Back in Texas

[Como No Cruising]

Como No is back in her original Home Port, Waterford Harbor Marina, Clear Lake, Pier 13.
We departed Isla Mujeres, Mexico on May 4 @ 1130, after a lengthy wait for clearing Customs. Weather conditions appeared to be favorable for a Gulf Crossing, with no Fronts in the forecast for several days. We did have light winds from astern for 3 days and sailed mostly Wing & Wing, with the 90% Yankee set to starboard and the main vanged down and put on the preventer to Port. Seas were maximum of 3-5 feet. Not a bad sail. Winds 10 to 13 knots. We could have used more wind, but the lazy sailing was not bad.

All went well until Friday 7 May, when we entered the Oil rigs. Many are said to be unlighted, so we ran the radar all night and kept a sharper lookout than usual. . Saturday morning a frontal system came thru with 20 to 25 knot winds which shifted from one quadrant to another. Winds settled back down to the 13 to 16 knot range and seas became lumpy. The second night in the oil rigs was more stressful than the first due to an accumulation of lack of sleep. However, on Sunday, 9 May we made the entrance to Galveston Bay and were able to lay a course directly downwind, wing on wing which took us due North, directly up the Houston Ship Channel. Winds were 15 - 20 and were were scooting along at a nice easy 7-8 knots with the autopilot steering the entire way.

Sails were struck as we approached the Clear Lake entrance and we began to prepare for berthing, laying out fenders and lines.

[Russell]

Congrats on finishing your circumnavigation!

So, when do you start the second circumnavigation?

[Como No Cruising]

Russell: Although once is not enough, age is making itself felt in this old sailor. We are thinkiing about Bahamas and then maybe back to the Eastern Caribbean next year. It dosen't really get much better than that, does it.? You know what I mean.

How did you adjust to being back?

At least Como No is now getting lots of cosmetic maintenance work done on her.

Did you ever get your Cabin Sole replaced?

Will

[Ocean Girl]

Welcome home Como No!!

Ann, I've never had so much fun doing laundry! You have added at least three more destinations to my must see list! Will, thanks again for the chart! I am a sucker for charts, love em, I have already poured over it. You two sure have given me a renewed energy to get my boat ready to go. See ya next weekend, can't wait to do more catching up.
BTW- mom says "hi" and looks forward to swapping sea stories:)

Cheers,
Erika

[Ocean Girl]

Will, I had no idea you guys were posting over here, in fact I don't think I realized this "cruising section" existed..dang, I could of followed you two, I have missed all the fun. Did Ann tell you that I passed Como No twice out in the gulf? Once getting to mexico and once coming back.
No your not slow! I was in a cruise ship going 20 knots, crossed the gulf in 36 hours..kinda crazy.
See ya,
Erika