Looking for 1 crew person to help sail my Cape Dory 27 from Ft Myers Beach, FL to Corpus Christi, TX. I am planning a layed back 6/7 week trip following the ICW most of the way. You will need to spare trip expenses and cover your own transportation to and from the boat. I plan to depart Oct 1, 1999.
I'm 46 years old, 5'10", in good physical condition, and have alot of sailing experience. The boat is well equiped, in great condition, and no longer for sale.
No smoking, drugs, or drunks. An ice cold beer while waiting for a green flash never hurts!
bobmcreynolds@hotmail.com
Looking for crew, Ft Myers, FL to CC, TX
Moderator: Jim Walsh
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Ron Polichnowski
Re: Looking for crew, Ft Myers, FL to CC, TX
Bob
Good Luck. Enjoyed talking to you last Saturday at Ft. Myers Beach Moss Marina. Your boat is a gem! Wish I could make the trip with you.
Ron
Good Luck. Enjoyed talking to you last Saturday at Ft. Myers Beach Moss Marina. Your boat is a gem! Wish I could make the trip with you.
Ron
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Don Kolenda
Re: Looking for crew, Ft Myers, FL to CC, TX
Wish I could pull off the time for such a great trip. I'm a Lee County resident (Cape Coral) with a CD25 docked behind my house and 15 years prior experience sailing back and forth on Lake Michigan. Good luck; contact me if you need other help locally. Send pictures!
Dkolenda@us.ibm.com
Dkolenda@us.ibm.com
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HDHarris
Re: Looking for crew, Ft Myers, FL to CC, TX
Bob,
Sorry to hear the boat didn't sell. However, sounds like a real gem anyway. In short, a real keeper, as you've outfitted her so so well.
I love to make your ICW trip. But, I headed your way on Oct. 4th to go out of Ft. Myers, Fla. the other way.
But, if you're going ICW, make darned sure you have charts for each leg of it. Fla to Mobile Bay route is pretty nice - especially Choctowatchee Bay and other areas behind Panama City, Destin, Ft. Walton, Perdido Key and Pensacola. Watch the weather for the offshore passage from St. Pete to Appalatchacola - don't head out with a norther coming from the west - be prepared and patient enough to sit weather out and wait for good weather windows in and around exposed passage areas.
After that, I'd be on your toes. The Coast Guard in Mobile Bay and around Orange Beach were morons (at least to me - harassed me and damaged my boat). Miss. sound area generally okay and pretty excluding norther conditions. And, certain parts of LA can be a real pill - but LA is still very scenic and very interesting. Those coon ass barge drivers sometimes don't watch what they're doing!
Helpful, general hints from my trip from Pt. Bolivar, Tx. to New Orleans, La, and then on across NW Fla. to Ft. Myers:
1. Get thru and out of New Orleans fast - the Miss. river current, etc. around Algiers area just off French Quarter is pretty strong. So be careful. And, make damn sure you have plenty of strong, good tie lines and BIG FENDERS, BUMPERS FOR THE LOCKS, Industrial Lock and Harvey Lock. I WOULD NOT GOT INTO THESE AREAS AT NIGHT!!!! The Harvey Lock was generally okay, with iron tie bollards on concrete lock walls, but Industrial Lock had no tie bollards. So, you'll have to tie off on a "friendly" barge - Make damn sure you watch out for barge wake, propeller turbulence - it's mean in confined spaces, i.e. the confined New Orleans locks- lots of barge traffic. So, be on your toes and react fast to your surroundings in both locks. Water rises and falls fast, barge turbulence/prop wash are surprising and keeping the boat tied down/under control will keep you busy. Just remember - the lock water rises and falls depending on whether you are moving up or down to river level. So, just because your boat is secured at first, doesn't mean you won't have to retie it as water level changes (especially in Harvey Lock). BE PREPARED TO TIE, UNTIE, RETIE REAL FAST. I suggest tie ropes with LOOPS at both ends like tows/barges use - pull off looped tie on one bollard, and plug another on the next lower or higher bollard, as the case may be - prevents actual "tying/untying" which you won't have time for.....
2. Once thru New Orleans on to west it's nice. Lafitte, LA. has a small dock just off ICW on south side in a slough at a store to tie up and get fuel. Good place to rest after New Orleans. IN ALL AREAS - resist urge to just tie up to or off on barges or industrial docks as easy overnight spots. I tied off to a moored, abandoned drilling mud barge overnight waiting at west side of Harvey Lock to pass thru (going east) only to awake at 5:00 a.m. next morning to it being hooked up to and moved by a Dresser Drilling Fluids tow boat. I radioed the tow captn. and got off before he moved it. Also, ran up on just LOOSE floating, empty barges in ICW around New Orleans area - tow boats move things all around alot, and just leave things hanging - so be aware.
