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Hi This is Don aboard C-Opal out of New Orleans. I have a slip at Orleans Marina, but for the time being I have the boat in Bay St. Louis Mississippi. It's right at the mouth of the Jordan river which opens into the Bay. My self two daughters with husbands and two granddaughters were off to a beatiful outing. My VHF wasn't working so I called info on the cell phone and got the Gulfport Coast Guard #, called them then got the hwy 90 bridge tender land line # along with the train bridge # and was able to get an opening. Due to time restrictions we motored to the island (about one hour). GOTTA LOVE THE MAC'S DUAL PERSONALITY!!!!!!
Spent about 5 hours on the island ......IT WAS GREAT...!!!
I'll probably keep the boat there for another month so if any Mississippi boaters want to team up just let me know.

Don,

We're going to try our Cat Island trip again later this month. So, how was the island? Did it have nice beaches? Did you anchor in shallow water and wade ashore, or beach the boat (or anchor deeper and dinghy ashore)? Any other details on the island would be much appreciated!

--Mike

Mike, I usualy go to smugglers cove (the northen most tip on Cat Island).
I like to beach the boat when I arrive just to see the reaction from the other boaters. then I set my anchor with the boat off the beach so the gel coat won't get "sanded" off with the wave motion. This area has a great beach white sand and not so muddy mississippi water. When approching from the west (New Orleans side) stay clear of the western tip of the island cause its real shallow. Hope your next attempt is a success. email me and I'll see if I can join you. Consider tenting (camping) on the island if you over night and bring every thing you need cause it's primitave.
Don aboard C-Opal email [email protected]

Don,

Thanks for the info. Assuming you anchored in shallow water fairly close to the beach, did you need to set a stern anchor too so the boat wouldn't broadside up onto the beach?

Our trip is scheduled for July 30 - Aug. 2 (Friday - Monday). I'm not exactly sure what our itinerary will be... ight now, we're planning on spending Friday night at Bay Marina in Bay St. Louis, heading to Cat Island on Saturday, Ship Island on Sunday, then heading home Monday, but this may change. But it's safe to say we should be in the Cat Island / Ship Island area Saturday and Sunday.

If you're out, hail us on the VHF!

--Mike
26x Wind Dancer

Hi Mike, what determens how to go about anchoring depends on the wind direction (which can change) if you stay over night I would suggest a bow and stern anchor for sure cause the Mac has a tendency to swing back and forth. If I can get to the Islands when you are there I'll give you a shout ! BTW you can anchor in about 2 feet of water and wade ashore with no problem.
Don.....