Aventura Eastbound I

GONE SAILING!!

Tue 10/21/14

The new Bimini and two solar panels have been installed.  Everything looks really good! Mike made the Bimini from scratch, his first try.  And he installed the solar panels with the requisite wiring.  Wow!  We've loaded up the boat with provisions, clothing, spare parts and completed all the maintenance/cleaning. 

Ready to go, right?  Well, not quite.  Weather in the Gulf of Mexico is rough and expected to stay so for a couple of days.  So, we spend two nights on the boat and play tourists in New Orleans for a day.

Thu 10/23/14

Left at 8:30 a.m. in rocky seas; waves kick up easily in shallow Lake Pontchartrain.  By the time we slid down the Rigolets and into the Gulf, things had quieted down.  But the wind would increase by evening through the next morning.  So, anchoring at one of the Mississippi islands was not a great idea, just for comfort because heavy swaying all night long would have kept us awake.  Pass Christian Harbor/Marina is a good choice.  The price is perfect: $21.40 per night total, including water and electricity, and all taxes/fees.  The cheapest anywhere.  Shaggy's Restaurant onsite is terrific and the tiny historic downtown is close.  Two nights in Pass Christian satisfied our desire for biking, good coffee shop, fresh seafood sold dockside and pleasant views.  We met Smitty with his catamaran, and other folks along the piers who were headed/returning from somewhere interesting.  Meeting people and socializing is easy and part of the allure of boating.  Sharing stories and info over a sunset beer on one's boat beats many landlubber activities for sure. 

Sat 10/25/14

Left Pass Christian 7:45 a.m., planning to make our way to Petit Bois Is., MS, the final one before Dauphin Is., AL.  The wind gods were good to us; we motorsailed at 6.5-7 knts. all the way to northern Dauphin Is. where we anchored in Pas Aux Herons, near the Mobile Bay bridge.  In time for a nice sunset, meal and early bedtime.  Just watch out for the flies; they're like cannibals at certain times of the year.  A swarm of them seemed to attach us out of nowhere as we were navigating the ICW on the way there.  How those creatures are able to fly long distances has me completely baffled.  Anchorage: 30 deg. 15.731’ N/88 deg. 09.482’ W; around 3/4 mi. from shore.  No protection if wind kicks up but very nice anchorage in mild weather and to be repeated again

Sun 10/26/14

We weighed anchor around 8:00 a.m. It was all motoring across Mobile Bay and inside the Alabama Canal (ICW).  Once in the Canal, it was lovely to see the pretty sights of homes and vegetation along the shores, past Lulu’s Restaurant (a favorite stop for food and marina services), The Wharf (a dressy marina and vendors-center, clashing with our attraction to more natural/funky settings in keeping with sailing), past Wolf Bay (an anchorage option), and into Ingram Bayou.  It was early, 4:00 p.m.-ish and, as we followed another sailboat in, we wondered if one of our all-time favorite anchorages might be full. Unfortunately, it’s not a secret.  Yet we were lucky enough to share this peaceful cove with the Southern Cross sailboat that preceded us.  Not to mention the Ospreys and dolphins, and maybe raccoons hidden to us by the vegetation, plus who knows how many other living creatures.  Bill came over from his sailboat on is kayak to pay us a visit.  After some wine and peanuts and plenty of conversation, Mike was invited to try the kayak.  See pic.  

Anchorage: 30 deg. 12.583’ N/89 deg. 24.128’ W

Mon 10/27

We dinghied over to Bill’s sailboat for coffee and admire his well-kept 1980 craft, which he singlehands.  We left for Pensacola, FL around 10:00 a.m., expecting a 4-hr. trip for the rest of the Alabama Canal, passing through Perdido Bay and Big Lagoon before entering Pensacola Bay.  Pretty all the way.  Never get tired of it.  Even when the weather is hot – say the 80’s! Finally in Pensacola Bay we were able to sail without the motors, just the sounds of nature.  Palafox Marina is great, not only because it is clean and modern, but also because it’s nestled in the historic downtown Pensacola so easy to enjoy by foot and bike.  Every time we come back, there are new establishments in keeping with the architecture of the area.  Between that and the waterfront, there’s nothing to complain about.  Except for the chores awaiting. 

Next: Destin Harbor – St. Andrew’s Bay and Panama City. Stay tuned and don’t forget to double click on the slideshow for better picture viewing.  Hasta luego, amigos! 

