11th Annual Delta and Bay Extravaganza (May 2013)

We just wanted to update our list of attendees as of this time as some folks had to drop out and some others came onboard.

Below is the current updated list of eight C-Dory's.

1. Pounder
2. Dinner Belle II
3. Sea Queen
4. Sun Runner
5. SEA3PO
6. Journey On
7. Cora J.
8. Discovery.

Again, we still have room for two more!
 
Yikes! I don't check the site for a week, and we almost miss out on our favorite trip of the year.

Please add Blue Eagle to the list.

David and Donald
 
Jim,

Thanks, we will watch for updates and itinerary. What happened to Swanny? It's been a while since we were able to catch up with him.

Brent
 
This is a bit sad that I can't commit to the trip quite yet. I have two separate family issues that could require my full-time attention during that time.

However....if a window opens for that time frame, and there's an opening or cancellation, I will be there with bells on!!!

Brent and Dixie, you really know how to put the pressure on! And many of the others that will be there. So let's think positive thoughts, maybe I'll be able to make it happen as my issues proceed. Thanks.
 
Below is the high level itinerary for our 11th Annual, Delta/Bay Extravaganza C-Dory event. This event is scheduled from Wednesday, May 8th, through Sunday, May 12th.

Because folks keep asking me what our schedule is, I highlight it below. More details will be forthcoming. Our schedule will be similar to years past, and is as follows:

1. Wednesday, May 8th, Delta Marina, Rio Vista

2. Wednesday, May 8th, Wheeler Island Private Duck Club, Honker Bay

3. Thursday, May 9th, City-owned Petaluma River Turning Basin, Petaluma

4. Friday, May 10th, Schoonmaker Point Marina, Sausalito

5. Saturday, May 11th, South Beach Harbor, San Francisco

6. Sunday, May 12th, Delta Marina, Rio Vista.

There are nine (9) C-Dory boats currently signed up for this event as follows:

1. Pounder
2. Dinner Belle II
3. Sea Queen
4. Sun Runner
5. SEA3PO
6. Journey On
7. Cora J.
8. Discovery
9. Blue-Eagle.

Because of the marina logistic challenges of this trip, we have found over the years that we can manage about ten (10) vessels maximum. We made reservations at San Francisco South Beach Marina for ten vessels a year ago!

Therefore, we have room for just one (1) more vessel to sign up! Kath and I are looking forward to another great journey, and we are excited about all the attendees.

There is no need to bother with a signup sheet if you are already on the above list of nine. Soon we will be requesting the sending in of some marina deposit checks. If you think you are going to drop out of this event please let us know now as I will be calling next week for some more marina reservations.

Out of the nine vessels signed up, seven are returning boaters, and two are new attendees. Kath and I are looking forward to seeing old and new faces on the Delta and Bay cruise.

Sincerely,
Jim
 
Could we come but not do the Delta Marina ends of the event, because we need to come from and get back to Berkeley by water? Or does that mean we miss the best parts? We'd love to be #10 if we can work out the logistics.

Don Read
 
Dear All:

There have been some more additions and subtractions from our vessels for this trip. However, we are pleased to report that we are now at our ten vessel trip maximum.

Anyone else wishing to go will have to be placed on a waiting list in case someone else drops out.

Below are the current ten vessels signed up for this trip:

1. Pounder
2. Dinner Belle II
3. Sea Queen
4. Sun Runner
5. SEA3PO
6. Cora J.
7. Discovery
8. Blue-Eagle
9. Tessa
10. Gypsy River.

If any of the above ten are now planning not to go, please let me know. Otherwise we will preceed with our marina reservations.

Sincerely,
Jim
 
I got too excited about this trip and replied before I checked my calendar. Big mistake! :sad Not only is the annual meeting of a small professional group that weekend, but I am the de facto host, since it's happening in Berkeley. I am really sad not to be making this trip, because, as a new boater and C-Dorian, I was really looking forward to meeting you all. I am thinking of driving, by car or boat, to Petaluma on Thursday just to say hello. :smile
 
Wow.

I have never seen so many folks drop in and out of this event so eary in the planning process. Must be a sign of something.

Anyway, we now have room for one more vessel in that we are back to nine.

Sincerely,
Jim
 
Dear All 2013 Delta/Bay Extravaganza Attendees:

Below is the itinerary for our 11th Annual, Delta/Bay Extravaganza C-Dory event. This event is officially scheduled from Wednesday, May 8th, through Sunday, May 12th.

There are nine (9) C-Dory boats signed up for this event. Below are the nine (9) vessels and the sixteen (16) sailors on this trip:

1. Pounder (Jim and Kath)
2. Dinner Belle II (John and Robbin)
3. Sea Queen (John and Laurie)
4. Sun Runner (Roger)
5. SEA3PO (Joel and Susan)
6. Cora J. (Bobby and Chris)
7. Discovery (Brent and Dixie)
8. Blue-Eagle (David and Donald)
9. Gypsy River (Jon).

