Momma Kat Blog

Another day in the marina

2011-11-10T08:27:00.001-06:00

This time change has me up earlier than normal, but I like it! It gives me at least an hour to be up by myself before Paul and Taylor get up. It's quiet and I have time to putz around on the computer and you'll see by the photo that great things can be seen by getting up this early.
Not much happening...guys installed glass on a few windows yesterday and we found out last night that they're not quite sealed as best they should be! The three of us went to the movies last night and saw "West Side Story." We'd seen the previews while at the movies a couple weeks ago and Paul and I both admitted we'd never seen the original movie and now we have!
Paul has successfully installed our new SSB radio - it looks nice! Today, he's working on replacing our radar with a new, updated version. This will require replacing the old radar dish which is installed 1/2 up the mast, so I'll be pulling him up. I'm so grateful my husband knows so much about all this stuff!!

Home Sweet Home

2011-11-08T15:49:00.000-06:00

As of 2 weeks ago today, we officially moved out of our home in Euless, Texas and said our bittersweet goodbyes to family and friends and have moved aboard our new home, Momma Kat. The hardest part? Leaving our two Miniature Schnauzers (our youngest children), Buck and Roxy, behind. We know they are in good hands with our friend, Ian, but it's sure hard being lifelong dog people having no four-legged critters running around!
We are making minor adjustments to the boat while we are here at Watergate Marina in Clear Lake Shores. Paul is updating the navigation system electronics, getting some rigging repaired and a couple windows replaced. I am busy sewing replacement cushion covers and making new curtains. Next, I'll attempt a bag to cover my stand-up paddle board and maybe some exterior cushions. Taylor? Well, she's busy doing her homeschool work. She's actually doing very well and is usually completed by noon or one each day, then is typically out on the dock throwing the cast net. She told me yesterday that I'm a "fisher's mom!"
We thought we originally wanted to leave end of November, but we've decided to hold off and spend Thanksgiving with Paul's sisters in Seguin at the family river house. My mom and Uncle Carl will be coming to visit the week after Thanksgiving, so our current plan is to push off first part of December.

Grand Isle, LA

2011-04-17T18:53:00.000-05:00

Made it to Grand Isle, plan B, the plan is for Paul to continue up the IC to Momma Kats home, we will be jumping off on Monday to get a one way rental car, plane, etc to head back to our day jobs. Dolphins ushered us into port along with a very good mate Andy Galliano the Commission President of the USGC South LA area Martime Security Committee. - Good folks down here if to plan to jump off from here to the Islands or Keys.

Butto and me(Austin) will be heading up the IC for 3 hrs in the AM to catch a car or plane to NO to get home.

Over and out- for now.

Momma Kat Captian and Crew

Float Plan 04/17/2011

2011-04-17T11:34:00.001-05:00

It was great to get a good nights rest, currently having a great sail from our overnight anchorage on the East side of the MS southwest passage entrance to Grand Isle LA.

Good wind light seas, blue sky.

Paul will be staying with the boat and the crew will be heading back to our regular lives.

Will blog later today, sailing is too nice to stay on a computer.

Current heading:325
Position:
04/17/2011
16:08:29 GMT
28° 58.94' N
89° 38.02' W

Position and Float Plan - Destination Change

2011-04-16T08:29:00.001-05:00

Well folks - we didnt make good progress last night due to a strong cold front that blew thru with Storm winds up to 35 knots, rain, night watches were fun, kinda like riding a roller coaster in the dark with no light. We have plotted a course for Grand Isle LA for a temporary resting spot for Momma Kat and a good nights sleep for the crew. Will blog some more after we get out of these good size waves, boat is handling the waves fine, and we are all safe.

Position:
04/16/2011
12:45:05 GMT
27° 52.45' N
89° 42.31' W
Over and out for now.

Tonights Float Plan

2011-04-15T21:37:00.001-05:00

Currently heading at 270 deg from our current position below, were about 350 NM from Galveston Harbor entry. Depending on speed toniight, we have good wind we hope to be able to make our final turn and run from the harbor Saturday night, based on these assumptions we look to make landfall sometimes Sunday late. Will update our progress after tonight.

Everyone is doing fine.

Current Position:
04/16/2011
02:34:54 GMT
27° 43.90' N
88° 44.94' W

13:00

2011-04-15T13:30:00.001-05:00

Update, currently under sail, will update ETA to Galveston at present if we stay under sail looks like Sunday or Monday.

