Transportation - Revision history

PatriFriedman at 16:03, 14 July 2025

2025-07-14T16:03:51Z

PatriFriedman: /* Copied all the ferry info from the whatsapp group description */

2025-07-14T16:02:08Z

Copied all the ferry info from the whatsapp group description

Reo at 00:40, 19 July 2023

2023-07-19T00:40:56Z

Geekeasy: /* Launching a boat/platform */

2021-09-30T17:16:05Z

Launching a boat/platform

Geekeasy: /* Launching a boat/platform */

2021-09-30T17:10:01Z

Launching a boat/platform

Geekeasy: /* Sailing from SF Bay (and back) */ Moved much of the content to a new page.

2021-09-30T17:08:36Z

Sailing from SF Bay (and back): Moved much of the content to a new page.

Oaklandmax at 15:21, 30 September 2021

2021-09-30T15:21:17Z

Oaklandmax at 15:18, 30 September 2021

2021-09-30T15:18:05Z

Oaklandmax at 15:14, 30 September 2021

2021-09-30T15:14:30Z

Oaklandmax at 15:11, 30 September 2021

2021-09-30T15:11:00Z

@@ Line 5: / Line 5: @@
 There are basically three options:
-* Catch a ferry
+* Get picked up by a ferry or friend
 * Launch your boat/structure from a nearby boat ramp
 * Bring your own boat all the way by water

@@ Line 11: / Line 11: @@
 == Getting a ride on a ferry ==
-Volunteer ferries are typically operated by the islands, and depart and return to one of the nearby marinas (which are listed below).  Check with the leaders of your island to see if there is a volunteer ferry for your island.  Ferry schedules vary depending on the person operating the ferry.  Do not expect a ferry to tow your floating land or art unless you explicitly arrange this in advance.
+The Delta Fairies began running a ferry service in 2023. [https://chat.whatsapp.com/Kt6LiNtzeIpIXDvlQK10bb Please join the WhatsApp Group]. The rules and info as of July 2025 are:
-The best place for info on how and where you can catch a ferry is the Ephemerisle Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/105172679576340
+: We are available for runs approx 10am-8pm daily Tu-Sun, usually to King Island Marina as they are friendly, though we can pickup elsewhere nearby to mandeville. Sunday is super busy and we encourage you to ride with other returning vessels whenever possible. Some Monday 7/21 afternoon / evening rides may be possible.
 == Launching a boat/platform ==

@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
-Ephemerisle cannot be reached by land.  You must arrange for transport and lodging by boat beforehand.  While daytrippers are welcome, please make sure that you arrange a means of getting to and from the event beforehand. Wear good shoes just in case you need to clamor down rocks to get to the ferry. Most ferries to shore end at dusk and don't start again until dawn.  If you miss the last ferry, you could spend a cold, wet, sleepless night.
+Ephemerisle cannot be reached by land.  You must arrange for transport and lodging by boat beforehand.  While daytrippers are welcome, please make sure that you arrange a means of getting to and from the event beforehand. Most ferries to shore end at dusk and don't start again until dawn.  If you miss the last ferry, you could spend a cold, sleepless night.
 In most years, Ephemerisle has been at [[Mandeville Point]], about 11 miles from the city of Stockton.  Note when calculating travel time that some of the roads are interrupted by bridges that may be raised to allow for boat traffic.
@@ Line 13: / Line 13: @@
 Volunteer ferries are typically operated by the islands, and depart and return to one of the nearby marinas (which are listed below).  Check with the leaders of your island to see if there is a volunteer ferry for your island.  Ferry schedules vary depending on the person operating the ferry.  Do not expect a ferry to tow your floating land or art unless you explicitly arrange this in advance.
-Check the [[Ephemerisle 2022]] page for info on how and where you can catch a ferry.
+The best place for info on how and where you can catch a ferry is the Ephemerisle Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/105172679576340
 == Launching a boat/platform ==
@@ Line 25: / Line 25: @@
 * Paradise Point
 * Lighthouse Marina
 Check the [[Marinas]] pages for more locations and details.
 == Sailing from SF Bay (and back) ==