Our schedule will be the same as last years’, and is as follows:

1. Wednesday, May 8th, Delta Marina, Rio Vista
Harbormaster Bill (707) 374-2315

• Launch fee of $10.00 to be paid individually, on check-in
• Vehicle and trailer parked in the gated grass lot at the end of the marina
• One day free parking, then $5 per day charge, for four days, Thursday to Sunday
• Parking cost of $20 in total, on check-in
• Please pay total $30 ($10+$20) in cash to this Marina on check-in.

Wednesday, May 8th, leave Rio Vista (Delta Marina) at 12:00 Noon, and arrive at Wheeler Island Duck Club, midafternoon. On Wednesday, Kath and I plan to launch our own vessel about 10:00 AM, at Rio Vista. We will then all leave Rio Vista, as a C-Dory Group, at high Noon, and head down river to Wheeler Island.

2. Wednesday, May 8th, Wheeler Island Private Duck Club
Jim’s cell phone (916) 799-0286

• Boats rafted double, boat-to-boat, at Club small dock, bigger boats in first, against the dock
• Bring plenty of boat fenders to raft up
• No shore power or water hookups
• Restrooms and showers in the clubhouse
• No mooring fees.

John and Robbin are hosting a BBQ dinner for everyone on Wednesday night. On Thursday morning, Kath and I are hosting a bacon and egg breakfast for everyone.

3. Thursday, May 9th, City-owned Petaluma River Turning Basin
Petaluma Visitors Center (707) 769-0429

• Cost of $23 per night, per vessel, regardless of size (Paid in cash on arrival at dock)
• No rest rooms or showers at dock, numerous local restaurants and businesses nearby
• Rest rooms at Visitor’s Center and Starbuck’s, one block away
• Shore power and water hookups
• Everyone docked together, on 500 foot visitor dock, on South side of Basin.

Thursday, May 9th leave Wheeler Island (private Duck Club) approximately 9:30 AM (on an early incoming tide if possible), and arrive at the City of Petaluma (Petaluma Turning Basin). On Thursday, we will try to leave the Duck Club in the morning after breakfast, in time to safely cross San Pablo Bay, and to make a 2:00 PM scheduled bridge opening at Petaluma. On Thursday night we might go down to Volpi’s Italian Bar (been there since 1918) or some other popular resturant for dinner.

4. Friday, May 10th, Sausalito Schoonmaker Point Marina
Harbor Master Mike (415) 331-5550

• Cost of $1.00 per foot, either $22, $25, or $26 per night, depending on vessel size
• Cash only, paid individually, at check-in
• Key deposit at check-in, on credit card
• Rest rooms and showers
• Shore power and water hookups
• Everyone together, lined up on “F” dock.

Friday, May 10th, leave Petaluma at 9:00 AM to transverse San Pablo Bay safely, and arrive at the City of Sausalito (Schoonmaker Point Marina). We need to clear the Petaluma “D” Street Bridge by 9:00 AM, Friday morning. Channel 9 is used by the Commodore to communicate with this bridge. (The C-Dory Group will communicate on Channel 69, but also monitor Channel 16.)

At Schoonmaker Point Marina in Sausalito, we will be staying on “F” dock. Remember to line up on Day Marker #6, on the way into, and out of, the Sausalito channel. Sausalito is a good place to refill, or top-off, your fuel tanks for the rest of the trip. On Friday night we might go down to the Sausalito Fish restaurant for dinner.

5. Saturday, May 11th, San Francisco South Beach Harbor
Harbor Master Jon (415) 495-4911

• Cost of $35 per night, per vessel, regardless of size (Prepaid)
• Non-refundable deposit, paid one year in advance, $10 per vessel (Prepaid)
• Rest rooms and showers
• Shore power and water hookups
• Everyone together on “A” dock with assigned slip numbers to be given later on trip.

Saturday, May 11th, leave Sausalito in morning and tour Bay and/or Angel Island, and arrive at the City of San Francisco (South Beach Harbor). On Saturday morning some will go over to Angel Island for a hike and picnic, before we cross the Bay to San Francisco. On Saturday night we usually have dinner at one of the local casual nearby San Francisco neighborhood restaurants.

6. Sunday, May 12th

Leave San Francisco at dawn’s first early light, and return to Rio Vista so as to arrive before Noon. On Sunday, we will leave at Sunrise (sharp), and head non-stop back to Rio Vista. We should pull into the docks at Rio Vista, approximately 11:00 AM, Sunday morning.

xxxxxx

The above itinerary seems like a very rigid schedule. In actual fact, anything can happen along the way to throw it off. Sometimes we are not able to meet our plan as scheduled, due to weather conditions.

