Cruisers Forum
 


Reply
  This discussion is proudly sponsored by:
Please support our sponsors and let them know you heard about their products on Cruisers Forums. Advertise Here
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread Rate Thread Display Modes
Old 17-05-2019, 21:34   #1
Registered User

Join Date: May 2019
Location: Kemah, TX
Boat: 1975 Pearson 10M
Posts: 18
In Over My Head in Houston

Hello All! Owning a sailing yacht has been a dream of mine for some years now. I watched every site that sold sailboats, read about them, priced sailing schools. I was getting ready...

Now I have done it. I bought a 1975 Pearson 10M, I have zero sailing experience, and need to fast track it The first hurdle is moving her to a new harbor.

The boat is currently on the Colorado River, 15 miles from the ICW. It is roughly 115 nautical miles to her new home in Kemah. If pressed, I think I can muddle my way through motoring down the ICW and finding my slip. Lots of concerns and questions, even with the easy route. Where is the channel deep enough for my 6' draft? How do I communicate with the locks? Are the bridges tall enough?

I would prefer to enter the Gulf with an experienced sailor aboard, learn some basics and see what she's capable of. I figure it will be a 24-30 hour trip depending on conditions. I will cover all expenses plus some cash for the trouble for anyone qualified, willing, and able to make the trip sometime in the next month or so. If anyone knows of a likely candidate in or around Houston, please let me know!
Attached Thumbnails
Click image for larger version

Name:	Bullship.jpg
Views:	299
Size:	476.4 KB
ID:	192242  
Pearson10M is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 17-05-2019, 21:48   #2
Registered User
 
rsn48's Avatar

Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: Qualicum Beach, Vancouver Island, BC
Boat: 1969 30 Mariner Sedan Cruiser
Posts: 760
Re: In Over My Head in Houston

Where is the channel deep enough - consult a chart and chart plotter and sonar. Don't know about out east but on the west coast on your VHF radio. I'm hesitant to give a channel as I'm not familiar with your waters.

The bridges, I can't answer.
rsn48 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 17-05-2019, 22:33   #3
Registered User
 
Eigenvector's Avatar

Join Date: Apr 2016
Location: Mostly Texas
Boat: Lagoon 37 TPI
Posts: 541
Re: In Over My Head in Houston

Head south. When to get to the locks tern left. ( do not go staight( If you want to to go the gulf go though the left lock and then turn right through the cannel.. Otherwise keep on the iCW for a day and you will be in freeport. Anothother day and you'll be in galveston.
__________________
==========================
Now retired from the Oilfield,
Just Playing a Banjo in a Whorehouse.
Eigenvector is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 17-05-2019, 22:41   #4
Registered User

Join Date: Aug 2018
Posts: 83
Re: In Over My Head in Houston

Love your spirit and dedication to fulfil your dream. You will look back with pride
ed91e is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 17-05-2019, 22:56   #5
Registered User

Join Date: May 2012
Location: Hailing Minny, MN
Boat: Vancouver 27
Posts: 1,090
Images: 1
Re: In Over My Head in Houston

For many years, activecaptain.com as the go-to crowd-sourced resource for ICW transits. I think they make you sign up for a garmin account these days tho, not sure.

Walk the docks and see if any local salts would be willing to come along with you. If your timing is flexible there's bound to be someone local who can help.

Ahead of depending on the motor on a new-to-you boat, make sure your engine's fuel system is clean before you head out. Replace the filters and know how to bleed the system. Ensuring clean fuel mitigates 90% of all diesel-related issues.

As a general rule, favor the outside of bends in the channel. Water has to travel faster on the outside and thus has less time to drop its sediment and silt up.

Congrats and enjoy!
laika is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 18-05-2019, 03:15   #6
Registered User
 
dnbchrd's Avatar

Join Date: Mar 2019
Location: Connecticut, USA
Boat: J Simpson 44' Steel Ketch
Posts: 14
Re: In Over My Head in Houston

While it would definitely be good to have someone aboard with some navigation experience, this sounds like the beginning of an awesome adventure. When Harry Pidgeon built Islander he'd done nothing but canoe, and I'm pretty sure that when Robert Manry launched Tinkerbelle in MA, it was the first time he'd been in the ocean. I have a lot of experience but often find myself over my head - that's how you learn to swim! I tell myself that way crazier people have achieved way crazier things in their boats, and ambition can overcome inexperience if you're smart, resourceful, patient, and not reckless.

Good luck and enjoy! I love the 10m - great boats.
dnbchrd is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 18-05-2019, 03:43   #7
Senior Cruiser
 
GordMay's Avatar

Cruisers Forum Supporter

Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: Thunder Bay, Ontario - 48-29N x 89-20W
Boat: (Cruiser Living On Dirt)
Posts: 49,138
Images: 241
Re: In Over My Head in Houston

Greetings and welcome aboard the CF, Pearson.
__________________
Gord May
"If you didn't have the time or money to do it right in the first place, when will you get the time/$ to fix it?"



GordMay is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 18-05-2019, 07:29   #8
Registered User

Join Date: May 2017
Location: Katy, TX
Posts: 400
Re: In Over My Head in Houston

When do you want to go and what electronics do you have on the boat? Do you have a current survey?

As I recall on the trip, it should take less than 24 hours, assuming normal winds, and as little as 18.

Do you have a date by which you must leave, or are you open? Are you planning a weekend or weekdays?
leboyd is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 18-05-2019, 17:50   #9
Registered User

Join Date: May 2019
Location: Kemah, TX
Boat: 1975 Pearson 10M
Posts: 18
Re: In Over My Head in Houston

Quote:
Originally Posted by leboyd View Post
When do you want to go and what electronics do you have on the boat? Do you have a current survey?

