Petaluma River Cruise

T

troman

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Joined
Feb 18, 2010
RO Number
32015
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Hi folks,

I've got a 27 ft cruiser that I've enjoyed taking to various destinations in the SF bay for the last 2+ years. I'm planning a cruise up the Petaluma river in a couple of weeks, and I've got a couple of questions.

I see the channel leading to the river, and the river itself is pretty narrow. What is a safe speed for traveling? I'm thinking planing speeds of 20+ knots are too fast ... should I travel at 15 knots? 10 knots?

My plan is to stay at the Petalume Marina for a couple of nights. I just didn't want to deal with the D St bridge, and I'm a little worried that there is no security gate for the public docks. I know there's a significant walk to town from the Marina. Are there any other Pros/Cons for staying at the marina?

Thanks in advance for any advice.
Tom
 
Planning speeds way too fast. 8-10 KTS better and there are a couple of no wake zones along the way.

D Strett bridge very flexible, call the number listed to arrange. They open for other boats/ clubs that go there. You can monitioe CH 9 and hear what is happening. Public Docks are very secure. They give you a lock code to get in and out.
 
Yeah, we've never had any security problems there and we've enjoyed Petaluma for over 20 years now.

As stated, I'd take it easy and drop it down to idle when you see the small boats that are fishing there.

Keep an eye on the depth, there are shallow spots every now and then (just another reason to take it easy).

Enjoy!
 
Excellent, thanks for the replies guys. Good to know the public dock is safe. Another reason for staying at the marina instead are the bathroom/shower facilities. We might try to cruise over to the public dock during the day just to save the long walk, guess we'll play it by ear.

I'm really looking forward to this cruise, thanks for your help!
 
It's a great cruise, as stated, go slow, enjoy the view and walk around the town where American Grafitti was filmed.

dBH
 
Forgot to mention but we have cruised not only the Petaluma river but also consider the Napa river to Napa and the Suisun Slough to Suisun City......lots of great scenery

DBH
 
Eeeew! Youse guys running up these rivers and slews gotta be the craziest or bravest people in the world. I got stuck in the Napa river in a 15' wood boat about 30 years ago and again in a 20' about 12 years ago. Another time with a friend in a 25' next to the mothball fleet.

I'll stay in the ocean, thank-you, where it's safe and there ain't much to run into
 
You need to pay attention Charlie (that was a joke you posted, right?) All of those cruises DBH mentioned are a lot of fun. If you aren't kidding, then you sure would never cut it out here on the southeast coast and miss a lot of fun and beauty in the process.
 
DBH: Thanks for the tips. The Napa cruise sounds great but I've heard you have to be a yacht club member to stay at the marina close to town. Suisun sounds interesting too, but maybe more complicated. I think this Petaluma cruise will be a good learning experience.

As far as getting stuck, I'm aware of that also. I planned the Petaluma cruise on a flood tide. The boat also has a depth sounder which I'm sure I'll be relying on heavily.
 
There is a public marina in Napa, Napa Valley Marina. Need a cab or courtesy ride to get downtown. There also used to be a public dock with no services right downtown that we used for day trips. On any channel with currents, typically you want to error to the outside of turns as that is where water runs fastest and digs a deeper channel. Petaluma really isn't a river, but a tidal slough. Watch the depth and chart and enjoy, very fun.
 
Ha! I was only half kidding. I know someone that lives just down from the Napa Marina and do visit...but I still got stuck in my 20'.

but at 35mi one way it gets expensive by boat these days.
 
Guys,
You should probably check with Napa yacht club for access. Discovery Bay Yacht Club was going to take about 17 boat this coming week-end for trip there.
Word is that they have cancelled the trip because of silting in the river.
Dave
 
Well just thought I'd follow up that I took this trip and enjoyed every bit of it. The trip up river was on a flood tide, and so we were "pushed" up river and saved some gas I'm sure. The trip back down was at low tide, but at no time did I have an issue with shallow water.

We stayed at the marina, and either walked to town or took a taxi if the temp was too hot. This was not a hindrance in any way. Although it would have been more convenient to tie up at the docks near downtown, I liked being near the shower facilities in the marina, and the fact that we had a berth and didn't have to stern-tie to a dock. Just our preference, others may feel differently of course. Thanks to every one for the advice prior to our trip!
 
Just for the sake of completeness, I should add that I had originally thought that the docks in the turning basin near the Petaluma Yacht Club were private. They are apparently not, and are owned by the City. These docks, which according to the signage require a stern tie, have a security gate. The other docks across from the Yacht Club seemed to have boats side-tied, but they had no security gate.
 
Thanks for the followup! Good info here; I'm glad you had a successful trip!
 
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