@@ Line 20: / Line 20: @@
 Towing home-built structures not designed for the water is very, very slow.  There are strong currents in the channels and traffic from big ships, so coming by kayak can be risky and only should be attempted by experienced kayakers.
-These are the closest usable boat ramps:
+These are the closest usable boat ramps to Mandeville:
 * King Island

← Older revision		Revision as of 17:10, 30 September 2021
Line 16:		Line 16:

	== Launching a boat/platform ==		== Launching a boat/platform ==
		+	[[File:Delta_sea_strainer_2020.jpg\|thumb\|250px\|right\|Sea strainer full of weeds]]

	Towing home-built structures not designed for the water is very, very slow. There are strong currents in the channels and traffic from big ships, so coming by kayak can be risky and only should be attempted by experienced kayakers.		Towing home-built structures not designed for the water is very, very slow. There are strong currents in the channels and traffic from big ships, so coming by kayak can be risky and only should be attempted by experienced kayakers.

← Older revision		Revision as of 17:08, 30 September 2021
Line 37:		Line 37:
	Make sure you've got a good working engine. The trip back is very, very difficult without an engine.		Make sure you've got a good working engine. The trip back is very, very difficult without an engine.

−	~~'''Tides and Currents:'''~~	+	If you're planning on making the trip, definitely read [[Sailing from SF Bay\|more details]].
−	~~Trip planning is something that is very much each captains responsibility, but here are some factors and strategies to consider. Current rules everything when traveling to the delta.~~
−
−	*'''Heading to the Delta:''' Make use of the current by crossing SF bay at slack tide to arrive at the Richmond bridge/San Pablo Straight area at the beginning of the flood tide at that location. This timing isn't exact as the flood tide and current stays with you as you head upstream if you can keep up with it. If ~~done correctly,~~ you ~~may be able to ride the flood tide to Antioch or beyond. Combined with the usual westerly or SW wind, the current can add a significant amount of SOG to your boat~~'s speed. This can add 3kts. For a boat with an average 4kts and a max hull speed of around 6kts, this might allow 8 or 9kts sustained while in the height of the current with a strong following wind. That translates into a lot of extra ground covered in daylight hours, allowing you to get from Berkeley to Potato slough in as little as 9 hours.
−
−	*'''Returning to the SF bay:''' This is more complicated. A common strategy is to ride the ebb current if one can catch it in the early morning before the west wind picks up and creates too much chop. If you have the engine capacity for it, some have suggested heading to the SF bay on a flood tide to trade adverse current for smoother waters. It all depends on your boat. Regardless, the west wind that builds in the afternoon helps on the way to the delta and is a rough element on the ~~way back to SF bay. This generally becomes an issue west of Antioch where the afternoon west wind can make the New York slough~~, ~~Suisun Bay, and San Pablo bay pretty rough. Plan accordingly.~~
−
−	* Don't forget that you get the most force of the current in the middle of the channel, so if the current is against you, try to get to the side of the channel as much as safety allows. Kame Richards has a great talk about harnessing currents and counter-currents when needed.
−
−	* While navigating the sometimes shallow waters of the delta, it ideal to move during a rising tide so that if you do run aground it may not be to long a wait for your vessel to float free. This is obviously not always possible, but it's something to keep in mind.
−
−	~~'''Areas to stop on the way there or back if needed:''' If all goes well with timing the tide and getting favorable wind, it is possible to make it from the bay area to~~ [[~~Mandeville Point]] in one day. It is a long day though for all but the faster boats, so one may need to stop over on the way, and definitely on the slower trek back to~~ SF ~~bay. Here are some of the places one might stop for the night:~~
−
−	* Pittsburg Marina - Inexpensive, diesel and gas dock, nice restrooms, very friendly, short walk to town with good food. If you arrive after hours you can just dock in a guest slip and pay in the morning. Marina is not secured which allows free entrance and exit, but you wont have access to the bathrooms without getting a key during business hours.
−	* Middle Slough - Can be a little windy, but roomy and a place to anchor.
−	* Mayberry Cut - Calm, but some shoreside raccoons.
−	* Benecia Marina - Sometimes really shallow. Has diesel and gas fuel dock. If you call ahead they will leave a gate key for you in an accessible lockbox. Short walk to town with many cafe, bars, and a supermarket, though the market is just far enough that taking a car service back to the marina is in order if you get lots of groceries.
−	* Some bail out points at the west end of San Pablo bay that might be useful:
−	** Point San Pablo Yacht Harbor
−	** McNears beach/China Camp
−	** Loch Lomond Marina
−	** San Rafael Creek
−	~~More~~ details ~~on these or other locations are welcome.~~
−
−	~~[[File:Delta_sea_strainer_2020.jpg\|thumb\|250px\|right\|Sea strainer full of weeds~~]]
−	'''Navigation:''' Use channel markers/daymarks and a nautical chart. Frequent numbered markers allow one to always know their location by consulting a chart. While the delta can be a confusing maze of waterways to the unfamiliar, channel markers and a chart will allow anyone to navigate easily. While a gps or phone nav app is a great tool, it is critical to have some paper charts, or a chartbook to refer to in order to navigate safely and to get the big picture. Something like "San Francisco Bay and the Delta Waterproof Chartbook" by Maptech WPB1210 3E, or similar is invaluable. There are also one page delta maps that are useful for knowing where various businesses in the delta can be found, but they are really not meant to be used for navigation.
−
−	''' Channels:''' The delta gets shallow in a hurry outside of the channels, even in seemingly wide open areas like San Pablo bay, or Suisun bay. Even on my boat that draws 4.5' it is nice to stay in the channel where possible. If you do have to depart from them, check your chart, watch depth meter, and always keep a sharp lookout for shallows.
−
−	'''Traffic:''' While the channels are the best way to keep from running aground, they can be some huge traffic in them. A prudent captain would give the large commercial traffic a wide berth. They are often constrained by depth and/or cannot stop or maneuver. If you are unable to determine which direction to go to keep clear of a vessel, like if you are not sure if they are turning around or which channel they are picking, you can contact their bridge on channel 13. They are unlikely to be able to avoid you, but if you know what they are doing it may help you avoid them. See radio page for general usage.
−
−	'''Common mechanical issues:''' There are a lot of weeds floating in the delta. Be sure to check your sea strainer daily. This is something that many bay sailors only have do very rarely, but in the delta your sea strainer can fill with weeds daily. It's always a good idea to have a spare impeller and gasket, but especially so in the delta where a clogged raw water intake can destroy an impeller quickly.

