May 4 - 5th, 2007 (Friday night to Saturday Night)
At Magnolia Beach, Texas
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Pictures From This Event Pictures From Noel's Casual Cruise Arrive & Stay at Gardenia Cottage Crummy Weather Admiral Dinghy Admiral Dinghy Letter Kayaks Small Sailboats Bigger Sailboats South Texas International Proa Championship Regatta (and some hot chicks) Capsize & Swamp Test Chuck's Potluck Dinner & Award Ceremony Charlie's Boat Shop Next Year Lots of great stuff, for more info [click here] Introduction This is an annual gathering of small boat enthusiasts. Open for anyone to come, you don't even have to bring a boat. This is a combination event with a number of activities happening at the same time. Magnolia Beach Challenge - Sail to checkpoints in the Magnolia Beach Area See below for more info. Duckworks Messabout - This is where people bring their home built boats and display them on the beach, plus take them for short rides with others. It is a great opportunity to see and try a large variety of boats. Puddle Duck Race - Since we had the world championship in 2006, we can't have it again for another 2 years. So there will be a race for the fun of it, or if anyone has a territorial trophy, it could be contended here. Shorty will be sailing in the MBC, so will need to have another volunteer to start the race, or possibly just ask the bystanders to yell "start". Noels Casual Cruise - Noel led a cruise along the coast in 2006 which landed at Magnolia during the messabout. He will be organizing another cruise in 2007, going the long picturesque route and ending up at the messabout. Not as a marathon, but as a wander amongst the wildlife. This cruise is planned & discussed at PDS-TX yahoo group Here is Noel's info page for the cruise [click here] Useful files from Noel: waypoint list South Map North Map Races GPX ** Noel also might have a laptop along to upload your GPS tracks. Sponsors MagnoliaVacation.com - They have 2 great cottages right at Magnolia Beach, Texas. You can rent a cottage during the event if you don't want to sleep on the beach, and during the rest of the year it is a great place to stay. Lots of the best fishing in the immediate area, quiet town which has a beach WITHOUT the chaotic spring breakers. |
Email Notification List
If you would like to get on Shorty's direct email list to get regular reminders & updates about this event, and future events, then email me direct at Shorty@ShortyPen.com with "Subscribe PDWC" in the subject. If you want to be removed from the list, email with "unsubscribe PDWC" in the subject.
2007 Magnolia Beach Challenge
*** 4-23-07 UPDATE **** This event was going to be affiliated with the WaterTribe Point Series, but Chief is holding off on those events for a short time so we are not longer affiliated. Because of this, we decided to change the format a bit. Below is the new format, we hope not to change it again for this year and will see how it goes. Next year might be different, depends on how things go. There is no organization, individual(s), or committee organzing this event, "We" just refers to a general feeling amongst the people who show up at the beach and talk about "what if", and Shorty is simply reporting those feelings on this web page.
We are going to place locked boxes with log books in various locations around the Magnolia Beach area, then we are going to sail & paddle to them in any order we want to. On Saturday night, we are going to gather at 6pm for a potluck dinner & bonfire. We are some guys going sailing in a free & open area, if you want to go sailing too, that is great. After the event, the checkpoint pages & your boat log book pages and pictures will be published on this web page along with some interesting statistics.
-- WARNING -- Sailing & paddling in the ocean is a DANGEROUS sport, and you may die if you go sailing. We assume no responsibility for your well being, will make NO effort to keep track of you or render assistance in any way. If you go sailing at the same time as us, you are ON YOUR OWN.
In the marsh areas, there are alligators, snakes, and all sorts of other critters that will bite & harm you.
Area DescriptionTo see a full size map [click here]
Boat Classifications
Since we are just some guys going sailing and not in charge of anything or controlling anything, and it is a free & open area, you can do / use whatever you want. If you fill out a boat log book form and turn it in, others can see what kind of boat you used. To be sporting, if you have a gas motor, try to use it for cumulative run time of less than 15 minutes.
Start / Finish Times
There are no official start times, but some people have indicated they are starting together at 5pm on Friday, and another group at 7am on Saturday. The checkpoint boxes will be in place by 5pm on Friday night, and brought back to the potluck dinner at 5pm on Saturday. To keep track of your trip, you can use this boat log sheet. If you give it to me after (or send me scanned copy), I'd be glad to put it up on this web page.
Signup & Registration
There is no signup or registration - we are just some guys going sailing, and if you want to go sailing in the same place at the same time, that is great. Donation box located at the pavilion where the cooking is being done, a donation is greatly appreciated, funds will be used for potluck dinner and supplies.
Support Boats
It would be nice if we could find volunteers with power boats that could patrol the course both to check on competitors, maintain the log books and to photograph the event. If you would like to do this, come on out, any assistance in this area is greatly apreciated !
Checkpoint DetailsAll of the checkpoints are located in drive-up areas. Each checkpoint box will be bright orange and have a combination lock on the outside. Inside is a notebook for you to write your arrival time and a note (please bring your own pen), the pages will be published on this web page. Also in each box is a bottle of plastic beads, each sailor and crew is welcome to take one bead per visit to the checkpoint. You may visit checkpoints in any order you want. Here is a boat log sheet you can use to keep track of your visits [click here] Some people have talked about visiting the checkpoints in order, while others talked about going back and forth between checkpoints to maximize either their speed or distance travelled. If a checkpoint box goes missing or you can't find it, then just write down the time you arrived there.
Base Checkpoint Radio Operator "BRO" -- Channel 69
We will try to get volunteers to operate a VHF marine radio at the base checkpoint, which will be listening to channel 69. If you want, you can call when you arrive at checkpoints, and the BRO can announce your progress on the radio. The BRO antenna will be up in the air on a pole, so it might be able to reach the far parts of the course, so can relay messages.
