Here we go Again, The 2020 Texas 200 Adventure

Well here we go again. Its time for the 2020 Texas 200 Adventure. I would like to try and document my adventure, but time and access to data may make that difficult. Last years adventure started out very exciting, but ended abruptly with a wrecked trailer in Pflugerville.

Trailer Wreck in Pflugerville

Fortunately made it back in one piece.

Back on Lake Belton

So, we will try again this year. The 2020 Texas 200 has its own share of issues. Due to the COVID-19 Pandemic, the route had to be altered, so we would not be on the same bus. This year the race will start at Sunday Beach next to Port Lavaca and end in the same place. The neat thing is the turn around point at Quarantine Shore. Perfect place for this years sail under the circumstances.

A Few of us have decided we want to try the entire route from Port Mansfield to Port Lavaca. That means we have to find a way back on our own or arrange to have our vehicles dropped off at Port Lavaca. I decided the best bet for me was to sail back. It won't quite be the Texas 400 for me. I plan to sail back the last leg through the gulf. It will be about an 18 hour sail, but doable.

Day 1 Sail

Originally, the plan for the Texas 200 was to head straight out to a small beach by the Gulf just inside the jetty. I decided to stick with this part of the plan. This will be a nice 8 mile sail with decent winds that also gives me a chance to shake everything out. Ill find out early and in a short distance if I need to change my plan or in a serious enough case abandon it all together. I can leave when I am ready, I will have time to relax when I get there. Maybe a steak for dinner.

Day 2

Day 2 will be a long trip. I plan to wake up early so I can get through the land cut and close to Baffin Bay before sunset. Navionics predicts at an average 5 knots this should take about 9.2 hours. With 14 hours of daylight this time of year, that leaves me a little wiggle room. This should be a relatively uneventful portion of the trip. There is not a lot of boat traffic this far south, and phone coverage is spotty at best. My SpotX should come in handy here making sure loved ones know I am okay. I plan to stop at a small island beach just south of Baffin Bay for the night.

Day 3

Day 3 will be a 30 mile sail from Baffin Bay to NAS Corpus Christi. I hope to make the Marina for the night, but COVID-19 and other issues may keep this from happening. There are many small Islands in this area so it will not be to hard to find a place to stay if needed. This will be another mostly uneventful day traveling the Inter-coastal Waterway (ICW). However, rather than go around and approach NAS from the north, I plan to cut through some shallow waters. Here is where I will find out a little about shallow water sailing.

Day 4

Day four will be another short 12 mile sail day. Originally, I planned to sail across Corpus Christi bay and stay at Quarantine Island, but I would be a day ahead of the rest of the fleet. I plan to sail into Corpus Christi Harbor and see if I can stay at the Corpus Christi Yacht Club for the evening.

Day 5

Today has me sailing to Quarantine Shores. This is the new destination for the Texas 200 Fleet. I will be sailing 22 miles across Corpus Christi bay in some of the most heavily boat trafficked waters on the gulf coast. Fortunately, my shallow draft should let me stay just outside the buoys and other than crossing the shipping channel it should be all good. I will be passing the Port Aransas Harbor today, and I may stop by to see where I plan to stay on my return trip.

Day 6

This could and should be the interesting day. The fleet is supposed to meet at Quarantine shore and spend one night before returning to Port Lavaca. I plan to stay at Army Hole which is an old WWII Army base just south of Matagorda Bay. Its also where a sailor was bit by a rattlesnake in the 2019 Texas 200. He had to be pulled out by the Coast Guard. Quarantine shore is the only place recommended for an official gathering area since it is large and affords the ability to social distance. Likely many will go to Army Hole the second night.

Day 1 Return

The Fleet will continue on to Port Lavaca, but I will have to start my voyage back south. By spending an extra night in Corpus Christi to meet the Fleet at Quarantine Island, I will need to get going to return in time to get home. I will probably stay in the ICW. It is only a few extra miles, and safer once I leave the fleet. I plan to spend the night at the Port Aransas Harbor. Originally, I wanted to sail over night straight through the gulf. I realized that would put me crossing the Corpus Christi Shipping Channel after dark 35 miles offshore. Probably better I get an early morning start in Daylight and where the channel is at its narrowest. I can still sail straight across from here and avoid the time it takes to navigate the ICW this far south.

Day 2 Return

This is the long haul through the Gulf of Mexico for this trip. It may be a little aggressive, but 88 miles and 17-18 hours. I will try to make good time and get in early., but I anticipate arriving after dark. My hope is the channel is well marked, and I can get in with relative ease. Once back in Port Mansfield either a nap or the mast comes down and the trip home begins.

Last years trip was a little last minute. It was probably a good thing I had issues as they paled in comparison to what I would have had happen if I made the coast. Seasoned Texas 200 sailors had issues and many dropped out. Fortunately, I have a drop out plan as well. I hope we don't use it, but I do have people willing to come get me anywhere along the route if I decide its just to much for my skill or preparation level.

New bottom and Motor Shake Down

Looking forward to a fun trip and hope to leave a lasting journal to remember it by.

Michael

Chart Plotter and Depth Finder

“Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn’t do than by the ones you did do. So, throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.” – Mark Twain