@@ Line 66: / Line 66: @@
 ''' Channels:''' The delta gets shallow in a hurry outside of the channels, even in seemingly wide open areas like San Pablo bay, or Suisun bay. Even on my boat that draws 4.5' it is nice to stay in the channel where possible.  If you do have to depart from them, check your chart, watch depth meter, and always keep a sharp lookout for shallows.
-'''Traffic:''' While the channels are the best way to keep from running aground, they can be some huge traffic in them. A prudent captain would give the large commercial traffic a wide berth. They are often constrained by depth and/or cannot stop or maneuver. As a last resort one can depart the channel if possible to avoid getting too close to large shipping, but usually there is room to maneuver past them while staying in safe water. If you are unable to determine which direction to go to keep clear of a vessel, like if you are not sure if they are turning around or which channel they are picking, you can contact their bridge on channel 13. They are unlikely to be able to avoid you, but if you know what they are doing it may help you avoid them. See radio page for general usage.
+'''Traffic:''' While the channels are the best way to keep from running aground, they can be some huge traffic in them. A prudent captain would give the large commercial traffic a wide berth. They are often constrained by depth and/or cannot stop or maneuver. If you are unable to determine which direction to go to keep clear of a vessel, like if you are not sure if they are turning around or which channel they are picking, you can contact their bridge on channel 13. They are unlikely to be able to avoid you, but if you know what they are doing it may help you avoid them. See radio page for general usage.
 '''Common mechanical issues:''' There are a lot of weeds floating in the delta. Be sure to check your sea strainer daily. This is something that many bay sailors only have do very rarely, but in the delta your sea strainer can fill with weeds daily. It's always a good idea to have a spare impeller and gasket, but especially so in the delta where a clogged raw water intake can destroy an impeller quickly.

