Headreach Island meet moved -boat ramp question

C

Comfortably Numb

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Hi everyone, I'm back from my annual pilgrimage to Burning Man ( and building my Jungle Bus). Had a great time, took no pictures as I decided that trying to explain BM to people is like trying to explain the color yellow to a blind person - you just have to see it first hand to fully understand it's attraction.

Anyway, I have met a wonderfull group of people at Seasteading and they are planning a get-together in the Delta. The concept of Seasteading, as I understand it, is a step toward building self supporting offshore communities for people to live - thats long term - but they are doing a boating event in early October in the Delta. They will have a central platform area of approx 2200 SqFt plus smaller ones, and there will be lots of boats surrounding this center area. Yea, some of them are Burners, and anyone here is invited to attend. Here is a link to a page that tells part of the story
http://ephemerisle.org/whenwhere.html
Here is my question. They picked a spot, Headreach Island off the SJ DWC to put the main stage but I cannot find anything that tells water depth, snags etch in the "lagoon". I have a concern that only the smallest boats will be able to get to the platform and the water depth seems, based on their input, 2.5 ft. I am very afaid to take my boat in, unless some of you can chime in and give your experience. I suspect someone from their group will sign in here and participate.
On the link is a sat photo of the island, and I cannot even see a way in. They wanted a very isolated spot so as to not bother people and cause a scene, hence the Lagoon.
What do you-all think? Can I get in - would you or have you ever been in there?

It's good to be back!!!!
Jim
 
The lagoon is next to the Delta Yacht Club. I have been to the club there several times and walked around the lagoon. My suggestion is not to enter with any boats except with a dinghy or a kayak.
The best thing is to anchor out and use the dinghy to get into the lagoon.
The nearby Delta Yacht Club has a very nice and long guest dock and you may call and see if you can dock there.
You may also try one of the several mooring buoys at the entrance of Tinsley Island which is just less than a mile away. You have to call the St. Francis Yacht Club and ask for permission to use them.
 
That doesn't look deep enough for a dingy! Maybe you can wade in.
 
I would suggest they make friends with both Delta Yacht Club and St Francis/Tinsley folks or they may not appreciate a LOUD gathering of folks disturbing their peace!

This might be a good time to use Mildred Island or even Franks Tract. Plenty of water under the boats and no really close neighbors to complain......

Also, they may need to get a permit for the platforms from the Army Corp of Engineers.......keep us updated! This does sound rather interesting.....
 
Good to hear from you folks - it's been a while. Arnold - I kind of agree that boats are not going to make it - even if they are pulled in, I would worry about mud getting pushed into the water inlets. Wouldnt dare run a genny for the same reason. I am guessing by the sat photo that the curren through there is pretty swift - ever try to anchor in the river there? I am also guessing that is considered a main artery and a normal anchorage so could be a bit dangerous. Staying on the guest docks is a possibility as I am a YC member (Power Squadron and Castaways) but not sure how they would take to 20 or more boats, and besides, it kind of defeats the purpose of the platform and event if you cant stay there (my thought)

Al - you always like the mud...no surprise you'd walk in!

Flutter - hello! I didn't realize the two Yacht Clubs were so close - they might even own/lease the island from the Army Corps so talking to them is a must. As for other sites, I had suggested the back end of Mandeville - it's only a mile or so up the river, no one to bother for miles (except Hilton and he's a long way off), totally protected with just enough current to keep the water clean. I think Franks Tract is too big and could get pretty windy, although you are right about no neighbors! I don't know Mildred so cant comment.

Whats the wind and night temps been like?

Thank you folks for the advice. I'll be down next week and probably drive my jet boat over to check it out.

Jim
 
Well, Franks can get windy; so can Mildred, but at low tide you would still have several feet of water under your boat! A jet boat is the perfect way to explore the delta.....as long as you stay out of the weeds!

I doubt that lagoon gets much current which is why it is so shallow/muddy. The waterways around the lagoon do have strong currents and deep water. Pick your poison......

