Looking for an activity that always provides memories for the entire family, friends and your close social network. GO BOATING next Summer. With the central valley's mediterranean climate, and proximity to many bodies of water, boating can be your pleasurable activity 3 seasons out of the year.
Yes, give boating a try! Here's 20 reasons.....
Every boat launch is a local mini-vacation.
Best outdoor recreational activity for living in Stockton
4 Stockton boat launches into the Delta
Close to Camanche Lake(Hwy 88/12) and Lake Hogan(Fremont St/Hwy 26)
Spend quality time with family and friends
Action and Adventure on the San Joaquin Delta.
Go fishing, or BBQ and have a guys/girls day out.
Visit “Taco Tuesdays” at Windmill Cove
Experience “Ski Beach (Stockton)”, "Ski Beach (Discovery Bay)", “Lost Isle”, Sacramento's "Rage on The River." Those who know, will go!
Do a floating picnic, drift with the tides
Get to know someone who owns one of the private little hideaway islands in Disappointment Slough
Anchor and enjoy the peace and sounds of nature: heron, egrets, and other wildlife
A photographers dream landscape! The "Golden Hour" is the most beautiful from your boat as you float your stress away.
Share the Delta hospitality and tie up with other boaters and share a cold drink or snack
Float under the stars or watch the 4th of July fireworks show at Mandeville Tip
Find your own sandy shoreline at low tide for kids to play
Explore the mystical Delta during the off season. Near Walnut Grove, salmon fishing!
Cruise or anchor up in “The Meadows” or explore docking at Walnut Grove.
On the main channel, experience large oceanliners/freighters pass by and feel the size of your boat just shrink.
Look up “Franks Tract” or “Mildred Island” on Google Maps and go check it out with a boat.
Dock for breakfast/lunch/dinner at the many marinas/restaurants on the Delta
Try "boat camping" at Lake Hogan or Lake Camanche. Ride the "glass" at sunrise and sunset.
Find the gathering, tie-up and enjoy the floating party...#DeltaLife!
Maneuvering and Trailering
Driving a boat is quite easy. Throttle forward or backward on the stick. Boats are "rear wheel drive." Driver needs to be at least 16 yrs of age or older(15hp or more.) Operators under age 20 must possess a California Boater Card. After 1/1/2019, the age goes up to 25. I would recommend taking a boating and safety class for knowledge and skills. Being the ONLY Captain can be exhausting on a full day of boating. Teach another how to drive so the Captain can have fun and relax too!
Make sure your tow vehicle has the right towing capacity for your trailer. Use this Tow Rating Guide. Also make sure you have the right wiring harness (see wiring diagrams.) Our trailer was "4-Flat" and self installed using the Hopkins Taillight Converter(photo).
Practice docking, launching and take out of your boat. There are no brakes in a boat. Practice short bursts of thrust to float up to the dock.
Know how far your trailer needs to be submerged and you got it made. My wife (Captain) lines it up at Ladd's Public Boat Launch Facility at the end of March Lane.
Learn to trailer a boat, turn corners and back it up. My wife and I practiced in a large empty parking lot with a couple of water bottles. We got the hang of it in an hour.
Learn the launch procedures at the boat launch ramp. Grab a lawn chair, cold drink and just sit and watch the processes at the ramp.
Cost of Ownership
Title, Registration, Trailer: $29/yr
Boat insurance: $130/yr (can be less if you take the Boating Safety Course). Typically 1.5% of the boats insured value.
Maintenance: Annual oil changes, engine checkups, tune ups, impeller (Learn to do it yourself using the manuals here) Most common boat engine is the MercuryMercruiser or Volvo Penta. My annual cost is: Oil, filter, spark plugs $35. + Impeller, fuel/water filter $60. Get boat supplies or boat service in Stockton at Larson Marine, Paradise Point Engine and Boat Repair or All Marine Boat Repair and Service.
Your chair is waiting for you! Peace is only a few minutes from Downtown Stockton!
Storage: Appx $70-80/mo. dry outside storage plus free launching: Paradise Point and Village West Marina
Leave your boat in-the-water, ready to start, (aka: dock, boat “slip”, moorage, berthing): Monthly price varies appx. $6-$9 per foot(length of your boat). For example, a 20 foot slip costs $125 / month at Village West Marina(2018).
Boat Launch Fees: $15 - 18 launch. Louis Park is free launch location.
Other storage options: Free in your or your buddy's driveway/garage/sideyard.
Great deals on Used Boats:
You can start boating with ANY price range. Just get out on the water and upgrades can always come later.
If we had done it all over again, we should've bought a USED boat! Why? A new boat’s value depreciates like a sinking anchor. Here is where I shopped for great bargains on our boats:
http://www.inlandautoandboat.com/pre_owned_list.asp Very good prices and selection(2.5 acre indoor showroom) if willing to drive to Southern California. Shop online and go trailer it home. It could be worth it.
Pack a cooler with drinks and snacks, launch early at the lake, find a secluded beachfront, kick your feet up and enjoy!
Local Boat Rentals:
Rent other peoples boat: $280-$380/Day
Delta Rental Center: http://deltarentalcenter.com/boat-rentals/
Just want to wakeboard?...without a boat!
Wake Island Watersports: (Sacramento) http://wakeislandwatersports.com
Cable Wakeboard/Wakeskate rides: $30+
Wakeboard Lessons: $90+
Paradise Point Marina: Off Eight Mile Road
Fishing Boat: $75+ / day
Patio boat: (9 people): $140+ / day
Ski boat: $220+ / day
Houseboat: $375+ / 2 nights, 7 people
H2O Craft Rentals, Tracy, CA: Wakeboard Boats, Pontoons, Fishing boats for rent on the Delta.
Lake Camanche Boat Rentals: Appx. 35min. east of Stockton
Fishing Boats: $100+/full $77+/half day
Patio Boats (8-14 people): $175+/half day $240+/full day
Party Barge: (20 - 24 people) Water Slide, BBQ & Restroom: $750+ / day
Kayak: Single $45 / day Double $60 / day
Stand Up Paddle(SUP): $80 / day
Escape! Go Discover! Go Explore! Make your own adventure with Boating. It is worth the investment in quality time, relaxation, and happy memories.
Create memories they will never forget!
Every launch is a local mini-vacation for the entire family. Find your own private shoreline! Cheers!
Try boating this summer and capture great memories on the water!
Most photos were captured with a waterproof GoPro or FujiFilm FinePix(less expensive and easier to use) camera. To view more equipment and accessories .
More Great Reads !!
Boating Stockton