2011 Delta/Bay Extravaganza and Catalina Offshore Adventure

J

Jim Gibson

Member
If you are interested in attending, please reserve the following sets of dates on your calendars, for two upcoming California C-Dory Gatherings, in 2011.

1. 9th Annual Delta/Bay Extravaganza
Wednesday, May 11, 2011 to Sunday, May 15, 2011

2. 10th Annual Catalina Off-Shore Adventure
Sunday, August 14, 2011 to Saturday, August 20, 2011.

More information will be forthcoming. This is a save the date "post-card" reminder. Hopefully, sign-up event sheets can be created for these two gatherings.

Please do not sign up unless you can commit to the entire event at which ever one you are interested. Look at the last 9 or 10 years of threads if you want to get some idea of what these gatherings are like.

Sincerely,

Jim
M/V Pounder
 
Thanks Jim,

This should be on the front page. We have been to both gatherings, several times. If you haven't been give the Cal. gatherings a try.

Brent
 
Thank you very much for coordinating this again.

These cruises have become the highlight of our summer. Please count us in, and let me know if there is any way we could be of help.

David
 
I can only speak for the Delta Cruise--but Jim puts together a fantastic cruise--and highly recommend that at least once in any C Dory owner's life he take the Delta Cruise (and I had spent several months there cruising in the past on other boats). Not to be missed!
 
Jim,

What a guy! Jim is a great organizer and super cruise leader. If you haven't cruised the Delta and/or Catalina you need to sign up for one or both of these cruises. We'll add them to our calendar!

Hopefully the Delta Cruise and the Catalina Adventure will be added to Event Signups soon.

Kent
MARCIA JANE
 
Hopefully, sign-up event sheets can be created for these two gatherings.
Click to expand...

Your hopes have been realized! When the talk gets going we can make a separate thread for each adventure and update the links in the signup info and get them onto the front page announcement list.

These cruises, especially Catalina, are on my list for the future, so please keep them going!
 
Dear All:

There are already five (5) boats signed up for the Delta/Bay event as follows:

1. Jim and Kath
2. Joel and Susan
3. Kent and Marcia
4. David and Donald
5. John and Robbin.

There will be a 10 boat limit for this event because of reservation restrictions in San Francisco. Therefore, if you are interested in this Bay/Delta Extravaganza, please sign up early if possible.

More details to follow. New attendees are welcome, just plan on coming for the full experience.

Sincerely,

Jim
 
Dear 2011 Delta/Bay Extravaganza Attendees:

Below is the itinerary for our 9th Annual Delta/Bay Extravaganza C-Dory event. This event is officially scheduled from Wednesday, May 11th, through Sunday, May 15th. Right now there are five (5) C-Dory boats signed up for this entire event:

1. Pounder
2. Dinner Belle II
3. SEA3PO
4. Marcia Jane
5. Blue Eagle.

Our activity schedule will be similar to years past, and is as follows:

A. Wednesday, May 11th leave Rio Vista (Delta Marina) at 12:00 Noon, and arrive at Wheeler Island Duck Club, mid afternoon

B. Thursday, May 12th leave Wheeler Island (private Duck Club) no later than 9:30 AM (on an early incoming tide if possible), and arrive at the City of Petaluma (Petaluma Turning Basin)

C. Friday, May 13th, leave Petaluma at 9:00 AM to transverse San Pablo Bay safely, and arrive at the City of Sausalito (Schoonmaker Point Marina)

D. Saturday, May 14th, leave Sausalito in morning and tour Bay and/or Angel Island, and arrive at the City of San Francisco (South Beach Harbor)

E. Sunday, May 15th, leave San Francisco at dawn’s first early light, and return to Rio Vista so as to arrive just before 12:00 Noon.

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 to even put a mighty C-Dory out-of- commission. Once you are West of Pittsburgh, the water channels become wider, and the wind is usually going to be coming at you from the West, and if the tide is going out, hang on! Amazingly for the last few 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.

For full disclosure, for any new attendees, the extravaganza covers approximately 200 NM in five (5) days, and there is always unpredictability in weather and water conditions. This trip discourages the 16-foot C-Dory. The more experienced and competent-on-the-water 22 foot and 25 foot C-Dory people 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 Leader (me). Please show up with your vessel in good operating condition and with full tanks of fuel.