@@ Line 64: / Line 64: @@
 '''Navigation:''' Use channel markers/daymarks and a nautical chart. Frequent numbered markers allow one to always know their location by consulting a chart. While the delta can be a confusing maze of waterways to the unfamiliar, channel markers and a chart will allow anyone to navigate easily. While a gps or phone nav app is a great tool, it is critical to have some paper charts, or a chartbook to refer to in order to navigate safely and to get the big picture. Something like "San Francisco Bay and the Delta Waterproof Chartbook" by Maptech WPB1210 3E, or similar is invaluable. There are also one page delta maps that are useful for knowing where various businesses in the delta can be found, but they are really not meant to be used for navigation.
-''' Channels:''' Shipping channels are great. Even on my boat that draws 4.5' it is nice to stay in the channel where possible. The delta gets shallow in a hurry outside of the channels, even in seemingly wide open areas like San Pablo bay, or Suisun bay. If you do have to depart from them, check your chart, watch depth meter, and always keep a sharp lookout for the best route.
+''' Channels:''' The delta gets shallow in a hurry outside of the channels, even in seemingly wide open areas like San Pablo bay, or Suisun bay. Even on my boat that draws 4.5' it is nice to stay in the channel where possible.  If you do have to depart from them, check your chart, watch depth meter, and always keep a sharp lookout for shallows.
 '''Traffic:''' While the channels are the best way to keep from running aground, they can be some huge traffic in them. A prudent captain would give the large commercial traffic a wide berth. They are often constrained by depth and/or cannot stop or maneuver. As a last resort one can depart the channel if possible to avoid getting too close to large shipping, but usually there is room to maneuver past them while staying in safe water. If you are unable to determine which direction to go to keep clear of a vessel, like if you are not sure if they are turning around, or which channel they are picking, you can contact their bridge on channel 13. They are unlikely to be able to avoid you, but if you know what they are doing it may help you avoid them. See radio page for general usage.
 '''Common mechanical issues:''' There are a lot of weeds floating in the delta. Be sure to check your sea strainer daily. This is something that many bay sailors only have do very rarely, but in the delta your sea strainer can fill with weeds daily. It's always a good idea to have a spare impeller and gasket, but especially so in the delta where a clogged raw water intake can destroy an impeller quickly.

@@ Line 62: / Line 62: @@
 [[File:Delta_sea_strainer_2020.jpg|thumb|250px|right|Sea strainer full of weeds]]
-'''Navigation:''' Use channel markers/daymarks. Frequent numbered markers allow one to always know their location by consulting a chart. While the delta can be a confusing maze of waterways to the unfamiliar, channel markers and a chart will allow anyone to navigate easily. While a gps or phone nav app is a great tool, it is critical to have some paper charts, or a chartbook to refer to in order to navigate safely and to get the big picture. Something like "San Francisco Bay and the Delta Waterproof Chartbook" by Maptech WPB1210 3E, or similar is invaluable. There are also one page delta maps that are useful for knowing where various businesses in the delta can be found, but they are really not meant to be used for navigation.
+'''Navigation:''' Use channel markers/daymarks and a nautical chart. Frequent numbered markers allow one to always know their location by consulting a chart. While the delta can be a confusing maze of waterways to the unfamiliar, channel markers and a chart will allow anyone to navigate easily. While a gps or phone nav app is a great tool, it is critical to have some paper charts, or a chartbook to refer to in order to navigate safely and to get the big picture. Something like "San Francisco Bay and the Delta Waterproof Chartbook" by Maptech WPB1210 3E, or similar is invaluable. There are also one page delta maps that are useful for knowing where various businesses in the delta can be found, but they are really not meant to be used for navigation.
 ''' Channels:''' Shipping channels are great. Even on my boat that draws 4.5' it is nice to stay in the channel where possible. The delta gets shallow in a hurry outside of the channels, even in seemingly wide open areas like San Pablo bay, or Suisun bay. If you do have to depart from them, check your chart, watch depth meter, and always keep a sharp lookout for the best route.