Petaluma River

Last Thursday Ray and I took our sweethearts and boats to Petaluma, CA and returned to Vallejo yesterday. We spent two nights at the turning basin in the heart of Petaluma. Spent Saturday exploring the historical downtown with its interesting architecture, shops, and restaurants. Here are some scenes taken on the trip.

Entering the mouth of Petaluma River/Slough with the railroad swing bridge (defunct Northwestern Pacific RR) and the Hwy 37 bridge in view.



Pastoral view along the river. It is almost entirely pastoral until reaching Petaluma.



The Mahalo Moi unexpectedly slowed down when it plowed the river's mud bottom. The Carquinez Coot did the same.



Approaching Hwy 101 and another NWP railroad swing bridge about a mile from downtown Petaluma.



Waiting for the D Street bridge to open, the entrance of the turning basin.



In the basin.



Starting the return, steering from the side deck.



Returning on a calm San Pablo Bay.



An interesting vessel(?) spotted in Petaluma.

Nice shots, Mark. How long was the trip one way from Vallejo? I heard you had to pedal fast to keep up with Mahalo Moi on the way there.

How was the town? Good food?

It's 30 miles from Vallejo to Petaluma. We did it in 4.5 hours with some help with the tides, some at 7.3-knot hull speed using 2200-2300 RPM out of the Coot's 2400 max RPM. Mostly because a Nordic Tug (Three Jeans) passed us in the channel near the river's entrance, and we tried to match her (their?) speed to use her 3:30 bridge opening appointment versus our 4:30 appointment. (This is the first boat to call me for permission to pass.)



The historic downtown is quaint. Has quite a number of restaurants within short walking distance. Had a Chinese lunch and an Italian dinner which were particularly good.

We wanted to visit the town's museum, but it was temporarily closed for the installation of a new exhibit. It reopens mid-April.

Mahalo Moi approaching the dock in the turning basin. Posted regulation states stern tie only, but it's not enforced if there aren't many boats tied up. There were up to seven boats berthed during our visit.

Cool pictures. Interesting boating area. Thanks for sharing.

Very nice. Thanks for posting!

Thought I would jump on Mark's thread and add a few photos from our trip to Petaluma.

This is the Pump House in San Pablo Bay. Tankers would offload fuel to the then Hamilton AFB located in the background.

Trying to catch up with the Coot.

Mark and I decided to have Mahalo Moi venture first into the shallow waters of the Petaluma River because we draw a bit more water than the Coot.

The channel north through San Pablo Bay on the approach to the Petaluma River is about 150 feet wide with a controlling depth of seven feet. Each side of the channel the depth quickly shallows to two feet. Always watch for birds standing!

Pretty skinny on the flanks.

Passed by a Nordic Tug...

Highway 37 bridge.

Here is Mark's new dink...the one shaped like a swan!

Petaluma River entrance. The Petaluma River isn't a river. It's a tidal slough. The river designation was assigned in 1959 so the Federal Gov't would kick in funds to keep it dredged.

Coot following into the Petaluma entrance.


I will continue with additional photos later today....I still have to work!

Giggitoni said:

Trying to catch up with the Coot.

Click to expand...

... because the Coot had a half-hour headstart. MM passing Coot:

Giggitoni said:

The channel north through San Pablo Bay on the approach to the Petaluma River is about 150 feet wide with a controlling depth of seven feet. Each side of the channel the depth quickly shallows to two feet. Always watch for birds standing!

Click to expand...

Don't get too close to the channel markers.

...Continuing our adventure.


A couple of miles up the Petaluma we came across this little shack.


The area is getting ready for wine season.


Lakeville Marina


Now there's a boathouse that has seen better days.


The Coot!


Approaching the City of Petaluma.


The Coot the following morning. The weather was perfect:
high 30s in the morning and warming to low 70s in the afternoon.


Peaceful day on Friday


A Nordhavn 46 met a group of Nordic Tugs on this trip.


