Sailing in San Francisco Bay during August

[steveebryant]

I would like to hear from those of you who have considerable experience sailing the Bay area or from any of you who have your own story to tell about sailing around the Golden Gate Bridge area of San Francisco Bay in the summer months.

I have sailed the Virgin Islands (never any big water or wind) and the San Juan's (only issues were the tides) and out of Marina Del Rey, CA (only for a few hours) and the Chesapeake (very nice).

All I have been able to discover so far about the Bay area is that in the morning hours, there are light winds and wave building toward the afternoon. That might really be all that can be dependably said but I would like to here more in my preparation to be on the water there in August 2013 on a 35 foot Hunter

Thanks,
Steve

 

[NorCalCruiser]

be ready for 30kt puffs.
be ready for 6.5kt tidal currents at the gate, with shifting tide lines and reverse current eddys.
be ready for very dense fog that quickly envelopes the entire bay and heavy freighter traffic at the same time.

 

[Joe]

be ready for 30kt puffs.
be ready for 6.5kt tidal currents at the gate, with shifting tide lines and reverse current eddys.
be ready for very dense fog that quickly envelopes the entire bay and heavy freighter traffic at the same time.

Oooohhhh... that sounds ominous. Think I'll watch from the B.V., Go giants.

 

[sfgary]

Steve, norcal had some great advice.I assume you are coming here for the Americas Cup. Just be very aware of the currents with an enormous amount of vessel traffic. I wouldn't leave the dock without a double reef in your main. Have a great time here on the bay.

Gary

 

[Steve Dion]

Recent experience: 6-8 ft breaking waves, 35 kts sustained (46 kts gusts) wind and fog. This was in an area east of the Golden Gate Bridge. The fog bank was from the GGB to the Oakland hills.

It was probably not too bad outside the gate!

 

[NorCalCruiser]

Coming for the AC? the spectating on the water (on a sailboat) during the ACWS was actually pretty lousy to be honest (very crowded, very far from the action). A powerboat would be better. And keep in mind, the amount of spectating vessel traffic will be far greater next summer than during the ACWS

 

[Stu Jackson]

Steve, there is a very good book called "Sailing The Bay," by Kimball Livingston. It's is well written, much more than just a typical "cruising guide." If you're interested in the details as well as the big picture, it can't be beat. I treasure both my first edition and the new second edition.

I was on a stake boat for the AC45 practice day. I agree, much better watching on a screen. Need to see? Go for half a day...or bring video on board, too.

 

[NorCalCruiser]

Kimball is a great guy...

And yes, the on-the-water spectating would have been more fun if we were tricked out with the internet video feed (which was incredible, btw, thanks to stan honey)

 

[stephen Penny]

Steve,

In the San Francisco bay during the August and the rest of the summer the winds generally start slow in the morning then increase during the late AM to 20+ knots, gusting up to 25+ knots. Then in the late afternoon it dies down. Prior to entering the slot in front of the Golden Gate bridge be prepared to reef your main and jib unless you like a lot of instability without a lot of rail bait.

I have experienced 25 knots in the Richmond Bay marina after leaving my dock only to have that calm down to 15 knots in the bay then increase to 20 - 25 knots once I enter the slot. Reef early, reef often.

 

[Allan12210]

We get every day what everyone else hopes for once a month. Whenever we are cruising along at hull speed with a partially rolled jib and no main my wife reminds me that it must be pure hell ashore on a day like this.

With that being said, it is a lot of fun on SF Bay. Tides, wind and fog can all be dealt with easily. Too windy for your taste, duck behind Angel Island or head down to the Oakland Estuary. Too much current, don't go out the Gate. Its not that strong in the broad parts of the bay. And if you aren't in a hurry, then who cares. The fog is only an issue really over the entire bay in January. In August it usually hangs at the gate in the morning and offshore. Summer afternoons are usually quite clear, especially if the wind is blowing. Kimball Livingston's book is good homework as is the NOAA chart. You won't believe how much fun you will have sailing San Francisco Bay.

 

[rardiH36]

Stu's suggestion about "Sailing the Bay" is a very good one. So too is the point about reefing as already conveyed by other responders. During the summer months, I almost always leave the berth with the mainsail preset at the second reef point. Particularly if I have anyone else aboard. Sure, outside the slot the boat isn't going quite as fast, but within it -- in 20/30kts winds -- the ride is still more than exhilarating.

The SF sailing publication "Latitude 38" each month (and everyday on their on-line version) has great articles about the SF Bay sailing scene. Here is one from a few years ago (which they dust off and republish every so often) setting out the recipe for the perfect SF Bay day sail. Use the link to go back to the Latitude 38 homepage to explore more.

http://www.latitude38.com/features/daysail.html#.UIqzDWd9M2Q

Finally, here is a link to a "Latitude 38" article/letter/video showcasing August conditions and an event. (August 2011 in this instance.) I have particular interest, because my boat got caught up in the middle of things. Look for "Best Seat In the House" about 1/3rd down the page. The video is embedded in the article. Be sure to plug in your computer/tablet/smartphone headphones since the sound track adds a lot to the footage.

http://www.latitude38.com/lectronic/lectronicday.lasso?date=2011-10-21#.UIq0YWd9M2Q