Bill Wells
Bill moved to California in 1947 with his parents and brother. His father was an avid bird hunter and fisherman. As a child he accompanied his dad and brother on fishing and hunting trips in the Delta. He still has fond memories of his first overnight trip on the Delta aboard a family friend’s Chris Craft cruiser in the early 1950’s. Except for four years in the U.S. Navy and seven years living in Hawaii Bill has spent most of his life around the Delta area.
Bill is a retired yacht broker and currently is the Executive Director of the California Delta Chambers & Visitor’s Bureau and past Commodore of the Northern California Fleet of the Classic Yacht Association in addition to writing the monthly Delta Rat Scrapbook column for Bay & Delta Yachtsman magazine.
Delta Rat Scrapbook columns
- Delta Rat Scrapbook – by Bill WellsHistoric Re-Launching Of JOIE After a Herculean effort Rusty Areias and Ted Harris completed the restoration on the classic yacht JOIE de Vivre. They trucked her up to the Delta from Southern California more than two...
- Delta Rat Scrapbook – by Bill WellsPacific Boat Services Ramon Mata took over the old Ladds yard and marina in Stockton over a year ago. Right when he moved in, he started making positive changes; he moved a portable office...
- Delta Rat Scrapbook – by Bill WellsA Dora Blu I met Leo & Carlice Aarens who live in the Netherlands through Per and Ericka Hammarlund on social media. You will remember that Per and Ericka own the classic 1931 Stephens yacht Allure and...
- Delta Rat Scrapbook – by Bill WellsThe ARkStorm(s) Back a decade or more when I was on the public committee for the Bay & Delta Conservation Plan (we called it the Bay & Delta Canal Plan) BDCP. After we had...
- Delta Rat Scrapbook – by Bill WellsEbony Boat Club Change Of Watch The Ebony Boat Club held their COW on a rainy Saturday afternoon at their floating clubhouse at the Stockton Downtown Marina. It was a rainy day and for...
- Delta Rat Scrapbook – by Bill WellsSaint Francis Yacht Club After a two-year pause during the COVID crisis, the club has reinstated its live onsite Wednesday yachting lunches. Typically, there would be a buffet lunch followed by an audio/video presentation...
- Delta Rat Scrapbook – by Bill Wells41st Annual Lynn Hahn Memorial Boat Parade Don’t miss this great annual event to kick off the Christmas/holiday season in Stockton. It will be held on Dec. 3 starting at 1700 hours with boats...
- Delta Rat Scrapbook – by Bill WellsA Day’s Adventure Jackie told you a while back about losing her nice anchor and chain rode on Miner Slough a few months back. She was hoping to go back and find it. Ty...
- Delta Rat Scrapbook – by Bill WellsTaste Of The Delta The Delta Chambers & Visitor’s Bureau held their 19th annual Taste of the Delta event on Saturday, Aug. 6. This is a great party that brings folks from all over...
- Delta Rat Scrapbook – by Bill WellsIndependence Day Update It has been a spectacular summer in the Delta. The highlight so far was the Independence Day weekend, and in particular the raft up at Mandeville Tip. Boats started assembling there...
- Delta Rat Scrapbook – by Bill WellsInternational Order Of The Blue Gavel (IOBG) The Delta is home to District 14 and District 19 of the IOBG. District 14 is westerly and includes the Bay Area. District 19 covers the eastern...
- Delta Rat Scrapbook – by Bill WellsSacramento Yacht Club Opening Day Stacey Hodge asked if I would help judge the club’s Opening Day Parade. I jumped at the chance and reported for duty at 1045 hours at the clubhouse. Rear...
