Jack Moore passed to me the April '08 copy of the Sacramento Chapter (read including all SF Bay) Traditional Small Craft Association newsletter announcing "Gunkhole 2008" on/in the delta region east of greater San Francisco Bay. A sail/row/motor event for wooden boats. I have a Wooboto wooden boat but with little sailing experience. So this seemed the place and time for me to get some intense and informed experience. Jack McNeal's CD of pics he took of same trip in '06 cinched it. I signed on.
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I have a Wooboto wooden boat but with little sailing experience. So this seemed the place and time for me to get some intense and informed experience.
-photo by Bill Stoye-
click images for larger views |
We (all 24 wooden boats with four support boats from cosponsor National Park Service Maritime Museum) began Sunday afternoon June 15 at a marina across the San Joaquin River from Antioch. Beginning a loop, we sailed across the river Monday running on a strong following wind to Korth's Marina, for the second night. The third day we continued east with more strong following winds to a private dock on Devils Island, with owner's permission our third night. We were having meals and storing gear on the "Alma" a hay scow schooner built in 1891 and in service as our mother ship. I slept on my boat's floor while tied to a wooden dock that night.
I slept on my boat's floor while tied to a wooden dock that night.
-photo by Bill Stoye- |
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We reached on to Hog Island on the fourth day and all anchored out or rafted up to the Alma as planned. Winds were steady except in lee of many islands.
Those locations were a break from the winds, but very slow sailing.
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We reached on to Hog Island on the fourth day and all anchored out or rafted up to the Alma as planned.
-photo by Bill Stoye- |
From Hog Island we tacked west the fifth day in diminishing winds beginning our completion of the loop. With rising temps and lowering winds, I joined the rowboats and rowed a few miles until winds picked up.
Three Mile Reach, our last stopover was reached in early afternoon, allowing a '70's type use camp to be discovered on a narrow sandy/arundo infested river berm. Lots of white molded plastic chairs found in the camp and stuck in sand or warmish water. This allowed many of the fifty plus of us to visit, snooze, lunch, and discuss. Our last night for dinner was sweet/sad.
The trip/adventure/intense learning time ended the next day.
Three Mile Reach, our last stopover was reached in early afternoon, allowing a '70's type use camp to be discovered on a narrow sandy/arundo infested river berm.
-photo by Bill Stoye- |
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Friday morning's water was glassy flat. I got towed by a dory with a 6 hp outboard, until a mile from finish. I rowed to the end along a narrow channel with the current. A gentle landing.
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Friday morning's water was glassy flat.
-photo by Bill Stoye- |
I left the delta with temps in mid 90's as usual, to arrive home in Santa Cruz where it was 102 in our backyard. This trip was a very big time for me. I'm still letting small bits sink in to avoid overload.
| This trip was a very big time for me. I'm still letting small bits sink in to avoid overload. |
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Steve Chambers
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