Because of the challenging logistics of this trip, please do not sign up unless you intend to participate in the entire event, from beginning to end. After nine (9) years of experience, we have found that it is just too difficult for the group to accommodate those who just want to drop into parts of the event to see what it is all about. Either commit to this event, and enjoy the entire experience, or please do not sign up for it.

This is our 9th time for this C-Dory cruise, and we have always enjoyed ourselves, and the other attendees, or we would not have keep doing it. We enthusiastically again look forward to the trip this year.

This event will accept a strict maximum of ten (10) boats due to docking space and marina reservation limitations. Therefore, we have room for five more boats. This is the smallest number of signups so far we have had in years, most likely due to the weak economy.

We are interested in having a few more boats sign up for the event for this year. If you are interested in going on this trip, please sign up now. The last day to sign up for this event is Saturday, April 2nd, just two weeks from now. The reason for this early closure date is the need to make advance marina reservations. More than ten boats, and we cannot get reservations at these marinas, or even fit our boats at the small Wheeler Island dock.

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 $55.00 for San Francisco. You will pay your own launch fees and parking costs at Rio Vista when you check-in there; and you will pay your own marina fees at Petaluma and Sausalito when we arrive there. The San Francisco marina has to be prepaid. There are no fees for Wheeler Island.

Please send your check for $55.00 on Saturday, April 2nd 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 needed for our marina reservations. Please send your check, payable to myself, and this requested information, to Jim Gibson, at 15 Noah Court, Sacramento, California, 95831.

Thank you for your interest in this event. All five (5) attendees already signed up for this event are repeats from prior years, and we believe that this is some testimonial to the overall trip experience. New attendees are very welcome to participate. As always, we look forward to seeing everyone in May. More details will be forthcoming before the event.

Sincerely

Jim and Kath
 
I've been on this trip a couple of times. Jim and Kathy put together a wonderful thought out adventure into San Francisco Bay. Great group of C-Brats on this gathering. I'd sign up right now but I fine myself with everything but a boat. :roll:
If there is anyone who is thinking about signing up for this Bay Extravaganza but finds their short crew, I would split expenses and offer my experience. I know my way around a C-Dory and San Francisco Bay.
:thup
 
We would love to go--- but it interferes with other plans this year.
This has always been a great cruise, I would recommend it for anyone that wants to visit the lower Sacramento Delta area.
 
Dear All:

This is just a helpful reminder that you have exactly one more week to sign up for the Delta/Bay Extravaganza for this year. After next Saturday, April 2nd, we will close registration for this year's Extravaganza event.

We are looking forward to a few more signups. This may be a good year for any newbees to try out this event. If you are interested please get on-board now.

Sincerely,

Jim
 
Congratulations to all Delta/Bay Extravaganza attendees who have signed up for the 2011 trip! This event is now about six weeks away.

We have another great turnout this year with seven (7) boats signed up as follows:

1. Jim and Kath
2. John and Robbin
3. David and Donald
4. Kent and Marcia
5. Russel and Theresa
6. Joel and Susan
7. Steve and Karen.

Registration and signup for this 2011 event is now closed. Sorry if you missed it for this year, however there is always next year.

We have already received reservation checks from everyone but David and Kent, which I expect will come in next week.

A few more details will be forthcoming before the event. We are looking forward to seeing everyone and having a relaxing and enjoyable journey.

Sincerely,

Jim and Kath
 
Dear All Delta and Bay Extravaganza C-Dogs:

Our upcoming event is less than one (1) month away! All marina reservations have now been made.

We have seven (7) reserved vessels for the 2011 Delta and Bay Extravaganza. For all of these seven vessels we have now received checks which we used to hold the marina reservations.
Thank you all for your responsible commitment to this C-Dory gathering. We are very pleased with this turn-out, especially in this continuing crummy economy, and we are looking forward to having a great time with everyone.

Registration for this event is closed. We will not accept any more boats at this 2011 Delta and Bay gathering. Sorry if you missed out on this event, but there is always next year, or sign up for the Catalina Off-shore Adventure, later in this year, if you missed out here.

The seven reserved C-Dory’s, and fourteen attendees, are as follows:

1. Pounder (Jim and Kathy)
2. Dinner Belle II (John and Robbin)
3. SEA3PO (Joel and Susan)
4. Marcia Jane (Kent and Marcia)
5. Blue Eagle (David and Donald)
6. Whale Watcher (Russell and Theresa)
7. SeaSpray (Steve and Karen).

