Delta Cruising

P

potter water

New member
The topic thread on the up coming Delta cruise is fascinating. I've wanted badly to do such a cruise. I've read some articles and "tour guides" on the Delta, but can't really figure out how to pull off a "solo" first time cruise with my wife on or CD 22 Still Crazy.

I'd love to do the group cruise, but conflicts seem to be rearing their heads each time we've tried to schedule attending one of the gatherings.

Does someone out there have a 5 day cruise or so that they can give us a sort of "start here, go there, and then there, and then there, and stay here and there," sort of packaged itinerary for the first time solo Delta cruiser??????? If so, boy I'd like to see it. Best times of year would also be appreciated. I'll mine the brats site as best I can, but being an inherently lazy guy, I'd like to see something recommended by the more experienced among us.

Thanks ahead of time.
 
Hi --

I live in the Sacramento area and have cruised the Delta a number of times on a sailboat I owned for 8 years until last Fall.

If you would be interested in finding a time to do a Delta/SF Bay trip I would love to pair up with you and act as a "tour guide".

The Americas Cup will be having some races in August of this year and that would be an exciting end point to a trip starting in the Delta. Also, the nicest time in the Delta/Bay is in the early Fall - September and October.

You can reach me at 916/961-3315 or at rdpelz932@att.net

Regards -- Roger Pelz
 
Harry:

For a taste of the California Delta I would start off at Delta Marina, in Rio Vista. Launch your boat and park the truck and trailer at the marina. Head out, right turn down the Sacramento river until you pass Sherman Island lake. Take a left on broad slough,which is the San Joaquin river. You are now going up river. After passing under the Antioch bridge,go right on dutch slough. After Jersey Island you will be next to bethel Island and may want to stop for a while. At Holland cut, head south on old river. At Indian river,turn right to Discovery bay. Call on vhf-channel 16 to get a berth. over night here, this was about 23 miles!!!

Next Discovery Bay to Windmill Cove or Village West marina
Village West has a restaurant, Bobs at the Marina which has a good breakfast and good Burgers. This is about 17 miles for the day!!!

next village west to tower park marina. up the San Joaquin to little potato slough. Then to Tower Park Marina. Over night here. This was 13 miles!!!

Tower park to the Meadows. Anchor out or berth at Walnut Grove Marina. Giusts restaurant is right next door,they also have a float. This was 24 miles up the South Mokelumne river.

The Meadows to Korths pirates lair marina. you could have dinner at Moors River Boat. This was 22 miles. In the morning head back to Delta Marina. Short run 8 miles.
 
Russell-

Nice plan, could be expanded easily in time and features!

Brings back lots of memories! BTDT!

If the other Delta Cruise gets tired of the cruise down through the Sacramento River, Susin, San Pablo, and San Francisco Bays, this could be a winner, too!

Perhaps in alternate years? Or just do both? Lots of possibilities!

Joe. :teeth :thup
 
Since I am at Bed rest right now (back problems)--I cannot get to my charts and books. But my favorite part of the Delta is "lost Slough"--the slough in back of Locke. You can walk on the old railroad bed to Lock and even to Walnut Grove. Just up the way are the Meadows. The cross Delta Canal has a air clearance of 8.5 feet when open, and allows access to the Sacramento Liver from the Mokelumne River. This allows a circular loop from Rio Visa up thru Georgia Slough, and then the Makelummne system, and then thru the canal after visiting these other anchorages. (Someone who is a bit more conversant with this area (I have only spent about 3 months in about 5 different cruises in this area)

There is a great resource on the Delta at:
http://www.californiadelta.org/anchoring.htm There are other links beside the anchorages.
 
Joe:

Thanks for the input! You are correct,this adventure should be modified to fit time constraints and cruisers interest (fishing,water skiing,swimming). Another consideration would be, anchoring out or staying at a marina.

Dr. Bob

Yes we agree that Lost slough (east of the meadows) is a great anchorage and we use it when the line up at the meadows is full. The meadows is now a state park and they have removed the old rail road bridge. The cross delta channel is a super way to get to steam boat slough, minor slough and prospect slough, our favorite area. The problem is the water coming down the Sacramento river. They do not open the delta cross channel if there is a heavy flows. If its opened most C-dorys will fit but with our tall radar arch, we can't.
 
Thought I'd resurrect this thread. I'm hoping to make the Delta C-Brat Cruise next year, but as of yet, have not heard what those dates might be. While I'm sure it's hard sometimes to set dates very far in advance, for some of us that are still working or married to working folk, it sure would be nice to have dates early enough to put in vacation requests. (Ie, my wife has to have her requests in pretty soon that covers thru April.) Anyway, even if we are not able to make the C-brat cruise due to timing, we might try on our own. I saw the post about a suggested trip, and wondering if that is still a good suggestion? And what months are good months to boat on the Delta? Thanks in advance. Colby
 
Thanks Jim. At this time, I have every intention of signing up for next year. Just hoping it will work out for my wife to join me. We also hope to spend some extra time off the boat the following week, touring around NAPA valley. (Places I have been long ago, but my wife is not familiar with...) Colby
 
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