Chapter 5
Floyd Launched on the Delta
Floyd Launched on the Delta
Floyd &
I were ready to leave the LA area from our temporary living arrangement at the
Acton KOA by June 30th and left at dawn on Sunday July 1st
to head up to the Delta. We arrived
mid-day at Perry’s Boat Harbor where I have my 1964 Owens Flagship (named
Island Girl) berthed. On the following day,
I arranged for Floyd to be launched at B & W Marina and to have Floyd be
berthed next to “Island Girl”. The
Harbormaster, Joe, of Perry’s Boat Harbor was pleased to accommodate Floyd so
we could use Perry’s as our “home port” during our adventure to create more
awareness to find a cure for cancer.
Tuesday
was dedicated to obtaining local navigation charts and Tide Tables of the
Delta, purchasing additional supplies and re-arranging our gear in Floyd’s
cabin area.
As I write, Floyd insisted that I make note that since this adventure
was conceived and Floyd and I both committed us not only to promote awareness .
. . 2 find a cure 4 cancer, but to share our belief that life circumstances (
especially cancer) touches every persons’ life.
Whether you are a friend, caregiver, neighbor, family member, etc., most
often personal experiences related to the impact that cancer has on one’s life
is a private experience . . . shared only with immediate friends or family.
Floyd and I have been privileged to become included into the experiences
of loss that many people would not be permitted to enter the private pain of a
loss of a loved one.
Floyd wants you to know that there has not been one person who has heard
of the “Story of Joe & Floyd” who has not had their life be untouched by
cancer. But more important, that life
circumstance has made them more aware of the gift of life and not to forget to
hug and support each other . . . and
ultimately keep their loved ones alive in their heart.
Floyd has heard my conversations at a gas station while pumping gas . .
. when a man inquired what did motor-row-sail 4 the cure meant. In a second, the man rolled up his shirt and
showed his tattoo dedicated to his dad who died of brain cancer. In addition, a woman who sold us charts for
our adventure, whose husband died only two months ago who battled cancer for
over 4 years. There are many more
stories that Floyd and I will share along the way.
Wednesday
morning, the 4th of July, Floyd and I made our first shakedown trip.
We tried out our custom oars by rowing around the Island that Perry’s is
located and tested our depth gauge that had a keel/offset warning alert. This feature proved to be a valuable addition
as there are many hidden shoals which could present a problem for Floyd when
her keel is lowered bringing his total draft below the water line to 3
feet. The cock-pit controls for raising
and lowering the keel in quick order has proved to be a blessing, as we had to
adjust the keel several times as the water level changed. The tidal change can reduce the water depth
by 6 feet.
By
Thursday morning, we were ready for our second shakedown. With the advice of my neighbor/berther Bob,
Floyd and I decided to make a day trip. We were both up at dawn, had coffee
while we reviewed the charts one more time.
We buttoned up “Island Girl” just in case we changed our plans and would
not be back that day.
Our loop that that
morning began motoring north on the Mokelumne River where we made a left turn
on the Georgiana Slough. Floyd is
equipped with a 4-stroke four horsepower Tohatsu outboard with a 3 ½ external
fuel tank. The motor is rated to use 1/3
gallon of fuel per hour. We left with a
little over half a tank. We were
motoring just over an hour when we reached Ox Bow Marina, that last chance to
get fuel before we reached Walnut Grove.
By road, walnut Grove was just over 15 miles from Isleton, but by water,
it was more. We decided to be safe and
top off our tank.
What a hoot, it took
less than a gallon to top off. While
there, Floyd and I motored over to see an old friend of mine who was eager to
meet Floyd. Ben and his brother Dave had
breakfast for me and were pleased to meet Floyd. After our short visit, it was
time for Floyd and me to get on our way.
As we were about to leave, the engine died. I had a small leak in the fuel line connector
to the engine. I refitted the
connections and primed the fuel lines and all seemed fine.
However, I was not truly convinced that my
problem was solved. After we left the
marina we made our way back to the Georgina Slough and continued our journey
north, the engine died two more times. I
readjusted the lines, and started the motor.
We had no problems for the rest of our trip, but I knew that I had to resolve
this issue the next day.
Floyd and
I, in hindsight calculations, were traveling about 3-6 miles an hour, more with
the current/tide/wind and less with the conditions against us.
After about
4 hours, the Georgiana Slough merged with the Sacramento River just south of
Walnut Grove. We continued north on the Sacramento River just past Walnut Grove
and made a right turn on the Cross-Delta Channel Intake. This channel is a flood control lock/gate
system that controls the water flow down river.
With one
hand on the tiller and the other on our navigational chart, we made our way to
Snodgrass Slough and went south til we came to the North Fork Mokelumne
River. We stayed to the right and headed
south to begin the return portion of our loop.
For those readers who are not familiar with the Sacramento – San Joaquin
River Delta area, this waterway system is unlike most rivers that I have come
to know growing up back east in the New
England States. The Delta waterways are
contained by levies, which restricts ones view of the surrounding landscape . .
.
Floyd and
I had the waterway almost completely to ourselves, except for an occasional powerboat
that speed quickly past us. Without
exception, they all recognized the connection of a pink boat named Floyd and
they each left a tremendous wake for us to address.
The return
loop took less time, as at least 2 off the three boating conditions were in our
favor - that being the current and
tide. The third condition, the wind was
picking up as it normally does in the late afternoon in the Delta. This increased the size of the waves, which
by now had white caps and brought a welcomed cool spray of water over Floyd’s
bow.
By the
time we arrived back at Perry’s Boat Harbor, it was low tide and we had to
raise the keel to enter the marina. No problem
. . . as we had planned for this with our added features. After Floyd was secured for the evening, it
was time to call my daughter and chat with her.
Great way to end the day . . .
Friday,
July 06, 2012, was dedicated to solving our fuel line leak problem. Turned out that the o-ring on the connector
fitting was badly worn. This was
replaced with a new connector. By midday
Floyd and I started out to make a second day trip, our trip was called short as
the current and tide was not favorable.
Floyd told me that it was a fact of math. I did not know that this was one of his
strengths. He said it is a no brainer;
heading up river against a strong current with a small engine is going to
greatly reduce our speed. We turned
around heading back to the marina . . .
Chanting
like old sailors . . . “we will leave tomorrow on the out-going tide”.
However,
in our case it will be on the in-coming tide, as we will be going up river.
Post Script: Floyd & I could not have gotten to this
starting point without the help and guidance from many people. Some have
already been acknowledged, but not all.
Be assured they all will be thanked as our story evolves.
Til’ we chat again,
Floyd & Joe
Floyd & Joe
The Story of Joe
& Floyd is just beginning . . .
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