Driftwood Marina Harbormaster's Blog

IT’S A GIRL TIMES 2!!!

2011-09-06T06:29:00.000-07:00

I’M SO PROUD TO ANNOUNCE TWO NEW GIRLS IN OUR FAMILY…

On July 27, 2011 I adopted a 1 ½ year old Golden Lab mix named Daisy. She has adjusted to harbor life like a duck to water; in fact, it is a challenge to keep her out of the water! She loves meeting all of our berthers and their canine family members. She certainly has taken well to her new role as Driftwood’s ambassador.

AND in August 29, 2011 we welcomed our newest granddaughter, Alana Paige Carroll, to the family. (Yes, that makes 4 grandchildren, two girls and two boys). I’m sure it won’t take long for her to have Papa wrapped around her finger…

I am also pleased to tell you our front dock repairs have been completed… we have 8 - 45 foot renovated spaces available to rent, so please encourage your friends to become part of the Driftwood family!

On Saturday, October 8th, Driftwood Yacht Club is hosting the annual Make-A-Wish cruise and fundraiser. This year’s committee has really been working hard to bring an enjoyable day to you, so please participate…Tickets are $35 per person and that includes a 2 hour yacht cruise, lunch, entertainment and auction. This event is open to the public so get your group together and have a fun-filled day for a good cause!

An important reminder…please have children wear properly fitting life vests when on the docks; not just in your boat. Accidents can happen at any time. I require my grandchildren to have their life vests on before we leave the parking lot and go down the ramps. Also, I encourage all adults to wear life vests when on the water. I highly recommend the inflatable vests. These vests automatically inflate, with a co2 canister, should you fall into water. They are very comfortable and will not hinder your enjoyment of your boating trip. And… they may save your life!

As fall approaches, I believe you are able to enjoy the best boating the Delta has to offer. The winds die down and the water is smooth and cool. Striper fishing is gearing up. Per the fishing reports, one of the present hot spots is right in front of our marina, at the Antioch Bridge. Of course, I could have told you that, because our seasonal resident seal has been spotted inside the harbor again. We are very lucky to experience such a diversity of wildlife at Driftwood. From time to time, in the morning, we can enjoy the peace and quiet and watch a crane or egret float by on a tule island.

Happy and Safe Boating,

Mike

Summer is finally here!

2011-05-23T11:17:00.000-07:00

The warmer weather has finally returned and we are now open with summer hours: 7 days a week -8am to 4pm.

Our gas dock and pump out will be closed for a short period in May due to the upgrading of the front dock. We apologize for the inconvenience, but be assured, we will have it opened again as soon as possible.

We have several berths available, so if you know anyone looking for a home for their boat, be sure to tell them to call us, or better yet, come by for a visit. They can also use the website to sign up on the waiting list at www.driftwoodmarina.com.

We have arranged to have someone come in and help repair all the ramps in the marina. We will be welding and putting new runners down, so please understand there will be a time that your ramp may not be available to you for a couple of hours. It is necessary, for safety reasons, that you stay back from the workers. Most of the work will be done during the week, but if you are inconvenienced, come up to the office and we will work something out.

I know the high cost of fuel is making boating a little expensive. You can still have fun by using your boat and planning short trips or just coming out, staying on your boat, and visiting with your neighboring berthers; plus your boat likes to have some attention too!

Has it been that long?!

2010-09-22T16:05:00.000-07:00

Well, I am a bit over due for an article and I apologize for that. It has been a very busy summer! With the close of summer, there is still a lot of good fall weather for boating. Many fishing derbies are starting up and with the mild days, still a lot of time to spend on your boats.

The tenants of AA dock have had several spontaneous “dock” parties this summer, even making homemade ice cream. Driftwood is a weekend getaway for many, coming out every Friday night and staying until late Sunday afternoon. I encourage you to get to know your dock neighbors, and enjoy your time at the marina too.

With the economy down, boating recreation has also been down, which means we have some vacancies in slips 36 feet and under. If you have a friend looking for a place to berth, please recommend us. For larger boats, we have a waiting list and prospective berthers can be added right from the web site.

The marina staff has been trying to stay on top of many different projects; working on upgrading the front docks, trying to keep the weeds in the harbor cut down and most of all trying to keep the hydrilla and water hyacinth out of the harbor. We had some set backs due to our workboat being broken down and waiting on parts for a while, but it is working again. As a lot of you know, we hired a company to come in and help us cut weeds in June. They did a real nice job. Thank you for all of your thank you letters. The corporation likes to hear that it was appreciated. It was is very expensive project but we are planning to do it annually. We will still get out with the workboat and work when the tides cooperate. We should have some pictures of the project to post on the web page in the near future.

