2017 Texas 200

Instead of the typical Port Isabel start, it looks like this year's "traditional route" start will be in Port Mansfield, which as far as I can tell has only one hotel. Any ideas on where to stay or tie up a boat down there?

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-- Chad | 2014 TI

Saw that, me and Greg have been talking about it, we are wondering what everyone else is planing? Im still up for sharing a boat slip, me and Greg are splitting a room if we decide to all go that route. Let us know Chad.

Daniel.

Well, it looks like I jumped the gun and will be canceling a hotel and boat slip reservation in Port Isabel! I'm inclined to go the Post Mansfield route since there will be many first timers in our group. I also enjoy sailing through Corpus and Port Aransas. Would hate to miss the best part. No resupply or restaurants along the hard route. A three day cooler is not going to cut it without a resupply spot.

I vote for the easy route.

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Greg

2016 AI - Spinn & Jib

“Out of sight of land the sailor feels safe. It is the beach that worries him.”
– Charles G. Davis

I'm leaning towards the easy route also. I spend most of my time sailing to wind, so a nice long downwind run sounds much more fun. Not having to shuttle sounds nice though too!

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-- Chad | 2014 TI

The shuttle would be nice to avoid. But there is something to be said about the thrill, the excitement of knowing that the only way home is that long 200 mile blue stretch of water in front of you. I think I would miss that.

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Greg

2016 AI - Spinn & Jib

“Out of sight of land the sailor feels safe. It is the beach that worries him.”
– Charles G. Davis

Very true, plus it feels like you're going somewhere, rather than "out and back".

Sounds like you're definitely down for Port Mansfield, Greg. I'm going to do some researching tomorrow and try to get a room and slip booked.

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-- Chad | 2014 TI

I'm running into a road block on lodging Chad. Other than Fred Stone Park, I don't see any reasonably priced hotels with boat slips in Port Mansfield. Hopefully someone finds something. Wonder where the bus will drop us all off on Sunday. We could have a long walk. Not keen on leaving our boats on a public park (Fred Stone) unwatched for a day while they bus us back from Magnolia Beach. Lets all keep looking for our options and post up what we find.

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Greg

2016 AI - Spinn & Jib

“Out of sight of land the sailor feels safe. It is the beach that worries him.”
– Charles G. Davis

I called Harbor bait and tackle and they said they do have boat slips available for June, and we can also fit 2 yaks in one slip. They also gave me the price of $25.00 a day for a boat slip. Harbor Bait and tackle (956) 944-2367

I also got some prices for lodging a place called "Y-Knot rentals" I saw a lot of good house type rentals from $90.00 to $300 a night. There are some very good ones at $115.00 that sleeps 4 to 6. Maybe we can all chip in for one place to save money. http://www.yknotrentals.us/site/Propert ... fault.aspx

I have not started any rentals yet, waiting on what everyone wants to do first.

Daniel.

I have reserved 2 rooms in Port Mansfield through Y-Knot Rentals. These are at 123 W. Harbor and cost $125 per night. Both sleep 4 per unit and each comes with a boat slip that can hold at least 2 islands and probably 3. Anyone that wants to sleep in these units are welcome to. Everyone will split costs. If we have more than 4 people between rooms, we may want to reserve an extra boat slip at Harbor Bait and Tackle next door. If interested, let me know.

Both units are similar. http://yknotrentals.us/Unit/Details/109381

Greg

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Greg

2016 AI - Spinn & Jib

“Out of sight of land the sailor feels safe. It is the beach that worries him.”
– Charles G. Davis

Greg,

If space in the "condo" is still available, I'd like to reserve room for one person and slip space for one TI.

Please email me for any contact information and deposit money you need to hold the space.

Looking forward to an epic journey.

Gary
[email protected]

2014 Hobie TI
1984 Hobie Hawk RC Glider

Great Gary! Currently we have 2 rooms between 5 people, including you. Each room/condo sleeps 4 so we can all share the rooms or if someone wanted to rent one of these rooms/condos themselves, they could. I'LL send you a personal message on this board.

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Greg

2016 AI - Spinn & Jib

“Out of sight of land the sailor feels safe. It is the beach that worries him.”
– Charles G. Davis

Shame it is too far

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Tony Stott
2012 Tandem Island "SIC EM" with Hobie spinnaker

Wish you could join us Tony!

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Greg

2016 AI - Spinn & Jib

“Out of sight of land the sailor feels safe. It is the beach that worries him.”
– Charles G. Davis

I had someone ask me about navigation and how much of an expert do you need to be to enter this event. This is an event made difficult by two things. Five days of camping in the summer heat and navigating the shallows found along the Texas coastline. My experience in the Tx200 is limited to twO days of sailing and camping last year. The event is a starter sailing challenge event but make no mistake, it is a challenge. Only about 30% of the boats made it to all the camps last year as I recall. I was among those that failed to make it all the way. Here are my thoughts on navigation and the camping.

You need to have paper charts that you can download from the NOAA website.
http://www.nauticalcharts.noaa.gov/mcd/NOAAChartViewer.html
Ideally you should also have a GPS device that shows water depth along the route we will be traveling. This way you know where you are in relationship to the shallows. You can just follow the group but this is a long course and the waters traveled are vast. In some areas you may not be able to see land. You will likely separate from other boats from time to time and you need to be able to self navigate. This is when the GPS will be of huge help. This is what make the whole experience so fun! Practice using you GPS before the trip as much as you can. You will need to buy a VHF radio and become familiar with it. This is critical for communicating between boats or the coast guard. You don't have to live on the coast to practice and get familiar enough with these devices to make this event.

The camping and the heat were not as bad as I expected. While sailing the water spray keeps you cool. At the camps you stay in the shade and the wind makes it bearable. You can always jump in the water to cool off. Still, expect it to challenge you.

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Greg

2016 AI - Spinn & Jib

“Out of sight of land the sailor feels safe. It is the beach that worries him.”
– Charles G. Davis

Greg brought up some good stuff.

Anyone new to the event should also read this http://www.texas200.com/FAQ.html

You should have a gps and know how to use it while sailing. Last year I plotted waypoints that marked the channels/cuts/deeper water along the entire route that I was going to travel. I was then able to follow the waypoints. The Navionics phone app, which has downloadable charts and gps plotting, is also another good tool to have. I didn't end up using it, in order to conserve the phone battery, but I had it as a backup.

You should also be very comfortable sailing your boat and be able to handle it from 0 to 25-30+ mph winds. Last year, on day 2, I was reefed down and surfing 3-4 foot breaking waves, then on the beginning of the last day I had to pedal 12 miles on a windless morning. You never know what the weather is going to do!

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-- Chad | 2014 TI