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California Delta local knowledge request

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sterngucker
Navigator

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USA
169 Posts

Initially Posted - 06/02/2009 : 07:57:04

I am planning on trailering "C Angel" to Berkeley in a few weeks for the Nationals and I am toying with the idea of dry docking the boat in the west delta area. I want to explore the delta area for the next several months and thought, since I'm trailering the boat to the area anyway, I would try to find a place to dry dock it there. I have been researching the west delta area and thought [url="http://www.lauritzens.com/"]Lauritzen Yacht Harbor[/url] in Oakley near Antioch might be a good place. I am hoping to find mast up storage with a ramp close by.

If anyone can provide any tips or suggestions, I would greatly appreciate it.

Also, if anyone wants to crew for the Nationals, drop me a line.

Anyone know how long it would take to sail/motor from Berkeley to Antioch? I am guessing a full day! Thanks again.

Charlie
"C Angel" 250WB #799

Edited by - sterngucker on 06/02/2009 10:10:59

farrison
Navigator

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USA
166 Posts

Response Posted - 06/02/2009 : 08:55:47

I have a friend who keeps his 27' in a slip at a marina in Richmond, Ca. It is north of Berkley, across the Bay from seanic San Quentin. It is a somewhat industrial area, but he claims there is a great Chinese resturant there. BART has tracks up there and that makes visiting SF and Berkley a little easier.

I have no idea about mast-up storage at the marina or hotels in the area.

Paul

Edited by - on

Cloudveil
1st Mate

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USA
60 Posts

Response Posted - 06/03/2009 : 19:56:52

Try Tower Park Marina on highway 12 east of Rio Vista. They also have dry storage, and they are in the heart of the delta. The
Richmond location mentioned earlier is a good full days sail from
any delta locations.

Edited by - on

DJAnderson
1st Mate

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USA
29 Posts

Response Posted - 06/03/2009 : 20:38:31

Hi Charlie,

I keep my 250 in the water at Benicia which is on the Carquinez Strait, entry point to the Delta. Sorry, I'm not very familiar with out-of-the-water storage options. I have not been to Lauritzen's, but the location looks good. There's a ton of Delta info on this site: http://www.californiadelta.org/deltamarina.htm

Yes, Berkeley to Antioch is a full day and then some. I think it's something like 50 miles by water. You could overnight in Benicia to break it up. It's tidal a long way up into the Delta; so, picking you times by the tide chart can make a big difference, too.

--David.

Edited by - on

sterngucker
Navigator

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USA
169 Posts

Response Posted - 06/04/2009 : 08:54:25

Thanks for the info. The people at Lauritzens seemed really friendly and helpful. They had mast up dry storage available for $90 a month with a ramp close by, not to mention a web cam to keep on eye on my boat with. Looks to be about 20 miles upstream from Benicia, which looks like a real nice marina with good access to the bay. Do you think Antioch is a good area to start my explorations from?

My boat is hull # 799, so our boats should be very similiar, besides the 10" of increased head room you have (which is a big difference!). Are you going to the Nationals? I am a little concerned about the cool tempertures on the bay, not to mention making sure my reefing setup is good to go.

Is the [url="http://www.californiadelta.org/ordermap.html"]delta map[/url] from the California Delta Chambers a good one? I also plan to get official charts as well. Thanks for your help.

Edited by - sterngucker on 06/04/2009 08:56:47

DJAnderson
1st Mate

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USA
29 Posts

Response Posted - 06/04/2009 : 22:10:16

90 bucks, mast up, with a ramp sounds pretty good, assuming launch fee is included. Yeah, I would think Antioch would make a good base camp. I haven't cruised the Delta since I was a kid aboard my Dad's boat (just bought my first cruising boat, the C250, last October), but I've poured over the charts and through the books visualizing where I'll go this Summer. From Antioch there appear to be a lot of options. You can come West to Benicia and beyond into the Bay, go East through the shipping channels to Stockton, head North and get lost in the myriad sloughs cris-crossing the Sacramento River, or just meander around the islands and funky Delta towns within a day's sail of Antioch. Dang, I'm starting to sound like a tour guide.