3. Watch out for bridges, ferries - you'll see all kinds in LA - swing bridges, cable bridges, lift RR bridges, cable ferries, diesel ferries, etc. Don't get too close to them until you call them and make sure they can and will open to let you pass through. Cable bridges and swing bridges have big cables under water before and near bridge that can snag you - so keep your distance. Lift and fixed bridges - know your mast height!!! Make sure you can get under them safely (look at charts - CURRENT CHARTS) AND don't try to go up under one without judging river/ICW height, current and bridge height. AND, always call the bridge tender first to get info - on VHF channel 9, 13 or 16.
4. Always monitor VHF traffic - channels 9, 13 and 16 - a handheld VHF is, I believe, A MUST!!!. If you consistently and always listen, those river tow/barge captains' chatter will keep you fairly well informed about all conditions/problems. For the most part, those guys are generally helpful and on their toes.
5. Watch where you get diesel!!!! Make damn sure it's clean and not watered, if possible. And, carry plenty of extra, FULL fuel jugs and know your engine fuel tank range very well.
6. Watch out for current at Wax Lake Outlet - the Atchafalaya Basin/River outlet - it can get fierce here - stay sharp and don't go through it at night - I'd see it in daylight first before I passed through it. Was a big whirlpool there last time I went through going east, it carried a tug with barges downriver. I hit far north end of clockwise pool current and I rode it across to other side safely on the heels of and after watching an experienced tow boat captain's tow/barge go through going east.
7. Watch out for Houma and Morgan City, LA - very industrial, heavy barge traffic areas. DO NOT GO THROUGH HERE AT NIGHT!!! You'll have to log into on VHF radio to Barge Traffic Control in both places and constantly report your positions along the way through both. In Houma, just after you pass under highway bridge - going west on left is a man's house on ICW that'll let you tie up at his dock (nice guy - stores are a half mile walk away - especially if you need "white bread" from Donnie Rays Store - a real hoot). I'd stay there at this guy's dock (he had a pagada and small private tug boat at his place) - other places may be dangerous. I tied off to a barge one night near there (because I tried, once again, to make more miles past dusk) and almost got crushed the next day by a careless coon ass tug/barge tender.
Throughout this area and Wax Lake Outlet, there can be lots of stuff in the river (especially after heavy rains in midwest, etc.) - keep your eyes peeled really good - I hit submerged logs, saw dead livestock, floating bushes, trees, barrels, etc. in current flows.
8. Morgan City, LA is a real pill. I didn't like this place. Public docks are fair, but lots of riff raft there selling dope, etc. and tie up at dock with shrimp boats and tow boats there bounces you around near and on old, underwater, unseen pilings. Coon ass independent barge drivers tie up here alot and knock you around with their prop. wash - In short, I'd try to stay elsewhere.
9. Fuel is a real concern after Morgan City. So watch it carefully. Intracoastal City is a great place for fuel, I loved this area. After that, fuel is real scare for a while. One place in there is Lake Arthur - a rough looking wholesale fuel depo along ICW on northshore just after Intracoastal City and is a good place to spend night off ICW. Good ol'boys sell fuel to passing tow boats - you can tie up to sunken barges there at about $20 a night. This is a great duck, waterfoul hunting place- hunters and ducks everywhere (I was there in Nov.).
10. Once you get past Houma and Morgan City, it's fairly good motoring. You still have to watch boat/barge traffic, but not as intense. If prepared, the locks are fairly easy passes after calling the lock masters and taking their orders/instructions. Actually, other than New Orleans, the lock passages were fun, if prepared.
11. Neat places are all around - Cote Blanche Bayou, and Avery Island, where hot sauce is made. Watch your anchoring - mud is just really soft - make sure you're hooked in good.
12. Watch out for Devil's Elbow (close to Texas) after the lock in and around Shoepick Bayou. No place to stay here overnight. Shoepick Bayou is a no go despite what guidebook sez - I ran aground - too shallow soft mud. Barge traffic and curve of ICW on west side of lock gets real dangerous because of tight tow boat/barge turns around curve- real bad on those stacked barges and the tow boat to barge long cable hook ups - toooo much swing for my heart!!!
13. Into Orange, Tx - watch out for fuel at Orange Yacht Club - it was badly watered and old when I went thru. I hitch hiked to town to get fuel.
14. Port Neches, Tx., Sabine Lake pass and Port Arthur, Tx.- just watch for ocean going ships in this very very narrow area along with shrimp boats, dredges and barges. It's kinda confusing and the ships look like giants wandering around the landscape in these fairly narrow waterways - lots of ships (oil and chemical tankers) when I went thru (boy I felt small) as the US Military - merchant marine mothballed fleet is up river from here.
15. After Port Arthur, Tx. - fairly good going - until about Rollover Pass just after High Island, Tx. Watch currents here.
16. Other general info. - have great pair of binnoculars - you'll need them spotting ICW markers and staying on track - keep radio on ICW channel 9 & 13 at all times - listen - it'll save you alot of headaches and keep you prepared. Plan ahead - watch the tow boats/barges and try to anticipate what they're going to do (if in doubt -JUST CALL THEM ON VHF) From my experience, they aren't always looking out for you and sometimes NEVER SEE YOU over all those stacked barges!! REMEMBER - ONE WHISTLE OR TWO WHISTLE SIGNALS ON RADIO - HAVE IT DOWN COLD MEMORY!! ALSO, WATCH RUNNING LIGHTS ON TOW BOATS/BARGES - A SMALL BLINKING YELLOW LIGHT COMING AT YOU MEANS YOU'RE IN REAL TROUBLE, the front/bow light on front barges.
