Departure 0600 6/21/2023
Sargent Beach (28°46’24.5″N 95°36’41.9″W)
Destination Harborwalk Marina and Yatch Club 29°17’42″N 94°58’10″W
Approx. 64 nm
This was the longest run of the trip to the new dock at Seabrook Marina. We left early and motor-sailed in the light morning wind. The breeze would increase in the afternoon allowing us to turn the engine off and just carry the sail until reaching the Brazos river locks.
The Brazos river locks would be my first experience going through a lock. I didn’t exactly know what to expect other than what I read online. In short; get your lines and bumpers ready, have anchor in case all goes south and you have to drop it. In my mind’s eye, I expected barges to be stacked up in the lock waiting to pass and we would be sandwiched between them. A nightmare.
Heading towards the locks.
Closed locks. Waiting for the signal to proceed.
We tied up and waited for our turn to pass. The pilings are rough with large bolts sticking out, bumpers are highly recommended – if not required.
Passing through the locks was actually less stressful than I imagined. We were cleared to enter and tie-up to wait for the lock to open. Once opened and we entered the Brazos River we found a slight current, but nothing of consequence that made steering difficult. I can imagine that could change with increased downstream water flow from storms in the north or from high tides pushing water upstream.
Brazos River lock – aerial view.
On our way to Harborwalk we passed what I consider the least attractive zones on the Texas coast. Brozosport is a large industrial port with chemical plants everywhere you look. Impressive in it’s complexity but other than that it’s dismal, nothing to see here. Basically large onshore storage tanks and bigger tankers moored along the way. LNG, petroleum and chemical carriers – you name it.
Light at the entrance to the Gulf of Mexico channel with storage tanks in the background.
LNG Tanker moored next to the Brazosport facilities.
Right next to Brazosport is Surfside, a community of bay and beach houses uncomfortably close to the chemical plants. Lots of fishing boats, both large and small that have the option of visiting the offshore rigs, East Matagorda Bay to the south and Galveston Bay complex to the north. We passed by this sport fishing center and continued north-east towards Bastrop Bay passing by San Luis Pass far to our starboard.
Surfside Marina.
Looking south towards Brazosport from the bridge at Surfside.
Looking north towards Galveston Bay from the bridge at Surfside.
Rene at the helm with Surfside behind.
We had clear wind in the channel in West Bay and made good time to the entrance to Harborkwalk Marina at which point we furled the jib and kicked on the engine. The entrance is slim and with limited water depth and we cautiously cruised through without incident. We stayed clear of the numerous PVC sticks marking the channel.
Harborwalk Marina entrance.
Once inside the protection of the marina’s seawall we steered to our assigned dock and a relaxing dip in the pool. The shallow pool water was hotter than the ambient air and, even so, felt better than the still hot evening air; especially when getting out of the pool as the air cooled you down and actually made you shiver. We prepared a simple, yet delicious, dinner on the boat and attempted to watch an online movie but decided we were too tiered and quickly fell asleep. That night a front pushed through with significant thunderstorms, strong cooler winds and driving rain. The storm cooled down the hot Texas summer night making sleeping in the boat tenable. That night, our last night, we slept safely in the comfort of the boat.
Entering Harborwalk Marina.
A popular marina with many facilities close to Tiki Island.
Zephyr at the Harborwalk dock.
