In Over My Head in Houston

[SailngInTX]

I've made a similar trip a few times (from Port Aransas to Kemah) on the return trip from the Harvest Moon Regatta. We did the Matagorda to Freeport leg offshore in one day, stayed at the Marina in Freeport. Next leg from Freeport to Offatts Bayou, last day from Offatts to Kemah (stay just outside the channel) I was on boats with a draft up to 6.5' so you should be fine. The most shallow part was getting into Offatts, but doable if you follow the channel, just look backwards as well as forward, to ensure you're sill in the channel.

Wish I could sail with you, but I'm already committed this month.

[steven d]

Congrats on the boat! Shes' a pretty little lady, and Pearsons are good sailors. I delivered one from the Bahamas to fl. a few years back.
In the photo you posted, the head stay looks a bit slack. You might want to check the tension and overall condition of the standing rig (including the chain plates(where the wires attach to the deck)) if you're going to take her off shore. Nothing spoils a nice sailing trip like dumping the mast on deck.

[Pearson10M]

Thanks to all for the sound advice. I was able to convince the former owner to make the trip with me. Probably is what allowed me to make it at all. We tried to enter the Gulf, Seas were predicted 5 to 6 feet and turned out to be 8 to 10 ft. Got rocked around a bunch. Boat was fine, but we didn't want to deal with it. Turned around and went up the intercoastal sailing maybe half the way, but with a headwind most of the way. Beached only one time in Galveston Bay with no real trouble getting off. She's at her new home at Watergate Marina.

[captmick39]

Originally Posted by Pearson10M

Thanks! I have taken a boater safety course and have many hundreds of hours of lake experience. Just piloted anything this long, wide, and drafty.

Tow insurance FOR SURE!

FYI(Because You REALLY need to know this),
Your BoatUS membership is a Gr8 idea, however, their Insurance
(Including the GOLD Version which we haven't let lapse since '92)
DOES NOT GO INTO EFFECT FOR 30 DAYS when 1st joining.


Consider either SeaTow or TowBoatsUS (<-not BoatUS affiliated) 'membership', even if only for the 1 month b4 Your BoatUS Coverage kicks in.


A fellow boater (INCLUDING STINK POTTERS, aka motor boaters) familiar w/the waters (more of the RIVER than the ICW) is priceless. RIVERS are funny creatures...they Never Stop Moving and they Never Stop Changing. When bouncing off the bottom w/a 6' draft, things can get Very Squrrilly, VERY Quickly.



Your distance (looked online fm. here, SWFL) looks like the safest bet would be to REMOVE & Plug off the existing Fuel Tank and run the trip off 2-3(<3rd is Definitely Overkill) 5-6 gal. Jerry Cans connected aft of the fuel filter/strainer exactly where the primary tank was disconnected. Change all filters even so, & You shouldn't have the 1st hiccup out of that sewing machine, just remember to change tanks b4 sucking air. Off Road (pink/red) Diesel is fine. Somebody said 90%....I'd put it closer to 98% of engine related 'flummex's' during a motoring trip such as Yours' are DIRECTLY related to CRAP in the onboard fuel cell. Unless Your 10M's former owner had it pumped out, cleaned & polished, RECENTLY, I wouldn't trust it, period. Better safe than sorry, & being in a RIVER initially makes that even MORE Critical. Go SLOW & Don't forget, the river is taking You where You're going anyway....ONLY Your Motor (& God Forbid Anchor(S)), will prevent You from going where IT Will Take You.


Not trying to sound like a 'worry wart', yet that's a gr8 looking Pearson; I'm betting You want to Keep It That Way!


HTH,
Most Respectfully,
-Mick

[Giro]

It seems as though you are cautious and concerned enough to want to cover all the bases. In my humble opinion, a survey would be mandatory. One weak chain plate can destroy the whole effort.