Corpus Christi To Matagorda Bay May 22

We arose around 0600 to find a hazy day with the wind back to normal Corpus Christi speed.  After cleaning up, the power cord and lines were disconnected and we got underway from the slip at 0700.  There was a slight chop on the bay, which we crossed to the high range marker in an hour, then on to the Rockport ICW cut just east of Ingleside.  There was a lot of ship channel traffic, barges and tankers, and we were delayed about 10 minutes at the ICW waiting for a tug to pull a barge from the dock and head out to sea.  Communication with two harbor pilots (one on an inbound tanker and one on the above tug) netted several compliments about Texas Ranger, and we even later heard them favorably discussing us with each other.

After turning into the Rockport cut we had a modest breakfast, took a few pictures, and passed under the bridge at Aransas Pass.  By 1015 we were passing Cove Harbor, and were across Aransas Bay by 1145.  At 1300 we entered San Antonio Bay, usually one of the less pleasant portions of the trip, and were at the Victoria Barge Canal junction by 1400.  The channel then enters a fairly protected course, and we passed a subdivision known as The Sanctuary and the entrance to the Army Hole Channel at 1530.  Tying up at Sanctuary had been one of our options, but since we were making such good progress we decided to press on to Matagorda Bay and shorten our next day’s trip to Freeport.  We crossed Matagorda Bay, and just before exiting its northern end, we turned east and pulled up behind Matagorda Island near Phillips Bayou.  This area is farther north than a frequently used anchorage near Green’s Bayou, but was much more convenient for a resumption of our trip.  We anchored in about 11 feet of water, cooked dinner, and watched the birds fishing and the almost-full moon rising.

I had noticed much earlier on an engine room check that a rebuilt seawater pump on the starboard engine was leaking a rather generous amount of seawater.  The engine was not overheating at all, and was still putting out a large amount of exhaust water, so I had no concern about continuing on.  After anchoring and eating dinner, however, I did descend into the engine room and replace the pump with a spare carried for such purpose.  Now both engines have new seawater pumps, the one on the port engine having been replaced just a few weeks ago.  I ordered another “spare” pump by phone when I noticed the leak, and it will be delivered to our destination in Freeport tomorrow.  After cleaning up, we retired around 2230, having had quite a full day.