We were not team extreme today. During the week weather was forecast for highs in the upper 60s and as the weekend came closer, the wind forecast increased. This morning the temps are lower (only 61) and higher winds (25-35). After not sailing since Ruff Rider because of Ike, I feel very rusty. We could have went out, but it would not have been much fun for us, even in wetsuits.

Well, the main reason of this post is the fact that I don't know Galveston very well. We used to launch from Gulf Coast into the Bay or off the Bolivar Peninsula near Crystal Beach. Never made it down to Cat Alley unfortunately, I hear that it's not there any more! We're thinking of driving around today instead looking for a beach launch with automobile access (no beach wheels yet - my next future purchase) but I don't know what to expect. Anyone have any suggestions?

I have 2 more attempts to go sailing with my friend before he leaves Tx to PostDoc in California, hopefully the weather will be more cooperative and we have found a place to go sailing. Is a beach launch from Bolivar a possibility (maybe from the 1st access point after the Ferry?) Is the beach where Cat Alley viable was located even if the beach house isn't there any more? Are there any other places for a H16 to go beach launch before the Texas City Dike opens?

I didn't look at your specific area, but try here:

http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UTF8&hl=en&msa=0&msid=117198149314367087564.000452e0a6a7a9350b790&ll=41.274968,-72.656965&spn=0.028705,0.053215&z=14

J

As the Texas City Dyke is toast for this year, it was suggested to go to Lake Somerville. They have a really nice sand beach at Welch Park (small fee to enter). This is my favorite so far. A four wheel drive is recomended to get the trailer to the water and back out, but I have seen a two wheel drive do it when the sand is dry. There is a launch ramp to Clear Lake along side East Nasa Road 1. It's a little tricky as you have to launch and retrieve from the dock and since the fishing dock was washed away in IKE, you have to step over fishing line and fishermen. You can drive down to Freeport and drive onto the beach to launch, but you probably should have beach wheels for that (again, unless you have 4x4 and can back into the ocean). I have driven down towards Victoria to Lake Texana. That was not too bad of a lake for sailing. I heard on the news that the beach at Galveston was open but I have never been there. You could go to the Texas City Dyke Yatch Club web site ( http://www.tcdyc.com )and post a question in the forum for information from someone more knowegeable as I have only been sailing for the last 6 months here in the Houston area. Post a reply as to where you are going and maybe we can meet up, I have an H-16, and I have beach wheels. I blew off going today but was planning on going to Lake Somerville tomorrow.

I was down at the beach access spot where Cat Alley used to be a few weeks ago. It's still a great place to launch. It's at Bermuda Beach. I launch from my backyard and sail onto Clearlake. Chris Green does the same. He's rigging up right now in hopes of sailing tomorrow. Lake Sommervile is great but it's still not the ocean.

Can we come over and sail from your backyard into clear lake? We will bring Beer!