. If there was a Bar-B-Que class we would be entered into it.

This year we are entered into the class called "Cruising Non-Spinaker Classic Canvas" I guess that this means we have old sails a flying. Or maybe this is a medafor for the old codgers running the boat. Who knows?

This year anybody can track all the boats that are running a spot tracker. We will be running our Spot Tracker so anybody interested can see how we are doing.

To see all the race boats click here http://www.trackleaders.com/harvest

To track just our Spot click on the top right of the blog to find s/v Barefoot Babe.

We have a Captain's meeting tonight and will get our sailing packets. This will give us our start time.

We will be staying at Island Moorings Marina in Port Aransas

Location: Kemah, Texas

Dolphins in Galveston Bay

Our friends Jody & Dauphin have Monarch, a beautiful Island Packet 45 foot cutter. These two are geat sailors that love having fun. While out sailing one day they ran into a pod of Dolphins that played in the wake of their boat. It is really hard to get pictures of Dolphins but they were able to get this video. 

Location: Kemah, Texas

Flying the Spinaker



Jim at the helm



Jim & Elaine









  Last Sunday Sept 12th we went out sailing with some friends, Mary and Eric. They have sailied with me in the past and are fun to sail with.



The Bird

Dousing the Spinaker





Well I have had a spinaker for the last three years and have never flown it. So with the winds as light as they were I decided that it was about time we get that spinaker in the air and see what it looks like and how it sails. We were out by the Houston Ship Channel and the prevailing wind is from the S/E. So we turned downwind and rigged and deployed the spinaker. It is really colorful and sails very good. With a little trimming I could set the spinaker and let it sail inself with the autopilot.

Elaine, Eric, Mary





Flying High



We sailed downwind to Houston Yacht Club and once we passed it, we doused the spinaker using the sock. It was so easy that even a cave man could do it. The wind had picked up and with two tacks we were headed back to the Boardwalk and Watergate Yachting Center.

Another great day on the water.

Location: Kemah, Texas

Labor Day 2010 Redfish Island Raftup

Kelly and Andy's Starfleet Yachts

Kelly Mcquire was having his Labor Day Redfish Island concert again. This year it was going to be an all day party. Also performing was Andy & the Deamsicles and Southbound. All the bands were set up on different large power yachts. The sound was also simucast on an FM station.

Redfish Island Raftup

 Greg and Ann s/v Nauti-Gal, Dauphin and Jody s/v Monarch and our daughter Heather joined us on Barefoot Babe for a sail out to Redfish Island. We had some heavy winds and put the rail of the boat into the water a few times. When we got to Redfish Island there must have been a few hundred boats anchored out. We found us a spot and set the hook the first time. Now it was time for Dauphin to make some drink specials and the rest of us to clean up the boat. The inside of the boat looked like it had gone through a hurricane.

Redfish Island Raftup

Once we got to boat cleaned up and a couple drinks in our hand we lit up the grill and threw some hamburgers, bratwurst and sausage on the grill. The typical boat food. As it cooked, we kicked backed and listened to the Kelly Mcquire concert on the water. When Kelly was finished the boat he was on pulled up anchor and went slowly around the anchored boats singing a few more songs and as he passed us, told us Barefoot Babe needed to sing a little louder. (He has never heard us sing or at least the guys)

Redfish Island Raftup

Andy and the Dreamsicles then started playing as Kelly's boat headed to port. Andy's music was good and we could hear it at our boat good. After we ate a few people went for a swim and I took the dinghy around the anchorage for a little spin. Andy finished up about 4:00pm and then Southbound took up where they left off, playing a little southern rock.

Give Me a Beer

We raised the anchor and headed back in about 5:30pm. Everyone had a good time and were working on a nap as I let the Mr. Auto (autopilot) sail Barefoot Babe to Kemah. We were treated to a nice sunset as we arrived back to Watergate Marina.

