First cruise...East of Port O Conner to Freeport Texas 100 miles.

Red Horse

New Member
May 17, 2009
83
San Antonio Texas
Boat Info
2007 210 Select towed by a 08 4x4 Tundra
Engines
350 Magnum with thru hull exhaust
I have alwasys wanted to cruise my boat even though it is a 21 footer. My father in law was cruising with a friend on his 38 foot sail boat from Port Isabel Texas. I went to pick him up in Freeport and then bring him back to San Antonio. I trailered from San Antonio Texas to Charlie’s Fish Camp south of Sea Drift, east of Port o Conner on the ICW. Fired up the boat and headed west. Got a little turned around in Matagorda Bay, but worked thru it. The bay was pretty rough and it was hard to see the markers. I also found out that my GPS is slightly out of date. Consulted the charts, set a heading and did it the old fashioned way. We found the other channel just where we thought it would be. Went thru my first locks, pontoon bridge and floodgates. It took us about 4 and a half hours to get to Freeport Municipal Marina. We tied up next to the sail boat and took showers. The Texas Mariners Cruisers Association was having their Spring Fling at the marina a few docks down. Great group of people!! One group gave me a ride to a local gas station for fuel. (You can do that with a small boat). We also got a ride to and from a local restaurant. They have a great band and cold beer, plus some really good homemade drinks. Got back to the sail boat around midnight. Got up the next morning and were under way by 0715. It took us a little over 3 hours to get back. Matagorda Bay was calm, so we kept the speed up. What a great time!! I have always wanted a big boat and will get one someday, but now I have been bitten by this cruising thing. I encourage all to do something like this no matter the size of your boat. I started out with a full tank and 12 gallons in cans. I have enough range to get there on one tank, but I don’t like taking unnecessary risks. I also had my tools, charts, GPS, radio and several contacts on the water that knew my plans and followed my progress via cell phone and text messages. Get out there and use your boat!!
 
Great story and experience.

We used to cruise the (NC) east coast and had alot of fun going from Wilmington to Charleston a few times a year.

Now we're on Lake Travis and limited for cruising potential.
 
Lake Travis has had a low water level lately and that REALLY limits cruising as I am sure you know. I have not been on Travis for several years now due to that. I go to Canyon and LBJ and of course the coast and will keep waiting for Travis to fill...
 

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