No, I've decided not to sail Nationals this year. I'm not going to admit here publicly what I'm doing instead for fear of drawing a bunch of you along with me and away from what should be a great regatta on The Bay. Yes, you'll want to have some layers for sailing out there even in the Summer. It can be beautiful but quite windy and if (when) the fog rolls in, a bit chilly. Most importantly, wear your PFD. You don't want to be messing around if you happen to fall in the water. It can be very cold=debilitating=deadly even in Summer. And yes, I reef my standard rig fairly often here. I converted the stock single line system to a two-line jiffy reef lead to the cockpit. Quick and secure.

Finally, the Delta map you refer to (looks like a newer version of one I have) is great if you're a fisherman. I use the water proof small size one from MapTech. Easy enough to fold up and tuck under a cockpit cushion and small enough to lay out on the "nav station" ;-)

Welcome North,
David.

Edited by - on

Russ.Johnson
Commodore

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USA
855 Posts

Response Posted - 06/05/2009 : 11:53:54

Charlie,

I sent you an e-mail.
I hope you got it.

Russ

Edited by - on

Stu Jackson C34
Admiral

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844 Posts

Response Posted - 06/07/2009 : 10:41:15

Tower Park used to be easy to get to, but they built a new bridge just north of it, so check your mast height against the bridge clearance.

Potato Slough is a sailboat hangout. Three River Reach is a great place to anchor - the small island is just to the west of it making for flat water, Herman & Helen's is just a short dinghy ride away. Lost Slough is a superb anchorage - requires going up the North Fork of the Moke and through Snodgrass Slough. There are two sloughs at Lost, use the north one. Short dingy rides to Locke and Walnut Grove, and during the summer the cross channel floods gates are open to get a dinghy through.

Watch the tides. Get the June issue of Latitude 38, they have their yearly Delta writeup.

Antioch is a great place to start from, but you won't get much if you're planning just a day at a time. More like a week...

Edited by - Stu Jackson C34 on 06/07/2009 10:42:55

crystal_blue
1st Mate

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USA
71 Posts

Response Posted - 06/07/2009 : 14:39:02

Stu, if you're referring to the bridge at Tower Park that went up in the mid-nineties, isn't that a drawbridge?

Edited by - on

Dave5041
Former Mainsheet Editor

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USA
3758 Posts

Response Posted - 06/07/2009 : 20:03:42

Would one of you that consider this a "local playground" like to put a couple hundred words and one or two photos in print?

Edited by - on

Stu Jackson C34
Admiral

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844 Posts

Response Posted - 06/08/2009 : 10:54:11

<blockquote id="quote"><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica" id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"><i>Originally posted by crystal_blue</i>
<br />Stu, if you're referring to the bridge at Tower Park that went up in the mid-nineties, isn't that a drawbridge?
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></font id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

yes, it is except is doesn't open! Check out the bridge guide in the tide and current tables.

Edited by - on

Dave5041
Former Mainsheet Editor

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USA
3758 Posts

Response Posted - 06/10/2009 : 10:36:26

<font color="green"><h1>STILL HOPING ONE OF YOU MIGHT BE WILLING TO PULL UP 1 -2 PHOTOS AND A COUPLE HUNDRED WORDS ABOUT SAILING THE DELTA BY THIS WEEKEND</h1></font id="green">

Edited by - on

Deltarat
1st Mate

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USA
69 Posts

Response Posted - 06/16/2009 : 22:43:39

Stu, if you're referring to the bridge at Tower Park that went up in the mid-nineties, isn't that a drawbridge?

Actually it opens, but like a few of the bridges here on the delta, you have to call ahead and make an appointment for it to open, I think the advance warning time is 4 hours.

Check out this website for drawbridge info.
http://www.boatharborslocator.com/california_drawbridge_information.htm

Edited by - on

Deltarat
1st Mate

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USA
69 Posts

Response Posted - 06/16/2009 : 22:45:50

Oh btw Charlie, I have a side tie slip in Owl Harbor, on the Seven Mile slough off of the San Joaquin river, the location is pretty central for sailing on the Delta, and my slip fees are 112.50 per month, might be worth the extra 22.50 to not have to trailer your boat at the end of a long weekend sailing.

Edited by - on

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