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There are several boating programs in The Lone Star State. However, the Texas 200 Sailing Event definitely tops them out! Here’s why…
Texas 200 Sailing Event: an Adventure Every Sailor Should Experience
- About the Texas 200 Sailing Event
- History of Texas 200 Sailing Event
- The Texas 200 Route
- Checkpoints of the Trip
- How to Sign Up for This Sailing Event?
- Safety Rules
Not everyone would like to compete with others while on water, right? I believe there are actually lots of sailors out there, especially in Texas, who would like to sail their boats just to enjoy the beauty of the blue. For this reason, Sailingyes has decided to offer some insights into the Texas 200 Sailing Event.
During the experience, you get the chance to visit some of the rarely seen locations along with the Texas golf as well as a chance to make new friends who share the same interests with you. However, that’s not where the story of this happening ends – and honestly, it’s just the beginning.
About the Texas 200 Sailing Event
Established by Chuck Leinweber, it’s is an annual event devoted to seafaring lovers. When the funder first established the event, the main goal was to create a chance for boaters to hang out on the Texas golf and enjoy being a seadog. The goal, however, has remained the same and people from all around the country can sign up for the adventure each year.
Since 2007, the event has been annually held and more marine fans have joined since then. And now, there are near to 50 boats ready for the 2019 trip. Generally, it’s designed to be a 5-day adventure which is started at the Port Mansfield, ending in Magnolia Beach.
Throughout the trip, you’re in charge of the boat and the crew you have. Meaning that the officials of the program are legally not responsible for what you may and may not experience. Thus, plan wisely and have all the necessities in mind prior to heading to the Port Mansfield.
If you think that the trip may be risky for you due to lack of experience or not having the proper equipment, don’t sign up. Since you should be able to handle a 5-day trip on the water, every mistake can lead to a life-threatening situation.
History of Texas 200 Sailing Event
It’s been almost 12 years since the first event took place in The Lone Star State. Back then, not many boaters were aware of such a program. So, the number of attendees was not much. In other words, it was just a group of some seadogs at first, who were trying to find a new way of showing their passion. Moreover, the boats that attendees used to join the 5-day trip were mainly hand-made!
“There’s a story about a guy who joined the trip with his home-built boat, camping on the boat throughout the event. He didn’t want to join the other boaters who were camping on the shore, believing that his watercraft is capable of being the camp he needs. The story, fortunately, has a happy ending and the guy did become the first man camping on the water throughout the 5-day trip. But don’t try to follow in his footsteps!”
Nevertheless, the event became more and more popular in time and it’s now, a must-experience for sailors. Now, more professional boaters are assigning up and, although there are still some people attending the event with their self-made boats, the number is reducing each year.
If you’re a type of sailor who would do anything for more adrenaline, this boating event is the best bet. You can set the ball rolling to build your own boat or sail the one you already have. But, if it’s going to be an ‘I’m the boat maker of my own’ situation, you better try to consult a professional prior to finalizing the decision.
The Texas 200 Route
Okay, now, if the above information was convincing enough to make you think about a sign-up, here are some details you should know. The following is a list of the places chosen for the route.
But before that, here are a quick heads up, the route has been reconsidered, making it more interesting as well as more difficult. That said, now, you should have a more-than-14-hours start to reach the first camping location. It’s not an easy task for an amateur sailor, thus, try to avoid joining this year’s trip if you feel not ready for such an adventure.
It may sound like a piece of interesting news (and it is), however, you would not have fun sailing for more than 14 straight hours unless you’re totally prepared for.
Note: if you’re going to attend the event with a self-made boat, consider the fact that it’ll start with a long non-stop 14-hour trip from the Port Mansfield to the camp 1 – North Padre Island.
Checkpoints of the Trip
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The Start – Port Mansfield
It’s where the whole journey starts. Port Mansfield has been the starting point of the program for several years now. And it’s becoming a vital part of the tradition. You should be at the place on the scheduled day, but I recommend spending the previous night in a nearby hotel to make sure you’ll be there on time.
“You either be there or lose the chance to join the trip – as simple and cruel as that.”
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Camp 1 – North Padre Island (south of Bird Island)
27° 26’ 14” N, 97° 19’ 47” W
After a 14-hour sailing session, the first camp will show up on the map. It’s a location called North Padre Island. There, you will be able to spend the first night, getting some sleep for the next day – which you’ll definitely need to. The method of camping is totally on you, meaning that you can spend the night in a hotel or a tent along with the others.
I personally recommend avoiding isolating yourself in a hotel room for a whole night. That’s because you will lose the chance of making new friends! Just have a tent with you and camp along with the others.
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Camp 2 – Mud Island
27° 55’ 49” N, 97° 02’ 46” W
Being the second time for the Mud Island to be on the route, it’s one of the greatest beaches along with the Texas golf. You can set up a tent as well as a campfire, inviting other sailors to join you for a long chit-chat – if such a thing exists.
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Camp 3 – Panther Point
28° 12’ 57” N, 96° 41’ 54” W
The third camp is a new member of the map and the team is optimistic about the experiences you will have there. It may be a normal location, seeming not to have anything special to offer, but that’s just not true. By contrast, it’s a place where the term ‘landscape’ is not enough to describe.
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Camp 4 – Sunday Beach (aka Sunday Pass)
28° 21’ 31” N, 96° 24’ 02” W
Well, Mr. special of the list! Sunday Beach is the newest on the road map, and the team members are so excited to introduce it. They believe that Camp 4 (Sunday Beach) will become one of the best places the sailors have ever been in.
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The Finish – Magnolia Beach
28° 33’ 27” N, 96° 31’ 40” W
And… here comes the end! Unfortunately, as every adventure does, the Texas 200 Sailing Event has an ending too. Magnolia Beach is where the route will offer as the final destination. There, you can join the others for the traditional shrimp boil along with the main celebration.
Note: you should pay for the traditional shrimp boil.
How to Sign Up for This Sailing Event?
A common question every seadog may ask after hearing about the event is: “how to sign up for?” Although it’s pretty much easy to sign up for that, here are some tips.
The sign-up procedure can be done through their website. All you need to do is heading to Texas200.com, click on the ‘sign up’, and then follow the instructions. For any who may be in love with money more than sailing, the event is free for all to attend. However, you should pay for the final celebration held in Magnolia Beach.
Don’t worry, the fee is not going to be bank-busting for sure. Other expenses, by the way, are totally on you and the team is not responsible for the hotels, foods, etc. Therefore, plan your budget accordingly and try to book the hotel rooms prior to the event – if the case.
Safety Rules
Head’s up! Safety is what comes after the ‘first things first’. That said, all the fun you may be looking for is dependent on how safe your trip will proceed. When you and the crew are not safe, the whole trip is going to be a life-threatening situation – rather than a fun experience.
Moreover, since the officials are not responsible for the safety of the attendees, it’s just you in charge of the boat (and crew).
Thus, inspect the boat carefully and make sure every component is working properly. If you’re not an expert and have no knowledge about the boats, try to consult a reliable person or just have a professional inspector to check the boat. Remember, being on the water with a problematic boat is the last thing you would like to experience – trust me.
Have all the needed equipment with you, too, so as to make sure nothing will go wrong throughout the trip – and you’re prepared for if it does.
Note: the information provided on this page is based on the Texas 200 Sailing Event official website and possible changes may have been applied to them.
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