As I recall on the trip, it should take less than 24 hours, assuming normal winds, and as little as 18.

Do you have a date by which you must leave, or are you open? Are you planning a weekend or weekdays?
The timing of the trip is relatively flexible. My schedule is also relatively flexible. I can take off during the week if I choose to. Frankly, I'm ready to go anytime because I'm itching to have her in my slip. The boat is currently docked at the previous owners house, I'm not under any current pressure to move it and he understands the situation. I think he would like to go with me, but his health isn't great.

She has a Garmin chartplotter, I'm not sure the model. I have a handheld Marine radio that should be sufficient for costal sailing. No survey, but a relatively well maintained boat. Diesel cranked right up it's a 2002 model with 600 hours and regular maintenance. Sails and rigging are reportedly in adequate condition. My untrained eye didn't see any faults. Bottom job is 3 years old, so definitely due for that, but I want to get her home first.

Heading tomorrow morning, Sunday, to clean her up a little bit and take inventory of what's on the boat and what she needs to be legal. Anything I should be looking for other than the obvious Coast Guard requirements?
Pearson10M is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 18-05-2019, 17:52   #10
Registered User

Join Date: May 2019
Location: Kemah, TX
Boat: 1975 Pearson 10M
Posts: 18
Re: In Over My Head in Houston

Thanks to all for the warm welcome. I was honestly anticipating a lot more, shall we say cautious, advice.
Pearson10M is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 18-05-2019, 17:55   #11
Registered User

Join Date: May 2019
Location: Kemah, TX
Boat: 1975 Pearson 10M
Posts: 18
Re: In Over My Head in Houston

Quote:
Originally Posted by Eigenvector View Post
Head south. When to get to the locks tern left. ( do not go staight( If you want to to go the gulf go though the left lock and then turn right through the cannel.. Otherwise keep on the iCW for a day and you will be in freeport. Anothother day and you'll be in galveston.
Any concerns with a 6-foot draft through the ICW?

If I can't find an experienced sailor, I'm going to find a friend is crazy as me so at least one of us can get a video of me sinking the boat. Lol I'm not sure if we're more likely to do that on the gulf or the intercoastal.
Pearson10M is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 18-05-2019, 18:47   #12
Moderator
 
Jim Cate's Avatar

Join Date: May 2008
Location: cruising SW Pacific
Boat: Jon Sayer 1-off 46 ft fract rig sloop strip plank in W Red Cedar
Posts: 21,151
Re: In Over My Head in Houston

Not familiar with your waters so won't chime in on that subject. however, in your place i'd invest in having a diver clean your bottom before leaving. Three years is enough to grow a forest on your hull, and that has so many adverse effects that I reckon that cleaning would be essential. And (although I've never done this), if going through the ICW, a towing insurance policy is another good investment, especially for beginners who are more likely to put her on the putty than an old salt.

Good luck, and enjoy your boat this time and onward!

Jim
__________________
Jim and Ann s/v Insatiable II, lying Port Cygnet Tasmania once again.
Jim Cate is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 18-05-2019, 20:09   #13
Registered User

Join Date: Nov 2015
Boat: R&C Leopard 40
Posts: 864
Re: In Over My Head in Houston

Do a boater safety course or the free one with boatus.com.
Have fun, be safe. Tow insurance sounds smart and relatively cheap from what I see.
__________________
-Chris
FlyingScot is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 18-05-2019, 21:47   #14
Registered User

Join Date: May 2019
Location: Kemah, TX
Boat: 1975 Pearson 10M
Posts: 18
Re: In Over My Head in Houston

Quote:
Originally Posted by FlyingScot View Post
Do a boater safety course or the free one with boatus.com.
Have fun, be safe. Tow insurance sounds smart and relatively cheap from what I see.
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!
Pearson10M is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 18-05-2019, 21:50   #15
Registered User

Join Date: May 2019
Location: Kemah, TX
Boat: 1975 Pearson 10M
Posts: 18
Re: In Over My Head in Houston

Quote:
Originally Posted by Jim Cate View Post
Not familiar with your waters so won't chime in on that subject. however, in your place i'd invest in having a diver clean your bottom before leaving. Three years is enough to grow a forest on your hull, and that has so many adverse effects that I reckon that cleaning would be essential. And (although I've never done this), if going through the ICW, a towing insurance policy is another good investment, especially for beginners who are more likely to put her on the putty than an old salt.

Good luck, and enjoy your boat this time and onward!

Jim
Last 3 years in a freshwater river. I am hoping (maybe too hopeful) that the growth is less than it might otherwise be. Guess I should check...
Pearson10M is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Tags
head, houston

Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search
Display Modes Rate This Thread
Rate This Thread:

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
C-Head, Natures Head or Air Head- which is best overall Ram Plumbing Systems and Fixtures 49 26-11-2018 14:01
Send Over-Pressure Shore Water Over the Side with Pressure Valve ? sdowney717 Plumbing Systems and Fixtures 7 28-06-2018 17:45
Miles over ground or over water? homerobarros Navigation 36 13-01-2015 15:58
Varnish over Polyurethane? And PU over Varnish? MarkJ Construction, Maintenance & Refit 8 06-08-2013 15:31
It's Never Over Until You Say It's Over maxingout General Sailing Forum 12 16-03-2009 16:32

Advertise Here


All times are GMT -7. The time now is 08:03.


Google+
Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.8 Beta 1
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.
Social Knowledge Networks
Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.8 Beta 1
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.

ShowCase vBulletin Plugins by Drive Thru Online, Inc.