ALSO, know where from and to on the chart that you'll BE EACH day and STAY OVERNIGHT! There aren't many docks and places for pleasure boats to stay (FACE IT, IT'S AN INDUSTRIAL WATERWAY MADE FOR HIGH POWERED INDUSTRIAL BOATS)- so try to spot overnight places on the chart and in Texas ICW guidebook IN ADVANCE- REMEMBER a 20 to 25 mile travelled day is damn good progress - don't get greedy, LIKE IT DID, to make more miles and end up motoring on ICW at night - JUST DON'T DO IT - IT'S DAMN LONELY AND DARK OUT THERE AND THE TOW/BARGES AND THEIR HIGH INTENSITY SPOT LIGHTS HAVE NO MERCY - you just can't see or navigate safely. AND MAKE DAMN SURE YOUR ENGINE IS IN VERY FINE WORKING ORDER BEFORE YOU LEAVE AND CARRY SPARE PARTS - ESPECIALLY WATER PUMP/IMPELLOR REPLACEMENT KITS, FUEL FILTERS, AND LOTS OF OIL/OIL FILTERS.
ONCE AGAIN- I WOULD NOT TRAVEL AT NIGHT - FOR MANY MANY REASONS - stuff in ICW, too dark, no visibility, tow boat/barge traffic too unpredictable, and you just don't know what's there - e.g., sometimes tow boats push the larger cargos and wild ass loaded barges at night to avoid traffic. I saw and missed one huge tug hooked by long (and at night, invisible) steel cables only to a large truck trailer carrier barge full of cargo. If I'd not seen the long drawn out cables between the tow boat and barge, I might have been in real trouble - cut into. Tow boats also bang and move around alot of empty barges at night and early into morning - i.e., in industrial areas - no way to know about them, or even see them until it's too late.
Best of luck to you,
Regards,
HDH
PS - as mountain climber, Gayland RowelL, once said, "The adventure you go for is not always the adventure you get." So, plan ahead, be prepared, and then all you can do is enjoy the rest.
HDHarris@Juno.com
Sorry to hear the boat didn't sell. However, sounds like a real gem anyway. In short, a real keeper, as you've outfitted her so so well.
I love to make your ICW trip. But, I headed your way on Oct. 4th to go out of Ft. Myers, Fla. the other way.
But, if you're going ICW, make darned sure you have charts for each leg of it. Fla to Mobile Bay route is pretty nice - especially Choctowatchee Bay and other areas behind Panama City, Destin, Ft. Walton, Perdido Key and Pensacola. Watch the weather for the offshore passage from St. Pete to Appalatchacola - don't head out with a norther coming from the west - be prepared and patient enough to sit weather out and wait for good weather windows in and around exposed passage areas.
After that, I'd be on your toes. The Coast Guard in Mobile Bay and around Orange Beach were morons (at least to me - harassed me and damaged my boat). Miss. sound area generally okay and pretty excluding norther conditions. And, certain parts of LA can be a real pill - but LA is still very scenic and very interesting. Those coon ass barge drivers sometimes don't watch what they're doing!
Helpful, general hints from my trip from Pt. Bolivar, Tx. to New Orleans, La, and then on across NW Fla. to Ft. Myers:
1. Get thru and out of New Orleans fast - the Miss. river current, etc. around Algiers area just off French Quarter is pretty strong. So be careful. And, make damn sure you have plenty of strong, good tie lines and BIG FENDERS, BUMPERS FOR THE LOCKS, Industrial Lock and Harvey Lock. I WOULD NOT GOT INTO THESE AREAS AT NIGHT!!!! The Harvey Lock was generally okay, with iron tie bollards on concrete lock walls, but Industrial Lock had no tie bollards. So, you'll have to tie off on a "friendly" barge - Make damn sure you watch out for barge wake, propeller turbulence - it's mean in confined spaces, i.e. the confined New Orleans locks- lots of barge traffic. So, be on your toes and react fast to your surroundings in both locks. Water rises and falls fast, barge turbulence/prop wash are surprising and keeping the boat tied down/under control will keep you busy. Just remember - the lock water rises and falls depending on whether you are moving up or down to river level. So, just because your boat is secured at first, doesn't mean you won't have to retie it as water level changes (especially in Harvey Lock). BE PREPARED TO TIE, UNTIE, RETIE REAL FAST. I suggest tie ropes with LOOPS at both ends like tows/barges use - pull off looped tie on one bollard, and plug another on the next lower or higher bollard, as the case may be - prevents actual "tying/untying" which you won't have time for.....
