- Joined
- Apr 15, 2008
- Messages
- 13,737
- Location
- California Delta
- Vessel Name
- FlyWright
- Vessel Make
- 1977 Marshall Californian 34 LRC
I was able to update previous posts of Day 1 and 2 with some pictures. More coming, but it's slow going here on the hook. Part of it is my data connection, but most of it is this cast-off laptop I just transfered to the boat for exclusive boat use. Now I remember why I replaced it!
Started Day 3 in the wind shadow of Decker Island. It was a very peaceful overnight in benign conditions. I started out the day in the cool ER adding a qt of oil to each engine after about 30-35 hrs of running. That's much improved over the old days when I ran her 200 RPM higher than now. It used to be a qt every 15 hrs or so.
Since I was sitting on tanks 3/8 full, I had about 25 hrs plus a 5 hr reserve remaining, so I stopped by Delta Marina in Rio Vista ($3.60) and added 50 gal total. It gives me an additional 15 hrs of operating time so even if I move 3 hrs per day for the remainder of my 2 weeks on the water, I'll be good. One less thing to worry about!
3 Mile Slough Bridge
Rio Vista Bridge
I left Delta Marina with more ice (but no pumpout!) on my way to Steamboat. The Rio Vista Bridge lies just N of Delta Marina but with 19 ft of clearance, I didn't need a lift.
When I reached Steamboat Slough, I hung a right.
Snug Harbor
As I approached the J-Mack ferry, I noted the signs warning not to pass the ferry while it's red light is flashing. This is a cable ferry so the cable is taut when it's in motion. I waited until the ferry docked on the Grand Island side, then moved slowly along the Ryer Island side of the slough, watching the ferry and slack cable. As I approached the cable, I saw it go taut! The ferry's red light was flashing and he was pulling out of the landing! I was going about 4 kts when I slammed the trannies into reverse and goosed the engines, bringing the boat to an abrupt and complete stop about 20 ft from the cable. I sounded my horn a couple short blasts in the process to alert the ferry pilot that I was there. I backed off about 100 ft and waited. Then he came onto CH 16 apologizing for his "my bad!" (no kidding, MB...he used your name in vain!) "No problem" I said, but that was close! A good lesson to always expect the unexpected, even from the professionals. How many times he must cross that little slough without a boat in sight! It must be mind fogging after a while.
Steamboat Ferry - J Mack:
I proceeded merrily up Steamboat Sl noting the interesting houses and mansions gracing her banks. I always enjoy seeing the Grand Island Mansion (GIM)where many of the Delta legends and Hollywood characters merged. (And I mean that in several ways!!) It harkens back to the days of old. I continued up the slough about a 1/2 mile and dropped the hook. After shutting down the engine, I could hear my water pump and see the red bilge pump light. PRESSURE WATER-OFF, CHECK FW TANK LEVEL.
Sure enough, for the 3rd time in the past 2 1/2 years, I lost the output hose from my water heater! First time, I replaced the lower clamp where it released. Next time, it was the hose that was replaced. Now, it's the same hose, but at the other end! I replaced that clamp today. So now I've got a tight water system again, but lost all 75 gallons in the tank. Then I remembered!!!
I called the GIM at 1615 and explained my situation. She told me, yes, they had water at their dock and I was welcome to come in to fill up! No problem, no charge! Perfect! 30 minutes later, I was topped off and heading back upsteam. This time I continued another 1/2 mile north and found an evenbetter looking anchorage...still about 1/2 mile south of the permanent anchorages at the north end of Steamboat Sl.
So now I'm here and enjoying my first beer with homemade guacamole and chips in the famous Steamboat Slough! Many riverboats in the late 1800s used this slough as a shortcut from San Francisco to Sacramento. Many of them would run aground on the shifting shoals and become vulnerable to the pirates running the rivers in search of gold from the gold rush being transported to San Francisco. Lots of history here.
Time to start dinner, so I'll add pics and other details later!
Cheers!
Day 3 Total: 16NM in about 2 1/2 hrs.
Running total: 59NM in 8 1/2 hrs
Started Day 3 in the wind shadow of Decker Island. It was a very peaceful overnight in benign conditions. I started out the day in the cool ER adding a qt of oil to each engine after about 30-35 hrs of running. That's much improved over the old days when I ran her 200 RPM higher than now. It used to be a qt every 15 hrs or so.
Since I was sitting on tanks 3/8 full, I had about 25 hrs plus a 5 hr reserve remaining, so I stopped by Delta Marina in Rio Vista ($3.60) and added 50 gal total. It gives me an additional 15 hrs of operating time so even if I move 3 hrs per day for the remainder of my 2 weeks on the water, I'll be good. One less thing to worry about!
3 Mile Slough Bridge
Rio Vista Bridge
I left Delta Marina with more ice (but no pumpout!) on my way to Steamboat. The Rio Vista Bridge lies just N of Delta Marina but with 19 ft of clearance, I didn't need a lift.
When I reached Steamboat Slough, I hung a right.
Snug Harbor
As I approached the J-Mack ferry, I noted the signs warning not to pass the ferry while it's red light is flashing. This is a cable ferry so the cable is taut when it's in motion. I waited until the ferry docked on the Grand Island side, then moved slowly along the Ryer Island side of the slough, watching the ferry and slack cable. As I approached the cable, I saw it go taut! The ferry's red light was flashing and he was pulling out of the landing! I was going about 4 kts when I slammed the trannies into reverse and goosed the engines, bringing the boat to an abrupt and complete stop about 20 ft from the cable. I sounded my horn a couple short blasts in the process to alert the ferry pilot that I was there. I backed off about 100 ft and waited. Then he came onto CH 16 apologizing for his "my bad!" (no kidding, MB...he used your name in vain!) "No problem" I said, but that was close! A good lesson to always expect the unexpected, even from the professionals. How many times he must cross that little slough without a boat in sight! It must be mind fogging after a while.
Steamboat Ferry - J Mack:
I proceeded merrily up Steamboat Sl noting the interesting houses and mansions gracing her banks. I always enjoy seeing the Grand Island Mansion (GIM)where many of the Delta legends and Hollywood characters merged. (And I mean that in several ways!!) It harkens back to the days of old. I continued up the slough about a 1/2 mile and dropped the hook. After shutting down the engine, I could hear my water pump and see the red bilge pump light. PRESSURE WATER-OFF, CHECK FW TANK LEVEL.
Sure enough, for the 3rd time in the past 2 1/2 years, I lost the output hose from my water heater! First time, I replaced the lower clamp where it released. Next time, it was the hose that was replaced. Now, it's the same hose, but at the other end! I replaced that clamp today. So now I've got a tight water system again, but lost all 75 gallons in the tank. Then I remembered!!!
I called the GIM at 1615 and explained my situation. She told me, yes, they had water at their dock and I was welcome to come in to fill up! No problem, no charge! Perfect! 30 minutes later, I was topped off and heading back upsteam. This time I continued another 1/2 mile north and found an evenbetter looking anchorage...still about 1/2 mile south of the permanent anchorages at the north end of Steamboat Sl.
So now I'm here and enjoying my first beer with homemade guacamole and chips in the famous Steamboat Slough! Many riverboats in the late 1800s used this slough as a shortcut from San Francisco to Sacramento. Many of them would run aground on the shifting shoals and become vulnerable to the pirates running the rivers in search of gold from the gold rush being transported to San Francisco. Lots of history here.
Time to start dinner, so I'll add pics and other details later!
Cheers!
Day 3 Total: 16NM in about 2 1/2 hrs.
Running total: 59NM in 8 1/2 hrs
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