Sacramento to Alameda - 12 hours?

D

DLL

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Hi,
I just did a rough float plan from Riverview Marina (about 2-3 miles upstream from where the American River comes into the Sacramento River. 100NM. About 40NM of marinas and 5mph zones and 60NM of deep channel. 5mph for 40NM = about 8 hours. 7 if I am lucky?? Then running approx. 15K for 60NM is another 4 hours? No stops unless something bad happens.

Have any of you drove this lately?

Any problems along the route? Construction that might cause a problem?

We will take a vehicle down a few days earlier (Rental agency on Alameda said they did not rent for one way trips). We would probably not try it until around June 8-10th ...... I will have been on Anti-Biotics for about 5 weeks by then and hopefully able to shake this Bronchitis and lung infection by then.
 
It's going to be a very long day unless you have several people taking turn at the wheel. Why not stop in Rio Vista for the night?
 
Hi Arnold,

You are correct. I have done it before, but not in several years. Plus, I was headed home, with a short drive from the marina. After we get to Alameda we will have the drive back to Sacramento.

I tend to agree with you and am considering spending the night at Antioch.

The problem with spending the night is I have to bring my Ventilator, oxygen concentrator, and so on. Then again, we would have a restaurant right there...
 
Dave,

I think you have overestimated the length of 5mph zones and the time of your trip. If you come down Steamboat Slough, you will avoid many 5 mph zones while enjoying some beautiful scenery. The depth can get a little skinny, but if you pay attention to your chart and depth sounder there is plenty of water. I came up to Sacramento that way last weekend. Try to leave Sacramento on a falling tide and you'll burn less fuel and be able t travel faster in no wake zones without causing a wake. Figure 3-4 hours to Rio Vista. From Rio Vista, you are running in the channel the remainder of the way and can run your boat at cruising speed. Figure another 4-1/2 to 5-1/2 hours from there.

It's too bad you are doing it during the week or I'd offer to join you for the cruise. You might consider avoiding the drive home by parking a car in Old Sacramento near the train station. You could then catch a train across the estuary near Jack London Square and relax on the ride home. It's a pretty ride and only $48 for two tickets and there are trains leaving at 6:55pm and 8:20pm. If you need someone to pick you up at Alameda and drop you at the train station, give me a call or an email.
 
DLL, so nice to see you posting again. I've missed you, my friend.

I agree that it would be good to have another person onboard to assist at the wheel and crew for docking etc. With your current health issues, I fear you will tire more quickly than before and that would not be good for you and your wife!

I think AbsoLoot's suggestion of returning by train is a great one! Please seriously consider it.

I hope someone can volunteer to ride down stream with you even if you pick them up below Sacramento. Let us know how things go!
 
Hi Dave,
Some good ideas. Train back sounds like a grand slam home run. We could even take a taxi from the train station in Sacramento to RiverView Marina and get our vehicle there. OR we could have someone pick us up. Hopefully a ride on the train would be restful. I need to see what time we would arrive back in Sacramento if we could catch the 6:55pm train. I plan on driving down using the lower helm. Put a stool of some kind at the lower helm, run the big HEPA filter wide open, and have the A/C on. I think Ed McGrath would run us over to the train station. Again, I am not sure if it is 4 miles or 14. I need to look it up.

Steamboat Slough - stressful the last time I came up it. Lots of shallow spots so I went real slow. Sacramento River is less stressful in that regard. Good idea but more stress for me.

I had hoped to get up around 5am, be at the boat around 6am and out of the slip by 6:30am.
And I had thought about riding the current downstream, thinking we would pick up 1-2 mph with that. Of course, if I plan on a 6:30 departure, it will be 7:30 if I am lucky.

Why did you estimate 4.5 to 5.5 hours from Rio Vista? I planned on running approx 15 knots all the way down, unless we have some type of delays enroute. "The Capn" software shows it is approx. 40nm down the Sac River to the deep water channel, then approx 60nm from there to Alameda. If I made the 40nm in 4-5 hours, then pushed the throttles up, we might make it in as little as 8 hours.

Dave, I can't predict which day we will leave due to the conflicting medical conditions.
Chris and I are looking to extend our Riverview stay as late as June 15th, allowing me to see if these latest anti-biotics are going to work. Having you along would be great, but scheduling is hard to do. Not fair to you or anyone else.

Flutterby, thanks for the kind words. I agree on the train idea. And another body on board would be good ... scheduling is real hard. You are right about me tiring easily.
Think of any engine with a towel stuffed in its carburator, our bodies operate about the same way. Lack of air wears us out real fast.

Dave, I have a couple of questions for you, I wanted to send you a photo to see if you have this same fuse on your engines. I will try to send it tonight. Thanks, Dave
 
Dll:

Sorry to jump in here, but perhaps I can help. I work night shift and have off Monday
through Thursday every week, I really don't know enough about boats or the river to be much
help there, but the least I can do is pick you up at the train station and get you back to
your car. As I work nights I am up very late even during my days off. I'll try and send
you a PM

Bill

,.
 
Unable to send an email or PM, guess I need to
subscribe first. If I can be of help picking you
up let me know and I'll post my email if needed.

Bill

,.
 
Thank you Bill, I will keep that in mind.

We sure have some great people on this forum....Dave
 
Dave,

Depending on which address you used, I probably can't get to my email until Monday morning. I don't know if this is a trip you are looking forward to or one that simply has to be done. I'm leaving town on June 12th but I might be able to either bring the boat down for you the previous weekend. Give me a call at nine two five two six zero zero six six nine if I can be of any help.
 
DLL

I work for myself so if you want and need extra hands more then happy to help with Dave to bring the boat down.

Neville
 
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