2. Once thru New Orleans on to west it's nice. Lafitte, LA. has a small dock just off ICW on south side in a slough at a store to tie up and get fuel. Good place to rest after New Orleans. IN ALL AREAS - resist urge to just tie up to or off on barges or industrial docks as easy overnight spots. I tied off to a moored, abandoned drilling mud barge overnight waiting at west side of Harvey Lock to pass thru (going east) only to awake at 5:00 a.m. next morning to it being hooked up to and moved by a Dresser Drilling Fluids tow boat. I radioed the tow captn. and got off before he moved it. Also, ran up on just LOOSE floating, empty barges in ICW around New Orleans area - tow boats move things all around alot, and just leave things hanging - so be aware.
3. Watch out for bridges, ferries - you'll see all kinds in LA - swing bridges, cable bridges, lift RR bridges, cable ferries, diesel ferries, etc. Don't get too close to them until you call them and make sure they can and will open to let you pass through. Cable bridges and swing bridges have big cables under water before and near bridge that can snag you - so keep your distance. Lift and fixed bridges - know your mast height!!! Make sure you can get under them safely (look at charts - CURRENT CHARTS) AND don't try to go up under one without judging river/ICW height, current and bridge height. AND, always call the bridge tender first to get info - on VHF channel 9, 13 or 16.
4. Always monitor VHF traffic - channels 9, 13 and 16 - a handheld VHF is, I believe, A MUST!!!. If you consistently and always listen, those river tow/barge captains' chatter will keep you fairly well informed about all conditions/problems. For the most part, those guys are generally helpful and on their toes.
5. Watch where you get diesel!!!! Make damn sure it's clean and not watered, if possible. And, carry plenty of extra, FULL fuel jugs and know your engine fuel tank range very well.
6. Watch out for current at Wax Lake Outlet - the Atchafalaya Basin/River outlet - it can get fierce here - stay sharp and don't go through it at night - I'd see it in daylight first before I passed through it. Was a big whirlpool there last time I went through going east, it carried a tug with barges downriver. I hit far north end of clockwise pool current and I rode it across to other side safely on the heels of and after watching an experienced tow boat captain's tow/barge go through going east.
7. Watch out for Houma and Morgan City, LA - very industrial, heavy barge traffic areas. DO NOT GO THROUGH HERE AT NIGHT!!! You'll have to log into on VHF radio to Barge Traffic Control in both places and constantly report your positions along the way through both. In Houma, just after you pass under highway bridge - going west on left is a man's house on ICW that'll let you tie up at his dock (nice guy - stores are a half mile walk away - especially if you need "white bread" from Donnie Rays Store - a real hoot). I'd stay there at this guy's dock (he had a pagada and small private tug boat at his place) - other places may be dangerous. I tied off to a barge one night near there (because I tried, once again, to make more miles past dusk) and almost got crushed the next day by a careless coon ass tug/barge tender.
Throughout this area and Wax Lake Outlet, there can be lots of stuff in the river (especially after heavy rains in midwest, etc.) - keep your eyes peeled really good - I hit submerged logs, saw dead livestock, floating bushes, trees, barrels, etc. in current flows.
8. Morgan City, LA is a real pill. I didn't like this place. Public docks are fair, but lots of riff raft there selling dope, etc. and tie up at dock with shrimp boats and tow boats there bounces you around near and on old, underwater, unseen pilings. Coon ass independent barge drivers tie up here alot and knock you around with their prop. wash - In short, I'd try to stay elsewhere.
9. Fuel is a real concern after Morgan City. So watch it carefully. Intracoastal City is a great place for fuel, I loved this area. After that, fuel is real scare for a while. One place in there is Lake Arthur - a rough looking wholesale fuel depo along ICW on northshore just after Intracoastal City and is a good place to spend night off ICW. Good ol'boys sell fuel to passing tow boats - you can tie up to sunken barges there at about $20 a night. This is a great duck, waterfoul hunting place- hunters and ducks everywhere (I was there in Nov.).
10. Once you get past Houma and Morgan City, it's fairly good motoring. You still have to watch boat/barge traffic, but not as intense. If prepared, the locks are fairly easy passes after calling the lock masters and taking their orders/instructions. Actually, other than New Orleans, the lock passages were fun, if prepared.
11. Neat places are all around - Cote Blanche Bayou, and Avery Island, where hot sauce is made. Watch your anchoring - mud is just really soft - make sure you're hooked in good.
12. Watch out for Devil's Elbow (close to Texas) after the lock in and around Shoepick Bayou. No place to stay here overnight. Shoepick Bayou is a no go despite what guidebook sez - I ran aground - too shallow soft mud. Barge traffic and curve of ICW on west side of lock gets real dangerous because of tight tow boat/barge turns around curve- real bad on those stacked barges and the tow boat to barge long cable hook ups - toooo much swing for my heart!!!
13. Into Orange, Tx - watch out for fuel at Orange Yacht Club - it was badly watered and old when I went thru. I hitch hiked to town to get fuel.
