The Cruising Adventures of Wild Blue and crew...

Yeah, it must be me...

A morning cruise, joined out on the water by my friends with the orange boat. I missed the best of the sunrise, but still had a great time.

Here's the details:

http://captnjim.blogspot.com/2010/02/it-must-be-me.html

And a preview:

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Best wishes,
Jim B.
 
Been a couple weeks since I posted here, but Wild Blue has been out and about most days. Today, she got to rest while I went out on another OPB (Other People's Boats). My friend, Herb, scored a good find on a Ranger 21 tug. Yes, the Ranger tugs in Port Isabel now outnumber the C-Dorys, 2:1.

Herb called and asked if I wanted to check out his new boat... "I'm on my way!" We visited for a bit, then headed out to his dock...

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Herb's lovely wife, Wilma, waved good-bye to us, and we were off. It was a gray day, but the smiles were plenty bright...

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We took the tug into the Laguna Madre, and Herb let me take the helm to get a feel for the boat. I did some tight maneuvers to get a feel for her manners at the dock. With the inboard diesel, prop shaft and rudder, there's a bit of prop walk, as you'd expect. She reverses better to port than starboard, but it's good to know how much. There was about a 1 foot chop in the bay, and the boat rode nice.

Herb needs to get a chip for this area for the GPS, but we checked out the radar, depth sounder, and VHF. It's a nicely equipped boat.

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We put the 21 through its paces for about 3 hours... across the Laguna and into the jetties, around the dredge equipment and into some bigger waves. The little tug handled it all fine.

We made our way back to Herb's dock, then visited for a while - a great way to pass the day!

Best wishes,
Jim B.
 
What a day! A cool morning that turned into one of the famous "C of C" days. Clear blue sky, nice breeze, low humidity, temps in the 70s. The dolphins were playing on both sides of the boat while we slowly chugged down the ship channel. We were enjoying lunch and then some yahtzee at anchor, when we saw a Hobie about to launch off the nearby beach. The wind was only blowing about 12, but it was right on the shore; I said to Joan, "That's going to be a tough tack to get that thing out of this cove."

Turns out I was right. The couple on the Hobie got repeatedly caught in irons and were drifting towards the rocks. I stepped out into the cockpit... they were close enough to be in earshot without hollering... "Do you need me to pull up the anchor and tow you out to more open water?"

"Well, we just can't get turned here."

I said, "Would you like me to pull up and get out of your way so you can tack across here?" I think he was surprised that a powerboat guy knew what his situation was.

"If you don't mind, that would really help," the guy said.

I fired up the Honda, pulled up the anchor with the windlass, and did a big 360º while he tacked across where we were anchored. Truly, he had gotten himself pinned in where he was.

After a flurry of thank-yous and waves, we pulled back to that spot and dropped anchor once again. And Joan beat me that game.

It's spring break, and every excursion boat, tour boat, and bay fishing boat was loaded with kids. Many of them buy a package that includes air, a room, and some activities. All the boat operators are busy right now. The airplanes towing banners have to be careful to dodge the parasail boats. Looking to the north, the causeway (2 1/2 miles between South Padre Island and the mainland) was bumper to bumper with cars. Even with all the activity, this is a great time to be on the water instead of stuck in a car.

When we got home late this afternoon, we got back to our dock a bit before our next door neighbor. He had taken a couple friends out fishing. One of those guys said, "That has to be one of the best looking boats I've ever seen!" (referring to Wild Blue) I complimented his good taste. :wink: And then gave him a tour of our boat.

He is an avid fisherman who had never seen or heard of a C-Dory before. Happens frequently. There is certainly a lot of interest in the boat, even here in the Tropical Tip where pilothouse boats are generally 65' shrimpboats. A few days ago, I got a call on the radio... the guy was calling for "That white boat with the blue trim and the big Honda on the back that just came through the swingbridge." It turned out to be a guy in a canoe that I had just passed. He wanted to know about our boat. He's down here on vacation from the Dallas area.

People go out of their way to ask about these boats. Talking with other C-Dory owners, I know you experience the same thing. Quite the marketing opportunity, huh?

Best wishes,
Jim B.
 
We had C-Dory folks company last week - our BFF Brent and Dixie came down from Rockport for a couple days. Truly great to see them again! Here's a shot of little Izzy helping Brent with his computer...

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They got the "required" tour of the area, including a ride on Wild Blue up the ship channel to the Port of Brownsville...

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We saw several oil platforms in different phases of construction, some ships being de-constructed (scrapping is a big business there), and a portion of the shrimpboat fleet that was in port.

Nice visit, nice people. We ate good and laughed a lot!

Best wishes,
Jim
 
Broken bones, a heart attack, and stepped on a nail...

