'So long Texas'. I'm moving on to greener grass. I think. Whats the best areas ? What should I watch out for ? How much do you sail in winter season ? Or anything else I should be aware of ? 
Sailing on San Fransisco Bay ?
- Thread starter Patrick17430
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West Coast Sailing
Hello, again, hope you've had more luck with your recommissioning search.
I highly recommend that you buy Kimball Livingston's book Sailing the Bay. He answers all of your questions and explains things that many sailors who have lived here all their lives still don't know about. Like the tide & current booklets provided free at all chandleries in case you don't have a computer on board. Like weather, places to sail, plus the ocean and Delta. It is by far the BEST starting place for reading about this area ever written.
Where you sail FROM has a lot to do with what your daily experiences can and will be. Sausalito means a beat home in windy summer weather. The Oakland estuary is a great run home in sunshine all the time. Some folks think it's a waste of time motoring out, but we love it, it's a relaxing way to start the day and we get the boat ready to sail while underway. There's always something going on in the estuary with the containerships and boat traffic. Other folks sail out of Berkeley or Emeryville and claim getting to sailing water is quicker. But I wouldn't want their berths for a million dollars when it's honkin' out on the Bay, they're exposed to the full force of the Bay breeze, and sometimes can't even leave their slips after 1500 because of the narrow channels and short steep waves. Richmond, further north is called the Riviera, warm, out of the breeze. South Beach Harbor is right in the City next to the ballpark, but the waiting list might get your great grandkids in there - folks from out of town use their boats as weekend condos, great yacht club, good racing and cruising fleets.
But LOTS of your choice will have to do with where YOU choose to LIVE on land. Bay Area traffic hot spots are apparent, and to be avoided at all costs. Why sit in traffic when you can be sailing?
Also, read as I suggested already, Latitude 38, available now online. You should also check out the LINKS on their website, there are some very handy and helpful ones amid the large quantity.
Sailing year round is great, as everyone will tell you its warmer in the winter. I run a 110 jib in the winter, an 85 a reef in the main during the summer. Leave your 150 in Texas.
Basic facts: only winter breeeze is after a front moves through: south winds as it comes through, then NW winds that follow. We're at the bottom of a trough where the high pressure sits off LA and keeps most, but not all of the Oregon/Washington/BC/Alaskan winter storms north of us.
But that's well written up in Kimball's book...
Hello, again, hope you've had more luck with your recommissioning search.
I highly recommend that you buy Kimball Livingston's book Sailing the Bay. He answers all of your questions and explains things that many sailors who have lived here all their lives still don't know about. Like the tide & current booklets provided free at all chandleries in case you don't have a computer on board. Like weather, places to sail, plus the ocean and Delta. It is by far the BEST starting place for reading about this area ever written.
Where you sail FROM has a lot to do with what your daily experiences can and will be. Sausalito means a beat home in windy summer weather. The Oakland estuary is a great run home in sunshine all the time. Some folks think it's a waste of time motoring out, but we love it, it's a relaxing way to start the day and we get the boat ready to sail while underway. There's always something going on in the estuary with the containerships and boat traffic. Other folks sail out of Berkeley or Emeryville and claim getting to sailing water is quicker. But I wouldn't want their berths for a million dollars when it's honkin' out on the Bay, they're exposed to the full force of the Bay breeze, and sometimes can't even leave their slips after 1500 because of the narrow channels and short steep waves. Richmond, further north is called the Riviera, warm, out of the breeze. South Beach Harbor is right in the City next to the ballpark, but the waiting list might get your great grandkids in there - folks from out of town use their boats as weekend condos, great yacht club, good racing and cruising fleets.
But LOTS of your choice will have to do with where YOU choose to LIVE on land. Bay Area traffic hot spots are apparent, and to be avoided at all costs. Why sit in traffic when you can be sailing?
Also, read as I suggested already, Latitude 38, available now online. You should also check out the LINKS on their website, there are some very handy and helpful ones amid the large quantity.
Sailing year round is great, as everyone will tell you its warmer in the winter. I run a 110 jib in the winter, an 85 a reef in the main during the summer. Leave your 150 in Texas.
Basic facts: only winter breeeze is after a front moves through: south winds as it comes through, then NW winds that follow. We're at the bottom of a trough where the high pressure sits off LA and keeps most, but not all of the Oregon/Washington/BC/Alaskan winter storms north of us.
But that's well written up in Kimball's book...
Welcome PK, I agree with everything Stu has told you and if you haven't already be sure to get some paper charts on board as there are many places that are very shallow here on the bay(near the San Leandro marina and the west side of Alameda near Ballena Isle marina) the sailing is fantastic!
Gary
Gary
And there is more
Aye to all of the above - plus for an incredible change of pace you can sail up into either the Sacramento/San Joaquin river delta where the water is warm and fresh, air temps get to 100 quite often and the whole family can join in the fun.
John Brecher
Aye to all of the above - plus for an incredible change of pace you can sail up into either the Sacramento/San Joaquin river delta where the water is warm and fresh, air temps get to 100 quite often and the whole family can join in the fun.
