Spring is just around the corner!

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!

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!!!

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!

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!

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