GPS NOTE - the coordinates listed below may be 100 feet in error, some have worse errors. We are going to try and collect better coords of the checkpoints at the event, if you would like to record coordinates as you visit the checkpoints, that would be great, can use them for next year.
Base Checkpoint GPS: N28 33.463 / W096 31.793
Lock Combination: 666
The waterfront park at Magnolia Beach, there is a series of posts with wires thru them that seperate the beach area from the free camping area. The post closest to the water will have the Base Checkpoint box attached to it. The log book here is a great place to mark and start your day of sailing.
NOTE - there are distinct blue pavilions at the park. There is a 2nd park further South along the coast that looks identical, which makes it confusing. If you get lost while sailing, find channel marker 55, and head W/SW from there.
Checkpoint 1 - Florence's Bait Camp Boat Ramp GPS: N28 30.665 / W96 29.265
Lock Combination: 666
Color bead: Green
At Indianola TX, head to the southern end of S. Ocean Drive. Checkpoint Box will be chained to the pole, that has the potted plant next to it.
Checkpoint 2 - Powderhorn Boat Ramp, at TX 1289 GPS: N28 28.411 / W96 33.321
Lock Combination: 666
Color bead: Yellow
The road TX 1289 has a bridge that crosses a narrow part of Powderhorn Lake. The checkpoint box will be chained to the light post, which is pointed to by the yellow arrow.
Checkpoint 3 - Port Alto GPS: N28 39.36 / W096 24.92
Lock Combination: 666
Color bead: Orange
At Port Alto there are jetties that extend out. On the south side of the jetties, the road Marshall Johnson Ave N. ends at a grassy area which apears to be public land, not sure though there is a lot of private land and fences in the area. The checkpoint box will be attached to the guard rail at the end of the road. From this checkpoint, you could portage over to checkpoint 4, or you might sail around to the next checkpoint.
Checkpoint 4 - Olivia Boat Ramp GPS: N28 38.172 / W96 27.418
Lock Combination: 666
Color bead: Blue
At Olivia TX, head South on 172 to the waters edge. See the large white sign in the photo? The checkpoint box will be chained to the leg of the sign.
Checkpoint 5 - Alamo Beach Public Ramp GPS: N28 35.024 / W96 34.315
Lock Combination: 666
Color bead: Black
There is a free boat ramp at the North end of Alamo Bay Dr. The checkpoint box will be chained to one leg of the trash can holder. See the blue 55 gallon drum in the photo.
Gold Colored Bead -- At any time if you render assistance to another, who needs it, you get a gold colored bead.
Suggested Equipment
enough water per person for unexpected long delay, compass, Coast Guard requirements and clothing suitable for the day, Waterproof VHF radio, EPIRB, cell phone, gps, watch, charts, Oars. inflatable kayak & paddle, tent, hat, sunscreen, sunglasses, safety knife, whistle, signaling kit for day and night, multi tool, fire starting equipment, navigation lights, flashlight, manual bailer, system for boiling water, hypothermia survival kit, first aid kit, drysuit, strobe emergency light, food, bug repellant.
FISH-n-MAP CO. "Matagorda Bay", waterproof $5.86+tax @ Academy Sporting Goods, or order line
Comes printed on plastic waterproof paper, and you can write on it with a pencil
You might want to print & laminate a couple copies of this info card - and glue one to the cockpit of your boat with marine goop.
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2007 Magnolia Beach Challenge Info Card Base Checkpoint Radio Operator Channel 69, or cell phone: 830-377-4884 ** most of the GPS coordinates are NOT correct, they are somewhat close will try to get better coordinates next year Base Checkpoint GPS: N28 33.463 / W096 31.793 Lock Combination: 666 Bead Color: none From channel marker 55, head W/SW Checkpoint 1 GPS: N28 30.665 / W96 29.265 Lock Combination: 666 Bead Color: Green From channel marker 43, head SW Checkpoint 2 GPS: N28 28.411 / W96 33.321 Lock Combination: 666 Bead Color: Yellow Checkpoint 3 GPS: N28 39.36 / W096 24.92 Lock Combination: 666 Bead Color: Orange Checkpoint 4 GPS: N28 38.172 / W96 27.418 Lock Combination: 666 Bead Color: Blue Checkpoint 5 GPS: N28 35.024 / W96 34.315 Lock Combination: 666 Bead Color: Black From channel marker 63, head SW Distances between checkpoints: Base to CP1 = 4.8 miles CP1 to CP2 = 5 miles CP1 to CP3 = 18 miles CP1 to CP4 = 9.2 miles CP4 to CP5 = 8.4 miles CP5 to Base = 2.6 miles CP3 sail to CP4 = 17.2 miles CP3 portage to CP4 = 3.4 miles BoatUS Tow Hotline 800-391-4869 Port O'Connor tow - Capt. Robbie Sanders 361-983-4466 bait dock / 361-785-6972 home & cell |
Links
FishNMap.com - buy chart of the area, printed on waterproof paper
USA Track & Field - waypoint calculator
Mapquest - Magnolia Beach
Google Maps
Microsquish TerraServer -- Magnolia Beach
Port O'Conner Weather Station
2006 Magnolia Beach Messabout / PD World Championships
2005 World Championship
Duckworks Magazine Event Info
Shorty's 2005 page
Shorty's 2004 page
Gerard's 2005 page
Gerard's 2004 page
Gerard's other website STexBoat.com
Aerial Photos by Bob Zieganhals, who flew over in his little red plane
PDRacer.com - Info on the PDRacer sailboat
BOOTS 2006 - Bail Out On Texoma Sailfest -- Sept 7-10
Colorado River 100
Texas Water Safari