05/14 - 05/18 - 6th Annual Delta/Bay Extravaganza

SeaSpray · Posted: Sun May 11, 2008 4:50 pm Post subject:

Bob,

If you do not get gas at Santa Nella there are a couple more easy places. The next area on I5 is Patterson just a small area on the east side of I5. I have seen trucks in there so it should work. Also there is a truck stop on hy12 when you get off I5. You will see it on the east side. This is only about 14 miles from Rio Vista.

You probably can get gas in Rio Vista, the easiest place I know is at the west end of town on hy12 and is an Arco with store. I think you could pull in on the outside pumps.

Steve

Steve Grover · Posted: Sun May 11, 2008 5:16 pm Post subject:

Bob
I didn't get the PM Sad

but I will get the pastries Very Happy

Steve Grover

thataway · Posted: Sun May 11, 2008 5:53 pm Post subject:

Steve,
I have also sent an E-mail. Basically--thanks! I'll re-emburse you when I get to Rio Vista--I figure about 20 folks, since at least two boats dropped out???

My cell is 850 529 5063.

I am running two laptops currently--one with the C brat's instructions, the other printing out charts from the NOAA charts. I have chart plotters, with chips, but like to have hard copy. No Delta charts in Dana Pt and Long Beach (no surprise).
I had given my chart book to a boat making the run from Florida to Seattle, and it has not come back yet. I have run this area in the past--last about 10 years ago, so there should be no surprises.

Again,

Thanks,

Doryman · Posted: Sun May 11, 2008 7:35 pm Post subject:

thataway · Posted: Mon May 12, 2008 11:33 am Post subject:

Warren,
Sorry for the confusion. I would approach with the bow down current, down wind, and the engine in neutral, using reverse as a check to steer the boat, and to slow the boat. Since an outboard boat's stern follows the direction of the prop pull, you can "steer" the stern to one side of the other, and thus the bow will follow. There is always the option to give hard reverse and back out, where you cannot turn around.. When at your position, you will reverse full, with the aft end of the engine toward the dock, and pull the boat that way. The stern lines are first put on the dock, and the boat will fall along side, by the current and wind. If you put a bow line on first, it will almost always follow that the boat will pivot, and then you will have the stern toward the breakwater.

I am underway on sign off. See you all there.

Jim Gibson · Posted: Mon May 12, 2008 2:18 pm Post subject:

Steve Swanny

Very good analysis of the Wheeler Island situation. Nice engineering presentation.

Roger

Nice follow up pictures of the docking situation.

I have never gone in first, so I have lost some appreciation of how difficult if must be to be the first guy in. We always send the big boats in first as test balloons. That is why Discovery and Dora Jean are so knowlegable about it.

I spent all weekend getting my boat to run. Saturday took apart the steering to get the turning unfrozen. Sunday had to put a new impeller in the engine with the help of a neighbor as the engine would not pee. Salt water is really hard on these vessels, and our boats after about 10 years require some maintenance to keep them running.

Looking forward to seening everyone on Wednesday. Be safe on you road journeys.

thataway · Posted: Tue May 13, 2008 12:12 am Post subject:

Frequent Sea is at the campground in Santa Nella, about 100 miles from Rio Vista.
I even got a campsite on the edge, so I was able to drill the 10 holes and install the Permatrim.

I 5 over the grapevine is something else. The road was so rough it tossed one of the safety chains off the fitting on the truck, and managed to put all of the material in the cabinets of the boat on the floor. But no problems with the length of 65 feet, so far.

Hopefully I can find all of the "stuff" which goes on the boat in the AM--and be at the marina by noon.

Good traveling to all!

Doryman · Posted: Tue May 13, 2008 1:08 am Post subject:

JamesTXSD · Posted: Tue May 13, 2008 8:02 am Post subject:

Last year, we were the second boat in at the Duck Club. Seeing Discovery get nearly sideways gave us an indication of just how strong that current was. We were able to get an aft dockline on first, and that got the boat lined up... but it took nearly full power in reverse, with full port turn to get it there.

The problem lies in the way most of us dock: at low speed, you have little steerage. In this situation, you need to have some power on as you come in to maintain that steerage. Once two boats are in and secured, and you have crew to "catch" at the dock, the problem is lessened.