Frankly, I'm concerned that your organizers are not familiar with the delta and its conditions. Good thing they have you to help set them straight!
 
Thanks Flutter, you little sweety! I'm a newbe to the delta with only 5 years under my keel, which is why I ask the pro's like you who have been everywhere! I appreciate the advice and we will see what happens. I am partial to Mandeville because there is so much room, no neighbors, a beautifull area, and deep water - I hate shallow water. I also love the "Gauntlet" as a fun little escape - almost seems like another world in there. Next on my list of don't -likes is a strong wind, and third is a ripping fast current! Maybe someday I will learn to cope with them all, but for now, I boat to relax, not worry.
Thanks Flutter
Jim
 
Headreach = bad idea. Mandeville Tip = good one. There is a boat club just across from DYC (I am a member) and that lagoon" is our back pond part of which we lease from the state, It is extremely shallow and is accessed through levee breaks and is risky at high tide. We are across from McDonald Island and the waterway back there is Headreach Cutm and is the old river before the DWC. Welease from the state, but DYC's landlord is the Port of Stockto which createf their island when the channel initially dredged. The spoils were dumped there. P/S. Heard that BM attendance was down a bit. -- Warren Also, can't see or type worth a hoot.
 
XYZABC
Thanks for the input. I was not a party to selecting that site, but when I heard there was a YC there, I kind of thought that went with the lease and was open water/puplic domain. I will pass it onto them. By the way, they are a really nice bunch and trying hard to put this thing together, but they don't really know the delta. As we all know, it's one of the most beautifull spots in the state, any state, but very complicated and takes years to get to know.
I also heard BM was down, but that was expected because of the economy. I had heard 43000 but thats not official. Last year was 49500 or so. The good news, it was considered by most to be the best burn ever! It sure was for me - I was there for 13 days and met hundreds of the nicest people ever, and had an absolute blast! Have you ever gone?
Jim
 
Jim - Never been to BM but have read about it many times and thought it must be great. Had a biker friend who never missed Sturgis for yearsm and als wished I could experience that, Couple real icon events. But gotta stay away from Minden. Know a couple of toddy-lovers wh were busted there and helped support the local govt.
>
I boated on the Delta over 40 years and loved every hour of it. I spent hundreds, probably thousands of hours on our club island which was built up and maintained by our members -- mostly a bunch of working stiffs. Wec called it our little corner of Paradise. Hadn't been able to take the boat for a couple of years and gave it up recently. My advice to all -- Don't get old. Jim, you should check out Mandeville Tip. Lots of partying there when the crowd moves in for Barron Hilton's July 4 fireworks. It omce was a nifty S.J. County park 'til the funds gave out. Gotta say -- i know howDLL must feel about giving up his Tolly. A couple salutes to Absoloot & son for skippering that boat to the Bay, Well, take care and have a good outing. -- Warren
 
Warren,
I'm never getting old! Actually, I hit the big 60 this year, but I have been so luck to retire early and am having the time of my life. Mandeville is a great spot - lots of room, the "gauntlett" is beautifull, and you don't bother anyone! You should try to make it by this event - it is like a burner-on-the-water kind of thing and should be lots of fun. I might just turn my little SeaDoo jet boat into an "Art Boat" for the occasion - kind of like the christmas parade! I have a Bayliner 3270 - a really comfortable boat, and an really afraid of heading into that lagoon - which I would not, and trying to anchor out in what expect is a pretty hefty current does not sound very relaxing either. Based on what you said about that lagoon being part of the YC lease, they will need to get permission first and I suspect the club might not want a big party in their backyard. Again, these are really great people and just were not familiar with some of the delta issues. Still time.
So father and son took the big Californian to the bay - wow. That kid is amazing and as good a crew as one could hope for.

Hope to meet you one of these days,
Thanks again for the input,
Jim
 
If all else fails, there's always Mayberry Slough. I think this event would blend in very well with the local scenery. And maybe you can hold your own Burning Man by torching a meth lab.
 
