How Long Will This Take?

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Flutterby

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Jul 14, 2004
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14378
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A friend of mine is taking his 30' Sea Ray with twin gas engines from Tower Park Marina down to MarineMax in Oakland by boat.

He's been told this trip will take about 3 hours. I think it will take longer then that non-stop.

Does anybody know how long this trip will actually take? TIA
 
Is it all outside where it can be rough, or is it smooth running all the way.
It all depends on his boats cruising speed and the length of the trip.
It also depends on how much fuel he wants to burn. Now is a good time
to take a good hard run with the boat, fuel is cheap again.
 
You have to run like crazy to make it in three hours. It took us about six hours on a Carver 57 at an average cruising speed of 12 knots.
In many areas, like the bridges and the Estuary, you can't go very fast.
 
This fall we moved our boat from Jack london square ( down the estuary from M Max) to Willowberm. It took about 6 hrs at about 14ktns.
 
Too many variables.....last October on a windless day, water flat, a buddy and I took my 24 footer from Rio Vista to Angel Island (close enough to Oakland) in just over three hours. No waves to speak of, no traffic and a smooth 20 to 25 mph for most of the trip. I have done the same trip in a cigarette boat that could go over 100 mph on a nasty, windy day with the waves up and over the bow and after 3 hours and just past Vallejo ( I think) we turned around and went home. Don't quite no why anyone would want one of those boats.....well yes I do, but I'm getting a little old to be impressing young women in very small bathing suits.

DBH
 
rduhon, it is obvious you have never been boating in the Delta! LOL But I enjoy reading your posts anyway.

Actually, I'm hoping someone with with a similar boat who has made this trip will chime in. But I think 3 hrs is way too aggressive. That is probably what the guys at MarineMax in Oakland told him and it was a WAG. Too bad some of the work he needs done is on warranty; then he wouldn't have to deal with MM at all. Of course, he bought his boat from MM at Tower Park; now they are closed. So to get warranty work done, he has to take his boat to Oakland on his gas dime.
 
Liz,

Your question is waaaaay too simple. Your buddy has a SeaRay, there will be no need to slow down and avoid waking other boaters. I'm sure that Marine Max will recommend that he proudly run at maximum cruising speed leaving an enormous tsunami behind him thereby making it to Oakland quickly and also qualifying him for membership in a local boating club. Gosh, do I sound a bit jaded ;-)

I have made the run many times from Willow Berm to Oakland, When in open water, I try to run at 16-17 knots and the run takes me about four to five hours. If I were them, I'd get up very early, on a non-foggy day so that they can get across San Pablo Bay before the wind comes up and allow themselves 5 hours. If they're running ahead of schedule, they can stop at Scott's Seafood for a cocktail and lunch. If they're making the run in the afternoon, I'd allow more time for the choppy water at Susuin and San Pablo Bays and while going thru the slot.
 
It all depends on which SeaRay he has. If he has a sport cruiser, he could do 30+ knots easily and other than the estuary, it's open water all the way.

Of course, he would have the throttles pegged and suck down about 150-200 gallons, but he could do it. As long as the weather allows it.
 
OMG - Another SeaRay bash! I'm gonna go to the boat lift and pry my logo off!

....OOPS.... Gonna leave it on. Pried a corner up and underneath it said......

B A Y L I N E R
 
quote:
Originally posted by j-d

OMG - Another SeaRay bash! I'm gonna go to the boat lift and pry my logo off!

....OOPS.... Gonna leave it on. Pried a corner up and underneath it said......
B A Y L I N E R

Click to expand...


j-d,

My post was kinda tongue in cheek and didn't mean to bash SeaRays. They are a fine boat for a production boat, just like a Bayliner, Maxum, etc. I was poking at a certain club who shall remain nameless, but carries a bit of a reputation in the Delta. Didn't mean to offend any courteous SeaRay owners.

Hope everyone has a Happy and prosperous New Year!
 
