Entering Susuin Slough

[Waynepj4]

About a year ago I was fishing somewhere near the entrance of Susuin slough. I was anchored and as we floated I noticed a large log or submerged tree just breaking the surface near the green channel marker by the entrace of suisun slough.

I didnt see it on my gps or charts. Had I been motoring through there with any speed I would have seriously damaged by boat.

Any advice on how and when to enter Susuin slough and then up to Hunters cut?

 

[AbsoLoot]

I haven't been to Suisun Slough recently, but the last time I was there, the channel was well marked and there was sufficient depth. As with any potentially shallow spots it is always best to enter on a mid-level rising tide. That way if you do bump the bottom or get stuck, the tide will float you off within a few hours. I also remember an underwater berm just as you enter Suisun City, but that may have been corrected during dredging operations since I have been there. You should have no depth problems with your current boat.

Chart of slough entrance:
http://mapserver.mytopo.com/homepag...e/index.cfm&bpid=MAP0060030900&latlontype=DMS

 

[Flutterby]

Charts and GPS are not infallible. One requirement when boating is to keep a sharp forward lookout. If you are along, that be you. But it is better to have a first mate assigned as your forward lookout so that hazards can be spotted and announced to the helmsman so that s/he can make appropriate adjustments.

In general I try position my boat mid-channel when underway. Taking tight turns and shortcuts can get you into trouble. As you get more familiar with an area, it will become easier to know the hazards.

Winter and spring have the most hazards. Storms and snow melt flush thing loose and downriver. I boat near Franks Tract and every April I do a scouting trip into the tract at a minus tide to look for new hazards and changes in sandbars, etc. I update my GPS accordingly. A few years ago a large tree fell from little Mandy Island in Franks and for many years it floated around the tract on the currents. I would find that tree every time I entered FT before getting up on plane because its position could change so much from one week to the next! Finally it either sank and couldn't move or broke up and was washed away. I sure wish it was still standing on Mandy Island.......