Boating in Gulf Coast Bay VS Lake

[Navigator_Victory]

I went and looked around Corpus this winter and was thinking what if I moved.....there are several bays in the area which would seem like big lakes but,,,,,what are the gotcha differences ?

 

[robert graham]

Re: Boating in Gulf Coast Bay VS Lake

Gulf of Mexico is a big saltwater lake, sorta...just keep an eye on the weather, distance to port, GPS/radio/telephone communications, float plan, etc. The Gulf has been known to eat boats! And the weather can come up big and fast in the afternoons. Good Luck!

 

[TilliamWe]

Re: Boating in Gulf Coast Bay VS Lake

what are the gotcha differences ?

The wave action
Tides
Salt water

 

[dingbat]

Re: Boating in Gulf Coast Bay VS Lake

Tides.
Tides have a huge affect on a body of water. A change in tide can change the water from a nice leisure chop to a raging torrent in a matter of minutes.

 

[nlain]

Re: Boating in Gulf Coast Bay VS Lake

I boat on the East coast of Ga, I go to the sound on a regular basis, you can go out on glass smooth water and come back on 2 to 4 foot chop that changed in a matter of minutes depending on the wind direction. Thunderstorms pop up in a matter of seconds, so, you need to keep up with the weather, study the weather so you know the trends in the area you are in. Weather is what gets you, it can turn glass smooth water into a 2 to 6+ chop that can sink a boat in a heartbeat. Do not let this scare you, just be advised to study the weather and know what it can do and boat accordingly. Enjoy boating, I do!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Oshkosh1]

Re: Boating in Gulf Coast Bay VS Lake

Know the differences between the inland and international rules of the road/bouyage. You'll likely encounter larger vessels so keep in mind the ultimate law of the sea. The law of gross tonnage.