No offense my way....heck, I am a proud Bayliner man. In 1995 I bought a 24ft Trophy for about 32,000 dollars. The same length Sea Ray, Wellcraft, Grady White or Boston Whaler would be double to triple that. For what I paid I got one of the better hulls made, terrific running gear (GM engine and Mercruiser outdrive) and plenty of fishing room. What I did not get was first class electronics, interior materials, good stainless cleats and other amenities. Bottom line....if I made my living in my boat and ran it every day, I would pay for the upper level boat. I use mine 10 to 15 times a year and it has never even hiccupped, not once. It runs strong, never failed, takes big water well and has been a total delight. I would buy another Bayliner tomorrow if I was going to get another boat. Heck, they are pretty good looking also. I guess I am an old time delta guy and anyone on the water with any kind of vessel is a friend of mine, be it rowboat or yacht. I look down at no one because of what ever they are driving and I hang my head in front of no one because of my Bayliner.

Have a good year everone

DBH
 
Easy Button answer. It will take twice as long as anticipated and cost three times as much as budgeted. I'll send you a bill.
 
[:-bonc01][:-bonc01][:-bonc01] You guys all crack me up!!!!

quote:
Originally posted by AbsoLoot

Liz, Your question is waaaaay too simple. Your buddy has a SeaRay, there will be no need to slow down and avoid waking other boaters. I'm sure that Marine Max will recommend that he proudly run at maximum cruising speed leaving an enormous tsunami behind him thereby making it to Oakland quickly and also qualifying him for membership in a local boating club. Gosh, do I sound a bit jaded ;-)

I have made the run many times from Willow Berm to Oakland, When in open water, I try to run at 16-17 knots and the run takes me about four to five hours. If I were them, I'd get up very early, on a non-foggy day so that they can get across San Pablo Bay before the wind comes up and allow themselves 5 hours. If they're running ahead of schedule, they can stop at Scott's Seafood for a cocktail and lunch. If they're making the run in the afternoon, I'd allow more time for the choppy water at Susuin and San Pablo Bays and while going thru the slot.
Click to expand...


Actually my friend is not your typical SR owner. He doesn't even belong to the certain club to which you referred. He's willing to open up those Mercs when appropriate, but does not hesitate to bring em back to no wake speed for fishing boats, etc.

He wants to leave TP as soon as the fog has thinned. Probably around 8 or 9 AM. Being a friend of Bill W's, he won't have need for any cocktails, but he does have a big appetite! He will be meeting a friend in Oakland to get a ride back to TP so he can return home. The boat will be at MM for a few weeks. Then he will need to do the trip in reverse.......

I think 5 hrs is a more reasonable expectation if the wind lays low.
 
The trip is probably a bit over 50 miles each way so that should be a good guage for him. The tides can significantly impact the time for the trip so I would check on those while planning the trip. The wind and fog can also impact the trip especially west of the Carquinez Bridge but that is harder to plan for. For a 30 foot boat the wind should only impact the speed of the trip but I would watch the forecasts to make sure it won't be a safety issue. If the day is nice I would take my time and give myself 5 or 6 hours. It is a great trip and I always make sure I allow enough time to enjoy it.

Kris
 
Maybe the best advice yet....we are out there on the water for fun and relaxation and seldom is speed a priority. It is always the trip that is worthwhile and many times, not the destination.

DBH
 
Well, this time it isn't a pleasure trip but a trip of necessity so that he can get his warranty work taken care of before boating weather gets here!

Thanks for all the input and SR bashing! [:-eyebrows]
 
Flutterby, is MarineMax at Tower Park closed because of the economy or is it seasonally closed? After buying the Yamaha TechPubs shop manual for my motor, small metric socket and open ended ignition wrenches and new spare parts to tackle my own carborator problems I am a new believer in taking control. I know this is warranty maintenance for his boat this time but there is nothing like being book learned and tooled up next time. It might be good for him to chat with the mechanic and buy some spare parts so he can do the work himself next time. Its not just about saving money it is about being in control rather than vulnerable to when the shop says you can have your boat back. I hope you have a nice New Years' at your boat. I joined the forum a few days ago, the anchor hasn't appeared under my RO# yet but I am a paying contributor now. DD
 
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