Sacramento River
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What do you want to know?
The river starts at the Shasta Dam and flows to the San Pablo/SF Bay. There are several bridges on the river depending on where you are.
The river starts at the Shasta Dam and flows to the San Pablo/SF Bay. There are several bridges on the river depending on where you are.
I sail on a small lake in Oregon. I have heard of sailing the Sacramento, but I know nothing about it. I know nothing of where to put in. What are the widths of the river? What about traffic? Can you sail upstream? Are there better portions of the river for sailing? What about anchorages? There must be some basic information, i.e. start here. Is there a book, or magazine that deals with sailing the Sacramento? Do you sail in the winter?
I had traveled
up and down Interstate 5, and US 99 before it was there, for decades before I realized how that area is. The islands within the Delta are lower than the level of the water within the waterways which is held back by levies. California Hwy 160, just South of Sacramento is actually built atop a levy with the tops of trees on one side and water about level with tops of the trees on the other. Large ocean going freighters can be seen from Interstate 5 as they are being loaded to take goods down the Sacramento River into San Francisco Bay and out to the World.
There is a lot of information about the Delta available. I even got a specific map of the Delta area from the Automobile Club (AAA). Navgational charts are availiable but simple, less expensive, reacreational guides provide good information for recreational boating. The revitalized "Old Town Sacramento" is an interesting attraction worth seeing for anyone visiting Sacramento. Some 30 years ago, National Geograpic did a good article on the Sacramento Delta.
up and down Interstate 5, and US 99 before it was there, for decades before I realized how that area is. The islands within the Delta are lower than the level of the water within the waterways which is held back by levies. California Hwy 160, just South of Sacramento is actually built atop a levy with the tops of trees on one side and water about level with tops of the trees on the other. Large ocean going freighters can be seen from Interstate 5 as they are being loaded to take goods down the Sacramento River into San Francisco Bay and out to the World.
There is a lot of information about the Delta available. I even got a specific map of the Delta area from the Automobile Club (AAA). Navgational charts are availiable but simple, less expensive, reacreational guides provide good information for recreational boating. The revitalized "Old Town Sacramento" is an interesting attraction worth seeing for anyone visiting Sacramento. Some 30 years ago, National Geograpic did a good article on the Sacramento Delta.
There are several places to launch a trailerable boat. I suggest that you go in around Rio Vista on the Sacramento or somewhere around the San Joaquin & Mokelumne.
You may be surprised about the amount of wind that is generated over in the Delta. It is rated as one of the "BEST" wind surfing spots in the US, so be prepared to reef early & reef often.
The rivers are large enough for large ocean going vessels (container ships, freighters etc). If you venture south/west you can reach the San Pablo & San Francisco bays. There is supposed to be over 1,000 miles of navigable waterways in the delta.
There are also an untold number of places to anchor over-night (or for the rest of your life) if you want.
During the fall & winter there is very little wind. During the spring & summer we see a lot of 15-30 kts days & nights. There are lots of marinas for gas & minor groceries, but it is best to be well stocked if possible.
http://www.deltaboating.com/about.htm
Just search on California Delta and you will find a wealth of info. I have had a boat down in this area for over 30 years and can't think of a place that I would rather be most of the time.
You may be surprised about the amount of wind that is generated over in the Delta. It is rated as one of the "BEST" wind surfing spots in the US, so be prepared to reef early & reef often.
The rivers are large enough for large ocean going vessels (container ships, freighters etc). If you venture south/west you can reach the San Pablo & San Francisco bays. There is supposed to be over 1,000 miles of navigable waterways in the delta.
There are also an untold number of places to anchor over-night (or for the rest of your life) if you want.
During the fall & winter there is very little wind. During the spring & summer we see a lot of 15-30 kts days & nights. There are lots of marinas for gas & minor groceries, but it is best to be well stocked if possible.
http://www.deltaboating.com/about.htm
Just search on California Delta and you will find a wealth of info. I have had a boat down in this area for over 30 years and can't think of a place that I would rather be most of the time.
So what is the highest reasonable sailing point towards Shasta that someone would want to start heading towards SF? would you be sailing or motoring mostly?
You would need to check the fixed bridges to determine where to launch. I would think you can start around Sacto. You are going to be controlled by mast height.
Lloyd, how about Googling and doing some research with the information provided? Read up some. You'll find that sailing "down" from Shasta ain't gonna happen. Sacramento and south, yes.
Please, do some reading with what you've been given.
Please, do some reading with what you've been given.
In any case, checking out the lay of the land is
recommended for anyone not familiar with the Sacramento Delta. Quite an interesting place to see even if you are not on the water.
recommended for anyone not familiar with the Sacramento Delta. Quite an interesting place to see even if you are not on the water.
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