Upper Deck
Had not thought about that - would make one hell of a display! We could invite all the local meth lab operators, the they could decide which lab to torch, kind of a democratic process... The down side is that it would cut into the economic balance of the area, one lab out of 20, hell, thats a 5% reduction in their joint income! I wonder if they could survive after that - we would hate to put tham on the unemployment roster.

Keep the ideas flowing!
Jim
 
Warren,

Check your PM - I sent you a message. The folks putting on this event wanted to talk to you but can't participate here because they are in a holding pattern waiting for approval to join theis board.
Thanks
Jim
 
jJim -- Unbelievable, but can't find the access to PM because eyesight causes me to C&P everything to a special . How do it?
>
Warren
 
No problem. Just talked to James and he said post his number here, so here you go!

James Hogan 650-279-7676)

Thanks Warren!
 
No anchor, no PM. Gotta use email.

CN, Mildred Island is a nice idea since it's shallow (12 ft), fairly protected from the wind and only mild current flowing through...enough to keep if refreshed without the threat of losing your anchor hold. Only thing is that it's a little further from the launch ramps and marinas. Frank's is closer to the launches and marinas, but has snag issues if you're not careful. Much of Frank's isn't much deeper than 4-6 feet.

You guys were kidding about Mayberry Slough, but nearby Sherman Lake might be another possibility. It's close to the launch on Sherman Island and Brannan Island and Antioch, and not too far from the marinas. Also shallow, but doable in many areas if you're careful. Note: This is where I struck a submerged object in January, so great caution is advised.

Sounds like a fun time. Want some help dressing up the Seadoo?
 
Al
There are dozens of great places - one of the joys of the delta is that it never ends.

Taking into consideration all the issues, my pick is clearly Mandeville. It strikes me as a perfect place for a big outing where many newbees are comming, lots of shallows to anchor, protected, also mild current with clean water, and it's very close to where people were planning so all of their launch plans etc are not affected. If I were to pick a perfect spot, it would be the bedrooms, I love the bedrooms, but that would probably cause too many changes for people since it is a fair distance and not as easy to find. One of the especially nice things about the Mandeville are is that it is super easy to find, and right off the main channel so newbees in a rented houseboats won't have much chance to get lost or in trouble - remember when you were a newbee - the delta can be pretty intimidating! Anybody can find it by just sticking to channel markers and spotting Hiltons little hunting shack. It's user-friendly, and I think one of the prettiest spots around regardless of where you go in the delta. If people want to go cruising in little boats or kayaks, the Gauntlett and island are really fun to explore, and if they want to hit a marina, Korths and our beloved Moores are pretty close and easy to find. All things considered, I think it's the best bet.
My 2cents.
Hope you come - all of you!
Al - you going to be down this weekend? I might take James and some of their group for a ride to do a look-see. I was going to take my jet boat, but might just take Comfortably Numd and have a relaxing ride and mini practice-party... I need practice, right?
Jim
 
I screw up. One of my closest friends here in town is having his annual bash the weekend ot the 3rd and I have a whole bunch of people staying here! He had changed the normal date from the last week in Sept to the 3rd, and I had forgotten - someone called me last night to talk about it, and I realized what I had done.
Anyway, I have a ton of stuff do do and probably will not come down this weekend even - pretty sure not. James is renting a houseboat to go and check out the current spot, and talk to the YC, then looking at other possible sites. Be interesting to see how it goes. I anyone has time to help him figure it out, his phone number is posted above. Also, any of you folks that want to join the event, I am sure you are welcome to do so - it sounds like a great time.
Gotta Go
Jim
 
They moved the event around the corner to deeper water - good news! Here is the new location

http://maps.google.com/maps?source=...14,-121.471496&spn=0.009363,0.024118&t=h&z=16

If anyone of you boaters feel like attending, it should be a great event with lots of fun activities. Don't froget to pre-register and there is a $50 charge to help cover expenses, the food, etc - cheap weekend!

Hopefully I will see you there - now I have to try to get out of the other thing I had forgotten about.

Jim
 
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