Dear All Delta/Bay Extravaganza Attendees:
Below is the conceptual plan for the 6th Annual Delta/Bay Extravaganza. This event is officially scheduled from Wednesday, May 14th, through Sunday, May 18th. Right now there are eleven (11) C-Dory boats, and a minimum of twenty (20) people (and two (2) plus dogs), that have indicated interest in attending this entire event as follows:
1. Pounder (2)
2. Dora-Jean (3)
3. Islander (1)
4. Salty-Cs (2)
5. Discovery (2)
6. C-Hawk (2)
7. SEA3PO (2)
8. Tee Tan (1)
9. Thataway (1)
10. Sea Queen (2)
11. Dinner Belle II (2).
We have again communicated with John and Robbin (Dinner Belle II), and they (again!) have generously offered to host us at their private duck club, on Wheeler Island, in order to properly kick off this event. We are always appreciative for this unique opportunity, and consider it a privilege that we do not take for granted.
Our activity schedule has been planned slightly different every year, and for every year, but last year, we have never precisely implemented the conceptual plan for that year due to heavy weather constraints. 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 off Pittsburgh, the water becomes 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 last year, we lucked out, and for the first time in five years were able to finish off the entire trip itinerary, as we originally planned it.
The proposed schedule for the trip this year will be identical to that of last year, as it was probably our most popular itinerary to-date and last year had the best karma. The schedule is as follows:
A. Wednesday, May 14th leave Rio Vista (Delta Marina) no later than Noon, and arrive at Wheeler Island late afternoon
B. Thursday, May 15th leave Wheeler Island (on an early incoming tide if possible), and arrive at Petaluma (Petaluma Turning Basin)
C. Friday, May 16th, leave Petaluma at an appropriate time to transverse San Pablo Bay safely, and arrive at Sausalito (Schoonmaker Point Marina)
D. Saturday, May 17th, leave Sausalito mid-morning, and arrive at San Francisco (South Beach Harbor)
E. Sunday, May 18th, leave San Francisco at first early light, and return to Rio Vista before Noon.
Last year, for the first time, we went to Petaluma, and that was popular with most folks, so we thought we would do it again. Like always, we believe that this year’s schedule will provide something for everybody, with side trips to be scheduled in-between. We will be flexible with our schedule as required. For example, if we cannot make it to Petaluma, we may end up at Benicia for the night like we did one year.
For full disclosure, for any nubies to this trip, and for the uninitiated, this trip is not for the faint-of-heart. The extravaganza covers approximately 200 NM in a relatively short time period, and there is always unpredictability with weather and water conditions. This trip definitely discourages the 16-foot C-Dory. The more experienced and competent-on-the-water 22 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.
Again, in reviewing prior experience with this event, it has not been uncommon for an individual boat Captain to choose an alternative itinerary mid-course into the event, depending on their individual boat handling comfort level, and/or affinity for risk or discomfort. However, in most instances our C-Dory group has generally stayed, and played, together, and we hope that is the case this year as it was last year.
This is our 6th time for this C-Dory cruise, and we have always enjoyed ourselves and the other participants. We enthusiastically again look forward to this trip each year. Those boat owners that seem to have enjoyed this trip the most in the past seem to have been able to live with our Number One Rule - NO Whining.
More details of the trip will follow later. For now we need to firm up our boat and head count.
After reviewing this conceptual plan, if there are any changes to your proposed attendance, please let us know now. If your boat is on the above list we are assuming that you are coming for this entire event, unless we hear from you. You do not have to respond to us if you are already on this list and you are coming for the entire event. Otherwise we need to hear from you by no later than Friday, February 29th.
Friday, February 29th will be the final drop-dead date for sign-up to this event. The reason for this early closure date is the need to make advance reservations for a relatively large number of boats, in a fairly high demand marina area. Do not expect to attend this event if you are not confirmed by Friday, February 29th.
Because of the high number of boats already signed up, we will be able to accommodate only one (1) more boat, for a total of twelve (12). More than this number, and we cannot get reservations at these marinas, or even fit at the Wheeler Island docks. If anyone drops out between now and the 29th of February, then that will make room for any other boats.
Thank you for your interest in this event. The vast majority (8 out of 11) of indicated attendees for this event are repeats from prior years, and we believe that this is some testimonial to the overall experience. New attendees are very welcome to participate. As always, we look forward to seeing everyone in May.
Sincerely
Jim and Kath