New Orleans Eastbound III

5/18-19/2014
Knowing we had a long day ahead, we left Barber Marina on the AL Canal early, around 8 a.m. An unencumbered day for travel -- temperatures in the upper '70s, and mild. We motored to Dauphin Is., AL, passing Wolf Bay, The Wharf Marina complex, Lulu's Restaurant and Homeport Marina (she is Jimmy Buffet's sister)along the AL Canal. Then we crossed Mobile Bay, turning south at Dauphin Is., working our way to Pelican Passage, an anchorage at the underbelly of the Island. Our first time there, it proved to be an acceptable cove and very popular for locals. We rowed to shore, splashed around in the water for a while before retiring for sunset and dinner. This anchorage offers very little protection from weather, but the Windfinder indicated good conditions through the night. By the way, if there was any passage or cut through before, there isn't now, which makes for a longer trip when leaving to go westward. Maybe locals ought to refer to it as Pelican Cove. Location: 30 deg. 14.634 N/ 88 deg 06.902 W

5/19-20/2014
Weather conditions continued mild. So headed for the next island west of Dauphin called Petit Bois, and it's across the state line in Mississippi. If you're from the area you call it "Petiboi," a little bit of a departure from its French root, but who's challenging that. It did take a while to reach the northeastern part of Petit Bois from the southern part of Dauphin, also because there's no real channel between the two islands. So, you pick your way through very carefully, watching the depth meter intently. It seems that the whole string of Mississippi islands plus Dauphin Is., AL are slowly moving westward, so scientists say, and the continuous shoaling makes any chart outdated. We arrived at Petit Bois in the early afternoon, a destination we're familiar with and like. Again, limited protection, as are the rest of the Barrier Islands off the Mississippi coastline. In this case, there was no boat nearby, which made it a peaceful anchorage. We dropped the dinghy and this time the motor worked! So we made it to shore and walked around a bit plus swam. Time to break out one of the DVD's we had bought at a garage sale or somewhere like that, pop popcorn on the propane stove and enjoy the evening. Even watching a DVD on a battery powered, 7 in. screen can be fun when in the "camping" mode. Beside that, I have my Nook and Mike his reading material, too. No cell phone connection. The VHF would cover communications with another boat or the Coast Guard, or hear weather reports. But otherwise, it was just our floating cabin in the natural setting. OK by us. Location: 30 deg. 12.261 N/ 88 deg 26.679 W

5/20-22/2014
You notice how we alternate between the nature experience and the town experience? If water tanks are full, there's plenty of provisions, boat operations systems are working well, and there's no issue with weather, then there's a choice. Choosing nature takes you to a simple state of body and mind, best for introspection, and feelings that develop from a natural setting. Marinas, hence city life, feeds the addictions: technology, places, foods, entertainment. Our addictions were calling. So, we headed for Point Cadet Marina at the eastern tip of Biloxi, across the bay from Ocean Springs, and across a narrow channel to Deer Is. We left early and made the approx. 30 nm run in less than 5 hrs., motor sailing. The Golden Nugget Casino is next door to the marina. Gambling and the gambling environment is not for us, but the Starbuck's inside was. In fact, the Hard Rock Casino, about 1 mi. down the beach, also had a Starbuck's, and we visited that as well. Guess it's true that Starbuck's is everywhere. We did the usual biking, looking for the historic area, grocery shopping, and taking in any breeze we could. It was getting hotter by the day. We also looked in on the Biloxi Small Craft Harbor, which is much better located if you're biking, but they discourage (or so we thought) pleasure boats in favor of commercial boats. It's full of fishing vessels, and some sell fish/seafood off the boats during certain seasons. Many Asians involved, which is a usual sight along the Gulf Coast. So, that means Asian stores and restaurants, too, which adds texture to towns. A good thing.

5/22-24/2014
We left Point Cadet and made the 3-hr. run to Gulfport Harbor Marina where we stayed for a couple of nights, while waiting to rendezvous with our friends at Ship Is. on the 24th. No casino visits, but yes biking and the usual. Gulfport Harbor Marina is first class and most of the boats are pleasure boats. A totally different atmosphere from the Biloxi marinas, as we saw it. Otherwise, the town has an historic area, restaurants and coffee nearby, just like Biloxi. The big difference in the towns is that Biloxi has become synonymous with casino life, though it was a fishing town (many tournaments available for you sports fishermen) and historic town way before the casinos.

