05/14 - 05/18 - 6th Annual Delta/Bay Extravaganza
- Thread starter Jim Gibson
- Start date
The pics above were on a calm day, you can still notice some current.
The direction of the current is dependant on the tides- in or out bound tide/current.
In the second pic, you see the breakwater in front of the boat. This is before the turn in the channel at the dock. :shock:
Roger
The direction of the current is dependant on the tides- in or out bound tide/current.
In the second pic, you see the breakwater in front of the boat. This is before the turn in the channel at the dock. :shock:
Roger
Great pics Roger! Looking forward to going no matter how we get in.
Is anyone going to Rio Vista on Monday? I plan on getting on the water Monday but will anchor somewhere in the delta unless others are going to be at the Rio Vista marina.
I have to work Fri, Sat, and Sun so will be going home Thur.
Steve
cell 925-381-1855
Is anyone going to Rio Vista on Monday? I plan on getting on the water Monday but will anchor somewhere in the delta unless others are going to be at the Rio Vista marina.
I have to work Fri, Sat, and Sun so will be going home Thur.
Steve
cell 925-381-1855
Steve Grover
New member
Steve
Tee Ten will be at the Marina noon Tuesday. I'll look for you or call the cell number 925-381-1855. My cell is 530-412-1513.
See Ya there
Steve Grover
Tee Ten will be at the Marina noon Tuesday. I'll look for you or call the cell number 925-381-1855. My cell is 530-412-1513.
See Ya there
Steve Grover
The diagram looks great to me. I think that controlling a C Dory in a tight channel, with wind from foreward or abeam would be difficult in reverse.
There are always other options, such as putting out a kedge anchor on approach and lining down--but that would only work for the first boat and the anchor has to be picked up, or tripped.
I agree that the slow reverse to keep the boat speed down, and allowing the windage to keep the bow down wind should work as well as anything--but I have never been there.
I will probably arrive in Rio Vista Tuesday mid afternoon. I will be driving a 30 foot RV, towing the CD 25 (total length is 65 feet). So far I have made it to Culver City in two stages, with no problems, in the LA freeway traffic. So the Grapevine and I 5 remain the challanges. I could get there late Monday, but probably will stop in the Los Banos area overnght when I leave Monday AM
I am looking foreward to seeing all and enjoying the cruise.
Bob Austin and "miss priss"--the dog.
There are always other options, such as putting out a kedge anchor on approach and lining down--but that would only work for the first boat and the anchor has to be picked up, or tripped.
I agree that the slow reverse to keep the boat speed down, and allowing the windage to keep the bow down wind should work as well as anything--but I have never been there.
I will probably arrive in Rio Vista Tuesday mid afternoon. I will be driving a 30 foot RV, towing the CD 25 (total length is 65 feet). So far I have made it to Culver City in two stages, with no problems, in the LA freeway traffic. So the Grapevine and I 5 remain the challanges. I could get there late Monday, but probably will stop in the Los Banos area overnght when I leave Monday AM
I am looking foreward to seeing all and enjoying the cruise.
Bob Austin and "miss priss"--the dog.
Dr. Bob,
Really looking forward to meeting you. The Rio Vista Marina has very friendly and helpful staff, they should be able to accommodate your rig somehow. We typically park in an enclosed/locked fenced area they own nearby. If they are able, they can clear a spot for you to just pull in. Unfortunately, you'll have to back out the same way you got in, hopefully a straight shot, you'll have 'spotters' available (many of us).
I think I made the entrance and landing to the Wheeler Island dock maybe a bit more challenging that it really is. I just wanted to convey the layout and currents (direction/strength vary with the tide & direction as Roger pointed out) to the newcomers like yourself, hard to explain verbally, say in Rio Vista. The biggest problem I see for many of us is a "complacency" of idling downwind/downcurrent (sometimes) that fools you into thinking it's a piece of cake -- until you have to slow down, takes considerably more thrust than you'd think. Add to that the need to keep your bow pointed in the right direction and correct for paddlewheel effect from the props (if you have two CW rotating props like I do).
I make the drive from Simi Valley in about 8-9 hours, stopping for eats along the way. If on I-5, best 'convenient' and cheapest gas fillup is in Santa Nella, two different 'truck stop' style stations that will handle your rig fine. I try to tow the boat near empty in gas if possible, then fill in Santa Nella. After the Grapevine it's nearly flat the rest of the way.
Have a safe trip!