On Wednesday (May 11th), Kath and I plan to launch our vessel about 10:00 AM, at Rio Vista. We will all leave Rio Vista as a group, at high Noon (sharp), and head down river to Wheeler Island.

John and Robbin are again kindly hosting a BBQ dinner for everyone on Wednesday night at their private Duck Club. There will be a dinner show-up present for every vessel that attends the Wednesday night dinner. On Thursday morning, Kath and I are again hosting a bacon and egg breakfast at the Duck Club for everyone.

There is no need for anyone to bring food for either Wednesday night, or Thursday morning. Please feel free to bring your own wine for dinner on Wednesday night, or 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 reasonable restaurants to eat breakfast and lunch nearby. Usually, most of us go out for a group dinner every night.

On Thursday, we will 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), in the City of Petaluma, on Washington Street, for dinner.

On Friday, we will be heading to Sausalito. We need to clear the Petaluma “D” Street Bridge by 9:00 AM, Friday morning. Channel 9 is used 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 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 Cruising Club for dinner.

On Saturday morning we might go over to Angel Island for a nice hike and picnic, before we cross the Bay to San Francisco. On Saturday night we might have dinner at one of the local casual San Francisco neighborhood restaurants.

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.

Below are the confirmed marina reservations:

1. Wednesday, May 11th, Delta Marina, Rio Vista
Harbormaster Bill (707) 374-2315

• $10 launch fee to be paid individually, at the front desk on check-in
• Vehicle and trailer to be parked in the gated and secure locked grass lot at the end of the marina facility, one day free parking, then $5 per day charge, for four days (Thursday to Sunday), or $20 in total for parking, on check-in
• Please pay the $30 ($10+$20) in cash

2. Wednesday, May 11th, Wheeler Island Private Duck Club
Jim’s cell phone (916) 799-0286

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

3. Thursday, May 12th, City-owned Petaluma River Turning Basin
Petaluma Visitors Center (707) 769-0429

• $22 per night, per vessel, regardless of size (please pay in cash)
• No rest rooms or showers at dock, numerous local restaurants and businesses nearby in the quaint downtown, and 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

4. Friday, May 13th, Sausalito Schoonmaker Point Marina
Harbor Master Mike (415) 331-5550

• $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
• Nice rest rooms and showers
• Shore power and water hookups
• Everyone together, lined up on “F” dock

5. Saturday, May 14th , San Francisco South Beach Harbor
Harbor Master Jon (415) 495-4911

• $35 per night, per vessel, regardless of size (already paid by check)
• Non-refundable deposit, paid one year in advance, $20 per vessel (already paid by check)
• Credit card deposit for electronic key to restrooms and showers
• Rest rooms and showers
• Shore power and water hookups
• Everyone together on “A” dock with assigned slip numbers to be given on trip.

xxx

In summary, our schedule and group is set. If there are any questions, please call, or e-mail. Kath and I are looking forward to another fun C-Dory group.

Sincerely,
Jim and Kath
 
Well, even though we are boatless right now. This sounds like a great trip and being new to the area we might just have to take a nice little drive and connect. I hear the Delta is a great spot to enjoy boating. If we don't connect brats smooth sailing!
 
One more week before this trip! I am hoping for good weather. The next 5 days show mostly 5 to 15 knot winds. That is light for what it can be this time of year.

Is anyone arriving on Tuesday? My plan is to launch Tuesday just to check out the boat since I have not had it out for awhile.

Steve
 
We plan on getting up there for dinner the night before, but that depends on many factors, including the weather. I've emailed you my cell number, kindly send me yours and we can try to co-ordinate.

David
 
Alex and I plan to arrive near 6pm Tuesday, launch and do some basic checks. I'm a latecomer, couldn't get the plans together until just a few days ago, will have to take what's available at the various marinas, but that will be fine.

Looking forward to seeing "the family" again...
 
The MARCIA JANE will be there Tuesday evening ???? time. We look forward to seeing old Brat friends and meeting some new ones. :D Hopefully Alex can keep Steve from blocking the Marina driveway as Steve does a complete motor overhaul with a pair of pliers and a screwdriver. :wink

Does anyone know if there are any problems with high river water level? I would think that there would be very high levels with over a 200% snowpack in the Sierras.

We're both looking forward to a great cruise :thup

Kent
MARCIA JANE
 
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