Difference between revisions of "Transportation"
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| − | 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. | + | 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. | |
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There are basically three options: | There are basically three options: | ||
| − | * | + | * 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 |
| − | + | == Getting a ride on a ferry == | |
| − | + | 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: | |
| + | : 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. | ||
| − | + | : We request a $20/donation per passenger/ride, typically this covers about 2/3 of ferry costs and Patri covers the rest. | |
| − | + | : We do runs as needed, not at scheduled times, and we ask you to notify us evening before for morning rides, or morning of for afternoon / evening rides. Just post on the group your number of people & ETA, and if you have large amounts of gear, or wish something towed (ferry can handle a dinghy but not a platform - so don’t count on us for tows). We will coordinate day of. This is a volunteer run service so please be understanding (let us know if you want to volunteer for some shifts). | |
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| − | + | : We recommend you park at King Island Marina for $8/night. Pay at the office 8am-4pm (7pm Fri/Sat). If you are there after hours leave a note on your dash with your name and number and say you’ll pay the next day. They are asking people to pay for parking in the office so they can give you a paper pass. So you will need to find someone who can pay in person - feel free to use this chat for that. | |
| − | + | : The dock is across from the King Marina office, the tee-shaped dock next to the gas dock. Please stage your gear at the end of the dock where the tee is - the majority of ferry time is spent loading and unloading not cruising | |
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| − | + | : Please keep in mind we need them more than they need us, and the actions of a few past terrible attendees have pissed off several local marinas. Don’t be that person - don’t do big builds at marinas, don’t be loud late at night, buy things at the store. | |
| − | + | For further info and discussions, see the Ephemerisle Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/105172679576340 | |
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| − | == | + | == 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. | |
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| − | + | These are the closest usable boat ramps to Mandeville: | |
| − | + | * King Island | |
| − | + | * Paradise Point | |
| − | + | * Lighthouse Marina | |
| − | + | * Korth's Pirate Lair [Not ephemerisle friendly] | |
| − | + | Check the [[Marinas]] pages for more locations and details. | |
| − | + | Please note: You will have no problems launching or retrieving regular boats at local marinas, so long as you have a regular-looking seaworthy vessel. However, most marinas will not allow the launch of home-brew structures, any sort of onsite assembly, or other non-standard activities. If you are bringing a home-brew structure, we recommend asking for advice in the Facebook group. | |
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| − | == | + | == Sailing from SF Bay (and back) == |
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Ephemerisle can be reached by water from the SF Bay. | Ephemerisle can be reached by water from the SF Bay. | ||
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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. | ||
| − | + | If you're planning on making the trip, definitely read [[Sailing from SF Bay|more details]]. | |
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Latest revision as of 16:03, 14 July 2025
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.
There are basically three options:
- 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
Getting a ride on a ferry
The Delta Fairies began running a ferry service in 2023. Please join the WhatsApp Group. The rules and info as of July 2025 are:
- 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.
- We request a $20/donation per passenger/ride, typically this covers about 2/3 of ferry costs and Patri covers the rest.
- We do runs as needed, not at scheduled times, and we ask you to notify us evening before for morning rides, or morning of for afternoon / evening rides. Just post on the group your number of people & ETA, and if you have large amounts of gear, or wish something towed (ferry can handle a dinghy but not a platform - so don’t count on us for tows). We will coordinate day of. This is a volunteer run service so please be understanding (let us know if you want to volunteer for some shifts).
- We recommend you park at King Island Marina for $8/night. Pay at the office 8am-4pm (7pm Fri/Sat). If you are there after hours leave a note on your dash with your name and number and say you’ll pay the next day. They are asking people to pay for parking in the office so they can give you a paper pass. So you will need to find someone who can pay in person - feel free to use this chat for that.
- The dock is across from the King Marina office, the tee-shaped dock next to the gas dock. Please stage your gear at the end of the dock where the tee is - the majority of ferry time is spent loading and unloading not cruising
- Please keep in mind we need them more than they need us, and the actions of a few past terrible attendees have pissed off several local marinas. Don’t be that person - don’t do big builds at marinas, don’t be loud late at night, buy things at the store.
For further info and discussions, see the Ephemerisle Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/105172679576340
Launching a boat/platform
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 to Mandeville:
- King Island
- Paradise Point
- Lighthouse Marina
- Korth's Pirate Lair [Not ephemerisle friendly]
Check the Marinas pages for more locations and details.
Please note: You will have no problems launching or retrieving regular boats at local marinas, so long as you have a regular-looking seaworthy vessel. However, most marinas will not allow the launch of home-brew structures, any sort of onsite assembly, or other non-standard activities. If you are bringing a home-brew structure, we recommend asking for advice in the Facebook group.
Sailing from SF Bay (and back)
Ephemerisle can be reached by water from the SF Bay.
It's about a 60 mile trip (16 hours by sailboat) from Berkeley. It tends to be a lovely two day sail there with the wind at your back all of the way out there. And it tends to be something of a nightmare trip back with pounding waves directly into the wind the entire way back.
Make sure you've got a depth sounder! Everyone runs aground in the delta.
Make sure you've got a good working engine. The trip back is very, very difficult without an engine.
If you're planning on making the trip, definitely read more details.