John Brecher
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If you don't want to really be in the bay or Delta, you can go to Benicia, Martinez, or Vallejo. This is like In-B-Tween.
If you want to move into the delta regions there are several options like Pittsburg, Rio Vista, Isleton, Stockton and on and on. The delta region is generally $2/ft less per month.
Many of the sailors go between the bay and the delta (bay in winter and delta in the summer).
A lot of where you keep your boat may be determined on where you live.
If you want to move into the delta regions there are several options like Pittsburg, Rio Vista, Isleton, Stockton and on and on. The delta region is generally $2/ft less per month.
Many of the sailors go between the bay and the delta (bay in winter and delta in the summer).
A lot of where you keep your boat may be determined on where you live.
three things you need to know
1. Use the chart. The bay is huge, but half of it is shallow, and you can't tell by looking which part is which because baywater tends to be turbid. This is doubly important once you leave the central bay. People from Texas go aground here a lot.
2. Use the tide tables. Currents around here can be ferocious, especially in gates and straits. And there are many marinas that can't be accessed on low or minus tides. We sailed in Monterey for 14 years before moving to SF, and used our tide tables less in that 14 years than we do in any given month sailing out of Sausalito.
3. Learn how to reef! I generally reef in early June and don't shake it out until Game 4 of the World Series. Most sail lofts in this area cut sails a lot flatter than elsewhere. You might want to consider a recut if you're bringing along sails cut for those little Texas breezes.
The only other advice I can give you is to prepare yourself for a bit of sticker shock. My current 50' slip goes for $800 per month, and the 60-footers across the fairway go for $1,000. And people wait for years to get one.
1. Use the chart. The bay is huge, but half of it is shallow, and you can't tell by looking which part is which because baywater tends to be turbid. This is doubly important once you leave the central bay. People from Texas go aground here a lot.
2. Use the tide tables. Currents around here can be ferocious, especially in gates and straits. And there are many marinas that can't be accessed on low or minus tides. We sailed in Monterey for 14 years before moving to SF, and used our tide tables less in that 14 years than we do in any given month sailing out of Sausalito.
3. Learn how to reef! I generally reef in early June and don't shake it out until Game 4 of the World Series. Most sail lofts in this area cut sails a lot flatter than elsewhere. You might want to consider a recut if you're bringing along sails cut for those little Texas breezes.
The only other advice I can give you is to prepare yourself for a bit of sticker shock. My current 50' slip goes for $800 per month, and the 60-footers across the fairway go for $1,000. And people wait for years to get one.
As everybody said, where you want to sail and where you want to keep your boat will depend in part on where in the Bay Area you will be living (unless it's on your boat). One detail: I think in general the further from the open bay you keep your boat, the less they will charge you. We pay a little over $250 for a 36' slip, but that's about 45 minutes down into the Alameda/Oakland estuary.
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And when you get here, come to the Oakland Yacht Club in Alameda...its "The Friendliest Yacht Club on the Bay". Dinner is served on Friday and Saturday nights and brunch on Sunday. There is a cruise out every month and a social event. Always room for new members.
And when you get here, come to the Oakland Yacht Club in Alameda...its "The Friendliest Yacht Club on the Bay". Dinner is served on Friday and Saturday nights and brunch on Sunday. There is a cruise out every month and a social event. Always room for new members.
Listen to what they say about tying a reef because the wind, it blows, and not always in the way you would want. Shipping lanes. Pay attention to them. If you have your boat in the delta or Alameda or something, you can tie your boat down with dental floss. If you're at Pier 39 or somewhere else closer to the Golden Gate you will need much heavier lines with scooter tires tied between them to absorb the shock from the current. Sea Lions stink and never shut up. Remember this because it may determine where you dock your boat if you plan on staying on it.
Pay heed to tides and currents. I'm on the outside of Alameda at Ballena Isle. If I leave with the ebb current, I can then pick up a flood current north of Angel Island to continue on, then turn around and use the currents to get back. Doesn't happen often. Get the booklet and understand the diagrams in the back for currents before during and after flood and ebb tides. Also, skip the 155's. Working jibs to start and get used to reefing.
need crew?
Minor detour (not hijack!)
I'll be traveling to San Francisco later this week, and should have Friday open until late afternoon. I'll be staying right in town.
I'd love to get a taste of the bay sailing. PM if you could stand to take a tourist out.
Minor detour (not hijack!)
I'll be traveling to San Francisco later this week, and should have Friday open until late afternoon. I'll be staying right in town.
I'd love to get a taste of the bay sailing. PM if you could stand to take a tourist out.
Oh, yes, it does
I agree with your other recommendations.
Ed, it happens every other week. Check the tables!
I agree with your other recommendations.
Well, my schedule and the currents don't always line up, and then if I do get the current, the wind doesn't always play along. I'd be lucky to get the trifecta once a month.Ed, it happens every other week. Check the tables!
I agree with your other recommendations.
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