Stockton, Ca. to Oakland, Ca.

[seanrobsar]

Hello all. I am moving a new to me C & C 24 from Stockton to Oakland. Has any one made the trip? I was thinking of spliting it into two. Mabe Stockton to Martinez or Pittsburg. Then continue the next day to Oakland estuary. Any info would help. Times? Best path through bay? I was thinking follow tide out then make for oakland at about slack tide. Any Ideas would be great!

Thanks
Rob

[dabnis]

I made a similar trip, Rio Vista to Sausalito, many years ago. I think
your route will take two full days depending on the tides. Suggest you
overnight in an enclosed marina rather than anchoring out. Martinez
or Pittsburg sounds about right for a stopping point. You will probably
be under power most of the way as winds can be on the light side
this time of year unless a storm is coming in. If it does blow it will
likely be against you until you are well south of at least Red Rock.

Dabnis

[SlowButSteady]

Years ago, I did some fisheries survey work in the Bay/Delta region; mostly on a 42' trawler. We sampled from Big Break and Rio Vista, downstream throughout the rest of the Delta and Bay.

A few points to think about (that may all be obvious, anyway):
- this time of year it's often easier to make such a trip than it is during the summer (those afternoon Delta "breezes" can make westward progress almost impossible);

- if you do get a stiff west wind, you might as well find a harbor (or anchor in a side slough) -- if there's an ebb tide set against the wind, the steep wave faces will pound the Bejeezus out of you and your boat -- if you have a flood tide working with the wind, you probably won't make any progress anyway;

- there are plenty of hide-e-holes in side sloughs, behind little islands, et cetera; take a good anchor and a rode with a couple of boat lengths of chain, in case you have to wait out any bad weather;

- the bottom is ever-changing, DON'T trust your charts in areas with any hint of shoaling -- particularly the area around the Sacramento/San Joaquin convergence (but, really anywhere);

- Once you get down into the Bay (below Vallejo), the tide shouldn't be nearly the problem that it is in the Delta/Suisun Bay/Carquinez Straight; between Antioch and Mare Island is the area you'll have to deal with tides the most (basically, that part of the trip where you'll be using the Suisun Bay chart).

[dabnis]

Slowbutsteady makes some good points about opposing tides and wind although
at this time of year the wind generally isn't too much of a problem. We made
our trip in the summer, lots of wind, always against us. We decided to
anchor in the lee of Seal Island, I think. Really a dumb idea as it did not provide any shelter. In the middle of the night the tide changed direction
and the anchor line wrapped around the rudder which resulted in being stern
to a 3 to 4 foot steep chop trying to come over the transom, a real
un-organized fire drill. Somehow we got it all untangled and found a
small slough for shelter. Hence, my suggestion to stay in an enclosed
marina. If you stay basically in the channel or close to the sides you
should be OK, but keep a CONSTANT watch for commercial traffic, they
will close on you faster than you can imagine. Here is a link to NOAA charts
which you should follow closely.
Chart 18652a

Dabnis

[dabnis]

[QUOTE=dabnis;680610]Slowbutsteady makes some good points about opposing tides and wind although
at this time of year the wind generally isn't too much of a problem. We made
our trip in the summer, lots of wind, always against us. We decided to
anchor in the lee of Seal Island, I think. Really a dumb idea as it did not provide any shelter. In the middle of the night the tide changed direction
and the anchor line wrapped around the rudder which resulted in being stern
to a 3 to 4 foot steep chop trying to come over the transom, a real
un-organized fire drill. Somehow we got it all untangled and found a
small slough for shelter. Hence, my suggestion to stay in an enclosed
marina. If you stay basically in the channel or close to the sides you
should be OK, but keep a CONSTANT watch for commercial traffic, they
will close on you faster than you can imagine. Here is a link to NOAA charts
which you should follow closely.
Chart 18652a

I should have said: Keep a CONSTANT watch BEHIND you------

Dabnis

[nop]

We usually stay overnight in Benicia and have dinner at the Benicia Yacht Club.

You'll want to be careful passing Port Chicago. If there's a military vessel in port when you go by, the Coast Guard will enforce an exclusion zone which will run you aground if you're not careful. (I wasn't careful the first time through.)

The wind against the tide thing is no joke here. This summer we made better time going against the tide than with it.

[seanrobsar]

I really appreciate all the input! It’s been a few years since I had a boat and you good people reminded me of some things I had forgotten. So the current plan is to make for Martinez marina and complete the trip the next day or even the next week. I will motor to Martinez and probably till we get into the bay proper. Then depending on winds and so on hopefully we will get a chance to let them fly. I will keep a watchful eye out for ship traffic. I use to sail out of Antioch marina all the time. My last boat, a Neptune 24 was moored there. Once again I am reminded of the kindness of strangers and fellow sailors. Thanks again and have a Happy New Year!

I wish you all Good winds and Following Seas.

Rob

[dabnis]

Originally Posted by seanrobsar

I really appreciate all the input! It’s been a few years since I had a boat and you good people reminded me of some things I had forgotten. So the current plan is to make for Martinez marina and complete the trip the next day or even the next week. I will motor to Martinez and probably till we get into the bay proper. Then depending on winds and so on hopefully we will get a chance to let them fly. I will keep a watchful eye out for ship traffic. I use to sail out of Antioch marina all the time. My last boat, a Neptune 24 was moored there. Once again I am reminded of the kindness of strangers and fellow sailors. Thanks again and have a Happy New Year!

I wish you all Good winds and Following Seas.

Rob

Sean,

You are welcome. Let us know how it went, can always learn
from others. Hope you have a good uneventful trip.

Dabnis