About the weather
Bay sailing is great, but be aware that mid-summer it blows hard almost every afternoon. I was out three days last week and each afternoon the winds reached 25 knots, and the day we came back from Angel Island it was a steady 30 knots with gusts to 40. I had up the staysail and the rail was buried. Just be prepared to reef early. (I do not consider my 37 a "small craft.") Anytime in July I plan on a single reef in the main and use the staysail, which gives me control and a max speed ride. The jib stays furled. You can work the system by leaving early in the morning when things are calmer, take a counterclockwise route in the bay (around Angel Island to the Golden Gate, then back along the city front). That puts you downwind when you are heading home and the wind is blowing at the max, plus it makes for great pictures for the tourists on Pier 39. Enjoy, but don't be surprised... Sanders s/v Good News