Really looking forward to meeting you. The Rio Vista Marina has very friendly and helpful staff, they should be able to accommodate your rig somehow. We typically park in an enclosed/locked fenced area they own nearby. If they are able, they can clear a spot for you to just pull in. Unfortunately, you'll have to back out the same way you got in, hopefully a straight shot, you'll have 'spotters' available (many of us).
I think I made the entrance and landing to the Wheeler Island dock maybe a bit more challenging that it really is. I just wanted to convey the layout and currents (direction/strength vary with the tide & direction as Roger pointed out) to the newcomers like yourself, hard to explain verbally, say in Rio Vista. The biggest problem I see for many of us is a "complacency" of idling downwind/downcurrent (sometimes) that fools you into thinking it's a piece of cake -- until you have to slow down, takes considerably more thrust than you'd think. Add to that the need to keep your bow pointed in the right direction and correct for paddlewheel effect from the props (if you have two CW rotating props like I do).
I make the drive from Simi Valley in about 8-9 hours, stopping for eats along the way. If on I-5, best 'convenient' and cheapest gas fillup is in Santa Nella, two different 'truck stop' style stations that will handle your rig fine. I try to tow the boat near empty in gas if possible, then fill in Santa Nella. After the Grapevine it's nearly flat the rest of the way.
Have a safe trip!
Thanks,
If necessary, I can unhook and then rehook up. By some miracle when I first hooked up this rig (weight distribution hitch) I was spot on under the coupling. It helped that I have both a rear view camera on the back of the RV--and a "portable" camera, which is usually lashed on the back of the cabin house of the CD 25--but I could put it on the tongue if necessary. I'll probably never get it lined up that well again!
I figure on leaving Culver city at about 9 AM--and I did average over 600 miles a day coming from Pensacola (but only towing a Honda Pilot).
I probably will not fill up gas in the boat until I am near Rio Vista.
Any ideas on gas there?--also a grocery store to get the pastries, which might have a parking lot large enough to get the rig in easily?
Thanks for the heads up!
Bob
If necessary, I can unhook and then rehook up. By some miracle when I first hooked up this rig (weight distribution hitch) I was spot on under the coupling. It helped that I have both a rear view camera on the back of the RV--and a "portable" camera, which is usually lashed on the back of the cabin house of the CD 25--but I could put it on the tongue if necessary. I'll probably never get it lined up that well again!
I figure on leaving Culver city at about 9 AM--and I did average over 600 miles a day coming from Pensacola (but only towing a Honda Pilot).
I probably will not fill up gas in the boat until I am near Rio Vista.
Any ideas on gas there?--also a grocery store to get the pastries, which might have a parking lot large enough to get the rig in easily?
Thanks for the heads up!
Bob
Steve Grover
New member
Bob
I have only a 4 hour trip at the most. I am arriving on Tuesday. I will be making a stop at Costco to get coffee, cream and sugar. Easy for me. If you would like I can pick up the pastries as well and you won't have to worry about moving about in a parking lot. Let me know. Look forward to meeting you at Rio Vista.
Steve Grover, Tee Ten
I have only a 4 hour trip at the most. I am arriving on Tuesday. I will be making a stop at Costco to get coffee, cream and sugar. Easy for me. If you would like I can pick up the pastries as well and you won't have to worry about moving about in a parking lot. Let me know. Look forward to meeting you at Rio Vista.
Steve Grover, Tee Ten
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
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
New member
Bob
I didn't get the PM
but I will get the pastries
Steve Grover
I didn't get the PM
but I will get the pastries Steve Grover
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,
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,
thataway":1svucl5e said:
Bob, this is academic for me since I will not be there (this year, anyway -- hopefully next year) but I am confused by the dual meanings of reverse used here. So let me put the question to you this way: are you saying that you think it makes more sense to approach the dock bow first, engines in reverse -- or stern first, engines in forward?
Hope you guys have a fun time. As luck would have it, the current issue of Power Cruising discusses the Delta. Is the duck club dock under discussion here part of the Hilton estate? There is a photo of the Hilton duck club entrance from the main channel in the article.
Warren
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.
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
Member
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.
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.
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!
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!
thataway":rsubrgzy said:
Thanks, Bob. Now I feel so much better knowing I am not alone in my complaints about I-5 (which I drove in February on my way to Baja.) I said on that trip, and I still feel this way, that I would rather drive on those 9' wide Mexican roads with no shoulder, than I-5 in California!
Warren
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.
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
New member
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. :roll: I wonder if this current is from the Sac. River or from the tide, both and with a little breeze thrown in :?: To what the heck is that dock attached :shock: Sounds like the Colorado River through there. Wish me luck :roll: