entering open water from narrow channel

J

jimmydj

New member
any advise on speed or angles entering open water from narrow channel ?

have had several locals with mixed ideas. area is corpus christi tx packery channel.

opening aprox 50 yds or so to open water.

i have made several approaches and had several experiences.

2-3 ft no problems, however shot at 4-5 and was airborne shooting touch and goes.

thanks in advance
jim
 
It would help if you described the sea conditions you are confronting. If you are approaching a relatively large wave on the bow the ideal maneuver is to take it at a slight angle rather than dead ahead. This allows for more of an 'up and over' rather than a straight up and crash down on the backside.
 
Hi Jim,

I haven't been out the Packery Channel since it opened. BUT, I haven't heard much good about it. For those not familiar with it, the channel is a fairly recent opening dug through Padre Island (towards the north end) to connect Corpus Christi Bay and the Gulf of Mexico.

Seems that all the Gulf openings along the south Texas coast can be a challenge, expecially when you have tidal current against the wind. We've done the Brazos-Santiago, the Mansfield Cut, and the Port A jetties area, and it seems that each time is a bit different as far as the conditions. We have the 25 Cruiser, not the TomCat, but we generally will favor the side of the channel that looks the most protected (sometimes that's neither), then run off at an angle when we clear the buoys. The rollers coming in can be steep and close when the water gets to the shallower openings; I prefer to go as fast as comfortable until we get some room to run off to the side. If you are dropping down with a slam over the wave tops, try slowing down and angling off just a bit... a couple knots and 20º makes a difference on our boat.

Hope that helps.

Best wishes,
Jim B.
 
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