The Boat Club

[Riley Smith]

At the end of Krebs Lake, behind the neighborhood north of Hwy 90, a new marina has opened up. And wonder of all, is they have dry storage that will allow me to keep the mast up. Slips, a restaurant, bar, and music. I went and talked to the manager yesterday and S R Cat will have a dry spot to lounge with her mast up. Yay!!!

It's at one of the best places to sail that isn't out front. Out front is referring to the open water of the Mississippi Sound and all that entails. I don't sail there very often because of logistics and because the water is more than I care to tackle with a 12 foot boat. Most of the time. October is prime time to sail there because conditions are usually benign and accommodating to a small boat, but it can change in an instant. The good thing about October is it's not in an instant and if you have ANY sense you know it is coming.

And so the boat will stay there for a while, mast up, and be ready to sail on short notice. No hassle. No lifting a heavy mast perched on the bow. Edged up to the vast marsh that extends to I-10 and above, with plenty of spots to explore. The mouth of the river is just about two miles down current and I can see a tour happening there too. I'm excited and look forward to that adventure starting next week.

A front came through during the night and rain, which we desperately needed. I suppose that is what I call the Fair Rain, because it always rains one day during the county fair and it is just getting started. Almost always it is the only rain that falls in October, so I can look forward to nice weather, and cooler.

 On a sour note, almost everyone goes to the fair to have a cup of gumbo, see people you haven't seen in years, and have a good time, but this year there is a threat of violence on social media. Of course they're "investigating" and I'm sure the police will be present but still it will cause people to stop and consider is it worth it. There, it's raining again and the dust will finally be dealt with and maybe the humidity will leave on the north wind that is coming as sure as the sun is rising.

[Frank B.]

Interesting.  Does that area have access to the sound with mast up i.e. water depth greater than three feet and mast clearance greater than 30'?

[Riley Smith]

Although I don't have exact clearances, I'm going to say yes. Hwy 90 is a high-rise bridge and the railroad bridge only closes for a train. Drawbacks on that section of the river are swift current and heavy duty ship traffic on the section below Hwy 90. The current isn't bad when the river is dead low like now, but it is a different story when flood stage comes. I may try and navigate the shallows over to Gautier too. I have to go around because of the railroad bridge there on West Pascagoula River. And that means WAY around, so a real expedition to clear the former naval base and the shallows around the mouth of West River. I had considered that as a base and leaving the boat in the water at a relative's house, but this is a better option. I do have to launch each time but everything else is ready. A 5 min. job.

[Jim B., CD-25]

Congrats on the mast-up storage.  It can made the difference between getting out for an impromptu outing vs not sailing.  We had mast-up storage when we first brought a sailboat to South Dakota (on the wait list for a slip) - way better than having to rig the boat each time for a weekend out.  Enjoy!

[Riley Smith]

Yes, in the heat rigging solo wasn't very fun. It takes a lot longer and I'm older and can't take the heat as I once did. The drawback is limited range, because sometimes I like to go to Biloxi and sail there. I can find some good places here for a while though! There are a couple of places to sail in and dine, so maybe I can convince the  Mate on a dinner cruise. There's always something to see on the river and it's very beautiful in many places above Hwy 90.

Here's a Willie and Emmy Lou song about the Gulf Coast Highway...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_03-pUBeHaM&list=RD_03-pUBeHaM&start_radio=1

[Frank B.]

Although I'm not moving back, I've considered moving my boat back. Mast up, ramp available with access is tempting if I could entice my nephews to use it and maintain it so I could use it when down.  But they are power boaters with no interest in sailing.  Long beach used to have mast up storage, not sure that they still do.  The lake I'm on is beautiful but not a good sailing lake, more suited to a shanty of some sort.

I miss those long beam reaches when the weather is right.  Also miss dumb things we used to do like late afternoon middle of the winter deciding to sail to the Broadwater Marina bar just to get an Irish coffee.  Of course that means a night sail back to Gulfport. Good memories those......

[Riley Smith]

Things didn't go as planned. (They NEVER do). I developed a gastric condition that required me stay in close proximity to toilet facilities and so I thought I'd just do it Tuesday. Well, they're closed on Tuesday. Maybe not closed closed but I couldn't get anyone on the phone so I wasn't dealing with towing and a return trip if things didn't work out. ANYWAY....I'm up and raring early this morning, the boat is hitched already and will do it today. That way while the mate is tied to a baby tomorrow I can play 

Frank, I like to sail at Biloxi when the conditions are right. The last time I sailed several miles on a reach and sat in the bottom with my feet kicked up looking at the world go by. Very satisfying. And I have wanted to fish Katrina reef ( remnants of the old Ocean Springs/Biloxi bridge) but haven't caught a good window and tide at the same time. The Broadwater marina is empty and derelict now. The logistics are not in my favor because Biloxi is about an hour away and that is not counting rigging and launching. The last time Sonya went there she slipped and fell on the ramp algae and she's bowed out of boating for the most part because of that. So it's just me.

The weather has been exceptional, with a small dry front coming through at the moment. Wind is NNE at 14 kts and the temp is fantastic. That area is absolutely stunning close to sundown and usually late in the day there conditions are very nice for a good sail.