5/24-26/2014
We were eager to meet up with George and family at Ship Is., which in and of itself is an attractive destination. So, we left mid-morning for the 2 1/2 hr. straight run down to the northern part of the island where Fort Massachusetts is and the better anchorages. It's also where anchorage spots are closest to shore for exploration. Though a popular island, this was Memorial Day Weekend, and the sailboats/motorboats abounded. George's cat, a Privelege 39, was in a perfect spot, and we dropped anchor nearby. Saturday and Sunday were days to visit, share meals, go ashore, swim and generally frolic. If you're ever in the area, don't hesitate to visit Fort Massachusetts and the Gulf beach area of the island. Very nice, so much so that there are several daily excursions back and forth from Gulfport, and maybe from other towns. All in all, this was a wonderful way to put the finishing touches on a trip that was meant to relax and did.

IN SUMMARY:
This was a 3-week plus sailing trip that started out with no plan. We stopped where we wanted and moved at the speed we chose at the time, and it worked well for us. Weather, as well as boat and body functioning cooperated to make it a memorable trip. We visited new places: Pass Christian Harbor Marina, Lake Yazoo, Redfish Point and The Cut on Big Lagoon, Paradise Inn anchorage, Pelican Pass/Dauphin Is., and Point Cadet Marina. We revisited places we already knew and liked: Ingram Bayou, Palafox Marina/Pensacola, Barber Marina/AL Canal, Petit Bois, Gulfport, and Ship Is. Sailing for us is all about exploring and relaxing, and this trip delivered. Even when the weather is inclement, as in last trip (November 2013), there's always something to remember warmly. Memories that keep us going in life.

New Orleans Eastbound I

Sat. 5/3 – Mon. 5/5/2014

We say our last goodbyes to our friend and pier pal, George, as we head out into choppy waters and nippy winds (15-18 kts.) on Lake Pontchartrain.  It’s 8:00 a.m. and the weather is exhilarating (sunny skies, highs to reach mid ‘70s), foretelling adventures and good times as we move foreward.  Unlike all our past trips, there is no plan.  The plan is no plan, just to head east. 

We decide to try Pass Christian Harbor & Marina, MS.  I’m itching to play tourist with our Dahon Speed Uno bikes and just ramble for a couple of days.  The town is easy to navigate, and it’s great to see how well it’s been recovering from Hurricane Katrina (2005) when it was hit really hard.  Plus you can’t beat $21.40/night including all taxes and fees.  And, what can I say, we love the ritual of the coffeehouse.  Cat Island Coffeehouse & Pass Christian Bookstore was perfect.  If you venture there, be sure to ride your bikes along Scenic Drive with a long row of beautiful antebellum homes on one side, and the Gulf of Mexico on the other.  Nice!

Mon. 5/5 – Tue. 5/6/2014

We left Pass Christian early and hoped to either anchor at one of the Barrier Islands off the Mississippi Coast or Lake Yazoo in the Pascagoula area.  The winds would have to be just right for either Horn or Petit Bois islands; so, we put our sights on Lake Yazoo, which we hadn’t been to before.  It was a slow crossing with hardly any wind from behind and hot.  Not a memorable day, but we were pleasantly surprised with Lake Yazoo, a tiny oasis in the midst of industrial activity.  Ingall’s Shipyard, with its massive building contracts for the navy, and oil refineries engulf the area.  But Yazoo is surrounded by high end residences and smart boats.  There were others anchoring there as well.  A good storm hole between Biloxi and the Alabama Canal.  Location: 30°20.85N/88°33.52W

Tues. 5/6 – Wed. 5/7/2014

Given that high winds are expected by Thursday, we bypass another new anchorage spot, which is on the south side of Dauphin Is. in favor of reaching the Alabama Canal.  From Yazoo we motor-sailed past Dauphin Is., across Mobile Bay and into a part of the Intercoastal Waterway (ICW), which is both protected and beautiful.  That’s where the trip acquires texture.  Surrounded by lush vegetation, interesting homes and a few marine businesses, not to mention people bustling about, there’s more to see and appreciate. 

