Sailing galveston tx ship channel

[Coffeeking]

I never sailed threw Galveston ship channel in August or any other time on a 34 foot. I heard allot of stories about being wiped out by the heavy traffic of barges and ships. I would be leaving Kemah and heading south, though about staying to the west of the channel in shallows but concerned about stuck in there mud botton. Help

[Wolfe10]

Just stay around the 15-20' depth in the channel. That will put you in plenty of water, but not in ship traffic. Doubt many barges/tugs will pass-- they speed (other than a light boat) is close to the same as yours.


Been up and down it (Clear Lake to Bolivar Roads) dozens of times with zero issues. And all 4 directions from Bolivar Roads (ICW east and west, Galveston channel and straight out to the Gulf). Yes, Bolivar Roads is busy, but still plenty of room.

[ItDepends]

I guess it depends on what exactly you mean when you say "wiped out" by traffic. I sailed into Galveston for the first time recently, and while there is a lot of traffic, but not worse than other places I have been, and plenty of room to hug the side of the ship channel and avoid them. There is plenty of room for everybody. Use your chart, and look ahead for choke points, and just adjust your timing so you and a big boy aren't there at the same time.

I don't know where you are hearing "a lot of stories" but remember, a lot of youtubers are deliberately over-dramatizing the challenges involved. It makes their channel more interesting to people who don't know anything, and generates more eyeballs, and hence more money. Many of the channels people watch to "learn about sailing" are about as realistic as reality TV.

[Sailmonkey]

Hug the day boards, even stay just outside of them and you’ll be fine.

Keep your radio on and monitor 16,12&13, and stay put of the path of the commercial users.

If you want to cross the channel at redfish you can stay out of all of the mess until you get to the ICW/HSC/Texas city channel intersection.

Here’s some good info that goes above what you might need to know, but it’s better to have an understanding of what’s happening

http://galvestonpilots.com/HOGANSACN...hipChannel.pdf

[Coffeeking]

Originally Posted by Wolfe10

Just stay around the 15-20' depth in the channel. That will put you in plenty of water, but not in ship traffic. Doubt many barges/tugs will pass-- they speed (other than a light boat) is close to the same as yours.


Been up and down it (Clear Lake to Bolivar Roads) dozens of times with zero issues. And all 4 directions from Bolivar Roads (ICW east and west, Galveston channel and straight out to the Gulf). Yes, Bolivar Roads is busy, but still plenty of room.

Thanks, this advise will help allot

[Coffeeking]

Thanks for advise and monitor radio, just concerned about Houston quickly changing weather

[Sailmonkey]

Originally Posted by Coffeeking

Thanks for advise and monitor radio, just concerned about Houston quickly changing weather

Watch the sky. Black clouds mean wind and rain.

[clongcor59]

You shouldn’t have any problems if you pay attention and follow the advice in the previous reply’s. It’s busy but wide and those “big boys” don’t do anything quickly including stopping or turning.