Stay Tuned
Position:
04/15/2011
18:12:38 GMT
27° 28.30' N
87° 50.42' W

Float Plan 0200 hrs

2011-04-14T00:53:00.001-05:00

Well not much wind here. Current heading 295
04/14/2011
05:52:13 GMT
26° 00.98' N
83° 49.70' W

Rodger and out

Night Sail Plan

2011-04-13T19:25:00.001-05:00

Planning on cutting down south due to cold front in the gulf messing up standard wind flow, bearing about 265 and hoping for southeastern breezes to kick in a day or so from now. Other wise well I guess we can find something to do in Cancun. Just kidding

Current postion:
04/13/2011
23:48:16 GMT
25° 57.09' N
83° 12.14' W

Rodger and out

Todays Float Plan

2011-04-13T07:56:00.001-05:00

Made it thru the night no problems, heading 288 deg mag from current position
will be trying to cheat up as the wind clocks around today.
04/13/2011
12:48:19 GMT
25° 51.78' N
82° 15.46' W

Position

2011-04-13T03:36:00.001-05:00

04/13/2011
08:26:31 GMT
25° 40.86' N
81° 55.53' W

All is well

Rodger and out

Night Watch

2011-04-13T01:39:00.001-05:00

Alls well on the night shift good moon, hopeful for better winds tommrow.
Heading 324 deg
04/13/2011
06:25:00 GMT
25° 30.47' N
81° 48.71' W

Rodger and out

Still Heading North of West of FL

2011-04-12T21:38:00.001-05:00

Wind with the front system is making us head more north, hoping for faster winds in the am. Current position below
04/13/2011
02:30:45 GMT
25° 11.92' N
81° 32.72' W

Rodger and out

Float Plan to Houston

2011-04-12T14:54:00.001-05:00

Good omen, Dolphins swimming beside the boat.
Current position:
04/12/2011
19:45:52 GMT
24° 54.10' N
81° 28.05' W

We will be heading a few miles north on heading 354 then will try to cut west if the wind accomodates.

Rodger and out

Leaving the Keys and Cell Service for a while

2011-04-12T13:37:00.001-05:00

Were about to be out of cell service for little while leaving the Spanish Banks (Upper Keys) bound to Houston

Date	04/12/2011 18:36:17 GMT
Latitude	24° 50' 17" N 24° 50.28' N 24.8380
Longitude	81° 25' 34" W 81° 25.56' W -81.4261
Method	GPS

Morning

2011-04-11T09:14:00.001-05:00

Well we made thru the night, were about to cross under channel 5 in the keys, Tall bridge is 65 clearance, our mast is 63 love to see the captain sweat.
04/11/2011
14:03:09 GMT
24° 48.17' N
80° 45.49' W

Tracking Info

2011-04-10T22:36:00.001-05:00

Notice track info hasnt been updating. Should be fixed now.
04/11/2011
03:35:49 GMT
25° 35.96' N
80° 05.02' W

Position 22:10 Central Time

2011-04-10T22:16:00.001-05:00

Current position

Method
Date	04/11/2011 03:12:12 GMT
Latitude	25° 36' 18" N 25° 36.29' N 25.6049
Longitude	80° 04' 57" W 80° 04.95' W -80.0825

Ships Log Update

2011-04-10T15:25:00.000-05:00

Were making good progress, shooting for the bridge in the Keys tonight. Caught a fewTuna, fresh dinner tonight. (see the video) Take care and out-Austin

Ready to depart

2011-04-09T20:05:00.000-05:00

MommaKat is ready to go! Crew is all set and looking foward to fun sailing accross gulf. We will depart tomorrow A.M sorry not more eloquent but hate typing. More to come, Cap. Paul

some of the captains faves

2011-04-06T10:07:00.000-05:00

From the Crew

2011-04-06T09:11:00.000-05:00

Paul and I will be leaving Ft Lauderdale, FL on "Momma Kat" making way for Houston on April 9th.

You can follow the zany antics of the captain and crew as they make their way across the pirate infested waters of the Gulf of Mexico at our bloghttp://mommakat100.blogspot.com/

We will be doing updates to the blog via satellite email with our position, comments on the captain and crew , warm beer and bread, weather, water, and the total lack of women coming on this voyage.

Also feel free to click on the ads on the blog, we need to buy more parts and need all the ad revenue we can get. There is also a place to leave comments, but we can only read them when were in cell or wifi range(i.e. port). We will get around too reading your comments at some point, but to be totally honest, most sailors I know don’t sit around looking at a silly computer screen while in port.

Anyway we will try to stay safe, out of jail, sane (relative term) and safely guide Momma Kat to her new home in Texas. Stay tuned - More to come April 9th.

Thoughts From the Captain

2011-04-06T08:41:00.000-05:00

Two days and A wake up! Cant wait to begin the adventure. Paul.

Momma Kat

2011-04-04T19:32:00.001-05:00

Momma Kat waiting to be unloosened on April 9th.

Starting Point

2011-04-04T15:51:00.001-05:00

Our Starting Point on April 9th, 2011.

Get Google Earth. Put the world in perspective.
(http://earth.google.com/)