I want to take a minute to welcome Ernie Quails back to our staff. Ernie was my assistant before he moved to Tennessee. Now that he and his wife are back in the area, he has returned to our relief staff. We are so glad to have him back working with us. Come on into the office and say hi!

Driftwood Yacht Club is hosting their annual Make-A-Wish fundraiser on Saturday, October 2. We wholeheartedly support this event and encourage you to join in too. There will be some minor disruptions to the operation of the marina that day. There will be a guard at the gate to regulate participant parking. Just let them know you are a tenant and you will be able to get in. If you have guests arriving later to join you, be sure they know your name, dock letter and slip number. Since this is a public event, for your security, please keep your dock gates locked do not open your dock gate to let anyone into your dock if you do not know them.

Finally, October 1^st is the beginning of winter hours for the harbor. The office will be closed on Tuesdays and Wednesdays and we will not have anyone available to conduct harbor business those days. Please plan your schedules accordingly.

Happy Boating!!!

Spring - Finally!

2010-03-22T09:07:00.000-07:00

For the most part, winter has past us. The weather is getting better and it’s time to get out and enjoy boating. Driftwood Marina (as I write this) is having our first cruise-in of the year. If you have not been around lately, we have upgraded the guest docking and our visitors certainly appreciate it.

We have also upgraded the website. There is a new waiting list you can sign up on, to get a slip, so please tell your friends about it. We would love them to make Driftwood their new home.

Remember the office is closed on Tuesday and Wednesday and will remain so through May of this year. E-mail is a great way to reach me when I am off (driftwoodmagoo@yahoo.com)

Opening day for our area is the first Saturday in April. Anyone interested in decorating their boat and participating in the parade should contact Driftwood Yacht Club...see the link on our web page. The theme is ‘Building Bridges”.

If you have not put your new registration stickers on your boat, please do so as soon as possible. I have been contacted by the Marine Patrol and advised that they will be here soon, walking the docks and putting reminder slips on your boat, followed by a ticket.

It's the most wonderful (and windy) time of the year!

2009-12-07T13:47:00.000-08:00

We weathered last week’s windstorm with little damage to the marina, but the harbormaster’s house took a beating! Those north winds, sustained at 32mph with gusts up to 63mph, wreak havoc for sure. Batten down the hatches and hold on, as the prediction is for a stormy winter. Just a reminder to be sure your boats are secured and bilges are working!

The dock project is underway and being completed in 80’ sections. Thank you for your cooperation last month as we moved the docks into the water. For now, the guest dock is closed. The next stage is to install the electricity and water lines. For you own safety, please stay out of the construction area.
Congratulations to all of the berthers who participated in the Lited Boat Parade this past weekend. Terry Leavitt won the Best of Show and Joe Sabino won the Judge’s Choice Award. Other winners included Nick Rassussin, 2nd place 35’ and over and Jim and Cheryl Davi, 2nd place under 35’. Also Driftwood Yacht Club members, Steve and Heather Ingram, of Delta Discovery Cruises, took 1st place for over 35’.

In partnership with Delta Discovery Cruises, Driftwood Yacht Club is hosting a New Year’s Eve party this year. For $69 per person, you will be welcomed aboard the Island Serenade for a 2 hour Cocktail and Appetizer cruise on the delta and return to the Yacht Club for dinner and dancing to live music. The boat departs Driftwood Marina at 7pm. Please contact Delta Discovery Cruises for reservations (see link on our homepage). Everyone is welcome to attend.

In addition to our winter hours (the office is closed Tuesday and Wednesday) I want to remind you that the office will be closed at noon December 24th and all day December 25th as well as January 1st.

Kathy and I want to wish each of you a very happy holiday season and thank you for your goodwill this year.

Fall is here!

2009-09-27T12:28:00.000-07:00

Just had a nice visit from my son Steve and his family, who live in Texas. We celebrated my grandson, Hunter’s 2nd birthday while they were here.

We will be starting the Winter Hours on October 1st. Note the no staff will be available on Tuesday or Wednesday. All business you have with the harbor must be done Thursday through Monday until April 2010.

Weekends in October will be very busy:

Driftwood yacht club will be holding their annual Make-A-Wish fundraiser on Saturday, October 3rd. This event raises tens of thousands of dollars each year for the Greater Bay Area Make-A-Wish Foundation. Please stop by and support this great cause.