14. Port Neches, Tx., Sabine Lake pass and Port Arthur, Tx.- just watch for ocean going ships in this very very narrow area along with shrimp boats, dredges and barges. It's kinda confusing and the ships look like giants wandering around the landscape in these fairly narrow waterways - lots of ships (oil and chemical tankers) when I went thru (boy I felt small) as the US Military - merchant marine mothballed fleet is up river from here.
15. After Port Arthur, Tx. - fairly good going - until about Rollover Pass just after High Island, Tx. Watch currents here.
16. Other general info. - have great pair of binnoculars - you'll need them spotting ICW markers and staying on track - keep radio on ICW channel 9 & 13 at all times - listen - it'll save you alot of headaches and keep you prepared. Plan ahead - watch the tow boats/barges and try to anticipate what they're going to do (if in doubt -JUST CALL THEM ON VHF) From my experience, they aren't always looking out for you and sometimes NEVER SEE YOU over all those stacked barges!! REMEMBER - ONE WHISTLE OR TWO WHISTLE SIGNALS ON RADIO - HAVE IT DOWN COLD MEMORY!! ALSO, WATCH RUNNING LIGHTS ON TOW BOATS/BARGES - A SMALL BLINKING YELLOW LIGHT COMING AT YOU MEANS YOU'RE IN REAL TROUBLE, the front/bow light on front barges.
ALSO, know where from and to on the chart that you'll BE EACH day and STAY OVERNIGHT! There aren't many docks and places for pleasure boats to stay (FACE IT, IT'S AN INDUSTRIAL WATERWAY MADE FOR HIGH POWERED INDUSTRIAL BOATS)- so try to spot overnight places on the chart and in Texas ICW guidebook IN ADVANCE- REMEMBER a 20 to 25 mile travelled day is damn good progress - don't get greedy, LIKE IT DID, to make more miles and end up motoring on ICW at night - JUST DON'T DO IT - IT'S DAMN LONELY AND DARK OUT THERE AND THE TOW/BARGES AND THEIR HIGH INTENSITY SPOT LIGHTS HAVE NO MERCY - you just can't see or navigate safely. AND MAKE DAMN SURE YOUR ENGINE IS IN VERY FINE WORKING ORDER BEFORE YOU LEAVE AND CARRY SPARE PARTS - ESPECIALLY WATER PUMP/IMPELLOR REPLACEMENT KITS, FUEL FILTERS, AND LOTS OF OIL/OIL FILTERS.
ONCE AGAIN- I WOULD NOT TRAVEL AT NIGHT - FOR MANY MANY REASONS - stuff in ICW, too dark, no visibility, tow boat/barge traffic too unpredictable, and you just don't know what's there - e.g., sometimes tow boats push the larger cargos and wild ass loaded barges at night to avoid traffic. I saw and missed one huge tug hooked by long (and at night, invisible) steel cables only to a large truck trailer carrier barge full of cargo. If I'd not seen the long drawn out cables between the tow boat and barge, I might have been in real trouble - cut into. Tow boats also bang and move around alot of empty barges at night and early into morning - i.e., in industrial areas - no way to know about them, or even see them until it's too late.
Best of luck to you,
Regards,
HDH
PS - as mountain climber, Gayland RowelL, once said, "The adventure you go for is not always the adventure you get." So, plan ahead, be prepared, and then all you can do is enjoy the rest.
HDHarris@Juno.com
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HDHarris
Re: Looking for crew, Ft Myers, FL to CC, TX
Bob,
A couple more short follow ups.
On the ICW going into New Orleans, you're going up river and against current the whole way to New Orleans, through Industrial Lock and to Harvey Lock. There's alot of marine traffic in and around this area, especially in Miss. River once you get through Industrial Lock or Harvey Lock, depending on which way you are going, east or west respectively. You still have to pass through both locks, and although I didn't have to at the time, you may have to log in with Marine Traffic Control in New Orleans on VHF 9 or 13 before you enter the traffic pattern. The chief controller is known as "Governor Nic" - short for Governor Nichols, a ex-LA. Governor whose name apparently was given to the traffic control center. The traffic control towers sit up on the Miss. river levee banks in the Algiers cut or turn area - look carefully - you'll see them. In any event, I would really monitor Governor Nic's VHF channel closely for news and info., especially the down river traffic.
In short, the Miss. river and its down current through New Orleans are very big and very strong (respectively)- they scared the hell outta me and I was going down river at the time. I saw some pretty powerful tug boats struggling to get up river from Industrial Lock to Harvey Lock from around that Algiers turn or cutback. If I had to do it over again and I was going West, I think I'd seriously consider trying another route to avoid New Orleans. There is supposedly a canal that runs from Gulf straight up to Intracoastal City, LA - I saw alot of big Gulf shrimpers going down this canal when I fueled at Intracoastal City. I DON'T KNOW THE DRAFT OR DEPTH OF THIS CANAL or IF IT'LL HANDLE PASSAGE OF A CAPE DORY W/KEEL, MAST (I have a CD28), but I would a least investigate it as an alternative route around New Orleans. You'd probably have to motor/sail around LA Miss river outlet (???) from Miss Sound area and find your way to and up this canal - entrance to it and depth of it being two big concerns.