In the Central/West Delta main channels one wants to avoid the incoming wind, and the outgoing tides, as they can be nasty enough, in combination, to even put a mighty C-Dory out-of- commission. Once you are West of Pittsburgh, the water channels become wider and bigger, and the wind is usually going to be coming at you from the West, and if the tide is going out, hang on for a rough passage! On a few trips we have had blue water going over the tops of our C-Dory’s crossing San Pablo Bay.

Amazingly, for the last several years, we have lucked out with the weather, and we have been able to finish off the entire trip itinerary, as we originally planned it. However, in some past years we have had to modify our schedule substantially, and stop at interim locations, or stay over at a given location an extra day or so, to “ride out” the passing weather.

For full disclosure, for the two new attendees, this Extravaganza covers approximately 200 NM in five (5) days, and there is always unpredictability in weather and water conditions. The more experienced, competent, and generally relaxed Skippers have generally enjoyed this trip the most.

As always, each boat Captain is solely responsible for his/her own boat’s, and passenger’s, ultimate safety and well-being. Each Skipper is not to rely on the judgment (or lack thereof) of the Pack Commodore. It helps the Group to show up with your vessel and engine(s) in good operating condition and with full tanks of fuel when you leave Rio Vista.

There is no need for anyone to bring food for either Wednesday night, or Thursday morning. Please feel free though to host your own dock happy hour at any of our destinations. Everyone is on their own for breakfasts and lunches throughout the trip. Some folks bring their own food with them, and others just go out to eat, as there are plenty of good restaurants to eat breakfast and lunch nearby. Usually, most of us go out for a group dinner every night.

xxxxxx

This is our 11th time for this C-Dory cruise, and we have always enjoyed ourselves, and the other attendees, or we would not keep doing it. We enthusiastically again look forward to the trip this year.

This year, like last year, we need to collect some marina reservation fees in advance. The advance marina reservation fees, per vessel, this year are only $45.00 for San Francisco ($35 + $10).

You will pay your own launch fees and parking costs at Rio Vista when you check-in there; you will pay your own marina fees at Petaluma when you arrive there; and finally you will pay your own marina fees at Sausalito when we arrive there. The San Francisco marina has to be paid in advance. There are no fees for our stay at Wheeler Island!

Please send a check for $45.00 to confirm your reservation. This fee will be non-refundable, even if you do not show up, for whatever reason, as San Francisco will not refund it. Along with your check, please provide (1) the full first and last names for yourself and crew; (2) your vessel name; and (3) your vessel CF number. This information is used for marina reservations.

Please send your check, payable to Jim Gibson, along with the above requested information, to Jim Gibson, at 15 Noah Court, Sacramento, California, 95831. Please send your check by April 15th (a date that is easy to remember).

Thank you for your interest in this event. Seven (7) of the nine (9) attendees signed up for this event are repeats from prior years, and we believe that this is some testimonial to the overall trip experience.

As always, we look forward to seeing everyone in May. Also, we still have room for one more boat!

If there are any questions, please call. Kath and I are looking forward to another fun C-Dory gathering.

Sincerely,

Jim on M/V Pounder
And the C-Tales Continue
 
Jim,
I wish this condo/bago could float and move with a 90hr. Honda....but. Pat and I are in Santa Fe NM headed across country to the other coast. I really miss not being able to take a spot on the Bay Cruise.
I did spend a couple of weeks sailing the Grenadines, so I'm getting in some boating. Spent 3 weeks on Cape Decision Light House (check it out on FaceBook)
so getting in water time. Sydney said to say "good by" and thanks, before she departed for the Rain Bow Bridge.
Have another wonderful Bay Cruise.
 
Steve.

Thanks for checking in. Sounds like you and Pat are having fun.

Sorry about Sydney. That was one smart Soft Coated Wheaton Terrier. It was likely a once in a lifetime dog, kind of like my Kerry Blue Terrier that died a few years ago.

Best

jim and kath
 
Steve and Pat....we can put some cots in the stern stateroom of our boat and you could bring some sleeping bags...we always have room fer you all...come along....it might be tight, but yer family and most welcome.

Joel N Sue
SEA3PO
 
Thanks everyone. We received marina reservation checks from all but one boat that we are following up on.

We have coordinated with John and Robbin and they are looking forward to welcoming everyone to the Duck Club. John is President of the Club this year and he is real excited about our coming.

There are new Duck Club caretakers this year. Unbelievably they have their own 22 foot C-Dory! They will be joining us on the trip. They are Bobby and Chris and I even met them about 10 years ago on another Delta Hee Man event!

We still have room for one more boat if someone wants to join us at the last minute. Just let me know, we would love to have a full house.

Sincerely,

Jim and Kath
 
The last check is now in the mail; we just mailed it.

It is fortunate that the post office stayed open late for C-Brats, as there were a lot of other people there with letters to mail.

Hope they actually check the address, and don't assume that all of tonight's mail goes in the bag for the IRS.

Donald and David
Blue Eagle
 
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