One of our favorite anchorages is Ingram Bayou, nestled between Wolf River and Perdido Bay.  No signage.  You just have to know where to turn in.  A little secret but, alas, not only ours.  There were already three boats anchored; so, we nudged our way in and settled for the night.  We had hoped to stay a couple of nights at least.  And we’ll probably do that on the return because the attraction to Ingram is that you are surrounded only by the sounds of nature.  Nothing artificial.  And you could almost reach out and touch the foliage on shore; your boat is that close. Plus, doing my yoga first thing in the morning to the sounds of birds and occasional dolphins that enter the bayou is most gratifying.  Location: 30°19.27N/87°33.41

Wed. 5/7 – Thu. 5/8/2014

In between Perdido Bay and Pensacola Bay there’s a long body of water called Big Lagoon.  We headed for it and decided on an anchorage in a wide open space with the Gulf Shores Nature Conservancy providing protection from the open Gulf. The best spots are near Redfish Point. 

We got in the dinghy to go explore the sand dunes and look out into the Gulf.  The motor didn’t cooperate but we took turns rowing.  And we swam.  A beautiful sunset and meal.  What’s not to like about that?  Location: 30°19.19N/87°20.21W

Thu. 5/8/2014

Well, it’s time to duck into a marina again.  Palafox Marina in Pensacola is great.  Not only is it a first-class marina at reasonable rates (for Boat U.S. members), but it’s smack in the middle of the historic section of town.  On the agenda:  groceries, eat out at least one meal, laundry, biking, more biking, odd jobs, coffeehouse….We’ll probably be here through Sunday, given rains and high winds forecasting.  Not sure where we’re going next.  Stay tuned!

Be sure to double click on the slideshow for larger format viewing. 

AVENTURA, our new catamaran

Bringing Aventura Home: As many times as we had sailed from Louisiana to Florida, you'd think bringing Aventura back from Pensacola to New Orleans would be an easy task. After all, we knew the passage, anchoring spots and marinas. Plus the weather was cooperating. But, one thing we know about sailing is that there are no givens. The four-day trip was packed with the unexpected. I guess naming our new (old) catamaran, a 37 Lagoon TPI, Aventura was asking for it! After polishing the fuel, getting the air bubbles out of one of the engines, we started off on Sat., April 7th in the afternoon. All fine crossing Pensacola Bay to the Alabama Canal and onward to Wolf Bay just off the Canal, for our first overnight. Raising the new-to-us boom furled mainsail was an interesting experience, and it went just fine. Anchoring at Wolf Bay in 10 ft. waters (our draft: 4 ft.), using a bridle and 35 lb. anchor went just fine. As usual we enjoyed the sounds and sights of nature's plenty: water, creatures, and distance from the industrial/tech environments we tend to live in. Sun., April 8th was Easter. Barge and other traffic while crossing Mobile Bay was minimal. We played with the sails, got a feel for best angles to the wind and other efficiencies. We crossed under the Dauphin Is. Bridge in the late afternoon, expecting to make Petit Bois Isl, MS for our next anchorage. Just west of the Bridge, with no warning at all, we suddenly lost steerage. What?! The depth meter read 12.9 ft. We were sure we hadn't seen crab traps. So we assumed something else had fouled the propeller(s). Something with enough weight to it where the boat didn't budge from where it lay just on the northern boundary of the channel. To make a long story short, we were grounded, at least the forward section of the starboard keel. The depth in the stern of the boat read 12.9 ft., and that is where the meter must be because at the bow we were hard aground an oyster bed in 3 ft. of water! After a fretful overnight with barge traffic menacing us, we finally broke loose around 9:30 a.m. next morning when the incoming tide provided us the lift needed. A good lesson for a sailing couple that had never run aground in 12 yrs. of sailing (with deeper keels, one must add). We made it to the western edge of Ship Is., MS for anchorage that evening ruminating on the experience that had gotten compounded by another "incident." The in-boom furling system failed us, or, rather, we failed it. So Mike struggled with the sail to bring it down and wrap it around the boom as best we could. Lesson #2 taught us that we must pay attention to the outhaul, batten placements along the boom and point of sail when raising the mainsail under this system. With much humility and joy we motored into South Shore Harbor Marina in New Orleans Tue., April 10th, greeted by our good friend and slip neighbor, George, who also has a catamaran (see http://sailgulfcoast.blogspot.com/2011/12/madisonville-boat-show-10-2011.html). Now our attention is on making this neat cat, Aventura, our new buddy on the waters.