Sadly, Driftwood Yacht Club will say farewell with a Celebration of Life for one of its founding members and a past commodore; a woman Kathy and I consider its matriarch, Diane Barnard, on Sunday, October 11th at 2pm. I expect many boats to come in early that day and will moor at the guest dock, so those of you in C shed, who wish to move for the day, let me know. We are expecting a large turnout, so please, also, be patient with traffic in the parking lot.

Beginning mid-October, we will start our winter harbor improvement projects. Specifically, Saturday, October 17th and Sunday October 18th there will be limited access to the east side of the marina as we move the concrete docks. On Monday, October 19th there will be NO ACCESS to the east side, while the docks are moved into the water.

On Sunday, October 25th Lauritzen’s will be hosting jet ski races again. This is a great spectator event and for safety, our berthers will be escorted in and out of the harbor. Please pay attention to the buoys and do not cross into the course.

Some of you may have noticed we have had some trouble with the hot water in the restrooms, but I am pleased to say we have a brand new 75-gallon water heater that has just been installed, so no more cold showers!

As you begin to hunker down for the winter, pull in your inflatables, and begin your winter maintenance, please be sure nothing is impairing access to the walkways. For safety and insurance reasons, we need to keep the docks clear.

I know many of you will be participating in the multitude of fishing tournaments that are being sponsored in the area over the next few months. We would love to include reports and photos on our website, so please send them my way. If anyone is interested in becoming the “official fishing reporter” for the website, let me know.

Enjoy the best time of year on the Delta!

It's been quite a summer!

2009-09-05T08:20:00.000-07:00

We just returned from a great, restful vacation. No phones, computers, TV or e-mail! Kathy and I are now looking forward to our grandson, Hunter, visiting from Texas, to celebrate his 2nd BD. It’s about time for Papa to teach him to cast a fishing pole!

I want to take this opportunity to thank all of you who came out to Delta Marina, in Rio Vista, to support the Shrine Yacht Club fundraiser on August 1st. We had 19 boats spend the night and served over 120 dinners. It was a very successful event, a lot of fun and something very close to my heart. Again, Thank you, Thank you, Thank you!!! The next one is scheduled on Saturday, August 4, 2010.

NOTICE: PG&E WILL BE TURNING OFF POWER TO OUR MARINA ON WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 9, 2009 from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm. Please be sure your bilge pumps are on a battery backup!

We are getting ready to begin some new projects. Watch for some improvements around the marina to take place over the fall and winter. The minor inconveniences will be well worth it! Also, the office will be closed and no staff will be available on Tuesday and Wednesday, when we return to winter hours in October. Please plan accordingly, for your administrative and fuel needs.

I want to extend a long overdue welcome to Eddie Brassfield, our new relief assistant harbormaster who will be in when Mike and Jim are away. He is an avid boater and will be great addition to our team.

Driftwood YC Make A Wish fundraiser is coming up October 3rd. Tickets are $60 per person, which includes a 2-hour yacht ride, barbeque, and admission to the other festivities. It is open to the public so please participate and remember the yacht club serves the best dinners on the delta on Friday Nights and all you can eat Taco Tuesdays…check out the link on our web page and click on galley news for the latest menus.

On a political note, please write/e-mail to your state politicians to stop the legislation on the peripheral canal, which the governor has vowed to sign before he leaves office…It will greatly impact our water quality, fishing and boating recreation. We need everyone’s help to be heard.

Again, I must remind boaters and jet skiers about our no wake zone:

When leaving…no wake until past the opening/house
When entering…no wake at least 100 feet before the opening/house, and no wake while inside the marina!

Wakes cause erosion, which lead to very expensive repairs and you know who will end up paying for them…

Finally, Jasper continues on his diet…so far he has lost 22 lbs but still has a ways to go. Thanks for your continued cooperation in not feeding him anything. As with all of us, the spring in his step is beginning to return with the weight loss.

As we head into September, October and the first of November, we will have the best boating weather of the season, so use your boats, be safe and be proud to be a boater!

I’ve turned another year older, have a brand new grandson and had to put Jasper on a diet.

2009-04-20T17:25:00.001-07:00

Well, never mind about the birthday, but my new grandson, Dean Scott Carroll, was born March 24th and I’ve already bought him his first boat (albeit for the bathtub)! Thanks to those of you who made sure I was “fed and watered” while Kathy was off doing her “grandma thing” for two weeks.

Jasper is dangerously overweight, so please help him out by not feeding him anything (no food or, bless your hearts, no cookies!). Also, he has to swim more, if that is possible, so please watch out for him when you are exiting or entering the harbor.

Lauritzen’s recently hosted a jet ski race and did a great job setting the course so it did not impact our harbor much. They made sure there was plenty of room to safely escort our berthers in and out of the harbor. There will be a few more this year and I encourage you to come out and watch . It is great fun.

