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Author Topic:   California Delta Area

desertwater posted 10-27-2010 01:06 PM ET (US)
Weather dependent I'm thinking of coming to the Delta area the end of next week (Nov. 3-7) and am looking for information. I have not boated in the area before. What are the places I need to see and which are those I should avoid? I'll be coming in from Utah so where is a good camping (RV) and launch area? Are there easy places to get charts in the area or do I need to order online? Any other pertinent information would be appreciated. Thanks.
andygere posted 10-27-2010 05:05 PM ET (US)
For several years, the NorCal Whaler Rendezvous was held at a place called Snug Harbor resort. They had an RV park, launch ramp and marina all at one location. It's on Ryer Island, which can be a bit of a drive depending on where you are coming from (boat trailers not recommended on the small cable ferries), but it offers convenience in terms of having all the amenities in one place. I thought they were a bit expensive for their little rental cabins, but off season may be a better deal.
http://www.snugharbor.net/
There are a lot of other little places like this around the Delta, including several in the Bethel Island area where there is good striped bass fishing. In addition, there are some state parks (Brannan Island State Park) http://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=487
Here's a link to other resources in the area that may help you plan your trip.
http://www.californiadelta.org/
boatdryver posted 10-28-2010 09:51 AM ET (US)
A second area in the California Delta with RV park (s?) humble restaurants, good launch ramps and a central location is called the "Delta Loop". this is a road on Brannan Island easily accessed off of State Hiway 12 by any vehicle/trailer combo.. No ferries involved. It loops down the Mokelumne River as it joins the San Joaquin River and then along the north bank of the San Joaquin. This is a central location with boat access to lots of sloughs for fishing.
One facility, B&W Resort, offers cabins and a superb protected ramp. At this ramp I usually see about 20 empty trailers indicating it is liked by fishermen.
On this road is also Korth's Pirate Lair which has tall trees to shelter winds, fuel, a ramp, and a clean daytime restaurant.
You will definitely want a navigational chart to avoid getting lost in this endless maze of navigable waterways. In my experience cruising there with a sailboat drawing 5 feet, the deeper water is often on either side close to the levees because the height of the levees is maintained by draglines working from roads on top of the levees scooping mud up off of the bottom.
As you probably know, this is definitely not Southern California. November is the start of our "Monsoon". The weather between storms can be sunny and calm and, if your timing proves lucky, would be fine for zooming around in the Delta.
JimL
andygere posted 10-28-2010 11:11 AM ET (US)
We've stayed at B&W many years ago, and the cabins were rustic but decent. We were there in hot spring weather so the lack of AC was tough, but that won't be an issue while you are there. The ramp and little marina at B&W are very good, better than Snug Harbor per my memory.
The Fish-n-Map of the Delta is a good overview map, and it has lots of local landmarks, marinas and ramps noted on it. I use this along with the NOAA map book that covers the Delta. Get this one for route planning, and the actual charts for Navigation. It is easy to get lost there, with the maze of channels and levy walls that all start to look alike after a while.
http://www.fishnmap.com/catalogframe.php
Blane posted 10-28-2010 11:50 AM ET (US)
Check out Sugar Barge if your bringing an RV. Very civilized boating/camping there.....nothing too scenic but thats what the boat and Delta are for.
jjjewett posted 10-28-2010 04:54 PM ET (US)
second sugar barge
andygere posted 10-28-2010 11:57 PM ET (US)
Sugar barge has a decent ramp and docks, but if you bring your RV you will be camping behind the levy. Also nearby the Sugar Barge is Russo's. Same deal, camping is a lawn area below the levy. Russo's has a big pavilion which is handy when it's raining. Tent camped there once, and slept on the boat in a covered slip the next time. Both places are less than scenic, but striper fishing in Franks Tract can be pretty good at times.
matlund posted 10-28-2010 11:59 PM ET (US)
Sugar Barge is one of the nicest campgrounds for an RV in the Delta. From Sugar Barge on Bethel Island you are centrally located to the Delta as well as going towards the Bay. You are also close to major freeways and can get to San Francisco in an hour or less. I launch from Sugar Barge about once a week, the ramp and facilitys are great. You can launch daily or keep your boat on the water for as long as you want. You can also get an inexpensive map of the Delta at any marina that should get you around, also pick up a tide chart as well.