I had another crew member on board when I made my ICW trip. I wouldn't try it without an extra set of capable eyes, ears and hands.
You're leaving at the right time - early - mid Oct. If you wait much longer to get going over to Al., Miss., LA and TX in and around Nov. and Dec., the northers could be a problem, especially in Miss. Sound area, from St. Pete to Pt. St. Joe, and any exposed LA/TX coastal areas. I left Pt. Bolivar, TX on Thanksgiving day and got beat up by northers all the way to Fl. - in those types of winds in TX/LA ICW the tows/barges turn and run their boats/barges up onto the northern ICW banks to ride things out - some captns even cabled their tows/barges to trees. Those tows had sooo much diesel power they never had problems getting off, but sure tore up banks/trees.
Just a few more thoughts.
HDH
hdharris@juno.com
A couple more short follow ups.
On the ICW going into New Orleans, you're going up river and against current the whole way to New Orleans, through Industrial Lock and to Harvey Lock. There's alot of marine traffic in and around this area, especially in Miss. River once you get through Industrial Lock or Harvey Lock, depending on which way you are going, east or west respectively. You still have to pass through both locks, and although I didn't have to at the time, you may have to log in with Marine Traffic Control in New Orleans on VHF 9 or 13 before you enter the traffic pattern. The chief controller is known as "Governor Nic" - short for Governor Nichols, a ex-LA. Governor whose name apparently was given to the traffic control center. The traffic control towers sit up on the Miss. river levee banks in the Algiers cut or turn area - look carefully - you'll see them. In any event, I would really monitor Governor Nic's VHF channel closely for news and info., especially the down river traffic.
In short, the Miss. river and its down current through New Orleans are very big and very strong (respectively)- they scared the hell outta me and I was going down river at the time. I saw some pretty powerful tug boats struggling to get up river from Industrial Lock to Harvey Lock from around that Algiers turn or cutback. If I had to do it over again and I was going West, I think I'd seriously consider trying another route to avoid New Orleans. There is supposedly a canal that runs from Gulf straight up to Intracoastal City, LA - I saw alot of big Gulf shrimpers going down this canal when I fueled at Intracoastal City. I DON'T KNOW THE DRAFT OR DEPTH OF THIS CANAL or IF IT'LL HANDLE PASSAGE OF A CAPE DORY W/KEEL, MAST (I have a CD28), but I would a least investigate it as an alternative route around New Orleans. You'd probably have to motor/sail around LA Miss river outlet (???) from Miss Sound area and find your way to and up this canal - entrance to it and depth of it being two big concerns.
I had another crew member on board when I made my ICW trip. I wouldn't try it without an extra set of capable eyes, ears and hands.
You're leaving at the right time - early - mid Oct. If you wait much longer to get going over to Al., Miss., LA and TX in and around Nov. and Dec., the northers could be a problem, especially in Miss. Sound area, from St. Pete to Pt. St. Joe, and any exposed LA/TX coastal areas. I left Pt. Bolivar, TX on Thanksgiving day and got beat up by northers all the way to Fl. - in those types of winds in TX/LA ICW the tows/barges turn and run their boats/barges up onto the northern ICW banks to ride things out - some captns even cabled their tows/barges to trees. Those tows had sooo much diesel power they never had problems getting off, but sure tore up banks/trees.
Just a few more thoughts.
HDH
hdharris@juno.com
-
Bob McReynolds
Re: Looking for crew, Ft Myers, FL to CC, TX
Thanks for all the information. I'll try and post a trip summary when I get back to Texas.
Thanks again!
bobmcreynolds@hotmail.com
Thanks again!
Bob,
Sorry to hear the boat didn't sell. However, sounds like a real gem anyway. In short, a real keeper, as you've outfitted her so so well.
I love to make your ICW trip. But, I headed your way on Oct. 4th to go out of Ft. Myers, Fla. the other way.
But, if you're going ICW, make darned sure you have charts for each leg of it. Fla to Mobile Bay route is pretty nice - especially Choctowatchee Bay and other areas behind Panama City, Destin, Ft. Walton, Perdido Key and Pensacola. Watch the weather for the offshore passage from St. Pete to Appalatchacola - don't head out with a norther coming from the west - be prepared and patient enough to sit weather out and wait for good weather windows in and around exposed passage areas.
After that, I'd be on your toes. The Coast Guard in Mobile Bay and around Orange Beach were morons (at least to me - harassed me and damaged my boat). Miss. sound area generally okay and pretty excluding norther conditions. And, certain parts of LA can be a real pill - but LA is still very scenic and very interesting. Those coon ass barge drivers sometimes don't watch what they're doing!
