Cruise to Sacramento - Advise needed

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Arnold

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We are planning a cruise to Sacramento from Alameda.
Our plan is to leave Alameda and stop for the first night at Rio Vista and then continue to Sacramento the second day. I would appreciate advise from people knowledgeable of the area. Are there places to stop between Rio Vista and Sacramento? Are there any specific areas to be careful of? Once we arrive in Sacramento, where is the most convenient place to dock for the night?
We'll be on a 60' cruiser with a draft of about 6'.
Thanks in advance.
 
If you take the Sacramento River route, there are a LOT of no-wake zones. If you are on a leisurely cruise, no problem. I prefer the "scenic" route up through Steamboat and Miner SLough, and you could also continue up through Sutter Slough, rejoining the Sac near Clarksburg. This is a beautiful and somewhat deserted route - however, I am not sure if it is appropriate for a boat of your size. I have taken it on my 38' express with no problems, but I'm not sure about a deep-draft 60-footer. As far as Sacramento is concerned, I wouldn't say there is a truly convenient marina to stay in. I would recommend the Riverbank Marina, but if you are going to be there on a weekend, be sure to have a reservation. You can take a water taxi to Old Town for a lot of fun.
 
Arnold,

Thats a great cruise and there are many places to stop along the way, although with 60 ft under you, some places may not work out. Check out a delta map and look at places like the Ryde Hotel for lunch, Walnut Grove has great public docks that will accomodate you. Once in Walnut Grove there is the must see Al the Wops bar and restuarant a half mile down 160 to the town of Locke. Tony's in Walnut Grove is a great place to eat also. Futher up the Sacramento there are a few marinas but the main draw would be Old Town Sacramento and tying up at the public docks. They can accomodate sixty feet. Old Town can be a kick in the pants. To the south and north of Sacramento are some great bars and eating establishments that have guest docking. Water depth is decent all the way but as always watch your charts and tides. On the way back you may want to divert and go down Steamboat Slough which is a very pretty cruise and it puts you right back on Cache Slough just north of Rio Vista. Have fun and gives a report after your trip.

DBH
 
I don't know how fast your boat travels. When I took the trip from Bethel Island, up the Sacramento, I found it a very tiring one day trip. After that I choose to make such trips with an overnight between Rio Vista and Sacramento.

Also I don't think there is a dock at Rio Vista which will handle a 60ft boat. However, you can anchor east of the channel and dingy over to The Point or downtown's public ramp and dock. The dock is along a cement seawall, so bring lots of fenders to protect the dingy from wakes and plan on a strong current and perhaps strong winds from the west.

There is the Sacramento Yacht Club with good accommodations and very friendly members. And across the river from them is a brand new hotel/restaurant with a very long dock.

Check out this topic: http://www.boatered.com/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=114848

Have a great trip and give us a report afterwards!
 
At Rio Vista I usually anchor on the east side of Decker Island, it not the best shelter but it will do. Also at Rio Vista you might try Delta Marina nice dock fuel pumpoutetc., its a little tight for a boat your size inside the marina. "The Point" restruant is at this marina, it pretty good. On the Sac River stay cruise in the middle, I have heard stories about "wing dams". So I have always played it safe.. Call ahead to the Sacramento Yacht Club, they might have some slip empty. It's a wonderful cruise, I have done it at night also, this time of the year.

Hugo "Another Toy"
27 ft. express cruiser
 
Arnold, you have received pretty good advice so far. I have made many a trip from the bay area to Sacramento and in boats from 20 to 45'- we always did it easily in a day with stops for libations. In fact we have great stories. The one thing you should be aware of is the current in the Sacramento river near Sacramento. I have seen many boaters totally embarass themselves docking in the Sacramento area. Now, this year may not be as bad as normal due to the low flow, but that brings to mind that there are flow control devices in the Sacramenot river called wing dams. They are marked, but you really have to look out for them because they can do some severe damage to the boat. Most of them are north of the American River entrance.
If its a hot day, and that is normal in July in Sacramento, most of the locals carefully enter the American river and go up about a mile and anchor out. There are sand beaches and the water is pure, clean and cold and very refreshing.
 
I have intimate knowledge of the wing dam at the American River. It is across the water from Discovery Park. I was going at idle speed in a 19 ft cuddy w/OB when I hit the wing dam. My prop was so damaged, it could not be repaired. The hub had been warped! And I doubt that a 60 ft yacht can go into the American River, but it would be a funny trip in your dingy!

The Sacramento River has tidal influence all the way up to the I Street Bridge north of Old Town and a low tide exposes very muddy/mucky land which can extend 20 or so feet from the bank. At high tide, the water covers all the to the bank. So where one chooses to anchor up there can make a big difference!
 
Steamboat Slough should be safe, and its a beautifull cruise. You might be able to stay at the Mansion dock - you can probably call them and check. I would also second the Sacramento Yacht club - one of the nicest and friendliest groups you will ever find, and it is easy to take a cab over to Old Town if you don't want to take your dink.

Have a great trip!
 
Thank you for your comments and advise. We figure that it would take us between five and six hours from Rio Vista to Sacramento at 10 knots average.
We stayed already a couple of times at the Rio Vista guest dock. It was always windy but we managed to make it through the narrow entrance and thanks to the thrusters we were able to dock easily even with other boats around. Rio Vista is a great place to stay. You can take a nice walk to town; have a drink at Fosters and a great dinner at The Point. I like the suggestion to stay at the Sacramento Yacht Club for the night and maybe use the dingy for a ride to the Old Sacramento.
Unfortunately, due to time limitation we are not planning to go further north toward the American River.
I’ll post pictures.
 
Have you gone yet? This brings back some great memories. I certainly ditto the Steamboat route.

1st, I don't think you can count on 10 knots from RV north, as there are long stretches of no wake zones coupled with many people fishing/playing in very small boats that you would blast out of the water at speed in a boat that size.

Sutter Slough is very pretty, but in addition to draft (which was fine for a boat with 4ft, don't remember what total was) the bridge at the Sacto didn't open any more last time we were there. Still true? Likewise, the bridge on Miner required 24 hour notice. There used to be some large boats at Arrowhead marina at the north end of Miner, but this is a major detour if you are on a schedule.

Think about coming back the long way, taking pretty Georgiana Slough. Oxbow should be able to handle you, as I recall.

We always had fun at Sacramento; we've only been there off season in the fall, so space at the Old Sacramento docks was never a problem.

George, doin' a little California Dreamin' in Westport, MA, which ain't bad neither
 
I was Oxbow for a weekend last summer. Yes, they have guest docks which will handle a 60 fter.

Have a great trip and let us know your highlights! BTW, Arnold, are the one with the Azimut Yacht?
 
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