The Yacht Club has several cruise-in’s planned this year on the following dates: May 1 – 3rd, May 22 – 25th, June12 – 14th, July17 – 19th , August 7 – 9th, October 2 – 4th, and October 16 – 18th. Those of you who plan to use your boats those weekends, and may be pinned in due to your proximity to the guest dock, can move to a temporary slip prior to the visiting club’s arrival. Just come up to the office and talk with me the week before and I’ll find a place for you.

Also, Driftwood Yacht Club is having a Mother’s Day Lunch on Mother’s Day. Reservations are a must, so please call Patti Grosz at (925) 846-0467, if you wish to attend. She will give you the details.

Congratulations to berthers Jim and Cheryl Davi, owners of the Cheryl D, on winning Best of Show in the Opening Day boat parade.

Spring is just around the corner!

2009-03-17T17:27:00.000-07:00

Spring is just around the corner and we just had our first large cruise-in of the year. Caliente Yacht Club came in with about 18 boats and several members drove in, too.

The Yacht Club put on a nice weekend for them with meals, music and games. It sure was nice seeing the guest dock full and people out there using their boats. We also saw some of our berthers who belong to different clubs using their boats for their cruise outs to other clubs.

We are continuing to get the marina back into shape for boating season. Let us know if something has been overlooked in your area. It’s that time again to take pride in your “neighborhood”. There were some beautiful gardens planted last year near the dock entrances and we would love to see them again this year. We plan to feature them on the website with full credit to the gardeners.

On April 1st, the marina switches back to summer hours and the office will be open 7 days a week.

Opening day for yachting season in this part of the Delta is April 4th. Anyone who would like to decorate their boat and join in the parade can contact one of the four yacht clubs, (Driftwood, Bridge, Ebony or Pittsburg) or myself to get information. The theme is Legends of the Sea and Sportsmen’s Yacht Club is hosting the event this year.

Last week several of our berthers caught legal sturgeon, but unfortunately no photos for me to post! We're also looking for more boats to feature on the main page of the site so send you boat pictures too!

Lastly, a few boating reminders:

As the 2009 season gets underway, be sure to check that your life jackets are in good condition. I prefer all children and non-swimmers to wear them while on the docks as well as on the boats. Remember, a boat does not have to be moving for someone to fall overboard.

Also, when returning to the harbor please remember boats leaving the harbor have the right of way, so please yield to them (as well as to Jasper when he is swimming!).

Winter is here!

2009-02-07T17:18:00.000-08:00

Here we are in February and winter is finally here! Some of you might not know it, but we have been working on some projects to improve the marina. We have installed new security cameras. If you visit our web page, you can now see a live picture of the marina and the river via our new web cam with current weather conditions. We had a few problems when we first set things up, but have them resoved now. We would like your feedback, if you have some suggestions or are having problems logging in. We continue to update things and add pictures and would like you to keep viewing the website and please send us some pictures you might want to add.

We have also started pruning some of the trees around the marina in order to keep things looking nice. The trimings are going into the dumpsters when room is available, but we need you to be sure all of your trash is in the dumpsters too....there are several around the marina so if the most convenient one is full, please put your stuff in the next closest one. Trash left out just gets blown around and makes the place look messy....and the trash company won't pick it up if it is not in the dumpsters. Remember, your batteries and old oil need to be brought to the area next to the office for recycling.

If you have not been to your boat for some time, you may want to pay a visit because the wet weather has finally arrived and you need to check on your lines, batteries, bilge pumps, etc.

Although it has been wet, the wind has been down and you can still get out there and fish. According to the reports, they have been picking up some sturgeon along with some stripped bass. Get out there and send me some photos!

We have moved in several new berthers so welcome you new neighbors and if you want something to do, visit the Yacht Club and ask about becoming a member. They have lots of ongoing events like Taco Tuesdays (with live music) and Friday night dinners. This month they have a Crab Feed on February 21st and I have been told tickets are still available (reservation deadline is February 14th) Click on our link to Driftwood Yacht club and you will find information to make your reservations.

One final reminder, we are still on winter hours until April 1st.

Happy 2009!!!

2009-01-18T19:00:00.001-08:00

The hubbubs of the holidays are behind us, the decorations are down, and we look to updating our calendars for the new year. Most of the Yacht Clubs have held their Change of Watches and the cruising schedules and calendar of events are being posted. Duck season is drawing to a close, and excitement for the Sturgeon Derby sponsored by McAvoy’s, January 30 thru February 1, is growing. The weather has temporarily turned warm and many of you are out using your boats again. It’s good to see you. Feel free to stop by for coffee when you have a minute. Also, bring those great catches by for a photo. We would love to post some of your prize fish on the web site.