My take on last year's situation is that as each boat came in, they were nearly power off, moving swiftly with the wind and current... and then got surprised by the lack of steerage (hey, it feels like you're moving, but it's with the current). It takes a lot of trust to think that strangers are going to grab that dock line as you put the bow to the dock. To make matters more interesting, the docks are a bit... um, unsteady (put three people on the end of the dock and it starts to slope). The breakwater to the outside (with the rocks) can be intimidating.

The duck club big boat was in the middle of the dock and had to be moved. So, the first boat or two in have plenty to do to prepare for the rest.

My suggestion: send the strongest docking crew or two in first. It is going to take some nimble moving on the boat and the dock right at first. Know that there will be some movement in the dock as you get off the boat. Put a stern line on first. As each successive boat comes in, keep room at the head of the dock, so the incoming boat can line up with the dock... then move them into the raft with lines. Arrange fenders for docking, then move them as necessary for rafting.

It helped last year to have a handheld radio on the dock for instructions, but you are still in charge of your boat. If you put the bow just past the corner of the dock and have a stern line ready to hand to someone on the dock, the boat will be much more controllable. If you turn off from the dock too soon, be ready with reverse and port turn - otherwise the stern of the boat is going to blow off from the dock.

Given the conditions, I think last year's docking went pretty decent. No boats were dinged up, no one was hurt. But, you could see each boat doing nearly the same thing, with power off or very low and the current taking the stern of the boat away from the dock.

Knowing what to expect ahead of time will certainly help.

Have fun!

Best wishes,
Jim B.

Steve Grover · Posted: Tue May 13, 2008 10:37 am Post subject: Docking at the Duck Club

Thanks for all the heads up on this one. As soon as I put this computer away I'm headed to give it a try. Rolling Eyes

I wonder if this current is from the Sac. River or from the tide, both and with a little breeze thrown in Question

To what the heck is that dock attached Shocked

Sounds like the Colorado River through there. Wish me luck Rolling Eyes

ripple · Posted: Tue May 13, 2008 10:52 pm Post subject:

Hi All,

Very late to barge in here I realize, but we have just hauled our C-Dory from Connecticut to California and are calling Sausalito home for the near future. Been here all of 4 days but it has been beautiful so far. Anyway, we are keeping our boat at Clipper Yacht Marina in Sausalito and will probably be out on the water this weekend. If you are all still planning on going to the Sausalito cruising club, maybe we could stop by and say hello. Not sure what the protocol is however.

Cheers.

Dougal and Jennifer

C-Hawk · Posted: Tue May 13, 2008 11:17 pm Post subject:

Dougal,

Monitor channel 68, or greet them upon arrival and assist them in docking.
The group should be in Sausalito by noon on Friday.
They will be at Schoonmaker Point Marina on “F” Dock.

Enjoy and give them our best, we were hoping to be able to make it.

SeaSpray · Posted: Thu May 15, 2008 10:25 pm Post subject:

I am home from the first part of the Delta trip. I have to work this weekend so came home from the duck club as the others headed for Petaluma.

Docking at the duck club was very easy this year since there was very little current and the wind was from the north - mostly over the top of the channel.

I can report that great food was prepared and eaten, large stripped bass were caught, and merriment was had by all!

A strong NNE wind came up during the night that pelted our boats with eucalyptus leaves and twigs but this morning revealed only moderate white caps. It looks like the winds will be very moderate for the rest of the trip but the temperatures will be high.

I will post a few pics in my album soon.

Steve

C-Hawk · Posted: Fri May 16, 2008 8:51 pm Post subject:

Joel called today--- had to rub it in about how much fun they are having Evil or Very Mad

He said the crossing of San Pablo was calm and smooth.
Dang it-- now why does he have to do that Evil or Very Mad

, couldn't he just call and say they were having bad weather or something Rolling Eyes

SeaSpray · Posted: Sat May 17, 2008 1:14 am Post subject:

Roger,

You can take solace in that it probably was plenty hot in the Petaluma basin with no wind.

I am sure they had a good trip and it looks like it should be low wind for the rest of the trip - rare for this time of year. It was very hot today were I was and probably very warm in Suasalito.

Steve