Getting Back?

[iliohale]

Just curious how everyone is planning on getting back from Stockton? Straight slog back? Stopping anywhere? Taking another week to make a slow steady trip back? Leaving the boat up in the Delta for awhile?

[admin]

Jonathan is trying to convince his brother that he and his girlfriend would enjoy a week in the Delta (which they would of course). In which case we would leave Stink Eye at Antioch Marina for them and take Amtrak back to SF. Otherwise, we will probably stop Saturday night in Franks Tract and anchor, or at Antioch or another marina further along the way, completing the bash back to SF on Sunday.

After last year's Doo Dah the wind and seas were so awful on Sunday that we went back into Antioch and caught the train. Then Jonathan delivered the boat home when the weather settled later in the week. Some fellow Doo Dah sailors did the same.

After this year's Delta Ditch Run, Jonathan had to be at work that Monday and had a demanding work schedule all week, so we delivered the boat back from Stockton to San Francisco all in one long day. It took about 12 hours, motoring or motor-sailing the whole way.

Christine Weaver, Doodette
Stink Eye, Laser 28

[iliohale]

Last year, we left Stockton on Saturday at 6 AM and slogged under main and engine into a 25kt headwind all the way to Vallejo, about 9 hours. Got the boat cleaned up and had a nice dinner. Then we had a great sail in nice conditions back to Sausalito on Sunday. This year, we have a reservation at Benicia for Saturday night and plan to do about the same.

[Ardea]

We leave Ardea up in the Delta for the month of Aug. every year at Oxbow Marina. This year we will spend the week following the Doo Dah gunk holing and then commute by car the remaining weekends as we head back to work during the week. We usually plan to come back to the Bay on Memorial Day weekend but always stay an extra week cuz it's too much fun. We've stopped at several marinas in the past on the way back. Last year was Benicia which we can recommend highly if they have any room. They seem to be a popular spot for cruise ins especially with power boat groups. The slog from Pittburg to Benicia is usually a bit rough with winds we've experienced between 20 and 40 knots but the time passes quickly when you miserable.  :)

[Brian F]

The trip back is hell, as far as I'm concerned!  I always refer to the part between Pittsburg and Benicia as the boating equivalent of driving down I-5 to LA: it's hot, straight, boring, and takes about 4 hours!  (This is why I'm looking for someone to go with me: I'd like company to share the misery!)

In years past, I've left the Delta about 6 AM, and gone to Benicia that night.  I'd arrive at Pittsburg around 11, thinking I'd beat the wind.  But that hasn't worked, so I think this year, I'm going to Pittsburg the first night, leave there at 6 AM, and hopefully get past Benicia before the wind pipes up.  Yes, that means I'll hit San Pablo Bay later when the wind starts building, but at least there you have room to move.  In Middle Ground, you don't. 

The main thing is, enjoy the downwind sail going up, because you'll pay for it coming back!

Brian Forster
No Agenda

[naters16]

My friend has a great website: www.sftides.com that is invaluable for the Delta: Tides/currents for the next 4 months from SF to Stockton.
I just did the slog back last weekend... the trick (for me) I've realized is to make sure that you hit Carqinuez on a nice ebb. I motored back from Benicia to Sausalito in about 3.5 hours (I left Benicia just at max ebb at Carqinuez - I think the ebb was 3 kts). The other think I would suggest is to make sure you do Suisun in a flood, which puts you at Carquinez for that ebb.  The wave action created by the ebb is just brutal - it'll cut your boat speed in 1/2, but it will clean your boat off nicely. Remember your foulies!

My plan is to be at Carquinez around 6 pm on Sunday eve... which means leaving Sherman around 2 ish (max flood), where we are spending the night Saturday night. Thankfully max flood is only 1 kt that Sunday. We'll probably leave Stockton pretty early Saturday am...

Nate Oleson
Lady Jane

[iliohale]

Thanks Nate, looks like an early start from Stockton on Saturday to get to Benicia in reasonable conditions.

[lstyles]

As someone who has never brought a boat back from Stockton can someone outline in detail the rough spots and what to miss and how to avoid trouble?
Thanks,
Lori
Venti

[iliohale]

I have only done the trip back once, last years Doo Dah, but we got a lot of tips from others who have done it many times. I think in general, the two trouble spots are between Pittsburg & the Benicia Bridge and then San Pablo Bay from the Carquinez Bridge to Pt. Pinole For both of these I think the general rule of thumb is to try to get past them early before the afternoon winds build and at slack or a slight flood. It is hard to hit both these conditions for both stretches on the same day. Last year, we had nasty conditions in the Suisun Bay stretch in very strong early afternoon headwinds on an ebb. Can anyone say "fire hose". We spent the night at Vallejo and then sailed through San Pablo in the morning on a slight ebb in very nice conditions. By contrast, we did one trip back from Napa last year where we had 35 kts in San Pablo and a nasty chop, it was an adventure.

If the conditions are really nasty like last year, you can follow Christine's lead, stop in at Antioch and take the train back until the conditions improve. Good luck, and enjoy every mile of the trip up.