LawyerMan
Member
- Jul 12, 2012
- 443
- Boat Info
- 270 SLX w/ Sport Arch
- Engines
- 496 Mag DTS, Bravo III, Corsa
Texas Gulf Coast, Anyone?
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I know this is an old thread, but thought I'd give an update. I now live on Padre Island, in the canals. My home is on a point so I have unrestricted views of sunsets and the ICW. We love it!
As we looked for homes, my realtor's husband, who is a fishing guide down here, gave us advise, from his standpoint, of where to be on the canals. He asked about my boat and I told him. It drafts over 3 ft, twins, etc. he just couldn't understand why I would even have such a boat! "It's too big" he said, "I'll never use it", etc. I thanked him for his thoughts and told him not only was I NOT going get rid of her, but I needed a dock big enough to tie her up to. All this has come to pass.
I boat every weekend. Sometimes it's just to cruise around the canals (all deep enough for my boat, BYW) sometimes to Rockport (a local destination for food, music, walking downtown, etc) via the ICW, sometimes out to the gulf.
It is tricky out there in the ICW as well as the canals. I've learned to keep her in the middle. When encountering a barge that frequents the ICW, I radio to them and explain I'm gonna be a little close when we pass.
I have found some skinny water in the ICW, usually close to where the markers are, but should not be. That uncomfortable sound you know you're turning sand.... even though my depth gauge says otherwise!
To combat this, I'm ordering many local detailed charts. I am also looking at purchasing a new plotter sonar combo. Garmin and Simrad really have my eye right now. Granted, these will have limitations, due to water depth and speed, but it will show changes in the ICW that are not always on charts. Honestly though, it's a learning curve. Slow down, be careful and talk to barge pilots, they KNOW the ICW.
The first time I went offshore, it was exhilarating! I was leaving out a narrow cut called Packery Channel. I'd taken my SeaDoos out there before, so it wasn't completely foreign to me, but it's different in my 330. I had a couple more "oops" and really got a lot of water come over the bow, but she powered through beautifully and now she and I are regulars out there.
Once you clear the breakers, it's easy peasy. But you have to respect the sea and what the conditions are. Windy days with 4-5's are no place for me. My boat will do it, but it is pounding and not any fun, so what's the point? Not to this newbie!
All said, I love our life here on the island. My home is more than I ever dreamed of. Its great walking out back and my boat is tied up right there! I can work on it, clean and polish whenever I feel like it, not when I only can.
It takes some getting used to but if you want to run a larger boat in Texas, this is pretty hard to beat!
And yes, we are looking to get a small flats boat, but that's another subject altogether!
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