Discovery Bay

[J DUNN]

Looking to do a long weekend on the Delta this Summer and looking for info on a couple things.

1. Date options are Memorial Day or mid-July, is one better than the other?
2. Probably renting a house on VRBO in Discovery Bay, what are the pros and cons to certain house locations in the bay?
3. Heard cautions of sand bars which is okay, I grew up going to McIntyre, but is there any info on common routes traveled through channels and which areas to avoid due to shallow water? None of our group have experience on Delta so going in blind here.

Appreciate any info you all share. Thanks.

 

[shueman]

1100 miles of boatable waterways ... best do your homework or boat with a local

 

[J DUNN]

I'll have a GPS and plan on getting a map.

 

[bocco]

In Discovery Bay you want to rent a house as close to fast water (Indian Slough) as possible. It can take a long time to motor out at 5mph from some of the places farther back.

 

[Waterjunky]

In Discovery Bay you want to rent a house as close to fast water (Indian Slough) as possible. It can take a long time to motor out at 5mph from some of the places farther back.

rental price is reflective of this little detail......

 

[Tank]

Only thing that ever kept me out of boating up there was the nightmare maze and potential hazards on the water EVERYWHERE!!

 

[DaveC]

Try to get a place as close to either the north or east side of the outer harbor as possible. The north is better since there are several outlets on the north.

All the channels surrounding and inside disco bay are 5 mph. The channel than runs adjacent to and is north of disco bay is not 5 MPH. So you have to idle to that northern channel

Get yourself a map with depths on it and a GPS and you will be fine.

The delta is a system of old rivers that were flooded.. The trick is staying in the deep water of the rivers. This is very easy to do with a map. It is very apparent where the old rivers are located. They are like highways.

Stay away from the shallows and you will be fine.

Enjoy

 

[DaveC]

Time of year. Memorial day is usually warm enough but has been known to rain in years past. Its a crap shoot with odds on your side

The 4th will be plenty warm and crowded


Get this map and you can plan your routes through deep water.

https://www.californiadeltamaps.com/california-delta-fish-n-map

For example there are at least three good deep water sloughs out of disco bay that go in different directions. Just look at the depths and it becomes obvious. Just stay in the channel and you are good.

I don't even carry a spare prop. But should probably carry a spare liver

 

[Boatmaster]

Try to find a home on the Marina / east side of Disco. Main reason being is you will be close to fast water and a short idle to the restaurant/ bar called The Boardwalk Grill. Like Dave C said get a map and have at it. From Disco you will mainly want to head northeast to all the normal hot spots. What size boats are you bringing? A run to the Bay is also always a thought. A lot of the Delta Lunch Bunch members are in or around Disco so post up right before your trip. Having a tour guild is always nice seeing as it is very easy to get lost on the Delta if you have never been.

 

[lake p.a.l.]

Be VERY careful around Franks Tract, stay out of Big Break, the rock levee walls will always be deep near them and watch for ton's of idiots and cops around ski beach near Discovery Bay. Figure out where Mt Diablo is and always head towards Mt Diablo when trying to find your way "home" for the day. Google maps work pretty well and cell service is decent.

 

[J DUNN]

Only thing that ever kept me out of boating up there was the nightmare maze and potential hazards on the water EVERYWHERE!!

That's reassuring.

Try to find a home on the Marina / east side of Disco. Main reason being is you will be close to fast water and a short idle to the restaurant/ bar called The Boardwalk Grill. Like Dave C said get a map and have at it. From Disco you will mainly want to head northeast to all the normal hot spots. What size boats are you bringing? A run to the Bay is also always a thought. A lot of the Delta Lunch Bunch members are in or around Disco so post up right before your trip. Having a tour guild is always nice seeing as it is very easy to get lost on the Delta if you have never been.

27' Cobalt

 

[highvoltagehands]

Memorial weekend weather is unpredictable. 4th of July is great time. Delta is so big that crowds usually aren't big issue. Mandeville Island Tip is great place to raft up and party for day and then watch fireworks show in evening. The Delta's larger channels along with maps have numbered beacons for reference, so it's not difficult to navigate with good map, and little attention. Just plan your routes, follow beacons, especially if boating at night. You can also Go online to California dept Boating and Waterways and request a free copies of "Franko's Map of Delta",It's a good one, or Map of Bay, or any other CA waterway, they'll mail it right to your house free of charge.

 

[DaveC]

Its not that big of a deal but I understand when you have some serious hardware you wish to keep safe. But the maps and GPS are a game changer which keep you out of trouble. Plenty of deep water to keep you safe.

But for newbies to the Delta the best thing to do is get in with some locals and just follow along. There are several hotboat type runs that occur during the year and everyone is welcome to come and check it out.

People tend to travel in packs during these runs so it is very easy to just follow along the entire day.

You can just get in line when people move to the next destination and follow along and you will be safe. They end where we started (ie. the bar at the launch ramp) so it comes full circle.

You should try it sometime. Always a good time.

There are some big boats and also some serious hardware out there on a regular basis. Big heavy cruisers types depending on size can draw some serious water. When our boats are on plane we are generally safe.

Only thing that ever kept me out of boating up there was the nightmare maze and potential hazards on the water EVERYWHERE!!

