WORLD OF CHARTERING region, giving you the option to shop and socialize, or savor the seclusion of some isolated anchorage, skirted by eel grass, where you can recharge your internal batteries and forget about your troubles. You don't have to travel far to feel like you're a million miles from the rat race. But if you're feeling ambitious, you can sail (or motorsail) all the way to Sacramento and back. On your way back to the Central Bay, you might make a stop at Antioch, Pittsburgh, or Benicia. Or, hang a right at the Napa River and do an overnight in Vallejo, or perhaps continue on upriver to the Napa Valley Marina — right in the heart of the wine country — where they usually have transient slips. Sound good? Trust us, a charter trip up the Delta and/or Bay rivers will yield lasting memories for the whole family. — andy LATITUDE / LADONNA
Charter Notes We did our best to convince you to give Southern California chartering a try, but if that's not in the cards for you this summer, here's another getaway idea that's even closer to home: How about chartering a nice, comfy bareboat from one of the Bay's sailing clubs and take a leisurely cruise up the Delta? You may not realize it, but nearly every bareboat rental outfit in the region has some clean, late-model boats that are fully outfitted for overnight charters. If you're like most Bay Area residents, you crave hot, sunny weather — because we don't see much of it in communities that ring the Central Bay. Well we've got news for you, less than a day's sail up the Sacramento or San Joaquin River will put you in prime sun-tanning country. If you've never gunkholed through the Delta's meandering inlets and sloughs,
If you can't get away to the tropics or SoCal this summer, why not charter a comfy cruiser and head up the Delta for some quality time.
you're in for a surprise, as around every bend the pastoral scenery changes, and new potential anchorages present themselves. Although the water is often cloudy, it's fresh, not salty, and plenty warm for swimming. Waterside towns and 'resorts', as well as grocery stores, gift shops and fuel docks are sprinkled throughout the
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MAKELA BOATWORKS Family owned since 1948
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Latitude 38
• May, 2012
(707) 964-3963