I want to remind everyone that the gate is closing at 9 pm now, so be sure you have your gate cards with you. Our new security cameras and web cam have arrived and we are in the process of installing them. Keep watching the web site so you will be one of the first to see the web cam in action! With these upgrades, also note that we now have wireless internet service.

Driftwood Yacht Club has some great energy going on this year. Under the enthusiastic leadership of Commodore Lucy Anthony and her great board of officers, I am sure you will find some awesome events, food and fun at the club in 2009. The next event is the Superbowl Sunday Potluck, February 1 at 2:30 pm and on February 24th they will be having a Crab Feed that is beyond fantastic!!! The crab feed is by reservation only and you can reserve a place for yourself and your group by contacting Rolf Powers at 925-437-5373 before February 17th. And don’t forget, dinner is served on Friday nights around 7pm. The food is yummy and it is a great way to begin your weekend. Check their website for the menu at www.dycweb.org

The holidays are upon us!

2008-12-13T16:25:00.001-08:00

Here it is, already mid-December! It just kind of snuck up on us real fast, didn’t it?

We just concluded the Lighted Boat Parade last weekend and for those of you that couldn’t be there you missed a great time. Congratulations to Driftwood’s berthers! Terry Leavitt, took 1st place for boats over 34’ (see his boat, Camelot, featured this month on the home page of the website) and Nick Rassushin took 2nd place (his boat is unnamed)! The parade is held the first Saturday of December each year. Boat owners decorate their boats; line up in front of Driftwood, and parade down to Humphrey’s in Antioch where the boats are judged. The waterfront is filled with spectators! Awards are given at a dinner that evening held at a sponsoring yacht club. Please put it on your calendar for 2009 and join in the fun.

There have been a few fishing derby’s going on and I hear people are catching stripers between 10 –20 pounds. Check out our link to Hook, Line and Sinker for the current fishing info! Be sure to get your photos to me so we can add them to the website.

The wet weather is on its way. Right now we are having foggy mornings, so please be careful if you go out. Be sure some one knows where you are headed and check that your radios are in good working order. Also, with the winter weather approaching, we hope you come out and check on your boat to make sure it is ready for the storms.

We have had some problems with the front gate, but have now solved them. With the days becoming shorter, we are changing the hour the gate will be closing. Starting January 1st, the new gate hours will be from 9 pm to 6 am. Every berther has access to enter after hours with his or her gate card. If you need a new one, come see me at the office. Please note, being locked out after 9 pm does not constitute an emergency and staff is not available to let you in if you do not have your card.

Remember the office is closed on Tuesday and Wednesday until April and we will also be closed on Christmas Day and New Year’s Day.

Driftwood Yacht Club is having a New Year’s Eve Party and prospective members are welcome. Also, the club facility is available for rental for weddings, showers, birthday parties, etc. You can contact Pat Hobbs, 2009 Rear Commodore, at 757-2457 for rental info.

I hope you all have a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

Mike

Welcome to the new web site!

2008-11-02T16:26:00.000-08:00

We are very excited to offer this to you and hope you will find it useful. Please send any suggestions on what you would like to see included to harbormaster@driftwoodmarina.com. A special thank you to Steve Flowers, our webmaster, for his talent. We plan to feature different boats every couple of months, so watch for yours!!! Some of the links have been included so you can get current fishing reports, tide and weather tables. In this area, I will be sending you messages on what is going on around the marina. We have begun Winter Hours, so remember the office is closed on Tuesday and Wednesdays. Please do not expect to pay rent or get gas or call for someone to let you into your shed because you have forgotten your key on these days. Also, we will be closed on Thanksgiving Day.

Gas prices are coming down. We just got a new drop, and our current price is $3.19. We have slips available, so if you have boating friends who would like to home port at Driftwood, have them contact me!

Driftwood Yacht Club is serving dinner on Fridays and their famous Taco Tuesday is a great deal, so give them a try. Also, the facility is available to rent for parties and special occasions. You can contact Dorothy Smith at DEEBEAR4ME@aol.com or (925) 754-3975 for menus, reservations and pricing information. If you are in charge of your company Christmas Party, think about the having it at the Yacht Club. You do not have to be a member to rent it, however if you are interested in joining Driftwood Yacht Club, you can contact Dorothy or any of the other officers. Also, I would be happy to take you as my guest so you can check it out.

Safe Boating,

Mike

www.driftwoodmarina.com