From Kemah (where my boat is docked) we motored down the ship channel to Galveston. Just keep an eye out for large ships. THEY have the right of way. Stay way over to the side. One tiny sailboat ran across in front and got honked at by a big tanker. (no sailboats were injured in the making of these photos)
The race was very exciting. At the start was a sea full of ships going everywhere at once. There are several different classes, categories and style boats all starting at 5 minute staggers. So everyone is out there going back and forth waiting their turn and trying to stay close to the line without going over it or hitting another boat. (we had a close call when one didnt observe the right of way and almost ran into us) FIVE minute warning... you sail close to the line. ONE minute whistle... you sail toward the line. BOOM the gun sounds and you fly across the starting line at a mind numbing 5 miles an hour. Now just 150 miles to go!
#1. We made it about 15 miles offshore from Freeport when we were hit by a Squal. From light wind conditions we were hit by 60 mph winds which knocked over our boat and tore up our sails. We were forced to motor back to Freeport and drop out of the race.
Crew 
Rod & Linda 
Dave 
Vini 
Skip. (a jib sheet hit me in the face during the storm. i'm OK.)The ripped up Mizzen Sail - cut into a covered Awning. Attach grommets and tie it up.
Motoring down the Intracoastal Waterway. #2. As luck would have it we ran aground in a shallow spot of the ditch and damaged our tiller. (think mud trough about 12' deep and varying widths. some spots are only slightly wider than two barges side by side.)
So after we run aground and bend the rudder in the ICW, we need to get out of the way of the tug boats. Tow Boats U.S. comes and tows us home. (takes about six hours) Rod is a member with Tow Boats, so he's covered for the tow. a non-member would have to pay about $2,000.
Motoring down the Intracoastal Waterway. #2. As luck would have it we ran aground in a shallow spot of the ditch and damaged our tiller. (think mud trough about 12' deep and varying widths. some spots are only slightly wider than two barges side by side.)
So after we run aground and bend the rudder in the ICW, we need to get out of the way of the tug boats. Tow Boats U.S. comes and tows us home. (takes about six hours) Rod is a member with Tow Boats, so he's covered for the tow. a non-member would have to pay about $2,000.I am already planning now to work hard so that i finish the entire race in 2010. It's a big adventure.
-Pirate Skip