http://sugarbarge.com/


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Author	Topic: California Delta Area
desertwater	posted 10-27-2010 01:06 PM ET (US) Weather dependent I'm thinking of coming to the Delta area the end of next week (Nov. 3-7) and am looking for information. I have not boated in the area before. What are the places I need to see and which are those I should avoid? I'll be coming in from Utah so where is a good camping (RV) and launch area? Are there easy places to get charts in the area or do I need to order online? Any other pertinent information would be appreciated. Thanks.
andygere	posted 10-27-2010 05:05 PM ET (US) For several years, the NorCal Whaler Rendezvous was held at a place called Snug Harbor resort. They had an RV park, launch ramp and marina all at one location. It's on Ryer Island, which can be a bit of a drive depending on where you are coming from (boat trailers not recommended on the small cable ferries), but it offers convenience in terms of having all the amenities in one place. I thought they were a bit expensive for their little rental cabins, but off season may be a better deal. http://www.snugharbor.net/ There are a lot of other little places like this around the Delta, including several in the Bethel Island area where there is good striped bass fishing. In addition, there are some state parks (Brannan Island State Park) http://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=487 Here's a link to other resources in the area that may help you plan your trip. http://www.californiadelta.org/
boatdryver	posted 10-28-2010 09:51 AM ET (US) A second area in the California Delta with RV park (s?) humble restaurants, good launch ramps and a central location is called the "Delta Loop". this is a road on Brannan Island easily accessed off of State Hiway 12 by any vehicle/trailer combo.. No ferries involved. It loops down the Mokelumne River as it joins the San Joaquin River and then along the north bank of the San Joaquin. This is a central location with boat access to lots of sloughs for fishing. One facility, B&W Resort, offers cabins and a superb protected ramp. At this ramp I usually see about 20 empty trailers indicating it is liked by fishermen. On this road is also Korth's Pirate Lair which has tall trees to shelter winds, fuel, a ramp, and a clean daytime restaurant. You will definitely want a navigational chart to avoid getting lost in this endless maze of navigable waterways. In my experience cruising there with a sailboat drawing 5 feet, the deeper water is often on either side close to the levees because the height of the levees is maintained by draglines working from roads on top of the levees scooping mud up off of the bottom. As you probably know, this is definitely not Southern California. November is the start of our "Monsoon". The weather between storms can be sunny and calm and, if your timing proves lucky, would be fine for zooming around in the Delta. JimL
andygere	posted 10-28-2010 11:11 AM ET (US) We've stayed at B&W many years ago, and the cabins were rustic but decent. We were there in hot spring weather so the lack of AC was tough, but that won't be an issue while you are there. The ramp and little marina at B&W are very good, better than Snug Harbor per my memory. The Fish-n-Map of the Delta is a good overview map, and it has lots of local landmarks, marinas and ramps noted on it. I use this along with the NOAA map book that covers the Delta. Get this one for route planning, and the actual charts for Navigation. It is easy to get lost there, with the maze of channels and levy walls that all start to look alike after a while. http://www.fishnmap.com/catalogframe.php
Blane	posted 10-28-2010 11:50 AM ET (US) Check out Sugar Barge if your bringing an RV. Very civilized boating/camping there.....nothing too scenic but thats what the boat and Delta are for.
jjjewett	posted 10-28-2010 04:54 PM ET (US) second sugar barge
andygere	posted 10-28-2010 11:57 PM ET (US) Sugar barge has a decent ramp and docks, but if you bring your RV you will be camping behind the levy. Also nearby the Sugar Barge is Russo's. Same deal, camping is a lawn area below the levy. Russo's has a big pavilion which is handy when it's raining. Tent camped there once, and slept on the boat in a covered slip the next time. Both places are less than scenic, but striper fishing in Franks Tract can be pretty good at times.
matlund	posted 10-28-2010 11:59 PM ET (US) Sugar Barge is one of the nicest campgrounds for an RV in the Delta. From Sugar Barge on Bethel Island you are centrally located to the Delta as well as going towards the Bay. You are also close to major freeways and can get to San Francisco in an hour or less. I launch from Sugar Barge about once a week, the ramp and facilitys are great. You can launch daily or keep your boat on the water for as long as you want. You can also get an inexpensive map of the Delta at any marina that should get you around, also pick up a tide chart as well. http://sugarbarge.com/