Mahalo Moi

More to follow after a few more phone calls....still working!

The final photos of our trip to Petaluma.

The Petaluma adventure was a great voyage for Carquinez Coot and Mahalo Moi, not only for the experience in route but for the destination. The city has done a fantastic job of keeping the town center in its original form with 150-year-old architecture and function. However, the town has not turned into one of those tourist-only destinations; remembering the past, the way it used to be... Petaluma is a working town with active and productive citizens. My hat is off to the city and I, for one, look forward to a return visit.


The Coot in the Turning Basin. The docks in the background are
mainly for day use with no over-night security or utilities.


Open "D"-Street Bridge.


Newer Petaluma Marina about one mile Southeast from town center.


Aggregate and concrete (?) business.


Nice place to plant roots.


Southbound on the Petaluma


Railroad bridge near Highway 37 bridge.


Mark attempting a high-speed pass...

That Coot, she sure is photogenic. How long did that attempted pass take?

Lakeville, about halfway to Petaluma from the river's mouth, has a small marina, a Greek restaurant, and some waterfront cabins (nicest one there, the rest were shacks).







As one reaches Petaluma, the waterfront homes become nicer.

FlyWright said:

That Coot, she sure is photogenic.

Click to expand...

This pontoon-kayaker in the turning basin thought so too.

Follow that boat!



Have you ever tried to pet a luma?

FlyWright said:

That Coot, she sure is photogenic. How long did that attempted pass take?

Click to expand...

He snuck up on me when I wasn't paying attention! I whipped the Cats from 1350 rpm to 1650 rpm and went back to sleep...

markpierce said:

This pontoon-kayaker in the turning basin thought so too.

Click to expand...

I don't know...looks like he's holding a pistol, to me...

Excellent photo journalism guys! I feel like I was there.

FlyWright said:

That Coot, she sure is photogenic.

Click to expand...

I agree and think it's because of that dark hull.

SeaHorse II said:

I agree and think it's because of that dark hull.

Click to expand...

I think you're right, Walt. That Coot is a good lookin' bird!!!

Giggitoni said:

He snuck up on me when I wasn't paying attention! I whipped the Cats from 1350 rpm to 1650 rpm and went back to sleep...

Click to expand...

Good ... exercise your engines hard(er) as I did despite my falling behind by over 1.5 knots. ... You dropped off my radar around 2/3 mile.

Well, you've got a good looking dark-hulled 34 Californian heading your way. It looks like it's time for a little competition for the prettiest boat in America's Finest City!!

Al, it's time for you to paint FlyWright's hull dark with some contrasting striping. ... I still have four of the original six IPA beers aboard the Coot.

markpierce said:

... I still have four of the original six IPA beers aboard the Coot.

Click to expand...

Sounds like a good time to visit before Al cleans you out

CPseudonym said:

Sounds like a good time to visit before Al cleans you out

Click to expand...

It's more like Al needs to come and visit before I drink it all.

FlyWright said:

It looks like it's time for a little competition for the prettiest boat in America's Finest City!!

Click to expand...

It's heading here?

Isn't that gwkiwi?

Never mind! Just read elsewhere that gwkiwi sold this boat and is headed to San Diego.

markpierce said:

Al, it's time for you to paint FlyWright's hull dark with some contrasting striping. ... I still have four of the original six IPA beers aboard the Coot.

Click to expand...

Keep that up, Mark, and I might just have to wait until you restock!! As much as I like dark hull boats (and I DO like dark hull boats!!), I doubt I'd ever sink all that time, talent and treasure into putting too much lipstick on this pig, and I say that most affectionately. I love her dearly and have no plans to replace her, but I kind of like her with her present warts, blemishes, patina and external lube! I don't worry at all about chips, cracks or scuff marks. I just blame them all on the previous owner. "Damn him!!"

Ray, yes...that's it. Here's the link for others.