The art of water works

In order to get someplace, you have to know how things work.

Not always just point and drive.

Like with a sailboat, none of that going as the crow flies.

Outriggers. local favorite after tourists season. View west down Clear Lake channel. Fishing on rocks at right. Marinas on either side of water.©

See the little grey “house” in the picture above? It’s really a fuel dock for a marina.

Note the little white sails just to the left of it. The boat is under sail moving to the right.

Small sailboat now sailing back to left. (port) ©

The sailboat is heading down the channel from Clear Lake to Galveston Bay into the wind.

The skipper has to put a little thought into it as the wind is coming from behind where we are sitting. The passengers/crew will have to be alert and be ready to move .

Try to sail directly into the wind and a sailboat stops: dead in the water (and the skipper looks foolish or inexperienced. Horrors!)

Making progress zigzagging to utilize the wind and keep the sails full so he keeps moving. Just turned back to make another pass across ©

Still sailing on the same leg – towards one of the marinas. Those “sticks” aren’t power poles everywhere. Those are sailboat masts. This is is one of the largest collection of sailboats and marinas in the US which is why the Texas coastline is sometimes called the Third Coast.©

After more turns and zigzagging, the boat is opposite our table. Sometimes boats tie up, people get off to eat here, or grab a beer from the breezy bar underneath. But maybe later. A nice Fall sailing day shouldn’t be wasted indoors ©

This is a J boat, about 22 feet, a racer which is why there’s not anything decorative or fussy in the design or cockpit.

It is steered by a tiller to the rudder instead of a wheel and when out for a leisurely sail, can comfortably hold four.

Yes, they should all have life jackets on. Slipping under the patrol radar since it’s not the busy weekend/summer season. (Still warm here – 80’s F. But windy Fall days are cool on the water.)

You can see the main sail is curved and catching a strong wind gust that blew in from the bay (at left). Caught them by surprise. With 2 people sitting on the downwind side (right), and a sail full of wind, the boat was almost pushed flat into the water. Luckily the crew is nimble and swift – ducked down and moved to the other side to counterbalance, and the skipper steered up (into the wind) a bit to dump some air out of the sail. And voila – no problema other than slowing down a bit©

The skipper had just enough wind to complete the turn he had planned as he started under the big bridge. He’s good. You can see the passage narrows here. The wind gets flukey. You have to know, you have to be quick, you have to know what your boat/crew can do, and you have to plan ahead. Or it can be costly.©

He’s planning on just clearing the bridge passage and making another turn before running out of room, speed, or wind in the sail It was close. ©

It’s quite a ballet – more of a tango, perhaps.

Before long, the place where we are eating will be torn down as a twin tall bridge is built in this location. This is one of two roads out during hurricane evacuations. Long overdue.

There used to be a drawbridge here.

It was quite a trick getting boats out – especially during the hot summers with the crowds, weekend boaters, children steering, and beer.

There was a schedule for the bridge. You had to carefully make your way, then flow along with current and wind in the line hoping you timed it right so you didn’t arrive too early at the closed bridge. In that situation, you had to turn the boat around, square dance circle past all the waiting boats, then somehow manage to turn again and slip back into line. Lots of planning and strategizing

Tempers would flair – especially between motor boats and the sailors. Those that aren’t local often didn’t have manners, know the routine/pattern, and ignored the “No Wake Zone” signs.

The big bridge was a big improvement. Change happens. Things gained; things get lost.

Ah, they made it. Sailboat past the bridge and zigzagging toward the right bank.©

And now back to the left. You can see the Kemah Boardwalk with rides, restaurants, and tourists on the right bank.©

There’s the mouth of the channel opening to Galveston Bay. A couple of passes back and forth, but not much more to go.©

Real sailors don’t paddle or turn the motor on (unless that super tanker or cargo vessel is going a whole lot faster than you thought…).

Speed boats may be fast and thrilling. Attract the pretty. Plenty of room for AC, cold beverages, assorted clothing, and pets. Often with loud music and mandated yelling over the powerful noise.

Not everyone gets sailing.

Many times slow.

“Long periods of absolute boredom punctuated by moments of sheer terror.”

The boat leans, tilts, and feels unstable.

You can’t always go exactly where you want.

And you have to work to keep moving. (Call it Extreme Exercise…with some potential for “boat bites” from equipment.)

There is something to be said for focusing on how the winds blow, knowing where you’re going, looking ahead, and being willing to work to get there.

Afternoon reflections on skillful manuevers in the water.

Or do you think there’s any parallels eddying there?

Currently drifting,

Phil, the Philosopher Mouse of the Hedge

Overlooking waterway and racing sailboat storage on right. Many of the smaller J boats and racing crafts are lifted out of the water between racing sessions. Keeps the hulls cleaner so they will be faster. Don’t be fooled. Small “plain” racing boats often cost more than a larger boat, maybe as much as a small car. Realistically, the chances are that the owner isn’t rich, drives an old car, doesn’t wear expensive clothes, or lives in a fancy place with designer furniture. Different priorities. Once the wind talks…©

 

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