Location: Kemah, Texas

Finally Got The Islander 36 to Kemah

Tom Leaving Freeport

Well we got down to Freeport on Wednesday 9-1-10 at about 7:00am and was planning to leave at 7:30am. The fuel dock was supposed to be open at 7:00am. They didn't open till after 8:00am. We took on 10 gals of diesel and tested the motor. We had good water coming out the exhaust this time.

Freeport Ship Channel

I untied all the dock lines while Tom was at the helm. As I started to untied the midship line Tom put the boat in gear and gave it the gas. Tom ran the bow into the dock and pile blowing up the port navigation light. I think he was just so excited to be leaving Freeport. Well I got it untied and off we went heading out to the ICW. The motor was running well at this time. We motored under the Surfside bridge and then out the jetties to the Gulf of Mexico.

Freeport to San Luis Pass

We started out motor sailing with about 5 knot winds and about 3 foot swells making about 3.5 knots. it was going to be a long slow ride. There were a few squalls out on the gulf and we headed towards the edge of one to try to catch some wind. Well we found about 25 knots worth and took off like a jet with a steady 7 knots over the ground. When the squall played out the wind went back down below 5 knots, so back to motor sailing. We reached San Luis Pass and the motor started to run hot so I shut it down and tried to work with the little wind we had. It started to pick up to about 15 knots and I was able to pick up a little speed and headed to the jetties. I reached the jetties and tacked into the ship channel. The sun was setting and the entrance was full of ships, barges, tows, crew boats, pilot boats and ferry boats. It was worse than a Houston freeway on a Friday evening.

San Luis Pass to Kemah

We are still running under sail alone and no port navigation light or steaming light. Tom was unable to see and make out any of the vessels or nav aids at night. I tried to teach him how to spot the lights and to tell what they were and which way they going. He needs a lot of practice. I sailed the Islander all the way up the ship channel to the S. Boater Cut where I crossed behind an inbound ship. Once we were in the safety of Galveston Bay I let Tom take the helm all the way to the Boardwalk. Once we were beside the Flying Dutchman I rolled the jib in and dropped the main. Tom started the motor and took us into the slip at the Boardwalk marina. We arrived  at 1:30am the morning of 9-2-10 17 hours after we started. Just in time to tie up and then head over to T-Bone Toms backyard for a couple of ice cold beers (had me some Land Sharks) to celebrate our successful arrival.

Location: Kemah, Texas

One More Time

5:45am
The 36 Islander is supposed to be ready so I am headed to Freeport. If everything goes right I should be back in Kemah at about 9:00pm. We are going to dock the Islander at Boardwalk Marina.

You can track our progress by clicking below :
http://share.findmespot.com/shared/faces/viewspots.jsp?glId=0GdPevUzg8CkG0iT053sszA9T9GLAsaI5

Location: Kemah, Texas

Headed Back To Freeport

4:00pm
Finally got the call from the mechanic and I am headed to Freeport. We should be there at about 5:30pm and headed out to the gulf about 7:00pm.

You can track our progress here
http://share.findmespot.com/shared/faces/viewspots.jsp?glId=0GdPevUzg8CkG0iT053sszA9T9GLAsaI5

6:00pm

Bridge Harbor Marina, Freeport

Got to the boat and loaded up to head out to the Gulf. I started the motor and it started up very easy and sounded good. We let it warm up while we stowed everything in its place and untied dock lines. We then untied the last dock lines and headed out of the marina. There was a motor yacht leaving the marina behind us. I recognized the two men on board as people Elaine and I met while anchored off Moody Gardens in Offats Bayou. As we entered the ICW they pulled up close to our stern and said hello. One noticed that we did not have any water coming out our wet exhaust. This means that the raw water pump was not working. The temp on the gauge also began to climb way to high. So back to the marina we went and tied up. I then borrowed some tools and began to work on the motor. We changed the raw water impeller, cleaned out the thru hull, and tried to prime the system and still could not get the system to pump water. After about 3 hours of working on it we quit for the night and are turning it back over to the mechanic to complete. We then headed back to San Leon and will try this again when the mechanic figures out the problem.

