We timed our departure to coincide with a rising tide as we needed to clear a shallow spot we'd encountered at the seaward end of the American River channel. We also needed to get into Christmas Cove on a high tide as we'd heard that despite it's official depth of 2.10m, it had silted up a bit. Our shoal keel is 1.60m so we thought we should have just enough water to get in on a high tide. We are now convinced that at low tide we probably crushed any crabs that might have thought about feasting on any barnacles under our keel.
Although not indicated on our charts, there were leads to assist our entry into the Cove and hugging the port markers helped us get in without drama. Quite helpfully there is a set of steps immediately behind the leads that also lined up so there was no confusion on approach into the tight little entrance.
All alone and all tied off on a soupy afternoon.
Company included a few pelicans and gulls...
Some sparring spider crabs...
...and some pied oystercatchers
It did brighten up.
The supermoon made for super low tides
Sunset over Christmas Cove
The Marina is run by the council and the casual daily rate is a whopping $30 per day. Whopping, considering that there are NO facilities (toilets, showers, laundry) other than a rubbish bin. Additionally, although power is available from an electrical cabinet on the land side of the jetty gate (code 1014), extension cables are needed to reach it! We were lucky enough to have 2 x 25m 15amp extension cables that just made the distance (an excellent purchase from our Albany shopping spree). Water is available from the same spot. Our hose was certainly not long enough and we didn't bother with collecting any in our water Gerries. The jetties are designed for 35' boats so we hung out A LOT and filled more than 50% of the width of the double berth too. Luckily the place was deserted so we didn't inconvenience anyone.
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