Sounds like a pretty bad day, huh?

It was time to renew my CPR certification. I called the nearest Red Cross and scheduled; took the classes yesterday. When I've taken this in the past, it has been with a bunch of other captains; this was quite different... I was the only guy in a class with 9 women.

Not the only difference - the instructor worked our butts off. First, we had to work on each other, alternating between the patient and the responder... on the floor... as dead weight. Then we added the CPR mannequins; everybody got one. That was different from past classes, too. So, you had to work all the time - no observing.

The attitude in the class was different, too. These women had no problem with moving their patient around as necessary, splinting each other, bandaging extremities... I didn't see that kind of encouraging hands-on work in previous classes.

And the tests... I had 5 written tests and one oral test. Watch and follow along with a bunch of videos. One or two tests in previous classes. The instructor was efficient and enthusiastic. Twice as much time, and more than twice as much learned.

Go ahead... faint... or get a nail through your foot... or break a bone... or let me hook you up to an AED. I'm ready!

Best wishes,
Jim B.

PS When I first took the classes years ago, I was impressed; came home and encouraged Joan to take the class so EITHER of us could take care of each other, if needed. You never know, when you're cruising in out of the way places...
 
Yesterday was a treat. My brother-in-law, John, is visiting us for a few days. This is the guy who was the most important male influence in my life while growing up. He taught me to drive a stick shift when I got my learner's permit. He taught me to fly when I was 16. He and my sister helped raise me.

After years of being invited, this is John's first trip to the Tropical Tip; and first time out on a boat like Wild Blue. We toured around the area, while I gave him some of the history of the area and the shrimping industry. Then down the ship channel where the dolphins put on a nice show right alongside the boat.

I asked if he wanted to take the helm for a while. Like most first timers, he over-steered briefly. He is a retired commercial pilot who has flown some spectacular equipment in his career. I related the boat handling to VFR flying, including telling him to spot something on the windshield to use for direction... he had it down in seconds.

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It was nice to share this important part of my life with this man.

Best wishes,
Jim B.
 
Give John a BIG Texas WELCOME - hope he enjoys his stay, and makes it the first of many.
 
Did you make John feel at home on Wild Blue by charging extra for his bags?

It's good to have a postive role model in your life...between John and the Blonde...you are a very lucky man.

Welcome aboard John.
 
Papillon":y31t67gr said:
Did you make John feel at home on Wild Blue by charging extra for his bags?

It's good to have a postive role model in your life...between John and the Blonde...you are a very lucky man.

Welcome aboard John.
Click to expand...

No extra charge this one time only. :wink: Besides poking around on Wild Blue, I have taken him to the airports in the area. As I mentioned he is a retired pilot, recently bought himself a small plane, but he apparently needs to breathe in jet fumes regularly. Trying not to wear him out while we entertain him.

Yeah, Mike, I am a fortunate guy.

Best wishes,
Jim
 
Jim,

Very nice! Thanks for sharing.

Regards,

Nick
"Valkyrie"
 
No fooling, it was a beautiful morning for a sunrise cruise. 70º at 6:00 this morning, winds 10 - 15... but, predicted winds will be MUCH higher later this morning, so a really great time to get out and about.

Yes, there were dolphins, but it was too dark to photograph them. The only other boats I saw out there this morning were the usual bait shrimpers and Homeland Security, who blew by me. Just a beautiful time to be out and about.

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Best wishes,
Jim B.
 
Good Friday... oooooooooh, aaaaaaaaaahhhhhhh!

We got a call from our friend Herb, asking if we wanted to take the boats out to watch the fireworks tonight. As everyone knows, Good Friday is a day of religious significance that is celebrated by setting off fireworks. One must remember where we are - everything is celebrated with fireworks. Oh, look - it’s Arbor Day; what time are the fireworks tonight?

We took Wild Blue out our canal, through the swingbridge, under the causeway, around to the other side of Port Isabel, and tied up at Herb's dock.

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We had a great visit with Herb and Wilma out on the patio overlooking their boathouse. They have a 360º view from their beautiful home; we could have watched the fireworks from one of their decks, but it was an excuse to go out on the Laguna, drop the anchor, and raft up the boats.

We chugged off into the darkness... and had the whole Laguna to ourselves. Not another small boat out there anywhere. We dropped and set the anchor, then Herb pulled up alongside us. It took a couple moments to figure the best logistics of fenders and where to tie off with the two different hull shapes. As usual, the wind was blowing more than forecast, so instead of visiting between the two boats, we set up chairs in Wild Blue's cockpit and the four of us visited there.