Helpful, general hints from my trip from Pt. Bolivar, Tx. to New Orleans, La, and then on across NW Fla. to Ft. Myers:
1. Get thru and out of New Orleans fast - the Miss. river current, etc. around Algiers area just off French Quarter is pretty strong. So be careful. And, make damn sure you have plenty of strong, good tie lines and BIG FENDERS, BUMPERS FOR THE LOCKS, Industrial Lock and Harvey Lock. I WOULD NOT GOT INTO THESE AREAS AT NIGHT!!!! The Harvey Lock was generally okay, with iron tie bollards on concrete lock walls, but Industrial Lock had no tie bollards. So, you'll have to tie off on a "friendly" barge - Make damn sure you watch out for barge wake, propeller turbulence - it's mean in confined spaces, i.e. the confined New Orleans locks- lots of barge traffic. So, be on your toes and react fast to your surroundings in both locks. Water rises and falls fast, barge turbulence/prop wash are surprising and keeping the boat tied down/under control will keep you busy. Just remember - the lock water rises and falls depending on whether you are moving up or down to river level. So, just because your boat is secured at first, doesn't mean you won't have to retie it as water level changes (especially in Harvey Lock). BE PREPARED TO TIE, UNTIE, RETIE REAL FAST. I suggest tie ropes with LOOPS at both ends like tows/barges use - pull off looped tie on one bollard, and plug another on the next lower or higher bollard, as the case may be - prevents actual "tying/untying" which you won't have time for.....
2. Once thru New Orleans on to west it's nice. Lafitte, LA. has a small dock just off ICW on south side in a slough at a store to tie up and get fuel. Good place to rest after New Orleans. IN ALL AREAS - resist urge to just tie up to or off on barges or industrial docks as easy overnight spots. I tied off to a moored, abandoned drilling mud barge overnight waiting at west side of Harvey Lock to pass thru (going east) only to awake at 5:00 a.m. next morning to it being hooked up to and moved by a Dresser Drilling Fluids tow boat. I radioed the tow captn. and got off before he moved it. Also, ran up on just LOOSE floating, empty barges in ICW around New Orleans area - tow boats move things all around alot, and just leave things hanging - so be aware.
3. Watch out for bridges, ferries - you'll see all kinds in LA - swing bridges, cable bridges, lift RR bridges, cable ferries, diesel ferries, etc. Don't get too close to them until you call them and make sure they can and will open to let you pass through. Cable bridges and swing bridges have big cables under water before and near bridge that can snag you - so keep your distance. Lift and fixed bridges - know your mast height!!! Make sure you can get under them safely (look at charts - CURRENT CHARTS) AND don't try to go up under one without judging river/ICW height, current and bridge height. AND, always call the bridge tender first to get info - on VHF channel 9, 13 or 16.
4. Always monitor VHF traffic - channels 9, 13 and 16 - a handheld VHF is, I believe, A MUST!!!. If you consistently and always listen, those river tow/barge captains' chatter will keep you fairly well informed about all conditions/problems. For the most part, those guys are generally helpful and on their toes.
5. Watch where you get diesel!!!! Make damn sure it's clean and not watered, if possible. And, carry plenty of extra, FULL fuel jugs and know your engine fuel tank range very well.
6. Watch out for current at Wax Lake Outlet - the Atchafalaya Basin/River outlet - it can get fierce here - stay sharp and don't go through it at night - I'd see it in daylight first before I passed through it. Was a big whirlpool there last time I went through going east, it carried a tug with barges downriver. I hit far north end of clockwise pool current and I rode it across to other side safely on the heels of and after watching an experienced tow boat captain's tow/barge go through going east.
7. Watch out for Houma and Morgan City, LA - very industrial, heavy barge traffic areas. DO NOT GO THROUGH HERE AT NIGHT!!! You'll have to log into on VHF radio to Barge Traffic Control in both places and constantly report your positions along the way through both. In Houma, just after you pass under highway bridge - going west on left is a man's house on ICW that'll let you tie up at his dock (nice guy - stores are a half mile walk away - especially if you need "white bread" from Donnie Rays Store - a real hoot). I'd stay there at this guy's dock (he had a pagada and small private tug boat at his place) - other places may be dangerous. I tied off to a barge one night near there (because I tried, once again, to make more miles past dusk) and almost got crushed the next day by a careless coon ass tug/barge tender.
Throughout this area and Wax Lake Outlet, there can be lots of stuff in the river (especially after heavy rains in midwest, etc.) - keep your eyes peeled really good - I hit submerged logs, saw dead livestock, floating bushes, trees, barrels, etc. in current flows.
8. Morgan City, LA is a real pill. I didn't like this place. Public docks are fair, but lots of riff raft there selling dope, etc. and tie up at dock with shrimp boats and tow boats there bounces you around near and on old, underwater, unseen pilings. Coon ass independent barge drivers tie up here alot and knock you around with their prop. wash - In short, I'd try to stay elsewhere.
9. Fuel is a real concern after Morgan City. So watch it carefully. Intracoastal City is a great place for fuel, I loved this area. After that, fuel is real scare for a while. One place in there is Lake Arthur - a rough looking wholesale fuel depo along ICW on northshore just after Intracoastal City and is a good place to spend night off ICW. Good ol'boys sell fuel to passing tow boats - you can tie up to sunken barges there at about $20 a night. This is a great duck, waterfoul hunting place- hunters and ducks everywhere (I was there in Nov.).
