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17-05-2019, 21:34
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#1
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Registered User
Join Date: May 2019
Location: Kemah, TX
Boat: 1975 Pearson 10M
Posts: 18
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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!
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17-05-2019, 21:48
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#2
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Registered User
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: Qualicum Beach, Vancouver Island, BC
Boat: 1969 30 Mariner Sedan Cruiser
Posts: 760
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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.
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17-05-2019, 22:33
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#3
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Registered User
Join Date: Apr 2016
Location: Mostly Texas
Boat: Lagoon 37 TPI
Posts: 541
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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.
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17-05-2019, 22:41
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#4
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Registered User
Join Date: Aug 2018
Posts: 83
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Re: In Over My Head in Houston
Love your spirit and dedication to fulfil your dream. You will look back with pride
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17-05-2019, 22:56
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#5
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Registered User
Join Date: May 2012
Location: Hailing Minny, MN
Boat: Vancouver 27
Posts: 1,090
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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!
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18-05-2019, 03:15
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#6
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Registered User
Join Date: Mar 2019
Location: Connecticut, USA
Boat: J Simpson 44' Steel Ketch
Posts: 14
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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.
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18-05-2019, 03:43
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#7
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Senior Cruiser
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: Thunder Bay, Ontario - 48-29N x 89-20W
Boat: (Cruiser Living On Dirt)
Posts: 49,138
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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?"
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18-05-2019, 07:29
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#8
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Registered User
Join Date: May 2017
Location: Katy, TX
Posts: 400
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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?
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18-05-2019, 17:50
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#9
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Registered User
Join Date: May 2019
Location: Kemah, TX
Boat: 1975 Pearson 10M
Posts: 18
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Re: In Over My Head in Houston
Quote:
Originally Posted by leboyd
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?
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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?
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18-05-2019, 17:52
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#10
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Registered User
Join Date: May 2019
Location: Kemah, TX
Boat: 1975 Pearson 10M
Posts: 18
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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.
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18-05-2019, 17:55
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#11
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Registered User
Join Date: May 2019
Location: Kemah, TX
Boat: 1975 Pearson 10M
Posts: 18
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Re: In Over My Head in Houston
Quote:
Originally Posted by Eigenvector
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.
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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.
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18-05-2019, 18:47
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#12
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Moderator
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
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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.
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18-05-2019, 20:09
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#13
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Registered User
Join Date: Nov 2015
Boat: R&C Leopard 40
Posts: 864
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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
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18-05-2019, 21:47
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#14
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Registered User
Join Date: May 2019
Location: Kemah, TX
Boat: 1975 Pearson 10M
Posts: 18
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Re: In Over My Head in Houston
Quote:
Originally Posted by FlyingScot
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.
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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!
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18-05-2019, 21:50
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#15
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Registered User
Join Date: May 2019
Location: Kemah, TX
Boat: 1975 Pearson 10M
Posts: 18
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Re: In Over My Head in Houston
Quote:
Originally Posted by Jim Cate
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
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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...
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