Herb and Wilma are great folks. We have a lot in common and the conversation is always lively. Oh, yeah - and there were fireworks. They started 15 minutes earlier than we were told and only lasted for a few minutes. But, we enjoyed the visiting until it was past all of our bedtimes. We unrafted, said our good nights, and parted company.

The car traffic on the causeway had been bumper-to-bumper all day. Getting around by boat was the best way to enjoy this evening out.

Best wishes,
Jim B.
 
AND a good time was had by all. Thanks for taking us along Jim. I was wondering what the fireworks were about last night - hadn't heard them before up north here.
 
toyman":1ffvm4qw said:
AND a good time was had by all. Thanks for taking us along Jim. I was wondering what the fireworks were about last night - hadn't heard them before up north here.
Click to expand...

Fireworks are part of the culture here. On South Padre Island, there is a fireworks display every Friday night from Memorial Day to Labor Day. And various other holidays throughout the year. This week is Semana Santa, known around here as Holy Week. After the crush of kids from spring break, we get another big influx of tourists, mostly Mexican Nationals, for this week before Easter. So, fireworks on Good Friday... and Saturday.

We stocked up on food and beverages earlier this week so we wouldn't have to take on the long lines of traffic heading for the island. It's all about the timing. :wink:

We could hear the music from the clubs on SPI (nearly 3 miles away) when we pulled up to our dock. And the beat goes on...

Best wishes,
Jim
 
Jim thanks for the peace and quiet of the sunrise. How far out do you have to go to get to "Quiet"? Oh, at sunrise, not so far huh?

Harvey
SleepyC
 
hardee":220kg2j9 said:
Jim thanks for the peace and quiet of the sunrise. How far out do you have to go to get to "Quiet"? Oh, at sunrise, not so far huh?

Harvey
SleepyC
Click to expand...

Hi Harvey,

During spring break, the place for the kids to hang out on the beach is the former Raddison Hotel and Coca Cola Beach (in front of the hotel). The music is blasting during the afternoon, but pointed out into the Gulf. In years past, we have been 9 miles off shore and could still hear the music thumping. :roll: Of course, we all know that sound carries on the water... but, 9 miles??

Once in the house with the doors and windows closed, we don't hear a thing. What we could hear last night at the dock wasn't obtrusive - just that fact that you could hear it at all cracks me up.

Discoteca todos noche!
:note :note :note :moon

Best wishes,
Jim

PS At sunrise, it's usually just the small bait shrimpers, the dolphins, and me. 8) Once into the Gulf, I generally don't see another boat until I come back in.
 
Jim, is the dearth of boats operating out there due to seasonal, financial, or security hassles / HSA... ?

This morning I flew over the 450 slip marina I will use this summer and there are 3 boats in the water (3, count em) It will, of course, pick up as the weather warms onto summer, but I predict that in spite of the rosy financial predictions of the ruling party spinmeisters, it is going to be a grim summer for the marina/boating-industry in Michigan...

denny-o
 
Hi denny-o,

I'm not seeing much difference in boat use currently and what was happening a few years ago. The vast majority of boats in our area are the bay skimmer type boats... no sides, designed to run in 6" of water. A boat like our C-Dory is atypical (other than the fact that some people think it looks like a scaled down shrimping trawler). Those flats boats are all over the bay (Laguna Madre) when the weather is good. Fishing is a passion for many here, so they are out and about. Often, they are in the back bays where there's 1-2 feet of water.

Our local economy has felt the same punch as most. People aren't buying a lot of new boats, but they are still going out on the boats they have. We don't have big marinas here like in the PNW or Great Lakes. We have a couple big stack storage places, but the two big marinas in our area don't have 100 slips between them.

Our shrimping industry is a fraction of what it used to be. Cheap imported farmed shrimp, high fuel prices, and the shrimpers having to go further and stay out longer to bring in a similar catch. Definitely fewer of them out than we used to see.

The security situation here really isn't a hassle. We get boarded regularly, but that's been on-going. Homeland Security zooms by us when we're out, but I guess we don't fit the profile.

When the tourist crowds are good, the excursion boats have passengers.

As long as we've been down here, if you want to get away from the crowds, get out in the Gulf or up the ICW. Considering all the water we have, our sub-tropical weather, the good fishing, and the laid-back lifestyle... well, there are boats, but it's rarely thick with 'em. We are a long ways from 'most anywhere. :wink:

Most people come here for the beach. Those who "get it" tend to stay. Most don't get it. Looking at the houses and boat lifts along our canals... same number of boats as 5 years ago... about the same use. Lots of trailer boats that come in from the valley.

After this weekend, it will get pretty quiet around here until the summer visitors arrive. That's the BIG season. Spring and fall are my favorite times here.

Maybe more than you wanted to know. :roll:

Best wishes,
Jim B.
 
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