Location: Kemah, Texas

Waiting for a Call from The Mechanic

10:46am
Still waiting for the mechanic to call and say that s/v Bravo is fixed and ready to go to sea again. So as soon as it is fixed and TESTED I will head to Freeport with Tom and we will bring his boat back. Will keep everyone updated.

2:00pm
Mechanic called and said he had the heat exchanger out and cleaning it. Hopes to have it back in and test the motor and transmission this afternoon.

5:00pm
Got the call that all the work was done but the motor still was running hot. So maybe tomorrow...

Location: Kemah, Texas

Ingleside to Kemah (So We Thought)

Our Track in the Gulf of Mexico

Our plan was to leave Ingleside on s/v Bravo at 6:00am on our delivery back to Kemah. The boat needed a little more preparation that morning. After coffee and undoing the tangle of lines we were able to shove off at about 7:20am. The tide was out and we bumped ground a couple of times getting out the marina channel. Nothing to stop us though. We then made it out to the Corpus Christi channel and headed to Port Aransas and the jetties. We cleared the jetties at approx 9:30am, only about an hour behind our schedule.

Tom enjoying the ride

We then set the sails and turned off the motor. The Gulf of Mexico seas were about 4 foot swells from the S/W with wind at about 5 to 10 knots also from the S/W. This gave some following seas and the ride was nice but very slow. We could only make between 3.5 to 4.5 knots. 

Tom and a large rig

We got out into beautiful blue waters with Dolphins swimming along and playing around the boat. We glided by several ships anchored off the coast. Between Port Aransas and Freeport there are a hell of a lot of rigs and production platforms. We passed by the majority of them between Port Aransas and Matagorda Ship Ship Channel during the day and early evening. The full moon came out and gave us alot of light to see the rest of the rigs at night. We did pass three UNLIT rigs and platforms during the night. 

Sun popping up

The Lord provided us with a fantastic sunrise. The winds had died down during the night and we had to start motor sailing when we crossed the Matagorda ship channel. With the winds at about 5 knots and glass smooth seas we finally made it to the Freeport ship channel. Once we passed the Freeport ship channel we decided to give the motor a rest and sail for awhile. We shut off the motor and was making way towards Galveston Island at about 3 knots. At about 5 miles East of Freeport the winds went to zero again. The seas were flat and a beautiful emerald green. As we floundered around a couple of Dolphins came to check us out. The temperature was rising very fast so we decided to start motor sailing again to make the Galveston jetties before dark. The motor would not start. We discovered that there was a short in the neutral safety switch. It was sparking and then the wire burned off the switch. I attempted a repair and bypass, but the motor still would not start. 

Beautiful Gulf Sunrise

We then call Tow Boat U.S. and gave them our position 5 miles out in the Gulf of Mexico ENE of the Freeport jetties and advised them of the problem with the vessel. They told us that they would see us in about an hour or so. While we waited we decided to have lunch. The wind then started to blow at about 3 knots out of the East. I rolled in the genoa and set the main so we could make some headway towards the Freeport jetties to meet the tow boat. We actually were making about 1.8 knots when the tow boat got there.

The towboat threw me a harness and we headed for Freeport. The Captain of the tow boat had made arrangements for a transient slip for us at Bridge Harbor Marina. When we arrived there, the harbor master was there to help us tie up. Once we were tied up I cleaned up the boat. Tom contracted for all the repair work to be done. I then grabbed all my gear and headed for a shower. After the shower I put on my bathing suit bought me a big cold Land Shark beer and got into the swim up pool bar. Took a seat on one of the underwater bar stools kicked back and relaxed. Now this is cruising island style.

Our ride back to Kemah got there about an hour later and I am now back in Kemah. Once the repairs are completed I will go back to Freeport and bring sailing vessel Bravo to the Boardwalk Marina in Kemah, Tx

Location: Kemah, Tx

At Ingleside, Texas

We had a nice drive down coast to Ingleside Texas. We are at the Bahia Marina. It is a nice little marina in the shadow of Corpus Christi but without all the city hubbub. There is alot of shallow water around the marina and channels.

