I have 1436 jon boat with a 13 hp mudmotor that can be fairly easily hand launched with 2 people. I live ITL and hate having to drive 40 minutes to launch my boat somewhere. I drive over the bayous all the time and imagine how cool it would be to run my boat on them. The recent story about the robbers has me thinking about it more seriously although I imagine they just came up through the ship channel.

I'm thinking about using the kayak launch at woodway. I have kayaked from hogg to downtown before and I don't remember there being any sort of obstacles my boat couldn't handle. Has anyone ever done this before, seen anyone doing it, or have information about the woodway kayak launch?

I work at Woodway and 610 and regularly see/hear airboats on the bayou. It's more common after a major storm or flooding event, so I suspect they're with the city (or something like that) and spotting/clearing debris. Regardless, it looks like it'd be a lot of fun.

I don't see why you physically couldn't. I see them out there quite often picking up trash.

I'm pretty sure that I've read unauthorized motorized boats aren't allowed, though.

I've always wanted to kayak it

That's awesome! Thanks for the photos and information.

Ya, I would NOT recommend going down into the shop channel, unless you have TWIC clearance.

Is it really restricted? I grew up skiing in the San Jacinto in Crosby and we went to the ship channel a few times.

That 4th picture down. I've always thought that would be a great place for an after hours bar, down to the water's edge.

I also know the guy who did the Houston Press canoe trip. He's fairly hard core. He also commuted to work in his canoe one time, from White Oak bayou, to downtown, then upriver on Buffalo Bayou to Galleria. Parked the canoe in the trees just outside 610. Then reversed course after work back home.

They run a tour on a pontoon boat. Your boat is fine.

Right. We get questioned a lot anytime we do a hydrographic survey in the area.
It's a pain in the ass.

Yes.

It would be a high target for terrorists. Remember the uss Cole? Well instead of a naval ship, you've got oil tankers lined up which make a much bigger BOOM and subsequent problem.

OnlyForNow said:

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Yes.

It would be a high target for terrorists. Remember the uss Cole? Well instead of a naval ship, you've got oil tankers lined up which make a much bigger BOOM and subsequent problem.

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I get that, but do you legally need clearance to drive through it?

Parts of it, yes. It is considered a controlled access area.

I typed out a long post but lost it so here's the short version:

Things went about as badly as possible. We made it about 1/4 mile down the bayou before I hit something going about 15 mph. My girlfriend and I were thrown violently into the front seats of the boat. She hit her neck badly and we are in the E.R. waiting on her to get a cat scan. She seems okay other than the wound looks bad. I am Hopeful that she is okay.

I had to abandon my boat on the bank. I had hit a piece of concrete with about a 2 inch Thick piece of rebar sticking out. It cut through the bottom of my boat for about a foot and stopped the boat when it hit the rib.

We put our life jackets on and I pulled the boat over to shore. It filled up about halfway in 10 seconds but I was able to get it on shore where I imagine it is still sitting. I called the police and said that I can't really do anything unless at the scene of the accident. Obviously I feel like an absolute idiot and am deeply regretting my choices .

Does anyone have any suggestions as to what I should do with the boat or who I need to call?

Geico?

I could most likely assist depending on when.

third coast.. said:

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How heavy is the boat? Can two guys get it in the bed of a truck? If so, do I have another volunteer to load it in the bed of my truck? I can put it at my boat storage for probably a day or two before they get on my ass.

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**** it. I'll help, as long as they don't send my kid home sick again. But we take your truck. Not getting that cess water in my truck.

I know it's too soon, but there has to be the makings on Aggie joke somewhere in this story.

Yeah, get a picture so I can make an addition to my Be Someone and blue tile tattoos.