 

[H20 Toie]

Sign up for big cat poker run
It’s a great time and you’ll get a feel for the area

 

[707dog]

lake pal ,boatmaster and dave c threw out legit info i ran with those guys often ( well expect davec cause he has a trailer queen), memorial week weather has been hit or miss for years. even a off weekend on the delta is a kick azz time. like anywhere being alert of the bass boat and jet ski gurus post up when you lock something in im sure there will be someone to hook up with for a tour.
note: if this potential buy falls thru im keeping the ol girl and ill cruise with ya in my 240

 

[J DUNN]

Its not that big of a deal but I understand when you have some serious hardware you wish to keep safe. But the maps and GPS are a game changer which keep you out of trouble. Plenty of deep water to keep you safe.

But for newbies to the Delta the best thing to do is get in with some locals and just follow along. There are several hotboat type runs that occur during the year and everyone is welcome to come and check it out.

People tend to travel in packs during these runs so it is very easy to just follow along the entire day.

You can just get in line when people move to the next destination and follow along and you will be safe. They end where we started (ie. the bar at the launch ramp) so it comes full circle.

You should try it sometime. Always a good time.

There are some big boats and also some serious hardware out there on a regular basis. Big heavy cruisers types depending on size can draw some serious water. When our boats are on plane we are generally safe.

Thank you for the input. I appreciate it.

lake pal ,boatmaster and dave c threw out legit info i ran with those guys often ( well expect davec cause he has a trailer queen), memorial week weather has been hit or miss for years. even a off weekend on the delta is a kick azz time. like anywhere being alert of the bass boat and jet ski gurus post up when you lock something in im sure there will be someone to hook up with for a tour.
note: if this potential buy falls thru im keeping the ol girl and ill cruise with ya in my 240

Thank you, will do. Also, enough of that 240 talk, I'll be jonesing to bring mine. If it's memorial day it would a maiden voyage for our 27' Cobalt so I'll have to cruise in that. I'd be jealous watching you in front of me in your 240.

 

[lake p.a.l.]

What's the happy cruise speed in your 27 Cobalt ? How many gallons does it carry? There are plenty of fuel stops on the water if necessary. That boat should be plenty (most days) to venture west toward SF Bay if you are interested in some saltwater boating. You would cruise right past my house.

 

[DaveC]

Hey wait, its not a trailer queen, its just not done yet.

Wait, not done means its on the trailer and that makes it a trailer queen. DAMMIT..... I hate it when you are right!!

lake pal ,boatmaster and dave c threw out legit info i ran with those guys often ( well expect davec cause he has a trailer queen), memorial week weather has been hit or miss for years. even a off weekend on the delta is a kick azz time. like anywhere being alert of the bass boat and jet ski gurus post up when you lock something in im sure there will be someone to hook up with for a tour.
note: if this potential buy falls thru im keeping the ol girl and ill cruise with ya in my 240

 

[lake p.a.l.]

Hey wait, its not a trailer queen, its just not done yet.

Wait, not done means its on the trailer and that makes it a trailer queen. DAMMIT..... I hate it when you are right!!

Please don't ever tell 707dog that he is right again. His obnoxious ego doesn't need fed anymore...............

 

[J DUNN]

What's the happy cruise speed in your 27 Cobalt ? How many gallons does it carry? There are plenty of fuel stops on the water if necessary. That boat should be plenty (most days) to venture west toward SF Bay if you are interested in some saltwater boating. You would cruise right past my house.

Not sure, don't have it yet. I'm guessing 45ish? 77 Gallons. As you know I'm a fan of Powell so I'm a fan of a nice long boat ride. A ride to the bay would be nice.

 

[707dog]

Thank you for the input. I appreciate it.




Thank you, will do. Also, enough of that 240 talk, I'll be jonesing to bring mine. If it's memorial day it would a maiden voyage for our 27' Cobalt so I'll have to cruise in that. I'd be jealous watching you in front of me in your 240.

say what a 27ft cobalt? i am running up to rocklin on one of my days off to put my eye on one but im thinking that bad boy will give my tow rig(08 escalade) anger issues on some long grades or the big hills to the lake

 

[highvoltagehands]

say what a 27ft cobalt? i am running up to rocklin on one of my days off to put my eye on one but im thinking that bad boy will give my tow rig(08 escalade) anger issues on some long grades or the big hills to the lake

I'd like to see that bad barracuda too. San Ramon BC in Rocklin only 10 mins from house, Maybe I'll go by this week and post pics.

 

[Mock Auntie]

Be VERY careful around Franks Tract, stay out of Big Break, the rock levee walls will always be deep near them and watch for ton's of idiots and cops around ski beach near Discovery Bay. Figure out where Mt Diablo is and always head towards Mt Diablo when trying to find your way "home" for the day. Google maps work pretty well and cell service is decent.

Why stay out of Big Break?
We are about to put our boat at the Marina there. [emoji51]‍


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Waterjunky]

Ok all, this has got me thinking. We need to put a day on paper here in the near future and have a get together and run. I am on the water in the delta almost every week lately. Still a newbie in the area and would love to join up with some of the more "senior" members.

Lets throw a date out!

 

[shueman]

The best time IMO ...

>>> Big Cat Poker Run <<<

 

[DaveC]

There are others that go out there frequently than I, but look into the Big Cat Poker run. Also the DLB hookey day is the first Friday of October.

Just bring your spare liver

Ok all, this has got me thinking. We need to put a day on paper here in the near future and have a get together and run. I am on the water in the delta almost every week lately. Still a newbie in the area and would love to join up with some of the more "senior" members.

Lets throw a date out!