Tom's Boat

We are going to head out tomorrow at 6:00am and should be back in Kemah with Tom's boat about 8:00pm Tuesday night.

There is an Irwin 41 here at the marina. It is a beautiful boat and I got to get the nickle tour from the owners, Geff & Rose.

41 Irwin & Sunset

The sunset was fantastic dropping behind the island.

Our time frame: 
8-23-10
6:00am - leave Ingleside, Texas
8:30am - clear Port Aransas Jetties
6:30pm - cross Matagorda Ship Channel

8-24-10
6:00am - cross Freeport Ship Channel
2:30pm - enter Galveston Jetties
8:00pm - Kemah, Texas

Location: Ingleside, Texas

Heading To Ingleside Texas

I am headed to Ingleside Texas with Tom Mclain the pround owner of an Islander 36. He and I will be bringing the boat back to Kemah, Texas. Tom has a slip at the Boardwalk Marina. Our plan is to head out into the Gulf of Mexico on Monday 8-23-10 and sail the Gulf back to Galveston and then up the ship channel to Kemah.

You can follow our progress on my spot tracker.

Location: Kemah, Texas 

Great Day on the Water and Dolphins

Went out sailing today on Galveston Bay with some people that have chartered with me three times before. We were under another heat advisory but the wind was steady at about 15 to 20 knots for the day. and that kept the temp on the boat OK.

Got to see a lot of Dolphins playing in the bay. They are hard to take pictures of, but I was able to get some video.

Hope you enjoy it..............


Location: Galveston Bay, Texas

Friend's Dauphin & Jody

Our friends have just got back from a two week cruise down the southern Gulf Coast of Texas. They had a really good time hitting many popular anchorages. They spent some time sailing the open waters and a little time traveling through the Intercoastal Waterway. Here is a little video of their cruise in the ICW.

Location: Kemah, Texas

Count Down to Cruising

Well here we are thinking about the cruising life again. Our plan is to shuck the land based living and go cruising in a couple of years. This time frame may be moved up sooner than we planned. We are not getting any younger.

Raymond

A friend of ours, Raymond Fosdick, is headed out to sea. He left Kemah Texas this morning and is headed to Galveston Island to anchor out overnight. When I saw his SPOT track , he was southbound past Redfish Island. I then had to call him and find out about his plans (that is if he had any) and to wish him well. All the while a little envious that he is adventurous enough to go ahead and free his land bonds and sail out to unknown exciting locations and meeting old and new friends to make lifetime memories.  I then tried to call him and got his voice mail. After a few minutes he called back where I wished him a safe voyage and asked him about his plans. He told me that he was anchoring off Galveston Island tonight and meeting up with some friends, we may meet him too. He was then going to head out the jetties and across the Gulf of Mexico. Raymond's plans are to go South below Lousiana to Florida and then to Key West. Pick up a couple friends and head to the Dry Tortugas for some scuba diving in paradise. From there back to Key West, through the Keys and up the East coast to Chesapeake Bay and spend some time sailing there and meeting with some sailing friends from Kemah. This sounds so exciting and is a dream for most people with a boat. Yes, "just go".

Greg & Ann's boat "Nauti Gal"   

So back to us and our plans. As of August 1, 2010 I am no longer working as a full time police officer. I am eligible for full retirement after 30 years as an officer. Waiting for retirement paperwork from the state. We also have friends, Greg and Ann, that have just bought a Hunter 42 Passage and want to buddy cruise with us. Greg is retired and they are ready to go to. We both have some land based obligations to take care of first.

So for now we will keep the dream alive and make our plans accordingly. We will do some day sails and mini cruises until the day we turn on our SPOT and just go. And the best part is "When the anchor drops, were there.

Location: Kemah, Texas