Day 1 Texas 200

Day 1 Texas 200

We got up a little late today but finally got our things together. We took the dogs for a walk and made a short visit to the local bait shop for some coffee, ice, and little chocolate donnets (ugh) for Gene.

We threw the lines and were off at 9:46 am. With the wind a little beyond brisque we found ourselves really fighting to stay on course. The autopilot just wasn't holding and Gene found himself handsteering. It was quit a tussle. Gene decided that we needed to pull the jib in and have less sail only to find that the rollerfurler had gotten off the drum and was tangeled The rollerfurler brings the jib in and out and allows some control over the job. With the rop on the drum tangled we had lost control of it and it meant someone had to go forward and do the untangling. Watching Gene was wrestle with the tiller I was sure I couldn't hold the course so that meant I had to go forward.

Since this boat is much smaller than Sun Chaser the lifelines around the boat are also shorter. This meas there is nothing to stop you from going overboard if you stumble. Looking at the short lifelines and feeling the howling wind I opeted to go forward to the v-berth and crawl though the front hatch. This meant I would be crawing belly first to inch my way towards the roller furler on the jib. With the motion of the boat, and the almost non-existant lifelines at the front I was hoping that I could remain on deck. Once I inched up to the furler I immediately saw the problem. I was also picturing getting my fingers caught in one of the steel spokes of the drum and having them ripped off from my hand

It took a few delicate moments, but I was able to gingerly re-direct the line without loosing a finger. Mission accomplished! My retreat from the front was a little trickier and pretty uncomfortable as I retreated back I scraped my thighs as I inched back in the boat. This was just the first of what I'm sure will be many fix it on the fly that you learn to do when you're sailing.

Once I got back in the cockpit Gene suddenly realized why the auto pilot wouldn't hold and why the boat was wallowing on the waves. The rudder had popped up and was greatly hindering the steerage. With a little work Gene was able to get it properly seated in the water and suddenly he was able to steer the boat without much effort, and able to attach the autopilot.

While all this was going on the dogs, Jazz and Cruiser have made a nest down below and are comfortably in their travel comas. The both will occasionaly open their eyes as if to ask “are we there yet?” and then go back to sleep. Since this is there first long trip on the sailboat they are trying to acclimate to being away from the dock where they are accustomed to being on a much bigger boat.

Since we have some cloud cover and with the breeze the temperature is quite comfortable. With the rudder fixed we're making around 5 knots/hour and should easily reach our first distination before dark.

First Day Stop: We have traveled about 24 nautical miles. A nautical mile is about 10% more than a land mile. The first nights anchorage is at what are called fish camps or shacks in Texas. A series of shacks that go from mildly elegant to downright ramschackled or dangerous. They are owned by the Department of Conservation and rented by fishermen. I'm not sure how you get on the list or get assigned one, but with my luck I would get one with no floor. Our stop is somewhere in the middle condition and it is only a waypoint which allows a few to seek shade under the porch. The heat is opressive and everyone with any sense is covered from head to toe. We are keeping the dogs cool with a water mister and a constnadly full water bowl.

The first day of sailing is always tiring and a day of discovery. Discovering what works and what doesn't. Thankfully almost everything worked, but we were tired. If we were cruising across the Gulf we wouldn't have the luxury of stopping and anchoring. People often ask why we don't just drop an anchor. With the depth of the Gulf being hundreds of feet in some places you could never carry enough rope to hit the bottom. On long Gulf trips each person stands a watch. I am the overnight person, and it's my favorite time to sail. There is nothing more peaceful.

Anchoring at this stop proved simple, which was a blessing because it can become a contentious time in every sailing couples adventures. There have been many failed marriages because of anchoring. Ours has survived, but harsh words have been spoken in the past. This time Gene easily puts the anchor on the soft mud and then comes back to take dogs and me on shore leave.

The shore is sandy and the dogs are ecstattic to frolic on the beach even though it is hot and humid. We stay ashore for a short time to visit the various boat who all have different means of camping. It is an eclectic gathering of sailors who in 5 days will be able to say they sailed for 200 miles alont the Texas coast.

The most incredible boats are homemade vessels called “puddle ducks” They are about 8 feet long and vary in configuration, but the most basic boat you can imagine. Some are embellished with details like the one that looks like a 50's finned car to include the pink dice. Most are just yellow. The part that amazes me is that they have little or no protection form the Texas June sun. I have the utmost respect for these sailors who brave the gulf with just long sleeve shirts and sunscreen.

The sailor who gets real props is the man in a row boat, yes, a row boat. He plans to do the entire 200 miles rowing. The amazing thing is he is fast and consistant. A little crazy maybe but fast. He does have a bimini so he at least have protection as he rows.

After we return from our shore leave supper is on our new grill which works quite well despite the heavy breeze. We have basil lime chicken breasts and green beans. Even the dogs get some chicken for their first day of sailing.

After the sun went down I decided to rig up my new hanging shower. There wouldn't be any hot water, but I was already hot, sticky and salty. Since there weren't any boats near us I stripped and began enjoying the cool water. Just as I'm finishing I hear a voice from the shore about 20 feet away. It was some guy striking up a conversation. Needless to say I take my naked body downstairs as Gene begins a concersation with the intruder. Although Gene swears it was too dark for him to see anything it was light enough with the moon that I could clearly see the logo on his t-shirt....So much for privacy!

We soon retire to our berths listening to the whipping wind. Sleep was swift and sound until about 5am when the wind stopped. Suddenly it seemed like sheets were alive. Who knows where all these bugs came from, but they were everywhere. Thankfully none of them were mosquitos or biting critters, just crawley ones that came out of nowwhere with no wind to push them away. No matter a few swats and I'm back to sleep and wondering what lies ahead on day 2.