10. Once you get past Houma and Morgan City, it's fairly good motoring. You still have to watch boat/barge traffic, but not as intense. If prepared, the locks are fairly easy passes after calling the lock masters and taking their orders/instructions. Actually, other than New Orleans, the lock passages were fun, if prepared.
11. Neat places are all around - Cote Blanche Bayou, and Avery Island, where hot sauce is made. Watch your anchoring - mud is just really soft - make sure you're hooked in good.
12. Watch out for Devil's Elbow (close to Texas) after the lock in and around Shoepick Bayou. No place to stay here overnight. Shoepick Bayou is a no go despite what guidebook sez - I ran aground - too shallow soft mud. Barge traffic and curve of ICW on west side of lock gets real dangerous because of tight tow boat/barge turns around curve- real bad on those stacked barges and the tow boat to barge long cable hook ups - toooo much swing for my heart!!!
13. Into Orange, Tx - watch out for fuel at Orange Yacht Club - it was badly watered and old when I went thru. I hitch hiked to town to get fuel.
14. Port Neches, Tx., Sabine Lake pass and Port Arthur, Tx.- just watch for ocean going ships in this very very narrow area along with shrimp boats, dredges and barges. It's kinda confusing and the ships look like giants wandering around the landscape in these fairly narrow waterways - lots of ships (oil and chemical tankers) when I went thru (boy I felt small) as the US Military - merchant marine mothballed fleet is up river from here.
15. After Port Arthur, Tx. - fairly good going - until about Rollover Pass just after High Island, Tx. Watch currents here.
16. Other general info. - have great pair of binnoculars - you'll need them spotting ICW markers and staying on track - keep radio on ICW channel 9 & 13 at all times - listen - it'll save you alot of headaches and keep you prepared. Plan ahead - watch the tow boats/barges and try to anticipate what they're going to do (if in doubt -JUST CALL THEM ON VHF) From my experience, they aren't always looking out for you and sometimes NEVER SEE YOU over all those stacked barges!! REMEMBER - ONE WHISTLE OR TWO WHISTLE SIGNALS ON RADIO - HAVE IT DOWN COLD MEMORY!! ALSO, WATCH RUNNING LIGHTS ON TOW BOATS/BARGES - A SMALL BLINKING YELLOW LIGHT COMING AT YOU MEANS YOU'RE IN REAL TROUBLE, the front/bow light on front barges.
ALSO, know where from and to on the chart that you'll BE EACH day and STAY OVERNIGHT! There aren't many docks and places for pleasure boats to stay (FACE IT, IT'S AN INDUSTRIAL WATERWAY MADE FOR HIGH POWERED INDUSTRIAL BOATS)- so try to spot overnight places on the chart and in Texas ICW guidebook IN ADVANCE- REMEMBER a 20 to 25 mile travelled day is damn good progress - don't get greedy, LIKE IT DID, to make more miles and end up motoring on ICW at night - JUST DON'T DO IT - IT'S DAMN LONELY AND DARK OUT THERE AND THE TOW/BARGES AND THEIR HIGH INTENSITY SPOT LIGHTS HAVE NO MERCY - you just can't see or navigate safely. AND MAKE DAMN SURE YOUR ENGINE IS IN VERY FINE WORKING ORDER BEFORE YOU LEAVE AND CARRY SPARE PARTS - ESPECIALLY WATER PUMP/IMPELLOR REPLACEMENT KITS, FUEL FILTERS, AND LOTS OF OIL/OIL FILTERS.
ONCE AGAIN- I WOULD NOT TRAVEL AT NIGHT - FOR MANY MANY REASONS - stuff in ICW, too dark, no visibility, tow boat/barge traffic too unpredictable, and you just don't know what's there - e.g., sometimes tow boats push the larger cargos and wild ass loaded barges at night to avoid traffic. I saw and missed one huge tug hooked by long (and at night, invisible) steel cables only to a large truck trailer carrier barge full of cargo. If I'd not seen the long drawn out cables between the tow boat and barge, I might have been in real trouble - cut into. Tow boats also bang and move around alot of empty barges at night and early into morning - i.e., in industrial areas - no way to know about them, or even see them until it's too late.
Best of luck to you,
Regards,
HDH
PS - as mountain climber, Gayland RowelL, once said, "The adventure you go for is not always the adventure you get." So, plan ahead, be prepared, and then all you can do is enjoy the rest.
bobmcreynolds@hotmail.com
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John
Weather
I'm in Ft. Myers also and I hope you are paying very close attention to a developing tropical weather system on the southeast coast of the Yucatan penninsula. This system will be entering the Gulf and computer models are showing differing projected tracks at this time. One heading NW and the other N . Don't be surprised by very unpredictable tracks this time of year. This is the peak period for tropical storms and hurricanes in the Gulf, it's our time of year! I wouldn't depart until late October at the earliest.